ciska's review
3.0
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on on a book tour in return for an honest review*
Author
M.J. Rose, is the international bestselling author of 13 novels. Rose is also the co-author with Angela Adair Hoy of How to Publish and Promote Online and with Randy Susan Meyers of What to Do Before Your Book Lauch.
She is a founding member and board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She runs the popular blog; Buzz, Balls & Hype.
Getting published has been an adventure for Rose who self-published Lip Service late in 1998 after several traditional publishers turned it down. Editors had loved it, but didn’t know how to position it or market it since it didn’t fit into any one genre. Frustrated, but curious and convinced that there was a readership for her work, she set up a web site where readers could download her book for $9.95 and began to seriously
market the novel on the Internet.
After selling over 2500 copies (in both electronic and trade paper format) Lip Service became the first e-book and the first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as being the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house.
Rose has been profiled in Time magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Working Woman, Newsweek and New York Magazine.
Rose has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, and features on her have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including USAToday, Stern, L’Official, Poets and Writers and Publishers Weekly.
Rose graduated from Syracuse University and spent the ’80s in advertising. She was the Creative Director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
She lives in Connecticut with Doug Scofield, a composer, and their very spoiled dog, Winka.
Review
The title of this book gave me the chills. Why would one want to collect the last breath of a dying person? All books in this series have brilliant looking covers and The Collector of Dying Breaths is not different. Combined it is easy to get me to read a book.
The atmosphere is set from page one. The two stories have their own sound and feeling. As a reader I am easily distracted when stories mix and fail to connect to the story and the characters. Not in this book though.
I like both Jac and René a lot. Jac is having a hard time after the death of her brother and her vulnerability is clear in the pages and the way she is reacting. I did have some trouble with a few of the decisions she makes though in a way they make sense combined with her state of mind. I did not read earlier books in this series and though there are some remarks to Jac her qualities and things form her past this did not disturb me. I really enjoyed René his story. I could have read a whole book on his life only. I liked his way of thinking and there are some very interesting parts on his work and customers.
Author
M.J. Rose, is the international bestselling author of 13 novels. Rose is also the co-author with Angela Adair Hoy of How to Publish and Promote Online and with Randy Susan Meyers of What to Do Before Your Book Lauch.
She is a founding member and board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She runs the popular blog; Buzz, Balls & Hype.
Getting published has been an adventure for Rose who self-published Lip Service late in 1998 after several traditional publishers turned it down. Editors had loved it, but didn’t know how to position it or market it since it didn’t fit into any one genre. Frustrated, but curious and convinced that there was a readership for her work, she set up a web site where readers could download her book for $9.95 and began to seriously
market the novel on the Internet.
After selling over 2500 copies (in both electronic and trade paper format) Lip Service became the first e-book and the first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as being the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house.
Rose has been profiled in Time magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Working Woman, Newsweek and New York Magazine.
Rose has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, and features on her have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including USAToday, Stern, L’Official, Poets and Writers and Publishers Weekly.
Rose graduated from Syracuse University and spent the ’80s in advertising. She was the Creative Director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
She lives in Connecticut with Doug Scofield, a composer, and their very spoiled dog, Winka.
Review
The title of this book gave me the chills. Why would one want to collect the last breath of a dying person? All books in this series have brilliant looking covers and The Collector of Dying Breaths is not different. Combined it is easy to get me to read a book.
The atmosphere is set from page one. The two stories have their own sound and feeling. As a reader I am easily distracted when stories mix and fail to connect to the story and the characters. Not in this book though.
I like both Jac and René a lot. Jac is having a hard time after the death of her brother and her vulnerability is clear in the pages and the way she is reacting. I did have some trouble with a few of the decisions she makes though in a way they make sense combined with her state of mind. I did not read earlier books in this series and though there are some remarks to Jac her qualities and things form her past this did not disturb me. I really enjoyed René his story. I could have read a whole book on his life only. I liked his way of thinking and there are some very interesting parts on his work and customers.
bkmorales's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. It started out as an intriguing historical mystery, interlaced with scenes in the present day. About two-thirds of the way through, I started to lose interest. Unfortunately, it devolved into a gothic romance, with a fairly predictable ending for the villain of the book. I really wanted to like it, but in the end it was unremarkable.
endlessmidnight's review against another edition
2.0
I was more confused than anything else. This book was good at completely baffling me that by the end I had no idea what was going on.
I wasn’t kidding. I really had no idea what was going on. The plot threads in my opinion had been really weak with no follow through. And no clear idea just where it was heading.
And the ending was almost just as baffling. Just what had been the clear follow through from the series. It had been nice to learn about his family. But it was confusing. I didn’t understand just what was the point of all that. And how the story seemed to be a lot on introspection. I liked the way it worked but felt underwhelmed at how little happened.
Overall this did have the potential to be interesting, amazing and mystical. But it just never made it.
I wasn’t kidding. I really had no idea what was going on. The plot threads in my opinion had been really weak with no follow through. And no clear idea just where it was heading.
And the ending was almost just as baffling. Just what had been the clear follow through from the series. It had been nice to learn about his family. But it was confusing. I didn’t understand just what was the point of all that. And how the story seemed to be a lot on introspection. I liked the way it worked but felt underwhelmed at how little happened.
Overall this did have the potential to be interesting, amazing and mystical. But it just never made it.
scrappymags's review against another edition
1.0
3 words: Not. For. Me. First I would classify this as more romance-y historical fiction, sort of. It involves mystery but in an awkward, uninteresting plot. The plot (read above) revolves around the capturing of one's last breath and then attempting to reanimate someone using that breath. Dumb. Ok so did I stumble onto a new Frankenstein? At least that made SOME scientific sense though.
The alternating points of view would be enjoyable if they weren't so predictable and ultimately for me, boring. The character I liked the most was the perfumer Rene from the 16th century. I absolutely hated the protagonist Jac who came across as a dim-witted simp. I always hate when billed smart girls do dumb things. Oh like see the guy who broke your heart and whoops - fall into bed and (magic fairy dust) he's divorced and everything (more fairy dust) works out! Yay! I don't know anyone in real life where things work that way. Rene is the one who discovers what karma truly is, and that was the only enjoyable story for me. It's incredibly thin on history, just mild mentionings of historical people and places but nothing that added to historical knowledge.
The alternating points of view would be enjoyable if they weren't so predictable and ultimately for me, boring. The character I liked the most was the perfumer Rene from the 16th century. I absolutely hated the protagonist Jac who came across as a dim-witted simp. I always hate when billed smart girls do dumb things. Oh like see the guy who broke your heart and whoops - fall into bed and (magic fairy dust) he's divorced and everything (more fairy dust) works out! Yay! I don't know anyone in real life where things work that way. Rene is the one who discovers what karma truly is, and that was the only enjoyable story for me. It's incredibly thin on history, just mild mentionings of historical people and places but nothing that added to historical knowledge.
amalyndb's review against another edition
4.0
Perfume and alchemy are addictive for me. I adored and luxuriated in this novel. But felt slightly let down when i read other work by the author available via my public library.
So, the big draw for me for this novel is the intertwining of perfumery and alchemy. Will reread again at some point to more properly evaluate.
So, the big draw for me for this novel is the intertwining of perfumery and alchemy. Will reread again at some point to more properly evaluate.
firstimpressionsreviews's review against another edition
4.0
I read The Collector of Dying Breaths slowly, as if I was taking my last breath. The story was as intoxicating as the perfumes described in its pages.
When a story is told in two parts let alone two centuries I am usually drawn more towards one. This was not the case here. I was just as invested in Jac's story as I was Rene's. Throughout the novel's intertwining stories I was torn who I wanted to hear more from. Rene and Cathrine played off the royal intrigue and backstabbing well and kept my interest level up. From the start of the book it was obvious that Rene had nerve, but he played his hand well and Cathrine de Medici's devoted faith in him reminded me a bit of the Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin. From an outsider looking in, it all appeared off kilter and as odd as some of the ingredients in the perfumes Rene created.
At the start of Jac's story with Robbie's death, Jac's darkness was my darkness and she brought me in. For not having actually lived in the 1500s Melinoe and Serge sure creept the hell out of me. They were dark and ominous; this along with the castle backdrop created the perfect Gothic palate.
I just watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, at the very end Indiana Jone's colleague Elsa Schneider gets greedy and tries to take the Holy Grail for herself. She pays with her life and Indy almost falls to the same fate if his father hadn't told Junior to let go. That is how I felt about the fantastic plot of The Collector of Dying Breaths, a temple of suspense, a seemingly unachievable goal that many have aspired to. This novel was wow, just wow, M.J. Rose's book was spellbinding and is a colossal work of fiction which I would highly recommend.
When a story is told in two parts let alone two centuries I am usually drawn more towards one. This was not the case here. I was just as invested in Jac's story as I was Rene's. Throughout the novel's intertwining stories I was torn who I wanted to hear more from. Rene and Cathrine played off the royal intrigue and backstabbing well and kept my interest level up. From the start of the book it was obvious that Rene had nerve, but he played his hand well and Cathrine de Medici's devoted faith in him reminded me a bit of the Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin. From an outsider looking in, it all appeared off kilter and as odd as some of the ingredients in the perfumes Rene created.
At the start of Jac's story with Robbie's death, Jac's darkness was my darkness and she brought me in. For not having actually lived in the 1500s Melinoe and Serge sure creept the hell out of me. They were dark and ominous; this along with the castle backdrop created the perfect Gothic palate.
I just watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, at the very end Indiana Jone's colleague Elsa Schneider gets greedy and tries to take the Holy Grail for herself. She pays with her life and Indy almost falls to the same fate if his father hadn't told Junior to let go. That is how I felt about the fantastic plot of The Collector of Dying Breaths, a temple of suspense, a seemingly unachievable goal that many have aspired to. This novel was wow, just wow, M.J. Rose's book was spellbinding and is a colossal work of fiction which I would highly recommend.
colleenlovestoread's review against another edition
5.0
I reviewed this book for www.luxuryreading.com.
In MJ Rose's Reincarnationist series she introduces us to an unforgettable character named Jac L’Etoile, a woman from a long and illustrious line of French perfumers who has continually fought against her abilities to experience past life memories, her own as well as others, and who has spent her life trying to debunk the mysteries of the past in order to make sense of the mysteries surrounding her in the present. In The Collector of Dying Breaths, Jac will be forced to face her abilities head on and to trust in not only those abilities but in the people closest to her if she stands a change of finding some peace in a life that has been marred by tragedy.
When Jac’s life is turned upside down (once again) by the death of one of the people closest to her (no spoilers for those who know the series) she is thrust into contact with Melinoe Cypros, an eccentric and cunning heiress who wants Jac to decipher the work of the 16th century perfumer Rene le Florentin and use it to figure out the formula to reanimate a person’s dying breath. Taking on this project will also bring Jac’s one and only love, Griffin North, back into her life, a man she has loved not only in this life but in all others and whom she has caused the death of in each previous life. But agreeing to Melinoe’s terms brings Jac into the lair of a conniving, ruthless woman who will do anything to get what she wants. And what she wants might just cost Jac everything.
Weaved together with Jac’s story is that of Rene, the man who rose from nothing to become the perfumer to Catharine de Medici. This great honor comes with a heavy price, however, and Rene finds himself also creating poisons for his queen to use against her enemies and continuing his mentor’s work of discovering the secret to bringing back the dead. But their close and trusting bond is shattered when Rene falls in love with one of Catharine’s ladies in waiting and he discovers just how dangerous this Medici princess can be.
Reading a novel by MJ Rose is unlike anything else. The meticulous sensory descriptions work to transport the reader through time much as Jac experiences it and it is hard not to feel the joy, passion and pain of the characters. The depths of obsession experienced by both Catharine and Melinoe and the lengths they both will go to to get what they desire is quite frightening and adds a heavy dose of shock, terror and passion to the suspenseful plots. I have long hoped that Griffin and Jac would somehow come together and watching their connection unfold alongside Rene and his love pulls at the heartstrings. Combine all of this emotion with the detailed and immersive history and the reincarnation twist and what isn’t there to love?
My only complaint would be that the story ended too soon for me and, from the ending, I have a very sad feeling that this might conclude Jac’s story. I truly hope I am wrong because I, for one, want more.
In MJ Rose's Reincarnationist series she introduces us to an unforgettable character named Jac L’Etoile, a woman from a long and illustrious line of French perfumers who has continually fought against her abilities to experience past life memories, her own as well as others, and who has spent her life trying to debunk the mysteries of the past in order to make sense of the mysteries surrounding her in the present. In The Collector of Dying Breaths, Jac will be forced to face her abilities head on and to trust in not only those abilities but in the people closest to her if she stands a change of finding some peace in a life that has been marred by tragedy.
When Jac’s life is turned upside down (once again) by the death of one of the people closest to her (no spoilers for those who know the series) she is thrust into contact with Melinoe Cypros, an eccentric and cunning heiress who wants Jac to decipher the work of the 16th century perfumer Rene le Florentin and use it to figure out the formula to reanimate a person’s dying breath. Taking on this project will also bring Jac’s one and only love, Griffin North, back into her life, a man she has loved not only in this life but in all others and whom she has caused the death of in each previous life. But agreeing to Melinoe’s terms brings Jac into the lair of a conniving, ruthless woman who will do anything to get what she wants. And what she wants might just cost Jac everything.
Weaved together with Jac’s story is that of Rene, the man who rose from nothing to become the perfumer to Catharine de Medici. This great honor comes with a heavy price, however, and Rene finds himself also creating poisons for his queen to use against her enemies and continuing his mentor’s work of discovering the secret to bringing back the dead. But their close and trusting bond is shattered when Rene falls in love with one of Catharine’s ladies in waiting and he discovers just how dangerous this Medici princess can be.
Reading a novel by MJ Rose is unlike anything else. The meticulous sensory descriptions work to transport the reader through time much as Jac experiences it and it is hard not to feel the joy, passion and pain of the characters. The depths of obsession experienced by both Catharine and Melinoe and the lengths they both will go to to get what they desire is quite frightening and adds a heavy dose of shock, terror and passion to the suspenseful plots. I have long hoped that Griffin and Jac would somehow come together and watching their connection unfold alongside Rene and his love pulls at the heartstrings. Combine all of this emotion with the detailed and immersive history and the reincarnation twist and what isn’t there to love?
My only complaint would be that the story ended too soon for me and, from the ending, I have a very sad feeling that this might conclude Jac’s story. I truly hope I am wrong because I, for one, want more.
truebookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
In The Collector of Dying Breaths, we are taken to 16th Century France where a monk believes he has created a formula to collect a person's dying breath and supplant that breath into a living body, reigniting that soul. And so, the author approaches reincarnation from a different angle and it's brilliant.
Jaq, our recurring heroine in the series, has experienced a great loss and so the concept of capturing someone's dying breath intrigues her, while she is wary at first. She encounters an heiress who has her own reasons for wanting to know the secret, but Jaq has an agenda of her own.
Intertwined with the modern day story, we have the apprentice of the now deceased monk working closely with Catherine de Medici herself, not only as a scent maker, but as a creator of the deadly poisons with which Catherine is known to have dispatched her enemies. As usual, the author seamlessly moves back and forth from one era to the other and instead of feeling like two separate stories, they play off and compliment each other. As the reader, we never feel like we're in one time or the other, but made a part of both times.
I always look forward to a new book in this series because each book can really be read as a stand alone. The reason for this is that the author always connects the present, continuing characters and their lives to a certain era in the past and it works beautifully. I look forward to where and when the author will take us to next.
Jaq, our recurring heroine in the series, has experienced a great loss and so the concept of capturing someone's dying breath intrigues her, while she is wary at first. She encounters an heiress who has her own reasons for wanting to know the secret, but Jaq has an agenda of her own.
Intertwined with the modern day story, we have the apprentice of the now deceased monk working closely with Catherine de Medici herself, not only as a scent maker, but as a creator of the deadly poisons with which Catherine is known to have dispatched her enemies. As usual, the author seamlessly moves back and forth from one era to the other and instead of feeling like two separate stories, they play off and compliment each other. As the reader, we never feel like we're in one time or the other, but made a part of both times.
I always look forward to a new book in this series because each book can really be read as a stand alone. The reason for this is that the author always connects the present, continuing characters and their lives to a certain era in the past and it works beautifully. I look forward to where and when the author will take us to next.
cakt1991's review against another edition
5.0
This was a book I picked up by chance, not realizing it was part of a series, and despite my typical fanatical need to read in order, I dove in. And it ended up being amazing, with just enough information about the backstories of the characters (some of whom appear in previous installments, based on the synopses) that the reader doesn’t get lost, and is able to focus on what’s going on in the present story.
This is a book that combines all the elements I love into one book: rich historical detail, paranormal elements, lost and rekindled love, and of course, suspense. And these elements come together to form a narrative with a powerful message regarding death and immortality.
Of the two narratives within the story, I found myself more absorbed into the historical one following Rene le Florentin and his work in Catherine ‘de Medici’s court. I had heard rumors about her practice of witchcraft and that she was a formidable woman, and while that is a facet of her character, I like that Rose does not villainize her, but chooses to write from the perspective of someone who was one of her closest confidantes for years.
The modern narrative was not lacking, however. I like how the arcs fit so seamlessly together, with both arcs beginning and ending with death, as a way to present the over-arching message of the story.
This is a book that combines all the elements I love into one book: rich historical detail, paranormal elements, lost and rekindled love, and of course, suspense. And these elements come together to form a narrative with a powerful message regarding death and immortality.
Of the two narratives within the story, I found myself more absorbed into the historical one following Rene le Florentin and his work in Catherine ‘de Medici’s court. I had heard rumors about her practice of witchcraft and that she was a formidable woman, and while that is a facet of her character, I like that Rose does not villainize her, but chooses to write from the perspective of someone who was one of her closest confidantes for years.
The modern narrative was not lacking, however. I like how the arcs fit so seamlessly together, with both arcs beginning and ending with death, as a way to present the over-arching message of the story.
literarymarvel's review against another edition
4.0
The Collector of Dying Breaths is a romantic and sensual novel that takes place in present day France and 1500's France during the reign of Catherine de Medici.
Shaken by the sudden and mysterious death of her beloved brother, Jac L'Etoile, a mythologist and talented perfumer is forced to reopen wounds from the past and present to discover the cause of his illness in addition to the meaning behind his last request for her. But she has a secret ability to relive moments from her past lives.
In 1533, Rene le Florentin is convicted of murdering his mentor and closest friend, a talented healer and alchemist who believed he could reanimate a person's dying breath so that they might be reborn. Rene takes up his mentor's work and follows Catherine de Medici to France, where he is made her official perfumer and his life is turned completely around.
M.J. Rose writes her novel with vibrancy and a provocative seduction that sucks you into the intertwined lives of Rene and Jac. Though not all together likeable characters, their pain is relatable and their stories engaging. She gives the reader not only a look into the beginnings of the perfume industry but also a slight feel for the turmoil occurring in France during Catherine's reign.
The plot tends to jump around and can feel a bit overwhelming at times. With many subjects and time periods covered, certain topics can be overlooked or not given enough attention.
Shaken by the sudden and mysterious death of her beloved brother, Jac L'Etoile, a mythologist and talented perfumer is forced to reopen wounds from the past and present to discover the cause of his illness in addition to the meaning behind his last request for her. But she has a secret ability to relive moments from her past lives.
In 1533, Rene le Florentin is convicted of murdering his mentor and closest friend, a talented healer and alchemist who believed he could reanimate a person's dying breath so that they might be reborn. Rene takes up his mentor's work and follows Catherine de Medici to France, where he is made her official perfumer and his life is turned completely around.
M.J. Rose writes her novel with vibrancy and a provocative seduction that sucks you into the intertwined lives of Rene and Jac. Though not all together likeable characters, their pain is relatable and their stories engaging. She gives the reader not only a look into the beginnings of the perfume industry but also a slight feel for the turmoil occurring in France during Catherine's reign.
The plot tends to jump around and can feel a bit overwhelming at times. With many subjects and time periods covered, certain topics can be overlooked or not given enough attention.