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ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Chateau in Books

Oct 19, 2021

The Chateau

Catherine Cooper | 2021 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Nick and Aura have moved from the UK to France, to escape from some mystery event that has happened in their past. And quite honestly, the Chateau they buy is like something out of The Money Pit (I’m showing my age here!). I should start by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this, BEFORE I say that the crumbling chateau was a pretty accurate metaphor for the state of their relationship. ANd try as I might, I found myself rooting for their sticky end, in whatever way it would come (I do so love to hate the main characters of a book!!). Nick and Aura are those stereotypical Brits who move to a foreign country without speaking the language, and never really learn how to speak it when they’re there - not that they’re given much of a chance.

Their small ex-pat community is full of the rich, spoilt and slightly/ very depraved.

Information about Nick and Aura is dished out in flashbacks, and I didn’t know who to feel the most sorry for. Oh hang on, I did. It was the children. To have parents like these *shakes head*.

There are so many twists and turns that you won’t know who to trust - right up to the Big Ending, and oh! How I loved it!

I think in the end, everyone got just what they deserved.

Highly recommended!
And many thanks (once again)to The Pigeonhole for continuing to help me with my NetGalley reading!

Kudos

Merissa (14102 KP) rated A Theory of Crystal: A Paladins of Crystal Novella in Books

Oct 18, 2023

A THEORY OF CRYSTAL is set in the Paladins of Crystal world but features a different main character - Yelena. She is a curvaceous woman with a mind of her own, not ready to be shoehorned into the role her mother wants her to take on. She makes her escape disguised as a boy and heads for a big city to work in the University Library. She is saved from a pack of bullies by three men who are very different from the ones she was supposed to marry.

This was a great read, and I love the world it is set in. Each of the characters has a distinct voice, making it easy to know who is speaking. Some of the comments they came out with were just brilliant. And I loved their reactions to Yelena, both as a boy and as a woman.

Without giving anything away, I loved the surprise cameo at the end, giving this book the perfect ending for Yelena and her men.

A brilliant addition that I just wanted to be longer as I love the world... and the author's writing! Definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 16, 2023