**spoiler alert** So here's the thing- this book has SO MUCH stuff that I love in books. History, mystery, romance, vampires, time travel, and my alma...more**spoiler alert** So here's the thing- this book has SO MUCH stuff that I love in books. History, mystery, romance, vampires, time travel, and my alma mater (albeit in a very oblique way). It's well-constructed prose, which these days actually counts for a star in itself as far as I'm concerned. My biggest gripe is that I wanted to like the characters but just couldn't muster an ounce of care about their personalities, and hence, their trials and tribulations. The plot was definitely interesting, I just wished that I was reading about other people, people I actually cared about. I think the book suffers from a lot of telling and not enough showing. We hear Diana and Matthew talk (endlessly) about their love, but I never -feel- the emotion there. I am totally willing to buy a love that happens ridiculously quickly (hello, Twilight), but I need something there to make me feel like I'm in the story. I have hope that as Deborah Harkness writes more she'll develop that skill. She has all the pieces to make a great writer, just needs a little bit more of the je ne sais quoi to take it over the top.(less)
I had high hopes for this, but the pacing was really off- I never felt the sense of urgency that was necessary for this to work well. The characters w...moreI had high hopes for this, but the pacing was really off- I never felt the sense of urgency that was necessary for this to work well. The characters weren't exactly cardboard, but I couldn't muster up enough interest in them to really connect. I'll probably check out the second book in the trilogy from the library at some point to see if it catches fire, but I won't be holding out much hope for that.(less)
**spoiler alert** Ok, first let me acknowledge that I really loved the Russell/Holmes romantic plot interaction in A Monstrous Regiment of Women, and ...more**spoiler alert** Ok, first let me acknowledge that I really loved the Russell/Holmes romantic plot interaction in A Monstrous Regiment of Women, and I keep hoping there will be more relationship in the subsequent books. Not that I'm asking for lots of lovey-dovey stuff or explicitness, but I really loved their couple dynamic in book 2 and would love more of it along with the mysteries. It is there in the rest, but it's really, really muted. This particular book was a bit hard for me to trudge through, though I think it's necessary to the overall arc of the series to finally get some closure on Mary's past. It was hard to feel the tug of interest in Mary's portion of the story because she was cold and removed from her emotions. Great writing to really nail that state of mind, but hard for me to connect with it. So I'm glad to be able to lay to rest some of the worst of Mary's childhood trauma, and I'm looking forward to what the next books bring. (less)
My husband and I started watching Rick Steves on PBS a sort of an ironic joke. We also enjoy armchair traveling, so what began as irony led to an actu...moreMy husband and I started watching Rick Steves on PBS a sort of an ironic joke. We also enjoy armchair traveling, so what began as irony led to an actual real appreciation for Steves' work. For all his wholesome winsomeness, Steves is a sharp and thoughtful traveler, and I really admire his personal dedication to the causes he supports. The man puts his money where his mouth is. Part travel memoir, part call to action, and part political musings, this is a great book for thoughtful citizens, whether you're traveling abroad or not. (less)
Deanna Raybourn knocks another one out of the park. Evocative setting, intriguing characters, a fast paced plot with enough moments that kept me gaspi...moreDeanna Raybourn knocks another one out of the park. Evocative setting, intriguing characters, a fast paced plot with enough moments that kept me gasping in suspense. I can't ask for anything more in a gothic novel!(less)
This started off so promising, but really took a nose-dive on plot pretty early. Fairly unbelievable too-fast relationship build-up, and the first big...moreThis started off so promising, but really took a nose-dive on plot pretty early. Fairly unbelievable too-fast relationship build-up, and the first big twist/jump forward in time was way too abrupt. The heroine was so flawed she wasn't really likeable. It veered too far into "look at this wacky family, aren't they the zaniest!" territory, I could have done with much less wacky family and more reason why we should believe couple loved each other after having just barely met. This felt like a book that could be polished up with a rewrite into a much better story. (less)
I wish we could give books stars in half increments, I feel like 2 stars is unfair but 3 is too many, it's a pretty solid 2.5. My main problem with th...moreI wish we could give books stars in half increments, I feel like 2 stars is unfair but 3 is too many, it's a pretty solid 2.5. My main problem with the book is that we are told the plot is urgent-urgent-urgent, but I did not feel a sense of urgency as a reader. Reading the author's explanation of the main character, Stacey, and how she wanted to make her a totally average, normal girl, I can understand why I felt no connection to the character, and that kept the plot at arm's length for me. I commend Stolarz for actively avoiding a Mary Sue heroine, but in making Stacey so vanilla, I think she loses a bit of reader connection.
The writing is good, though, and I think there's a lot of promise that other books in the series could get better as Stolarz grows as a writer. (less)
**spoiler alert** It pains me to write a medicore review for this book; I loved the first 3 and have been eagerly waiting for this book since I finish...more**spoiler alert** It pains me to write a medicore review for this book; I loved the first 3 and have been eagerly waiting for this book since I finished "A Fatal Waltz."
First, I loved the continuing development of Emily and Colin's relationship, and really wished for even more romance than what we got in this book. There is understandably less tension involved now that they are married, but I'd hoped for a bit more of a thrill.
They mystery was not as compelling as previous mysteries. It felt too quickly wrapped up- if the mystery were perhaps half of a longer book then I wouldn't feel as if the end was tied up in too few pages.
Alexander did a wonderful job conveying a sense of place- she has a mastery of lush descriptions without bogging you down in endless adjectives.
Ultimatley, I think I'd been hoping for an altogether longer book with a plot that was dragged out more slowly. It seemed like her first 2 books were longer and thus better paced, Waltz and now this felt much shorter. (less)
This book is just so fantastic, my only complaint is that it's not longer because I am dying to find out what happens next. It's a compulsive read; Co...moreThis book is just so fantastic, my only complaint is that it's not longer because I am dying to find out what happens next. It's a compulsive read; Collins has constructed a believably creepy world and interesting, complex characters. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!(less)
Given the rave reviews of this book, I was expecting something more from this. It's not terrible, my main gripes are that the mystery didn't actually ...moreGiven the rave reviews of this book, I was expecting something more from this. It's not terrible, my main gripes are that the mystery didn't actually become mysterious until the book was almost finished, there was no actual spying going on, and most of the plot action happened in the last 5 pages.
It is a great premise, and the characters are very well drawn, so I'm hoping that this slow set up to the series means the next book will bring the plot in faster.(less)
So for some reason (mis-read a book blurb at some point?) I thought this book would involve time travel. "Time travel AND Salem? Awesome!" I...moreSo for some reason (mis-read a book blurb at some point?) I thought this book would involve time travel. "Time travel AND Salem? Awesome!" I thought to myself. So I was disappointed through my own preconceived notions.
Still, this book is a decent first book, but it reads very much like a first effort. Howe's overbearing use of passive voice makes it hard to engage with the story. I never got a spark of connection with the main character, who appears to have no personality at all beyond "likes history" and "is a good student." I found it completely inexplicable that she'd end up in a relationship with Hottie McHoterson when she really doesn't demonstrate that she's all that much of a person. Also, I wasn't expecting so much family/woman-discovering-herself instrospection, and that is really not my cup of tea.
I will give Howe props for having a great eye to historical details, and a talent for description. I wish she'd work a bit more to develop characters and plot as much as she develops scenery and props. (less)
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