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mysta 's review for:
When Calls the Heart
by Janette Oke
Here because my sister got me hooked on the TV series (I may never forgive her).
I haven't read a romance since I was about 12. This is only the second romance I've ever read (or at least, only the second that I can remember reading).
Somewhat disappointed. This was a very easy read, and I never felt the need to put it down, but I just... didn't find it satisfying, in the end. There is very little real characterization of anyone other than Elizabeth. Most of what we actually "see" are times when Elizabeth is alone, while her time spent with other characters is largely summarized. When we actually do see her with other characters, she either isn't really interacting with them, or the interactions are extremely brief, so it never really feels like she has any kind of relationship/connection with any of the people she calls friends. I can't even remember the names of most of the other characters, and couldn't keep them straight while I was reading. Even the love interest (whom she sees early on, but doesn't meet until nearly halfway through the book) barely gets sufficient characterization, and again, except for a few key moments, their interactions are quickly summarized instead of shown.
I also found it a little... overbearingly Christian at times (note: I'm agnostic and grew up attending a fairly liberal/progressive United Church). Admittedly, I didn't realize this was Christian fiction when I started reading it, so that doesn't help, but I found it often didn't feel like a natural part of the story, and in one scene in particular felt like I was being lectured at. And the defensiveness of the mounted police and describing them as ambassadors and heroes to "white and native alike" didn't quite sit right with me, given current events. Thankfully that was a surprisingly small portion of the book, considering the love interest is a mountie.
Those issues aside, I did find this a fairly pleasant read. There isn't really much in the way of plot, it's not very exciting, but it's... well, I think "nice" would be the right word. Like sipping a cup of tea while you watch the birds out the window. I've been wavering back and forth between 2 stars and 3 stars for the entire time I've been writing this review. So I guess I'll be generous and give it 3, since I do plan to read the next book in the series, despite my issues with this one (or maybe it's just wishful thinking that the next one will be better). And even if I end up abandoning this series, I'll probably give the "Return to the Canadian West" series a shot.
I haven't read a romance since I was about 12. This is only the second romance I've ever read (or at least, only the second that I can remember reading).
Somewhat disappointed. This was a very easy read, and I never felt the need to put it down, but I just... didn't find it satisfying, in the end. There is very little real characterization of anyone other than Elizabeth. Most of what we actually "see" are times when Elizabeth is alone, while her time spent with other characters is largely summarized. When we actually do see her with other characters, she either isn't really interacting with them, or the interactions are extremely brief, so it never really feels like she has any kind of relationship/connection with any of the people she calls friends. I can't even remember the names of most of the other characters, and couldn't keep them straight while I was reading. Even the love interest (whom she sees early on, but doesn't meet until nearly halfway through the book) barely gets sufficient characterization, and again, except for a few key moments, their interactions are quickly summarized instead of shown.
Spoiler
As a result, the inevitable marriage proposal feels like it's coming completely out of nowhere, and I had to remind myself that actually, they did probably know each other well enough at that point, we just never got to see it.I also found it a little... overbearingly Christian at times (note: I'm agnostic and grew up attending a fairly liberal/progressive United Church). Admittedly, I didn't realize this was Christian fiction when I started reading it, so that doesn't help, but I found it often didn't feel like a natural part of the story, and in one scene in particular felt like I was being lectured at. And the defensiveness of the mounted police and describing them as ambassadors and heroes to "white and native alike" didn't quite sit right with me, given current events. Thankfully that was a surprisingly small portion of the book, considering the love interest is a mountie.
Those issues aside, I did find this a fairly pleasant read. There isn't really much in the way of plot, it's not very exciting, but it's... well, I think "nice" would be the right word. Like sipping a cup of tea while you watch the birds out the window. I've been wavering back and forth between 2 stars and 3 stars for the entire time I've been writing this review. So I guess I'll be generous and give it 3, since I do plan to read the next book in the series, despite my issues with this one (or maybe it's just wishful thinking that the next one will be better). And even if I end up abandoning this series, I'll probably give the "Return to the Canadian West" series a shot.