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sianw1992's review against another edition
2.0
I started reading The Shakespeare Curse several times before I actually managed to get in it enough to enjoy it and be hooked.
I'd say this is a story of two parts. The first is set at Dunsinnan, a castle in Scotland as actress Janet Douglas invites Kate to be involved in a special production of Macbeth. Events send Kate and other characters across London, through secret passageways and old museums.
As a lover of Shakespeare and of Scotland I was enthralled by the prospect of this book. But that was the problem. It never quite lived up to it's blurb.
I found many of the characters to be irritating, or unbelievable, while those I did like got killed off. In particular, Lily, the grand-daughter of the aforementioned actress. She acts so irresponsibly, and with little regard for anyone else by the end I just wanted to slap her.
The saving grace of this book is the Shakespeare, and Jennifer Lee Carrell's ability to write suspense and adventure. For those who are not familiar with Macbeth she explains the play simply, without 'dumbing down', for those who are familiar, they will love the quotations and gobbets. I also particularly liked the historical parts of the book, set in the 17th century.
I enjoyed the second part of the book more than the first, as I felt the pace speed up and things actually started moving. Stories of secret passageways, hidden rooms and long lost artifacts always excite me and this had plenty of them.
Overall, as a lover of Shakespeare, this will be enjoyed, but start with the first book, which I found much better.
I'd say this is a story of two parts. The first is set at Dunsinnan, a castle in Scotland as actress Janet Douglas invites Kate to be involved in a special production of Macbeth. Events send Kate and other characters across London, through secret passageways and old museums.
As a lover of Shakespeare and of Scotland I was enthralled by the prospect of this book. But that was the problem. It never quite lived up to it's blurb.
I found many of the characters to be irritating, or unbelievable, while those I did like got killed off. In particular, Lily, the grand-daughter of the aforementioned actress. She acts so irresponsibly, and with little regard for anyone else by the end I just wanted to slap her.
The saving grace of this book is the Shakespeare, and Jennifer Lee Carrell's ability to write suspense and adventure. For those who are not familiar with Macbeth she explains the play simply, without 'dumbing down', for those who are familiar, they will love the quotations and gobbets. I also particularly liked the historical parts of the book, set in the 17th century.
I enjoyed the second part of the book more than the first, as I felt the pace speed up and things actually started moving. Stories of secret passageways, hidden rooms and long lost artifacts always excite me and this had plenty of them.
Overall, as a lover of Shakespeare, this will be enjoyed, but start with the first book, which I found much better.
mrsruthiewebb's review
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This one centers around the Scottish Play, MacBeth -- engages with all it's history, flaws, and superstition. Mostly set in Scotland, in the fictional home of the original MacBeth, it weaves the legends surrounding the play with an exploration of witchcraft and religion.
I very much enjoyed the parts around the play, and the historical background. The historical characters range from Elizabeth Stewart, Countess of Arran, to John Dee, to William Shakespeare -- to Edwin Forrest and Catherine Sinclair Forrest, with a little Macready thrown in for riots. As well as Ellen Terry and Herbert Beerbohm Tree from the late nineteenth century.
However, the plot ... I like the character of Kate Stanley, but this one had her rushing around like a chicken with her head cut off for most of the book. And doing some frankly incredible things (I found her escape from an attacker in Her Majesty's Theater and later the British Museum frankly ridiculous). She came off through most of the book as if she were dealing with post-traumatic stress - which she was. But it all felt a little off ...
Also, how did Ben and the police arrive in time in the final climax? We know how some of the characters got there, but Lee pulls all the characters together in danger in one place ... and how the ones who weren't kidnapped got there remains unexplained.
So, a solid three stars. Some real enjoyment in the discussion of the play and it antecedents; some great characters, but overall it didn't totally hang together for me.
I very much enjoyed the parts around the play, and the historical background. The historical characters range from Elizabeth Stewart, Countess of Arran, to John Dee, to William Shakespeare -- to Edwin Forrest and Catherine Sinclair Forrest, with a little Macready thrown in for riots. As well as Ellen Terry and Herbert Beerbohm Tree from the late nineteenth century.
However, the plot ... I like the character of Kate Stanley, but this one had her rushing around like a chicken with her head cut off for most of the book. And doing some frankly incredible things (I found her escape from an attacker in Her Majesty's Theater and later the British Museum frankly ridiculous). She came off through most of the book as if she were dealing with post-traumatic stress - which she was. But it all felt a little off ...
Also, how did Ben and the police arrive in time in the final climax? We know how some of the characters got there, but Lee pulls all the characters together in danger in one place ... and how the ones who weren't kidnapped got there remains unexplained.
So, a solid three stars. Some real enjoyment in the discussion of the play and it antecedents; some great characters, but overall it didn't totally hang together for me.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
2.0
I quite enjoyed The Shakespeare Secret so was looking forward to a fun read from this book. Unfortunately, Carrell comes across as a bit patronising, explaining practically everything that her characters say in depth. This makes the book much longer than it needs to be. Also she would have us believe that everyone in Scotland is a practising Pagan. It all seems a bit unbelievable...
I did enjoy the last 60 or so pages, could have done with a ruthless edit to make it 3 stars.
I did enjoy the last 60 or so pages, could have done with a ruthless edit to make it 3 stars.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is loaded with action, as well as witches, curses, cauldrons, crazed killers, some 16th century history, and an exploration of the myths surrounding the play Macbeth. In other words, it’s a lot of fun.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/haunt-me-still/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/haunt-me-still/
tarencil's review against another edition
2.0
An exciting plot and some interesting theorizing on the history of Shakespeare's Macbeth, but way too many characters, many playing ill-defined roles.
wabeywoo's review against another edition
4.0
Thought this was far better than The Shakespeare Secret. As a Wiccan I also appreciated the note at the end that we do not condone ritual killing!!
heidenkind's review against another edition
3.0
It was pretty good--better than the first one--but way too long. And I'm so over the whole Ben thing.
natwrite's review
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookishblond's review against another edition
2.0
Horribly disappointing follow up to [b:Interred with Their Bones|4332646|Interred with Their Bones (Kate Stanley, #1)|Jennifer Lee Carrell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1393217466s/4332646.jpg|988029]. Carrell's second novel is much too long and failed to capture my imagination the way her previous book did with its plot twists and snippets of Shakespeare lore.