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novellenovels's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
zara_broadfield's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mirane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
daniii66's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
elizabethreads98's review against another edition
4.0
I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The main heroine is a classic weak, ignorant, silly girl yet the character growth is so amazingly subtle and well done. The mix of mystery, friendship, historical aspects, and romance blended beautifully and created a story that totally immersed me without even being aware of it.
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
5.0
Title: The Rose of Sebastopol
Author: Katharine McMahon
Genre: Historical Fiction
Love/Hate?: Love, ohmygod, love.
Rating: 5/5
Did you finish?: Yes. I couldn't stop reading!
One-sentence summary: Proper English woman, Mariella, goes to Crimea in search of her missing cousin Rosa.
Why did you get this book?: Frankly, because it was available in e-book form from the library at a moment when I was between books.
Do you like the cover?: Yes, the cover just grabs me.
First line from book: We arrived in Narni late on a Sunday evening.
Review: This is going to be another breathless, sputtering review as I literally finished this book minutes ago. I'm teary, all caught up in the emotion of the story and my love for the characters, which is the sign of a fantastic book.
I knew absolutely nothing about this book when I got it which meant I had no idea even of the plot, so it was a real delight to try to guess where the story was going. McMahon is a talented writer: she conveys the sense of the Crimean War without bogging the reader down in too much exposition or narrative about the war, and I found all the characters gripping. Her technique of flashing between the present to Mariella and Rosa's childhood years was lovely -- I found myself as in love with Mariella and Rosa as they were with each other.
The ending of the book was pitch perfect, even though I would have loved an Epilogue that neatly wrapped up the story for the characters (especially Mariella and Max). This is the kind of historical novel I adore and I can't rave about it enough.
Tropes?: Beautiful reckless girl that everyone is obsessed with, scoundrel soldiers
Author: Katharine McMahon
Genre: Historical Fiction
Love/Hate?: Love, ohmygod, love.
Rating: 5/5
Did you finish?: Yes. I couldn't stop reading!
One-sentence summary: Proper English woman, Mariella, goes to Crimea in search of her missing cousin Rosa.
Why did you get this book?: Frankly, because it was available in e-book form from the library at a moment when I was between books.
Do you like the cover?: Yes, the cover just grabs me.
First line from book: We arrived in Narni late on a Sunday evening.
Review: This is going to be another breathless, sputtering review as I literally finished this book minutes ago. I'm teary, all caught up in the emotion of the story and my love for the characters, which is the sign of a fantastic book.
I knew absolutely nothing about this book when I got it which meant I had no idea even of the plot, so it was a real delight to try to guess where the story was going. McMahon is a talented writer: she conveys the sense of the Crimean War without bogging the reader down in too much exposition or narrative about the war, and I found all the characters gripping. Her technique of flashing between the present to Mariella and Rosa's childhood years was lovely -- I found myself as in love with Mariella and Rosa as they were with each other.
The ending of the book was pitch perfect, even though I would have loved an Epilogue that neatly wrapped up the story for the characters (especially Mariella and Max). This is the kind of historical novel I adore and I can't rave about it enough.
Tropes?: Beautiful reckless girl that everyone is obsessed with, scoundrel soldiers
lushbug's review against another edition
4.0
The story follows the footsteps of a prim victorian lady called Mariella Lingwood, who goes in search of her cousin Rosa who has disappeared into thin air after going to the front line of the Crimean war as a nurse. Through the course of the novel Mariella matures, develops an independent streak and finds herself on the front line of the war trying to solve the mystery of her beloved cousins strange disappearance.There's something about the the story that reminds me of Sense and Sensibility, perhaps its the underlying message that seems to say patience and reserve can be a virtue.
Unlike a lot of other reviewers I personally liked the characer of Mariella and respected that the author decided to tell the story from Mariellas point of view when the beautiful, spirited, headstrong Rosa would have been a much easier character to connect with. It is impossible not love Rosa who wants to right the wrongs of the world, believes she can make a difference and be useful, but quickly realises the futility of her presence on the battlefield amidst such destruction.
The novel touches on lots of different subjects including unrequited love, the futility of war, nursing and medicine in the 19th century.
I've read it twice now and every time I love it slightly more...plus i can't resist the dashing cad cousin Max.
Unlike a lot of other reviewers I personally liked the characer of Mariella and respected that the author decided to tell the story from Mariellas point of view when the beautiful, spirited, headstrong Rosa would have been a much easier character to connect with. It is impossible not love Rosa who wants to right the wrongs of the world, believes she can make a difference and be useful, but quickly realises the futility of her presence on the battlefield amidst such destruction.
The novel touches on lots of different subjects including unrequited love, the futility of war, nursing and medicine in the 19th century.
I've read it twice now and every time I love it slightly more...plus i can't resist the dashing cad cousin Max.
writer09's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
zoerobertson4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lgallo's review against another edition
4.0
This book really deserves a five, but I'm so disappointed with the ending that I feel I have to bump it down.