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bookishgoblin's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
3.0
'Scions of the House of Werth are all born normal. It is what happens afterwards that sets them apart.
It is not easy being the most supernatural family in England. Nell talks to the dead; Lord Werth is too often to be found out in the churchyard at the dead of night; and the less said about Lord Bedgberry, the better.
Only Miss Gussie Werth has missed out on the family curse. She sups on chocolate, not blood; she's blissfully oblivious to spectres (except for Great-Aunt Honoria, of course); and she hasn't the smallest inclination to turn into a beast upon the full moon, and go ravening about the countryside.
But there's more to the Wyrde than meets the eye. When a visit to a neighbouring family goes spectacularly, deliciously wrong, Gussie's ideas about her own nature undergo a swift and serious change.
Far from being the most ordinary of the bunch, she may just prove to be the most disastrous Werth of them all...'
______________________________
Wyrde and Wayward is the first book in Charlotte E. English's House of Werth series and is a paranormal historical fantasy which follows the Werths, a prevalent wyrded(magical) family in which individuals learn of their abilities on their third birthday.
I'm on the fence about this book. This is one of my favorite genres and it is well written with lovely and amusing characters. Gussie is sarcastic, stubborn, and not one to shy aware from adventure. I'm going to try not to give anything away, but the issue that I had with the book is that a big chunk of the first half of the book was dedicated to setting up a specific conflict for the book then seemed to change focus and veer off into another direction. Which was disappointing because I found it to be the most amusing part of the book. The issue is not really revisited in any way before the book ends, which made it feel like a lot of wasted effort that could have been introduced without quite so many chapters. Certain characters were willing to go to such lengths to carry out a plot, but when they are twarted they just let it go? That's what I have to assume since that plotline seemed to have just been forgotten.
Overall though the story was amusing and wonderfully weird and I'll probably continue to read the next in the series, Wyrde and Wicked and hope that it benefits from better focus.
It is not easy being the most supernatural family in England. Nell talks to the dead; Lord Werth is too often to be found out in the churchyard at the dead of night; and the less said about Lord Bedgberry, the better.
Only Miss Gussie Werth has missed out on the family curse. She sups on chocolate, not blood; she's blissfully oblivious to spectres (except for Great-Aunt Honoria, of course); and she hasn't the smallest inclination to turn into a beast upon the full moon, and go ravening about the countryside.
But there's more to the Wyrde than meets the eye. When a visit to a neighbouring family goes spectacularly, deliciously wrong, Gussie's ideas about her own nature undergo a swift and serious change.
Far from being the most ordinary of the bunch, she may just prove to be the most disastrous Werth of them all...'
______________________________
Wyrde and Wayward is the first book in Charlotte E. English's House of Werth series and is a paranormal historical fantasy which follows the Werths, a prevalent wyrded(magical) family in which individuals learn of their abilities on their third birthday.
I'm on the fence about this book. This is one of my favorite genres and it is well written with lovely and amusing characters. Gussie is sarcastic, stubborn, and not one to shy aware from adventure. I'm going to try not to give anything away, but the issue that I had with the book is that a big chunk of the first half of the book was dedicated to setting up a specific conflict for the book then seemed to change focus and veer off into another direction. Which was disappointing because I found it to be the most amusing part of the book. The issue is not really revisited in any way before the book ends, which made it feel like a lot of wasted effort that could have been introduced without quite so many chapters. Certain characters were willing to go to such lengths to carry out a plot, but when they are twarted they just let it go? That's what I have to assume since that plotline seemed to have just been forgotten.
Overall though the story was amusing and wonderfully weird and I'll probably continue to read the next in the series, Wyrde and Wicked and hope that it benefits from better focus.
jojanneke83's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ralchemist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
witless's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
blueshadow's review
4.0
Wyrde indeed.
Quirky, witty, and fun. The book was improved tremendously by me being in just the right mood for the dry, witty humor and absurd plotline.
Quirky, witty, and fun. The book was improved tremendously by me being in just the right mood for the dry, witty humor and absurd plotline.
dodie_sullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
frogie's review
4.0
4.25 stars
The extra .25 star is for just how much this entertained me. It was a strange read, almost random at times, but it kept me hooked and surprised me with the plot taking unpredictable routes.
The extra .25 star is for just how much this entertained me. It was a strange read, almost random at times, but it kept me hooked and surprised me with the plot taking unpredictable routes.
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Blood, and Sexism
Minor: Xenophobia and Violence