Margaret C. (cherryblossommj) reviewed A Constant Heart (Against All Expectations, Bk 1) on + 157 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I give this book three out of five stars, but in a split manner. If I were to rate the book solely upon my enjoyment and escape into it's historical aspects, it would be two stars; yet if I were to rate this book on the detail and descriptions of this historical journey at hand it would four stars. Thus, I settle at three. Starting out reading this book, I was quite distraught and not at all drawn in. The cover is gorgeous and the summary sounds interesting, but in the reading I was just not there. I searched the internet for some reviews to find what others might have thought and was shocked to find all but poor reviews, minus one that only praised the author and said nothing about the book.
It is my understanding that this is the first historical from this author and although I hear her chick-lit is to die for her historical is lacking. That is not all together necessarily a full fact. The entire novel is full to the brim of historical details and facts that are painted in an array of images that could show any reader what the years of the mid-sixteenth century would appear to be. The descriptions of the clothes, the places, the people all are fascinating and plenty enough true to fact. I would highly suggest this book as a supplemental reading to be added to someone studying the Elizabethan age and wanting to find a further glance in the era.
Where I do not find my joy is in the personalities and partially the writing. The story is two from two different characters' POV and switches back and forth quite drastically without any warning and sometimes it is difficult to interpret who speaks. Other than that it is the personalities of the characters that are quite drab. I kept thinking to myself of the grey skies of London, and that is quite how I felt about this story. The idea is good and could be a fabulous book if made longer with more depth to the persons involved. But reading this story was quite painful. There was no joy only sadness and I felt it with every turn of the page. I could not interpret or assume how things would turn out and in that way they were quite a mystery. Yet in the context of day by day happens I felt quite like screaming at the insolence and blindness by how these characters lived.
Some have said that this was a very thinly veiled attempt at criticizing and lecturing people of today's society with beauty attempts, and although I can see that opinion in a manner, I would not call this a poor attempt. The story can relate and does bring to light some great value on the harsh truths that are known of women living in such a stage devoted to such a cause that is beyond their owns well-being. Yet it does it in an elegant and educational manner.
With all that said. I would not suggest this book as a light heart-ed Christian Historical Fiction to escape into the lives of those in a courtier of Elizabeth I. It is just not quite in that category. By most standards it is not a Christian Fiction as God is not mentioned in much reverence or detail nor is his role at all hinted to more than any secular novel. However, as a book for historical and educational value, I could easily suggest and see this being read and used for vast discussions and open minds and curiosity to know more about British history. So as confusing as this must sound, it solely depends upon why you wish to read this story as to whether or not you would enjoy it. That is up to you.
It is my understanding that this is the first historical from this author and although I hear her chick-lit is to die for her historical is lacking. That is not all together necessarily a full fact. The entire novel is full to the brim of historical details and facts that are painted in an array of images that could show any reader what the years of the mid-sixteenth century would appear to be. The descriptions of the clothes, the places, the people all are fascinating and plenty enough true to fact. I would highly suggest this book as a supplemental reading to be added to someone studying the Elizabethan age and wanting to find a further glance in the era.
Where I do not find my joy is in the personalities and partially the writing. The story is two from two different characters' POV and switches back and forth quite drastically without any warning and sometimes it is difficult to interpret who speaks. Other than that it is the personalities of the characters that are quite drab. I kept thinking to myself of the grey skies of London, and that is quite how I felt about this story. The idea is good and could be a fabulous book if made longer with more depth to the persons involved. But reading this story was quite painful. There was no joy only sadness and I felt it with every turn of the page. I could not interpret or assume how things would turn out and in that way they were quite a mystery. Yet in the context of day by day happens I felt quite like screaming at the insolence and blindness by how these characters lived.
Some have said that this was a very thinly veiled attempt at criticizing and lecturing people of today's society with beauty attempts, and although I can see that opinion in a manner, I would not call this a poor attempt. The story can relate and does bring to light some great value on the harsh truths that are known of women living in such a stage devoted to such a cause that is beyond their owns well-being. Yet it does it in an elegant and educational manner.
With all that said. I would not suggest this book as a light heart-ed Christian Historical Fiction to escape into the lives of those in a courtier of Elizabeth I. It is just not quite in that category. By most standards it is not a Christian Fiction as God is not mentioned in much reverence or detail nor is his role at all hinted to more than any secular novel. However, as a book for historical and educational value, I could easily suggest and see this being read and used for vast discussions and open minds and curiosity to know more about British history. So as confusing as this must sound, it solely depends upon why you wish to read this story as to whether or not you would enjoy it. That is up to you.
Angela A. (kidibelle) reviewed A Constant Heart (Against All Expectations, Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I can't say I liked this book. As a history major, it had some interesting little tidbits but as a lover of Christian fiction, I found it severly lacking. God was barely mentioned so I disagree with it being labled Christian fiction and the "romance" was just weird. I guess the two main characters fell in love but they had such an awkward way of showing it and by the time we got to the end of the book and the ultimate plot was revealed and the two went on their merry little way well, I just didn't care anymore. It was one of the oddest stories I've ever read and one that I really feel was just a complete waste of my time. On a positive note, the cover art is quite lovely and the back of the book really makes it sound engaging! Too bad it wasn't.
Helpful Score: 1
Somewhat disappointed in this one. After reading "The Cubicle Next Door" and "Kissing Adrian", which were both set in modern times, I was looking forward to a change of pace with this historical novel. There is a happy ending, but it's a long time coming. If this is your first time to read any of Siri Mitchell's books and you were also disappointed, I would encourage you to try one of her earlier novels.
Although the story line was good, I found it difficult to read as it jumped back and forth from the story from his point of view to her point of view. Not the easiest to read for enjoyment!
Deborah B. (TrueGrits) reviewed A Constant Heart (Against All Expectations, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
I love to read about Queen Elizabeth I, This was a good story about her but it was hard to follow. I was reading about the Lady in the story(Marget) and as I was reading then It would start with her husband (Lytham) talking and there were times I had to reread or just shake my head to realize it would be her talking or him. It was a good story the trails of their Marriage and their trails in court with the Queen.
I thought about putting down the book , but I decided to keep reading on and I did and I am glad I did but you kind of knew how it would end. There is a Constant Heart that goes on and you want to just reach in the book and shake the life out of these two people. I did give it 4 stars because of the story line but I will think twice on reading anymore of this Authors books again.
I thought about putting down the book , but I decided to keep reading on and I did and I am glad I did but you kind of knew how it would end. There is a Constant Heart that goes on and you want to just reach in the book and shake the life out of these two people. I did give it 4 stars because of the story line but I will think twice on reading anymore of this Authors books again.
Since the book was written in first person but kept switching between the two main characters, it was hard to follow at times. I'm not usually a fan of first person, but I really enjoyed this book. It was very realistic, had well-developed characters, and really gave you an idea of what life in court was like. It is not a book I would choose to read again, but it was worth reading the first time.
Although I love the other books by Siri, this book was lacking. The historical aspects of the book were detailed but the characters just weren't engaging to me. In particular, after reading Kissing Adrian and Moon Over Tokyo the hero just didn't measure up. I kept thinking this man is not worth all the effort angst that Marget goes through over him.
This is the first book by this author I have read so I had no expectations going into the book. I felt that she did an excellent job bringing in historical information in a very fluent way. There were many tidbits of history and it was most interesting in that respect.
I agree with some of the other reviews that it was a bit hard to follow but that only occurred for the first few pages until you realized the pattern the author established for when there was a character shift in the dialog. After that it wasn't too hard to figure out who was talking.
I also felt that although the book had very little "happy" moments, it well exemplified the times. In the period where heads could roll for the smallest slight to the queen, it was a perilous time. I think that a lighter read would have been "more enjoyable" but not true to the period the book was set.
I must confess by the end of the book I did tire of the same interpersonal problem showing up yet one more time but the "revelation" moment of insight the author used finally drove home the point and it was nice to know it was finally put to rest.
I agree with some of the other reviews that it was a bit hard to follow but that only occurred for the first few pages until you realized the pattern the author established for when there was a character shift in the dialog. After that it wasn't too hard to figure out who was talking.
I also felt that although the book had very little "happy" moments, it well exemplified the times. In the period where heads could roll for the smallest slight to the queen, it was a perilous time. I think that a lighter read would have been "more enjoyable" but not true to the period the book was set.
I must confess by the end of the book I did tire of the same interpersonal problem showing up yet one more time but the "revelation" moment of insight the author used finally drove home the point and it was nice to know it was finally put to rest.
this book was redundant & i kept waiting for God to show up but some people are harder to get to than others. the end makes up for all that however...honestly i got a heaedache reading this one:(
Fantastic read! I couldn't put it down.
I loved all the historical content I learned. Created a desire to learn more about the time period.
I really found the book to be a great read! Very sweet story.
