gigglesbanana's review against another edition
2.0
If I could, I would give this book 2.5 stars. I liked the first half: love, gossip, and dark secluded corners. The second half completely through me for a loop -- I was not expecting that twist! Nor did I enjoy it! The book doesn't end happily, which left me quite sad. One reason I kept reading it was because I liked the imperfections of the characters, that they made bad choices along with good choices. So I wanted it to end with a happily ever after...
jennfgarcia's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it... read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. It was intriguing and a true love story that in fact did not end how I expected, but ended well all the same.
The journey was of many different emotions and I honestly did not want it to end.
The journey was of many different emotions and I honestly did not want it to end.
reader_3954's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sammy234's review against another edition
5.0
I'm somewhat resentfully giving this book five stars. I don't like the way any of it ended, I'm incredibly sad, and I feel so misled because the summary leads you to believe this will be some sort of sweeping love story (it's not, it's a tragedy in the same way Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy), but despite all that.... it was brilliant. It deserves the highest rating I can give it.
I was skeptical when I saw this book being compared to Gone with the Wind, but after finishing TAGD I completely understand why it reminds people of that classic. I'm going to read the sequel soon, but I need to take a break and read something light and happy before I immerse myself back in this world. I never thought I'd find a novel more depressing than A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, but I was very wrong.
TW: attempted assault, suicide, child abuse, racism
I was skeptical when I saw this book being compared to Gone with the Wind, but after finishing TAGD I completely understand why it reminds people of that classic. I'm going to read the sequel soon, but I need to take a break and read something light and happy before I immerse myself back in this world. I never thought I'd find a novel more depressing than A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, but I was very wrong.
TW: attempted assault, suicide, child abuse, racism
docmarvelous's review against another edition
4.0
A darker look at the Tudor Queen type genre. It's fun, and the characters are interesting if dark.
chandramukhi's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bookshy's review against another edition
3.0
This book needed some serious editing. A good little novel, but there wasn't anything little about it. I was interested in the fate of the characters so I stuck it out to the end to see what their fates were.
Side note, if you are peeved out by a 15 year old and 45 year olds love scenes as I was, this may not be the book for you.
Side note, if you are peeved out by a 15 year old and 45 year olds love scenes as I was, this may not be the book for you.
faerieminstrel's review against another edition
2.0
This book is almost too long, mired in too many corrupt characters, mostly self-serving, and all subject to impending doom and despair and loss. The story itself is compelling enough, and the historical detail interesting, but I still almost regret having spent the time finishing it. If only I had found one of the characters sympathetic enough to care about, I might have a better taste in my mouth. Sadly, they were all fools, selfish even in selflessness. Beware if you pick up this book. You'll probably want to know what happens next, and it will probably irritate you endlessly.
jepha's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a bit longer than the books I generally read but I've been trying to challenge myself this year.
I feel like this story had a lot of extraneous details and yet skipped over things I really wanted to hear more about. There is a massively long build up to the scandal, then suddenly poof it's 4 years later and all the excitement has been passed by.
Overall an enjoyable story, the elegance of historical fiction with the scandal and drama to keep the reader hooked.
I feel like this story had a lot of extraneous details and yet skipped over things I really wanted to hear more about. There is a massively long build up to the scandal, then suddenly poof it's 4 years later and all the excitement has been passed by.
Overall an enjoyable story, the elegance of historical fiction with the scandal and drama to keep the reader hooked.
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
1.0
I thought I was getting some snarky arranged marriage fic but instead it was just a slog. I thought I could handle the age difference but it just turned out to be squicky. I didn't really care for any of the characters except for the hilarious grandmother and could have done without many of the side plots, love triangles, and super creepy sex scenes. The historical bits were more interesting but it was just sooo long with so much negative stuff that I was just skimming by the end. A huge disappointment.