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skynet666's review against another edition
3.0
It seems crazy that I just gave a silly book a 4 and I'm giving an Alice Hoffman book a 3, but I realize that I rate books based on my expectations and the author. I love Alice Hoffman and I really enjoyed this book, but it just seemed to lack something. Maybe it was that the two main characters were kept apart for most of the book or that I felt like I missed some hidden meanings in the characters words, thoughts, or actions. I am just not sure, but I'm still glad I read it.
aprilnnp's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second go at this book. The first time I started reading it, I got through about a third of it and just could not get into it - the writing felt slow and halting and I just couldn’t feel out the characters.
I don’t know if my frame of mind was different this time or what changed, but it was an entirely different experience. The characters came alive for me, I empathized with them, and I found the plot to be engaging and much faster moving.
Glad I gave this one another chance.
I don’t know if my frame of mind was different this time or what changed, but it was an entirely different experience. The characters came alive for me, I empathized with them, and I found the plot to be engaging and much faster moving.
Glad I gave this one another chance.
thisbookishbee's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the plot line and the characters, although I found it very slow to get into. It only really started picking up after the 180 page mark.
fortunata's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I found this confusing as an audiobook and would not recommend listening to it.
The change of narration POV was confusing. The love story felt forced. I liked the character of Coralie, but wanted more from her story. Remove Eddie, the forced relationship and focus more on her forging her own path for a stronger narrative.
A lot was going on in this book and suddenly it all wrapped up so quickly at the end. What started off as an interesting tale became unsatisfying and boring at the end.
The change of narration POV was confusing. The love story felt forced. I liked the character of Coralie, but wanted more from her story. Remove Eddie, the forced relationship and focus more on her forging her own path for a stronger narrative.
A lot was going on in this book and suddenly it all wrapped up so quickly at the end. What started off as an interesting tale became unsatisfying and boring at the end.
claire_dobson's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable read but not quite as riveting as some of her other books.
anxieteaisme's review against another edition
4.0
Coralie is trapped in the museum, living her life as a specimen in a show. Her father is a cruel man who rules her life as if she is his own personal puppet. Eddie, believing his father to be a coward, left his remaining family and religion to make a life for himself. He is much shadier and flawed than I expected him to be. I do like this aspect rather a lot though. I like that each character is developed well, to the point where they could have existed in the real world.
The main focus on this book appeared to be the drama and changes happening within both Coralie’s and Eddie’s lives before they were together, and how they were both somehow linked. While these were both pulled off brilliantly, with Eddie trying to find himself and the missing girl, and Coralie struggling against the tight leash her father has her on, I feel as if this was closer to a murder mystery than a story about star-crossed lovers.
This how bloody well it was written. The writing was detailed, and it explained the intricate differences between 1911 and now well. It was like an enjoyable history lesson where I didn’t end up falling asleep half-way through. It reminded me of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender for some reason, though I’m not entirely sure why. I don’t know whether it was due to them both being based around similar eras, or because the tragedies they both depicted.
Either way, don’t let this book fool you. This isn’t a love story, but a book about breaking free so you can chose your own path through life
The main focus on this book appeared to be the drama and changes happening within both Coralie’s and Eddie’s lives before they were together, and how they were both somehow linked. While these were both pulled off brilliantly, with Eddie trying to find himself and the missing girl, and Coralie struggling against the tight leash her father has her on, I feel as if this was closer to a murder mystery than a story about star-crossed lovers.
This how bloody well it was written. The writing was detailed, and it explained the intricate differences between 1911 and now well. It was like an enjoyable history lesson where I didn’t end up falling asleep half-way through. It reminded me of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender for some reason, though I’m not entirely sure why. I don’t know whether it was due to them both being based around similar eras, or because the tragedies they both depicted.
Either way, don’t let this book fool you. This isn’t a love story, but a book about breaking free so you can chose your own path through life
siriface's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Violence, and Murder
hopeless_salad's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
audiobebop's review against another edition
3.0
It's official, Alice Hoffman is one my favorite authors.