Reviews

Italian prisoners of war are being held on an Island off Orkney, inhabited by two sisters escaping the mainland after tragic events leaving one sister traumatized. The island is said

to be bad luck, with disappearances, people driven mad, and strange creatures drawing people to their deaths in the waters below. Despite how dark the story is against the backdrop of WW2, there’s an underlying message of hope!

I was pulled in right away by the prologue. Despite the long chapters, I devoured this book! I loved The Glass Woman and it’s safe to say Carolien Lea is now officially an auto buy author 💗

The novel is split into 5 parts spanning from January to September 1942. Sections within each chapter contain switching POVs focusing on Cesare, Dorothy, and Constance. Plus the occasional third person sections looking at the community as a whole. I loved getting glimpses at what was happening within the community as well as getting inside each character’s mind!

The characters are well written and developed. Lyrical writing as always from Lea-I have many pages marked with quotes that I loved 🥰 I also liked the mysterious/spooky vibe surrounding the setting and ghost stories weaved throughout the story. Just like The Glass Woman, Lea does an excellent job of writing a dark and complex story of a small community!

The plot twists were incredible!! My jaw was on the floor and I loved how well written and unexpected they were. I didn’t think I could love a book from Lea more than The Glass Woman but wow this story has me floored 😍

Content Warnings

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3.0

This book was a fine read. The ending leaves the door open, not sure what happens in the future but for the duration of this book, the main characters are childless/free. It's a trope to kill off childless/traumatised people and there is plenty of that in this book too. Hoping we can get more inspirational endings for us