Reviews - As Crônicas das Sombras

This is my kind of magical realism!!!! Introduce the magical element and then build on that, all the while staying consistent. Loved the idea of ghosts wanting to burrow into us and Makepeace having the knowledge to ward it off. Loved the ancient family with their twisted secret, really creepy, and the descriptions involving them were properly horrifying. I loved the setting of the English civil war and how Hardinge actually used it to influence the plot, especially the ending. I loved all the characters, all their decisions made sense. The relationship between Makepeace and her mother was really interesting and had a great emotional pay off.

quietkat's review against another edition

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5.0

Fantastic blend of chilling paranormal, political intrigue and high stakes adventure. This well conceived and written story captured my interest and attention and kept me riveted from page one all the way to its gripping conclusion. It was refreshing to read such a well crafted tale with a lovely cast of strong women committed to their ideology and causes. Equally refreshing was the way Hardinge addressed the divergent viewpoints of the people on both sides of the political divide, with Makepeace questioning herself and her views and trying to do what she felt was ethical and right without harming others. Makepeace was a strong, smart, empathetic character that I truly admired. The way she interacted and bonded with the souls she welcomed into her head was really touching. I especially loved her bond with Bear and truthfully, I would have enjoyed seeing more of their interactions on page. Still, what we did get of Makepeace and Bear was beautiful and really moving.

Most of my GR friends know that I almost exclusively read books that feature LGBTQ+ characters in some way or another, so I want to mention that A Skinful of Shadows does not have any LGBTQ+ representation. That said, I highly recommend this fantastic story and will be reading more Hardinge myself.

4.5 stars

ilsesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

obr's review against another edition

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4.0

A gorgeously twisted dark young adult historial fantasy that's slow but oh-so worth it. You'll see the twists, or maybe red herrings, before they happen, but that tension of watching the characters put two and two together is the reason you keep reading. Inventive and slightly chilling, I was desperate to reach the ending... but also for it not to end.

Our story is set in a time of upheaval, when the King of England and Parliament are at odds with one another. Poor Makepeace, a young girl raised by a single mother in a Puritan enclave, has her own battles to fight. After her mother's untimely demise, Makepeace finds herself battling with spirits and is parcelled off to the family estate of her estranged (also deceased) father. The Fellmottes are a strange folk, their Lord especially so. She shares their blood as well as their family secret - the Fellmottes can house spirits of the dead. Bastard child she may be, but they have a use for her. As she starts to understand why her mother stole her away, she is caught up in ancient family politics as well as the ever growing tide of the Civil War.

The narrative stays very intimately personal despite it's sprawling world setting. Makepeace isn't an overly strong presence, but her journey and character growth are what make her interesting. She's pretty much a lone wolf. There's no romance (thank goodness) but a few friendships here and there. Side characters are bit-part players, but never feel undervalued in their small roles.

This is story driven more than character driven, and what a wonderfully gothic story it is. I couldn't help but draw comparisons between now and the historical setting; power structures shifting, everyone accusing each other of spreading falsehoods in order to win support (#FakeNews anyone?),political machinations combining with more personal ones. Add in the supernatural element that is truly quite spooky without falling too deep into outright horror territory and you get something as frightening as it is complex and compelling.

I won't lie; it did seem to drag a little. For a 400 page book, the font is miniscule so felt like it took a lot longer to read. It's definitely one for those who enjoy their languid reveals rather than face-paced action.

Slow but beautiful, I loved the interweaving of history and ghost story with a twist. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Francis Hardinge to a YA audience looking for a dark but clean magical realist style fantasy.

pippppp's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

bryonymarianne's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.0

ivana_kutakzaknjigu's review against another edition

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2.0

Great premise but it meandered and dragged on too much. Still, I'd like to read more from this author.

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