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nikkicthebookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, War, and Classism
book_reader_lover's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Ashlyn can feel the Echo of Old Books when she holds them. It's a gift she discovered at age 12. She owns the bookstore An Unlikely Story. One day she gets a call from her friend, Kevin, who has just gotten a box of books in. Ashlyn picks one of the books up and gets nothing, until she opens the book. There's no author, copyright, or publisher in the book. She's never heard of the book, but something draws her to it. Soon, another book appears with the same thing just a different title. Ashlyn is soon on the hunt to figure out who wrote them and what happened in their lives.
Part mystery, part love story, but a whole lot of descriptive beautiful writing. There are flawed characters with great character development. I have never read Barbara Davis before, but know I want to read all her books, especially if they are all beautiful and well written, as The Echo of Old Books is. I highly recommend this book!
😊 Happy Reading 😊
#carlislepubliclibrary #lonokecountylibrarysystem #barbaradavis #theechoofoldbooks #readaway2024
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and War
whiskeywoman79's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
⭐⭐.5 /5
TW: Suicide, death after childbirth, toxic family relationships, WW2 racial divide, cheating
I wanted to love this book. I loved the concept. The dual timeline was okay. A bit annoying but I thought the idea that books could hold a magical energy would make up for that. It didn't.
I wanted to pull for at least one of the characters but I am not sure I liked any of them. Except for Ethan, I guess I did like him. I felt like Ashlyn's (current-day FMC) character is intrusive and overwhelming. Her so-called gift to feel the echoes in books was never explored beyond the first few chapters, although it was once mentioned later in the story when giving an explanation. Belle and Hemi (past timeline MMC and FMC) were both genuinely awful. One had no issue cheating and the other had ulterior motives.
I get Ashlyn's curiosity and the want to research but as the reader, I just keep going back to the thought "Finish reading the books FIRST!" I had visceral feelings about the fact that she was asking questions of people whose lives and history could have been affected by the story without knowing what the story was, or at the very least knowing the information available at her fingertips first.
For it being over 400 pages I feel underwhelmed and the ending left much to be desired.
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and War
tiiiger35's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abandonment, and War
britwalsh16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ashlyn & Ethan are such a sweet couple that were brought together by the books, & because of the books, they were able to finally heal old wounds & move on with their lives together. & I just love that!
And Belle & Hemi’s love story, is heartbreaking, how so many things just tore them apart, leading to them writing the books, but in the end, years later, they are brought back together & finally get the happily ever after we all wanted for them since the beginning.
Just a very sweet read, & though not a book I would have normally picked up, I am really glad I did.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, War, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Self harm, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
gimmebacon's review against another edition
4.5
Minor: Suicide, Antisemitism, and Religious bigotry