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kellygillespiewv 's review for:
The Dream Keeper's Daughter
by Emily Colin
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
The Dream Keeper’s Daughter combined time travel, history, and romance for a moving and bittersweet fantasy story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Emily Colin, New York Times bestselling author of “The Memory Thief,” has a skill in formulating a compelling narrative.
I loved the idea behind this book! I enjoy books with a love story. I am also a huge history buff. Throw in the time slip element, and I was sold. This story traversed from present day South Carolina to 19th century Barbados, as told through a multi-person point of view; more specifically, the alternating POV of Isabel and Max. The changing POV helped fill out the story and gave the reader a comprehensive look at the events taking place. I happened to be partial to Max’s chapters!
Colin had a very captivating writing style. She wrote fluently and emphatically. There were only a few times that I found myself “coaching” the characters to spit it out or do something already, and those instances mostly pertained to the romantic story line.
Between the writing style, the shift in perspectives, and the twists and turns in the plot, I was compelled to continue reading to see where the story would lead. The history was well-researched and represented in this text. Those were probably my favorite scenes! Once the concept of the time slip was clear (it took a while to get to that, though), I had that “AH HA!” moment, and more pieces to the puzzle of The Dream Keeper’s Daughter snapped into place. I really liked what Colin did with the time travel. However, the romantic aspect of the story led me to frustration.
So, we’ve got Isabel (single mom with a tough girl exterior who has experienced loss), Max (Isabel’s first love interest and father to her little girl), and Ryan (Isabel’s best friend who experienced his own hardships but was there when Isabel needed it most). One day, Max disappeared and was away from his home and family for several years. In walks Ryan, after Max’s disappearance, to befriend a struggling Isabel. As one might assume, Isabel and Ryan’s friendship evolved while Max was thought to be missing and Isabel was trying to move forward with her life.
Honestly, I kept finding myself rooting for both of the guys at various times, only to be disappointed with the outcome in the end. All three characters were hot then cold, and all of their relationships (and personalities, really) seemed a bit like a roller coaster. Be forewarned that there are some steamy scenes throughout the book. There were some positives with the love story, but for the most part, I just struggled with it. This, as well as the direction the end took, were the reasons I lowered my review rating.
A bright note of this book was Isabel and Max’s daughter, Finn. I just loved her! I don’t want to go into much detail, though, because 1) you should discover her all on your own, and 2) spoilers!
There is a lot that goes on in The Dream Keeper’s Daughter, but it is mysterious and clever, so I recommend it! A book like this makes me weary to say much more because I don’t want to give anything away. Trust me when I say, though, that it is intriguing and I devoured it. When I first read about this book, I figured I might like it, but I had not read anything else by Colin, and I had not heard of this book. I was pleasantly surprised by it and very glad that I read it. I look forward to reading more from Emily Colin.
The Dream Keeper’s Daughter combined time travel, history, and romance for a moving and bittersweet fantasy story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Emily Colin, New York Times bestselling author of “The Memory Thief,” has a skill in formulating a compelling narrative.
I loved the idea behind this book! I enjoy books with a love story. I am also a huge history buff. Throw in the time slip element, and I was sold. This story traversed from present day South Carolina to 19th century Barbados, as told through a multi-person point of view; more specifically, the alternating POV of Isabel and Max. The changing POV helped fill out the story and gave the reader a comprehensive look at the events taking place. I happened to be partial to Max’s chapters!
Colin had a very captivating writing style. She wrote fluently and emphatically. There were only a few times that I found myself “coaching” the characters to spit it out or do something already, and those instances mostly pertained to the romantic story line.
Between the writing style, the shift in perspectives, and the twists and turns in the plot, I was compelled to continue reading to see where the story would lead. The history was well-researched and represented in this text. Those were probably my favorite scenes! Once the concept of the time slip was clear (it took a while to get to that, though), I had that “AH HA!” moment, and more pieces to the puzzle of The Dream Keeper’s Daughter snapped into place. I really liked what Colin did with the time travel. However, the romantic aspect of the story led me to frustration.
So, we’ve got Isabel (single mom with a tough girl exterior who has experienced loss), Max (Isabel’s first love interest and father to her little girl), and Ryan (Isabel’s best friend who experienced his own hardships but was there when Isabel needed it most). One day, Max disappeared and was away from his home and family for several years. In walks Ryan, after Max’s disappearance, to befriend a struggling Isabel. As one might assume, Isabel and Ryan’s friendship evolved while Max was thought to be missing and Isabel was trying to move forward with her life.
Honestly, I kept finding myself rooting for both of the guys at various times, only to be disappointed with the outcome in the end. All three characters were hot then cold, and all of their relationships (and personalities, really) seemed a bit like a roller coaster. Be forewarned that there are some steamy scenes throughout the book. There were some positives with the love story, but for the most part, I just struggled with it. This, as well as the direction the end took, were the reasons I lowered my review rating.
A bright note of this book was Isabel and Max’s daughter, Finn. I just loved her! I don’t want to go into much detail, though, because 1) you should discover her all on your own, and 2) spoilers!
There is a lot that goes on in The Dream Keeper’s Daughter, but it is mysterious and clever, so I recommend it! A book like this makes me weary to say much more because I don’t want to give anything away. Trust me when I say, though, that it is intriguing and I devoured it. When I first read about this book, I figured I might like it, but I had not read anything else by Colin, and I had not heard of this book. I was pleasantly surprised by it and very glad that I read it. I look forward to reading more from Emily Colin.