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Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
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Apr 16, 2015 07:39PM
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April's Grave
3 stars
This short, gothic novel was slower paced at the beginning but the mystery was fascinating at the end.
The main character was likeable enough but frustrating at times. I really had no idea on the culprit and what happened to the sister. The end result was a delight, though. It wasn't a gripping story for it's duration, and not something I can highly recommend.
The Trelayne Inheritance
3.5
Gothic, thy alias is cheese. The Trelayne Inheritance, surprisingly, isn’t as cheesy as I figured it would be because of the, ya know, THEME (whispers: vampires…) It’s a modern day take on the older genre, complete with castles, paranormal activity, over the top love interest, mystery, twists, and ominous warnings around every corner…
People like to make fun of these mini soap operas but really some of them are surprisingly intricate. This one was better than I’d hoped it’d be. The story seems a little weak for most of the book, and I guessed the surprise that came up in regard to the villain. Still, the journey entertained because the heroine was feisty, the friend funny, and there was always something strange going on to hold attention.
Humor is done well enough. I dug the hero as realistically handsome. The author was more or less paving the plot as she went with regard to the mother story, but it ends up working at the end.
Overall it’s not the best of its kind but it’s actually very good for a paranormal romance vampire gothic type. There’s an actual story, it’s fun reading it, they hold off on the unrealistic clichés that usually accompanies this type. I was a bit bummed with an aspect with the end and what happened as I feel it’s overdone in this type as a happily ever after solution for vampire PA stories, but not enough to mind that much.
If you’re in the mood for a gothic, this one delivers a few fun-filled hours.
Blackmaddie
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Usual Traits Found in Gothic Novels:
Unrealistic Romance * Returning to a long lost home or castle under tragic circumstances * Supernatural mystery, even though most of the time the supernatural turns out to not be at play * A new family or household to get used to, usually with some kind of animosity * Death threats and dangers * Another character’s death overshadowing the story, usually someone the main character never met
Unrealistic Romance
It’s easy to see within the first chapter that this isn’t your typical Gothic with your typical heroine. For one thing, Charlotte is promiscuous from the start, not living up to the times of modesty. This grows worse to amusing degrees – with her even becoming aroused by bizarre pictures of orgies and paying too much attention to the maid’s bizarre bosom later on. But at the beginning she is shown to have a twisted relationship with her grandmother, and is called home through a normal enough Gothic theme – being summoned by a long lost grandfather who is mourning the death of a beloved one whom she resembles.
There is really little appealing about the man who she falls in love with – his personality seems inconsistent, a bit dry, and he certainly acts toward her like she’s not the matronly one she should be. I also didn’t find enough sympathy over her story of sharing something awful that happened to her before she left her hometown.
Returning to a long lost home or castle under tragic circumstances
Yes, that’s here, big time. Her grandfather calls her home after learning of her existence and a death that spurs him to want to bring the family together. At first Charlotte is reluctant but it doesn’t take much to change her mind, and then a tragedy strikes which sets the tone for the novel as a grim, depressing one.
Supernatural mystery, even though most of the time the supernatural turns out to not be at play
This is here big time, but not until later, and for a pleasant change there actually is something semi-supernatural involved as the villains and motives are uncovered. Weird stuff.
A new family or household to get used to, usually with some kind of animosity
Some of the family members end up redeeming themselves, others stay totally unlikeable. Yech.
Death threats and dangers
Of course these are there, too, some of them a bit silly. Many Gothics have a rape sequence, but this book has an attempted rape and two actual rapes. Pushing the boundaries here.
Another character’s death overshadowing the story, usually someone the main character never met
It fits this role big time as well. It’s used to ignite her going home to the grandfather, being treated differently by the family, her romantic suitor, and even ties in with the ending supernatural elements.
Overall Black Maddie is a fun, decent Gothic novel. It grows a bit tired with its unexciting romance that’s unconvincing, but Charlotte is a likeable character with actual backbone, modern day thinking, and holds her own again obnoxious family members. The ending is a cheesy finale that befits the gothic style. If you’re a big fan of Gothics, you should enjoy it. It’s not the best out there and has weaknesses, but it also embraces traits that make the genre work well.
Graveminder
3 star
Much like the dead call to the Graveminder, this book called to me from the bookshop shelf when my friend and I were browsing deals. The cover was intriguing enough but the plot sealed it - unique and horror sounding. It turned out to be a new born gothic, not horror, and when I first started reading it I worried it would primarily be romance. Romance did turn out being a part of it but this died down after awhile.
The story itself is awesome with its details, originality, and possibilities. There could even be a series here if the author ever wished to continue with it. The pacing is a slow thing, so be prepared to have patience for things to unravel. It's almost sixty or so pages in before the main characters are even filled in about what's going on. Since it's a gothic type, a slower build-up sort of accompanies the genres pacing style anyway.
As the main character, the graveminder Rebekkah sort-of sucks. She's distant, stubborn, annoying at times with being so uptight toward people, doesn't give chances, never lets her guard down, and has a massive chip on her shoulder. Byron as the male main is much more likeable and easy to sympathize with. The townspeople are intriguing enough with their backdrop melodrama, but what really shines are the dead, especially Mr. D. There are a lot of secrets buried there with interior motives I'd enjoy reading about.
One thing that did irritate me was the author's dialogue skills. They were pausing, hesitant, and choppy. It kept taking me out of the book during every scene - action shots or not. I think this was one reason I took longer to read this one than normal and why it didn't hold my attention as strongly. The final half started it's redemption, earning another star for its rating.
Since it claims to be a modern day gothic, does it work as one? In a way it does. Slow pacing, secretive buildups. In ways it works with horror with zombie type munchings. And in ways it works as romance with fate (but restricted.) Overall it works as a pretty good book with a few flaws, but such a cool story it's worth picking up.
The Lost Lilacs of Latimer House 
4 stars
This is a new author to me, and her writing style was easy to fall into. Not melodramatic, easy to follow, fits well with the tone of the Gothic genre, and written through one POV.
It's a serious story but there were delightful small bits of humor, such as this one:
"Even as I repeated my reason, I had a strong suspicion neither man was going to believe me. Again I wished for a maidenly swoon to escape their burning glares; unfortunately, the fresh morning breeze was making me physically better, not worse."
The heroine was easy to enjoy - realistic, independent for the times, rebellious, sweet, curious. The romance was overdone sometimes and made the story as its backdrop, but the mystery itself was clever. There weren't many clues or much suspense until the end, but the story had a war happening at the same time which introduced multiple levels of human drama and experiences. Her already being betrothed and her fiance missing isn't something tried everyday for romance type tales. There was enough of a variety of main players to keep it interesting, and when the story announced the island had a pirate curse, of course I was interested. A pirate curse? How awesome.
Overall a worthy read if you're itching for a gothic. It carries the traits most of them do but doesn't have as many of the downsides (too much melodrama, for example, is lacking for a change - yay.)
Island of Lost Rubies 
2 stars
This book took me forever to read. You know why? It was boring. Really, truly dull.
It finally began to get a little more interesting in the last fifty pages, but by then I didn't care.
Gothics aren't known for lightning speeds of action-paced adventure or anything, but this slowly unwinding thing never had much depth to begin with. There wasn't a huge mystery and most of it was spent on her wanting to redecorate the house and fawning over the local island stud. Every small thing was too dramatic. The writing felt a bit stilted and overdone, not adding to the excitement of the story. Characters were decent enough, I suppose, but I never felt that attraction to her main guy. To me there wasn't anything sweet, exciting, or stimulating about him. If anything, he seemed to lack personality.
The back cover of the book states:
"Now, heartbroken by her father's death and the loss of her great love..."
Stop right here. This isn't accurate. The protagonist makes it clear from the start she's not grief-stricken over her father. She hates he's dead of course but keeps bringing up the fact that they weren't close and that she hadn't seen him in years.
In addition, there was no great love lost. She started getting over him minutes within reaching the island.
The end villain(s) turned out a little obvious. There was a very small cast of suspects to wonder about anyway, and while the reasoning behind it wasn't clear from the start, it was easy to see where the villain would pop up from and why.
Not the best start to my challenge of reading 30 Gothics this year, hopefully the next one is much better.
Lord of the Dead 
3 stars
What a bizarre book! I had it marked as horror while on my tbr shelf. After reading it, I unclicked the horror box and selected gothic. It's truly a gothic story, very similar I'm sure to Anne Rices work. The entire book is a narrative of a past life and history. While this can grow annoying, at least the life led was interesting.
I was bitterly disappointed and aggrieved by something that happened when Bryon was made Vampire, but was happy the author resolved this a bit in the end with a surprise visit. I wish it would have worked out the other way though without misunderstanding.
There were a lot of changes to the classic vampire story here but I don't wish to say them as that would spoil the surprise of the story as Byron himself finds out the true horror of being undead.
Byron by himself was an okay sort pre-vamp, but due to his nature and just him in general he's not the greatest type of person. How truly awful it would be to live an existence as they did. Not an amazing piece of literature, but still a good piece of work for someone wanting a different sort of tortured vampire story. When I say tortured I don't mean innocent vampires trying to play nice, they are cruel and matter of fact in this book. The tortured element is just part of the the horrible existence of immortality for this piece.
I'm not familiar with Byron's work and this is the first piece of fiction I've read about the author. Really dug the writer's style and it's clear he has talent with the word.
Dark Cries of Gray Oaks
Gothics are a guilty pleasure. The writing suffered some but the story was still intriguing, even if the heroines stubbornness got on my nerves from time to time, the romance didn't feel real all the time, and the melodrama was a wee bit thick. Still a fun read if you like gothics and its lying around.
Witch
4 stars
It's hard to put my finger on a word that accurately describes the cozy feel of Barbara Michael's stories. There's not usually a cutesy feel that would explain it - perhaps it's the old houses, hot tea and feline companions? Irregardless of the right description, it can be found in almost all her books. A certain something impossible to describe (the French term for this escapes me). Witch especially radiates this sensation, making me crave a soft, fluffy quilt and cup of homemade hot tea with honey while devouring it.
The atmosphere isn't as Gothic as her others, and for a change the heroine of the novel faces the bulk of issues alone. Generally there are several people in the house solving the mystery together, batting ideas off each other with witty comments, hidden insults, but bigger affections. Here however, Ellen is hassled by the deranged town at every turn, not getting actual support until she's reunited with her family toward the end when their trip is over.
As a character Ellen is incredible; strong and older, amusing and compassionate, butting her nose into others business but admitting it with a smile at the same time. The object of her affections doesn't sound like a dreamboat in looks, but his sense of humor had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. As is typical, the teens and kids of the story are fondly considered pains in the rear, being just as opinionated and sarcastic as the adults.
Another stand-out was that the fought-against forces of Witch aren't the house or any potential hauntings, but the town itself. The stifling, backwood ignorance is more chilling than the supernatural, especially with the end resulting in a terrifying climax that's all too familiar. To know these things have really happened to innocent people in the past made me all the more sympathetic to Ellen's plight.
Pace-wise, it moves along but not in the supernatural or malicious manner. It's just interesting somehow in the beginning. Not much action save personal issues is happening, and for some reason I'm always enraptured with the details Michaels writes about when redecorating these old houses. Mystery is tight and leads the reader away from the real issues, without even appearing like much of a mystery until it's happening. The end villain was a culprit I never would have suspected.
Overall this is a more than memorable book; it has elements of a cozy mystery that's simple in its telling and psychologically twisted in its revelation. No heavy researching or mystery hunting here, just a satisfying wrap up of a story set in a disturbingly warped world.
The Dark Opals of Harrow Island 
4 stars
Finally, finally this is the last review of the three Beverly C. Warren books. I tell you, reviewing three this close together is a bit bothersome but I really need to cut down the "to be reviewed" list.
This is one of the better ones. Megan's a great character filled with strength, curiosity, and understandable reluctance to get into a romantic relationship with her employer. Lord Ambrose - odd name right? - was also likable with his quick temper (it can be erotic right?) and sweet side personality. All characters were eccentric enough to work.
The mystery itself was difficult to figure out and even though at the end I developed an inkling of what was going on before it was revealed, I never guessed everything. You had to figure out not only who the killer was, but what the big family secret stood as. The atmosphere was nicely gothic, and I enjoyed seeing how the 'ghosts' aspect was handled by the heroine. The small town worked with the story, intertwining the atmosphere with how the large estate hung on a cliff over the sea, and even I got into the rumors and gossip with the local, big-mouthed postmaster.
For the romantic angle, it turned out sweet as always, and again devoid of much sexual tension. Sighs. At least the two 'in love' were around each other enough. In the previous books the main characters really only interacted in the second half of the book and beyond. Here it's from the get go.
Hmmm I like reviewing longer on books but sometimes there's not more to say. If the book has bad points, I can't really think of one except that a wee more action wouldn't have harmed the book. Also, it's a bit far fetched how quickly and conveniently Megan guessed the true nature of a major obstacle at the end. I'm slapping it with a 4 star rating just because it wasn't so enthralling it held me captive enough to be labeled as a 5. Characters are interesting and make sense, the atmosphere is charmingly gothic, mystery well drawn together, ending rewarding, romance endearing without being sappy, and that's all she wrote, folks.
The Haunted Heiress of Wyndcliffe Manor 
4 stars
You know, it's a shame Beverly C. Warren didn't garner more popularity, as I've been enjoying the hell of her books. I picked up three used and so far am in the beginning of the third one. This one was the first I read (I really need to catch up on these reviews). I couldn't find a cover of this anywhere online, and it's a shame, as I love the gothic covers on these. I may be able to scan it from work.
First, the heroine Jennifer. Very likable girl, strong, independent, curious, intelligent. The story's a twisted one, with the violence she endured pitiful to read about. It shows her from the time she was a girl working in the mines, to being a carnie, to finally living in the life of luxury amidst a family that would put a group of pit vipers to shame. The story never dulls, even if I grew anxious to learn more of Michael Savage, the man she would occasionally run into. I admit to skimming through some parts to try to rush toward the heart of the novel, which doesn't begin until it's halfway through. It's easy to get attached the her as a character, and certainly Michael who sounds like he'd have my heart soaring as much as he did hers, and of course the grandfather - who was so sweet and amusing he's addictive.
The book is classic gothic one she's in Wyndcliffe, but the tone is never dramatic or overdone as it the case with a lot of gothic book. No overly used Victorian style phrases; instead it's easy to read and follow. I did have the guilty culprit accurately pegged before reading the end, even if I didn't have evidence as to why - just a gut feeling. Still that didn't ruin it for me. I appreciated the small attempts at mystery. The last few pages made my heart sing, as romance was there strong. I do wish a bit that more was showed in Warren's books in a sexual sense, if you know what I mean, as she always seems to shy away from that, but oh well. I guess some things get left to the readers imagination. Go, Michael, go!
It was a good twist to have Jennifer warned off of Michael, and to have reasons for him not be with him because of her inheritance. In fact, the main mystery of the story that I couldn't figure out was when he stormed off at the will reading and acted distant after that. I was wrong with my reasonings there, so I guess a mystery I couldn't figure out WAS written.
Besides the characters mentioned, the rest was just as interesting. I wish I would have learned more of what happened with Henry and Charlie though. I suppose the author wanted to show they were part of the heroine's past life and done with, but I liked them and was curious. I also wanted to know Michael's response when Jennifer would have told him where they first met, but alas this never happened, at least not for me to see. Pity.
The ending was fun but the villain's reasoning seems a little forced, but oh well. Nothing can be perfect. The book turned out to be addictive fun, I couldn't put it down, and found myself sinking more and more into the story. If you happen to pass this by somewhere, for the love of God, pick it up! I hate seeing talented authors not make it in life. The book was written in 92 - I'm happy to see more books were published after that and plan to eventually collect most of them.
The Bride of Hatfield Castle 
3 stars
Tada! Here we go ahead, the last Warren book from the threesome I bought.
First to note is the story is similar in ways to The Haunted Heiress of Wyndcliffe Manor. Both involve a young girl who doesn't know which family she belongs to. In The Haunted Heiress of Wyndcliffe Manor, Jennifer has amnesia since she was eleven (don't you just hate that?) and here Eden is an orphan abandoned as a baby.
Both girls ended up on the streets with abuse abundant. Here the violence is raised a bit, with attempted rapes not once, not twice, not even three times, but four times - each with a different man. This is if you don't include the later forced kisses from a fifth. Life was rough for pretty women on the streets in the eighteenth century, wasn't it? Tsk, tsk. How this woman will experience a healthy sex life is beyond me. Anyway, the heroine handles herself well in every situation, with the classic strength but sweetness characteristic to most women in Warren novels. The only flaws I find is that she does some stupid thinking later on. I just can't see how she cannot grasp a logical 'source' for her getting sick. Come on, do she need to be hit in the head with a 2x4 to get it??
Both women ultimately end up in rich families with class. In The Haunted Heiress of Wyndcliffe Manor, Eden finds she is the granddaughter/heir of a wealthy family. Here though, the girl finds out a lot of it is a lie as she's forced into an odd family but grand inheritance. In The Bride of Hatfield castle, is likely the darkest book of the three. I won't spoil details, but I only wish we could have seen more of Uncle Simon get what he deserves later on.
The leading man, Garth, isn't as handsome as the others - this one instead walks with a limp and is cursed with a scarred face and hooded eye. Villagers state at him with fear while joking behind his back, unable to deny at the same time he has a dark temptation about him. As before in other books, Eden noticed him as a kid and looked toward him as a rescuer eventually. Formulaic but fun. I like how he's not the traditional powerfully dominant, gorgeous man that every woman fawns over. There's something to be said about the outcasts too! Alright, he's wealthy, and that's common, but still....Sadly Warren doesn't feed my sexual fantasies again, just chaste kisses, but oh well.
The family members in the house are also similar to the other novels - the greedy selfish aunt, the spoiled aggressive son, and the whipped father. They were OK though and I'm not tired of seeing this type yet. I do hold qualms with the villains reasoning, as it just seems too shallow and contrived. (!!!)
It's an icky book sometimes, especially with Mr. Hatfield - yech. Pretty graphic, hideous stuff. Besides it being a darker book, it's a bit grosser as well, not just the mentioned scene, but also some of the stuff she's forced to endure on the streets.
The romantic part of the book was more than fine, although I wished at times she would get angry and just chew the man out. I like sweet women but I like ones with tempers too. :) They mixed well and the ending was as heartwarming as always, even if my heart did thus a bit when he spoke of her inherited companies on the last pages.
Atmosphere is of course gothic and confusing, another great piece from Warren. It's hard to know how to rate this one, as I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous two. There wasn't as much magic and mystery here, and the reasoning of the villains (as mentioned before) weren't as rewarding. In the end it's being slapped with a 3.5, but a hearty recommendation still.
The Crying Child
4 stars
Come on, just the title alone is worth a second glance, right?
As usual Michaels indulges in cozy storytelling with a different twist on her characters. Here the heroine of the story is suffering from desiring forbidden fruit, so to speak, but is highly moral and won't follow Eve's path. Between her urge for independence and witty humor - and thankfully less of a bitchy nature than many other Michaels characters - she's another likable act to follow. The sister Mary is an intriguing one, not a usual for Michaels, a little reminiscent of an early, watered down V.C. Andrews character. She's frail and fragile, being protected from all sides, yet with a cunning glint in her eye when it suits her. Her husband was just in between, a character to feel for but no one who overly stands out. Overall, as always, the blend is a gripping one that only serves the stories purpose.
Plot wise, it's another good one. You never know with her books whether there really is something supernatural, or whether it's something that ends up being disproven. I won't spoil that part for you, but will say the emphasis the supernatural is handled a little less than usual. It's the main theme of the story, but doesn't involve the same sort of endless debates, research, and multiple signs and symptoms other novels share. While not as detailed, it's still as mystifying, and I in no way could imagine the ending. In fact, the revelation was a smidge creepy, which is also abnormal for Michaels.
Pace wise, it's lightning as she hops on the plane in chapter one and conjures up important facts in her mind, then plunges right into the heart of the matter. A reader and fan of mysteries won't grow bored. The trademark love story is of course present as always, without much steam or surprise. Suspense is high when it's meant to be in scarce parts, and Michaels typical language use is appealing.
On the downside, while the story didn't drag its feet and remained interesting, I didn't stay 100% glued in all parts. More action would have spruced up a few scenes. This is one of Michael's earlier works and it wouldn't have hurt to flesh out a few characters more, particularly the good old doctor. His enthusiasm for his patients seemed a little overdone and stereotypical as well. It was never explained about his avid treatment of the psychiatrist, but the end result leaves the reader assuming it was all in the heroines head. From reading the story, to me it wasn't, and them having a sort of conversation about it would have been preferred. Overall a sweet ending (after the chilling part, of course)
If you're in the mood for a delightful little mystery with a tinge of morbidity, The Crying Child's your midnight companion.
Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "The Trelayne Inheritance3.5
Gothic, thy alias is cheese. The Trelayne Inheritance, surprisingly, isn’t as cheesy as I figured it would be because of..."
HMmm. You sold me :) I think I'll read it .
The Gothic Trim
Books mentioned in this topic
The Trelayne Inheritance (other topics)The Crying Child (other topics)
The Bride of Hatfield Castle (other topics)
The Haunted Heiress of Wyndcliffe Manor (other topics)
The Dark Opals of Harrow Island (other topics)
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