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archernaelra's review against another edition
2.0
Did not finish. It was interesting but not enough to keep me interested.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Katharina has spent her whole life making lace. It is the only thing she knows. Without it, she will be lost. This is why; Katharina can not let the nuns know that she is almost blind. Because if the nuns where to learns Katharina’s secret then Katharina would be thrown out on the streets.
Lisette is in love. Although, Lisette is about to learn the true cost of love. The Count is obsessed with lace. He wants it and will do anything in his powers to get it.
I have had a history with historical and historical romance novels. On one hand, I enjoy reading about the history of the story that I am reading and if done right the romance can help between the two characters however; on the other hand after a while, I grow bored of the history and details. I am happy to report that was not the case at all with this book. Instantly, I was attracted to the characters. They had heart, depth, and made you feel for them.
Each character had their own voice. It was intriguing to read how important lace was to each of them and how it affected them as well. While, I have never owned an exquisite piece of lace, after reading this book, I will not look at it again the same way. All the history, hours, and labor of love spent in making a piece of lace is amazing. The love story in this book is a tragic one. The Ruins of Lace is a book to be treasured!
Lisette is in love. Although, Lisette is about to learn the true cost of love. The Count is obsessed with lace. He wants it and will do anything in his powers to get it.
I have had a history with historical and historical romance novels. On one hand, I enjoy reading about the history of the story that I am reading and if done right the romance can help between the two characters however; on the other hand after a while, I grow bored of the history and details. I am happy to report that was not the case at all with this book. Instantly, I was attracted to the characters. They had heart, depth, and made you feel for them.
Each character had their own voice. It was intriguing to read how important lace was to each of them and how it affected them as well. While, I have never owned an exquisite piece of lace, after reading this book, I will not look at it again the same way. All the history, hours, and labor of love spent in making a piece of lace is amazing. The love story in this book is a tragic one. The Ruins of Lace is a book to be treasured!
tiffanywang29's review against another edition
4.0
**Cutest relationships: one that never actually materialized into a relationship. Nevertheless, the two people's attractions to each other were explicitly stated in the book and I think it was so sweet, the two of them. The things they did for each other, the reasons they kept going for each other, the little secret fancies of each other. Awwwwwwwwwwww.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
During the reign of King Louis XIII, lace was banned in France. The story of six people and one dog and the importance of lace in their lives during this time is told in alternating chapters beginning with Katharina. At 30 years of age Katharina is the best and oldest lacemaker in a convent. She is practically blind and sits hunched over. Her older sister wishes to buy her freedom but the head nun won't giver her up. When the nuns find out Katharina will be kicked out of the convent and fated to become a prostitute as all the past lacemakers have become. As a child, the Count stayed at Lisette's home. She snuck into his room to spy and found some beautiful lace that she soiled. Her father has to pay the Count back an absurb sum due to the increased value of the forbidden lace. Will lace be the ruin of these mostly humble characters or the salvation?
I liked how the stories came together. I found myself eagerly awaiting the fate of each of the characters, even the dog.
I liked how the stories came together. I found myself eagerly awaiting the fate of each of the characters, even the dog.
moirwyn's review against another edition
2.0
Made it about halfway through this book before DNFing it. The setting and background of the story is fascinating, albeit depressing, and because it's depressing, I don't think that "during a global pandemic" was the best time for me to read it. The narration is told through too many POV characters, including an abused dog, and I didn't find any of the characters to be super compelling. The main antagonist is also the only gay character, which is off-putting.
yasioasasi's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, and thought that the historical aspect of lace making and smuggling was a great subject. It was a bit tough to get into, as the author told the story of lace from the perspective of seven different subjects. The characters (even the less savory ones) were interesting and mostly relatable.
I wasn't a huge fan of the ending; for a story revolving around seven characters to close so abruptly on a single character felt jarring. I was hoping for a concrete, definitive ending for each of the 7 characters, instead of having the novel conclude on a suddenly primary character. Other than that, I really enjoyed each character's story and how they intertwined.
Spoiler
I wasn't a huge fan of the ending; for a story revolving around seven characters to close so abruptly on a single character felt jarring. I was hoping for a concrete, definitive ending for each of the 7 characters, instead of having the novel conclude on a suddenly primary character. Other than that, I really enjoyed each character's story and how they intertwined.
sheffner07's review against another edition
4.0
It's been years since I've read a historical fiction novel--I used to gobble them up when I was in middle school. And this is a great novel. The characters and their struggles are heart wrenching. I even found myself sympathizing with the count. And the dog! Don't get me started on the poor dog. I cried during his chapters.
Although this book is over 300 pages, it's a fast read. And I had never heard of lace being banned before, so the topic was very interesting and different. A must read, even if you're not one for historical fiction.
Although this book is over 300 pages, it's a fast read. And I had never heard of lace being banned before, so the topic was very interesting and different. A must read, even if you're not one for historical fiction.
ravenclaw_princess913's review against another edition
Couldn't grab my attention fast enough
mariaburns's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 3.66 stars
This was a really good book! I loved the idea of the story being about a thing, and I think the prologue was perfect. I don't really know what to say about it! Um if you are unsure if you want to read it or not, at least try it. Parts of it were a little slower but as a whole it was great. Oh and let me know your thoughts on the ending... I love and hate it. At the SAME TIME.
This was a really good book! I loved the idea of the story being about a thing, and I think the prologue was perfect. I don't really know what to say about it! Um if you are unsure if you want to read it or not, at least try it. Parts of it were a little slower but as a whole it was great. Oh and let me know your thoughts on the ending... I love and hate it. At the SAME TIME.
ladyhighwayman's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
The Ruins of Lace takes place in the 17th century, and the story revolves around the lust and illegality of lace into France.
The story is told from seven different perspectives, and we only get five chapters with each character. After the first two times I went through the characters' perspectives, I wondered how they're all connected, and it's soon made clear. However, there were a couple characters that we probably didn't need to hear from. One of which was a dog. Yes, a dog. I understand that one of the ways lace was transported to France was using dogs, but we didn't really need the perspective of a dog to get that. Another character that probably would have been fine leaving out was a soldier. If we took these two characters out of the equation, I don't think the story would have lost anything.
Like I said, the story was about lace, and how it changed and destroyed lives. The characters became more and more connected as the story went on, through one piece of lace. The second half of the story was better than the first half, I felt, and read faster.
I can't say much more, because I fear I'll just start giving things way. It's not a happy story, I can say that. However, some characters' stories ended a bit happier than others.
A good read about an unusual subject, and interesting time period.
The Ruins of Lace takes place in the 17th century, and the story revolves around the lust and illegality of lace into France.
The story is told from seven different perspectives, and we only get five chapters with each character. After the first two times I went through the characters' perspectives, I wondered how they're all connected, and it's soon made clear. However, there were a couple characters that we probably didn't need to hear from. One of which was a dog. Yes, a dog. I understand that one of the ways lace was transported to France was using dogs, but we didn't really need the perspective of a dog to get that. Another character that probably would have been fine leaving out was a soldier. If we took these two characters out of the equation, I don't think the story would have lost anything.
Like I said, the story was about lace, and how it changed and destroyed lives. The characters became more and more connected as the story went on, through one piece of lace. The second half of the story was better than the first half, I felt, and read faster.
I can't say much more, because I fear I'll just start giving things way. It's not a happy story, I can say that. However, some characters' stories ended a bit happier than others.
A good read about an unusual subject, and interesting time period.