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lisaeliza's review
4.0
Filled with mysterious strangers and a keen sexual awakening, this novel is the perfect launchpad for a series of intrigue and science fiction.
corrie's review
4.0
Caroline Daniels is a young woman who lives with her father somewhere remote on the English coast. The family is impoverished gentry – her father wants her to marry well so she can have a comfortable live. The likely candidate seems to be new arrival Sir Edward Masterson, a wealthy tradesman who wants to re-inhabit Harkworth Hall.
Everyone seems charmed by the suave older gentleman, but Caroline can’t shake the feeling of dark forboding that seems to cling to him. And then there is his strange secretary Mr. Chase - a woman disguising herself as a man - who keeps hinting that Caroline’s dark suspicions about Masterson are correct.
The book had a Gothic romance feel and L.S. Johnson’s unadorned writing style captures the period beautifully (for a shorter book the quick pace gives it plenty of content). There is tention, something sinister lurking underneath and the little eerie details really set the mood.
I like Caroline. She is no wilting flower but a young woman with grit and courage. She wants to live, be adventurous like the stories of the female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read she play-acted as a child with her best friend Diana Fitzroy. Her internal struggle with being a dutiful daughter and play by society’s rules (she loves her father – a likeable man - and wants to make him happy) was nicely portayed and believable.
I also like the relationship between Caroline and Mr. Chase. There was no insta-love here, in fact Caroline spends over half the book heavily mistrusting him (her). But the chemistry is there and I can't wait to see what develops in the next story.
f/f
Themes: shades of Hitchcock’s The Birds, something wicked this way comes, “Ask him about his wives” gave me the willies, release the Kraken!, those smugglers make filthy houseguests, listen to your gut Caroline!, ooooh lovely twist there towards the end, I love to read the next book and see their romance continue, I want more!
4.3 stars
Everyone seems charmed by the suave older gentleman, but Caroline can’t shake the feeling of dark forboding that seems to cling to him. And then there is his strange secretary Mr. Chase - a woman disguising herself as a man - who keeps hinting that Caroline’s dark suspicions about Masterson are correct.
The book had a Gothic romance feel and L.S. Johnson’s unadorned writing style captures the period beautifully (for a shorter book the quick pace gives it plenty of content). There is tention, something sinister lurking underneath and the little eerie details really set the mood.
I like Caroline. She is no wilting flower but a young woman with grit and courage. She wants to live, be adventurous like the stories of the female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read she play-acted as a child with her best friend Diana Fitzroy. Her internal struggle with being a dutiful daughter and play by society’s rules (she loves her father – a likeable man - and wants to make him happy) was nicely portayed and believable.
I also like the relationship between Caroline and Mr. Chase. There was no insta-love here, in fact Caroline spends over half the book heavily mistrusting him (her). But the chemistry is there and I can't wait to see what develops in the next story.
f/f
Themes: shades of Hitchcock’s The Birds, something wicked this way comes, “Ask him about his wives” gave me the willies, release the Kraken!, those smugglers make filthy houseguests, listen to your gut Caroline!, ooooh lovely twist there towards the end, I love to read the next book and see their romance continue, I want more!
4.3 stars
julesg's review
5.0
This Gothic tale starts out like a romance. Strong heroine, an eligible bachelor and his interesting secretary. Then you notice that this is not your average romance, it's a Gothic tale with an interesting twist.
I truly enjoyed reading it.
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publishers.
I truly enjoyed reading it.
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publishers.
kittyg's review
3.0
This was one of the better #SPFBO books I have in my batch this year and although this book is less fantastical than some of the others, there is a certain sense of wariness and dread that you get from reading it which added to the atmosphere.
This is the story of Caroline, a young lady who is just trying to keep her and her father afloat in their noble lifestyle with dwindling funds and hard times ahead. She is a dutiful daughter who cares a great deal for her father, and she only wants to help him, but secretly she wishes that help didn't have to come from a good marriage as she doesn't wish to be married at all.
The story is set in the countryside, where many old families have fallen on harsher times and the country of England is fighting to stay on top of their rivals the French. We soon meet a new young man who has come to the neighbourhood to try and broker a deal with the locals and invest in new trade. It seems that he is too good to be true, and Caroline is quickly suspicious when she is warned off of him, but she doesn't know quite how much trouble looms until a young girl goes missing and she has to hunt for her...
What I liked about this was the tone, it's dark and gloomy and bleak and I think you get a good sense of the drudgery of Caroline's life right from the start. I also think that there was a lot to like about Caroline because although up to this point she has obeyed all the rules and been there for her father she has a lot more to give and the events that play out means she has a chance to shine more. There is even a lesbian romance later in the book which was a wonderful and natural addition to the story.
Overall, I think this is one of those books where it starts off slow and builds the tension up to the end where the drama unfolds. I can certainly see this becoming a strong series, and my only real criticism is that it felt a little under-developed in places and some of the events were a little too convenient for my liking. 3.75*s from me, which is 7.5*s for #SPFBO purposes.
This is the story of Caroline, a young lady who is just trying to keep her and her father afloat in their noble lifestyle with dwindling funds and hard times ahead. She is a dutiful daughter who cares a great deal for her father, and she only wants to help him, but secretly she wishes that help didn't have to come from a good marriage as she doesn't wish to be married at all.
The story is set in the countryside, where many old families have fallen on harsher times and the country of England is fighting to stay on top of their rivals the French. We soon meet a new young man who has come to the neighbourhood to try and broker a deal with the locals and invest in new trade. It seems that he is too good to be true, and Caroline is quickly suspicious when she is warned off of him, but she doesn't know quite how much trouble looms until a young girl goes missing and she has to hunt for her...
What I liked about this was the tone, it's dark and gloomy and bleak and I think you get a good sense of the drudgery of Caroline's life right from the start. I also think that there was a lot to like about Caroline because although up to this point she has obeyed all the rules and been there for her father she has a lot more to give and the events that play out means she has a chance to shine more. There is even a lesbian romance later in the book which was a wonderful and natural addition to the story.
Overall, I think this is one of those books where it starts off slow and builds the tension up to the end where the drama unfolds. I can certainly see this becoming a strong series, and my only real criticism is that it felt a little under-developed in places and some of the events were a little too convenient for my liking. 3.75*s from me, which is 7.5*s for #SPFBO purposes.
synth's review
2.0
I would have certainly preferred if the book took its time to explore the gothic aspect a lot more, as well as draw out the creepiness and realization of danger that the wealthy marriageable man represented for the main character. There was a lot of potential for subtle commentary and characterization there. Some of it is commendably trying, but I was left wanting for more. Especially when it turns into an action story towards the end. It is certainly not awfully done but not what was advertised so I was a bit disappointed to abandon my gothic expectations. It's also why I'm hesitant to read the second installment. But I overall enjoyed this book and what it was saying, as well as the main characters, and their potential, and their slight romance – although I wished the latter took more time to develop and get recognized as romantic on the main character's part, as an isolated country girl, not necessarily all angsty "but this is unnatural and ungodly" but just to unlearn the role she's been taught since forever.
jaironside's review
5.0
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was marvellous. I read it in two sittings - probably could have polished it off in one if life had no intervened. Harksworth Hall takes a look at the classic nineteenth century Gothic novel and then turns a few things on their heads. The heroine, Caroline, is sensible, intelligent and adventurous - not that she gets much scope to exercise that in her stifling life - unconventional by the times standard. This is never presented in a 'not like the other girls way' however. It merely serves to emphasise that Caroline feels lost and alienated in her own life. We're given hints as to her probable sexuality early on and this adds another dimension to her character rather than detracts because it's been included as a unique selling point or to tick boxes.
Enter the suave and disconcerting Mr Masterson and the scene is set for a gothic romp. There are loose connections her to the folktale of 'Bluebeard' but this time it is the woman's curiosity and refusal to accept the stories she's told that ultimately saves her, having led her through great peril first of course.
Accompanying the villain, we have the secretary, Mr Chase who is not what he seems at all. Chase and Caroline's friendship and burgeoning romance is adorable. I pretty much shipped them from the first meeting because there's plenty of chemistry there, they really do spark off each other.
Throw in a generous dollop of sea mythology and hint of paranormal fantasy and this is a fabulous late Georgian historical adventure. The narrative voice is perfect, calling up the time period without descent into over prosiness or archaisms. It's engaging and mysterious, drawing you on until the last page. I was so relieved to reach the end and find out there was going to be another book. I await 'Leviathan' with baited breath. Loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone who likes a historical fantasy that's a bit different.
This was marvellous. I read it in two sittings - probably could have polished it off in one if life had no intervened. Harksworth Hall takes a look at the classic nineteenth century Gothic novel and then turns a few things on their heads. The heroine, Caroline, is sensible, intelligent and adventurous - not that she gets much scope to exercise that in her stifling life - unconventional by the times standard. This is never presented in a 'not like the other girls way' however. It merely serves to emphasise that Caroline feels lost and alienated in her own life. We're given hints as to her probable sexuality early on and this adds another dimension to her character rather than detracts because it's been included as a unique selling point or to tick boxes.
Enter the suave and disconcerting Mr Masterson and the scene is set for a gothic romp. There are loose connections her to the folktale of 'Bluebeard' but this time it is the woman's curiosity and refusal to accept the stories she's told that ultimately saves her, having led her through great peril first of course.
Accompanying the villain, we have the secretary, Mr Chase who is not what he seems at all. Chase and Caroline's friendship and burgeoning romance is adorable. I pretty much shipped them from the first meeting because there's plenty of chemistry there, they really do spark off each other.
Throw in a generous dollop of sea mythology and hint of paranormal fantasy and this is a fabulous late Georgian historical adventure. The narrative voice is perfect, calling up the time period without descent into over prosiness or archaisms. It's engaging and mysterious, drawing you on until the last page. I was so relieved to reach the end and find out there was going to be another book. I await 'Leviathan' with baited breath. Loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone who likes a historical fantasy that's a bit different.
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