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everything i could hope for in historical fiction

Revisado: 09-18-24

Perfect narrator choice, she captured the essence of each character and her storytelling flowed and changed as the book developed in just the right way. After finishing this book I'm about to go buy everything else this author has written. Firstly her research is formidable, (as a historian I am in awe of the time she must have spent in the archives for this work.) Next, the seamless entertwining of historical events and real individuals into the fictional narrative is realistic and integral to the plot, rather than a few famous cameos for fun. The development of the main character is superb; the Sylvie we meet at the beginning of this book is truly a different woman by the story's end. Her synchronous personal evolution alongside the events of both Hatian and French revolutions is masterfully done. finally, readers interested in LGBTQ + fiction will enjoy the nuanced sexual and emotional relationships between same sex genders in the story. i cannot reccoment this book enough

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interesting history, dissapointing story

Revisado: 08-22-24

Overall I really disliked this book, but PROS first : impeccably well researched, historical events expertly interwoven into the plot. CONS : I found Augustus to be the only relatable character, the two Weepers, Charlotte and Little Miss are not developed enough and Charlotte's thoughts and decisions were for me often incomprehensible. The whole novel could have just been about Augustus and Little Miss, a quick chapter or two on Charlotte and Archie's affair would have been enough. Also, it does not span 3 generations, I was anticipating a child of Aug or Little Miss would pick up the narrative, maybe thats in the next book but I wont be reading it. Lastly, the narrator himself is good but I did not find his voice suited the story.

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main character is insufferable, slow plot

Revisado: 01-04-24

Two reasons: 1. awful protagonist, 2 incredibly slow plot where basically nothing happens.

.1 I'm on chapter 35 of the first book in the collection and will force myself to finish it before returning the set. The premise is decent but the main character is just so annoying I can't take her anymore. She has an obnoxious and sometimes mean sense of humor, and even though she constantly remarks that her jokes aren't landing, she acts like its because the other characters are beneath her. major superiority complex

2. its supposed to be about witches but there is barely any magic. the book drags; the 35 chapters I've gotten through so far could probably be condensed into 3, max 4.

there is no WAY im wasting 77 hours on this

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Didn't live up to expectations/disappointing

Revisado: 06-24-23

In theory this book checks all my boxes: historical fiction, world history, murder mystery, female sleuths, series format.
In reality it was dull from beginning to end.

The author set up a great scenario with a female lawyer in 1920's India as the protagonist against a backdrop of the nascent anticolonial movement, as well as the burgeoning drive for women's higher education and professional possibilities. With all this I was excited to start a new series and had high hopes, but I was so bored I'm actually relived that it's over and I can start something new

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murderer obvious immediately

Revisado: 12-14-22

ended a bit differently than expected I guess, but the murderer was obvious before the body was even found. usually sharp protagonist was dull witted and took an embarrassingly long time to figure anything out. I only kept listening in hopes of a twist.... it didn't come

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so glad I stuck with it

Revisado: 09-01-22

For the first 7 Chapters I was NOT convinced, so much so that I actually wrote a first review saying I'd give it one more hour before giving up on it. Now I'm really happy I did. I maintain my frustration with the first part of the book, the 2 main characters fall for guys way too fast, and it seems like the book might turn into some star crossed lover thing, but this is just set-up and the story gets significantly more interesting from there. Other readers have noted that the author gives almost these little history lessons within the book, but (as a historian) I personally found them fascinating. narrators were great

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great premise, fatuous main character

Revisado: 05-24-22

I completely agree with the below review. the author created an intriguing world that I was ready to delve into, but the leading lady was so frustratingly pathetic. She absolutely never rises to the role of coven leader, constantly agonizing over her responsibilities to her coven, and yet repeatedly making irresponsible and emotional choices that serve herself rather than upholding her obligations. She is selfish, immature, weak, frivolous, and at times frankly stupid. Furthermore her character never develops or matures over the 6+ years that the story covers (1913-1919). I grew so irritated with her that it was a chore to finish the book and the end was hardly worth my time.
I would consider trying another Brackston novel because of her creativity in developing the premise, but I absolutely cannot continue with this series.
The narrator did an excellent job.

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Narration ruins it - just buy your own copy

Revisado: 10-18-17

This is a book about the nuances and subtleties of the Chinese language, and yet the narrator cannot pronounce even the most basic Pinyin. There are entire chapters on pronunciation which this woman just butchers. I've tried to get past it but I'm just going to get a hard copy and read it on my own

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