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29th out of 49 books
—
267 voters
Emerald
Emerald St. John is in trouble. She has been condemned to marry a man she hates. Her enemies are conspiring to have her pet bear Molly torn apart in the baiting pits, and the man she loves is far away on the high seas. And she has stumbled into a web of spies with a plot to poison Queen Elizabeth I. To save herself and the kingdom, she must beat the spies at their own game...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
November 2011
by Simon & Schuster UK
(first published July 7th 2011)
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Sometimes a book is just simply a pleasure to read. Emerald is one of those books. It is so easy to get into and the writing let’s you sink right into it like a favourite armchair. It is historical novel set in the sixteenth century which explores the themes of power and courage.
When Emerald’s father dies, she and her brother Richard are sent away from their family home to live with their Aunt and Uncle at Hawkstone Hall. Emerald is just seven at the time and cannot understand why her father wou...more
When Emerald’s father dies, she and her brother Richard are sent away from their family home to live with their Aunt and Uncle at Hawkstone Hall. Emerald is just seven at the time and cannot understand why her father wou...more
This was such fun to read! For some reason I don't read much historical fiction but on the basis of this one I really think I should.
I really liked the character Emerald. She was strong and determined - but also easy to like - and I was glad that she wanted to 'save' herself. Arabella was a great character too - as much as I wanted to hate her at times I couldn't quite manage it. And Sarah and Meg proved brilliant additions - and of course I adored Molly the bear!
The romance, I must admit, was v...more
I really liked the character Emerald. She was strong and determined - but also easy to like - and I was glad that she wanted to 'save' herself. Arabella was a great character too - as much as I wanted to hate her at times I couldn't quite manage it. And Sarah and Meg proved brilliant additions - and of course I adored Molly the bear!
The romance, I must admit, was v...more
This was one of those books that kind of makes me want to stab it and rip out the pages at times. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is definitely worth a read but some parts were a little bit lacking. I love romance in novels so of course the romance between sam and emerald interested me however it did not interest for long as this, and a lot of other points in the novel, seemed to be rather rushed though. There was no bridge from friends to lovers, it seemed as if one minute th...more
**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
This book has been shortlisted for the Lancashire Book of the Year 2012 Award (LBOY) and I am determined to get through all ten books before June.
Emerald is an inquisitve and accomplished young girl who knows how to take care of herself. But there are forces at work to break her down. Under her mother's threatening rule she must marry the vile Lord Suckley and become what Emerald refers to as "breeding stock".
The premise is intriguing - Emerald is not the typical Elizabe...more
This book has been shortlisted for the Lancashire Book of the Year 2012 Award (LBOY) and I am determined to get through all ten books before June.
Emerald is an inquisitve and accomplished young girl who knows how to take care of herself. But there are forces at work to break her down. Under her mother's threatening rule she must marry the vile Lord Suckley and become what Emerald refers to as "breeding stock".
The premise is intriguing - Emerald is not the typical Elizabe...more
I normally really like this sort of thing, but this one didn't leave a great impression on me. All I could think of was things that didn't seem quite right. For example, Emerald and Sam fall desperately in love after having...what, two conversations? And they never even argue.
Also, Karen Wallace had a great plot going for her, with secrets and lies and mysteries to unravel, but I couldn't feel the tension. Wallace is a good writer, but I honestly think she could have played it up a bit more.
One...more
Also, Karen Wallace had a great plot going for her, with secrets and lies and mysteries to unravel, but I couldn't feel the tension. Wallace is a good writer, but I honestly think she could have played it up a bit more.
One...more
Original review at http://inkscratchers.blogspot.com/
You may not know this about me, but I love a good historical. It's for this reason that Emerald first drew me in. well that and the completely gorgeous cover, I mean I know girls in pretty dresses are all over YA book covers these days but I will honestly say this is on of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen and the dress and the background just screams HISTORICAL, which is why I've been coveting this book ever since.
This book did really...more
You may not know this about me, but I love a good historical. It's for this reason that Emerald first drew me in. well that and the completely gorgeous cover, I mean I know girls in pretty dresses are all over YA book covers these days but I will honestly say this is on of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen and the dress and the background just screams HISTORICAL, which is why I've been coveting this book ever since.
This book did really...more
Emerald has been informed of her betrothal to Lord Suckley, whom she has never met, but has heard horrible things from her cousin Arabella. She hopes her brother, Richard would be able to help her stop this marriage, but why has Richard been oddly reluctant to speak to her? Aunt Frances, who she grew up to love like her own mother, and her uncle both seem to despise Lord Suckley as well, yet they refuse to help her escape this marriage. Everyone in the household’s afraid to defy her mother’s wis...more
The Short Story? – One of those undiscovered treasures, just waiting to be read and enjoyed! Filled with evil noblemen, dirty little secrets and a scandalous plot to kill the queen, Emerald is fast-paced and adventurous. A strong heroine, a love story and a plot to be foiled, Emerald is a spectacular historical YA that’s bound to be a crowd pleaser!
The Long Story? – I haven’t read a historical YA in ages and I forgot how much I enjoyed them! I really enjoyed reading Emerald. It’s authentic, it’s...more
The Long Story? – I haven’t read a historical YA in ages and I forgot how much I enjoyed them! I really enjoyed reading Emerald. It’s authentic, it’s...more
I wanted to like this - I really did! But sadly that was not the case.
Emerald (she's named after her eyes of course...) is your typical goody-two-shoe heroine. She is ahead of her time in her way to think and act, which, of course, sets her apart from everyone else. She is beautiful without knowing it and she has a pet bear. Why? I have absolutely no idea, she just does. If this is the norm in her world, I don't know either, because Emerald never bothered to tell me, or if she did I don't rememb...more
Emerald (she's named after her eyes of course...) is your typical goody-two-shoe heroine. She is ahead of her time in her way to think and act, which, of course, sets her apart from everyone else. She is beautiful without knowing it and she has a pet bear. Why? I have absolutely no idea, she just does. If this is the norm in her world, I don't know either, because Emerald never bothered to tell me, or if she did I don't rememb...more
This review was written for The Review Diaries: http://reviewdiaries.blogspot.com/201...
This blurb and this cover combination had me set up to be really excited when this book came out a few days ago. Unfortunately though, it turned out to be quite a disappointment.
Having read the brilliant books by Eve Edwards set in Elizabethan England, I suppose I was expecting a high standard of writing, but I was sadly let down.
The book is an exercise in what happens when you ignore the rule of ‘show not t...more
This blurb and this cover combination had me set up to be really excited when this book came out a few days ago. Unfortunately though, it turned out to be quite a disappointment.
Having read the brilliant books by Eve Edwards set in Elizabethan England, I suppose I was expecting a high standard of writing, but I was sadly let down.
The book is an exercise in what happens when you ignore the rule of ‘show not t...more
Emerald is an historical novel set in Elizabethan England.
When Emerald's father dies she and her brother Richard are sent to live with their Aunt and Uncle at Hawkstone Hall.
Emerald is seven when she's sent away and can't understand why she can't stay with her mother.
The story moves ahead to Emerald at the age of 16, her brother Richard is at sea, she doesn't get along with her cousin Arabella and the only person she's close to is her Aunt Frances who is like a mother to her.Her mother (whom Eme...more
When Emerald's father dies she and her brother Richard are sent to live with their Aunt and Uncle at Hawkstone Hall.
Emerald is seven when she's sent away and can't understand why she can't stay with her mother.
The story moves ahead to Emerald at the age of 16, her brother Richard is at sea, she doesn't get along with her cousin Arabella and the only person she's close to is her Aunt Frances who is like a mother to her.Her mother (whom Eme...more
I will start off by saying that this was a thoroughly entertaing book. It did have its problems but I will get to that in a moment. This book surrounds a lively young girl named Emerald. She lives with her Aunt and Uncle and rather horrible cousin Arabella who has been banished from court and torments Emerald as she finds country life dull. Things begin to get a little bit interesting. First comes the arrival of her surprise fiance who is a fat slobbering idiot then there is the arrival of the h...more
3.5-4/5
(3.5 if I take into account the way I feel about it in full, 4 if I just say "Hey it was really entertaining")
+ A strong and intelligent heroine whose inner strength grows as the plot thickens. I really really liked the progression of her character development. Even though I never got a feel that I knew her inside and out, she was a good heroine and would make a good role model for impressionable minds.
+ An adequate amount of research was made ~ as far as my knowledge goes, the historical...more
(3.5 if I take into account the way I feel about it in full, 4 if I just say "Hey it was really entertaining")
+ A strong and intelligent heroine whose inner strength grows as the plot thickens. I really really liked the progression of her character development. Even though I never got a feel that I knew her inside and out, she was a good heroine and would make a good role model for impressionable minds.
+ An adequate amount of research was made ~ as far as my knowledge goes, the historical...more
I really liked this book! (Partly because of her AWESOME coat on the front cover! I have to get one ;)
Apart from the fact that she fell in love during one dance, I thought it was really interesting and I couldn't put it down! Some of the bear parts were dull, but overall, I enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting much, but it's definatley a good read!
Apart from the fact that she fell in love during one dance, I thought it was really interesting and I couldn't put it down! Some of the bear parts were dull, but overall, I enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting much, but it's definatley a good read!
I'm a sucker for YA historical fiction, especially anything set in the Tudor/Elizabethan era, and Emerald did not disappoint. Intriguing plot, love-at-first-sight romance, and a main character that, while a little anachronistic at times, is easy to root for. This was a good, light summer read.
Nice historical - I dont read many historicals, but this seemed fairly standard, with not that much out of the ordinary going on that I could see. It was entertaining, and I enjoyed it, but it wasnt amazing and I still dont have a hankering for historical :)
Not quite Philippa Gregory but a good introduction to historical novels for YA's. I liked the fresh goodness of Emerald compared to the haughty spoilt-rottenness of Arabella. I admired Emerald for her loyalty to her undeserving cousin & of course, I love a happy ending though this feels like a first in a series.
Sep 11, 2011
Dana atallah
marked it as to-read
i was gonna buy this book when i went to the library but instead i got a copy of across the universe in hardcover so i guess i will buy it next time :)
It was a good story and I liked the characters, but there wasn't much depth in the story at all. Only the characters had a little depth. It was just a little vague, if you ask me. However, I did enjoy the book and it had me hooked sometimes.
A decent historical fiction novel with an interesting range of characters.
Emerald is a fast and simple read with an amusing story full of deceit, action and mystery.
The book is simply written and is short so the story moves fast, which I feel is a good thing because, if it was drawn out, the book would get very boring very fast.
The book is simply written and is short so the story moves fast, which I feel is a good thing because, if it was drawn out, the book would get very boring very fast.
I LOVE the sound of this one!
I really enjoyed the plot to this book! it was very well thought out and kept me guessing.
But there was too much adult content and I wouldn't recommend it for YA. If it hadn't been for the grown-up content I would give it 3 or even 4 stars, but, as it is- 2. :/
It was good enough to finish, but not good enough to keep. :)
But there was too much adult content and I wouldn't recommend it for YA. If it hadn't been for the grown-up content I would give it 3 or even 4 stars, but, as it is- 2. :/
It was good enough to finish, but not good enough to keep. :)
I am such a sucker for YA Historical fiction with a pretty cover.
I ordered ths paperback all the way fom the UK based on this.
This book was a clunker.
Cardboard characters.
Annoying heroine.
Flat romance which was sudden and wooden.
Ugh- what a waste of money and time.
I ordered ths paperback all the way fom the UK based on this.
This book was a clunker.
Cardboard characters.
Annoying heroine.
Flat romance which was sudden and wooden.
Ugh- what a waste of money and time.
I recommend it to any fans of Eve Edwards or Anna Godbersen's books. If you love them, you'll this too!
Full review: http://talesoftheinnerbookfanatic.blo...
Full review: http://talesoftheinnerbookfanatic.blo...
A really good book that I enjoyed. The storyline was good, and original
May 17, 2013
Erica Blakes
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Saba
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Sevilay
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Meghan
marked it as to-read
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Feb 25, 2013 05:38am