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nangerecht's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A romantic book that was just ok. Amy snow was an orphaned girl befriended by a young girl 8 yrs senior. Their friendship developed. The book was a treasure hunt for Amy to discover Aurelia's secret. I did not care for Henry very much.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
2.0
Amy Snow by Tracy Rees is about the journey of Amy Snow. In 1831, eight-year-old Aurelia Vennaway finds a baby in the snow outside her family home. Aurelia immediately wrapped up the naked and cold infant in her cloak and rushed into the house. Her mother was entertaining and was outraged that Aurelia would bring the child into the home. But considering her guests, Lady Celestina had to keep quiet. Thanks to the esteemed guests, the child was taken into the home (with stipulations) and placed in the kitchen (to sleep, live, and work). Aurelia named her Amy Snow (Amy after her favorite doll). Amy worked her way up in the household from kitchen maid (and sleeping in the pantry) to lady’s maid and then Aurelia’s companion. When Aurelia collapses outside one day, it was discovered that she had a heart condition. Aurelia seized a last chance to travel before she died and went away for a year. Aurelia sent Amy some letters, but she never included many details. Upon her return Aurelia’s condition deteriorated and Amy took care of her until she passed away at twenty-three. In Aurelia’s will she left Amy 10 pounds (this is British currency). Aurelia knew she had to be careful because of her parents (they would take it away from Amy). The next morning the local schoolteacher, Mr. Clay gives Amy a package and a letter. Aurelia is sending Amy on a treasure hunt one last time (they enjoyed them when they were younger). Aurelia knew her parents would not let Amy stay at Hatville Court once she passed away. They went through Amy’s belongings and threw her out that day. Amy follows the directions in the first letter and her adventure begins. What will Amy find at the end of the treasure hunt? What secret was Aurelia hiding from her parents? You will have to read Amy Snow to find out!
Amy Snow is a nicely written book, but it is extremely slow paced (and sentimental). We get to find out what life was like for Amy and Aurelia growing up in the Vennaway household (very different lives), what happened during Aurelia’s year of traveling, and Amy experiencing life outside the Vennaway household. I thought the story was predictable (it is a story we have read or heard many times). The author, though, does a good job of capturing the time period (Ms. Rees is a very descriptive writer). Tracy Rees gives the reader beautiful descriptions of the towns, homes and their furnishing, and the clothing worn by the people. I give Amy Snow 2 out of 5 stars (not for me). The story just dragged on too long and there was nothing unexpected or interesting to liven up the storyline. I did like the epilogue (when I finally go to it). The book is supposed to be a like mystery. Amy goes on the treasure hunt to find out what happened to Aurelia during that year. However, it is really no mystery. I think everyone will be able to guess the secret. I found Amy to be extremely naïve and gullible (as well as annoying). This novel was just not for me. I believe it would appeal to a younger audience (I probably would have enjoyed it more when I was a teenager).
I received a complimentary copy of Amy Snow from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions are strictly my own.
Amy Snow is a nicely written book, but it is extremely slow paced (and sentimental). We get to find out what life was like for Amy and Aurelia growing up in the Vennaway household (very different lives), what happened during Aurelia’s year of traveling, and Amy experiencing life outside the Vennaway household. I thought the story was predictable (it is a story we have read or heard many times). The author, though, does a good job of capturing the time period (Ms. Rees is a very descriptive writer). Tracy Rees gives the reader beautiful descriptions of the towns, homes and their furnishing, and the clothing worn by the people. I give Amy Snow 2 out of 5 stars (not for me). The story just dragged on too long and there was nothing unexpected or interesting to liven up the storyline. I did like the epilogue (when I finally go to it). The book is supposed to be a like mystery. Amy goes on the treasure hunt to find out what happened to Aurelia during that year. However, it is really no mystery. I think everyone will be able to guess the secret. I found Amy to be extremely naïve and gullible (as well as annoying). This novel was just not for me. I believe it would appeal to a younger audience (I probably would have enjoyed it more when I was a teenager).
I received a complimentary copy of Amy Snow from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions are strictly my own.
alidottie's review
3.0
This is just not my genre--mid 1800's historical fiction. The main character may have been spot on for the time period, but I just have no patience for women of that time period as they are portrayed in in literature. I thought the mystery was pretty transparent and not a very interesting path to get there.
iddedidde's review
4.0
Amy Snow bjöd på en fängslande, stark och charmig läsning fylld av hemligheter och mysterier. Karaktärerna i boken är originella och trovärdiga, och jag fastnade direkt för huvudkaraktären Amy Snow och hennes mysiga egenheter. Boken är otroligt välskriven med dess vackra meningar och väl genomtänkta händelser, och jag hade svårt att släppa boken när jag väl hade börjat läsa. Amy Snow är en vacker bok som berättar en enastående, charmig och vacker berättelse om en kvinna som hittar sig själv i letandet efter en mystisk hemlighet.
Amy Snow har korta kapitel, vilket är en stor del till varför man sträckläser den. Varje kapitel är intressant och relevant till berättelsen, och farten i handlingen är precis i min smak. Det kommer nya ledtrådar och ny information hela tiden, det finns inte ett enda långtråkigt eller enformigt kapitel i boken och det är alltid lika härligt att hitta sådana fartfyllda och spännande böcker.
Jag kan inte göra annat än rekommendera denna till er som vill läsa något unikt, inspirerande och charmigt. Amy Snow har allt som jag tycker att en bra bok ska innehålla: humor, en gnutta kärlek, fina karaktärer och en handling som får läsaren att på riktigt tänka till. Så, ni som inte har läst Amy Snow än – gör det! Ni kommer inte bli besvikna.
Amy Snow har korta kapitel, vilket är en stor del till varför man sträckläser den. Varje kapitel är intressant och relevant till berättelsen, och farten i handlingen är precis i min smak. Det kommer nya ledtrådar och ny information hela tiden, det finns inte ett enda långtråkigt eller enformigt kapitel i boken och det är alltid lika härligt att hitta sådana fartfyllda och spännande böcker.
Jag kan inte göra annat än rekommendera denna till er som vill läsa något unikt, inspirerande och charmigt. Amy Snow har allt som jag tycker att en bra bok ska innehålla: humor, en gnutta kärlek, fina karaktärer och en handling som får läsaren att på riktigt tänka till. Så, ni som inte har läst Amy Snow än – gör det! Ni kommer inte bli besvikna.
erikars's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The first quarter of this book was a bit of a slog. It makes sense why when you look at the book as a whole, but as I was reading, there were times when I wondered if it would pay off. That said, once I got further in, I found it to be a delightful tale of personal growth. The premise and plot are rather unbelievable relative to the setting. However, once I was willing to suspend by disbelief and buy into the plot, I quite enjoyed it.
carrymey's review
4.0
Based on other reviews I was uncertain if I would really enjoy this book, but my instict upon first reading the blurb proved to be right: I enjoyed it very much. Actually, it was quite wonderful. I must say it's a rather quiet story that progresses slowly, but shines with some amazing insightful and deep lines, that moved my heart a lot!
At first I didn't like Amy much, but her steady character grew on me as she grew in strength. It was wonderful to see how that frightened bird slowly changed into a confident young woman. This book was a journey to adulthood and it did so very well in it.
I have seen reviews about how there was too much about Aurelia and though my opinion about her is a bit twisted, Amy's and Aurelia's stories belong to each other and so I thought there was no such thing.
Spoiler:
I actually quite liked that Amy never found out about her parentage, firstly because if this book is about anything, it is about leaving your past well where it belongs and living in the now and having hopes for the future, secondly: because her parentage was nothing special and she surely would have been sad.
All in all this was a wonderful story about a young woman finding out who she is!!
At first I didn't like Amy much, but her steady character grew on me as she grew in strength. It was wonderful to see how that frightened bird slowly changed into a confident young woman. This book was a journey to adulthood and it did so very well in it.
I have seen reviews about how there was too much about Aurelia and though my opinion about her is a bit twisted, Amy's and Aurelia's stories belong to each other and so I thought there was no such thing.
Spoiler:
I actually quite liked that Amy never found out about her parentage, firstly because if this book is about anything, it is about leaving your past well where it belongs and living in the now and having hopes for the future, secondly: because her parentage was nothing special and she surely would have been sad.
All in all this was a wonderful story about a young woman finding out who she is!!
luciearan's review against another edition
4.0
Pro mě překvapivě velice originální příběh, napsaný velice příjemným stylem. Hlavní hrdinka byla poměrně sympatická, až na pár míst, kde jednala trochu nelogicky proti svému slibu a původnímu přesvědčení. To je ale asi jediný důvod, proč nedávám plné hodnocení, protože tohle je historická romance, přesně jak má být.
evj99's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0