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raechipreads's review
5.0
Hard to pick 4 or 5*. Some things I didn't like, but Wow! Loved it! Wanted to keep reading, and the writing was so good. Loved the dual timelines. I haven't felt so into a book in a long time.
keerbatchu's review against another edition
5.0
I got this through Amazon First Reads, and didn't expect much from it. I've never been happier to have my expectations subverted so pleasantly. Swan Light is a beautiful story interweaving the local politics of a small town in Newfoundland in 1913, and a marine archaelogist piecing the story in 2014. It's a really short read, but very well paced and fleshed out. The simultaneous story reveals in both centuries was done so well!! Phoebe Rowe writes so vividly and tenderly, pulling me into the water and thoroughly convincing me to invest myself in this story of love, hope, memory and endeavor.
I recommend this so highly - the perfect light and cozy escapism read with just the right amount of mystery, intrigue, adventure and romance.
I recommend this so highly - the perfect light and cozy escapism read with just the right amount of mystery, intrigue, adventure and romance.
dragonscribe's review
5.0
What an absolutely gorgeous novel. Beautiful storytelling, characters with souls, magnificent point-of-view changes that enrich everything you're trying to figure out, an ending that makes you cry in the most heartfelt way. I loved it.
olivia_godfrey's review
4.0
I absolutely loved the history and how the colliding storylines came together!!
There were a couple odd things in the writing, that certain things were disjointed, and I think I remember a few content warnings(scattered language? But also one non graphic insinuation of a couple. I can’t exactly remember what words on the language though. Oh but innuendos too…) that do make me less inclined to recommend. Probably won’t ever read it again but I still enjoyed it.
There were a couple odd things in the writing, that certain things were disjointed, and I think I remember a few content warnings(scattered language? But also one non graphic insinuation of a couple. I can’t exactly remember what words on the language though. Oh but innuendos too…) that do make me less inclined to recommend. Probably won’t ever read it again but I still enjoyed it.
authorlisaard's review
4.0
An enjoyable story written in dual timeline recounting the demise of a Newfoundland lighthouse and the diver who’s hired a century later to find it. Mystery and intrigue appear in both eras, and likable characters to follow. Beautiful description of life along the sea, the small Canadian town and harbor. Good pacing with the interwoven stories within the novel.
annie_p's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.75
astrostexpat's review
3.0
Starts slow, but eventually it gets interesting. it seems like the author did her research into underwater scavenging.
elleninkansas's review
4.0
This is a dual-timeline novel that weaves together two stories that take place on the Newfoundland coast - in 1913 and 2014. I got caught up in the mystery of the lighthouse and the town and people of Norman Cliffs. A thoroughly enjoyable read - and a debut novel to boot!
pynkbyrd's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a wonderful dual-timeline book! The author had such a way of describing things and people, it was easy to close my eyes and imagine certain scenes. If done right, it would make a fantastic movie. I just wanted to be left alone to read what was going to happen next and I was genuinely sorry when I read the very last sentence.
I was fascinated by the mystery of the lighthouse. I thought at first Mari was somehow secretly related to the families in the story, but then I figured it out, because of course someone had to be. Why would you be that invested in the lighthouse, the shipwreck, and the history, if you weren't? And it's perfectly fine when the reader figures it out; it spoils nothing and it makes the story more exciting, to see how long it will take for Mari to put all the pieces together.
There was never a point where I found myself skimming the book. None of the details were boring and never once did it feel like a history lecture.
This is one of my favorite books so far this year. I hope it catches on, because it deserves to be well-and widely-loved. Bravo on an excellent debut novel. I look forward to reading many more books by this author!
Thanks, Netgalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are mine and freely given. READ IT!
I was fascinated by the mystery of the lighthouse. I thought at first Mari was somehow secretly related to the families in the story, but then I figured it out, because of course someone had to be. Why would you be that invested in the lighthouse, the shipwreck, and the history, if you weren't? And it's perfectly fine when the reader figures it out; it spoils nothing and it makes the story more exciting, to see how long it will take for Mari to put all the pieces together.
There was never a point where I found myself skimming the book. None of the details were boring and never once did it feel like a history lecture.
This is one of my favorite books so far this year. I hope it catches on, because it deserves to be well-and widely-loved. Bravo on an excellent debut novel. I look forward to reading many more books by this author!
Thanks, Netgalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are mine and freely given. READ IT!
geeky_erin's review
4.0
Took a chance on this for my Amazon first reads choice and found it quite enjoyable. Recommended for those who like historical fiction (based on a true lighthouse), a little family drama, and a little mystery.