Reviews

Magpie Hall by Rachael King

emjrey's review

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

3.75

Dark and moody, it went between a modern narrative and one a hundred years previous, set on the same property and family and dealing with similar themes. Tattoos, taxidermy, death, grief. It is a slower paced read, almost meandering at times. 

amandaclairee's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

punkydory's review

3.0

3.5

tipsysmudgeheidi's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

erinnnnn's review

1.0

I couldn't figure out if I was reading the same book as everyone else. There is nothing gothic about this book. No mystery, characters haphazardly thrown in at the last minute for a sad attempt at a "twist" maybe. For a thirty year old women the main character made very poor and sad decisions, and was unlike able. I'm sad this Ebook was so expensive as well.

shebalis's review

3.0

I really want to enjoy this and maybe I judge nz authors harder but it just seems so parochial. Also didn't like the main character.

shadeyc's review

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 Solid historical fiction.
I'm not sure we can call it gothic or a mystery, there isn't really anything mysterious going on, and its not particularly gothic, just a little macabre.
Interesting though. 

jambery's review

4.0

This is like a hipster gothic novel, with haunted mansions, tattoos, taxidermy, and dark mysterious pasts. I really liked it. I particularly liked the ending, which made me think, and changed the whole novel. I love it when authors surprise me. I am definitely looking forward to reading other books by King. (Also, this novel is set in New Zealand and has a number of distinctly Kiwi things. Awesome.)