stitchesmcgoo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hellishnell's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sylveondreams's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rowena0528's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moody, romantic, and supernatural, Leanna Heiber weaves a wonderful romance that takes place in 1800s London while our core group of protagonists deals with the supernatural occurrences going on around them.
Many critics compare this book to Wuthering Heights because of the period romance and moody background. But the romance and setting in this is worlds better!! The romantic tension between the main protagonists in this book is hot without being explicit and keeps the tension without falling into a "will they/won't they trap". The relationships between the other characters is also compelling.
Highly recommend!
Many critics compare this book to Wuthering Heights because of the period romance and moody background. But the romance and setting in this is worlds better!! The romantic tension between the main protagonists in this book is hot without being explicit and keeps the tension without falling into a "will they/won't they trap". The relationships between the other characters is also compelling.
Highly recommend!
ashhh204's review against another edition
The concept was just not something I'm interested in. The ghosts love story and such is a little much.
eleanorgking's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fealomeril's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
thegothiclibrary's review
5.0
I was lucky enough to be given advanced page proofs of this book to review. I had never read the original editions of the Strangely Beautiful books, so this was my first exposure to the series. I absolutely loved it, and Strangely Beautiful has officially become my favorite book by Leanna!
Be sure to check out my blog, TheGothicLibrary.com, for my full review of the book and a guest post by Leanna herself about Percy and the concept of feminine strength (coming April 25)!
The new edition of Strangely Beautiful contains updated and edited versions of her first two novels, plus some bonus material at the end.The first part, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, introduces us to the protagonist of the story and the fascinating world she inhabits. Set in Victorian London, the story begins with a prologue in which five strangers discover that they have become hosts to the spirits of a supernatural group called the Guard whose presence give them powers over the dead and the responsibility of maintaining order amongst the paranormal elements of British society. Two decades later, young Percy Parker arrives at Athens Academy, a boarding school that doubles as headquarters for the Guard. Percy is an orphan, raised in a convent, whose natural timidity is exacerbated by the self-consciousness resulting from the others' reactions to her unusually pale skin, hair, and eyes--not to mention her unusual abilities to see visions and commune with ghosts. But as she spends more time at Athens Academy, Percy's feelings for her professor and Guard leader Alexi Rychman propel her to act in bold ways she never would have imagined being capable of. And even as her romantic feelings develop, something else is growing inside Percy--something powerful, supernatural, and intimately related to the mysterious work of the Guard. But will the Guard recognize her as one of their own before it's too late?
The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker picks up on a joyful note after the intense climax of the first book. But as the title suggests, things quickly turn dark. Ominous visions and messages from spirits warn Percy that her destiny will involve returning to the otherworldly home of her namesake goddess. Percy will have to confront Darkness himself before he has the opportunity to unleash the dangerous spirits of the whisper world into the human realm.
The school grounds become a battle ground as the forces of good and evil collide in an epic fight. Percy and her friends must pool their strength as they confront both loss and love.
For my full review, check out TheGothicLibrary.com after April 18.
Be sure to check out my blog, TheGothicLibrary.com, for my full review of the book and a guest post by Leanna herself about Percy and the concept of feminine strength (coming April 25)!
The new edition of Strangely Beautiful contains updated and edited versions of her first two novels, plus some bonus material at the end.The first part, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, introduces us to the protagonist of the story and the fascinating world she inhabits. Set in Victorian London, the story begins with a prologue in which five strangers discover that they have become hosts to the spirits of a supernatural group called the Guard whose presence give them powers over the dead and the responsibility of maintaining order amongst the paranormal elements of British society. Two decades later, young Percy Parker arrives at Athens Academy, a boarding school that doubles as headquarters for the Guard. Percy is an orphan, raised in a convent, whose natural timidity is exacerbated by the self-consciousness resulting from the others' reactions to her unusually pale skin, hair, and eyes--not to mention her unusual abilities to see visions and commune with ghosts. But as she spends more time at Athens Academy, Percy's feelings for her professor and Guard leader Alexi Rychman propel her to act in bold ways she never would have imagined being capable of. And even as her romantic feelings develop, something else is growing inside Percy--something powerful, supernatural, and intimately related to the mysterious work of the Guard. But will the Guard recognize her as one of their own before it's too late?
The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker picks up on a joyful note after the intense climax of the first book. But as the title suggests, things quickly turn dark. Ominous visions and messages from spirits warn Percy that her destiny will involve returning to the otherworldly home of her namesake goddess. Percy will have to confront Darkness himself before he has the opportunity to unleash the dangerous spirits of the whisper world into the human realm.
The school grounds become a battle ground as the forces of good and evil collide in an epic fight. Percy and her friends must pool their strength as they confront both loss and love.
For my full review, check out TheGothicLibrary.com after April 18.
aisyhreadly's review against another edition
2.0
Dnf at 120 bacause I cant stand that Percy Parker. Might be picking it up later for the other plot of it.
aydotjaydot's review
2.0
This was very much not a book for me. I really lack the genre context to judge this as a modern piece of writing. I'm glad I read it and finished it, but I don't see myself reading more by the author or in the genre.