Helpful Score: 4
I feel like this books description is misleading. "When the boundary between past and present begins to blur, Carrie finds herself channeling memories not her own. Pulled deeper and deeper into the memories of the past, Carrie realizes these visions are more than the means to another bestselling novel, but also a way to right the wrongs of the past and create a future with the man whose love is her destiny"
Even the front cover reads" when she can no longer tell the difference between today and centuries ago, he's the only one who can reveal the secrets of time"
What? and the back cover stating ... the ultimate betrayal that happened all those years ago, and the knowledge that comes very close to destroying her.
SERIOUSLY the book is just not that mystical, and surreal. Our main character, Carrie does not lose herself and cant distinguish present from past. What does happen is Carrie is a writer who gets so sucked up in to her story, that the does what many writers do. So she writes for a long time and doesnt eat or drink or shower etc.
The author, Susanana kearsley, suggests in this fictious novel that It is very likely that Carrie, has deep in her DNA ancestoral memories that are helping her write what was supposed to be the characters work of fiction. But as our Character Carrie begins to write, and research, she finds that what is she writes can be backed up by true events in history. Nice idea, I find it believable.
This book will teach you more than you can even care to remember about history. But will do it in a way that will make some sense. There is a romance in the present and the past.
A very likeable story, some good history lessons. It is long over 500 pages, but will read fast if you can get through some of the history lessons.
I was kinda expecting more the mystical blurring of past and present, kinda a time travel thing. It worked out fine without that mystical stuff, but I was lead to believe that there might be more mystery, betrayal, and near destruction of our main character Carrie.
Even the front cover reads" when she can no longer tell the difference between today and centuries ago, he's the only one who can reveal the secrets of time"
What? and the back cover stating ... the ultimate betrayal that happened all those years ago, and the knowledge that comes very close to destroying her.
SERIOUSLY the book is just not that mystical, and surreal. Our main character, Carrie does not lose herself and cant distinguish present from past. What does happen is Carrie is a writer who gets so sucked up in to her story, that the does what many writers do. So she writes for a long time and doesnt eat or drink or shower etc.
The author, Susanana kearsley, suggests in this fictious novel that It is very likely that Carrie, has deep in her DNA ancestoral memories that are helping her write what was supposed to be the characters work of fiction. But as our Character Carrie begins to write, and research, she finds that what is she writes can be backed up by true events in history. Nice idea, I find it believable.
This book will teach you more than you can even care to remember about history. But will do it in a way that will make some sense. There is a romance in the present and the past.
A very likeable story, some good history lessons. It is long over 500 pages, but will read fast if you can get through some of the history lessons.
I was kinda expecting more the mystical blurring of past and present, kinda a time travel thing. It worked out fine without that mystical stuff, but I was lead to believe that there might be more mystery, betrayal, and near destruction of our main character Carrie.
Helpful Score: 3
Awesome book and so well written. I read this title in two days . I loved the history along with the characters and could almost Imagine myself in Scotland by the sea.
Helpful Score: 3
I found this book at the library because I've been searching for more of Suanna Kearsley books ever since I picked up "Named of the Dragon" at the Border's book store in Singapore in 2000. From the looks of it, she does not churn out a new book every yera - probably one reason they were so hard to find here in the US. But her stories reflect the more detailed and thoughtful writing style. Many liken her style to Mary Stewart, but I don't think thay are a gothic nor inmured in as many moldy castle.
As for this book. You won't regret spending the time if you like a little history with your fiction. There is no murder, mayhem, or stereotypical villian. You will find a great group of supporting characters who live in a idealistic Scottish village off the blustery coast of Scotland, that played an important part in one of England's never-ending but less well known royal succession plots. Even the modern heroine plays second fiddle to her book's narrator-ancestoress' life in 1708 inside the nearby Slains Castle.
As for this book. You won't regret spending the time if you like a little history with your fiction. There is no murder, mayhem, or stereotypical villian. You will find a great group of supporting characters who live in a idealistic Scottish village off the blustery coast of Scotland, that played an important part in one of England's never-ending but less well known royal succession plots. Even the modern heroine plays second fiddle to her book's narrator-ancestoress' life in 1708 inside the nearby Slains Castle.
Helpful Score: 2
Given the "romancy" nature of this book, I would not have picked it up but for recommendations of those I trust. Well, they were right. It's a wonderful book.
The book features a present-day best-selling historical fiction author who visits Scotland to write about the failed 1708 Jacobite uprising. The book alternates seamlessly between the present-day story and the historical story, both of which I found highly engaging. In general, a very nice blend of historical fiction and romance.
The book features a present-day best-selling historical fiction author who visits Scotland to write about the failed 1708 Jacobite uprising. The book alternates seamlessly between the present-day story and the historical story, both of which I found highly engaging. In general, a very nice blend of historical fiction and romance.
Helpful Score: 1
Beautiful story about past life memories and a nice romance. Not a sexy book, this author is for all readers. A good historical novel if you like that sort of thing.
"Susanna Kearsley's writing has been compared to Mary Stewart, Daphne du Maurier, and Diana Gabaldon."
I would say these comparisons are very loosely drawn. Mary Stewart wrote of magic and fantasy. Daphne wrote with a twisty ending. DG writes w beauty and depth. The only real comparison to DG is that the narrater is a female lead character telling the story.
"Susanna Kearsley's writing has been compared to Mary Stewart, Daphne du Maurier, and Diana Gabaldon."
I would say these comparisons are very loosely drawn. Mary Stewart wrote of magic and fantasy. Daphne wrote with a twisty ending. DG writes w beauty and depth. The only real comparison to DG is that the narrater is a female lead character telling the story.
Helpful Score: 1
Awesome book. Loved the story. It flowed beautifully and captures you from the first chapter. HIstorical info is interesting but it does not over shadow the story of our main characters. She does a wonderful job with the past and the present. Highly recommend.
Intoxicating. The stories past and present flow along making it very hard to put this book down.
Compelling story. Beautifully written. The amazing way the two stories blended into each other. You become so involved in the characters you can't put it down.
I love all things related to Scotland and this book does not disappoint! I do enjoy learning more about the history and this story is a wonderful mix of current and historical characters.
I love this author. It is not possible for her to write a bad book. I have read everything she's written, and this is probably my favorite. It's so intriguing, and has a wonderful ending. This story is beautiful, romantic, magical, everything you want in a great read.
This was engaging and compelling historical romance novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this travel back in time.
I dont like giving Susanna Kearsley 3 stars on anything. A previous book I read by her, hooked me and I instantly fell in love with her writing, her characters and settings ect. This book seemed to be written by someone else. It does have a familiarity to her other books, but only slight. I did not like 2 books in one. I am not a historical buff so the book the character in the story was writing was very boring to me. In fact, I skimmed a lot of it. I was more interested in the main character and what she might do, which wasn't much. I kept waiting for something to happen, it never did. I did not like this book. It was way too long and it was a bad idea to have 2 books rolling.
The whole book in a nutshell is that our main character stays in a cottage, dank, musty, dark and writes a book. Gets phone calls, goes out briefly, talks to the man and his sons who own the cottage every now and again and then she keeps writing that horrid book. She mysteriously has a premonition about her ancestors, which turns out to be all true, every word, every object in its place and that all comes out in the book she is writing. Its improbable and quite silly.
The whole book in a nutshell is that our main character stays in a cottage, dank, musty, dark and writes a book. Gets phone calls, goes out briefly, talks to the man and his sons who own the cottage every now and again and then she keeps writing that horrid book. She mysteriously has a premonition about her ancestors, which turns out to be all true, every word, every object in its place and that all comes out in the book she is writing. Its improbable and quite silly.
Excellent book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
