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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of well done historical fiction, and the sections of this book that took place on the Titanic really hit the spot. Her descriptive language is gorgeous, and I felt like I was there. The scenes where the Titanic was sinking were incredibly poignant, and I immediately wanted to rewatch that particular scene from the movie in the 90s. Ava's storyline was incredibly interesting.
I felt like having dual narratives caused the overall story to suffer. Taylor's storyline just seemed like a vehicle to tell Ava's story and to connect it so something modern. I'm not sure if this is because the author felt that readers needed someone from our time period to connect with, but I felt that Taylor's storyline was weak as a result. Also, the entire ending felt shoe-horned in with It was rushed in comparison to all the build-up with Ava's storyline, and I honestly found that ending confusing.
Ava's storyline is lovely, and I wish that it had been the only one in the book. For that story alone it is definitely worth the read.
I am a huge fan of well done historical fiction, and the sections of this book that took place on the Titanic really hit the spot. Her descriptive language is gorgeous, and I felt like I was there. The scenes where the Titanic was sinking were incredibly poignant, and I immediately wanted to rewatch that particular scene from the movie in the 90s. Ava's storyline was incredibly interesting.
Spoiler
I did wish that she had suffered the loss of either her father or Caleb on the Titanic. It seemed too fortunate that they both survived. I knew the father was going to survive due to hints earlier in the story, so I was expecting that one.I felt like having dual narratives caused the overall story to suffer. Taylor's storyline just seemed like a vehicle to tell Ava's story and to connect it so something modern. I'm not sure if this is because the author felt that readers needed someone from our time period to connect with, but I felt that Taylor's storyline was weak as a result. Also, the entire ending felt shoe-horned in with
Spoiler
the woman from the photo being a distanced relative who was also the murderess.Ava's storyline is lovely, and I wish that it had been the only one in the book. For that story alone it is definitely worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lately, I have seen a few books that are set around the Titanic. However, I have never read any fiction involving this tragedy. This book was an amazing place to start! In The Poppy and The Rose, we have dual points of view as well as dual timelines. Taylor is our present day point of view. Ava is our character on the Titanic. In the beginning I really preferred Ava's story, but as the story went on I definitely enjoyed both timelines.
From the beginning of this story I was extremely intrigued, and from about half way through I could not put this book down. I really loved the twists and turns in the plot. I think the growth we saw the characters achieve as the story progressed was amazing (especially Ava). I liked the way all of the side characters interacted in the story as I felt most of them had a significant purpose.
The author obviously did her research into Titanic, and as I was reading the Author's note at the end I was surprised to see that some of the character's in the book were based on real people. Obviously with historical fiction the author always has poetic license, but I appreciated that it was still well researched.
When I was approaching the end of the book, I had no idea how things would wrap up, or how Cowels would finish the story. I am very happy with the way she ended things, and I think she did a great job overall. I would highly recommend this book for any mystery/historical fiction lover!
Lately, I have seen a few books that are set around the Titanic. However, I have never read any fiction involving this tragedy. This book was an amazing place to start! In The Poppy and The Rose, we have dual points of view as well as dual timelines. Taylor is our present day point of view. Ava is our character on the Titanic. In the beginning I really preferred Ava's story, but as the story went on I definitely enjoyed both timelines.
From the beginning of this story I was extremely intrigued, and from about half way through I could not put this book down. I really loved the twists and turns in the plot. I think the growth we saw the characters achieve as the story progressed was amazing (especially Ava). I liked the way all of the side characters interacted in the story as I felt most of them had a significant purpose.
The author obviously did her research into Titanic, and as I was reading the Author's note at the end I was surprised to see that some of the character's in the book were based on real people. Obviously with historical fiction the author always has poetic license, but I appreciated that it was still well researched.
When I was approaching the end of the book, I had no idea how things would wrap up, or how Cowels would finish the story. I am very happy with the way she ended things, and I think she did a great job overall. I would highly recommend this book for any mystery/historical fiction lover!
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, I thought this was a good story. I do not usually go for historical fiction/mystery novels but who can resist this cover?!
I was definitely more invested in Ava's chapters, as that's where the story resided. Plus, I appreciated the accuracy of actual people/events on the Titanic (i.e. the exact 10 course meal eaten on the last night).
The couple of twists and reveals we got were unexpected and one of them in particular made me really sad (hopefully that's not a spoiler). But I do still have a couple of questions left unanswered.
I was definitely more invested in Ava's chapters, as that's where the story resided. Plus, I appreciated the accuracy of actual people/events on the Titanic (i.e. the exact 10 course meal eaten on the last night).
The couple of twists and reveals we got were unexpected and one of them in particular made me really sad (hopefully that's not a spoiler). But I do still have a couple of questions left unanswered.
Like a version of Clue, but with historical fiction undertones, this book alternates between a modern story and the life of a girl aboard the Titanic. It took longer for the historical fiction story to get off the ground and I found myself longing for the modern story chapters until about halfway through the story. There were moments the past knew too much about the future, but the characters and the mystery Taylor and Nathaniel were working through were enough to make it an enjoyable read.
I received this book as an ARC via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Taylor Romano ends up at Oxford for a summer program and met by the odd old lady Mae Knight a series of random events leads to her discovering more about her family and it’s history than she ever imagined .
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a strong voice and I loved how deeply researched the book was as it dipped between history and present day. It was fast paced and included some of my favorite themes- historical events, mystery, England and not everything appearing as it seems.
I would definitely recommend this book!
When Taylor Romano ends up at Oxford for a summer program and met by the odd old lady Mae Knight a series of random events leads to her discovering more about her family and it’s history than she ever imagined .
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a strong voice and I loved how deeply researched the book was as it dipped between history and present day. It was fast paced and included some of my favorite themes- historical events, mystery, England and not everything appearing as it seems.
I would definitely recommend this book!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book had such an interesting premise and the art of the cover is beautiful. The plot wasn’t uninteresting per se, I just had some troubles getting into it, and I was able to predict most of the ‘plot twists’ fairly easily. The characters felt a bit plain, and even though it is a 300-page novel, the plot felt rushed.
I like that the novel is divided in two storylines, and even though we, as readers, already know the faith of the titanic, there is still an element of intrigue. Taylor’s storyline had a few clichés that weren’t my cup of tea, but it kept me curious enough to continue reading.
Overall, this was not a bad novel, it just wasn’t for me.
I like that the novel is divided in two storylines, and even though we, as readers, already know the faith of the titanic, there is still an element of intrigue. Taylor’s storyline had a few clichés that weren’t my cup of tea, but it kept me curious enough to continue reading.
Overall, this was not a bad novel, it just wasn’t for me.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced