Although I'm interested in a lot of books, I'm also a mood reader. Sometimes it happens that I request a book via Netgalley when I'm in the mood for iAlthough I'm interested in a lot of books, I'm also a mood reader. Sometimes it happens that I request a book via Netgalley when I'm in the mood for it, but that I'm no longer in the mood for it once it's time to dive in. I was very happy that Pushkin Press granted me a review copy, but I was not entirely sure anymore if this book truly was for me. However, there's only one way to find out: Start reading and allow the book to surprise you.
This book was a quick and easy read and that's probably why I eventually finished it. Don't get me wrong. It's not a bad book. On the contrary. I think it's a very important book. The author included so many historical customs, so many cultural differences and so many supernatural creatures the Western World never heard of or had forgotten about. If you're mostly interested in the setting and supernatural part of the story, you won't be disappointed.
However, when I read I want to feel something. I want to feel like the characters become my friends. I want to feel like I feel everything these characters feel. This book was clearly not written for readers like me. The focus is on what's going on and how Miss Cassidy deals with all those situations, but how everything makes her feel is quite clearly less important. I was therefore also a little surprised by the romance, since I never really felt it.
I also think that for me the book was maybe a little too short. I understand that Miss Cassidy is smart and capable and therefore understands a lot of things I don't, but a little more explanation now and then would have helped me to connect with the story better. I also thought the side characters played such a minor role that it was hard to tell them apart and to really get to know and care about them. Sometimes I read a name and had almost forgotten who that was.
I think this book will certainly find its audience, but if you're looking for an emotional read this is clearly not it....more
Not even that long ago I promised myself to request fewer review copies. However, when I saw this cover and read this blurb I got a little too curiousNot even that long ago I promised myself to request fewer review copies. However, when I saw this cover and read this blurb I got a little too curious for my own well being. I therefore requested a copy and I was very happy when my request was granted. I have to admit that a Kindle copy not being available made it a little harder for me to read, but eventually I got the copy on my Kobo reader and could start reading.
I have to admit that the story wasn't as amazing as I had expected it to be. I think the main issue is that the romance is more a side plot than the main plot. Our heroine is mostly focussed on getting him and getting more familiar with the strange world she ended up in. Our hero has an important task and is mostly focussed on completing it. But, the book is most of all focussed on the world and showing all its fantastical wonders.
And I understand this world has a lot to offer, although the world building is the weakest part of the story. We meet a lot of creatures, we visit quite a few places and there are some fights and confrontations along the way, but somehow it doesn't feel like a whole. The foundation of the world feels a little wobbly. Maybe it's mostly because our heroine is overwhelmed and doesn't understand what's going on. Maybe it's just because the author focussed on scenes instead of the whole.
I also had some issues really connecting with the characters. Once more, since the focus is mostly on what is happening and what is going on, it feels there's less room for the characters to get some emotional depth. I don't really feel like I really know these characters and that means that it's also a little hard to truly care about them. I think it's also because of that that the romance didn't really work for me.
However, despite the fact that the book and I weren't a good match, if you love quests and adventures, I'm certain you'll love this book....more
I was really looking forward to this book. The Lost Bookshop was one of my favorite reads, especially because it was a beautiful story with a little tI was really looking forward to this book. The Lost Bookshop was one of my favorite reads, especially because it was a beautiful story with a little touch of magic. Since I read the first book through Netgalley I got an e-mail from the publisher, One More Chapter, with an invitation to also read this second book through Netgalley. Of course I didn't hesitate. I was therefore really excited to finally start reading this week.
When adding this book to Goodreads I discovered that this book was actually before the Lost Bookshop. I'm not entirely sure if the author has simply grown a lot since writing this book, but this book somehow didn't touch me as much as the Lost Bookshop did. I can't really explain why. I think the main issue lies with the characters. I especially had issues connecting with Sarah, the American girl ending up in Ireland after divorcing her husband.
Does that mean I didn't enjoy this book at all? No, of course not. I really loved the magic in this book. I especially loved how we can never know for sure if things are really magical or not. There are a lot of rumors, some weird things are going on and there are clearly moments not making complete sense and yet, it's hard to know for sure how trustworthy the narrators of this story are. Emotions are strong, but they can also be deceiving after all.
I was however not entirely convinced of the two stories really coming together. There are of course quite some similarities between these two ladies. Both are dealing with heavy emotions, both have some mysterious experiences and there is something going on with traveling tickets. However, the final link between those two stories feels a little missing. As if there is no true moment where the past and the present really meet.
Maybe my expectations were simply too high, because it's still a well written book. I just think The Lost Bookshop was a lot better....more
I stumbled upon the first book in this duology by accident. I remember a post on X stating that the book was marked as "read now" on Netgalley for a lI stumbled upon the first book in this duology by accident. I remember a post on X stating that the book was marked as "read now" on Netgalley for a limited time and I grabbed a copy because it sounded fun. I ended up really enjoying it and after the ending I was of course looking forward to the sequel. I was therefore very positively surprised when I received an email from Wednesday Books to invite me to grab a Netgalley review copy. I happily did so.
This book has a lot of the ingredients I loved so much in the first book. Once more the characters are in a life or death situation and once more they have to rely on each other to survive. This time it's not just Wren and Theo, but also their friends and siblings. Of course that comes with a lot of tension, especially because Wren and Theo are still hopelessly in love and still don't see how they can eventually get a happily ever after.
The result is at times slightly chaotic and there were moments I was almost screaming at my Kindle because these characters just refused to communicate properly. However, the author did a great job explaining the impossible situation these characters were in and why they said or didn't say certain things. I have to admit that the eventual solution feels a little rushed and I'm also pretty sure it doesn't work exactly as they want, but I teared up anyway, so the author is forgiven.
I have to admit that, just like in the first book, there are a couple of facts that seem not to work out completely. The one that stands out is using blood groups to determine that two people are not siblings. It's totally possible for siblings to have completely opposite blood groups. However, I remember there was an issue like that with the Swiss border in the first book. Since these books are mostly light hearted and fun, I couldn't care too much about the facts not always being right....more
I remember my mom introducing me to the book by this author. My mom is an avid reader like me and while I'm currently the one recommending her books, I remember my mom introducing me to the book by this author. My mom is an avid reader like me and while I'm currently the one recommending her books, there was a time she recommended me books. It was love at first sight. I've always been a Greek Mythology nerd and combining Greek Mythology with YA romance was everything I had wanted and more. So, I now wanna read this author's entire backlist. Luckily Sungrazer Publishing granted me a review copy via Netgalley.
This book has been in my thoughts ever since I finished it and I still don't really know if that's a good or a bad thing. I think this book had elements I really loved and elements I couldn't connect with. There were parts of the book I enjoyed and parts I couldn't care less about. There were moments I liked reading this book and moments I was counting down the pages until I would finish. It's therefore hard to explain why this book was not the big hit I had wanted it to be.
I love the concept and just like the heroine in this story I probably wouldn't have thought twice when I was offered to become a character in a book. And it's always special to read about a reader living the ultimate dream: becoming the hero of your own story. However, I think the issue lies mostly with the execution. The book is relatively short and maybe therefore it felt like so little was explained and a lot of things, especially the epilogue, felt really rushed.
I also feel like the plot of the novel our heroine ended up in was still quite vague at the end of the book. I think I get the idea. I also think the author was trying to rewrite those classic epic fantasies where girls were put away in towers while guys got all the interesting plotlines. It just feels like I never connected with the original story. However, the more I think about it, the more I think it's because I'm one of those readers who has never really enjoyed those stories to begin with.
I still wanna give the sequel a chance. Since it will be a new story I hope I'll have a click with that one!...more
I'm fully back in my Vampire Era. I don't think I've ever completely been out of it, but details. Whenever I see a book about vampires, I just want toI'm fully back in my Vampire Era. I don't think I've ever completely been out of it, but details. Whenever I see a book about vampires, I just want to have it. I wanna see what kind of vampires the author will be writing about, I want to hear how old they are and during which time periods they were alive and I want to fall in love with them. So, when I saw this book on Netgalley I had to request a copy and luckily the author granted me a copy.
I think the main issue why this book eventually wasn't as amazing as I had hoped it would be, is that my expectations and the book didn't completely match. The story is much more focussed on the relationship between our heroine and her vampire than I had thought. It's way more romantic, it's actually at times really sweet and we actually watch two people fall in love with each other while also fighting those feelings.
So, if you're looking for something with vampires, that does talk about killing humans and the dangers of vampires, while it's also cute and sweet and at times light hearted, you really wanna check this book out. Especially because it's well written, the characters feel realistic and I especially loved their dialogues because they sounded so authentic. There are a couple of side characters I hope to see more of in the sequel, though.
I also hope that the sequel might be a little on the darker and more political side, which I was longing for. The finale of this book at least satiated my hunger slightly. I hadn't seen that coming and I enjoyed every second of it. Especially because I'm really excited about what's going to happen now. There's for sure gonna be a fallout. It's for sure not gonna be pretty and I think it might be really exciting to read about! And yes, I also hope there will be a happily ever after. I'm not a monster!...more
The moment I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it one way or another. I love fairytale retellings. You barely can go wrong with a fairytale retellThe moment I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it one way or another. I love fairytale retellings. You barely can go wrong with a fairytale retelling. And I especially love the story of little red riding hood. Luckily Hachette's Children's Group granted my request for a review copy via Netgalley. I had actually planned to read the other book in this shared universe verse, but like so often a million other books begged to be read first. But, this week it was time to dive into this one.
I really can't explain why this book didn't work for me. I totally understand that it's a me issue and not a book issue. The book is very well written, the characters are layered, complicated and interesting. The romance is well done. The world building was exactly what the story needed, not too detailed and not too vague. There were a few nice plot twists, although naming a character Fern does make some things a little obvious. The writing also was nice and flowed perfectly well.
And yet, the book never really grabbed me. It was as if I could never really connect with the story, the world and the characters. I was reading their story and yet it never felt like I was part of their story. And although the author told me all about their emotions, feelings and inner monologues, I never really felt those emotions. It felt like there was a certain distance between me and this book. I know some people like that. I personally don't.
I also think it's a pity. Because the emotions, doubts and character growth are clearly the most important part of this story. Both point of view characters are clearly struggling with quite a lot of things and have a lot of choices to make. If I could have felt all those emotions, doubts and worries, maybe I would have shed a few tears by the end of the story. And I think that's my biggest issue with this book. It feels like I should have felt something while reading the ending and I actually didn't.
However, I will still give the other book in the universe a chance. I now know what to expect. Maybe that will help me to read it at the perfect time and moment!...more
I had promised myself I wouldn't do it anymore. I wouldn't request a copy of a sequel before reading the first book. However, I couldn't stop myself wI had promised myself I wouldn't do it anymore. I wouldn't request a copy of a sequel before reading the first book. However, I couldn't stop myself with this book. Before I could remind myself of the promise I had made I had already pressed the request button. And, publisher Orbit was so kind to send me a copy! Which meant that I had to finally start the first book, which had been rotten away on the shelves for quite some time already, so I could start this second book!
In this case it's possible to read this second book without having read the first. We're following a new couple, there is a new plot and although the characters of the previous book do cameo you will still be able to follow without knowing their story. However, the main reason I'm really glad that I read the first book, is that now the "wait, you two aren't a couple yet?" from every other character makes so much sense. After reading the first book I thought this was gonna be a prequel!
What I also absolutely love is that the characters in this book are a little older than the average romance couple. Both Twyla and Frank are over 50. They each have a family, they each have lost a romantic partner and therefore they have different dreams and different wants. The result is a refreshing romance where everything is a little less perfect and way more realistic. They're at a point in life where they need and want something different from a partner.
The author also did an amazing job to have the fantasy plot fit the general theme of the story. Because the fantasy plot, which is about dragons as the cover already gives away, is about family, about caring for others, about allowing the other to be free and themselves. It's about being a parent and a partner and trying to protect your children from your own mistakes. It's about love. For people, for dragons, in a romantic way and in a platonic way.
I hope the author will write another novel in this world. I will for sure check it out as soon as possible!...more
I've been looking forward to this book ever since I finished my arc of the first book in this series. I remember that book being released during the pI've been looking forward to this book ever since I finished my arc of the first book in this series. I remember that book being released during the pandemic. I was working from home and the book actually made me late for work. I had to finish it first. My pre-order for this book has been placed ages ago already and when I saw the book on Netgalley I had to request a copy. Luckily Harper Voyager granted me a copy!
This book was everything I had hoped it would be and so so so much more. It's quite a big book. I'm really glad I started reading in time. But every chapter, every sentence, it was all worth it. Once more the author does an amazing job creating the atmosphere. And there's a lot going on in this book. Our witches are traveling places and they are dealing with people suspecting them of witchcraft and starting a witch hunt.
Anna is still the sole point of view character and within a few chapters my bond with her reawakened. Anna reminds me a lot of myself. She is searching for who she is. She is rather careful, opposed to Effie's brashness. She really wants to do good. She wants to save Attis. She wants a chance to build a normal and happy relationship with Effie. She wants humanity to be safe. She wants the world of witchcraft to be saved.
But this book is mostly about her discovering her own power. It's about her discovering that exactly her love for this world and all its people is her strength. And if she has to travel to hell and back to save her, she does so. I have to admit that I had not expected this book to end with such a cliffhanger though. The author should take all the time in the world to write the next book, hopefully making it as great as the first two, but I will be waiting very impatiently for its release!...more
Not that long ago I promised myself to request less review copies and to focus on reading the books I bought and the books that are rotting away on thNot that long ago I promised myself to request less review copies and to focus on reading the books I bought and the books that are rotting away on the shelves for years already. But every time I browse Netgalley after submitting a review I discover more books I either already pre-ordered or just sound too awesome to ignore. This was one of the latter ones. I love retellings of Little Red Riding Hood and luckily the author granted me a review copy via Netgalley.
In a way this is a very atypical retelling and in a way it's also not. The author amazingly blends elements of the familiar fairytale with new and original story elements. And despite the fact that it's quite clear from the start how this story is gonna end, it's amazing to watch these characters fall from each other, to see them exploring their own powers, to see them finding answers and eventually saving a little part of the world.
The author also really made me curious about the future books in this series. In a very natural way we're introduced to heroines and heroes of future installments and although this story doesn't give much away concerning their stories, there are enough small little hints to give us an idea of what might be waiting for us. I'm especially looking forward to the future Romeo and Juliet retelling! The premise of that story presented in this tale sounds awesome!
And I hope the romance will be just as good as this one. I like how these characters dare to challenge each other from the start. Just like they see each other truly, especially the parts the other can't or refuses to see. I also really loved that the main conflict in this relationship wasn't some big fight or big lie that came between them. It was believing that the other could never fall in love with someone like them. Even though we all knew they were perfect for each other....more
I'm learning and growing a lot lately. Sometimes learning and growing hurts. Sometimes it brings me a lot of good too. One of the things I'm learning I'm learning and growing a lot lately. Sometimes learning and growing hurts. Sometimes it brings me a lot of good too. One of the things I'm learning is that life is too short to finish books I'm not reading with joy. I know, sometimes books hide the clue of the story in the last couple of chapters. Sometimes you will only understand and get a book when you reach the end. However, there are too many books to read everything I want to read. Sometimes I have to make choices.
I therefore chose not to finish this story. The beginning of the book is rough. There's a lot of mythology, politics, history and other information. It's impossible to understand exactly what's going on and what's happening. It's even more impossible to remember all the information we're given. I had hoped that at some point in the story the amount of information would lessen and I'd start feeling more comfortable in the world. However, I'm at 45% of the book and I'm still struggling.
I like politics. I like magic. I like stories about complicated characters in a complicated world. But, I've almost reached the halfway point and I'm still forcing myself to keep on reading. I don't feel a connection with any of the characters. I can't care about Lyr, I can't care about her two love interests, I can't care about what happens. The book failed in making me invested in her fate and her romances. The book also failed to have me invested in the plot.
I think we've gotten quite a few hints that something wonderful waits for us at some point. I'm pretty sure there will be some reveals and everything that has happened will make sense. But, I have over five hundred other books I really want to read. It feels like I'm wasting my time on a book that's clearly not a right fit for me. I wanna feel something while reading and this book doesn't make me feel anything apart from dread when I realize I'm not even at the half-way point yet....more
I remember requesting this book on Netgalley, while also pre-ordering the book, thinking this was gonna be a nice sci-fi romance with a touch of fantaI remember requesting this book on Netgalley, while also pre-ordering the book, thinking this was gonna be a nice sci-fi romance with a touch of fantasy. I was therefore really happy when Hodderscape granted me a review copy, but since I noticed that cozy romance is starting to bore me a little I was also a little afraid to start reading this novel. I don't know where it went wrong with the marketing, but this book turned out to be so so so much more than I had expected it to be.
The book started exactly like I had expected. I was actually convinced during the first reading session that I was eventually gonna cancel my pre-order. I was completely and entirely wrong. During my second reading session the politics appeared and the book all of a sudden became a million times darker than I had expected it to be. And since we were experiencing everything through Remy's eyes we also felt the shock, betrayal and pain he felt.
I don't wanna give too much away, but this book does an amazing job showing how politics work, how propaganda works and how it's possible to make so many people believe that what you do is for the best even if it's not. It's also an amazing book to show that you really have to get to know people to really understand AND judge them. No matter how much you've heard and learned about someone, you can never know who has been controlling the narrative.
I also really love all the love in this book. All the forgiveness. All those times people are trying to understand someone despite their emotions pushing them into another direction. In a way, despite all the dark scenes and despite all the sickening moments, this book is therefore also really hopeful and inspiring. We see people overcoming hatred. We see people willing to look at things from someone else's perspective. We see people trying to be forgiving and understanding.
I will certainly keep an eye on this author....more
Most of the books of the Forbidden Library series are still waiting patiently on the shelves to be read, but when I discovered this series, about the Most of the books of the Forbidden Library series are still waiting patiently on the shelves to be read, but when I discovered this series, about the French Revolution, but with vampires, I was sold. I got the first book and finished it far quicker than I had expected and then I patiently waited for the second book to be released. Luckily I discovered that the book was available via Netgalley and I was really happy that Tor granted me a review copy.
Once more this book mixes history, vampires and a touch of magic. I especially love how the author manages to make this book really believable. It's not hard to imagine that the French revolution happened like this. Especially all the politics, the way the people in power manipulate others and all the games that are played, is so well done and makes so much sense. The vampires might be fictional, but how they abuse their vampirism totally isn't.
I also love that the heroine of this story is a maid. She's not noble. She's not rich. She doesn't have power or influence. She just ended up in a strange situation by accident. However, that also gives her a lot of room to learn and grow. I really love how she's starting to understand more and more of the world in this book. She sees how power can be abused and she also starts to see how she can use her own talents to change the world or people's minds.
Since this book is very political and since our heroine is not among the vampires and the rich, there's not much action. There is some danger here and there, but most issues are solved by intelligence and wit. I can imagine that some people might get a little bored while reading, but I personally loved how all those characters, both the "good" and the "bad" guys, are forcing each other to be smarter and to always be on the tips of their toes.
I can't wait for the next book in the series!...more
I don't remember the last time I read an entire series in just a few weeks. Of course, it did help that I got an arc for this book via Netgalley whileI don't remember the last time I read an entire series in just a few weeks. Of course, it did help that I got an arc for this book via Netgalley while I had just finished the first book in the series, but still. There was not one moment I was dreading starting the next book in this series. There was not one moment I longed to read another book instead. I really enjoyed myself. I'm therefore really happy that HarperVoyager granted my review request for this finale.
It's hard to describe this series and even harder to explain why I am a little sad that this is the last book in the series already. The concept of this series is brilliant. In every book we focus on another couple and yet there is this overarching storyline reaching its conclusion in this book. And although there is a lot of romance in this series, there is also a lot of fantasy, magic, fighting, mythology and world building. I think both fantasy and romance lovers will love this series.
For a little while I was afraid that the author was gonna make the final battle in this novel a little too easy. Everything seemed to be going so well. However, I shouldn't have doubted the author. I think this book had the best and most epic finale out of all five. I've never been so afraid for so many characters. I don't think so many characters have been as close to dead as they've been in this book. And just as easily things could have turned out a lot worse.
I also really loved the romance in this book. It's a second chance romance. A romance that didn't really work the first time and that means that both characters have to put in a lot of effort to make it work this time. When someone has hurt you, when lies have ripped you apart, it's hard to build bridges and to forgive each other. However, both characters learn and grow a lot in this book and with every little step they're moving closer to the other.
I will miss Okrith. If the author ever returns, I will for sure follow!...more
I know that this author is really popular. Quite a few of their books are on my wishlist and to be read list. However, I never got to any of them. UntI know that this author is really popular. Quite a few of their books are on my wishlist and to be read list. However, I never got to any of them. Until I stumbled upon this book. It sounded insanely intriguing and made me really curious. I pre-ordered a copy and was patiently waiting for its release. And then I discovered the book was also on Netgalley. I requested a copy and I was really happy when Titan Books granted me a copy. I was really excited to dive in.
This book is from start to finish a quick and entertaining read. There are two main characters and both have a really interesting journey despite being in completely different phases of their lives. Cordelia is only fourteen and struggling with her relationship with her mother. Hesters is in her fifties and struggling with growing older and figuring out what she wants with her future. Both discover that they can help each other.
Although this book is inspired by the Goose Girl, the author doesn't really retell the tale. They do use its basic ingredients. There are geese in the tale, there is a horse, there is someone impersonating someone else and there is a lot of magic. However, the plot is completely different, the characters are also very clearly fighting a different battle and this is also in a lot of ways not really a fairytale to begin with.
The story is however very endearing. Especially because the author does a great job introducing us to the characters and allowing us to understand how they feel. We understand why they are who they are. We understand why they do what they do. We understand the choices they make. And in no time we start caring about them, rooting for them and wishing them a happily ever after. And that makes the story even more exciting, because the stakes are clearly very high....more
I needed some time to get into the first book in the series. The mythology was quite complicated and I didn't always understand what was going on. HowI needed some time to get into the first book in the series. The mythology was quite complicated and I didn't always understand what was going on. However, I absolutely loved the characters, the world and the build up towards the finale. Once I reached that finale I was hooked. I was therefore really excited that publisher Orbit granted me a review copy of the sequel. As always I waited until release week to start reading and last week it was finally time!
I loved this book from start to finish. It's not an action-packed book, on the contrary, and yet I wasn't bored for even a second. That's mostly because there is this constant tension throughout the book. We feel something is happening, we feel something is changing, we feel that a game is being played and that not everyone can win or survive. Throughout the story we get more pieces of the puzzle and it makes everything even more exciting.
Once more the character stole the show though. I love how layered and complicated all these characters are. Even though some of them mess up quite badly throughout the story, I did understand why they were doing what they were doing and kept on loving them anyway. I don't wanna give away too much, since part of the fun is discovering what is going on and things slowly starting to make more and more sense, but I never knew you could love and hate people so much equally.
I also loved the mythology in this book. In a way it gets even more complicated than everything we've learned in the first book and yet it also felt easier to understand and grasp. It's hard to explain, but for some reason everything in this book made so much sense. I already had an inkling of some things that were gonna happen, but I couldn't even dream of how well thought out it all would be. The finale of the book was quite brutal though, so I can't wait for the last book in the trilogy!...more
I'm absolutely terrible when it comes to remembering author's names. Of course, the truly famous ones that are everywhere stick eventually, but the reI'm absolutely terrible when it comes to remembering author's names. Of course, the truly famous ones that are everywhere stick eventually, but the rest don't. When I requested this book from Netgalley I had therefore not realized that I already read books by this author. Firstly, the Jane Austen investigates series, which I really enjoyed. Secondly the books the author wrote as Joss Stirling, books I absolutely loved. Luckily One More Chapter granted me a review copy.
I have to admit that I had expected a little more from this book. But, let's start with all the positive things. Despite its themes, this book was an easy read. That's mostly because of the writing style. The sentences aren't too complicated, the words chosen aren't too sophisticated and the dialogues were easy to follow. I therefore flew through the book. The chapters being on the shorter side, especially for adult novels, helped too.
I also liked the setting, the plot and the historical nods throughout the story. I'm no way a historian, I'm sure those have strong opinions on this book, but I at least noticed nothing that felt completely off. And yet, the story never really grabbed me. I was reading the words, I was flying through the book, I was taking in the plot, but I never got excited, I never had issues putting the book down, I never needed to read on.
That's firstly because a book being compared to the Da Vinci Code should be more thrilling, more dangerous and more action packed. I missed the adrenaline rush and the true fear and horror. It's secondly because a book being compared to Bridgerton should be more romantic, sexier and there should be a lot more tension between the romantic leads. It feels like all the ingredients are there, but its full potential doesn't shine yet....more
Sometimes books beg me to be read. I had not heard about this book before I saw it on Netgalley, but the moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to hSometimes books beg me to be read. I had not heard about this book before I saw it on Netgalley, but the moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to have it, one way or another. I was of course insanely happy that Piatkus granted my request for a review copy. I'm, however, especially now that I finished this book, insanely glad that I had also pre-ordered the book and that it will be shipped to me soon. This book belongs on my shelves.
Sometimes it happens. I don't really cry while reading the novel, but the moment I finish, the moment I close the book, the moment the story ends, the tears come. It happened with this book. In a way I was really sad that this book was over, that I had to leave these characters, their world, their magic and their story behind. In a way I also really enjoyed their emotions, the mystery, the magic and the way this story ended.
This story starts relatively slow. We're getting to know the two leads of this story. We meet Gemma when she's finally landing a new film role, we see how she breaks up with her boyfriend, how she dreams about being a script writer and how eventually everything changes. We also meet Christopher, born years and years later. We see how he loses his mother in a gruesome way and how from that day on his entire life revolves around that one picture and that one actress.
Slowly the story becomes more and more sinister. Something magical is taking place and yet we don't exactly know what. We only learn all the secrets of these characters and this story slowly and yet I was never bored. I loved the atmosphere, the characters, all the different plot lines. I of course most of all loved how everything came together quite nicely in the end. I've already ordered the previous two books by this author and I can't wait to read them....more
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