sreddous's review
5.0
Oh, this checks SO MANY BOXES for me.
This book does a great!!!!!job connecting and building up all the many timelines which is NOT easy to do. I was never confused by any character's role in any timeline even if their roles or the reasons things happened to them were revealed a bit later, and even all of the "Different Eliases" were distinct enough that I was able to get invested in their different lives. I love this gentle, romantic writing style. The descriptions of Greece are magnificent -- all that wonderful food and architecture and weather and friendly people, it made my heart just swell.
Without too much spoiling, the romances are sweet and elegant too. I'm such a freakin' sucker for romances that are built on communication, and I think Helen's motivations and the way she approaches things make sense.
The pacing is sometimes a bit slow, but even then the stakes are still simmering and feel high all the time because you're just WAITING for these timelines to connect. And even then, I think there's just enough action in some of the past timelines that it's not like that waiting outright lags. I think it's slow when it needs to be to get us emotionally invested in the characters' decisions and thoughts, and then sometimes more action packed and fast to remind us that in all the timelines there are life-and-death stakes involved.
Another thing that can be hard to do sometimes: writing in a child's voice. I personally don't love when authors use baby-speak to make a child character reeeally sound childish. But Alexander's voice is done well here.
Yeah, overall, this is one of my new top favorites. Totally got lost in this.
This book does a great!!!!!job connecting and building up all the many timelines which is NOT easy to do. I was never confused by any character's role in any timeline even if their roles or the reasons things happened to them were revealed a bit later, and even all of the "Different Eliases" were distinct enough that I was able to get invested in their different lives. I love this gentle, romantic writing style. The descriptions of Greece are magnificent -- all that wonderful food and architecture and weather and friendly people, it made my heart just swell.
Without too much spoiling, the romances are sweet and elegant too. I'm such a freakin' sucker for romances that are built on communication, and I think Helen's motivations and the way she approaches things make sense.
The pacing is sometimes a bit slow, but even then the stakes are still simmering and feel high all the time because you're just WAITING for these timelines to connect. And even then, I think there's just enough action in some of the past timelines that it's not like that waiting outright lags. I think it's slow when it needs to be to get us emotionally invested in the characters' decisions and thoughts, and then sometimes more action packed and fast to remind us that in all the timelines there are life-and-death stakes involved.
Another thing that can be hard to do sometimes: writing in a child's voice. I personally don't love when authors use baby-speak to make a child character reeeally sound childish. But Alexander's voice is done well here.
Yeah, overall, this is one of my new top favorites. Totally got lost in this.
katejeminhizer's review
4.0
WOW! This sophomore book by author Melodie Winawer is soooo different from her debut novel. The reader is introduced to two very different characters in this book, Helen and Elias. Their meeting is inadvertently instigated by Helen's son, Alexander. Winawer presents her extensive knowledge in the medical field through her character Helen's career as a research scientist for Huntington's disease. Through Elias the reader is provided glimpses of the history of the Greek ruins of Mystras. The contemporary viewpoint combined with the historical throwbacks all interwoven with the subplot of the Lusignan family exemplify how much of an extraordinary undertaking this book was. Readers of Christina Baker Kline's The Exiles will find this book very similar in both style and scope.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
gallexi's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of my favorite books! Similar vibes to The DaVinci Code, in that it spins a mystery rooted in real history.
nicoleleilani's review
2.0
*I won this from a Goodreads giveaway
First, this book is LONG. I'm not a fan of overly long books. I honestly think most long fiction books can be 25% shorter.
Second, a lot is going on in this book. I mean, it is a long book, so maybe that's obvious.
Third, I just wasn't interested in the content. But I am a mood reader, so maybe I wasn't in the mood for a long historical family drama.
First, this book is LONG. I'm not a fan of overly long books. I honestly think most long fiction books can be 25% shorter.
Second, a lot is going on in this book. I mean, it is a long book, so maybe that's obvious.
Third, I just wasn't interested in the content. But I am a mood reader, so maybe I wasn't in the mood for a long historical family drama.
bethvalencia_'s review
4.0
Thanks to the publisher and author for the goodreads giveaway!
What an interesting story that spans centuries. Throughout the book I was amazed at the authors ability to captivate me, have me emotionally invested on the characters and seamlessly switch between present day and hundreds of years ago without losing my focus. I was, in fact, so emotionally invested that the end of the story felt like a let down and is the sole reason for my 4-star rating instead of 5. I just wasn’t ready for the story to be over. I was left wanting to know more, wanting to stay with the characters a little longer and find out how things progressed.
What an interesting story that spans centuries. Throughout the book I was amazed at the authors ability to captivate me, have me emotionally invested on the characters and seamlessly switch between present day and hundreds of years ago without losing my focus. I was, in fact, so emotionally invested that the end of the story felt like a let down and is the sole reason for my 4-star rating instead of 5. I just wasn’t ready for the story to be over. I was left wanting to know more, wanting to stay with the characters a little longer and find out how things progressed.
kimmar1's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book with its interesting plot. Anything set in Greece and with historical detail grabs my attention. I feel the author could have made more of the romance between Elias and Helen - it had promise but went nowhere. Other than this, I enjoyed the alternating points of view, the different historical times, and the overarching story (particularly the struggle for Greek independence over the centuries).
pheromonecvltx's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
megaroo42's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thenookaroundthecorner's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0