Cinders & Sapphires (At Somerton, #1)

Jan 13, 2013 Renu rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review-from-publisher, enjoyable

Secrets & Sapphires (aka Cinders & Sapphires in the US) is a delicious read full of intrigue and scandal!

After a decade spent in India the Averley family are returning to Somerton. Lord Averley is to be wed to Fiona Templeton and this means that his children, Ada and Georgina, have to learn to adjust and get along with their new step-siblings - the cruel and ambitious Charlotte, mischievous Sebastian and boisterous Matthew. Ada longs to study at Oxford, but her father would rather see he...more Secrets & Sapphires (aka Cinders & Sapphires in the US) is a delicious read full of intrigue and scandal!

After a decade spent in India the Averley family are returning to Somerton. Lord Averley is to be wed to Fiona Templeton and this means that his children, Ada and Georgina, have to learn to adjust and get along with their new step-siblings - the cruel and ambitious Charlotte, mischievous Sebastian and boisterous Matthew. Ada longs to study at Oxford, but her father would rather see her marry well. Sebastian has to fend of threats of exposure from a former valet (and lover). Rose has been promoted to a lady's maid but can she handle the responsibilities that come with it? As tensions arise both upstairs and downstairs love, scandal, and drama ensues.

The story is told from multiple points of view, and this is one of those books where it actually works. The individual arcs flowed seamlessly together and each voice was distinctly different from the other. Rasheed has a lush writing style, and her portrayal of the characters is well thought out for the time period.

On their journey back to Somerton Ada stumbles upon Ravi, a handsome, young Indian who happens to be traveling to England to study at Oxford. Although they're from different worlds the two hit it of. Ravi isn't like other young men - he doesn't look down at Ada for wanting to be independent and have an education. Their paths continue to cross once they arrive in England, but alas their romance is forbidden so they have to revert to secretly sending letters to one another. But soon Ada realises that she has to make a decision, she has to choose between what she wants and what is expected of her. I really enjoyed Ada's story, kind and passionate she was a character I could easily connect to and empathise with.

While the romance between Ada and Ravi was sweet I have to admit that I kind of wish it was slowed down and given more time to develop. However, I still liked both characters and look forward to seeing where their relationship goes in the sequel.

There is a whole cast of characters that I could mention here, but I've decided to go with Rose and Sebastian. Rose's quiet strength and loyalty never failed to amaze me and my heart ached for Sebastian, especially towards the end.

Secrets and Sapphires isn't just about gossip and scandal, though. It also tackles some serious issues such as women's rights, homosexuality, social class, and Imperialism. I loved the exploration into India's tyranny during the British Empire and the two different perspectives we get on it from Ada and Ravi.

On a side note I liked that there was diversity in this book, it's something that's lacking in YA and I hope to see more of.

If you're a fan of Downton Abbey I definitely recommend giving Secrets & Sapphires a go.

This review also appears on my blog The Page Turner.(less)

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Feb 27, 2013 Mitch rated it 3 of 5 stars

By almost any measure, Cinders and Sapphires is not a good book. Think Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey, heavy emphasis on Gossip Girl. In fact, the British period setting is the only aspect even remotely reminiscent of Downton Abbey. Yeah. Total train wreck right there. That said, sometimes a book will be so bad that it's good, and for me Cinders and Sapphires is such a book - so hilariously over the top terrible that I ended up actually liking it.

So what's ~~wrong~~ right? Basically, this is a book...more By almost any measure, Cinders and Sapphires is not a good book. Think Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey, heavy emphasis on Gossip Girl. In fact, the British period setting is the only aspect even remotely reminiscent of Downton Abbey. Yeah. Total train wreck right there. That said, sometimes a book will be so bad that it's good, and for me Cinders and Sapphires is such a book - so hilariously over the top terrible that I ended up actually liking it.

So what's ~~wrong~~ right? Basically, this is a book full of manufactured, petty scandals. Lady Ada Averly's father, Lord Westlake, is forced out of his position as Lieutenant Governor of India because of some undisclosed wrongdoing that casts a cloud of suspicion over her family. Scandal! She kisses some Indian dude on the boat ride back to England and spends the rest of the book alternatively obsessing over him and neurosing about how inappropriate her actions are. Scandal! Upon arriving back at their estate, her father marries some lady because Westlake's brother who's been left in charge of Somerton has been mismanaging the finances and they're almost broke. Scan... ok, that one sounds pretty typical actually. Ada's new stepbrother is in the closet about his relationship with his valet AND being blackmailed by his former valet with whom he's also had a relationship. Scandal! Ada's new lady's maid, Rose, is actually Westlake's daughter and Ada's illegitimate half sister. Scandal! Ada’s stepsister Charlotte desperately wants to marry this lord so she can get this nice title of nobility, except Ada pretends she’s interested in the same poor guy but really just needs an excuse to see that Indian guy again, and… yeah. Scandal!

Of course, the mere fact that the characters are basically just walking from one scandal into the next is only half of it. Cinders and Sapphires tries to be a legitimate book instead of a gossip rag - Leila Rasheed surprisingly tackles both the budding feminism of the day and the growing Indian discontent with British rule, and it’s not half bad done at all. Ada’s storyline about her dreams of going to Oxford and wanting to become an independent woman and Rose’s subplot about her being a talented composer but fearful of ‘rising above her station’ are pretty good tie-ins with the gradual evolution of gender and class perceptions over this period, and Ada’s debates with Indian dude Ravi over the merits and excesses of British rule went much farther than I expected and gave the impression Rasheed knows far more about the subject than I suspected at first blush. And the sharp eyed will pick out rumblings of the First World War in the distance - there’s definitely enough coverage of turn of the last century history that, at times (meaning for two or three paragraphs, half a page max), I almost thought I was reading an actual historical novel.

Unfortunately, reading this book and actively trying to find the historical elements I described above is really about as effective as looking for sober patrons at an Irish pub, because Rasheed went way overboard with the (laughably bad) scandals. I hope I’m not the only one who finds the notion of one kiss on a ship in the night leading to a true love I only have eyes for you type relationship between two star crossed lovers ridiculous, and then to add on top of it a love triangle of first convenience and then they might just actually work is just piling on the cheese. And completely drowns out Ada’s Oxford dreams storyline to boot. As for the others, Rose seems to be relegated to the goody role, while Charlotte gets cast as the evil conniving stepsister, not to mention the subplot with Ada’s stepbrother Sebastian perpetrates every conceivable gay stereotype ever - yes I’m sure what Sebastian goes through could conceivably happen given the social stigma and much worse attached to being gay at the time, but between the way his relationship with Oliver is written, the blackmail, him desperately trying to find a beard, and how the blackmail’s resolved, I don’t know, it’s just so over the top, cartoonish, and not serious at all. And yet I keep thinking about all of it!

I’m running out of observations at this point, so I guess what I’m saying is that Cinders and Sapphires is a potent combination of ridiculous petty drama and period... I don’t know what to call it, the history’s written with depth but how it’s covered is incredibly shallow. The overall result is a plot that’s admittedly bad... but I liked it.(less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Stacy/GirlsInTheStacks.com rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Those nice folks at Disney Hyperion got it on the nose when they sent me this, for I love with all my heart historical fiction. I'm a sucker for period dramas. I can never cease to get enough of the upstairs, downstairs stories containing star crossed lovers. Forbidden attraction with high stakes and I'm reeled in till the end.

Before I wax poetically on Cinders & Sapphires, let's discuss the cover. Am I the only one who thinks the girl in the middle (Ada) looks like a young Stephanie Meyer?...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Merin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, 2013-dac, read-in-2013

3.5/5 stars.

As a fan of well done historicals, I eagerly dove into Cinders & Sapphires. I was expecting drama and scandal, mostly revolving around the two characters mentioned in the summary, Rose and Ada. And we definitely get that, in spades. But I wasn't expecting all the other stories going on in this book. Pretty much every character mentioned, from Ada's family members, to her father's new wife and her children, to the household staff, have some sort of point of view moment in this boo...more 3.5/5 stars.

As a fan of well done historicals, I eagerly dove into Cinders & Sapphires. I was expecting drama and scandal, mostly revolving around the two characters mentioned in the summary, Rose and Ada. And we definitely get that, in spades. But I wasn't expecting all the other stories going on in this book. Pretty much every character mentioned, from Ada's family members, to her father's new wife and her children, to the household staff, have some sort of point of view moment in this book. While overall I did enjoy the book, I couldn't help coming away feeling like there was just too much going on in this single volume.

It's difficult to even know where to start with my review of this story. Ada is our main character; she's spent the past ten years in India, is a very bookish sort, and desperately wants to attend Oxford, which is not really the done thing. Throw in her unexpected feelings for Ravi, a young Indian man she meets on the boat back to England who is also attending Oxford, and things get very complicated, very quickly, and that's just with one storyline. You then have Rose, who has just been promoted to ladies' maid. She has a gift for music, and has spent the past ten years working at Somerton while Ada and her family has been away. The story would have been perfect if we'd just focused on these two girls and their lives, but when you add in the drama with Sebastian and Oliver, Georgiana's crush on her new stepbrother, Michael (and Michael's crush on the new nursemaid, Priya), and the bad feelings and bitterness of some of the household staff toward Rose's new position, and this book began bordering on confusing. I can't help but feel that some of these storylines were added just to create the scandal and drama promised in the summary; they really didn't add anything to the story, and it almost felt like the author was inserting tried and true ways to create problems for the characters.

Nonetheless, this book had a very easy flow to it. It read at a pretty fast clip - I would have been done much sooner if I'd just been able to squeeze in more reading time - and it definitely keeps the reader engaged. I definitely felt for both Ada and Rose, who both had their worlds turned upside down in different ways. Charlotte, Ada's new stepsister, however, is a mean and spiteful character, as is Stella. Their actions and emotions left a bad taste in my mouth, and I really could have done without reading from their points of view. I also think it perhaps would have added a more mysterious atmosphere to the book if we hadn't known what they knew and thought; now it's just a matter of how they'll use the knowledge to further upset things. In fact, Charlotte's final thoughts made me think of a quote by Gandalf in The Return of the King: "Sauron's wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift." It definitely bodes ill for Ada!

While I couldn't help but feel like Cinders & Sapphires perhaps tries to do too much with too many people, overall I very much enjoyed Ms. Rasheed's style of writing and the two main characters she's created. If you enjoy scandalous historical novels that focus on both the gentry and working class, then do check this one out; I'm certainly intrigued enough to read the next book in the series!

An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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To see more of my reviews, please visit me @ Read and Reviewed!

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Jun 13, 2013 Arlena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, a-good-book, adult-read, ebooks, historical, chit-lit, romance, women-fiction, young-adult

By: Leila Rasheed
Published By: Disney-Hyperion
Age Recommended: YA - Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series: At Somerton #1
Review:

"Cinder and Sapphires" by Leila Rasheed was a wonderful historical romance that may be of interest to 'women fiction and /or Chick lit.' I found this a good read and was of " a fabulous account of the life of the rich and famous as well as what it was like to be part of the working class in a large estate such as Somerton." We find from this re...more

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Apr 01, 2013 kari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, ya

If you are a fan of Downton Abbey (and why wouldn't you be? It is fabulous even if you only tune in for the wonderful bon mots liberally tossed in by Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham as portrayed by Maggie Smith)then I think you'll find much to enjoy in this book. There is a bit of the upstairs and downstairs feeling of a great country house and enjoyable characters.
There is a fairly large cast which at first felt a bit unwieldy, but I got used to who was who in a short time and then the...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Sara Thompson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

I struggle with this review. I love Hyperion books and until this book I would have said everything they touch is pure gold.
This wasn't a bad book but from the beginning I struggled to love this book.
Let's start with the cover - I don't know about you but that cover did not give me the impression this was a historical novel. The book is set at the turn of the 20th century. As I started reading, I wondered if the first chapter was a backstory of some sort. To realize that the first chapter was in...more I struggle with this review. I love Hyperion books and until this book I would have said everything they touch is pure gold.
This wasn't a bad book but from the beginning I struggled to love this book.
Let's start with the cover - I don't know about you but that cover did not give me the impression this was a historical novel. The book is set at the turn of the 20th century. As I started reading, I wondered if the first chapter was a backstory of some sort. To realize that the first chapter was introducing the main character shocked me. Maybe I wasn't paying attention to the synopsis of the book but I thought this was a modern day story.
That wasn't a problem but the story just struggled. 400 pages of set up and all those scandals. One would think that at the day of the industrial age meant that one had to watch themselves more closely. Everyone had something they were trying to hide and not very well. Ava, the main character, was so wishy washy. It made me crazy. Yes, I understand she's young and thinks she's in love but for being so smart she is really stupid and nearly whiney. She's tossed by those around her like a bottle in the ocean.
There are things to like about this book and I did want to know what was going to happen. The whole book is just build up to the opening of the season and when that came I thought it had already come and gone. The story just confused me, there was no clear timeline and everyone was just constantly in the aftermath of one tramatic experience after another.
Then comes the ending. After wading through all this, the story just ends. I get that it's the first part of a series but there was nearly no resolution to anything in the story. I'm not sure I want to wade through another 400 pages to find that I still haven't learned anything.
Maybe this is not a book for me but I would have thought it up my alley - the main character wants to be educated and is on the precipace of women's rights but she's not that good at it. I found myself almost hating her because she couldn't pick a cause. I get it - she's young and I am not.
I think the author picked too many causes in this book - there's women's rights, homosexuality, the conflict in India and societal pressure. Add to that a bastard child (oh and a ridiculous adoption). Everything seemed to be far too easy for these people who had nothing but problems. I could go on because the more I think of it the more I realize that this book just doesn't meet the mark.
I found the writing to be less than stellar. Makes you wonder what Hyperion saw in this book and why I wasn't seeing it.(less)

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Feb 24, 2013 Book Angel Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review by Beth 3.5/5

Secrets and Sapphires is a novel which all lovers of Downton Abbey will fall head over heels for. I’m not a fan of the TV show but this doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the novel. The story has all the backstabbing, twists and turns and gossipy rumours you could dream of and is the perfect way of introducing the early 20th century to younger readers.

This novel didn’t shock me exactly but it was refreshing to see a novel set in 1910 dealing with some pretty heavy issues that are of...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Teri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rose and her mother work in at Somerton Court, a stately home filled with rooms and chores to keep a person busy for days. Upon the return of the Earl of Westlake discoveries are made and mystery abounds when a new wife and children envelope Somerton Court and fill the place with intrigue and desperation. Rose had never imagined that that her life may turn so far upside down, or that her mother may have a hidden secret until the interest of the Earl gets the better of her. Rose has never dug dee...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Vanessa Gao rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, ya, netgalley

originally on my blog: http://just-sitting-thar.blogspot.com...

**THIS REVIEW IS BASED ON A THIRTEEN-CHAPTER PREVIEW OF CINDERS & SAPPHIRES THANSK TO DISNEY-HYPERION (ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY)**

Ah, what a book! The first thirteen chapters of Cinders & Sapphire (which I believe is the first installment of a series) is like Downton Abbey meets Mean Girls: taking place during Edwardian England, the book tells the story of people--young and old--in one house, Somerton, of their hopes, love,...more originally on my blog: http://just-sitting-thar.blogspot.com...

**THIS REVIEW IS BASED ON A THIRTEEN-CHAPTER PREVIEW OF CINDERS & SAPPHIRES THANSK TO DISNEY-HYPERION (ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY)**

Ah, what a book! The first thirteen chapters of Cinders & Sapphire (which I believe is the first installment of a series) is like Downton Abbey meets Mean Girls: taking place during Edwardian England, the book tells the story of people--young and old--in one house, Somerton, of their hopes, love, and ambitions.

The characters, although clearly not from our time, are surprisingly relatable. Rose, a housemaid who is later promoted to a ladies' maid, is this young, beautiful, insecure girl who is unsure about her own place in the house. Her kindness, curiosity, and good humor makes me as a reader sympathize with her. Plus, the mystery shrouding her identity is all the more intrguing... Rose's lady, Ada, is the oldest daughter of the owner of Somerton. Although vastly different in social status, Ada and Rose share many similarities: both young and sometimes childish, they dream of opportunities they aren't supposed to have, things they aren't allowed to yearn for (boys included, may I mention). By making them utterly human, the author brings the characters to life--they feel so endearingly close to us the readers.

The author also does a good job describing the lifestyle of Edwardian England. While reading, I found the elaboration on architecture and interior designs of Somerton quite intriguing and evocative. Details concerning the ladies' dresses, etc, are also well paid attention to.

Having read only the first thirteen chapters, I don't really know enough about the story to give much criticism. One thing about this story, though: because people during that time of history have so many titles/names (Rose, for example, is referred to as Ms.Cliffe by people "lower" than her after her promotion), it might be hard to get into the story in the beginning. However, after some getting used to, I'm sure you will find yourself enjoying the read!(less)

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Jan 25, 2013 Jean rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Downton Abbey for Teens

This review is based on a digital sneak peak copy provided by Disney Book Group which did not include the full novel. The review is of the first thirteen chapters.

At Somerton: Cinders and Sapphires is the story of the many characters who inhabit the Somerton estate in England at the beginning of the 20th century. The story mainly follows Lady Ada Averley, daughter of the Earl of Westlake, and her ladies’ maid, Rose. Rose has grown up at Somerton with her mother, Mrs. Cliff...more Downton Abbey for Teens

This review is based on a digital sneak peak copy provided by Disney Book Group which did not include the full novel. The review is of the first thirteen chapters.

At Somerton: Cinders and Sapphires is the story of the many characters who inhabit the Somerton estate in England at the beginning of the 20th century. The story mainly follows Lady Ada Averley, daughter of the Earl of Westlake, and her ladies’ maid, Rose. Rose has grown up at Somerton with her mother, Mrs. Cliffe, who works as head housekeeper. At the age of sixteen, Rose has just been promoted to lady’s maid after serving as a lowly housemaid for many years. Rose is very nervous about moving into a new position with so much more responsibility, not to mention visibility in the house. Some of the other staff think Rose is not ready for such a position, and Rose is inclined to agree. What Rose doesn’t know is that her promotion is in thanks to her mother suggesting it to Lord Westlake, who mysteriously feels he owes something to the young housemaid.

Lady Ada is sixteen and about to “come out” for her first season, a term that here means she will be introduced to society and attend balls and parties in order to meet suitable bachelors. But she is not interested in anyone but a young Indian man whom she knows she is forbidden to love. Lady Ada also wants to attend Oxford, a notion which her father finds foolish since he believes women don’t need to be formally educated since they only need to serve their husbands and run their homes.

In this upstairs/downstairs story, author Leila Rasheed juggles so many characters that they get a little hard to follow. I found myself having to flip back and forth through pages to remind myself how everyone is related. A family tree or character map at the beginning would have helped so the reader has a reference point. Despite this confusion, however, the problems presented in the story kept me reading to see what would develop. I don’t know that the setting will appeal to the average young adult reader, but the themes of longing for love and acceptance are universal. As a fan of the TV series Downton Abbey, I felt I had a good grounding in the class system and positions of the members of the household in this novel since the setting is very similar, which helped me understand what was going on. In fact, I often pictured and heard the characters from Downton in the roles of Cinders. I enjoyed what I have read so far and look forward to reading the completed novel.
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Jan 09, 2013 Dianne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, sneak-peek-only, ya, romance, family-saga

I have to say, if the complete book is as good as the Sneak Peek, we have greatness coming!

Normally, I look at Sneak peeks and say, nope, not interested, but I took a chance and have definitely added Cinders & Sapphires to my "Gotta Have It" list!

The wealthy Averleys have returned to their country estate after a decade of being away. Tales of scandal have followed them, there is to be a new Lady of the Manor, meaning two families must try to blend into one.

Ada Averley must choose between lov...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Celia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: disappointment

I love historical fictions, especially those with a beautiful cover such as this! But the words don't judge a book by her cover can't never be more right. I can hardly find something that makes me addicted.
I found Ada too indecisive, and very much too selfish. It's better to have a sacrifice than ponder with choices until your death, right? And if Ravi's gone, so what? Let it go! The zest is done, so it's the time to move on.
I also found Lord Westlake a bit too soft. It's like he has no power i...more

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Jan 14, 2013 C. Purtill rated it 5 of 5 stars

MORE!!!! I've only read the 13 chapter preview that Netgalley provided for review but I can tell already that I want to read the whole thing! Fans of historical fiction and Downton Abbey will adore this book. At Somerton, a second wedding for Lord Westlake introduces a new set of step-siblings for teens Georgianna and Ada who are recently returned from India. Then there's the "downstairs," the servants of Somerton. Rose is a new ladies maid but a former playmate of Ada when she was a child. She...more

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May 17, 2013 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-challenge, history

I always feel bad giving a 3 star-review because it seems so uninformative. One person's 3-star book can be another person's 1-star or, God forbid,5-star.

Nonetheless, I feel little more than "meh" for this book so 3-stars feels like the appropriate designation. Published in 2013 Cinders and Sapphires is poised (purposefully?) to cash in on the Downtown Abbey craze. In many ways the two are similar -- soapy drama, a peak into the glamorous world of early 20th century aristocracy, a more than ling...more I always feel bad giving a 3 star-review because it seems so uninformative. One person's 3-star book can be another person's 1-star or, God forbid,5-star.

Nonetheless, I feel little more than "meh" for this book so 3-stars feels like the appropriate designation. Published in 2013 Cinders and Sapphires is poised (purposefully?) to cash in on the Downtown Abbey craze. In many ways the two are similar -- soapy drama, a peak into the glamorous world of early 20th century aristocracy, a more than lingering glance at the restrictive barriers that defined class, gender, and sexuality, lots parties, some dancing, and more than a few scenes that take place between a lady and her lady's made while the former is being dressed by the latter.

All this aside, I can't help but feel that Cinders and Sapphires is Downtown Abbey Lite. The "secrets" aren't quite as subtly developed and even the most obtuse reader should be able to identify the Big Secret by page 17 (I looked). This era was all about discretion and keeping up appearances but there is little by way of subtle or discrete in this book. The characters act impulsively with little thought to the ramifications of their actions or often in spite of the ramifications they full well recognize. I understand this is necessary for plot development but for an historian, it was sometimes hard to look past the historical inaccuracies. This is one of those books where I had to whisper to myself "suspend disbelief, suspend disbelief" and try to focus on the entertainment value.

And with that in mind there is actually some fun to this book. The descriptions of the setting and characters is fun and I wouldn't mind wearing more than one of the dresses Rasheed describes. I also enjoyed how the author situated some of the drama within the political turmoils of England at this time. Whereas Downtown Abbey is about love, marriage, etc., Cinders and Saphhires takes on British Imperialism in India and women's suffrage. Of course love and marriage are still the focal point of this book, at least they are bounced off the foils of something more than just "finding a good match."

Overall a light read but truthfully I'd be hard pressed to read any more in the series. In all honesty, I didn't connect with any of the characters. They each felt like caricatures of more complex characters that just didn't come through. The author was more focused on creating intrigue and plot points and not developing these characters beyond simple characterizations: Rose is a maid and likes music, Ada is lady who wants to go to school and boy, isn't that unladylike!, Charlotte is the not-pretty and manipulative stepsister, Stella is a maid and is mean, Ravi is foreign and off limits. Actually, I will say that out of all the characters Ravi felt the most developed in that he had some complex emotions. I guess if we continue at one developed character per book we're going to need about ten more books (Rasheed is juggling a lot of characters in this series). I think I'll leave it at book one and maybe just keep up with the reviewers who this as a 5-star book.(less)

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Jan 16, 2013 Kristine Pratt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, romance, historical

NetGalley's 13 chapter preview was certainly not enough - and leaves you hanging in the most awkward of places. Whew! Where to begin on this one.

Having just gotten though a handful of Austen novels, I can see the influence upon this writer. Think of this as a cross between Pride and Prejudice, Upstairs Downstairs, and a bit of Downtown Abbey thrown in for good measure. Meaning if you love vintage pieces, with lots of characters from varying levels of society, you'll enjoy this one.

The story move...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Katie added it

Shelves: arcs, for-review

Historical YA and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship. It's mostly hate because I've only ever found one that I absolutely loved (Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl) but I can happily add Cinders & Sapphires as the second book to this list because I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. At all.

Fifty pages in, I worried that the story wouldn't really pick up at all but it's like the book read my mind because after that .. CRAZINESS. When all of the other characters and subplots were intro...more Historical YA and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship. It's mostly hate because I've only ever found one that I absolutely loved (Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl) but I can happily add Cinders & Sapphires as the second book to this list because I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. At all.

Fifty pages in, I worried that the story wouldn't really pick up at all but it's like the book read my mind because after that .. CRAZINESS. When all of the other characters and subplots were introduced, I wasn't really sure about them because I was so engrossed in Ada and Rose's stories but at one point I had to calm myself down because I was flipping pages like WAIT WHAT DID HE JUST DO or WAIT WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY or WAIT WHAT ABOUT THEM?! I'm definitely an action kind of reader but the drama in this book was as equally as thrilling and exciting as any epic action scene would be.

Also - despite them being 100% human - I found Charlotte, Fiona and Stella to be some of the most despicable villains I've ever read just based on their attitudes and personalities. Unless they've got dangerous powers or something supernatural of the story, I find it hard for villains to get under my skin but these three ... oh man. All I wanted to do was stick my foot through the pages and kick them all in the face.

And one thing I loved a lot was that among all of the insane drama, the author still managed to capture the gorgeous time period and culture without taking away from the real story. The descriptions of the clothing and buildings and even the mention of revolutionary things that were just being introduced back then - like cars - kind of transported me back in time and it made for SUCH an awesome reading experience.

Overall, I can't recommend Cinders & Sapphires enough. I loved this book so much. From the characters to the culture to the stories ... everything is so enthralling and engrossing and I never wanted to set it down. If you're picky about historical like I am, PLEASE give this one a try!(less)

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Feb 27, 2013 Alise (Readers in Wonderland) rated it 3 of 5 stars

_________________________________
Cinders & Sapphires Review
_________________________________
Full formatting of this review at link above.

So. Many. Characters.

That was my first thought going through those first chapters, and even late on when they were reintroduced and you were expected to remember them. Not to mention each of them have two names, their name, then their title. The family tree drawn in the beginning was a necessity, so I recommend getting really familiar with it. I just wish i...more

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Feb 02, 2013 TheBookSmugglers rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult, soap-opera-fun, fluff

Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers

The year is 1910, the place the grand estate of Somerton. Lady Ada, her younger sister Georgina and her father, Lord Westlake, have left India amidst whispers of scandal and disgrace - Lord Westlake has resigned from his post without explanation, inciting the worst possible rumor-mongering - and return to Britain for the first time in many years. Despite the hints of scandal that follow them to Somerton, it is a happy return for the Averleys as Ada's fath...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Kat marked it as abandoned

Shelves: arc, e-book, could-not-finish, historical-fiction, romance, series, ya-books

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averly treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend-to the rest of the staff at Somerton Court she is the indulged favorite of the housekeeper, her mother. Especially now that she has risen to ladies' maid at barely sixteen. Rose knows she should be grateful to even have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can't help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady lik...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Luna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What I knew about Secrets and Sapphires before it arrived? “DOWNTON ABBEY meets GOSSIP GIRL” I haven’t watched either show but I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction lately and this fit right in.

The two things that stuck with me after finishing the book were; the writing and how busy the story is. Leila Rasheed has a descriptive style, without drowning the reader is too much detail. You are guided through the story at a good pace and get to know most of the characters really well.

Most of...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Caitlin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-dac

A few friends and I have authors we sort of consider our "safe" authors. Their work is not necessarily amazing, but it is always good and we always know what we will get when we read their books. Disney Hyperion is, for me, like that in an imprint. Sometimes I really love their books, but most of the time I simply like their work. I find it entertaining and I don't regret reading it. This is one of those books for me. I actually only picked it up because it is Disney Hyperion otherwise I would h...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-release, arcs-i-own, 2013-reading-challenge, mundie-moms-reviews

Fans of Downton Abbey are sure to love this new series! Somerton provides fans with a stunning back drop of pre war England, the entanglement of society standards, politics, and a women's place in it all, a brutal social class within the confines of Somerton and that oh so enchanting forbidden romance that ensues with Lady Ada and Ravi. To top it all off there is deceit, scandal, and aw yes, that danger that comes when a women in high standing wants nothing more than to be well educated, follow...more Fans of Downton Abbey are sure to love this new series! Somerton provides fans with a stunning back drop of pre war England, the entanglement of society standards, politics, and a women's place in it all, a brutal social class within the confines of Somerton and that oh so enchanting forbidden romance that ensues with Lady Ada and Ravi. To top it all off there is deceit, scandal, and aw yes, that danger that comes when a women in high standing wants nothing more than to be well educated, follow her heart and think for herself. Not to mention this story takes place during the brink of an exciting, troublesome and trying time in both India and England, as well as within Lady Ada's own family.

CINDERS & SAPPHIRES offers everything I love about this intriguing time period. This time in history was challenging and exciting and change always seemed to be right on the horizon. It was one of the themes I loved about this book, and the characters who wanted to embrace it. Lady Ada is a women who by society standards should be preparing to make herself available, yet all she wants to do is follow her desire to be well educated. I loved her for this. I admire her for wanting to break the mold and do something that allowed her to be independent. Lady Ada's father and her love interest Ravi and two others whom I admired for their stances and different views on the affairs of their countries, and society.

I thought Leila did a brilliant job at showing me through Ravi how unsettled things in India were at this time, and the revolution that was taking place. There's also this incredibly richly detailed English society as well as a hierarchy within Somerton that mirrors that of this time period. Though I respected Lady Ada's father for being a man who stayed true to his standings in society, he also did what he felt was honorable and right. Though I understood that during this time period he does nothing wrong by putting Lady Ada in the position she finds herself in at the end of the book, I also loved that the entire time things are going on around her, she's plotting. The other character I admire in this story is Rose, Lady Ada's maid. It broke my heart over all that Rose has to deal with. To me she is just as strong as Lady Ada is, only Rose's strength lies within, and stays hidden from most everyone, but Lady Ada. I also liked how sympathetic Lady Ada is towards Rose and her talent, and her wanting to help her.

I am blown away that Leila not only have such a large cast of characters, but the fact she was able to keep up with all of them. I loved that this was written in third person, and how the story was able to jump around from the various family members, servants, and family friends, and not once feel confusing. More than that, I thoroughly enjoyed getting a first hand look into the hierarchy that makes up the servants within Somerton. Wow, some characters are just fabulous, and others, much like those they serve want nothing more than to pave a way for their own selfish greed and will do whatever they can to achieve their goal. Despite the good, the bad and the overly dramatic, each of the characters in this book have a role, and they played it well.

Now that I've talked about the things that stood out to me, let's talk about one of the things that kept me hooked. The forbidden romance! I am a romantic at heart (sometimes), and I want nothing more than true love to work out, especially in a story like that. I couldn't agree more with Lady Ada when she claims she won't marry someone she doesn't love, though the person she loves is of a total different class than she is, and will not be allowed. This is also a period in time when secret notes expressing one's forbidden feelings for another can easily find themselves into the wrong hands were drastic things can happen. Boy does this add fuel to an already escalating fire that I'm sure will boil over into the next installment in this exciting series. I highly recommend picking this book up!

Stop by and check out the Clothing Glossary and the Somerton Family Tree in my Cinders and Sapphires blog tour here.(less)

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Jan 25, 2013 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was originally posted at www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I was desperate to read this when I heard about the similarities between this book and Downtown Abbey and I wasn’t disappointed. At first you believe that the story is the historical version of Gossip Girl, full of rumours, gossip and back stabbing your nearest and dearest. But the story is so much more than that, as it brings to light the difficulties the teenagers of the time faced as they came to terms with the rights of women, mixed r...more This was originally posted at www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I was desperate to read this when I heard about the similarities between this book and Downtown Abbey and I wasn’t disappointed. At first you believe that the story is the historical version of Gossip Girl, full of rumours, gossip and back stabbing your nearest and dearest. But the story is so much more than that, as it brings to light the difficulties the teenagers of the time faced as they came to terms with the rights of women, mixed race relationships and homosexuality. This is a beautifully crafted and richly detailed story of the life above and below in the stunning estate of Somerton Court. The lives of the staff at Somerton are intricately entwined with the aristocratic Averley family. Although the class divides are clearly apparent, reality erases the clarity of that line. Everyone has secrets hidden that they are not proud; as time passes their secrets become common knowledge as the story unravels.
The book has a Cinderella feel to it. When Lord Averley remarries, he brings the new wicked stepmother and her obnoxious self-centred children to live with them at Somerton Court. However the new siblings are not as bad as the ones featured in Cinderella. The characters are intriguing, each hiding something that could risk their social status in society. As the book progresses, each of the teenage characters begins to rebel against society in their own way; they are distinctly part of the generation that changed society and were the ones that helped to crumble the class system. The characters are extremely well written and seem to defy their historical stereotypes. Ada is very strong willed and determined to go to university, unsatisfied with the prospect of a loveless marriage. Sebastian struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and hoping his family will understand. The bond between Ada, Rose and Georgina was beautiful yet went completely against the rules of society.
The writing is very atmospheric and the author has obviously researched the era extremely well because the descriptions are so detailed. I felt that the writing hit all my senses at one as I absorbed each page.
The book finished at a stage where I felt more story was to be told, so I’m presuming this is the first in the series and I really look forward to reading more. This book was an exciting and enticing read that allows you to delve into the secret historical lives of the aristocracy. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next.(less)

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Jan 14, 2013 Evangeline Holland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: edwardian, historical-fiction, netgalley, young-adult, downton-read-alike

Review of Sneak Peek

Like Abby Grahame's 2012 release, Wentworth Hall, this book is definitely written to appeal to teens addicted to Downton Abbey. There is the upstairs/downstairs feel, the scandals and secrets between the upstairs family, forbidden romances, and lavish descriptions of the estate, etc. Again, like Wentworth Hall, Cinders & Sapphires merely skims the surface of the rich, intriguing history of the Edwardian era to focus on distilling Downton Abbey's soapy drama into book form...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Ana Ivkov rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Historical Fiction or Romance fans

What a marvellous book! I was very impressed, both by the intricate story woven throughout the novel and the writing style itself. And the ending, of course...my favourite part. From the very beginning, I was intrigued. After the prologue, my reading was interrupted and I forgot about the book, but memories of that first bit came back to me full-force when I picked it up again. Everything about it makes me want to scream: “Give me more!”
Plot…
This book has a very clear conflict—between Ada Averle...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

I do not like writing reviews on books that I do not connect with or adore - but I know it is the honest reviews that I appreciate most when looking for books. So ...

I really wanted to like this book. I LOVE Downton Abbey and I was so excited to hear of a read-alike for teens. I felt like the story plodded along rather than sailed. And, I think it was too much like Downton Abbey for me: (view spoiler)...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Shoshana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, historical-fiction, young-adult

4.5 stars. Rounded up because pretty dresses and no love triangle.

I loved this to bits. I found it completely engrossing, with varied, interesting characters and the historical setting was well done. Some of the characters were a little too one-dimensional, particularly Charlotte and Stella, and some suffered from Too Large Cast Syndrome - there was a LOT going on in this book and some plot lines and characters felt superfluous as a result. However, I'm inclined to give some of them the benefit...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Sara Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, teen, romance, historical-fiction, scandal

Poor Ava, who is all beautiful-but-too-innocent-to-know-it, is all about being a proper lady and upholding her family's honor, blah, blah. The problem is that she's actually kind of smart and she really wants to go to Oxford, which is NOT a proper thing for a lady to do at the turn of the 20th Century. Oh, and she has the hots for an Indian dude who isn't rich. Not cool. Throw in a lot more scandal, evil step-mother and step-sister, oh yeah and a GAY step-brother! (that's my favorite part) and y...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Arapahoe Library District rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, teen-reads

OK, I confess I didn’t actually read more than the Prologue and the first chapter. Then I perused the wonderful family tree printed on the flyleaf. All the major characters seemed to be introduced in the first 25 pages and the basic family history was given. In looking up the names on that very complete family tree my first thought was “Oh my, this is going to be a barn burner” given the relationships among the inhabitants of Somerton.
If you like the Edwardian Era, are a fan of Downton Abbey, or...more

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Cinders & Sapphires (At Somerton #1)

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