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rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a departure from the type of book I usually read. This book was a historical fiction novel set in Vienna in the 1700s. Violetta is an orphan at The Incurables orphanage. She is studying to be a lead singer in the caro (choir). Violetta longs to live outside of the gates of the orphanage. One night, when only 5 or 6, gazing out her window, Violetta sees a young mother put her son into the wheel leading into the orphanage. Violetta is aghast at a mother leaving her son. Violetta vows that she will never become a mother. She studies the woman and commits her to memory. The woman is softly singing a song which Violetta never forgets. Years later, Violetta is up on the roof of the orphanage. Mino, a boy from the orphanage comes to the roof as well. Violetta recognizes that Mino is the boy that was abandoned years ago. They begin a friendship. Their friendship grows to love. However, their love is overshadowed by the fear that Violetta harbors that she would abandon a child. Through a series of missteps, Mino and Violetta lose each other. Life goes on, until one day,Violetta learns the truth about Mino's parents. She has to find him and tell him.
This is a story of heartache, secrets, and redemption.
I enjoyed the story. However, there were too many coincidences in the book for it to be considered great. It was a relatively quick read. I would read more from this author.
#TheOrphansSong #LaurenKate
This is a story of heartache, secrets, and redemption.
I enjoyed the story. However, there were too many coincidences in the book for it to be considered great. It was a relatively quick read. I would read more from this author.
#TheOrphansSong #LaurenKate
sadiereadthat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I revived a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This is the story of two orphans in Venice at a time when propriety ruled, not so did debauchery. Everyone wears a mask and does what they want, except the girls who sing, but one girl wants more for her life.
This started out slow and I wasn’t sure about it, but I quickly began to enjoy the story and want to know what would happen to the kids we met.
This is the story of two orphans in Venice at a time when propriety ruled, not so did debauchery. Everyone wears a mask and does what they want, except the girls who sing, but one girl wants more for her life.
This started out slow and I wasn’t sure about it, but I quickly began to enjoy the story and want to know what would happen to the kids we met.
gkmedford's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the historical fiction aspect of the story but I did not particularly like the story line.
byashleylamar's review against another edition
3.0
Prior to reading 'The Orphan's Song' I wasn't familiar with the author, Lauren Kate. After learning she has previously written YA novels, the vibe of this book makes so much more sense. It reads like a YA novel with bits and pieces being elevated to the adult hist-fic genre. It's not bad but it's also not at all what I expected. It's just so predictable and convenient.
By the time I reached about 15% through the book, the main characters had only met 2-3 times (that we knew about) yet were completely and obsessively in love with each other. Again, it wasn't bad but there wasn't enough character development for me to give a damn about them or their love story.
The pacing of the book was a mess with the middle dragging on and on while the ending felt rushed. All in all, it was an average book I won't remember for being good or bad. It's fine. It's just nothing special. That said, I am sure a lot of people will love it. I probably would have liked it more if I had picked it up expecting a YA novel.
I did thoroughly enjoy the way the author brought Venice and the carnivale to life. I loved the descriptions of the city, the fashion, the masks, and the revelry. The energy of the city of Venice really came through and I wish that same magic had been captured throughout the entire book.
By the time I reached about 15% through the book, the main characters had only met 2-3 times (that we knew about) yet were completely and obsessively in love with each other. Again, it wasn't bad but there wasn't enough character development for me to give a damn about them or their love story.
The pacing of the book was a mess with the middle dragging on and on while the ending felt rushed. All in all, it was an average book I won't remember for being good or bad. It's fine. It's just nothing special. That said, I am sure a lot of people will love it. I probably would have liked it more if I had picked it up expecting a YA novel.
I did thoroughly enjoy the way the author brought Venice and the carnivale to life. I loved the descriptions of the city, the fashion, the masks, and the revelry. The energy of the city of Venice really came through and I wish that same magic had been captured throughout the entire book.
michellesantiago's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted on Undeniably Book Nerdy book blog
The Orphan's Song was an outside-of-my-comfort-zone read for me as I rarely read historical fiction. However, what appealed to me about The Orphan's Song was the fact that it's written by Lauren Kate. I remember reading her YA paranormal books many years ago and I was curious about her adult debut. And the fact that it's set in eighteenth-century Venice, a time period I'm not very familiar with but very intrigued by.
And, WOW! Lauren Kate researched the heck out of this book and it shows! From the Hospital of the Incurables (the orphanage) to the streets of Venice to the canals to its lively nightlife, I was transported into Venice in the 1700s and I learned a lot about this glamorous yet strange time in history when the wearing of masks was a societal norm. A big part of the story had to do with music because our two main characters, Violetta and Mino, were musicians. Aside from the setting, it was evident through the writing the author's love for music and this love made me care for the topic more that I'd typically do as music-related stories are not usually my cup of tea. So, reading The Orphan's Song I was steeped in eighteenth-century Venice and classical music and I had a grand time.
I would've even had a grander time if I had connected more to Violetta and Mino, our two main characters, but it didn't quite happen. I liked them and they were interesting on their own, especially Violetta who felt more developed than the two. But, I never really bought their connection that the entire plot hinged on. I think their relationship was young kids in the orphanage needed more time to develop. This book was fairly short at only 326 pages--I wouldn't mind the book being longer and more pages dedicated to Violetta and Mino as young kids living in the orphanage, really building that solid foundation and friendship between them. Then I would've bought into their love despite all the big obstacles and other people between them in the years they were apart. Instead, we got their first "official" meeting on the roof, then several months had passed without them interacting at all, they had one other scene on the roof, and then fast forward several more months, and then Mino was declaring suddenly his love for Violetta and she rejecting him and then the both of them living separate lives for years and we're told they're in love with each other this whole time. How?! When they barely spent time together and were barely friends to start with.
On the other hand, although the plot was fairly standard and I predicted the big twist from a mile away (I don't know if I'll even call it a "twist" because it's been done many, many times before), I found the book entertaining nonetheless. Lauren Kate's writing was easy to get into--like I mentioned, I love the historical setting because she give just enough description and flavor that you become immerse in the world without bogging the story down with all historical facts. Despite my issues with the novel, I'm glad I picked up The Orphan's Song and I'm looking forward to more by Lauren Kate.
The Orphan's Song was an outside-of-my-comfort-zone read for me as I rarely read historical fiction. However, what appealed to me about The Orphan's Song was the fact that it's written by Lauren Kate. I remember reading her YA paranormal books many years ago and I was curious about her adult debut. And the fact that it's set in eighteenth-century Venice, a time period I'm not very familiar with but very intrigued by.
And, WOW! Lauren Kate researched the heck out of this book and it shows! From the Hospital of the Incurables (the orphanage) to the streets of Venice to the canals to its lively nightlife, I was transported into Venice in the 1700s and I learned a lot about this glamorous yet strange time in history when the wearing of masks was a societal norm. A big part of the story had to do with music because our two main characters, Violetta and Mino, were musicians. Aside from the setting, it was evident through the writing the author's love for music and this love made me care for the topic more that I'd typically do as music-related stories are not usually my cup of tea. So, reading The Orphan's Song I was steeped in eighteenth-century Venice and classical music and I had a grand time.
I would've even had a grander time if I had connected more to Violetta and Mino, our two main characters, but it didn't quite happen. I liked them and they were interesting on their own, especially Violetta who felt more developed than the two. But, I never really bought their connection that the entire plot hinged on. I think their relationship was young kids in the orphanage needed more time to develop. This book was fairly short at only 326 pages--I wouldn't mind the book being longer and more pages dedicated to Violetta and Mino as young kids living in the orphanage, really building that solid foundation and friendship between them. Then I would've bought into their love despite all the big obstacles and other people between them in the years they were apart. Instead, we got their first "official" meeting on the roof, then several months had passed without them interacting at all, they had one other scene on the roof, and then fast forward several more months, and then Mino was declaring suddenly his love for Violetta and she rejecting him and then the both of them living separate lives for years and we're told they're in love with each other this whole time. How?! When they barely spent time together and were barely friends to start with.
On the other hand, although the plot was fairly standard and I predicted the big twist from a mile away (I don't know if I'll even call it a "twist" because it's been done many, many times before), I found the book entertaining nonetheless. Lauren Kate's writing was easy to get into--like I mentioned, I love the historical setting because she give just enough description and flavor that you become immerse in the world without bogging the story down with all historical facts. Despite my issues with the novel, I'm glad I picked up The Orphan's Song and I'm looking forward to more by Lauren Kate.
thecatladylibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
It was an easy read, but I got thrown off by some inconsistencies with the time period. I am no expert on 1700s in Venice, but some words and phrases didnt fit which through me off. The story itself was good and definitely picked up last 40 pages.
elorra's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing story. I absolutely loved it. I never saw the ending coming.
kritterbird's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book. I have never read a book that took place in 1700 Italy. That was very interesting to read about that culture. I did have a difficult time understanding words as quite a few were either written in Italian or do not have an English translation.
The book did seem to move slowly. Then all of the sudden, it seemed like in the last like 10 pages, it all came to a very quick end.
The book did seem to move slowly. Then all of the sudden, it seemed like in the last like 10 pages, it all came to a very quick end.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Fate really has a sense of humor!
5 stars
The amount of times Letta and Mino just missed each other or just passed each other by chance is just CRAZY! Despite that, this story really pulled me in. So much that I avoided sleep to finish the last 3hrs and 40min . . . I couldn't stop listening and I was cringing the entire last hour. Really enjoyed this book!
5 stars
The amount of times Letta and Mino just missed each other or just passed each other by chance is just CRAZY! Despite that, this story really pulled me in. So much that I avoided sleep to finish the last 3hrs and 40min . . . I couldn't stop listening and I was cringing the entire last hour. Really enjoyed this book!
kwill11's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0