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thebookwormsfeast's review
5.0
Ah, Jacquelyn Benson has done it again!
The third instalment in The Charismatics series, this book is still absolutely chock-full of mystery and intrigue - taking place in December and feeling a little more cosy-ish than the previous two, it is certainly perfect for the time of year I've read it in. The book does start off rather slower - setting the scene for life after the events of book two - but this does change, ramping up rather quickly, and just doesn't let you go.
I love the development that characters have taken on - primarily Lily, who we follow through the thoughts and eyes of over the series. She really has come into her own, and I love how her life outside of the world of charismatics is also coming together. I also really liked that the world of charismatics, people with more unusual abilities such as talking with the dead, seeing the future, communicating with animals, is delved into in a bit wider - I would love to see more abilities introduced, as I am totally intrigued! Regarding Lily's ability, although she is gaining mastery over it - I love that nothing about it is clear-cut; it's not necessarily easier due to being able to utilise it more, and it feels like it's also pretty indiscriminate and isn't moulded to her wants to protect what she cares about.
The ending feels like it has paved the way for an amazing stage for the next entry in Lily's life - the stakes have certainly gone up, and I cannot wait!
I try to avoid spoilers, but this next bit could be seen as a bit spoilerish for the series as I chat a bit about characters - I don't say anything explicitly, but I know if I was reading this before reading the series, I'd then start forming all these theories about the whys
After the events of book two, I must admit I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one - World War I is breaking out, and the dynamic between the characters is totally different now. I usually lament this kind of change in a book all the way through, but Jacquelyn kept me enthralled in the story and it was only the first chapter or so really where it was playing on my mind. From then on, the missing characters are still brought up and feel very much present, even though they're not actually there, and this just really worked for me.
Thank you Jacquelyn for sending me a copy to review
The third instalment in The Charismatics series, this book is still absolutely chock-full of mystery and intrigue - taking place in December and feeling a little more cosy-ish than the previous two, it is certainly perfect for the time of year I've read it in. The book does start off rather slower - setting the scene for life after the events of book two - but this does change, ramping up rather quickly, and just doesn't let you go.
I love the development that characters have taken on - primarily Lily, who we follow through the thoughts and eyes of over the series. She really has come into her own, and I love how her life outside of the world of charismatics is also coming together. I also really liked that the world of charismatics, people with more unusual abilities such as talking with the dead, seeing the future, communicating with animals, is delved into in a bit wider - I would love to see more abilities introduced, as I am totally intrigued! Regarding Lily's ability, although she is gaining mastery over it - I love that nothing about it is clear-cut; it's not necessarily easier due to being able to utilise it more, and it feels like it's also pretty indiscriminate and isn't moulded to her wants to protect what she cares about.
The ending feels like it has paved the way for an amazing stage for the next entry in Lily's life - the stakes have certainly gone up, and I cannot wait!
I try to avoid spoilers, but this next bit could be seen as a bit spoilerish for the series as I chat a bit about characters - I don't say anything explicitly, but I know if I was reading this before reading the series, I'd then start forming all these theories about the whys
After the events of book two, I must admit I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one - World War I is breaking out, and the dynamic between the characters is totally different now. I usually lament this kind of change in a book all the way through, but Jacquelyn kept me enthralled in the story and it was only the first chapter or so really where it was playing on my mind. From then on, the missing characters are still brought up and feel very much present, even though they're not actually there, and this just really worked for me.
Thank you Jacquelyn for sending me a copy to review
laur_sc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
harleeliz's review
5.0
The third instalment of Jacquelyn Benson’s Charismatic Series, Bridge of Ash was everything it needed to be and more. It was truly stunning and a gem of an addition to the series. Once again the extensive research done by Benson is apparent in every description and historical reference and event. With the backdrop of WWI the book has a somber mood with the beauty of the English countryside portrayed in all its serene winter gloom. Lily our beautiful leading lady was no less her amazing self, using her abilities to unravel the mystery that weaves its self through this book, and her beau Strangford was no less the dashing supporting male lead. Detail and depth was put into Strangford and his family who were a main part of the book which was a heartwarming edition. We had the addition of a few new characters one being George; Lily’s half brother who I adored from the moment he stepped onto the page. This book was everything I needed it to be and more, and I loved it so much so that I finished it in one sitting, because I couldn’t put it down. With only one more book in the series to come I can’t wait to see what happens. Jacquelyn has never once let me down and I look forward to more from her. Until the new one I’ll just have to keep re-reading the first three and anything else Jacquelyn has written.
christina09's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute belter! This is an accomplished thriller and 300 pages absolutely flew by. Ms Benson has conjoured a plausible world of flawed talents struggling to do the right thing in the face of momentous events.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and am gutted that it's nearly a year to the fourth instalment.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and am gutted that it's nearly a year to the fourth instalment.
starryeyedreamer's review against another edition
5.0
The third book in Jacquelyn Benson's Charismatics series did not disappoint. It begins in December 1914. Lily, the central character, is only a week away from her wedding to Strangford, the man she loves. After the tumultuous events of the previous book, 'The Shadow of Water', Strangford is debarred from joining the butchery that has begun to take place on the battlefields of Europe due to his injuries. Moreover, she has a better grip on her mysterious gift than ever before. She should be in her happy place… but both the past and the future are shadowing it. Lily still misses her mentor, Robert Ash, and the war in Europe engenders a sense of frustrated powerlessness. She and her fellow charismatics all feel that somehow, with their unique abilities, they should be able to help.
When an opportunity arises, however, it does so in a way that none of them expect. When a serious crime occurs , Strangford is the chief suspect, and Lily believes that her gift may be partially responsible for the way events fell out. She must battle guilt, an annoyingly intelligent police officer, and the first Charismatic she has ever met who is not on the side of the angels, to clear Strangford's name and rescue her country from the possibly devastating consequences of treachery. On the upside, she finds a new ally in one of her half-brothers.
The surrounding historical background is not drawn in as much detail in this book as the first two in the series, possibly because very few people need the disastrous early days of the Great War explained to them, and possibly because there is not much room for it in and around the fast-paced action. However, Lily's internal life, and the tightrope she continues to walk socially due to her position as the illegitimate daughter of an actress and an aristocrat are as sensitively portrayed as ever. I was already in love with Benson's charismatic central characters, but fell further during the course of this book. I found the central whodunnit and the adventures of Lily and Strangford as they attempt to solve it so compelling that I could hardly put the book down. Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When an opportunity arises, however, it does so in a way that none of them expect. When a serious crime occurs , Strangford is the chief suspect, and Lily believes that her gift may be partially responsible for the way events fell out. She must battle guilt, an annoyingly intelligent police officer, and the first Charismatic she has ever met who is not on the side of the angels, to clear Strangford's name and rescue her country from the possibly devastating consequences of treachery. On the upside, she finds a new ally in one of her half-brothers.
The surrounding historical background is not drawn in as much detail in this book as the first two in the series, possibly because very few people need the disastrous early days of the Great War explained to them, and possibly because there is not much room for it in and around the fast-paced action. However, Lily's internal life, and the tightrope she continues to walk socially due to her position as the illegitimate daughter of an actress and an aristocrat are as sensitively portrayed as ever. I was already in love with Benson's charismatic central characters, but fell further during the course of this book. I found the central whodunnit and the adventures of Lily and Strangford as they attempt to solve it so compelling that I could hardly put the book down. Highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
tin86's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
uvglopanda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
cymbopogon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0