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susanp's review against another edition
2.0
The first 50 or so pages were really good and the initial history lesson was excellent, but then the book got bogged down in stereotypes, literary devices, and 100 percent good versus 100 percent evil. The ending was so predictable and ridiculous that I almost laughed.
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
Coal River by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Find it interesting to read about coal mines. This book starts out with Emma and she dreams of her brother Albert and her parents that died in the fire. She's to live with her mothers sister and their family at Coal River.
Uncle Otis runs the mine and she's to help in the house with chores and in the company store with Percy-her cousin. She is quite taken aback to learn of the breaker boys and how they are not being educated and she sees the emptiness in the wives that come into the store, the despair.
She wants to help them escape and get out in the real world. What I like about this book is learning more of the coal mine and the rats and why they are not harmed. Love learning all the new words and what they mean.
Such a strong and brave woman in that time and to do the things she did to make life easier for others without caring about her personal life. Lots of action, surprises and the book is not a predictable one by any means.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
Find it interesting to read about coal mines. This book starts out with Emma and she dreams of her brother Albert and her parents that died in the fire. She's to live with her mothers sister and their family at Coal River.
Uncle Otis runs the mine and she's to help in the house with chores and in the company store with Percy-her cousin. She is quite taken aback to learn of the breaker boys and how they are not being educated and she sees the emptiness in the wives that come into the store, the despair.
She wants to help them escape and get out in the real world. What I like about this book is learning more of the coal mine and the rats and why they are not harmed. Love learning all the new words and what they mean.
Such a strong and brave woman in that time and to do the things she did to make life easier for others without caring about her personal life. Lots of action, surprises and the book is not a predictable one by any means.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
brittelkins's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great story and an entertaining, fast read.
The spoiler is just that it's a happy ending:
I will say everything is wrapped up in a neat bow with a happy ending, which is occasionally satisfying, though I do prefer to imagine the characters' futures for myself. And it does wrap up VERY quickly and nearly at the end. But it was a very good story and I'm happy I read it.
The imagery is most often so great you feel the pain and fear of the characters.
The one thing that got on my nerves throughout the book was the use of rhetorical questions, often several in a row, rather than letting the reader understand from context that the character is questioning her choices. It was overdone.
Again, I definitely recommend this if you like historical fiction and are looking for a happy ending to a fast read.
The spoiler is just that it's a happy ending:
I will say everything is wrapped up in a neat bow with a happy ending, which is occasionally satisfying, though I do prefer to imagine the characters' futures for myself. And it does wrap up VERY quickly and nearly at the end. But it was a very good story and I'm happy I read it.
The imagery is most often so great you feel the pain and fear of the characters.
The one thing that got on my nerves throughout the book was the use of rhetorical questions, often several in a row, rather than letting the reader understand from context that the character is questioning her choices. It was overdone.
Again, I definitely recommend this if you like historical fiction and are looking for a happy ending to a fast read.
jaxyway's review against another edition
2.0
I absolutely loved both of the author's earlier novels, but this was a big miss for me, mostly due to the ending. I'll admit, the setting (Pennsylvania coal mines, early 1900's) isn't my jam, either. But the ending (the last 8% or so) played out like the climax of an episode of Scooby Doo. Hello, deus ex machina! Just... no.
It was well-written and held my attention throughout, despite it being about coal miners, so there's that.
It was well-written and held my attention throughout, despite it being about coal miners, so there's that.
angelacrase's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book
I liked the book. Good book. I enjoyed reading at and also learned some history about coal mining. I will try other books by this author.
I liked the book. Good book. I enjoyed reading at and also learned some history about coal mining. I will try other books by this author.
samhhester's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
brookiet1220's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
2.5
The author’s decision to use dense descriptive writing was an asset and weakness of this book. The descriptions of Coal River and the conditions the miners lived in have readers a solid visual of the location. The writing style the author chose was a weakness because it forced Emma’s opinions of characters she didn’t like onto the reader.
When the author included Albert/Michael into the story, it felt like she was trying too hard to add a paranormal component that was not necessarily needed. Emma falling for Clayton was predictable.
The two twists at the end were good. There was one twist that had a little more shock value than the other.
When the author included Albert/Michael into the story, it felt like she was trying too hard to add a paranormal component that was not necessarily needed. Emma falling for Clayton was predictable.
The two twists at the end were good. There was one twist that had a little more shock value than the other.
mubeenirfan's review against another edition
2.0
Went fine for a while and then horribly turned into a B grade pakistani movie towards the end.