Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
Helpful Score: 1
I have personally read many of Maureen Lang's other books. This one was a departure from her normal writing style of war era stories, which I was really looking forward to. I enjoy war stories but only to a certain degree. This time period is much more my type of thing. So I started in on Bees in the Butterfly Garden with high expectations. I ended it with mixed feelings.
The plot sounded very interesting and the characters were likeable. But I just couldn't get into the book. For some reason it starts off slowly and I felt like I had to push myself to get into it. You do have a little bit of a mystery with the beginning and this young girl trying to escape from who knows what, but then it turns to 4 years later and like really slows down. I think this book could have been half the length it was and probably been more interesting. Not that the book was dry, but it was slow.
After you get about half way through it gets a bit more exciting. I had a hard time reading about a girl who basically becomes a thief because her father was but I understood why Meg did it. Talk about funny with how she goes from being an upstanding, mannerly young lady of society to a ruffian thief! Pretty interesting at this point. Ian was such a likeable guy. I was ready to slap Eva the first time I met her, though it got a little bit better.
So, if you are looking for a slow read, this is one to pick up. And believe me, it is interesting. I know some readers enjoy the slower read where they don't have to figure out who did it and what is coming next, but it just wasn't for me. Good story and plot though.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blogger Program. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
The plot sounded very interesting and the characters were likeable. But I just couldn't get into the book. For some reason it starts off slowly and I felt like I had to push myself to get into it. You do have a little bit of a mystery with the beginning and this young girl trying to escape from who knows what, but then it turns to 4 years later and like really slows down. I think this book could have been half the length it was and probably been more interesting. Not that the book was dry, but it was slow.
After you get about half way through it gets a bit more exciting. I had a hard time reading about a girl who basically becomes a thief because her father was but I understood why Meg did it. Talk about funny with how she goes from being an upstanding, mannerly young lady of society to a ruffian thief! Pretty interesting at this point. Ian was such a likeable guy. I was ready to slap Eva the first time I met her, though it got a little bit better.
So, if you are looking for a slow read, this is one to pick up. And believe me, it is interesting. I know some readers enjoy the slower read where they don't have to figure out who did it and what is coming next, but it just wasn't for me. Good story and plot though.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blogger Program. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Virginia P. (virginiajeanne) reviewed Bees in the Butterfly Garden (Gilded Legacy, Bk 1) on + 207 more book reviews
When Meg's father dies, she finds out that he wasn't an upstanding citizen, but a thief. Some of his friends, including Ian, are also thieves. This news changes how Meg feels about life and she wants to join in since that was her father's occupation.
The story was good, but slow for the first half. I was glad to see that several characters had feelings of guilt over what they were doing. I also liked how the painting of Christ and the two thieves on the cross factored into the story.
The story was good, but slow for the first half. I was glad to see that several characters had feelings of guilt over what they were doing. I also liked how the painting of Christ and the two thieves on the cross factored into the story.
Loraine N. (momrain) reviewed Bees in the Butterfly Garden (Gilded Legacy, Bk 1) on + 205 more book reviews
What I found interesting about this story was the idea that Meg is so determined to follow the footsteps of her father knowing that it would ostracize her from society. Ian, a thief himself, wants to honor her father's wishes by keeping her on the right path. How would two people so determined to follow the wrong path manage to end up on the right one? 3 1/2 stars (Full review at my website)
