Rating: 2 Stars
Source: NetGalley
Description: Anna isn't happy as the poor relation living with her antique dealer Aunt Charlotte. She keeps herself happy by learning all there is to know about antiques. However when Red Stretton, the illegitimate son of Edward Crediton, shipping magnate and owner of Crediton Castle briefly enters her life she finds both joy and tragedy. She finds herself living in the Castle with her Aunt Charlotte's former nurse, Chantal, Redvers, and the legitimate son of the Credition fortune, Rex.
Why I Picked This Book: I had read some of Victoria Holt's book in high school and college but didn't really remember much about them other than they were fairly gothic-y. When I saw this on NetGalley I thought it'd be a fun read.
Genre: Romance
My Impression:
Pros: The actual premise is good and the atmosphere is interesting from the Queen's House, Crediton Castle, the ship and the island. Chantal is an interesting character despite the feeling that she's up to something. While she might not actually make the best decisions she at least makes decisions.
Cons: It's probably a bad sign when the notes I made for the first 1/3 of the book consisted of one word - "sssllllllooooooooowwwwww". While I liked Chantal I found Anna to not be particularly inspiring. It wasn't that I didn't like her - I actually did. It was more that she didn't do anything except worry and think and worry and think and swoon and then worry some more. There were some timeline inconsistencies too. At one point it sounds like events occurred in one order, then a story is told that has them in a different order and then later we're back to the first way. There's lots of foreboding and foreshadowing but not much after that.
Overall Impression: I didn't dislike this book but I didn't really love it either. In many ways I just never quite got interested in it. While I really wanted to like this book if I had to sum up my opinion in one word unfortunately that word would be "boring".
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: I'm not going to discount Holt altogether because I really did enjoy Chantal's part in the story and her ability to create exotic and dramatic settings is impressive but the premise would really have to interest me or it would have to be very highly recommended.
Would I Recommend this Book?: No
Like you, I read a fair bit of Holt in my middle and high-school years (though I'm guessing from your photo that those were a lot longer ago than yours were!) I don't think I read this one; the description doesn't ring a bell. I liked Holt's novels at the time, but unlike Mary Stewart's books, I haven't really been tempted to re-read them, partly for some of the issues you mention -- some were slow to get started, and I remember a few where the plot had inconsistencies or didn't make sense. Still, it might be fun to re-read one or two of the ones I liked best, if I can find them!
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer Mary Stewart though I haven't read her book in years. Definitely need to revisit her. This is definitely not one I'd recommend. It'd be interesting to read one you liked to see how it held up. With some of her characters and her ability with drawing interesting settings I saw potential but this definitely didn't follow through on it!
DeleteSame here; I binged on Holt in my teen years but haven't read her since. I think I may have missed this one as the blurb doesn't sound familiar. I've wondered how well they have held up. I'll pass on this one but I might pick up a different one from my library.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely like to see opinions on different books. She writes some great characters and I loved the settings but this one was just too long and not enough happened.
DeleteCompletely unrelated, but I just noticed the ad to my left for bronchial thermoplasty. I had that procedure two years ago next month and I am so glad I did. It's helped so much. It was worth every miserable minute. (It's a three part procedure and the first one had complications)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just throwing that out there. :D
I will have to remember that. I have asthma and right now it's under control but we all know that can change at any point. I'm glad the procedure really helped you!
DeleteAn uninspiring heroine and timeline issues have me backing away from this one.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention it's really long? I'd definitely give this one a pass.
DeleteI don't think I've ever read anything by this author. She wasn't part of my romance binge in high school. :-) It's too bad this one wasn't better.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a shame because I was in the mood for a good over the top gothic-y romance but this definitely wasn't it!
DeleteThis one sounds like one I'm going to pass. I haven't read this author before but I'm thinking this is one I shouldn't start with. Sorry you didn't enjoy it like you wanted to.
ReplyDelete-Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
It's always a bit annoying when that happens but I guess you have to read a bad book sometimes to appreciate the good ones. I'd definitely pass on this one!
DeleteOh dear, I've never read this author but downloaded one of her books from amazon when it was a kindle daily deal...
ReplyDeleteThere were some good elements so I think some of her books might be good. I do remember enjoying some when I read them ages ago. Hopefully you got a good one!
Delete