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faithl's review
4.0
My Rating
The announcement of Kiernan's new book literally sent me flailing. I loved her Moorehawke Trilogy, its world-building and its intricate characters that when I heard of Resonance I was beyond happy. Unfortunately, I was slight let down.
Despite my 'mind blowing' expectations, I still really enjoyed this book. I blame my hectic couple of weeks for dragging me away from really getting into this book but I still managed to get through it.
The idea surrounding this book I must admit was incredibly original and something only a creative mind like Kiernan could come up with. A bizarre, kind of creepy immortal family lock up their 'angel' for reasons that I will not spoil. This family travels to a theatre group to audition people for their show when in reality they are looking for people to entertain and feed their angel. This was quite a creepy undergoing and I felt that this was the first part of the book. The second part was Tina, Joe and Harry actually arriving to the creepy family's house and all the events surrounding that. The first part in my opinion was very dragged along. It could've been hurried up a bit more though it did have the role of building up Tina, Harry and Joe as characters but I did still find myself slightly bored through some parts. The second part was when things started to pick up but as they begun to pick, so did my confusion. I wasn't overly confused but I was enough to lose a bit of my bearings.
As always, Kiernan's characters are each are very unique from each other and from other YA books. Because they're all from the 19th century, I did appreciate the fact that Kiernan did her best to make sure all the characters acted and sounded like the time they were from and also their upbringing. There are so many times in YA historical fiction where they don't sound historically accurate and even though there is that'fiction' element in this genre, it still annoys me!
Kiernan's writing is still superb with her intricate choice of words. While the pacing was quite slow in the first half, her writing style was still beautiful. I mostly granted this book a 3.5 stars because of my confusion, the slow pacing at the beginning and the fact that felt very detached while reading this book. Despite that, I would still recommend Kiernan's books to EVERYONE!!!! The Moorehawke trilogy is EXCELLENT. The first book is The Poison Throne and its an amazing book!
Disperse and pick it up!
bryangeles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sophiesmallhands's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, Slavery, and Antisemitism
meabh_ogrady's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
lisadr's review
5.0
If that wasn't enough to get you racing off to the shops to buy this book perhaps the plot will hook you. The story focuses on two groups of friends; Tina a seamstress in a Dublin theatre, who works for the aging diva Ursula Lyndon, her suitor Joe who works several jobs trying to raise money for a future with Tina and Harry a young American magician who has arrived in Dublin looking for work (Actually a young Harry Houdini). The three friends along with Ms Lyndon soon catch the attention of Vincent and Cornelius who have arrived at the theatre to audition players to perform at their country house. In reality Vincent and Cornelius live at Fargeal Manor and have lived there for centuries with Raquel and her children and an assortment of retainers and villagers. They have clung to life and their youthful looks by feeding from the light of an "angel" locked beneath the manor house but they and the angel are growing weak and what the men seek are performers who will feed the angel and sustain them. Tina, Joe and Harry soon realise that something is not right and set out to release the angel but have no idea of the consequences.
This is a dark tale asking deep questions about the existence of God and the meaning of life and friendship. It will intrigue fans and new readers alike and is a must if you are a fan of Dracula or The Picture of Dorian Grey. With this book Kiernan has absolutely become the Queen of Irish Gothic Fiction.
celiaedf12's review
3.0