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The Fairmile #2
Dark Tides
Signed and with red sprayed edges
464 pages, Hardcover
First published November 24, 2020
About the author
Philippa Gregory
149 books32.8k followersPhilippa Gregory is one of the world’s foremost historical novelists. She wrote her first ever novel, Wideacre, when she was completing her PhD in eighteenth-century literature and it sold worldwide, heralding a new era for historical fiction.
Her flair for blending history and imagination developed into a signature style and Philippa went on to write many bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen.
Now a recognised authority on women’s history, Philippa graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent and was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck University of London.
Philippa is a member of the Society of Authors and in 2016, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers’ Association. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award by Nielsen for achieving significant lifetime sales across her entire book output.
She welcomes visitors to her site www.PhilippaGregory.com.
Philippa's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippaGregoryOfficial
Her flair for blending history and imagination developed into a signature style and Philippa went on to write many bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen.
Now a recognised authority on women’s history, Philippa graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent and was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck University of London.
Philippa is a member of the Society of Authors and in 2016, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers’ Association. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award by Nielsen for achieving significant lifetime sales across her entire book output.
She welcomes visitors to her site www.PhilippaGregory.com.
Philippa's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippaGregoryOfficial
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,369 reviews
November 16, 2020
Dark Tides, the sequel to Tidelands, suffers from a number of flaws — namely, poor characterization, no atmosphere (which she actually had going for her in Tidelands), and the most transparent, preposterous, and convoluted storyline imaginable. If there's a third in this series, I will not be returning for it. This makes me question Gregory's other works — which I have not read, but heard so much about.
First, there's such a slow start to Dark Tides in addition to constant back-and-forth between the two settings: London and New England. Gregory would've done better to not chop it all up, especially at the beginning, into such tiny segments of changing points-of-view to set up the novel.
In fact, I really don't think Ned's storyline was necessary at all. Adventures with Ned and his Chain of Ethical Issues on how English colonists should get along with American Indians instead of trying to cheat them or drive them out of their own lands (with which most of us agree by now, and which was not a common viewpoint back then) that he drags around with him was so clearly draped across his shoulders by the author. The weight of what basically amounts to an essay is a lot to carry, especially when all the plot is actually happening across the ocean in London. His story is dull, dry, and entirely predictable, dropping the history lesson like a piano in a cartoon.
The characters themselves suffer from no development, particularly since Gregory once again favors telling and not showing. And no one grows over the course of this book. Static characters. Twenty years has passed and no one seems to have experienced any growth — aside from the deceptive first ten percent of the book when Gregory lays out some loose groundwork that is meant to do all the heavy lifting for the rest of the book. Alys should be a savvy businesswoman, yet she falls so quickly into allowing herself to be duped that it is wholly unbelievable. How is she more naïve than in the first book?!
And James, with all his talked about heartache and pain, should have experienced more than just passing disappointment once he believes that he has no son and never did. Apparently he never truly loved Alinor; for all his twenty years of pining, with letters sent every year, his feelings seemingly disappear within an instant's notice.
Alinor should be a much wiser woman, given her age, her experiences, and her belief in her gift — she was never a dummy to begin with. And while she's not acting much out of character in this installment, I have to say it's mainly because she's hardly in this book. She's shoved into the corner, barely playing a role. The biggest blow to Alinor's character is actually her relationship with Alys. It is entirely muddied and mishandled. Throughout the book, Alinor continues to keep her feelings hidden from Alys, as though Alys wouldn't understand or believe her. As though they have not lived together Alys's entire life — have not remained close and even gotten closer. It's confounding and disappointing. What a missed opportunity to really display a bond between these two women — having raised two children together — in this time period of history!
Speaking of the children, Johnnie and Sarah, they play strange roles within the story (his basically disappears), but Sarah really shines brighter later on when Alinor sends her on a secret mission to Venice. While the Venice section really picked up the pace in a much needed way, it only added to the absurdity by the end of the book. Sarah herself wasn't much of a character beyond what was needed for the direction of the plot — and she had some conveniences with which I really struggled accepting. Mainly this is centered around Sarah's multilingualism and literacy. I'm willing to accept her level of literacy, seeing as how she's her mother's daughter and whatnot — fine. However, Sarah flippantly remarks that she can speak some Italian and, when in Venice, she acts as though she understands some words only because of her understanding of French. How in the world does this young woman who is an indentured servant and apprentice in a milliner's shop in 1670 London know more than one language on top of being able to read and write with no problems? We are repeatedly told of how poor they are, and how they barely scrape by. I found her character to not only be hard to believe, but to be just a game piece on the board being moved around by the author. She felt completely out of the story.
And then there's Livia. She's obvious from the start and in such a painful way. Utterly transparent, she was exhausting and so thinly developed that she may as well have had an evil cackle she accidentally let loose once in a while. I found it increasingly hard to believe that anyone would fall for her nonsense — not just from the start, but continually so. It only worked because Gregory conveniently has all the characters refusing to talk to each other about things that are happening — it was like a damn YA novel where the main character refuses to ask for help and if she had, all the problems would've been solved and there would've been no story.
However, on top of that I have a real issue with the pseudo-relationship between Alys and Livia. Livia clearly works at seducing Alys into trusting her, capitalizing on her years of loneliness. But the vagueness with which Gregory leaves their scenes hanging ... you have to simply guess at what exactly happens in their shared bed. How far does Livia take the deceptive relationship? How far does Alys allow it to go? And for someone who dropped the word ‘cock’ without hesitation in Tidelands, I find it hard to imagine that Gregory simply wanted a nondescript (let's say) scene. Was it just because it was two women? Disappointingly unbalanced. And what does that say about Livia? She's another villainous LGBTQ+ person who wields her sexuality any which way she wants? What does this say about Alys? Is she bisexual? Was she just manipulated with very little effort? What are we doing here?
Regardless, the book loses itself halfway through once James proposes to Livia — at that point it completely stops making sense. Telling and not showing strikes again. I typically don't like being so far removed from the characters, but having a baffling storyline on top of that made for a frustrating and painful read.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book, nor the content of my review.
First, there's such a slow start to Dark Tides in addition to constant back-and-forth between the two settings: London and New England. Gregory would've done better to not chop it all up, especially at the beginning, into such tiny segments of changing points-of-view to set up the novel.
In fact, I really don't think Ned's storyline was necessary at all. Adventures with Ned and his Chain of Ethical Issues on how English colonists should get along with American Indians instead of trying to cheat them or drive them out of their own lands (with which most of us agree by now, and which was not a common viewpoint back then) that he drags around with him was so clearly draped across his shoulders by the author. The weight of what basically amounts to an essay is a lot to carry, especially when all the plot is actually happening across the ocean in London. His story is dull, dry, and entirely predictable, dropping the history lesson like a piano in a cartoon.
The characters themselves suffer from no development, particularly since Gregory once again favors telling and not showing. And no one grows over the course of this book. Static characters. Twenty years has passed and no one seems to have experienced any growth — aside from the deceptive first ten percent of the book when Gregory lays out some loose groundwork that is meant to do all the heavy lifting for the rest of the book. Alys should be a savvy businesswoman, yet she falls so quickly into allowing herself to be duped that it is wholly unbelievable. How is she more naïve than in the first book?!
And James, with all his talked about heartache and pain, should have experienced more than just passing disappointment once he believes that he has no son and never did. Apparently he never truly loved Alinor; for all his twenty years of pining, with letters sent every year, his feelings seemingly disappear within an instant's notice.
Alinor should be a much wiser woman, given her age, her experiences, and her belief in her gift — she was never a dummy to begin with. And while she's not acting much out of character in this installment, I have to say it's mainly because she's hardly in this book. She's shoved into the corner, barely playing a role. The biggest blow to Alinor's character is actually her relationship with Alys. It is entirely muddied and mishandled. Throughout the book, Alinor continues to keep her feelings hidden from Alys, as though Alys wouldn't understand or believe her. As though they have not lived together Alys's entire life — have not remained close and even gotten closer. It's confounding and disappointing. What a missed opportunity to really display a bond between these two women — having raised two children together — in this time period of history!
Speaking of the children, Johnnie and Sarah, they play strange roles within the story (his basically disappears), but Sarah really shines brighter later on when Alinor sends her on a secret mission to Venice. While the Venice section really picked up the pace in a much needed way, it only added to the absurdity by the end of the book. Sarah herself wasn't much of a character beyond what was needed for the direction of the plot — and she had some conveniences with which I really struggled accepting. Mainly this is centered around Sarah's multilingualism and literacy. I'm willing to accept her level of literacy, seeing as how she's her mother's daughter and whatnot — fine. However, Sarah flippantly remarks that she can speak some Italian and, when in Venice, she acts as though she understands some words only because of her understanding of French. How in the world does this young woman who is an indentured servant and apprentice in a milliner's shop in 1670 London know more than one language on top of being able to read and write with no problems? We are repeatedly told of how poor they are, and how they barely scrape by. I found her character to not only be hard to believe, but to be just a game piece on the board being moved around by the author. She felt completely out of the story.
And then there's Livia. She's obvious from the start and in such a painful way. Utterly transparent, she was exhausting and so thinly developed that she may as well have had an evil cackle she accidentally let loose once in a while. I found it increasingly hard to believe that anyone would fall for her nonsense — not just from the start, but continually so. It only worked because Gregory conveniently has all the characters refusing to talk to each other about things that are happening — it was like a damn YA novel where the main character refuses to ask for help and if she had, all the problems would've been solved and there would've been no story.
However, on top of that I have a real issue with the pseudo-relationship between Alys and Livia. Livia clearly works at seducing Alys into trusting her, capitalizing on her years of loneliness. But the vagueness with which Gregory leaves their scenes hanging ... you have to simply guess at what exactly happens in their shared bed. How far does Livia take the deceptive relationship? How far does Alys allow it to go? And for someone who dropped the word ‘cock’ without hesitation in Tidelands, I find it hard to imagine that Gregory simply wanted a nondescript (let's say) scene. Was it just because it was two women? Disappointingly unbalanced. And what does that say about Livia? She's another villainous LGBTQ+ person who wields her sexuality any which way she wants? What does this say about Alys? Is she bisexual? Was she just manipulated with very little effort? What are we doing here?
Regardless, the book loses itself halfway through once James proposes to Livia — at that point it completely stops making sense. Telling and not showing strikes again. I typically don't like being so far removed from the characters, but having a baffling storyline on top of that made for a frustrating and painful read.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book, nor the content of my review.
December 28, 2020
As an old fan of Philippa Gregory’s, though I haven’t read a book from her in a number of years, I am excited I had the opportunity to read her new Fairmile series, including Tidelands and Dark Tides. Most of the books I’ve read by Gregory have been centered on royalty, but these two books focus on a midwife/herbalist, Alinor, her daughter, Alys, and her children, Sarah and Johnnie, running a warehouse business on the River Thames in England during the Restoration.
There’s another storyline in Dark Tides where Alinor’s brother, Ned, moves to New England to break free of England during this time period.
While you could read Dark Tides on its own, I recommend reading both books in succession for a richer story. Reading in this way also offers more perspective on the characters; Alys, especially, because her history is important. I was not quite as interested in Ned’s storyline once he moved to the US. To me, Alys and Alinor are the heart of the story, but I was happily along for all of it.
Overall, I adore how Philippa Gregor draws me into her stories and characters. Right now I’m watching The White Princess from Starz, based on a book from Gregory I also loved, and it would be so much fun to see the Fairmile books on the screen one day!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
There’s another storyline in Dark Tides where Alinor’s brother, Ned, moves to New England to break free of England during this time period.
While you could read Dark Tides on its own, I recommend reading both books in succession for a richer story. Reading in this way also offers more perspective on the characters; Alys, especially, because her history is important. I was not quite as interested in Ned’s storyline once he moved to the US. To me, Alys and Alinor are the heart of the story, but I was happily along for all of it.
Overall, I adore how Philippa Gregor draws me into her stories and characters. Right now I’m watching The White Princess from Starz, based on a book from Gregory I also loved, and it would be so much fun to see the Fairmile books on the screen one day!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
October 3, 2021
Dark Tides is the 2nd book in The Fairmile series written by Philippa Gregory. I've read about half of her Plantagenet and Tudor series, and I aim to complete it by the end of this year... but when the two books in this series popped up earlier this summer, I got copies and jumped right in. I definitely enjoyed the first book more, but this one was still good. Let's dive in further.
Twenty-one years after the first book ends in the mid-17th century, Alinor and her children have moved closer to London where they run a small business by the shipyards. Alinor is an invalid now, and her daughter, Alys, is raising twins. Alinor's son Rob left for Venice for work, and her brother, Ned, left for the New World (America). You might not want to read more of this review as it's hard not to spoil book 1 and still cover what happens in this book... so pause and stop reading if you don't want to know... that said, Rob's widow - a very suspicious character - shows up with his baby and claims Rob is dead. Alys believes her. Alinor does not. Plus, in the last book, both Alys and her mother were pregnant... now only one has twins. What happened?
So many great things here about the continuation of their story. Loved that aspect, and the Venetian widow is a character you will love to love or hate. She does so much good and so much bad, but you can never tell which is which. And when Sir James returns, we see him being pulled back into their dark story. On the flip side, Ned's journey to America was mostly boring. Very little happened. I liked what transpired, but for it to be 50% of the book with minimal plot was quite hard. It was a nice counterbalance to his sister's story, yet I found myself wishing it were only 25% of the book. I flipped a few pages and couldn't really connect with his friends and the story of the new land. Usually I love that stuff; it was hard with the suspense of Alinor's plot in opposing chapters.
In the end, I enjoyed the book. I hope there is a book 3, although it didn't finish with a major cliffhanger like book 1, so this could be the end. I give it 3.5 stars but since I liked book 1 a lot more, I am rounding down here. Definitely give book 1 a chance, and if you love the characters, stick with it.
Twenty-one years after the first book ends in the mid-17th century, Alinor and her children have moved closer to London where they run a small business by the shipyards. Alinor is an invalid now, and her daughter, Alys, is raising twins. Alinor's son Rob left for Venice for work, and her brother, Ned, left for the New World (America). You might not want to read more of this review as it's hard not to spoil book 1 and still cover what happens in this book... so pause and stop reading if you don't want to know... that said, Rob's widow - a very suspicious character - shows up with his baby and claims Rob is dead. Alys believes her. Alinor does not. Plus, in the last book, both Alys and her mother were pregnant... now only one has twins. What happened?
So many great things here about the continuation of their story. Loved that aspect, and the Venetian widow is a character you will love to love or hate. She does so much good and so much bad, but you can never tell which is which. And when Sir James returns, we see him being pulled back into their dark story. On the flip side, Ned's journey to America was mostly boring. Very little happened. I liked what transpired, but for it to be 50% of the book with minimal plot was quite hard. It was a nice counterbalance to his sister's story, yet I found myself wishing it were only 25% of the book. I flipped a few pages and couldn't really connect with his friends and the story of the new land. Usually I love that stuff; it was hard with the suspense of Alinor's plot in opposing chapters.
In the end, I enjoyed the book. I hope there is a book 3, although it didn't finish with a major cliffhanger like book 1, so this could be the end. I give it 3.5 stars but since I liked book 1 a lot more, I am rounding down here. Definitely give book 1 a chance, and if you love the characters, stick with it.
July 19, 2022
Dark Tides is book 2 in The Fairmile series. Tidelands (book1) left us with two strong, determined women leaving Sealsea Island, heading to London to start a new life. I was excited to to see how Alinor and her daughter Alys would fair in this new adventure.
Dark Tides is set 21 years later. Alys has 21 year old twins, Sarah and Johnnie. Alys now runs a wharf on the poorer south-side of London whilst Alinor brings in money making packs of herbs and selling them. They are not rich but they get by and both Sarah and Johnnie have apprenticeships.
Alinor's brother Ned has also left the tidelands now that the new king is on the throne. He has decided to make a new life where he can be his own master in New England (USA).
There is no backstory to fill in the missing twenty odd years which makes Dark Tides read well as a standalone.
The story moves back and forward between London and Hadley - New England. They are two completely different stories only occasionally connecting through Alinor and Ned's correspondence or when Ned sends herbs to Alinor in London.
With the introduction of Rob's widow Livia arriving from Venice, babe in arms, Philippa Gregory has given her readers an amazing antagonist. I loved how Livia worked, confident and conniving. Everyone was immediately smitten with her, completely under her spell. Well, almost everyone. She was a perfectly drawn character, charismatic and manipulative, totally believable and I was enthralled as I watched her weave her web of lies and deceit.
The story held plenty of suspense as the setting moves from London to Venice and my Fitbit will attest to the increase in my heart rate as the tension mounted.
I was equally invested in Ned's story, although not as compelling, I loved learning about the native Indians, the Pokanoket people, and their ways with the land. Ned was, as I expected, one with both the natives and the settlers. He was keen to learn the ways of the natives and their wisdom. I could clearly see Alinor with her herbs and natural healing would also be one with these people.
Gregory explains how these peaceful people were lied to, cheated and betrayed by the settlers and how they were not prepared to lose everything, including their way of life.
I loved Dark Tides (book 2) even more than the first book Tidelands. I have no idea where the story will go from here but I am eagerly awaiting book three in The Fairmile series.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Dark Tides is set 21 years later. Alys has 21 year old twins, Sarah and Johnnie. Alys now runs a wharf on the poorer south-side of London whilst Alinor brings in money making packs of herbs and selling them. They are not rich but they get by and both Sarah and Johnnie have apprenticeships.
Alinor's brother Ned has also left the tidelands now that the new king is on the throne. He has decided to make a new life where he can be his own master in New England (USA).
There is no backstory to fill in the missing twenty odd years which makes Dark Tides read well as a standalone.
The story moves back and forward between London and Hadley - New England. They are two completely different stories only occasionally connecting through Alinor and Ned's correspondence or when Ned sends herbs to Alinor in London.
With the introduction of Rob's widow Livia arriving from Venice, babe in arms, Philippa Gregory has given her readers an amazing antagonist. I loved how Livia worked, confident and conniving. Everyone was immediately smitten with her, completely under her spell. Well, almost everyone. She was a perfectly drawn character, charismatic and manipulative, totally believable and I was enthralled as I watched her weave her web of lies and deceit.
The story held plenty of suspense as the setting moves from London to Venice and my Fitbit will attest to the increase in my heart rate as the tension mounted.
I was equally invested in Ned's story, although not as compelling, I loved learning about the native Indians, the Pokanoket people, and their ways with the land. Ned was, as I expected, one with both the natives and the settlers. He was keen to learn the ways of the natives and their wisdom. I could clearly see Alinor with her herbs and natural healing would also be one with these people.
Gregory explains how these peaceful people were lied to, cheated and betrayed by the settlers and how they were not prepared to lose everything, including their way of life.
I loved Dark Tides (book 2) even more than the first book Tidelands. I have no idea where the story will go from here but I am eagerly awaiting book three in The Fairmile series.
*I received a copy from the publisher
November 17, 2020
Caught up within the Dark Tides.......
Philippa Gregory casts her story within the deep rushing waters of characters transfixed on deviously dark motives. I would suggest reading the first book in this Fairmile Series, Tidelands, first in order to get a feel for what has already transpired in the past. A change of setting for these multi-layered characters will bring on even more adventures.
Alinor Reekie has left her home in the Tidelands and is now living along the River Thames near London in 1670. Alinor, a renowned herbalist and midwife, is now an invalid from a near death drowning. Her daughter, Alys, and Alys' teenage children, Sarah and Johnnie, run a warehouse business along the wharf. They live month by month with very little profit.
Gregory spotlights two incredibly different individuals who will enter into their lives. Sir James Avery wishes a meeting with Alinor. He and Alinor had a past relationship which James desires to rekindle. He is up in years and wants a family to bestow his estate to. Alinor wants nothing to do with James and refuses his offer. But this will not be the last of James.
No sooner does James take leave of Alinor when a fashionably dressed young woman with a newborn shows up at Alinor's door. She claims to be the widow of Alinor's son, Robert. Nobildonna Livia da Ricci of Venice brings shocking news. Robert has died and she is his widow with their son, Matteo. With no other recourse, they take the young widow and baby into their home. Oh, Momma. This is the beginning of a wild ride. You'll never sweep Livia into a corner. Not ever.
To magnify situations even higher, Gregory does a split-screen here with a corresponding storyline of Alinor's brother, Ned Ferryman. Ned has left England and traveled to New England. He was a follower of Oliver Cromwell and can no longer tolerate the reign of Charles II, son of Charles I who was beheaded. He only wishes to have a plot of land and run a ferry as he did in England. We will experience the escalation of broken treaties and land grabbing by the settlers. Because of this, resentment is building up by the Native Americans and war may be eminent.
Dark Tides is heavily cloaked with historical and religious situations of the time period. That's Philippa Gregory's strong suit and she doesn't disappoint in this one. Dark Tides has spirit as you'll experience as these characters are prone to antagonizing one another. Mind battles will dominate as craftiness comes into play. We'll find that high energy brain cells have been gifted to the poor as well as the privileged. Let the games begin......
I received a copy of Dark Tides through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) and to the talented Philippa Gregory for the opportunity.
Philippa Gregory casts her story within the deep rushing waters of characters transfixed on deviously dark motives. I would suggest reading the first book in this Fairmile Series, Tidelands, first in order to get a feel for what has already transpired in the past. A change of setting for these multi-layered characters will bring on even more adventures.
Alinor Reekie has left her home in the Tidelands and is now living along the River Thames near London in 1670. Alinor, a renowned herbalist and midwife, is now an invalid from a near death drowning. Her daughter, Alys, and Alys' teenage children, Sarah and Johnnie, run a warehouse business along the wharf. They live month by month with very little profit.
Gregory spotlights two incredibly different individuals who will enter into their lives. Sir James Avery wishes a meeting with Alinor. He and Alinor had a past relationship which James desires to rekindle. He is up in years and wants a family to bestow his estate to. Alinor wants nothing to do with James and refuses his offer. But this will not be the last of James.
No sooner does James take leave of Alinor when a fashionably dressed young woman with a newborn shows up at Alinor's door. She claims to be the widow of Alinor's son, Robert. Nobildonna Livia da Ricci of Venice brings shocking news. Robert has died and she is his widow with their son, Matteo. With no other recourse, they take the young widow and baby into their home. Oh, Momma. This is the beginning of a wild ride. You'll never sweep Livia into a corner. Not ever.
To magnify situations even higher, Gregory does a split-screen here with a corresponding storyline of Alinor's brother, Ned Ferryman. Ned has left England and traveled to New England. He was a follower of Oliver Cromwell and can no longer tolerate the reign of Charles II, son of Charles I who was beheaded. He only wishes to have a plot of land and run a ferry as he did in England. We will experience the escalation of broken treaties and land grabbing by the settlers. Because of this, resentment is building up by the Native Americans and war may be eminent.
Dark Tides is heavily cloaked with historical and religious situations of the time period. That's Philippa Gregory's strong suit and she doesn't disappoint in this one. Dark Tides has spirit as you'll experience as these characters are prone to antagonizing one another. Mind battles will dominate as craftiness comes into play. We'll find that high energy brain cells have been gifted to the poor as well as the privileged. Let the games begin......
I received a copy of Dark Tides through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) and to the talented Philippa Gregory for the opportunity.
December 5, 2020
On one day in June of 1670, elderly Alinor Reekie receives two unexpected visitors at her humble home in London. One is her lover from many years ago. The other is a beautiful young Italian woman named Livia. Livia claims to be the widow of Alinor’s son Rob, who was a physician in Venice. But Alinor has no interest in reconnecting with James Avery, who betrayed her long ago, just when she most desperately needed his support. And she believes that her son is still alive.
The story’s main action takes place in London, where Livia upends the lives of Alinor, her daughter Alys with whom she runs a small dock and warehouse along the Thames, and Alys’s young-adult children, Johnnie and Sarah. We also see action in Venice, when a member of the Reekie family travels there to learn the truth about Rob’s reported death. And we meet Alinor’s brother Ned, who now lives in New England, after fleeing England when Cromwell was defeated by the resurgent King Charles II.
This book is the second in the series that started with Tidelands. I absolutely loved Tidelands and was very much looking forward to this novel, but overall I was disappointed.
One aspect of the book that I did love was the descriptions of how hard Ned has to work to survive a New England winter in the 17th century. It was very vivid, and made me extremely grateful for central heating, indoor plumbing, and our good old Giant Eagle grocery!
But I feel that this book was rushed into publication. Before going to print, it should have had at least one more pretty thorough rewrite and the scrutiny of an editor who wasn’t asleep at the switch.
First complaint: WTF is up with question marks at the end of declarative sentences??? One example from page 155 of my edition: “I didn’t see you” IS NOT A QUESTION. Why is it punctuated with a question mark? I could give probably a HUNDRED more examples of this weird error. It really disturbed the flow of my reading.
Second: I loved the sections about Ned in New England, but they had nothing to do with the rest of the action in the story. Maybe Gregory is setting up for a third book where the New England story and the London story come together. But it just seemed random to me.
Third: I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone by being too specific, but some of the things that happen in Venice really strained credulity for me.
Finally, my main complaint about this book is that there is no single protagonist to root for. The story’s antagonist is Livia, but she’s up against pretty much every other character in the book. We don’t get deeply enough into any of the good guys’ heads to feel deeply invested in them. The book felt driven by plot, not character.
Philippa Gregory is incapable of writing a truly bad novel, but this one came close. Still, I would read a third book in this series if she writes one.
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Author of The Saints Mistress https://camcatbooks.com/Books/T/The-S...
The story’s main action takes place in London, where Livia upends the lives of Alinor, her daughter Alys with whom she runs a small dock and warehouse along the Thames, and Alys’s young-adult children, Johnnie and Sarah. We also see action in Venice, when a member of the Reekie family travels there to learn the truth about Rob’s reported death. And we meet Alinor’s brother Ned, who now lives in New England, after fleeing England when Cromwell was defeated by the resurgent King Charles II.
This book is the second in the series that started with Tidelands. I absolutely loved Tidelands and was very much looking forward to this novel, but overall I was disappointed.
One aspect of the book that I did love was the descriptions of how hard Ned has to work to survive a New England winter in the 17th century. It was very vivid, and made me extremely grateful for central heating, indoor plumbing, and our good old Giant Eagle grocery!
But I feel that this book was rushed into publication. Before going to print, it should have had at least one more pretty thorough rewrite and the scrutiny of an editor who wasn’t asleep at the switch.
First complaint: WTF is up with question marks at the end of declarative sentences??? One example from page 155 of my edition: “I didn’t see you” IS NOT A QUESTION. Why is it punctuated with a question mark? I could give probably a HUNDRED more examples of this weird error. It really disturbed the flow of my reading.
Second: I loved the sections about Ned in New England, but they had nothing to do with the rest of the action in the story. Maybe Gregory is setting up for a third book where the New England story and the London story come together. But it just seemed random to me.
Third: I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone by being too specific, but some of the things that happen in Venice really strained credulity for me.
Finally, my main complaint about this book is that there is no single protagonist to root for. The story’s antagonist is Livia, but she’s up against pretty much every other character in the book. We don’t get deeply enough into any of the good guys’ heads to feel deeply invested in them. The book felt driven by plot, not character.
Philippa Gregory is incapable of writing a truly bad novel, but this one came close. Still, I would read a third book in this series if she writes one.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog at http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/blog/
Author of The Saints Mistress https://camcatbooks.com/Books/T/The-S...
November 20, 2020
21 years after Tidelands comes Dark Tides. A masterful tale that will grab you in immediately and you never want to put it down! Only thing that bothered me was the main protagonist in Tidelands becomes a weaker character and stays in the background of Dark Tides. Not to bother! Her daughter and grandchildren step up nicely. There are new characters that are deeply enriched and turns this into a tale that twists and turns and shocks! This one is HIGHLY recommended. It could be a stand alone.
June 24, 2020
That first book was a depressing slow drag and ode to toxic masculinity. Phillipa had better redeem herself and give Alinor joy, healthy love and prosperity. I will change this rating based on the outcome of the next book.
- I hope Alice is not still trash.
- I hope James Summer stops being trash or stays all the way on the opposite side of this world. I hope he is hit with the full realization of how wrong and horrible his self righteous self was in the Tidelands.
- I hope Alinor’s husband is found dead.
I know history is horrible to women in Europe. I know that women with thought and talents have it extra hard. But why was Alinor forced to face every indignity? Where was the balance?
- I hope Alice is not still trash.
- I hope James Summer stops being trash or stays all the way on the opposite side of this world. I hope he is hit with the full realization of how wrong and horrible his self righteous self was in the Tidelands.
- I hope Alinor’s husband is found dead.
I know history is horrible to women in Europe. I know that women with thought and talents have it extra hard. But why was Alinor forced to face every indignity? Where was the balance?
August 22, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Dec. 1, 2020
“Dark Tides” is the second novel in the “Fairmile” series, the first one being “Tidelands”, by renowned historical fiction author Philippa Gregory. Although the novel itself can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading “Tidelands” first, to allow for a deeper understanding of the characters and the importance of the settings.
When a young woman arrives on the shores of the River Thames, she seeks out Alys and Alinor, claiming that she is the widow of their son and brother, Rob, and she is desperate for a place to stay. As she has a child with her, one she claims was sired by Rob, the women take her in. Immediately, the woman, Livia, befriends Alys, and starts to immerse herself in Alys’ warehousing business. Alinor, however, is convinced that her son Rob is not dead, and sets out to determine the true identity of the stranger.
Alinor’s brother, Ned, is trying to live his new life as the ferryman in the new county of New England. But as his ties with England serve as a barrier between him and his Native friends, Ned is forced to choose between the home he knew, and the home that he has made for himself.
Without reading “Tidelands”, Alys would indeed be an off-putting character, as she is portrayed as cold and aloof in this novel. However, knowing her history as I do, I thoroughly enjoy Alys, Alinor and Aly’s daughter, Sarah, as they struggle to become independent businesswomen in a society and a world that is reluctant to accept them.
Ned returns in the story as well, although, again, separated from “Tidelands” he seems completely irrelevant to this plot. For someone who read Gregory’s previous novel, I enjoyed Ned’s struggles less than the rest of the Reekie family, but I was still intrigued enough to persist.
Gregory’s writing is timeless, creative and engaging, and I always enjoy her historical fiction. This one, also, is not based on any members of any of the past Royal Families, which is how Gregory earned her notoriety, but her writing is definitely on par with her more famous novels.
Expected publication date: Dec. 1, 2020
“Dark Tides” is the second novel in the “Fairmile” series, the first one being “Tidelands”, by renowned historical fiction author Philippa Gregory. Although the novel itself can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading “Tidelands” first, to allow for a deeper understanding of the characters and the importance of the settings.
When a young woman arrives on the shores of the River Thames, she seeks out Alys and Alinor, claiming that she is the widow of their son and brother, Rob, and she is desperate for a place to stay. As she has a child with her, one she claims was sired by Rob, the women take her in. Immediately, the woman, Livia, befriends Alys, and starts to immerse herself in Alys’ warehousing business. Alinor, however, is convinced that her son Rob is not dead, and sets out to determine the true identity of the stranger.
Alinor’s brother, Ned, is trying to live his new life as the ferryman in the new county of New England. But as his ties with England serve as a barrier between him and his Native friends, Ned is forced to choose between the home he knew, and the home that he has made for himself.
Without reading “Tidelands”, Alys would indeed be an off-putting character, as she is portrayed as cold and aloof in this novel. However, knowing her history as I do, I thoroughly enjoy Alys, Alinor and Aly’s daughter, Sarah, as they struggle to become independent businesswomen in a society and a world that is reluctant to accept them.
Ned returns in the story as well, although, again, separated from “Tidelands” he seems completely irrelevant to this plot. For someone who read Gregory’s previous novel, I enjoyed Ned’s struggles less than the rest of the Reekie family, but I was still intrigued enough to persist.
Gregory’s writing is timeless, creative and engaging, and I always enjoy her historical fiction. This one, also, is not based on any members of any of the past Royal Families, which is how Gregory earned her notoriety, but her writing is definitely on par with her more famous novels.
January 11, 2023
For my part (besides such harsh reviews!!) I enjoyed this book too, the narration was excellent, and I am committed to hearing the whole series.
I enjoyed the Venice story, as well as the devilish new character Livia, apparently a widow. Brilliantly manipulative.
The story of Ned, in New England, was wonderful, and I particularly enjoyed reading about the ways of some of the Native American Tribes, layered with so much research that I really felt that I was there...
And of course, Alinor in London with her daughter Sarah. A set of strong women, survivors of extraordinary odds, and fighters to the last.
Onto the last one in the series!
I enjoyed the Venice story, as well as the devilish new character Livia, apparently a widow. Brilliantly manipulative.
The story of Ned, in New England, was wonderful, and I particularly enjoyed reading about the ways of some of the Native American Tribes, layered with so much research that I really felt that I was there...
And of course, Alinor in London with her daughter Sarah. A set of strong women, survivors of extraordinary odds, and fighters to the last.
Onto the last one in the series!
November 23, 2020
Thank you, Atria Books, Philippa Gregory, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory is book two in the Fairmile Series. Possible Spoilers Ahead if you have not read book one, Tidelands. Twenty-one years after the events in Tidelands, Alys and Alinor are set up at a wharf along the river. James Avery has had his lands returned to him after the restoration of the King, and now he needs his heir–an heir that he believes the Alinor carried all those years before. But James Avery isn’t the only visitor. Livia is the grieving widow of Alinor’s son, Rob. Alinor cannot believe her son is gone, but that would mean Livia is betraying them. However, she has always had the sight and she must trust it now more than ever.
I had such high hopes for this book. The first book was good, slow but good. But it was the ending that made me desperate to read this book. Unfortunately, it failed. It is hard to imagine but it is even slower than the first book. It also lacks the historical detail and aesthetic that the first one. I was hoping for Alys and Alinor to be fierce women who survived the garbage men of their past. Sure, they survived but they are still idiots. Good god. My 5 year old wouldn’t believe Livia for a hot second. It was PAINFULLY obvious from the first moment she arrived. There was absolutely no mystery to her, she isn’t clever…everyone around her is just an idiot. So I spent most of the book just angry at the stupidity. Oh, and also how unbelievable this plot actually is, it did not feel realistic to the time period in the slightest.
Then don’t get me started on the random Ned storyline that takes place in the Colonies. While I did appreciate the plot of how the Colonies took over the Indigenous Peoples land and how cruel the Colonists were to them. The problem is that it did not fit in with this story in the slightest. It would have made a phenomenal spinoff story and I would have much preferred it as its own story.
Needless to say, this book just didn’t work for me, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.
This book will be released tomorrow (11/24) if you are a Philippa Gregory fan!!
Dark Tides by Philippa Gregory is book two in the Fairmile Series. Possible Spoilers Ahead if you have not read book one, Tidelands. Twenty-one years after the events in Tidelands, Alys and Alinor are set up at a wharf along the river. James Avery has had his lands returned to him after the restoration of the King, and now he needs his heir–an heir that he believes the Alinor carried all those years before. But James Avery isn’t the only visitor. Livia is the grieving widow of Alinor’s son, Rob. Alinor cannot believe her son is gone, but that would mean Livia is betraying them. However, she has always had the sight and she must trust it now more than ever.
I had such high hopes for this book. The first book was good, slow but good. But it was the ending that made me desperate to read this book. Unfortunately, it failed. It is hard to imagine but it is even slower than the first book. It also lacks the historical detail and aesthetic that the first one. I was hoping for Alys and Alinor to be fierce women who survived the garbage men of their past. Sure, they survived but they are still idiots. Good god. My 5 year old wouldn’t believe Livia for a hot second. It was PAINFULLY obvious from the first moment she arrived. There was absolutely no mystery to her, she isn’t clever…everyone around her is just an idiot. So I spent most of the book just angry at the stupidity. Oh, and also how unbelievable this plot actually is, it did not feel realistic to the time period in the slightest.
Then don’t get me started on the random Ned storyline that takes place in the Colonies. While I did appreciate the plot of how the Colonies took over the Indigenous Peoples land and how cruel the Colonists were to them. The problem is that it did not fit in with this story in the slightest. It would have made a phenomenal spinoff story and I would have much preferred it as its own story.
Needless to say, this book just didn’t work for me, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.
This book will be released tomorrow (11/24) if you are a Philippa Gregory fan!!
September 5, 2022
This, the second book in the Fairmile Series, chronicles an English tradespeople family in the late 1600s as various branches spread out to Venice and the new colonies in America. There are affairs, trysts, a suspicious death, forgeries, desires, all in an historical context.
The book is an excellent portrayal of Restoration London among the trades class, paralleling that with the rise of New England in the colonies.
The characters are well developed; the story engrossing
It would be a five star read except for some implausibilities in the Venetian storyline.
A shout out to my husband, a fan of historical fiction, who read this!
Thanks to NetGalley and Atriabooks.
The book is an excellent portrayal of Restoration London among the trades class, paralleling that with the rise of New England in the colonies.
The characters are well developed; the story engrossing
It would be a five star read except for some implausibilities in the Venetian storyline.
A shout out to my husband, a fan of historical fiction, who read this!
Thanks to NetGalley and Atriabooks.
December 12, 2020
These two books were for me a wonderfully rewarding reading experience. The thoughtful application of thorough research in creating lively characters readers can invest in deserves thanks and respect for this author. Philippa Gregory knows how to bring history brilliantly alive.
Library Loan
Library Loan
December 7, 2020
...dark tides rising!
1670 and King Charles II has been restored to the throne of England. Alinor Reeckie and Alys Stoney have moved fromm the Tidelands at Foulmire to Southwark where they've set up a warehouse catering to smaller businesses. Brother Ned, a soldier with Oliver Cromwell, would not live under a king. He has migrated to the Americas searching for the freedom he yearns for, but he might just find that independence threatened by war between the settlers and the First Nations peoples of the area.
A Venetian woman claiming to be Elinor's son Rob's wife visits along with a baby son. Rob, a physician is dead, drowned in the dark tides Venice Lagoon. Not only does Elinor not 'feel' it. After all Rob grew up in similar territory "in the paths between sea and land”. That's important given Elinor's gifts. I do not like his widow Livia "Nobildonna da Ricci” at all.
Added to this, James Avery, Elinor's former lover who repudiated her, has returned looking for absolution.
As Ned's story and that of his family merge I find myself somewhat distracted by the switching between his story and that of the women. I'm sure it's going somewhere, only not now.
Is Darktides as as powerful as Tidelands? I'm unsure. I have been completely engrossed with how Livia cajoles her way into people's lives using her wit, her beauty and her vanity. She's so manipulative! How this plays out is compelling. I do like the way the action crosses between all the players, from the widow to Rob's niece Sarah. A story that in part intrigues and closes earlier circles.
An Atria Books ARC via NetGalley
1670 and King Charles II has been restored to the throne of England. Alinor Reeckie and Alys Stoney have moved fromm the Tidelands at Foulmire to Southwark where they've set up a warehouse catering to smaller businesses. Brother Ned, a soldier with Oliver Cromwell, would not live under a king. He has migrated to the Americas searching for the freedom he yearns for, but he might just find that independence threatened by war between the settlers and the First Nations peoples of the area.
A Venetian woman claiming to be Elinor's son Rob's wife visits along with a baby son. Rob, a physician is dead, drowned in the dark tides Venice Lagoon. Not only does Elinor not 'feel' it. After all Rob grew up in similar territory "in the paths between sea and land”. That's important given Elinor's gifts. I do not like his widow Livia "Nobildonna da Ricci” at all.
Added to this, James Avery, Elinor's former lover who repudiated her, has returned looking for absolution.
As Ned's story and that of his family merge I find myself somewhat distracted by the switching between his story and that of the women. I'm sure it's going somewhere, only not now.
Is Darktides as as powerful as Tidelands? I'm unsure. I have been completely engrossed with how Livia cajoles her way into people's lives using her wit, her beauty and her vanity. She's so manipulative! How this plays out is compelling. I do like the way the action crosses between all the players, from the widow to Rob's niece Sarah. A story that in part intrigues and closes earlier circles.
An Atria Books ARC via NetGalley
December 14, 2020
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I admit that I didn't read the first book in this series and from what I have been reading for reviews based on that book, it doesn't seem I was missing much. With that being said, I don't think my thoughts on Dark Tides would have been any different being that I felt this book was a complete bore. I felt there was no real characters to root for and not much way in character development. I am still trying to figure out the whole point of Ned's story. Aside from being connected to the main characters, on a family level, he didn't bring much to the overall plot so it ended up being a disappointment.
I admit that I didn't read the first book in this series and from what I have been reading for reviews based on that book, it doesn't seem I was missing much. With that being said, I don't think my thoughts on Dark Tides would have been any different being that I felt this book was a complete bore. I felt there was no real characters to root for and not much way in character development. I am still trying to figure out the whole point of Ned's story. Aside from being connected to the main characters, on a family level, he didn't bring much to the overall plot so it ended up being a disappointment.
January 2, 2022
4.3 ⭐
Отново прекрасно изпълнение от страна на Филипа Грегъри. Този път тя ни отвежда освен в Англия, но и във Венеция и Щатите( пристигането на едни от първите английски заселници, техния живот там). Тази част определено ми се стори по- вълнуваща от първата- " Мочурища".
Отново прекрасно изпълнение от страна на Филипа Грегъри. Този път тя ни отвежда освен в Англия, но и във Венеция и Щатите( пристигането на едни от първите английски заселници, техния живот там). Тази част определено ми се стори по- вълнуваща от първата- " Мочурища".
April 13, 2021
This was such a long, hard going book. I loved the first one in this series but, this one just didn’t do anything for me. I guessed part of the story quite early on high didn’t help but, it just wasn’t for me. I do struggle with Philippa Gregory’s books anyway so really it shouldn’t surprise me that this one didn’t hit the mark.
January 2, 2022
I've rated one book by Philippa Gregory, 4 stars. But that was quite the time ago. I've not been very lucky with her book since then. The blurbs, topics and people involved all sounds very intriguing and I get rather excited to read the book. However there's something with her writing I just don't gel with. They aren't bad per say but not my cup of tea either
March 17, 2021
this the latest in the fairmile series and sadly it was slow burner and dull in parts and wasn't as good as the first book in the series.
December 8, 2020
I can't believe I managed to finish this book. The only thing that kept me going was needing to know how it ended and there weren’t any reviews with full spoilers, so I had to keep going. If you're like me, and you desperately want to stop reading but ned to know how it ends, Ima help you out:
Tahdah! The end. You’re welcome. You can dnf the book guilt free now.
If you read all that and are thinking, it sounds pretty good, why did I hate this book so much? It’s because things moved so slowly, and the fun stuff only happens at the last 20%, but by that time I wasn’t invested in anyone and just wanted it to end.
I hated both Livia and James; Livia was very obviously up to something and James was like an annoying pest that wouldn’t leave. Alinor was hardly in the book, and Alys, a wonderful character in Book 1 suddenly turned into a feeble mouse (I’m pretty sure the manipulation sends a bad message for LGBTQ+ community too, but I’m not going to get into that). Sarah was a deus ex machina, and there was no reason for Jonny to be in this book.
Ned also has half the book dedicated to him and his adventures in New England, which are interwoven throughout the London/Venice chapters. It was so jarring to read, especially because none of the chapters ever converged with what was going in London/Venice. Might have been good as a side story, but definitely not woven into the book.
--------------
Past the half way mark, and now asking the question of if I should finish this or dnf it.
Reading this is like being acutely aware a train wreck is approaching, but then realising you don't care about any of the passengers.
Tahdah! The end. You’re welcome. You can dnf the book guilt free now.
If you read all that and are thinking, it sounds pretty good, why did I hate this book so much? It’s because things moved so slowly, and the fun stuff only happens at the last 20%, but by that time I wasn’t invested in anyone and just wanted it to end.
I hated both Livia and James; Livia was very obviously up to something and James was like an annoying pest that wouldn’t leave. Alinor was hardly in the book, and Alys, a wonderful character in Book 1 suddenly turned into a feeble mouse (I’m pretty sure the manipulation sends a bad message for LGBTQ+ community too, but I’m not going to get into that). Sarah was a deus ex machina, and there was no reason for Jonny to be in this book.
Ned also has half the book dedicated to him and his adventures in New England, which are interwoven throughout the London/Venice chapters. It was so jarring to read, especially because none of the chapters ever converged with what was going in London/Venice. Might have been good as a side story, but definitely not woven into the book.
--------------
Past the half way mark, and now asking the question of if I should finish this or dnf it.
Reading this is like being acutely aware a train wreck is approaching, but then realising you don't care about any of the passengers.
November 13, 2020
I have read 15 Philippa Gregory novels and loved them all, but I'm sorry to say that this one was just not that good. I enjoyed the first book in the series and was so excited that I received an ARC from NetGalley for this one. The plot just made no sense. The book started off so slow and at the halfway point I thought it was going to finally get good, but it didn't. I even skimmed the last few chapters just to see how it all ended. The chapters with Ned were completely pointless. All the action was happening in London and Venice.I thought James was at least going to be smart and string Livia along, but he was just an idiot and so was Alys. Everything that happened in Venice was ridiculous. Felipe was just going to believe Sarah and become a changed man?! Just disappointed.
"You want me to lie to her," Alys accused. Alinor nodded. "Do you think she doesn't lie to you?"
"You want me to lie to her," Alys accused. Alinor nodded. "Do you think she doesn't lie to you?"
November 28, 2020
Tidelands was much better. Alinor was a dominant interesting character In Tidelands and I expected her to continue her life in London. She took a back seat in Dark Tides and was a minor character. I was disappointed with the story.
November 23, 2020
This was a disappointment to me for several reasons. First of all you must have read the first book to understand what is happening. I have read the first one but it was some time ago and lots of books ago and it would be nice if the author had done a little reminding of what we had read. She does not and just plops us back into the story. It took me awhile to get my bearings and remember how everyone was related.
The beginning of the book was slow but James Avery was introduced along with Livia, Rob's widow. She just shows up at the door and announces the son's death by drowning. Alys, the mother is sure that Rob, her son, could not have drowned without her knowing because of her past experience. Livia is one of the more maddening characters you would want to meet. She supposedly has old antiquities she wants to transport from Italy to make her fortune.
The story then evolves into Livia planning her sale. James Avery, now rich, is roped into the planning. It is going to make Alys rich too. Alinor, the daughter, then develops a strange relationship with her that includes them brushing each other's hair a lot. It's just irritating.
The last 50 pages are quite entertaining. There was a section on Interfaith marriage that was quite interesting. It's just a lot of work to get to that point. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
The beginning of the book was slow but James Avery was introduced along with Livia, Rob's widow. She just shows up at the door and announces the son's death by drowning. Alys, the mother is sure that Rob, her son, could not have drowned without her knowing because of her past experience. Livia is one of the more maddening characters you would want to meet. She supposedly has old antiquities she wants to transport from Italy to make her fortune.
The story then evolves into Livia planning her sale. James Avery, now rich, is roped into the planning. It is going to make Alys rich too. Alinor, the daughter, then develops a strange relationship with her that includes them brushing each other's hair a lot. It's just irritating.
The last 50 pages are quite entertaining. There was a section on Interfaith marriage that was quite interesting. It's just a lot of work to get to that point. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
January 6, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘He was not drowned in a stormy night in dark tides?’
Philippa Gregory makes a welcome return with the second historical novel in her Fairmile series, which follows previous issue Tidelands. A story of the ordinary and hardworking folk of 17th century England, Dark Tides follows the trials of Alinor and her extended clan, as they each navigate a hostile world. Dark Tides is another intriguing tale from the number one bestselling author.
Opening in the 1670s, Dark Tides introduces an immediate source of tension and speculation when two visitors arrive at a warehouse nestled on the River Thames. While one is searching for a lost love, the other is a dangerous beauty from Venice, bringing with her some devastating news. Running alongside these two intriguing threads are the experiences of Ned, a man who has recently settled in New England confronting issues of landownership and war. With concerns over the claims of the stunning widow stating her husband drowned in Venice, the search is on to uncover the truth. In this fatal game of deception, false truths, debt, prestige and conflict, across three different locations, Dark Tides is a story of overwhelming desire for the things that matter in life.
Dark Tides follows directly on from the tense ending of Tidelands, published in August 2019, but it jumps forward in time to over two decades later after the events that concluded the previous instalment of this series. I was keen to meet up with Alinor, the fabulous main character of Tidelands, but Dark Tides sees this enigmatic female lead take a backseat in favour of other characters, such as her daughter and brother. This was an interesting angle to take even though it wasn’t as favourable to me. Whilst I enjoyed the scenes with Alinor as a supporting protagonist, I don’t think this book quite matched its predecessor in terms of plot engagement.
In Dark Tides, Philippa Gregory transports her readership to seventeenth century England, around the famous River Thames and then onto the opulence of Venice. These were two contrasted locations, which allows Gregory to explore issues of wealth acquisition, poverty, class differences and labour expectations. All in all, it became clear that there were rich divisions in terms of societal classifications at this point in history and that day to day living was tough, you had to work hard to survive. Complications and high tension in Dark Tides comes in the form of a heartbreaking but possibly false claim, which must be investigated. As the narrative begins to unfold, it becomes quite clear what the outcome will be. Underlining the London and Venice sequences are some scenes that immerse the reader in New England, as Alinor’s brother Ned battles issues of land rights and war. Whilst this section of Dark Tides was historically well presented, I did find this area of the novel didn’t really spark my interest, I would have liked to have remained with Alinor for the duration. Despite some misgivings with this one, my loyalty to the writing of Philippa Gregory urged me to continue reading Dark Tides. The end did come to a dark and alarming close. I am still very interested to see how Gregory progresses the Fairmile series further.
Dark Tides is a story of change and progression under a veil of class distinction and unfair wealth distribution. A reminder of how the everyday citizens of Britain, Europe and New England worked to simply survive, or achieve small triumphs is an important direction in Dark Tides. Philippa Gregory’s second volume in the Fairmile series was a fair read, but it certainly was not up there with the highly atmospheric and gripping first issue, Tidelands.
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Simon & Schuster Australia.
‘He was not drowned in a stormy night in dark tides?’
Philippa Gregory makes a welcome return with the second historical novel in her Fairmile series, which follows previous issue Tidelands. A story of the ordinary and hardworking folk of 17th century England, Dark Tides follows the trials of Alinor and her extended clan, as they each navigate a hostile world. Dark Tides is another intriguing tale from the number one bestselling author.
Opening in the 1670s, Dark Tides introduces an immediate source of tension and speculation when two visitors arrive at a warehouse nestled on the River Thames. While one is searching for a lost love, the other is a dangerous beauty from Venice, bringing with her some devastating news. Running alongside these two intriguing threads are the experiences of Ned, a man who has recently settled in New England confronting issues of landownership and war. With concerns over the claims of the stunning widow stating her husband drowned in Venice, the search is on to uncover the truth. In this fatal game of deception, false truths, debt, prestige and conflict, across three different locations, Dark Tides is a story of overwhelming desire for the things that matter in life.
Dark Tides follows directly on from the tense ending of Tidelands, published in August 2019, but it jumps forward in time to over two decades later after the events that concluded the previous instalment of this series. I was keen to meet up with Alinor, the fabulous main character of Tidelands, but Dark Tides sees this enigmatic female lead take a backseat in favour of other characters, such as her daughter and brother. This was an interesting angle to take even though it wasn’t as favourable to me. Whilst I enjoyed the scenes with Alinor as a supporting protagonist, I don’t think this book quite matched its predecessor in terms of plot engagement.
In Dark Tides, Philippa Gregory transports her readership to seventeenth century England, around the famous River Thames and then onto the opulence of Venice. These were two contrasted locations, which allows Gregory to explore issues of wealth acquisition, poverty, class differences and labour expectations. All in all, it became clear that there were rich divisions in terms of societal classifications at this point in history and that day to day living was tough, you had to work hard to survive. Complications and high tension in Dark Tides comes in the form of a heartbreaking but possibly false claim, which must be investigated. As the narrative begins to unfold, it becomes quite clear what the outcome will be. Underlining the London and Venice sequences are some scenes that immerse the reader in New England, as Alinor’s brother Ned battles issues of land rights and war. Whilst this section of Dark Tides was historically well presented, I did find this area of the novel didn’t really spark my interest, I would have liked to have remained with Alinor for the duration. Despite some misgivings with this one, my loyalty to the writing of Philippa Gregory urged me to continue reading Dark Tides. The end did come to a dark and alarming close. I am still very interested to see how Gregory progresses the Fairmile series further.
Dark Tides is a story of change and progression under a veil of class distinction and unfair wealth distribution. A reminder of how the everyday citizens of Britain, Europe and New England worked to simply survive, or achieve small triumphs is an important direction in Dark Tides. Philippa Gregory’s second volume in the Fairmile series was a fair read, but it certainly was not up there with the highly atmospheric and gripping first issue, Tidelands.
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Simon & Schuster Australia.
December 18, 2020
DARK TIDES
By Philippa Gregory
If you are a historical fiction fan like I am, you read Philippa Gregory for the absolute best in this genre. I have not been disappointed by anything Gregory writes. In the Dark Tides, the follow up to the Tidelands, the second book in The Fairmile series, we are transported to 1670's London, Venice and the early frontiers of early America, in New England. In a story told through multiple POV's we learn about the characters and the rich historical detail of the story line of this book.
This was a fantastic and well-written historical fiction novel that is both intriguing and heart breaking. For historical fiction fans, this is a must read and could not be missed.
By Philippa Gregory
If you are a historical fiction fan like I am, you read Philippa Gregory for the absolute best in this genre. I have not been disappointed by anything Gregory writes. In the Dark Tides, the follow up to the Tidelands, the second book in The Fairmile series, we are transported to 1670's London, Venice and the early frontiers of early America, in New England. In a story told through multiple POV's we learn about the characters and the rich historical detail of the story line of this book.
This was a fantastic and well-written historical fiction novel that is both intriguing and heart breaking. For historical fiction fans, this is a must read and could not be missed.
August 16, 2021
Historical fiction? This is more like soap opera fiction. This book was a big disappointment only because it is nowhere near as good as the first in the series, "Tidelands." (But it's still worth four stars.)
While the first book combined a riveting storyline and fully-developed characters with lots of historical information (it was basically a primer on King Charles I), this second book in the series is all story—and a bit soap opera-like, at that—with the history seeming like an afterthought. And that's a shame, because author Philippa Gregory is one of the outstanding historical novelists writing today.
"Tidelands" took place in 1648 on tiny Sealsea Island in the south of England. "Dark Tides" has moved forward in time to 1670 where Alinor, Alys and the two (now grown) children, Johnnie and Sarah, live and work on a small wharf in London where they have a subsistence business plying exports from the passing ships. Alinor's beloved son, Rob, has become a doctor and practices medicine in Venice, Italy. Alinor and Alys's peaceful existence in London is interrupted by what feels like a hailstorm when Rob's stunning and deceitful Italian wife, Livia, arrives on their doorstep with a baby in her arms and the distressing news that Rob is dead—drowned in the dark tides of the Venice lagoons. While Alys falls completely under Livia's spell, Alinor, who is still frail more than 20 years later from her horrific punishment that occurred at the end of "Tidelands," doesn't believe her. While Livia is trying to sell her dowry of antiquities, Alinor secretly figures out a way to find out the truth.
Meanwhile, this London-Venice storyline is juxtaposed with one taking place in New England, as Alinor's brother, Ned, has moved to this wild and untamed land to start a new life where he will not be ruled by a king. Instead, he finds there are other even more insidious ways his heart and body can be ruled, and he fights hard against that.
Even though the book bounces back and forth between the two stories, they are completely unrelated and never intersect, which left me wondering why they were in the same book.
The biggest problem I had with this novel is that it took seemingly forever for the story to develop. Philippa Gregory dragged it out way too long before getting to the narrative climax. It dragged out so much that it was almost boring in parts, which I can't believe I am saying about a Philippa Gregory book.
If you enjoyed "Tidelands," do read this sequel, but don't expect the story to be as compelling or educational.
While the first book combined a riveting storyline and fully-developed characters with lots of historical information (it was basically a primer on King Charles I), this second book in the series is all story—and a bit soap opera-like, at that—with the history seeming like an afterthought. And that's a shame, because author Philippa Gregory is one of the outstanding historical novelists writing today.
"Tidelands" took place in 1648 on tiny Sealsea Island in the south of England. "Dark Tides" has moved forward in time to 1670 where Alinor, Alys and the two (now grown) children, Johnnie and Sarah, live and work on a small wharf in London where they have a subsistence business plying exports from the passing ships. Alinor's beloved son, Rob, has become a doctor and practices medicine in Venice, Italy. Alinor and Alys's peaceful existence in London is interrupted by what feels like a hailstorm when Rob's stunning and deceitful Italian wife, Livia, arrives on their doorstep with a baby in her arms and the distressing news that Rob is dead—drowned in the dark tides of the Venice lagoons. While Alys falls completely under Livia's spell, Alinor, who is still frail more than 20 years later from her horrific punishment that occurred at the end of "Tidelands," doesn't believe her. While Livia is trying to sell her dowry of antiquities, Alinor secretly figures out a way to find out the truth.
Meanwhile, this London-Venice storyline is juxtaposed with one taking place in New England, as Alinor's brother, Ned, has moved to this wild and untamed land to start a new life where he will not be ruled by a king. Instead, he finds there are other even more insidious ways his heart and body can be ruled, and he fights hard against that.
Even though the book bounces back and forth between the two stories, they are completely unrelated and never intersect, which left me wondering why they were in the same book.
The biggest problem I had with this novel is that it took seemingly forever for the story to develop. Philippa Gregory dragged it out way too long before getting to the narrative climax. It dragged out so much that it was almost boring in parts, which I can't believe I am saying about a Philippa Gregory book.
If you enjoyed "Tidelands," do read this sequel, but don't expect the story to be as compelling or educational.
November 28, 2022
Edited November 2022 to Add: I just finished rereading this one in anticipation of the third book in the series, Dawnlands, and it was scrumptious. Everything I loved about it the first time I read it two years ago was bigger and MORE with this reread. Philippa Gregory is one of my very top favorites. Her ability to weave true history in with scandalous, backstabbing, dramatic fiction is so good! I loved Alinor and Alys even more with this reread and I despised Livia with a passion, even more than I despised her with the last read. I listened to much of the book via the audiobook, which was marvelously narrated by Louise Brealey. I loved listening to her narrate Alys Stoney and her daughter Sarah, and when she narrated Livia, my skin crawled--not because it was a bad job, but because she made the villain sound even more villainous. Bravo, job well done!
I can't wait to read Dawnlands, which my husband gave me for my birthday a few days ago.
***
INITIAL REVIEW, September 2020: My most anticipated read of the year!! And it was SO GOOD. 4.5/5
Alinor Reekie used to be a midwife and herbalist, like her mother and grandmother before her. Years ago, she fell in love with a man she shouldn't have, and her life fell apart. Now, she is an entirely different woman, sickly and frail, living with her daughter Alys Stoney by the dirty waters of the river. It has been twenty years since Alinor and her children, Alys and Rob, left their beloved home in the tidelands. At the beginning of this story, a beautiful and mysterious Italian woman named Livia arrives at their door with baby in tow, dressed in black mourning clothes, claiming she is Rob Reekie's widow. Alys welcomes her in, but Alinor isn't convinced her son is dead. Also! Out of the blue, James Avery shows up to outrage and no-fanfare-whatsoever, after twenty long years of no word at all. He desperate to make amends with Alinor after allowing unspeakable horrors to happen to her long ago. But none of these women nor their circumstances will make it easy for him to reacquaint with Alinor.
Before anything else, I want to say that I LOVE the way Philippa Gregory writes women. The women in this series are such badasses. At first glance, they don't seem to have much and they seem like their lives matter very little. But these women have a strength that is larger than life and they can handle far more than anyone in their world wants to give them credit for.
This story is not at all like Tidelands in terms of atmosphere and tone. The main POV's have shifted around a little bit and the world is much larger. The first story took place in a very small community in England, but this story has spread to London, Venice, and New England. It was super compelling and all I wanted to do was read it. (I thought about it nonstop when I couldn't be reading.) The chapters are short, which made it easy for me to sneak a few pages here and there throughout the day: while I was in the line at the grocery store, while dinner cooked, in between subjects while homeschooling my kids.
Here's the thing: I had a hunch that something was up with Livia from the beginning. She was coy and her story often didn't line up with reality. (I loved to hate her!) I kept hoping everyone would wise up to [what I assumed were] her schemes, and then when things really picked up, I couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold for these characters.
GAH, it's going to be a long wait for the next part of the story!! The ending thankfully isn't a cliffhanger, but there is definitely more story to be told. I'm really happy for some of these characters and I really feel like some of them got what was coming to them.
Sidenote: I can't wait to reread Dark Tides via audiobook. Right before I started this one, I reread Tidelands via audiobook and it was fantastic. Louise Brealey narrated and did such a fantastic job. Her accent is beautiful and I cannot wait to hear her bring Dark Tides to life.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Atria Books!
I can't wait to read Dawnlands, which my husband gave me for my birthday a few days ago.
***
INITIAL REVIEW, September 2020: My most anticipated read of the year!! And it was SO GOOD. 4.5/5
Alinor Reekie used to be a midwife and herbalist, like her mother and grandmother before her. Years ago, she fell in love with a man she shouldn't have, and her life fell apart. Now, she is an entirely different woman, sickly and frail, living with her daughter Alys Stoney by the dirty waters of the river. It has been twenty years since Alinor and her children, Alys and Rob, left their beloved home in the tidelands. At the beginning of this story, a beautiful and mysterious Italian woman named Livia arrives at their door with baby in tow, dressed in black mourning clothes, claiming she is Rob Reekie's widow. Alys welcomes her in, but Alinor isn't convinced her son is dead. Also! Out of the blue, James Avery shows up to outrage and no-fanfare-whatsoever, after twenty long years of no word at all. He desperate to make amends with Alinor after allowing unspeakable horrors to happen to her long ago. But none of these women nor their circumstances will make it easy for him to reacquaint with Alinor.
Before anything else, I want to say that I LOVE the way Philippa Gregory writes women. The women in this series are such badasses. At first glance, they don't seem to have much and they seem like their lives matter very little. But these women have a strength that is larger than life and they can handle far more than anyone in their world wants to give them credit for.
This story is not at all like Tidelands in terms of atmosphere and tone. The main POV's have shifted around a little bit and the world is much larger. The first story took place in a very small community in England, but this story has spread to London, Venice, and New England. It was super compelling and all I wanted to do was read it. (I thought about it nonstop when I couldn't be reading.) The chapters are short, which made it easy for me to sneak a few pages here and there throughout the day: while I was in the line at the grocery store, while dinner cooked, in between subjects while homeschooling my kids.
Here's the thing: I had a hunch that something was up with Livia from the beginning. She was coy and her story often didn't line up with reality. (I loved to hate her!) I kept hoping everyone would wise up to [what I assumed were] her schemes, and then when things really picked up, I couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold for these characters.
GAH, it's going to be a long wait for the next part of the story!! The ending thankfully isn't a cliffhanger, but there is definitely more story to be told. I'm really happy for some of these characters and I really feel like some of them got what was coming to them.
Sidenote: I can't wait to reread Dark Tides via audiobook. Right before I started this one, I reread Tidelands via audiobook and it was fantastic. Louise Brealey narrated and did such a fantastic job. Her accent is beautiful and I cannot wait to hear her bring Dark Tides to life.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Atria Books!
April 28, 2022
*Read on Kobo*
While again, I love Gregory's writing. I just did not enjoy the book. In fact, I committed a sin. I skipped a few chapters. Once I realised what the twist was probably going to be, I skipped and I didn't feel like I missed that much too be sadly honest.
I was also left unsatisfied with the ending. I understood why it turned out the way that it did, but I just didn't like it, lol. It was kind of a happy ending and kind of not.
I actually really liked the way the Sir and Alinor ended up. It may not be the happiest ending, but, honestly, it was really realistic.
I would actually recommend this book to people who are not familiar with Gregory's books, as long as you read "Tidelands" first. I feel because I am familiar, I knew where it was going. However, if you're not familiar, you would probably enjoy, the writing, at the very least.
While again, I love Gregory's writing. I just did not enjoy the book. In fact, I committed a sin. I skipped a few chapters. Once I realised what the twist was probably going to be, I skipped and I didn't feel like I missed that much too be sadly honest.
I was also left unsatisfied with the ending. I understood why it turned out the way that it did, but I just didn't like it, lol. It was kind of a happy ending and kind of not.
I actually really liked the way the Sir and Alinor ended up. It may not be the happiest ending, but, honestly, it was really realistic.
I would actually recommend this book to people who are not familiar with Gregory's books, as long as you read "Tidelands" first. I feel because I am familiar, I knew where it was going. However, if you're not familiar, you would probably enjoy, the writing, at the very least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 18, 2021Every few years I try another Philippa Gregory because in her earliest years she had some succinct, a few also interesting time/ era pieces.
This one I only got into about 100 pages and made it a DNF. She has bitten all the way through the revisionist history cookie. Also adding a top layer of impossible women for their time period, if not completely woke, sprinkles.
The result becomes characters that are preposterous. And also the repetitious nature of thoughts and wordiness become distorting and just plain tedious.
I probably won't try any of hers again. She left historical fiction for any semblance of reality and has in the last years gone to drama, romance, chick lit. scenarios nearly completely. Done poorly for other than the location placements, at that. No rating. But just as with the last one I tried and finished, it would be no more than 2 stars. Just a few authors are still writing literate and cutting historical fiction presently. On to finding more of them.
This one I only got into about 100 pages and made it a DNF. She has bitten all the way through the revisionist history cookie. Also adding a top layer of impossible women for their time period, if not completely woke, sprinkles.
The result becomes characters that are preposterous. And also the repetitious nature of thoughts and wordiness become distorting and just plain tedious.
I probably won't try any of hers again. She left historical fiction for any semblance of reality and has in the last years gone to drama, romance, chick lit. scenarios nearly completely. Done poorly for other than the location placements, at that. No rating. But just as with the last one I tried and finished, it would be no more than 2 stars. Just a few authors are still writing literate and cutting historical fiction presently. On to finding more of them.
May 19, 2021
I liked this (audio)book. It started out slow for me but once I got to know the characters again, it picked up. I liked all the history (Philippa Gregory is great with historical detail!) and “visiting” the 3 different settings but got impatient at times to get back to a particular storyline. I liked some of the characters and disliked some others (which was no doubt by design) and look forward to the next book in the series to see what becomes of them. 3 1/2 stars rounded up - mostly because this felt like the middle book of a trilogy and so left me wanting.
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