Scan barcode
texreader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Two young English women embark on an adventure to New Zealand in the late 19th century to marry unknown men. Both surprised by their partners, who turn out to be bitter enemies. Yet the women find a way to stay in touch and we follow their lives, that of their children, as well as orphan girls sent on the same boat to work in this strange place on the edge of the world, with the ever mysterious Māori playing an important part of the plot. Excellent first book in a trilogy.
nana05's review against another edition
Ca m'a mis mal a l'aise, trop de scenes sexuelles non consenti
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Rape
ifyouhappentoremember's review
3.0
The best way I can describe this book is to call it a soap opera. It's entertaining don't get me wrong but things get ridiculous very quickly. I think it's safe to say I won't be continuing with the rest of the series despite my enjoyment of this book. There's only so much melodrama I can take.
becca3571's review against another edition
Good writing. Just really quite boring to me
guadaeb4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
strawfly14's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5. Maravillosa historia familiar combinado con tintes históricos de Nueva Zelanda de la que he disfrutado muchísimo. Personajes muy logrados, protagonistas muy diferentes entre sí, prácticamente realismo en todo momento. Interesante aventura que continuaré.
camillelalectrice's review against another edition
Charscters felt very stereotypical. I had no interest in what was to come. Writing style was nothing exciting, unfortunately
mugglemom's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great family saga but I think a monstrous disservice was done to the author by the English translators. A lot of the historical nuances were probably chucked in the bin. Once I realized that 1800’s New Zealanders would never use the slang or idioms that the book introduced, I was able to just fall for the story. [“doing it” is one glaringly horrible phrase that I'm definitely sure wasn't in existence in the 1800's for describing sex…but was really in this book?!! Or when a characters retort was “Screw you”…what horseshite.]
What wasn't lost in translation was, thankfully, the ability to tell a good story and that I found worthy of continuing the book.
What wasn't lost in translation was, thankfully, the ability to tell a good story and that I found worthy of continuing the book.
pebbles1984's review against another edition
3.0
My favourite genre (historical fiction) combined with my favourite country (New Zealand). What could be better? Well, quite some things, as it turns out.
The book had a slow start for me, I thought the writing was a bit mediocre and the story didn't attract me so much. Luckily, after a few chapters, I got used to the writing, the story moved from England to New Zealand which made it more interesting, and I accepted the fact that instead of a beautiful historically rich family saga I would have to settle for a lighter and more romantic read.
I feel mixed about the story itself. There were a few parts that were interesting and kept me reading because I was curious about what would happen next, a lot of parts that were just okay and I neither loved nor hated, and a few parts that just dragged on. It felt like quite a long read (I know it has over 700 pages, but still!). What I missed mostly was history. Yes, it's set in the last half of the 19th century, and yes, that becomes clear from the descriptions of people, homes and travel. I like to learn from my historical fiction books, and I feel this was quite a shallow account of colonial New Zealand life. Nothing I couldn't have found out for myself in a matter of seconds, or I didn't know already. Also, there are several serious topics in the book, but it remains a light read. I prefer to experience more emotions when such topics are covered, but the author wasn't able to evoke those in me. There were several characters I really liked, a few I hated. Also, all the scenes with . There were some strange leaps in time as well, with glossing over or not even writing about very important events, or 5 years covered in two pages.
I did really enjoy the descriptions of the New Zealand landscape, and I liked reading about places I visited, like Christchurch an Queenstown, when they were just tiny developing settlements.
I bought all three books on a Kindle deal, so I'll read the other two as well. At least now I know what to expect and I can read them when I'm in the right mood and adjust my expectations accordingly.
The book had a slow start for me, I thought the writing was a bit mediocre and the story didn't attract me so much. Luckily, after a few chapters, I got used to the writing, the story moved from England to New Zealand which made it more interesting, and I accepted the fact that instead of a beautiful historically rich family saga I would have to settle for a lighter and more romantic read.
I feel mixed about the story itself. There were a few parts that were interesting and kept me reading because I was curious about what would happen next, a lot of parts that were just okay and I neither loved nor hated, and a few parts that just dragged on. It felt like quite a long read (I know it has over 700 pages, but still!). What I missed mostly was history. Yes, it's set in the last half of the 19th century, and yes, that becomes clear from the descriptions of people, homes and travel. I like to learn from my historical fiction books, and I feel this was quite a shallow account of colonial New Zealand life. Nothing I couldn't have found out for myself in a matter of seconds, or I didn't know already. Also, there are several serious topics in the book
Spoiler
(rape, emotional abuse, physical abuse, orphans, murder, suppression of Maori people),Spoiler
Gwyneira and James made me feel like the cover of the book should be one of those Harlequin-ones with a muscular rough-looking half dressed man holding a young woman who adoringly gazes up to him in his armsI did really enjoy the descriptions of the New Zealand landscape, and I liked reading about places I visited, like Christchurch an Queenstown, when they were just tiny developing settlements.
I bought all three books on a Kindle deal, so I'll read the other two as well. At least now I know what to expect and I can read them when I'm in the right mood and adjust my expectations accordingly.