I love the Flavia de Luce books. Flavia is such a wonderful character and I find that I really enjoy her whole world. I love these book on audio and I...moreI love the Flavia de Luce books. Flavia is such a wonderful character and I find that I really enjoy her whole world. I love these book on audio and I can't wait for the next in the series!(less)
I really, really wanted to like this book but it was just sort of strange. The magical stuff didn't really work for me in this book (and I normally do...moreI really, really wanted to like this book but it was just sort of strange. The magical stuff didn't really work for me in this book (and I normally do enjoy that). Plus the book was really kind of slow and to be honest, confusing in parts. I was pretty disappointed with this one.(less)
I can't seem to decide on a rating for this. Parts of this book were so, so wonderful. But man, those first 100 pages or so were really kind of slow....moreI can't seem to decide on a rating for this. Parts of this book were so, so wonderful. But man, those first 100 pages or so were really kind of slow. I think in a month I will have forgotten about the slow parts and I will just remember the wonderful story of friendship and loss and war so I've gone with a 5 star rating. But fair warning, the fist bit of the story is slow but stick with it because the book is so worth it!(less)
I had kind of high expectations for this book and they really weren't met. I loved the audio version of the book, the narrator was good! Overall, I th...moreI had kind of high expectations for this book and they really weren't met. I loved the audio version of the book, the narrator was good! Overall, I thought the book dragged quite a bit, even at the end, the book climaxed and there was still 45 minutes to go! I felt like there was a lot of set up for the future books of the series.
I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. I didn't really care for Evie. I would have flashes of caring for her and then she would go and do something stupid or selfish and I'd be annoyed with her again. And I really didn't like Theta (I'm not sure why? Although I don't think how the narrator did her voice helped.)
Also, I didn't find this book to be as creepy as so many said. I think I must just read too many mysteries / thrillers but I found this to be pretty typical of things I normally read.
I'll definitely read (or listen to) the next in the series and I'm hoping that the characters can come together a bit more. (less)
I was a little bit disappointed in this book. The idea for the book was pretty great but it just felt sort of flat. I never really connected with the...moreI was a little bit disappointed in this book. The idea for the book was pretty great but it just felt sort of flat. I never really connected with the characters and I think a story like this depends on making me feel something (which I didn't sadly). This was a pretty short and easy read (although, strangely it took me forever to actually finish it). I can't say I wouldn't recommend it but I also won't be encouraging others to pick this one up. (less)
I have really mixed feelings about this book. I felt like it had all the pieces necessary for me to really love it: historical fiction setting, charac...moreI have really mixed feelings about this book. I felt like it had all the pieces necessary for me to really love it: historical fiction setting, characters I knew of and want to know more about, it was really well written. But I didn't actually like any of the characters. Ernest was broken and cruel and Hadly was boring and a doormat. I'm not sure I would have wanted to be married to either of them myself.
I think I've settled on 4 stars because while I wouldn't say that I loved the story, I think it is going to stick with me for a long time. (less)
**spoiler alert** I had really high expectations for this and they just weren't met. I think some of that is because I had heard the book was good but...more**spoiler alert** I had really high expectations for this and they just weren't met. I think some of that is because I had heard the book was good but really knew very little about it. I had been expecting some kind of historical fiction mesh with spooky serial killer (and parts of the book were really good and spooky) and it started that way but then turned into a modern YA paranormal book. And to be honest, I'm a bit burnt out on those at the moment. In addition, there was lots of stuff I thought just made no sense.
For example: 1)The way the Terminus was explained made it sound like they needed a diamond, get the noise off of it and blast - no more ghost. But the story references three specific stones. At the end the team seemed very upset when these stones were gone, why? It seems like they should just be able to get a new one and move on. I got the feeling that these three stones specifically were the only ones that worked (especially after the Ripper mentioned that they were the stones used when he was on the team) but that is really not how it was described originally. 2)Why did the "Ripper" kill himself? That makes no sense. He went to get the Terminus and ended up killing his old team. Why not just take the Terminus and go? Why shoot yourself and then have to go to all the work of coming back as a ghost and then destroying the stones? And once that happened, why not destroy the stones in the 20 years before the team was reformed?
All that said, I definitely read the next book. (less)
I loved this book. I've not been able to stop thinking about this book since I picked it up. It was heartbreaking, wonderful, thought provoking, and t...moreI loved this book. I've not been able to stop thinking about this book since I picked it up. It was heartbreaking, wonderful, thought provoking, and touching. The narrator was great and I can't wait to reread the book.
What a great historical fiction book! It seems like the story was really well researched and written. I loved the contrast between Mary and Aspasia. T...moreWhat a great historical fiction book! It seems like the story was really well researched and written. I loved the contrast between Mary and Aspasia. They were both so likeable. And it was really interesting to compare the two women's lives with life today.
The follow-up factual stuff about the characters was also really interesting. (less)
Not my favorite Amelia Peabody book. It seemed to be missing some of the usual humor and at times it felt slow. There were also certain times where od...moreNot my favorite Amelia Peabody book. It seemed to be missing some of the usual humor and at times it felt slow. There were also certain times where odd things would happen, like a character would just sort of disappear. And I'd be waiting for the other characters to comment or question on this but it would seem that they never noticed. I did enjoy the ending quite a bit and I felt like things were wrapped up pretty well. (less)
I can't seem to get all my thoughts together on this book. The story was really unique. A completely different perspective on WW2 and I loved how I di...moreI can't seem to get all my thoughts together on this book. The story was really unique. A completely different perspective on WW2 and I loved how I didn't know at all what to expect coming in other than it was a ww2 story. I loved how things were revealed slowly and through a childs eyes.
However, it bugged my that Bruno was so naive. I find it really hard to believe that as a 9 or 10 year old growing up in Natzi Germany that he had no idea what a Jew was. And those little details kind of bugged me. It seems like if the author wanted the boy to be this naive then he should have be much younger.
Still a great story! One that I think young kids could get a lot out of!(less)
I loved the beginning of this. Sarah's story was incredible but somewhere towards the end I got a bit tired of Julia's story. She just and most especi...moreI loved the beginning of this. Sarah's story was incredible but somewhere towards the end I got a bit tired of Julia's story. She just and most especially her husband weren't very likeable. It was hard to relate to! I would have like more of Sarah and less of Julia.
Overall, a very enjoyable book. I'd definitely recommend this one!(less)
I really enjoyed this book. The narrator was fantastic and I just thought the story was wonderful. I knew mostly how it would end because I knew a lit...moreI really enjoyed this book. The narrator was fantastic and I just thought the story was wonderful. I knew mostly how it would end because I knew a little about Louisa May Alcott but I still thought the story was really well done. I'd definitely recommend this one!(less)
The historical information about Valley Forge was really fascinating and something that is (embarrassingly) pretty new to me. I can't wait to read up...moreThe historical information about Valley Forge was really fascinating and something that is (embarrassingly) pretty new to me. I can't wait to read up on this and see how close the book is to real life and to me that is one of the marks of a great historical fiction novel!
I love Amelia Peabody books and I think this was my favorite so far! The narrator is so good and really captures Amelia so well that I hope I can cont...moreI love Amelia Peabody books and I think this was my favorite so far! The narrator is so good and really captures Amelia so well that I hope I can continue to listen to all the books in this series!(less)
I really love these books. The mysteries themselves are just okay, I'd had this one mostly figured out way before the end. But that is okay because I...moreI really love these books. The mysteries themselves are just okay, I'd had this one mostly figured out way before the end. But that is okay because I really read these for the characters, specifically Flavia, who is such an incredible character. These are also really fantastic on audiobook. Highly recommend this series!(less)
I wavered around between 3 and 4 stars but I think I'm going to go with 3 stars. I liked the book, liked the narrator, really liked everything about i...moreI wavered around between 3 and 4 stars but I think I'm going to go with 3 stars. I liked the book, liked the narrator, really liked everything about it but I kept waiting for something to really wow me and it didn't happen. In fact, for a 6 or 7 hour audiobook it took me forever to listen to. I'm not sure if it is me, bad timing maybe, but the connection just wasn't there and it had so much potential. I was really excited to read it so it's possible my expectations were too high. I'll definitely read the next in the series and I definitely would still recommend this. (less)
I really liked the idea of this story but the story itself was pretty meh to me. It felt like there was too much going on - music, historical fiction,...moreI really liked the idea of this story but the story itself was pretty meh to me. It felt like there was too much going on - music, historical fiction, depression, and I felt like I was in an episode of Dawson's Creek where all the teenage characters know all these smarty, witty, pop culture references and talk like no real teenager I've ever met. However, you could tell that the book was really well researched and I learned and was inspired to do some reading up on the French Revolution.
I likely would have given the book 4 stars if not for the time travel aspect. That just really bugs me. It just felt awkward and shoved in at the end. It was not needed and in my opinion, kind of ruined the story. (less)
This is my favorite so far of the series. We were introduced to Ramses in book two but we really only got to see him in the beginning. I really liked...moreThis is my favorite so far of the series. We were introduced to Ramses in book two but we really only got to see him in the beginning. I really liked the addition of his character throughout the book.
I also really like these books on audio. I think it really adds something to hear Amelia. I love her relationship with Emerson! They are so funny. Overall, good book. I'm not running out to read the next one but I definitely enjoy this series enough to continue. (less)
I didn't like this as much as I was hoping I would. I thought Letty was really irritating and quite a lot of this story was a predictable and sort of...moreI didn't like this as much as I was hoping I would. I thought Letty was really irritating and quite a lot of this story was a predictable and sort of blah. I do remember not liking Luxe as much as the rest of the series though, so I'll definitely read the other books when they come out. (less)
**spoiler alert** I'm a little more than halfway through and I was getting some foreshadowing about Diana and Henry's ending. I couldn't stand it any...more**spoiler alert** I'm a little more than halfway through and I was getting some foreshadowing about Diana and Henry's ending. I couldn't stand it any longer so I read the spoilers for them. I kind of wish I hadn't but at the same time, I am so glad I did. Now I know and can just enjoy the rest of the story.
Great ending to the series! I really loved the way almost all of the storylines ended. Elizabeth's ending was my favorite. I love her and Teddy together! I thought Lina's ending was satisfying though as well. I never really liked Lina's character much, I always wanted to but found her so smug and whiney that she was hard to like. I really enjoyed seeing her fall from grace but I appreciated her growth after - reconnecting with her sister and seeming to sort of finally owe her history and future as new money. I also really loved the ending for Diana. Penelope's ending could have have been a bit more. I kind of wanted to see something worse happend but I'm okay with how it turned out.
What makes me sad though is Henry's ending. I get why him and Diana couldn't be together but I feel sad for him. It wasn't as if he had done something wrong and yet he is stuck with Penelope forever. I'm not sure how I would have done it different but I wish he got a happier ending. (less)
Overall, I really liked this book. I loved the main character, and I loved the way the story felt. I really enjoy learning about the Salem Witch Trial...moreOverall, I really liked this book. I loved the main character, and I loved the way the story felt. I really enjoy learning about the Salem Witch Trials and I liked how this book blended that with a story of academia. I loved the story about the mothers and daughters.
I wasn't so fond of the ending though. I could see it coming for sure, although that didn't really bother me. In fact, I sort of think you are supposed to see it the ending coming, just not understand how it will get there. I guess really, I didn't really dislike the ending, I just felt like it could have been better.
I've been reading some of the other reviews and several people mention that Connie, for a smart educated person, seemed a little dense sometimes. I do agree with that and I thought that several times during the story but I always rationalized that this made sense in a way. I'm an educated person and if someone told me that witchcraft of a sort was real, you can bet that I would be a little dense as well!
Good book though. I will definitely be checking out other things this author has written. (less)
Just heard I won today! I can't wait for my book to arrive!
So, I've been reading this for months now and I'm still about 25% of the way through. I nor...moreJust heard I won today! I can't wait for my book to arrive!
So, I've been reading this for months now and I'm still about 25% of the way through. I normally like historical fiction but this just seems so dry and I don't really like any of the characters. It keeps switching back and forth between narrators and I'm just bored.
I think at this point I'm going to call it quits. I might go back and try again sometime when I'm more in the mood. (less)
I loved this book! The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book is charming. I completely recommend listening to this on audiobook, I t...moreI loved this book! The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book is charming. I completely recommend listening to this on audiobook, I think the different narrators really added to the letter style of the book and the narration was wonderful!
I knew from the beginning that I liked this book but as the book went on and it became amazing. I loved the setting of post WW2, I loved how all the characters felt so real and human. I loved how funny this book was in places. I loved the Juliet and how much she loved books. I especially love the book / fiance related story in the beginning.
Overall, I really liked this book. I really felt for the main character. I thought the quotes from writings, letters, etc. from 1793 at the beginning...moreOverall, I really liked this book. I really felt for the main character. I thought the quotes from writings, letters, etc. from 1793 at the beginning of each chapter were an excellent touch. I'm normally not a huge fan of things like that because it can take away from the story but I thought this really added a lot.
I also thought the timing on this book was really interesting. With H1N1 being in the news so much recently, it was really interesting to contrast current epidemics with what they were like in the past.
Overall, really interesting book! It really made me want to read up on Yellow Fever. (less)
Amy (amyb2332)
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Books:
historical-fiction
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