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keberwick's review against another edition
3.0
So as much as I liked the book, the ending threw me and now I'm not sure if I should really bother to continue with the series. That's probably silly, since I have really enjoyed like 90% of the book, but I don't know if the ending will make for a good second book.
bookishmadness's review against another edition
4.0
What it's about: Two young socialite sisters and their best friend are left in the custody of their Uncle after their father passes away. Prudence has always been treated like a member of the family, but now to stay close to the sisters, she has to become their maid. Rowena knows the situation sucks for Pru, but she can't really argue with her Uncle... Victoria just wants to go to University to study, and she is sick of being separated from Pru, and sets out to find the hidden secret of the Buxton family.
What I thought: Scandal and balls abound in this historical novel set in the 1910's. I love historical fiction, and this one was no different. It definitely had a Downton Abbey-esque feel to it! We begin the novel with tragedy and having to leave their beloved home behind, setting the pace for the rest of the novel. Rowena and Victoria both love Prudence, but the only way Uncle is letting her come is as a servant. Prudence wasn't born from wealth, but Sir Philip always treated her as one of his own. She had the dresses and the company of a wealthy-born girl, but now she's stuck playing maid to her two friends, especially to Rowena, who is too shamed and guilt-ridden to admit she has no way to change Prudence's circumstances. Victoria is on the hunt for the truth, because the Buxton's are hiding something. Despite these lingering troubles, the girls continue with their lives - Pru trying to track down her family, Rowena falling for a flyboy and Victoria continuing her writing in secret.
This novel held my attention from start until finish and I didn't put it down once. If you love historical fiction, Downton Abbey or just love a good scandal, then this is the novel for you! Bring on book two!
The Good: I love how T.J. Brown has given us several different points of view through-out the novel - it certainly gives the novel extra depth.
The Bad: Nothing! Only having to wait until I'm off my book ban to read the next one!!
Rating: 5 bookstacks
What I thought: Scandal and balls abound in this historical novel set in the 1910's. I love historical fiction, and this one was no different. It definitely had a Downton Abbey-esque feel to it! We begin the novel with tragedy and having to leave their beloved home behind, setting the pace for the rest of the novel. Rowena and Victoria both love Prudence, but the only way Uncle is letting her come is as a servant. Prudence wasn't born from wealth, but Sir Philip always treated her as one of his own. She had the dresses and the company of a wealthy-born girl, but now she's stuck playing maid to her two friends, especially to Rowena, who is too shamed and guilt-ridden to admit she has no way to change Prudence's circumstances. Victoria is on the hunt for the truth, because the Buxton's are hiding something. Despite these lingering troubles, the girls continue with their lives - Pru trying to track down her family, Rowena falling for a flyboy and Victoria continuing her writing in secret.
This novel held my attention from start until finish and I didn't put it down once. If you love historical fiction, Downton Abbey or just love a good scandal, then this is the novel for you! Bring on book two!
The Good: I love how T.J. Brown has given us several different points of view through-out the novel - it certainly gives the novel extra depth.
The Bad: Nothing! Only having to wait until I'm off my book ban to read the next one!!
Rating: 5 bookstacks
lauriestein's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this might be terrible but was surprised to find myself mildly interested. It's on a level with Downton Abbey - the same soapy drama, cliched plot points, and historical anviliciousness. The male characters aren't overburdened with any excess of personality, but the women have some depth. Not a bad diversion during the wait for DA series 4.
brownejanet1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lifeand100books's review against another edition
3.0
My review on the entire Summerset Abbey trilogy can be found here:http://wp.me/p18lIL-2kj
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
mjwerts's review against another edition
2.0
The cover of this novel proclaims it's perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, which is entirely true on one front as ridiculous characters find themselves in often perplexing, out-of-nowhere conundrums. At the same time, the show has something with which this novel struggles: relatable people.
Summerset Abbey is populated by individuals making inexplicable decisions on a continuous basis. Of course if any of them made a rational decision or behaved as an adult, the novel would lack any plot. Instead, the reader is often left shaking her head (or her fist) at the unnecessary angst.
Summerset Abbey is populated by individuals making inexplicable decisions on a continuous basis. Of course if any of them made a rational decision or behaved as an adult, the novel would lack any plot. Instead, the reader is often left shaking her head (or her fist) at the unnecessary angst.
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
4.0
Summerset Abbey, the first book in the Summerset Abbey, sets the stakes high and will leave readers dying for more. It has definitely rekindled my love for all things historical fiction.
While Summerset Abbey is very obviously a historical fiction novel, it doesn’t read like one. It’s a much more fast-paced read than traditional historical fiction and while there are quite a few references to the time period, it’s not overdone. The time period isn’t thrown in your face, it’s subtly shown through every little interaction of the characters and all the little details of the story.
Summerset Abbey is classified as an adult novel but it will hold great appeal to young adult readers. The characters are in their late teens, going into their early twenties and their problems are very easy to relate to even if they do live in a different time period. There is romance, mystery, betrayal, and tons of lies. While the mystery was a tad bit predictable it was still enjoyable to read and left many things open for the next book in the series.
The characters were both my favorite and least favorite thing about the book. Rowena, Victoria, and Prudence are all very different girls and while I loved two of them, the third left me wanting more. Rowena was rather selfish even when she was supposedly trying to help others. She professed to care for Prudence and love her like a sister but she certainly didn’t treat her like one. Victoria, on the other hand, did very clearly care for Prudence. Victoria was outspoken, unique, fun, and a true original. The best thing about her though was her kindness to everyone. Prudence was also a great character. She was a little bit of a downer at times but her situation called for it. She was smart, funny, kind, and I hated seeing her treated badly. She and Victoria were easy to love and while Rowena was a bit lacking, I’m hoping to see changes from her in the next book.
Overall, Summerset Abbey is a fabulous start to the series and I look forward to continuing with the story. The second book holds lots of promise after the shocking ending to Summerset Abbey.
While Summerset Abbey is very obviously a historical fiction novel, it doesn’t read like one. It’s a much more fast-paced read than traditional historical fiction and while there are quite a few references to the time period, it’s not overdone. The time period isn’t thrown in your face, it’s subtly shown through every little interaction of the characters and all the little details of the story.
Summerset Abbey is classified as an adult novel but it will hold great appeal to young adult readers. The characters are in their late teens, going into their early twenties and their problems are very easy to relate to even if they do live in a different time period. There is romance, mystery, betrayal, and tons of lies. While the mystery was a tad bit predictable it was still enjoyable to read and left many things open for the next book in the series.
The characters were both my favorite and least favorite thing about the book. Rowena, Victoria, and Prudence are all very different girls and while I loved two of them, the third left me wanting more. Rowena was rather selfish even when she was supposedly trying to help others. She professed to care for Prudence and love her like a sister but she certainly didn’t treat her like one. Victoria, on the other hand, did very clearly care for Prudence. Victoria was outspoken, unique, fun, and a true original. The best thing about her though was her kindness to everyone. Prudence was also a great character. She was a little bit of a downer at times but her situation called for it. She was smart, funny, kind, and I hated seeing her treated badly. She and Victoria were easy to love and while Rowena was a bit lacking, I’m hoping to see changes from her in the next book.
Overall, Summerset Abbey is a fabulous start to the series and I look forward to continuing with the story. The second book holds lots of promise after the shocking ending to Summerset Abbey.
waclements7's review against another edition
3.0
eGalley courtesy of NetGalley
****SPOILERS*****
Summerset Abbey
by T.J. Brown
Publication Date: January 15, 2013
Gallery Books
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN: 1451698984
Genre : Fiction / Historical
Source: eGalley courtesy of Net Galley
Reviewed by: Wendy Clements
Rating: 3/5
Summerset Abbey is the story of three young women, Rowena and Victoria Buxton, and Prudence Tate. The Buxtons are gentry, whereas Prudence is the daughter of their former governess. All three are motherless, and Rowena and Victoria’s father took Prudence in and raised her with his daughters, the bond between them as strong as any sister’s. In the Edwardian era, the setting for the story, Sir Philip Buxton is an unconventional man, raising his daughters to be free thinkers, exposing them to new ideas when women did not have many rights and were expected to marry and have a family, and to behave respectably within the limitations society dictated. The girls did not have the traditional coming out balls, were never debutantes, and were taught that class doesn’t matter, the important thing is people.
The novel opens with the funeral of Sir Buxton, and the three young women preparing for it. All of them are devastated, but they expect to remain in their home, unlike any other traditional home a man of the gentry might have. It is clear how much the young women depend on each other, offer each other support, and, most importantly, love and trust each other. No one cared that Prudence was the daughter of the governess, they were, in mind and spirit, true sisters. They had met artists, authors, men in science—all of them looking to the future—motorcars had already started to overtake carriages in popularity, and it was the dawn of aeronautics.
In doing what he believed was the right thing to do with his daughters and Prudence, however, Sir Buxton had gone to the opposite extreme. He wasn’t necessarily wrong to do so, but in Edwardian England, when women were still seen by the gentry as a way to cement ties between families, for land or money, his decision left them completely unprepared for his death. They believed they would stay in their home, and life would go on, not the way it had, but they would survive the death of their father and guardian and continue to live the way they always had. No provisions or legal papers were left on what would happen under these circumstances, and Sir Buxton’s brother, Lord Summerset, and his wife decide to move the three young women to Summerset Abbey to stay with them. Not having made arrangements in advance was really a pretty bad idea.
Victoria is eighteen, her sister a few years older, and Prudence in the middle. Three women their age living on their own now is commonplace, but in the eyes of Lord Summerset, it was completely unacceptable according the to rules of ‘civilized’ society. There is some protest, but not much, and the three pack what they need and head for Summerset Abbey, where the tight knot of their friendship and sisterhood hits the event that changes their lives, possibly forever (there is at least one sequel that I know of)—Lady Charlotte, their aunt, separates them, sending Prudence to the servants’ quarters downstairs, and Rowena and Victoria to their ‘proper’ places upstairs. Their aunt knows exactly what she is doing—the three young women find that whenever they mention Prudence’s mother’s name, no one will talk about her. Now, there is the underlying mystery of why no one will talk about her.
This is the point in the novel when it was unclear to me whether the young women are supposed to considered strong characters or not when subjected to the tests of the gentry’s thumbscrews. They fall into place fairly quickly, it seemed. As the oldest, Rowena feels a great responsibility for what happens to Victoria and Prudence, but she already has several strikes against her—she is a woman, she is deeply grieving for the loss of their father, and while she may have been strong in her old, familiar environment in London, at Summerset Abbey she has nothing to ground her. The combination of these things, instead of spurring her on to action, freeze her in place while the feelings of not having control of anything continue to pile up—Victoria constantly accuses her of doing nothing to help Prudence, now working as their Lady’s maid, which is true. Rowena becomes snappish and irritable, treating the servants, including Prudence, more and more the way her cousins and the rest of the Buxtons do. Rowena is no match for her Aunt Charlotte, who is an expert at manipulation and turning any situation to her advantage. The more accusations are thrown at her, the more she shuts herself off. The only one she feels herself with is a young pilot who crashes his plane near her when she’s out riding one day. She finds herself attracted to him, but not only is he involved with something her uncle would highly disapprove of, but his family and the Buxtons literally hate each other. Even they have a clash over class, which ends up having more to do with the families not getting along. With him, Rowena seems stronger, but at Summerset Abbey, she wilts.
Prudence struggles because she doesn’t fit in anywhere anymore. One of the Lords who comes to visit with the Buxton’s cousins is drawn to her, and she is to him, but instead of seeing where that might go, she leaves with one of the servants, Andrew, a seemingly kind young man with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, thinking she could learn to love him. She no longer trusts her former ‘sisters,’ and Lady Charlotte will make her life unbearable. So, the question is, does leaving Summerset make her a weaker or a stronger character? She has knowledge, which everyone knows is power, and could very possibly ruin the Buxtons, righting who knows how many wrongs their family has perpetrated in their own home and elsewhere. Or, is she stronger in that she walked away, having that knowledge yet behaving in a better way they did—not stooping to their level of manipulation?
Surprisingly, it is Victoria, frail and asthmatic, who takes the risks to help Prudence. At first, she seems helpless because of her illness, but being at Summerset helps her physically regain her strength—she comments she was always better there when they visited in the summers. She doesn’t seem to have trouble fitting in with her cousins and their friends, and she stubbornly attempts to carry on learning how to type and still has her dream of being a Botanist. It is the unexpected relationship with Kit, the oldest of her cousins’ friends and eight years her senior, who has the same feelings about marriage that Victoria does—not knowing that, they are off to a rocky start until he realizes she’s not interested in that, and they become friends. He goes with her to find out the truth about Prudence’s father. Her ability to persevere and unexpected resiliency, in my mind, makes her a strong character.
TJ Brown’s writing is engaging and makes an enjoyable read. I did have some difficulty truly connecting emotionally with the main characters—possibly because of what I wanted them to do being impossible for them given the time period they lived in. Some of the minor characters were given more depth. It didn’t come across so much as good vs. evil as evil soundly quashing good. From what I know, there were upper class families that had their share of scandal, but survived nonetheless, and while sometimes it was secret, sometimes it was common knowledge. Lady Charlotte’s hatred of Prudence seemed a little too intense and misdirected—Lady Charlotte seems to feel she is so clever with all of her little plots. I felt a little let down at the end, but curious enough about the characters to pick up the next book to find out what happens to them. I would have to say that by the end, even though he was a minor character, I found Kit the most intriguing, and I hope there’s more of him.
I am curious as to whether there will be a foil to Lady Charlotte’s character at some point—a woman who is self-sufficient not because she married well and has twisted her husband around her finger and perfectly trained him to do her bidding, but has money of her own, doesn’t need someone else, and is gentry but kind, not scheming. Lady Charlotte is presented as the ultimate goal a girl should wish to become—she rules Summerset through fear, not love or respect.
In terms of the historic feel for the period, I think the author did a very good job. One of my favorite series as a child (they actually address some of the same issues as Summerset Abbey) was Flambards, by K.M. Peyton, which takes place in the same time period.
While I personally would have liked a little more depth of character for some of the major characters, I did enjoy Summerset Abbey, and found myself wondering what would happen next. I checked the description of the book on Amazon and it mentions the ‘distant rumblings of war.’ I really didn’t see anything even hinting at World War I in the novel, unless it was something subtle I missed. I thought that important to mention—some people might be intrigued because of that aspect, which isn’t present. The next two novels are following, for book publication, in fairly short order, the second, Summerset Abbey: A Bloom in Winter, in Mar 5, 2013, and Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening, due out August 6, 2013. I am curious to see if they match up to their marketing descriptions.
****SPOILERS*****
Summerset Abbey
by T.J. Brown
Publication Date: January 15, 2013
Gallery Books
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN: 1451698984
Genre : Fiction / Historical
Source: eGalley courtesy of Net Galley
Reviewed by: Wendy Clements
Rating: 3/5
Summerset Abbey is the story of three young women, Rowena and Victoria Buxton, and Prudence Tate. The Buxtons are gentry, whereas Prudence is the daughter of their former governess. All three are motherless, and Rowena and Victoria’s father took Prudence in and raised her with his daughters, the bond between them as strong as any sister’s. In the Edwardian era, the setting for the story, Sir Philip Buxton is an unconventional man, raising his daughters to be free thinkers, exposing them to new ideas when women did not have many rights and were expected to marry and have a family, and to behave respectably within the limitations society dictated. The girls did not have the traditional coming out balls, were never debutantes, and were taught that class doesn’t matter, the important thing is people.
The novel opens with the funeral of Sir Buxton, and the three young women preparing for it. All of them are devastated, but they expect to remain in their home, unlike any other traditional home a man of the gentry might have. It is clear how much the young women depend on each other, offer each other support, and, most importantly, love and trust each other. No one cared that Prudence was the daughter of the governess, they were, in mind and spirit, true sisters. They had met artists, authors, men in science—all of them looking to the future—motorcars had already started to overtake carriages in popularity, and it was the dawn of aeronautics.
In doing what he believed was the right thing to do with his daughters and Prudence, however, Sir Buxton had gone to the opposite extreme. He wasn’t necessarily wrong to do so, but in Edwardian England, when women were still seen by the gentry as a way to cement ties between families, for land or money, his decision left them completely unprepared for his death. They believed they would stay in their home, and life would go on, not the way it had, but they would survive the death of their father and guardian and continue to live the way they always had. No provisions or legal papers were left on what would happen under these circumstances, and Sir Buxton’s brother, Lord Summerset, and his wife decide to move the three young women to Summerset Abbey to stay with them. Not having made arrangements in advance was really a pretty bad idea.
Victoria is eighteen, her sister a few years older, and Prudence in the middle. Three women their age living on their own now is commonplace, but in the eyes of Lord Summerset, it was completely unacceptable according the to rules of ‘civilized’ society. There is some protest, but not much, and the three pack what they need and head for Summerset Abbey, where the tight knot of their friendship and sisterhood hits the event that changes their lives, possibly forever (there is at least one sequel that I know of)—Lady Charlotte, their aunt, separates them, sending Prudence to the servants’ quarters downstairs, and Rowena and Victoria to their ‘proper’ places upstairs. Their aunt knows exactly what she is doing—the three young women find that whenever they mention Prudence’s mother’s name, no one will talk about her. Now, there is the underlying mystery of why no one will talk about her.
This is the point in the novel when it was unclear to me whether the young women are supposed to considered strong characters or not when subjected to the tests of the gentry’s thumbscrews. They fall into place fairly quickly, it seemed. As the oldest, Rowena feels a great responsibility for what happens to Victoria and Prudence, but she already has several strikes against her—she is a woman, she is deeply grieving for the loss of their father, and while she may have been strong in her old, familiar environment in London, at Summerset Abbey she has nothing to ground her. The combination of these things, instead of spurring her on to action, freeze her in place while the feelings of not having control of anything continue to pile up—Victoria constantly accuses her of doing nothing to help Prudence, now working as their Lady’s maid, which is true. Rowena becomes snappish and irritable, treating the servants, including Prudence, more and more the way her cousins and the rest of the Buxtons do. Rowena is no match for her Aunt Charlotte, who is an expert at manipulation and turning any situation to her advantage. The more accusations are thrown at her, the more she shuts herself off. The only one she feels herself with is a young pilot who crashes his plane near her when she’s out riding one day. She finds herself attracted to him, but not only is he involved with something her uncle would highly disapprove of, but his family and the Buxtons literally hate each other. Even they have a clash over class, which ends up having more to do with the families not getting along. With him, Rowena seems stronger, but at Summerset Abbey, she wilts.
Prudence struggles because she doesn’t fit in anywhere anymore. One of the Lords who comes to visit with the Buxton’s cousins is drawn to her, and she is to him, but instead of seeing where that might go, she leaves with one of the servants, Andrew, a seemingly kind young man with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, thinking she could learn to love him. She no longer trusts her former ‘sisters,’ and Lady Charlotte will make her life unbearable. So, the question is, does leaving Summerset make her a weaker or a stronger character? She has knowledge, which everyone knows is power, and could very possibly ruin the Buxtons, righting who knows how many wrongs their family has perpetrated in their own home and elsewhere. Or, is she stronger in that she walked away, having that knowledge yet behaving in a better way they did—not stooping to their level of manipulation?
Surprisingly, it is Victoria, frail and asthmatic, who takes the risks to help Prudence. At first, she seems helpless because of her illness, but being at Summerset helps her physically regain her strength—she comments she was always better there when they visited in the summers. She doesn’t seem to have trouble fitting in with her cousins and their friends, and she stubbornly attempts to carry on learning how to type and still has her dream of being a Botanist. It is the unexpected relationship with Kit, the oldest of her cousins’ friends and eight years her senior, who has the same feelings about marriage that Victoria does—not knowing that, they are off to a rocky start until he realizes she’s not interested in that, and they become friends. He goes with her to find out the truth about Prudence’s father. Her ability to persevere and unexpected resiliency, in my mind, makes her a strong character.
TJ Brown’s writing is engaging and makes an enjoyable read. I did have some difficulty truly connecting emotionally with the main characters—possibly because of what I wanted them to do being impossible for them given the time period they lived in. Some of the minor characters were given more depth. It didn’t come across so much as good vs. evil as evil soundly quashing good. From what I know, there were upper class families that had their share of scandal, but survived nonetheless, and while sometimes it was secret, sometimes it was common knowledge. Lady Charlotte’s hatred of Prudence seemed a little too intense and misdirected—Lady Charlotte seems to feel she is so clever with all of her little plots. I felt a little let down at the end, but curious enough about the characters to pick up the next book to find out what happens to them. I would have to say that by the end, even though he was a minor character, I found Kit the most intriguing, and I hope there’s more of him.
I am curious as to whether there will be a foil to Lady Charlotte’s character at some point—a woman who is self-sufficient not because she married well and has twisted her husband around her finger and perfectly trained him to do her bidding, but has money of her own, doesn’t need someone else, and is gentry but kind, not scheming. Lady Charlotte is presented as the ultimate goal a girl should wish to become—she rules Summerset through fear, not love or respect.
In terms of the historic feel for the period, I think the author did a very good job. One of my favorite series as a child (they actually address some of the same issues as Summerset Abbey) was Flambards, by K.M. Peyton, which takes place in the same time period.
While I personally would have liked a little more depth of character for some of the major characters, I did enjoy Summerset Abbey, and found myself wondering what would happen next. I checked the description of the book on Amazon and it mentions the ‘distant rumblings of war.’ I really didn’t see anything even hinting at World War I in the novel, unless it was something subtle I missed. I thought that important to mention—some people might be intrigued because of that aspect, which isn’t present. The next two novels are following, for book publication, in fairly short order, the second, Summerset Abbey: A Bloom in Winter, in Mar 5, 2013, and Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening, due out August 6, 2013. I am curious to see if they match up to their marketing descriptions.
raeanne's review against another edition
2.0
CW: Rape (in the past), Classist Elitism, Gender discrimination
2.5 stars: For unlikable characters and an obvious plot that dragged. The epilogue killed me and any enjoyment I felt previously.
I received this book for free from a giveaway but I can’t pinpoint the email where anymore. Sorry.
I have not watched Downtown Abbey so I can’t say yay or nay on that score. For me, reading an occasional historical novel makes the time come alive and there's often fascinating tidbits to be found.
However, none of that is really found here. Maybe I was disinterested and didn’t notice. But as it wore on I definitely found myself automatically skimming. Characters, setting, and drama felt standard while the mystery was obvious with heavy-handed foreshadowing.
Characters:
This was rough. Most are unlikable self-centered spoiled brats with nothing to do but drink and flirt. There were two bright spots are both are sobering and sad in different ways.
I did not like Rowena. She’s so disappointing. She started out promisingly but all her resolved dissolved as soon as she left her home. She kept whining about responsibilities but she had none. She didn’t do right by anyone and she only came alive for a man. She’s a suffragette? How pathetic.
She can talk a big game to her “lessers” but damn if she says anything when it matters. She isn’t even that thankful of her position in life or her privileged class. She betrays everything and everyone she supposedly stands for. And I’m supposed to assume it’s over grief? Sounds like she’s mourning her innocence when forced out into her shark tank of a society that devours each other and terrorizes those below them on the food chain.
Victoria was my second fav in the whole book. She is lively and tries to set things right. She cares and follows through. She doesn’t quite have a whole plan since she’s idealistic, stubborn, and passionate but she’s the only one doing a damn thing. Ro lays down to die while Pru tries to save herself and Vic tries to right grievous wrongs.
Prudence was the best until the whiplash ending. Dear lord, did she catch the stupid from Ro? What happened to sticking it to them and making her own way? Such a fucking cop out. It’s sad and hard to believe anyone would 1.) Say yes and 2.) She’d go through with it. What was she thinking? Now she’s stuck, which is the exact opposite of what she wants.
Elaine is a little two-face spoiled brat that tows the family line and takes after her mother. Her talk is nothing but bluster and she runs gleefully into meaningless rebellions like she’s got a case of affluenza. Worthless except the drive the sisters to distraction and keep tabs.
The Boys: Found them bland and pointless distractions. There was no swooning but much eye-rolling.
Historical Setting:
There’s plenty of historical details, particularly for fashion and home décor. Meh. What I could picture went off without a hitch. I’m not in love with the aesthetic though and on principle reject their social mores. I love when it’s subversive and shows how people maneuvered to survive but the latter only applies to Pru and the former to their father’s household.
I did like how society at large, the changes, the push-pull of generations, technology, and class were brought into it. I wish it wasn’t so background to their petty bullshit. I couldn’t let go and enjoy their gluttony and pernicious luxury. None of the well-to-do were positive, socially conscious people who tried to change anything. They’re clueless Edwardian frat boys and girls.
Plot:
The “shocking reveal” was anything but and drawn out with petty drama, disconnected flirting and romance, I wish it picked up the pace. I knew nothing would happen until it was spelled out directly for our slow-witted and easily distracted protagonists. Which of course didn’t happen until the very end.
It was hammered on from the beginning, arriving at Summerset Abbey. Subtle it was not. Having the random spurts of Lady Summerset’s perspective also hurt this aspect. It was a good way to build her character but it honestly could’ve been done away with and executed differently that didn’t kill the mystery. It was supposed to had depth and tension but sloppily done assuming readers are as thick as the sister trio.
This might’ve been a duology without the tedious day to day. Usually I like that and the character progression that follows but I kept wishing for a fucking revolution to take off their heads.
Then the fucking epilogue pulled a 180 and shit on everything I liked. That’s when I went from “meh, I’ll check the next book for Vic and Pru when I’m in the mood for it” to “OMFG NO!”.
I’m worried about the next books since this is so…padded. Hmmm, maybe the wrong word but so much of it felt insubstantial and pointless. I couldn’t care less. It was so slow…
The only reason I haven’t completely ruled out the next book is the preview chapter for A Bloom in Winter with Vic. She’s still good and it seems to bring social issues to the forefront. But you better believe I’ll quit early on it if it’s more of the same with no improvement. We’ll see.
2.5 stars: For unlikable characters and an obvious plot that dragged. The epilogue killed me and any enjoyment I felt previously.
I received this book for free from a giveaway but I can’t pinpoint the email where anymore. Sorry.
I have not watched Downtown Abbey so I can’t say yay or nay on that score. For me, reading an occasional historical novel makes the time come alive and there's often fascinating tidbits to be found.
However, none of that is really found here. Maybe I was disinterested and didn’t notice. But as it wore on I definitely found myself automatically skimming. Characters, setting, and drama felt standard while the mystery was obvious with heavy-handed foreshadowing.
Characters:
This was rough. Most are unlikable self-centered spoiled brats with nothing to do but drink and flirt. There were two bright spots are both are sobering and sad in different ways.
I did not like Rowena. She’s so disappointing. She started out promisingly but all her resolved dissolved as soon as she left her home. She kept whining about responsibilities but she had none. She didn’t do right by anyone and she only came alive for a man. She’s a suffragette? How pathetic.
She can talk a big game to her “lessers” but damn if she says anything when it matters. She isn’t even that thankful of her position in life or her privileged class. She betrays everything and everyone she supposedly stands for. And I’m supposed to assume it’s over grief? Sounds like she’s mourning her innocence when forced out into her shark tank of a society that devours each other and terrorizes those below them on the food chain.
Victoria was my second fav in the whole book. She is lively and tries to set things right. She cares and follows through. She doesn’t quite have a whole plan since she’s idealistic, stubborn, and passionate but she’s the only one doing a damn thing. Ro lays down to die while Pru tries to save herself and Vic tries to right grievous wrongs.
Prudence was the best until the whiplash ending. Dear lord, did she catch the stupid from Ro? What happened to sticking it to them and making her own way? Such a fucking cop out. It’s sad and hard to believe anyone would 1.) Say yes and 2.) She’d go through with it. What was she thinking? Now she’s stuck, which is the exact opposite of what she wants.
Elaine is a little two-face spoiled brat that tows the family line and takes after her mother. Her talk is nothing but bluster and she runs gleefully into meaningless rebellions like she’s got a case of affluenza. Worthless except the drive the sisters to distraction and keep tabs.
The Boys: Found them bland and pointless distractions. There was no swooning but much eye-rolling.
Historical Setting:
There’s plenty of historical details, particularly for fashion and home décor. Meh. What I could picture went off without a hitch. I’m not in love with the aesthetic though and on principle reject their social mores. I love when it’s subversive and shows how people maneuvered to survive but the latter only applies to Pru and the former to their father’s household.
I did like how society at large, the changes, the push-pull of generations, technology, and class were brought into it. I wish it wasn’t so background to their petty bullshit. I couldn’t let go and enjoy their gluttony and pernicious luxury. None of the well-to-do were positive, socially conscious people who tried to change anything. They’re clueless Edwardian frat boys and girls.
Plot:
The “shocking reveal” was anything but and drawn out with petty drama, disconnected flirting and romance, I wish it picked up the pace. I knew nothing would happen until it was spelled out directly for our slow-witted and easily distracted protagonists. Which of course didn’t happen until the very end.
It was hammered on from the beginning, arriving at Summerset Abbey. Subtle it was not. Having the random spurts of Lady Summerset’s perspective also hurt this aspect. It was a good way to build her character but it honestly could’ve been done away with and executed differently that didn’t kill the mystery. It was supposed to had depth and tension but sloppily done assuming readers are as thick as the sister trio.
This might’ve been a duology without the tedious day to day. Usually I like that and the character progression that follows but I kept wishing for a fucking revolution to take off their heads.
Then the fucking epilogue pulled a 180 and shit on everything I liked. That’s when I went from “meh, I’ll check the next book for Vic and Pru when I’m in the mood for it” to “OMFG NO!”.
I’m worried about the next books since this is so…padded. Hmmm, maybe the wrong word but so much of it felt insubstantial and pointless. I couldn’t care less. It was so slow…
The only reason I haven’t completely ruled out the next book is the preview chapter for A Bloom in Winter with Vic. She’s still good and it seems to bring social issues to the forefront. But you better believe I’ll quit early on it if it’s more of the same with no improvement. We’ll see.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Summary of this books sounds great. Although I did not watch 'Downton Abbey' I still expected to like this book and hoped to see some interesting insights into customs of Edwardian English society. But 'Summerset Abbey' surprised me because instead of three independent, strong women that should think ahead of their age, I got three pampered young girls, that were sheltered from society by their father/guardian Sir Philip.
When Sir Philip dies, his daughters Rowena & Victoria and their childhood companion Prudence (daughter of their governess who grew up with them) will get a sobering reality check. Moving to Summerset Abbey to live with their uncle will find them struggling to fit in. This book was not easy to read - it was depressing and feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming.
My rating: 2.5 stars (too depressing for my taste, but writing was very good)
Will I be reading next book in series? Not sure, I am contemplating to read the next book [b:A Bloom in Winter|15803193|Summerset Abbey A Bloom in Winter (Summerset Abbey, #2)|T.J. Brown|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356512964s/15803193.jpg|21526127] just so I could see something nice happening to main characters in the future.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
When Sir Philip dies, his daughters Rowena & Victoria and their childhood companion Prudence (daughter of their governess who grew up with them) will get a sobering reality check. Moving to Summerset Abbey to live with their uncle will find them struggling to fit in. This book was not easy to read - it was depressing and feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming.
My rating: 2.5 stars (too depressing for my taste, but writing was very good)
Will I be reading next book in series? Not sure, I am contemplating to read the next book [b:A Bloom in Winter|15803193|Summerset Abbey A Bloom in Winter (Summerset Abbey, #2)|T.J. Brown|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356512964s/15803193.jpg|21526127] just so I could see something nice happening to main characters in the future.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.