This was an engaging, enjoyable read that will inspire me to pick up more by Hester Fox. I enjoyed the atmospheric, Yorkshire Moors setting and the blThis was an engaging, enjoyable read that will inspire me to pick up more by Hester Fox. I enjoyed the atmospheric, Yorkshire Moors setting and the blend of historical and paranormal genres. I like how the flow of the text changes as Ivy begins to lose her grip so that we can feel along with her that something is not quite right at Blackwood. In true gothic style, the sense of dread grows as you read in a really tangible way. This is a good read for fans of Kate Ryder and Nicola Cornick....more
I really loved this! It is an engaging historical epic and while the comps are not wrong, they do it a disservice imo. The characters are interesting I really loved this! It is an engaging historical epic and while the comps are not wrong, they do it a disservice imo. The characters are interesting and well developed. The perspective shifts between two main characters and the people that surround them and I never minded the shift. Every time we checked in with the other characters I was ready to find out what they were up to and when their paths cross, all the better! The setting is perfect for a sweeping, historical with fantastical elements and I want to read all about Mongolian history now....more
If you've enjoyed other works by M.J. Rose like The Reincarnationist or Daughter of La Lune series then I think you'll find this an enjoyable read. LiIf you've enjoyed other works by M.J. Rose like The Reincarnationist or Daughter of La Lune series then I think you'll find this an enjoyable read. Like many of her others, the story is told in two time periods and features mystery and a bit of romance....more
A lovely, gentle read exploring the life of Jane Austen through her sister Cassandra who we follow in her later years, long after Jane's death. This bA lovely, gentle read exploring the life of Jane Austen through her sister Cassandra who we follow in her later years, long after Jane's death. This book was written for Austen fans, that is very clear. The style and tone are very much like her books and that suits the story well. It is a character study and not plot or action heavy. If that is what you are looking for, this is the book for you!...more
A Most English Princess is a wonderfully written and incredibly in-depth imagining of the life of Victoria, Princess Royal, the eldest child of Queen A Most English Princess is a wonderfully written and incredibly in-depth imagining of the life of Victoria, Princess Royal, the eldest child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is very much in the vein of the BBC/PBS show Victoria in that it follows Vicky through important events in her life and in the world around her and does so in a very humanizing way. We get to see these events through her eyes. There is so much written about Queen Victoria that is refreshing to explore the life of someone else around her. We follow Vicky but by virtue of her relationship with her parents we get a unique view of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as well. This book feels incredibly well researched and I imagine the massive quantity of surviving letters between Vicky and her mother were invaluable in this regard. In fact, these letters themselves serve as the frame narrative to the story. I highly recommend this to fans of Victorian historical fiction especially, but also to anyone who just enjoys well researched and immersive historical fiction, no matter the era.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
What a lovely gem this book is. While I don't think that you have to be an Austen lover to enjoy it, it would certainly help. The story is filled withWhat a lovely gem this book is. While I don't think that you have to be an Austen lover to enjoy it, it would certainly help. The story is filled with references to Austen characters and places and as a fan it is really fun to come across them. It is a light and sweet read but there is also more below the surface. It is about a group of people figuring out how to move forward in world that has changed and if that is not a timely read, I don't know what is. It inspired me to revisit my Austen favorites again as well. As an added bonus, the audio is read by Richard Armitage sooo......
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
The Vanished Bride is the first in a new series featuring the Bronte sisters as a crime solving trio. This was a really fun read. The mystery was engaThe Vanished Bride is the first in a new series featuring the Bronte sisters as a crime solving trio. This was a really fun read. The mystery was engaging and the characterization of the sisters and dialogue between them felt very authentic. I will be reading more of this series for sure....more
The Lady and the Highwayman is a really fun and dare I say it, fresh take on a historical romance. The main characters attraction to each other is basThe Lady and the Highwayman is a really fun and dare I say it, fresh take on a historical romance. The main characters attraction to each other is based on a mutual respect for the other work, it is not just a physical attraction. It is also nice to see a HR that doesn't rely upon the well trodden "landed-gentry MC" trope. Our main characters both work for a living! The dialogue is well written and the chemistry between the characters and the way their relationship develops feels very natural. The social justice themes are also well written and feel authentic. If you are looking for something that is just a bit different than the usual Victorian romance fare, give this a go. I will be reading more by this author for sure....more
This is the third book by Nicola Cornick that I have read, and while it isn't my favorite of hers it was an enjoyable read. I am a big fan of dual-timThis is the third book by Nicola Cornick that I have read, and while it isn't my favorite of hers it was an enjoyable read. I am a big fan of dual-timeline books with historical and contemporary threads that intertwine so I have read a lot of them. This is a pretty good example of that genre. It is well written with an intriguing mystery. The supernatural element was a bit more overt than I usually like. I prefer it to just be there and not really discussed or analyzed too much by the characters, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment here. There were a few plot elements that came across as too convenient and that is what keeps this from being a 4 star read for me. I would still definitely recommend this book to fans of dual-timeline or historical fiction with a bit of mystery, romance and the supernatural. If you like Susanna Kearsley, Barbara Erskine or Sarah Jio you should give Nicola Cornick a try....more
I really enjoyed this book. Dual timeline books can be very hit or miss. This one is a hit for me. I requested this arc having never read a Nicola CorI really enjoyed this book. Dual timeline books can be very hit or miss. This one is a hit for me. I requested this arc having never read a Nicola Cornick book and now because of it I've read 2 others and have a found a new favorite author that I will definitely return to again and again. The dual timelines are handled really well and I found myself engaged throughout. If you are a fan of Susanna Kearsley or Sarah Jio you and haven't tried Nicola Cornick yet, then I encourage you to pick this book up....more
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