thealyson's Reviews (170)

An artfully written historical fiction novel that’s main issue is the length. However, don’t let that put you off. At times, some POV shifts may feel unnecessary or questionable, but as this novel wraps up it comes with an understanding. Not to mention, despite the length my interest never faded. I adored, was intrigued, needed to understand the various characters. 

I would recommend to someone who wants to grow attached and enjoys reading a Wikipedia page of a celebrity’s life.

I could not care less about Nesta… what an interesting thought by the author to take the most loathsome supporting character and make her a main character but this just doesn’t work for me. Nesta is consistently so proudly spiteful, but then acts shocked and upset that no one is nice to her? The specific examples I could give if I cared to… I can deal with disliking a main character if there’s a meaningful reason for their negative qualities but nothing mentioned in the series or this book so far even sort of allows for her attitude and hostility. 

There is an underlying theme of trauma throughout the book and series, but frankly the author does so little to discuss it, address it, or make me understand it (specifically, the caldron trauma). And this books is waaaay to long for me to be feeling like I’m missing the point. 

Maybe I’ll pick this up again, but at this point I’d rather just read a synopsis. 

Not bad - just not the poetry for me. 

I rarely - and I mean RARELY - DNF a book. However, this is my second attempt at getting into this book (first time digital, second time audio) and I am more often annoyed and confused rather than intrigued. I find the narrator and her actions completely ridiculous compared to other survivor POVs. At 12% the actions of the police are so absolutely unbelievable I have to call it quits. The rating and other reviews leave me with no reason to continue or believe I’ll be able to push past this.