filoschira's review against another edition
5.0
A very special story, written in the most complete style. Everything begins with a tale, and with tales is sprinkled the novel. Nice tales indeed, that illustrate and are a part of the mystery. Not too sentimental, the story takes place in places so well described you feel transported there.
The characters too are really well portrayed and you come to like some, dislike others, feel the distance they build.
The mystery is well kept, and although at some point you can imagine part of it, you need to unravel it entirely with the heroine and discover why.
And finally, something I love when I close a book, it makes you think.
About life in those days, family conections, sacrifice, resentment, about what you understand of this story.
The characters too are really well portrayed and you come to like some, dislike others, feel the distance they build.
The mystery is well kept, and although at some point you can imagine part of it, you need to unravel it entirely with the heroine and discover why.
And finally, something I love when I close a book, it makes you think.
About life in those days, family conections, sacrifice, resentment, about what you understand of this story.
isabe1le_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
casey887's review against another edition
1.0
As much as I tried I was unable to get into this story, I set it down and picked it back up more than 5 times I would say. I've heard good things but it just wasn't for me.
janicemon's review against another edition
5.0
Rich characters, rich setting and an intricately woven mystery that will keep you turning pages until the middle of the night.
madyjune's review against another edition
4.0
I was interested in this because I read that it was based on The Secret Garden. I was not disappointed with the novel even though I knew who Nell's mother was even before I reached the ending. I did have some issues with the dual timelines (or should I say triple timelines) at first because it was a bit distracting when I wanted to know more about Nell but I had to read about Eliza. And when I became interested in Eliza, I had to read about Cassandra.
I want to give this 4.5 stars but I can't choose half the star so I will settle with 4 stars. I'm planning to read more books written by this author.
I want to give this 4.5 stars but I can't choose half the star so I will settle with 4 stars. I'm planning to read more books written by this author.
eoneill's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Best book I’ve read in a while! Binge read it in a couple of days. Although long, it has a really good pace. I also loved the different chapters swapping character POV’s in different time periods. And it has a satisfying ending.
colleenbee's review against another edition
4.0
A really good story. I tend to enjoy books with a gothic feel and this one definitely fit the bill. It could have been five stars, but there were a few things about the way the mystery was unraveled that bothered me. I felt like the author gave too much away too early on so there was no real surprise at the end. I also felt like it was a bit too derivative of "The Thirteenth Tale." All in all, a well-written page turner, a fun read for sure.
jlmreader's review against another edition
4.0
A page turner that follows a family mystery and the attempts to uncover what really happened. I especially liked that Morton will give readers her puzzle-solvers' completely logical deductions, but then show how the actual events unfolded in a different way.
lusimusi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nadibooks93's review against another edition
3.0
If I have to sum up how I felt reading the book in one word, it's tedious. Tedious because by chapter 14, I had already figured out the secret and that didn't bode well for me because it is such a long book. It didn't take much to figure out the secret, really. The only reason it's getting a very weak three star is because the author writes beautifully and the fairy-tales would have been a five star on their own. The way the story was done, though, left much to be desired.
Here is a particular quote that I found memorable from this book:
“Memory is a cruel mistress with whom we all must learn to dance.”
Spoiler
Chapter 14 began with Eliza's childhood. We'd already been reading about the lives of Nell and Cassandra and their inner thoughts. How did we end up reading about Eliza's too? Why didn't the author start with Rose, who is supposedly Nell's mother? I caught on the fact that the author let slip that Eliza is more important than Rose.Here is a particular quote that I found memorable from this book:
“Memory is a cruel mistress with whom we all must learn to dance.”