Karen R. (flwergirl) -
An intriguing tale of mystery, danger, and romance set in Victorian England.
Recalled to her ancestral home Highcliffe Hall, Annabel Ashton leaves her teaching position thinking she will return soon, but her cousin Edward and his wife have other plans for her, which seem to be more sinister than she'd ever imagined. While forced to remain there, she hopes to find the truth of what really happened to her mother before it's too late. The second book in the Daughters of Hampshire series definitely has a Gothic feel to it, with references to Edgar Allan Poe, and the bleak setting of a manor house perched on a cliff looking out towards the sea, named the Edge of the World by Annabel, a genuine heroine in need of a serious rescue on many levels.
Told from Annabel's point of view, the descriptions of the dark manor, surrounding countryside, and windswept seashore, coupled with the threats to her life, made me feel like I'd stepped into a scene from Jane Eyre or a Victoria Holt novel. It felt so somber at times, especially as it seemed more and more that she had no one to defend her, with few friends to count on, and the web of deception laid by her cousins is cinched tighter. Then, the hope of faith shines through, as Annabel prays that God would help her, reminded that He will never leave nor forsake us. The touch of the supernatural or divine intervention added a mystical sense to her story, plus some interesting twists.
The mention of a visit to the Great Exhibition was interesting, learning more about the Maltese culture that had such an impact on her mother's story, as well as her own identity. The Maltese Captain Dell'Acqua was an elusive hero figure, one that left me guessing a lot at his true motives. The treatment of the mentally ill, or those suspected as not being mentally stable, was a sad historical feature. Also the religious prejudices against Catholics that lingered even into the 1800's seemed a strong influence on how Annabel was treated, making her fate seem even more unfair. I found the author notes included at the end about the history of the area at the time to be quite interesting.
Readers who enjoy a good Gothic tale full of mystery, sinister characters, with a genuine heroine, a little romance, and a divine touch, will like this story. Recommend! 4.5 stars
(Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
Recalled to her ancestral home Highcliffe Hall, Annabel Ashton leaves her teaching position thinking she will return soon, but her cousin Edward and his wife have other plans for her, which seem to be more sinister than she'd ever imagined. While forced to remain there, she hopes to find the truth of what really happened to her mother before it's too late. The second book in the Daughters of Hampshire series definitely has a Gothic feel to it, with references to Edgar Allan Poe, and the bleak setting of a manor house perched on a cliff looking out towards the sea, named the Edge of the World by Annabel, a genuine heroine in need of a serious rescue on many levels.
Told from Annabel's point of view, the descriptions of the dark manor, surrounding countryside, and windswept seashore, coupled with the threats to her life, made me feel like I'd stepped into a scene from Jane Eyre or a Victoria Holt novel. It felt so somber at times, especially as it seemed more and more that she had no one to defend her, with few friends to count on, and the web of deception laid by her cousins is cinched tighter. Then, the hope of faith shines through, as Annabel prays that God would help her, reminded that He will never leave nor forsake us. The touch of the supernatural or divine intervention added a mystical sense to her story, plus some interesting twists.
The mention of a visit to the Great Exhibition was interesting, learning more about the Maltese culture that had such an impact on her mother's story, as well as her own identity. The Maltese Captain Dell'Acqua was an elusive hero figure, one that left me guessing a lot at his true motives. The treatment of the mentally ill, or those suspected as not being mentally stable, was a sad historical feature. Also the religious prejudices against Catholics that lingered even into the 1800's seemed a strong influence on how Annabel was treated, making her fate seem even more unfair. I found the author notes included at the end about the history of the area at the time to be quite interesting.
Readers who enjoy a good Gothic tale full of mystery, sinister characters, with a genuine heroine, a little romance, and a divine touch, will like this story. Recommend! 4.5 stars
(Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
