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stricker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first half of the book was slow and dull, I thought. It wasn't until half way through the book that the pace picked up and the story took off. As a whole, I enjoyed the book. As with many books, you sometimes have to suffer through the early part of the book to get to the good part. A historical love story.
lindsaystenico8821's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bonniereads777's review against another edition
5.0
This is the story of Ruth Miner and her journey of survival in 17th-century New England. Accused of witchcraft after her parents’ deaths, she stows away on the ship of her friend Owen, who feels responsible for all her misfortune. However, they both soon find themselves fighting for their lives as the war between England and France in 1689, known as King William’s War, begins. Ruth’s strength and independence make her a target in this patriarchal society, and Owen, who has French ancestry, is treated as a suspect by the English. After Owen and Ruth find love, a harsh and domineering man tries to destroy them both.
What a wonderful and authentic work of historical fiction! The dialogue is completely true to the period, and there is a helpful list of non-English phrases at the end of the book. The descriptions of the people and their prejudices are completely realistic. The reader is shown how the absolute oppression of women includes death to any woman who seeks to be different, and how the accusation of witchcraft is a convenient excuse. The superstitions of the time are fascinating and well-researched. The wildness of the New World and the cruelty of those in power against anyone who disagrees with them are splashed in blood across the pages of this realistic and no-holds-barred novel. Out Front the Following Sea is an odyssey in an untamed country that will one day be America. Those interested in American history will want to explore this oft-forgotten period in her past.
I received a free copy of this book via Historical Novels Review magazine. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
What a wonderful and authentic work of historical fiction! The dialogue is completely true to the period, and there is a helpful list of non-English phrases at the end of the book. The descriptions of the people and their prejudices are completely realistic. The reader is shown how the absolute oppression of women includes death to any woman who seeks to be different, and how the accusation of witchcraft is a convenient excuse. The superstitions of the time are fascinating and well-researched. The wildness of the New World and the cruelty of those in power against anyone who disagrees with them are splashed in blood across the pages of this realistic and no-holds-barred novel. Out Front the Following Sea is an odyssey in an untamed country that will one day be America. Those interested in American history will want to explore this oft-forgotten period in her past.
I received a free copy of this book via Historical Novels Review magazine. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
nolitethoughts's review against another edition
5.0
Book review by NOLITETHOUGHTS
I want to start with the fact that historical fiction is not my go-to genre.
I do read it from time to time but if I walk into a bookshop to casually search for something following my heart I end up in the sci-fi, non-fiction (physics-related) or literary fiction area.
This being said, for some unknown reason to me I have requested this book for my first NetGalley review and I couldn't have possibly made a better choice.
Reading this masterfully crafted novel was like reading The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.
The knowledge and the work behind both of these books demand my deepest respect towards the authors.
Also, one of the reasons why I love Anne Rice's works so much as well, apart from the fact that she was a literary genius.
Short synopsis; The story is in 1689, New England in a time when the French and English settlers were having an ongoing war with each other. Ruth Miner the main protagonist is being introduced as a young woman who is being accused of witchcraft against her parents and now she has to flee her hometown if she doesn't want to get burned or worse. She meets her old childhood friend, the sailor; Owen and their journey unfold in front of us…
I opened this book knowing nothing about how the people lived in the late 1600s in New England, especially women, and I closed it with a desire to speak endlessly about everything I have just learned.
I especially enjoyed reading about her friendship with Askook who became my favourite character in the book and as a language enthusiast, I cherished every bit of the Pequot language. What, unfortunately, according to historian Leah Angstman, was last heard by its native speaker in 1908.
This novel is very plot-driven. I didn't have any moment when I felt like the story had stopped or been stagnant.
It also kept me on the edge the whole time and it was hard to put it down.
Ruth is a strong, independent and curious young adult who loves languages and physics. This made me instantly fall in love with her. Not so much her people in the community who were as happy and loving towards her as the Pope to Galilei.
This book was honest and ruthless but full of hope and magic.
It was a joy to read it and I adore the cover as it was done by the author herself.
I am incredibly grateful to Leah Angstman and Regal House Publishing for the digital copy of the book.
I want to start with the fact that historical fiction is not my go-to genre.
I do read it from time to time but if I walk into a bookshop to casually search for something following my heart I end up in the sci-fi, non-fiction (physics-related) or literary fiction area.
This being said, for some unknown reason to me I have requested this book for my first NetGalley review and I couldn't have possibly made a better choice.
Reading this masterfully crafted novel was like reading The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.
The knowledge and the work behind both of these books demand my deepest respect towards the authors.
Also, one of the reasons why I love Anne Rice's works so much as well, apart from the fact that she was a literary genius.
Short synopsis; The story is in 1689, New England in a time when the French and English settlers were having an ongoing war with each other. Ruth Miner the main protagonist is being introduced as a young woman who is being accused of witchcraft against her parents and now she has to flee her hometown if she doesn't want to get burned or worse. She meets her old childhood friend, the sailor; Owen and their journey unfold in front of us…
I opened this book knowing nothing about how the people lived in the late 1600s in New England, especially women, and I closed it with a desire to speak endlessly about everything I have just learned.
I especially enjoyed reading about her friendship with Askook who became my favourite character in the book and as a language enthusiast, I cherished every bit of the Pequot language. What, unfortunately, according to historian Leah Angstman, was last heard by its native speaker in 1908.
This novel is very plot-driven. I didn't have any moment when I felt like the story had stopped or been stagnant.
It also kept me on the edge the whole time and it was hard to put it down.
Ruth is a strong, independent and curious young adult who loves languages and physics. This made me instantly fall in love with her. Not so much her people in the community who were as happy and loving towards her as the Pope to Galilei.
This book was honest and ruthless but full of hope and magic.
It was a joy to read it and I adore the cover as it was done by the author herself.
I am incredibly grateful to Leah Angstman and Regal House Publishing for the digital copy of the book.
aellereads's review against another edition
Out Front the Following Sea has a beautiful premise, and with all the five-star ratings, I thought I would have loved this story.
Unfortunately, this epic was not for me and I had to DNF this book. Great work and research have been put into this novel: the historical details and vivid descriptions speak for themselves. But I could not connect with the characters nor the writing - a blend of modern and old-English, and French (the grammar errors threw me off multiple times).
I encourage everyone interested in this novel to read other reviews and wish them an enjoyable reading time if they do decide to pick it up.
*I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, this epic was not for me and I had to DNF this book. Great work and research have been put into this novel: the historical details and vivid descriptions speak for themselves. But I could not connect with the characters nor the writing - a blend of modern and old-English, and French (the grammar errors threw me off multiple times).
I encourage everyone interested in this novel to read other reviews and wish them an enjoyable reading time if they do decide to pick it up.
*I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
After her parents die in a terrible fire and a nearby farmer's sheep die, Ruth Miner is branded a witch. When her grandmother dies during a brutally harsh winter, no one in town will help Ruth and she curses them. Ruth knows she must escape before the townspeople come to burn her as well. Ruth stows away on the Primrose, heading to Stonington, Connecticut in the New World. Working aboard the Primrose is first mate Owen Townsend, the only person who knows Ruth's full past. Once in Stonington, Ruth has a new start; however, things are not necessarily easier. Ruth finds friends in an elderly couple that she boards with, another young woman in town as well as a Pequot, Askook. Ruth learns that the land has been taken from them and wants to set things right. The French and English are beginning to fight in the New World and Owen's French heritage brands him a traitor. Ruth fights to save herself, Owen and the Pequot that she has befriended, but what will it cost her?
Masterfully written, Out Front the Following Sea is a historical fiction novel exploring the hardships, prejudices and power struggles within the newly settled colonies in 1689. The characters were all very well written with distinct personalities, struggles and secrets. I was pulled into the story through Ruth's strength and fortitude in her daily life as she struggled as an outsider that no one would help. Ruth and Owen's relationship is complex and their secret is slowly teased out. Owen's passion and loyalty shone through; although, I consistently wondered why he didn't step up to help Ruth sooner. Askook, the Pequot was an interesting addition for me and a good reminder of the blood and stolen land that the United States was built on. The plot slowly builds as secrets come out and tensions rise for continuous action throughout the story. The writing also offered a good sense of place and time as safety and security could never be taken for granted and war and death always loomed on the horizon. While the story is fictional, the author has incorporated research of skirmishes of King William's War and first hand accounts of real people who lived in the area at the time to create a well rounded story of the people at this time.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Masterfully written, Out Front the Following Sea is a historical fiction novel exploring the hardships, prejudices and power struggles within the newly settled colonies in 1689. The characters were all very well written with distinct personalities, struggles and secrets. I was pulled into the story through Ruth's strength and fortitude in her daily life as she struggled as an outsider that no one would help. Ruth and Owen's relationship is complex and their secret is slowly teased out. Owen's passion and loyalty shone through; although, I consistently wondered why he didn't step up to help Ruth sooner. Askook, the Pequot was an interesting addition for me and a good reminder of the blood and stolen land that the United States was built on. The plot slowly builds as secrets come out and tensions rise for continuous action throughout the story. The writing also offered a good sense of place and time as safety and security could never be taken for granted and war and death always loomed on the horizon. While the story is fictional, the author has incorporated research of skirmishes of King William's War and first hand accounts of real people who lived in the area at the time to create a well rounded story of the people at this time.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
fernforest's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ✨
Adventure, witches, pirates, romance, colonists, sailing, oh my! Leah Angstman writing style is vivid and pulls you into the world of our strong female protagonist, but like others have said, this book can be brutal at times. 17th century England was no easy place to survive.
This book took me longer to finish simply due to the pacing. As it slowed and wavered at times, I found it hard to continue. However, when it had my attention, it held on tightly. A wonderful historical fiction, sucking you back into 17th century England.
PS. I did love how stubborn Ruth could be at times.
Thank you to Booksirens and the publisher for providing me with an eARC. I'm leaving this review voluntarily because books are cool!
Adventure, witches, pirates, romance, colonists, sailing, oh my! Leah Angstman writing style is vivid and pulls you into the world of our strong female protagonist, but like others have said, this book can be brutal at times. 17th century England was no easy place to survive.
This book took me longer to finish simply due to the pacing. As it slowed and wavered at times, I found it hard to continue. However, when it had my attention, it held on tightly. A wonderful historical fiction, sucking you back into 17th century England.
PS. I did love how stubborn Ruth could be at times.
Thank you to Booksirens and the publisher for providing me with an eARC. I'm leaving this review voluntarily because books are cool!
wordsmithreads's review against another edition
3.0
I really, really wanted to enjoy this more.
Our protagonist, Ruth Miner, is a 16-year old girl who has been accused of witchcraft. She lives alone with her grandmother in 1689, and it is illegal to do ... a lot. Ruth has a rough life. We go with her as she decides to take a ship to another town down the coast, and chooses the boat of her childhood sweetheart and friend, Owen. Owen and Ruth have a complicated, somewhat-unrequited love relationship.
My best way to describe this book is like [b:Beheld|44453031|Beheld|TaraShea Nesbit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562684421l/44453031._SY75_.jpg|69038020] meets [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1659086907l/10964._SY75_.jpg|2489796]. There's no on-the-page sex, but you have a headstrong (almost to the point where you want to shake her and say Girl, knock it off, I don't even act like this in the 2020s) leading lady who constantly swears (Claire's "Jesus H Roosevelt Christ" is Ruth's "God's teeth") set in the 1600s, and tensions are high because of religion and war and secrets.
Angstman had a good handful of twists and turns, but I found the story a bit too much telling instead of showing. Where Outlander has pages upon pages (almost annoyingly so) of the descriptions of flowers and scenery and clothes and food, Out Front has lots of "she did this and then this and then this," where I found myself wanting a little more time in the room. Was it a large room? Did the windows let in sunlight? Was it warm? Was the ground hay or dirt or stone? Instead, we really only ever focus on what a character is physically doing, rather than seeing.
For example, here's the start of the opening paragraph from chapter 19:
"She stood at the kitchen counter of King's Hall. Her fingers traced the lining of the glass window as she looked toward the lower meetinghouse at the far end of the street. She breathed shallowly into the cloth bandages beneath her corset that bound her from shoulder to waist. The cuts throbbed. [next sentence left off for spoilers]"
I think if you enjoy historical romance, and want to skip the steamy on-page intercourse, this might work for you. Just wasn't the right match for me. Three stars.
Our protagonist, Ruth Miner, is a 16-year old girl who has been accused of witchcraft. She lives alone with her grandmother in 1689, and it is illegal to do ... a lot. Ruth has a rough life. We go with her as she decides to take a ship to another town down the coast, and chooses the boat of her childhood sweetheart and friend, Owen. Owen and Ruth have a complicated, somewhat-unrequited love relationship.
My best way to describe this book is like [b:Beheld|44453031|Beheld|TaraShea Nesbit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562684421l/44453031._SY75_.jpg|69038020] meets [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1659086907l/10964._SY75_.jpg|2489796]. There's no on-the-page sex, but you have a headstrong (almost to the point where you want to shake her and say Girl, knock it off, I don't even act like this in the 2020s) leading lady who constantly swears (Claire's "Jesus H Roosevelt Christ" is Ruth's "God's teeth") set in the 1600s, and tensions are high because of religion and war and secrets.
Angstman had a good handful of twists and turns, but I found the story a bit too much telling instead of showing. Where Outlander has pages upon pages (almost annoyingly so) of the descriptions of flowers and scenery and clothes and food, Out Front has lots of "she did this and then this and then this," where I found myself wanting a little more time in the room. Was it a large room? Did the windows let in sunlight? Was it warm? Was the ground hay or dirt or stone? Instead, we really only ever focus on what a character is physically doing, rather than seeing.
For example, here's the start of the opening paragraph from chapter 19:
"She stood at the kitchen counter of King's Hall. Her fingers traced the lining of the glass window as she looked toward the lower meetinghouse at the far end of the street. She breathed shallowly into the cloth bandages beneath her corset that bound her from shoulder to waist. The cuts throbbed. [next sentence left off for spoilers]"
I think if you enjoy historical romance, and want to skip the steamy on-page intercourse, this might work for you. Just wasn't the right match for me. Three stars.
mayas003's review against another edition
2.0
I started reading this book on a rainy day, thinking this would be one of those books that would be a cozy read. How far from cozy has this book ended? It was as far as the east is from the west.
First, I only review books for plot, characterization, worldbuilding, structure, and style/voice.
I will start by saying that the Author used sophisticated language for a book that was supposed to be based in a time and place that wasn't regency and, in my opinion, not needed. It is supposed to be historical fiction, so why the complicated language? I lost the romance of the times, and the language made me furious because it got in the way of me enjoying the read. Her voice is not something I would say was memorable. I wasn't hooked to reading from the first page. Ruth didn't make me want to continue reading after the first chapter. I only did because I said I would finish the book.
The plot started promising a good read, but it deviated just when we got to part II. The series of events felt broken; all was opportune for the circumstance, nothing was random, and thus everything felt like a cookie-cutter pattern that, in the end, it wasn't on par with the times. I could see the plan behind the events as I read.
The Characters broke my heart. Ruth Miner is a woman that could not be more down on her luck. If this woman didn't have bad luck, she would have had luck at all. I felt sorry for Ruth in many parts.
The characters didn't have a character arc, not even Ruth. Things happened, and Ruth kept reacting, and she made nothing happen with her actions. That part became boring after a while.
I could tell the Author spent hours doing research, but that alone does not create a good book. And again, that awful over-the-top language. Why would she use so many words I needed to keep using the dictionary just to read a few other sentences? Lord knows English is my third language, and I am a voracious reader, but I don't expect this type of language in this type of novel. That back and forth between the old English and Modern English made me almost not want to finish reading this book.
Okay, back to Ruth, She had NO CHARACTER ARC. That again upsets me to no end. I wanted the woman to grow a little throughout the story. It never happened.
One thing I would say is I liked the character of Askook. I didn't like Owen so much. They were well written, with no character arcs to them.
The worldbuilding was well developed because it was historically accurate in parts, but that didn't make it worth my time. Ruth's story was just depressing, in my opinion.
What could the author have done to make this a better book and earn a 5 star from me? The first thing would be to make the language simple and easier to read. There is no need to overcomplicate things. The second thing would have been spending some time and giving Ruth and the other characters character arcs. Doing that requires time and a lot of rewrites, but it is so worth it. The next thing is to pay attention to the rise and falls of the story action. Most stories have a climax that builds up and, when properly achieved, is very satisfying. I missed that climax. I am not saying it is not there. All I am saying is that I missed it. A rising Climax is an integral part of the book's structure. And lastly, researching the historical accuracy is excellent, but you must give just as much attention to your characterization and plot consistency. Often, story trumps structure, but here your research overshadowed your story.
I would not recommend this book unless the person is a fan of the Author. I am only leaving a 2-star review and not a one star because the ending wasn't awful.
I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you, BookSiren, for the copy of this book.
First, I only review books for plot, characterization, worldbuilding, structure, and style/voice.
I will start by saying that the Author used sophisticated language for a book that was supposed to be based in a time and place that wasn't regency and, in my opinion, not needed. It is supposed to be historical fiction, so why the complicated language? I lost the romance of the times, and the language made me furious because it got in the way of me enjoying the read. Her voice is not something I would say was memorable. I wasn't hooked to reading from the first page. Ruth didn't make me want to continue reading after the first chapter. I only did because I said I would finish the book.
The plot started promising a good read, but it deviated just when we got to part II. The series of events felt broken; all was opportune for the circumstance, nothing was random, and thus everything felt like a cookie-cutter pattern that, in the end, it wasn't on par with the times. I could see the plan behind the events as I read.
The Characters broke my heart. Ruth Miner is a woman that could not be more down on her luck. If this woman didn't have bad luck, she would have had luck at all. I felt sorry for Ruth in many parts.
The characters didn't have a character arc, not even Ruth. Things happened, and Ruth kept reacting, and she made nothing happen with her actions. That part became boring after a while.
I could tell the Author spent hours doing research, but that alone does not create a good book. And again, that awful over-the-top language. Why would she use so many words I needed to keep using the dictionary just to read a few other sentences? Lord knows English is my third language, and I am a voracious reader, but I don't expect this type of language in this type of novel. That back and forth between the old English and Modern English made me almost not want to finish reading this book.
Okay, back to Ruth, She had NO CHARACTER ARC. That again upsets me to no end. I wanted the woman to grow a little throughout the story. It never happened.
One thing I would say is I liked the character of Askook. I didn't like Owen so much. They were well written, with no character arcs to them.
The worldbuilding was well developed because it was historically accurate in parts, but that didn't make it worth my time. Ruth's story was just depressing, in my opinion.
What could the author have done to make this a better book and earn a 5 star from me? The first thing would be to make the language simple and easier to read. There is no need to overcomplicate things. The second thing would have been spending some time and giving Ruth and the other characters character arcs. Doing that requires time and a lot of rewrites, but it is so worth it. The next thing is to pay attention to the rise and falls of the story action. Most stories have a climax that builds up and, when properly achieved, is very satisfying. I missed that climax. I am not saying it is not there. All I am saying is that I missed it. A rising Climax is an integral part of the book's structure. And lastly, researching the historical accuracy is excellent, but you must give just as much attention to your characterization and plot consistency. Often, story trumps structure, but here your research overshadowed your story.
I would not recommend this book unless the person is a fan of the Author. I am only leaving a 2-star review and not a one star because the ending wasn't awful.
I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you, BookSiren, for the copy of this book.
danapr's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting historical fiction taking place in a time period not usually written about. At the end of the book,the author details her research and I appreciate that the story is historically accurate.
Ruth, the protagonist and narrator is a very strong young woman living in a time in which women have no rights. She has been accused of being a witch and the village that she is originally from drives her out, burns her home and kills her horse right after her beloved grandmother dies. Ruth barely escapes to obtain passage on a ship in which Owen is first mate and stepson of the captain. Ruth and Owen’s backgrounds are very murky through most of the story and I felt like adequate information was seriously lacking such as why was Ruth branded as a witch and how and why did Owen murder her parents?
While on the ship (or maybe before, too much background missing), Ruth and Owen fall in love which seems weird to me as the reader since they allude to serious transgressions between them in the past.
Owen leaves Ruth in another village after finding an elderly couple to take her in. I will say that the story becomes more interesting at this point with Ruth making friends with a Pequot Native American man who lurks in the forest and with her being forced to integrate with the villagers (no spoilers) while war between the English and the French is brewing. Owen returns too late and both he and Ruth have to run for their lives, not once but twice.
The story is difficult to follow at times due to dialogue in French, Old English and Pequot with very little translation which is annoying. Most of the tale is far-fetched (I know it’s fiction) and just too unbelievable. The deadly situations that the characters escape from just get more and more ridiculously impossible. The ending seemed abrupt with little explanation about how the characters ended up where they were and no explanation about what happened to Val, the likable highwayman who saved Ruth more than once.
Thanks to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Ruth, the protagonist and narrator is a very strong young woman living in a time in which women have no rights. She has been accused of being a witch and the village that she is originally from drives her out, burns her home and kills her horse right after her beloved grandmother dies. Ruth barely escapes to obtain passage on a ship in which Owen is first mate and stepson of the captain. Ruth and Owen’s backgrounds are very murky through most of the story and I felt like adequate information was seriously lacking such as why was Ruth branded as a witch and how and why did Owen murder her parents?
While on the ship (or maybe before, too much background missing), Ruth and Owen fall in love which seems weird to me as the reader since they allude to serious transgressions between them in the past.
Owen leaves Ruth in another village after finding an elderly couple to take her in. I will say that the story becomes more interesting at this point with Ruth making friends with a Pequot Native American man who lurks in the forest and with her being forced to integrate with the villagers (no spoilers) while war between the English and the French is brewing. Owen returns too late and both he and Ruth have to run for their lives, not once but twice.
The story is difficult to follow at times due to dialogue in French, Old English and Pequot with very little translation which is annoying. Most of the tale is far-fetched (I know it’s fiction) and just too unbelievable. The deadly situations that the characters escape from just get more and more ridiculously impossible. The ending seemed abrupt with little explanation about how the characters ended up where they were and no explanation about what happened to Val, the likable highwayman who saved Ruth more than once.
Thanks to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy.