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Haunted Hearts Legacy #1
The Architect of Song
A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower – intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.
For most of her life, Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.
To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.
International and NYT bestselling author, A.G. Howard, brings her darkly magical and visual/visceral storytelling to Victorian England. The Architect of Song is the first installment in her lush and romantic Haunted Hearts Legacy series, a four book New Adult gothic saga following the generations of one family as - haunted by both literal and figurative ghosts - they search for self-acceptance, love, and happiness.
Recommended for ages 16+
For most of her life, Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.
To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.
International and NYT bestselling author, A.G. Howard, brings her darkly magical and visual/visceral storytelling to Victorian England. The Architect of Song is the first installment in her lush and romantic Haunted Hearts Legacy series, a four book New Adult gothic saga following the generations of one family as - haunted by both literal and figurative ghosts - they search for self-acceptance, love, and happiness.
Recommended for ages 16+
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2016
77 people are currently reading
9553 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Howard
20 books9,073 followers#1 New York Times and International bestselling Author of gothic / fantasy & paranormal tales, mystical & romantic with a side of horror. A.G.'s dark Alice in Wonderland inspired Splintered series has been published in over a dozen languages.
Young adult, Adult, and literary romance. Repped by Jenny Bent.
How A.G. Howard rates books on GoodReads:
"I only rate or review books I enjoyed reading, and won't give any rating below 4 stars. Please don't consider every high rating a personal endorsement / recommendation from me. My ratings here are subjective to me as an individual.
I don't rate books solely on style. Every writer's voice is individual and unique; I've come to respect this truth during my own personal journey. As long as a story takes me to another place and is well edited, I'm going to give it a good rating. And if, for some reason, a book doesn't entertain me or I don't finish it, I won't leave a rating or review at all.
If you're considering a book I've reviewed/rated, be sure to read other reviews/ratings alongside mine to help you decide if it's a read you might enjoy personally.
Happy book hunting!"
Young adult, Adult, and literary romance. Repped by Jenny Bent.
How A.G. Howard rates books on GoodReads:
"I only rate or review books I enjoyed reading, and won't give any rating below 4 stars. Please don't consider every high rating a personal endorsement / recommendation from me. My ratings here are subjective to me as an individual.
I don't rate books solely on style. Every writer's voice is individual and unique; I've come to respect this truth during my own personal journey. As long as a story takes me to another place and is well edited, I'm going to give it a good rating. And if, for some reason, a book doesn't entertain me or I don't finish it, I won't leave a rating or review at all.
If you're considering a book I've reviewed/rated, be sure to read other reviews/ratings alongside mine to help you decide if it's a read you might enjoy personally.
Happy book hunting!"
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July 7, 2017This is book one in my New Adult historical literary romance series with paranormal elements, slated to launch in August 2016.
Please note: There are significant differences between my new adult (NA) novels and my young adult (YA) reads. I've listed the four most noteworthy ones for quick reference:
(1) Origins: Unlike my YA stories, my NA series is not spun-off or based-on any classical novels or fairytales. The world/setting/characters/canon/origins are unique and completely my own.
(2) Sensuality level: Although not graphic, my Haunted Hearts Legacy does have more intimate scenes -- steamy with a side of emotional stakes -- than my YA books since the plots and characters are more mature. However, the scenes are not as explicit as a lot of NA books because my storytelling process leans more toward literary than traditional romance or erotica.
(3) Pacing: Although it's still my signature visual/sensorial prose, this NA series is told in a literary style, meaning the plots are complex, haunting, and very character driven. This translates to a dark, introspective, and atmospheric read with a much slower build than the action-driven / faster-moving plots of my YA titles. In that respect, these stories are comparable to gothic classics such as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights in their descriptive, slow-burn unraveling, but less heavy on the old world English. ;)
(4) Setting and genre: My NAs are historical with paranormal elements, set in the Victorian era; whereas, to date, my YA books have been contemporary/ urban fantasy.
*****
Other FAQ for this book, including how I came up with the idea for a deaf, lip-reading protagonist, are listed here on the newly designed NA side of my website: http://goldenorbpress.blogspot.com/p/...
*****
To see my visual inspirations for this book, checkout the pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/authoraghow...
Also, I've posted an excerpt of the first few pages on my FB: https://www.facebook.com/authoraghowa...
*****
Update: 7/7/17
There's an INTL giveaway going on now for a chance to read book 2 of this series in ebook form before the launch date, or to win a signed paperback of this book! Check out my blog here for details: http://authoraghoward.blogspot.com/20...
Please note: There are significant differences between my new adult (NA) novels and my young adult (YA) reads. I've listed the four most noteworthy ones for quick reference:
(1) Origins: Unlike my YA stories, my NA series is not spun-off or based-on any classical novels or fairytales. The world/setting/characters/canon/origins are unique and completely my own.
(2) Sensuality level: Although not graphic, my Haunted Hearts Legacy does have more intimate scenes -- steamy with a side of emotional stakes -- than my YA books since the plots and characters are more mature. However, the scenes are not as explicit as a lot of NA books because my storytelling process leans more toward literary than traditional romance or erotica.
(3) Pacing: Although it's still my signature visual/sensorial prose, this NA series is told in a literary style, meaning the plots are complex, haunting, and very character driven. This translates to a dark, introspective, and atmospheric read with a much slower build than the action-driven / faster-moving plots of my YA titles. In that respect, these stories are comparable to gothic classics such as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights in their descriptive, slow-burn unraveling, but less heavy on the old world English. ;)
(4) Setting and genre: My NAs are historical with paranormal elements, set in the Victorian era; whereas, to date, my YA books have been contemporary/ urban fantasy.
*****
Other FAQ for this book, including how I came up with the idea for a deaf, lip-reading protagonist, are listed here on the newly designed NA side of my website: http://goldenorbpress.blogspot.com/p/...
*****
To see my visual inspirations for this book, checkout the pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/authoraghow...
Also, I've posted an excerpt of the first few pages on my FB: https://www.facebook.com/authoraghowa...
*****
Update: 7/7/17
There's an INTL giveaway going on now for a chance to read book 2 of this series in ebook form before the launch date, or to win a signed paperback of this book! Check out my blog here for details: http://authoraghoward.blogspot.com/20...
January 2, 2020
Finally read it. Just didn’t do it for me.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
***************
My September Lit-Cube box
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
***************
My September Lit-Cube box
June 22, 2025
[this is me, bringing attention to one of my most underrated faves]
Reviews are so 2014... so here's my analysis of the song Ivy by Taylor Swift compared to this book:
I don’t think these qualify as spoilers. I see them more like an analogy mixed with mental illness and obsession. Enjoy.
Starting of by giving us an evermore setting, we begin our reading journey feeling like we're in the wildest of winters, catching our deaths:
"The harshest bite of winter was just around the bend, and this beautiful creation—so unique, so fragile—would not survive"
The book is narrated by Juliet (stream Love Story (tv) ), a young woman who’s just lost her mother and is left with her uncle and long time-more like a family member at this point- maid, Enya. Juliet is deaf, she reads people’s lips, but spent the first few years of her life being able to hear and has no problem communicating with people when speaking. A mysterious man wants to buy the state that once belonged to her parents and is now hers, but she refuses to sell. When her mother’s funeral is over, something makes her dig up a silver flower that grew on another grave and take it home. When she touches one of the leaves, the ghost of a man appears before her and that’s when Ivy starts playing:
I was dragged into the depths of sadness in his eyes: lost moments, never to be reclaimed … nagging regrets and bittersweet longing
How's one to know I'd meet you where the spirit meets the bones.
So you know guys, let's delete dating apps and start dating the old fashioned, truly romantic way: meeting ghosts at the graveyard.
Our worlds revolved around one another, yet we lived on separate planes. We planned for stolen interludes—relished any intimacy, however fleeting. Each morn, his was the first face I longed to see; and each night we were together in my dreams. His words both guided and cut me to bleed, yet his songs healed my soul.
“I would spurn all the wonders of this place, everything that calls to me in this world, if it would bring you into my arms. I would embrace death for you, Hawk.”
How's one to know, I'd live and die for moments that we stole in begged and borrowed time.
A whisper of vulnerability shuddered through me. Our games had always been played beneath the veil of darkness and shadow. To enact the fantasies in broad daylight left us exposed—bared to the limitations of reality.
Hot ghost man is hot and dreamy! Gasps!
“Shall we plan some elaborate scheme? Or would you prefer to follow my lead?”
So tell me to run, or dare to sit and watch what will become, and drink my husband's wine.
"How could you let him touch you? Knowing I never can?” Hawk pounded his chest. “Knowing how I burn to!”
My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand, taking mine but it's been promised to another
“You are jealous,” I stated.
“I am worried.” A wry frown belied his calculated answer.
He’s in the room, your opal eyes are all I wish to see. He wants what’s only yours.
He might be colourblind, Juliet, but he’s not blind. Just dead.
If you want to be submerged in a story that feels like it was pulled out of the evermore vinyl, read this book. The prose is beautiful, the characters are lovable yet feel human enough to the point where you can easily pick on their flaws and want to punch them in the face (which is always a positive for me).
Reviews are so 2014... so here's my analysis of the song Ivy by Taylor Swift compared to this book:
I don’t think these qualify as spoilers. I see them more like an analogy mixed with mental illness and obsession. Enjoy.
Starting of by giving us an evermore setting, we begin our reading journey feeling like we're in the wildest of winters, catching our deaths:
"The harshest bite of winter was just around the bend, and this beautiful creation—so unique, so fragile—would not survive"
The book is narrated by Juliet (stream Love Story (tv) ), a young woman who’s just lost her mother and is left with her uncle and long time-more like a family member at this point- maid, Enya. Juliet is deaf, she reads people’s lips, but spent the first few years of her life being able to hear and has no problem communicating with people when speaking. A mysterious man wants to buy the state that once belonged to her parents and is now hers, but she refuses to sell. When her mother’s funeral is over, something makes her dig up a silver flower that grew on another grave and take it home. When she touches one of the leaves, the ghost of a man appears before her and that’s when Ivy starts playing:
I was dragged into the depths of sadness in his eyes: lost moments, never to be reclaimed … nagging regrets and bittersweet longing
How's one to know I'd meet you where the spirit meets the bones.
So you know guys, let's delete dating apps and start dating the old fashioned, truly romantic way: meeting ghosts at the graveyard.
Our worlds revolved around one another, yet we lived on separate planes. We planned for stolen interludes—relished any intimacy, however fleeting. Each morn, his was the first face I longed to see; and each night we were together in my dreams. His words both guided and cut me to bleed, yet his songs healed my soul.
“I would spurn all the wonders of this place, everything that calls to me in this world, if it would bring you into my arms. I would embrace death for you, Hawk.”
How's one to know, I'd live and die for moments that we stole in begged and borrowed time.
A whisper of vulnerability shuddered through me. Our games had always been played beneath the veil of darkness and shadow. To enact the fantasies in broad daylight left us exposed—bared to the limitations of reality.
Hot ghost man is hot and dreamy! Gasps!
“Shall we plan some elaborate scheme? Or would you prefer to follow my lead?”
So tell me to run, or dare to sit and watch what will become, and drink my husband's wine.
"How could you let him touch you? Knowing I never can?” Hawk pounded his chest. “Knowing how I burn to!”
My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand, taking mine but it's been promised to another
“You are jealous,” I stated.
“I am worried.” A wry frown belied his calculated answer.
He’s in the room, your opal eyes are all I wish to see. He wants what’s only yours.
He might be colourblind, Juliet, but he’s not blind. Just dead.
If you want to be submerged in a story that feels like it was pulled out of the evermore vinyl, read this book. The prose is beautiful, the characters are lovable yet feel human enough to the point where you can easily pick on their flaws and want to punch them in the face (which is always a positive for me).
September 3, 2016
Actual rating:
3.5/5 stars. (Rounded to three Goodreads stars even though I might change to four later - undecided)
Okay, so this book pretty much consumed me for the past couple of days. I could not put it down until I got all the answers to this captivating and romantic ghostly mystery.
The story revolves around three characters who are closely connected in a pretty complicated way that reveals itself as the story goes on. Our main character Juliet Emerline, is a girl who's just lost her mother when we meet her; and she's also a girl who's lost her hearing at a young age but is talented at lip-reading.
At her mother's cemetery, she comes across another grief stricken man at an enclosed grave with only the word "Hawk" on the headstone. Once alone, she steals a flower from that grave - one that surprisngly allows a ghost to start appearing to her. A ghost that she can hear talk and sing, and who she forms a tight bond with (and falls in love with).
The ghost, who she calls Hawk, doesn't remember his life or how he died. But he and Juliet know the answers are somehow connected to the man who was at his grave, Viscount Thorton; the same man who is trying to buy her childhood home and wants to marry her. And he offers her a job selling hats at his estate. So, for the sake of her ghost, she sets out to Thornton's estate to solve the mystery of his death and past life, and how it relates to the viscount and an old gypsy lady who watches over his grave.
I really liked the setting being nineteenth century England, which gives the perfect atmosphere for a gothic romance. It vaguely reminded me of Jane Eyre during Juliet's time in Thornton's manor, where she and her ghost "Hawk" keep growing wary because of the disturbing rumors surrounding the enigmatic viscount and the sounds that Hawk hears and warns Juliet about coming from above her room.
Also because of the time period, Juliet has always felt like she might not be accepted or comfortable socially because of her disability. But this challenge to step out adds to her character growth and how she gains confidence and self-acceptance through her journey in the book.
There is a triangle in this book and as much as I tried to focus on the mystery and ignore it - it really took priority. But while it did not endear me to triangles in stories, it wasn't the regular kind, and both sides of the romance here each have their share of beautiful moments. The three characters are connected in a complicated and interesting way (especially the two men) that is revealed through the book - it's a part of the mystery I can't spoil.
Triangles usually make all the characters involved look bad, no exceptions here, but I think I understood Juliet's feelings for both men and the conflict that presents, especially since one of them is a ghost (who she can't touch without sad consequences).
There's an intriguing secrecy and unpredictability about the two male characters, as different as they are from on another, which had me at times questioning how trustful one is over the other -- which is a good thing in a mystery novel. (And it's always a great thing when characters are complex.)
Still, the book managed to make me feel for all three characters.
The mystery is what really captivated me in the novel. It kept unfolding bit by bit in a way that had me dying to skip to the end at times, because of all the theories it built up in my head. There are enough clues that made me guess a couple of things ahead of the characters (which was exciting to wait to be sure, but then one might argue these parts are made a bit predictable).
But, new questions and surprises kept popping up that kept me constantly wondering, and the bonds between the characters made me care more to know every detail.
And I was afraid this would have slow pacing but I was surprised that I was never bored.
My complaint , and unfortunately it made me take down stars from my rating, is that I was a bit disappointed by the ending. It did not leave any loose ends, nor was I upset by anything in particular, and I liked how the 'mystery' concluded (what we learn happened), but I was not really satisfied by how it was presented to us.
There was so much built up, to the point of suspense, that I expected more from the ending. Some important information and events I was waiting for were "told" to Juliet rather than "shown". Maybe it's just me having let my expectations grow too high. But the ending did feel a bit too convenient, and too neatly and quickly settled.
The ending as it is in the book should have gotten more of an emotional response from me, but I just felt like something was missing. And yet nothing was notably missing and everything was indeed concluded by the end. Oh, well.
That being said, overall this was just the kind of book I've been wanting to read. A romantic mystery with a ghost (yes, I've been looking for this actually - not weird!), interesting characters, some diversity, painful backstories, and a beautiful setting. Yes, it could have been a bit better at the end, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the whole book and how for the most part, it was an enthralling and enjoyable experience that I would want repeated in a heart beat through the upcoming novels in this series. I don't think the rest of the books continue this story (this one looks to be concluded), but they will probably have the same romantic and haunting atmosphere which I really liked in this book!
Also, I wish that more books in this genre (New Adult) tried something new like this, instead of the usual contemporary. This genre needs more of the historical, the paranormal, the fantastical... There is a readership for this type of novel, I'm sure of it as I'm definitely one of them.
Okay, so this book pretty much consumed me for the past couple of days. I could not put it down until I got all the answers to this captivating and romantic ghostly mystery.
The story revolves around three characters who are closely connected in a pretty complicated way that reveals itself as the story goes on. Our main character Juliet Emerline, is a girl who's just lost her mother when we meet her; and she's also a girl who's lost her hearing at a young age but is talented at lip-reading.
At her mother's cemetery, she comes across another grief stricken man at an enclosed grave with only the word "Hawk" on the headstone. Once alone, she steals a flower from that grave - one that surprisngly allows a ghost to start appearing to her. A ghost that she can hear talk and sing, and who she forms a tight bond with (and falls in love with).
The ghost, who she calls Hawk, doesn't remember his life or how he died. But he and Juliet know the answers are somehow connected to the man who was at his grave, Viscount Thorton; the same man who is trying to buy her childhood home and wants to marry her. And he offers her a job selling hats at his estate. So, for the sake of her ghost, she sets out to Thornton's estate to solve the mystery of his death and past life, and how it relates to the viscount and an old gypsy lady who watches over his grave.
I really liked the setting being nineteenth century England, which gives the perfect atmosphere for a gothic romance. It vaguely reminded me of Jane Eyre during Juliet's time in Thornton's manor, where she and her ghost "Hawk" keep growing wary because of the disturbing rumors surrounding the enigmatic viscount and the sounds that Hawk hears and warns Juliet about coming from above her room.
Also because of the time period, Juliet has always felt like she might not be accepted or comfortable socially because of her disability. But this challenge to step out adds to her character growth and how she gains confidence and self-acceptance through her journey in the book.
There is a triangle in this book and as much as I tried to focus on the mystery and ignore it - it really took priority. But while it did not endear me to triangles in stories, it wasn't the regular kind, and both sides of the romance here each have their share of beautiful moments. The three characters are connected in a complicated and interesting way (especially the two men) that is revealed through the book - it's a part of the mystery I can't spoil.
Triangles usually make all the characters involved look bad, no exceptions here, but I think I understood Juliet's feelings for both men and the conflict that presents, especially since one of them is a ghost (who she can't touch without sad consequences).
There's an intriguing secrecy and unpredictability about the two male characters, as different as they are from on another, which had me at times questioning how trustful one is over the other -- which is a good thing in a mystery novel. (And it's always a great thing when characters are complex.)
Still, the book managed to make me feel for all three characters.
The mystery is what really captivated me in the novel. It kept unfolding bit by bit in a way that had me dying to skip to the end at times, because of all the theories it built up in my head. There are enough clues that made me guess a couple of things ahead of the characters (which was exciting to wait to be sure, but then one might argue these parts are made a bit predictable).
But, new questions and surprises kept popping up that kept me constantly wondering, and the bonds between the characters made me care more to know every detail.
And I was afraid this would have slow pacing but I was surprised that I was never bored.
My complaint , and unfortunately it made me take down stars from my rating, is that I was a bit disappointed by the ending. It did not leave any loose ends, nor was I upset by anything in particular, and I liked how the 'mystery' concluded (what we learn happened), but I was not really satisfied by how it was presented to us.
There was so much built up, to the point of suspense, that I expected more from the ending. Some important information and events I was waiting for were "told" to Juliet rather than "shown". Maybe it's just me having let my expectations grow too high. But the ending did feel a bit too convenient, and too neatly and quickly settled.
The ending as it is in the book should have gotten more of an emotional response from me, but I just felt like something was missing. And yet nothing was notably missing and everything was indeed concluded by the end. Oh, well.
That being said, overall this was just the kind of book I've been wanting to read. A romantic mystery with a ghost (yes, I've been looking for this actually - not weird!), interesting characters, some diversity, painful backstories, and a beautiful setting. Yes, it could have been a bit better at the end, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the whole book and how for the most part, it was an enthralling and enjoyable experience that I would want repeated in a heart beat through the upcoming novels in this series. I don't think the rest of the books continue this story (this one looks to be concluded), but they will probably have the same romantic and haunting atmosphere which I really liked in this book!
Also, I wish that more books in this genre (New Adult) tried something new like this, instead of the usual contemporary. This genre needs more of the historical, the paranormal, the fantastical... There is a readership for this type of novel, I'm sure of it as I'm definitely one of them.
Read
August 4, 2016Oh my goodness!! I am blissed out from the beauty of these words.
Breathtaking and romantic.
Breathtaking and romantic.
April 3, 2016
I just adore Anita's words and this was just as perfect the second time around.
August 15, 2016
An ARC of this title was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
I was offered a review copy of The Architect of Song and being a hard-core fan of A.G. Howard's Splintered series, I couldn't say yes fast enough. This is her first "new adult" novel and it's historical fiction with ghosts and baronets and an orphaned protagonist and it's very reminiscent of Crimson Peak , which I just recently watched this week, and I'm kind of in love with it.
I finished reading this novel with the biggest sense of satisfaction I've had from completing a novel in awhile. It is most definitely my new favorite novel from A.G. Howard because it feels more like her own writing than even the Splintered series did, and I've enjoyed following the tour and reading why she decided to self-publish this novel.
The Architect of Song wasn't perfect, but it was pretty damn close for my tastes. I adored the ending but I could have used more exposition, namely a conversation between the MC and the Lord of the manor so I could see all of the awkward as they finally, FINALLY came completely clean about everything. I don't like that this reconciliation of sorts happened mostly off the page. But I always want more at the end, especially more time with the characters, so I don't even really know if that can be considered a complaint. But if it is, it's really my only one.
I loved how Juliet's affliction was handled. Because in the time period this story was based, she would have been abhorred for her lack of hearing, and yet the author found a way to make her deafness a strength...and for Juliet to keep the fact of her deafness a relative secret. I felt that this ailment was presented in a manner that was accurate for the time period, even if that level of lip reading is a bit implausible.
At the heart of this story is grief and loss and yes, love. I expected this novel to be like all of the "new adult" novels that have come before it, but it's mostly just sensual in nature. But I still found it hot and very swoony. Being historical fiction, too, meant that the protagonist's virtue and reputation were at stake, and I liked how that aspect was handled, as well, especially as there was a love triangle involved. (I'm kind of gaga for Howard's love triangles.) I can see why publishers might have had a hard time classifying this novel. The age of the heroine leans more heavily toward new adult, but the romance is not overtly sexual, as most new adult novels are. And it's not strictly a romance either because there is a serious mystery to be solved and a ghost not at rest and gender roles to preserve and well, just loads more than a simple romance.
I loved the romantic aspects but I might have loved the mystery of the ghost more. There were so many things playing into it: that strange flower, Lord Thornton, the gypsy woman. I had heaps of theories and couldn't wait for the identity of Hawk to come to light. The way it all unraveled was just perfect...and not just because that had been my initial theory. ;0) Howard really knows how to keep you guessing while also using the most gorgeous prose to get you the answers you seek.
Here's the thing I don't get, though: this story very much gave me Rosamund Hodge vibes. It was dark and mysterious and clever, and I loved it every bit as much as I love Hodge's novels. It's very similar in tone and writing style, which leaves me wondering why this story was so hard for publishers to classify when that doesn't appear to be the case for Hodge's books. I understand that the publishing industry is a fickle one, but it's enough to make an author give up entirely. But I'm so glad this author decided to self-publish so that legions of her fans will still get a chance to read it. I don't care if it's hard to classify; this is the type of story I most love to read: convoluted and twisty and not falling into any one niche.
I really did love this one.
GIF it to me straight:
I was offered a review copy of The Architect of Song and being a hard-core fan of A.G. Howard's Splintered series, I couldn't say yes fast enough. This is her first "new adult" novel and it's historical fiction with ghosts and baronets and an orphaned protagonist and it's very reminiscent of Crimson Peak , which I just recently watched this week, and I'm kind of in love with it.
I finished reading this novel with the biggest sense of satisfaction I've had from completing a novel in awhile. It is most definitely my new favorite novel from A.G. Howard because it feels more like her own writing than even the Splintered series did, and I've enjoyed following the tour and reading why she decided to self-publish this novel.
The Architect of Song wasn't perfect, but it was pretty damn close for my tastes. I adored the ending but I could have used more exposition, namely a conversation between the MC and the Lord of the manor so I could see all of the awkward as they finally, FINALLY came completely clean about everything. I don't like that this reconciliation of sorts happened mostly off the page. But I always want more at the end, especially more time with the characters, so I don't even really know if that can be considered a complaint. But if it is, it's really my only one.
I loved how Juliet's affliction was handled. Because in the time period this story was based, she would have been abhorred for her lack of hearing, and yet the author found a way to make her deafness a strength...and for Juliet to keep the fact of her deafness a relative secret. I felt that this ailment was presented in a manner that was accurate for the time period, even if that level of lip reading is a bit implausible.
At the heart of this story is grief and loss and yes, love. I expected this novel to be like all of the "new adult" novels that have come before it, but it's mostly just sensual in nature. But I still found it hot and very swoony. Being historical fiction, too, meant that the protagonist's virtue and reputation were at stake, and I liked how that aspect was handled, as well, especially as there was a love triangle involved. (I'm kind of gaga for Howard's love triangles.) I can see why publishers might have had a hard time classifying this novel. The age of the heroine leans more heavily toward new adult, but the romance is not overtly sexual, as most new adult novels are. And it's not strictly a romance either because there is a serious mystery to be solved and a ghost not at rest and gender roles to preserve and well, just loads more than a simple romance.
I loved the romantic aspects but I might have loved the mystery of the ghost more. There were so many things playing into it: that strange flower, Lord Thornton, the gypsy woman. I had heaps of theories and couldn't wait for the identity of Hawk to come to light. The way it all unraveled was just perfect...and not just because that had been my initial theory. ;0) Howard really knows how to keep you guessing while also using the most gorgeous prose to get you the answers you seek.
Here's the thing I don't get, though: this story very much gave me Rosamund Hodge vibes. It was dark and mysterious and clever, and I loved it every bit as much as I love Hodge's novels. It's very similar in tone and writing style, which leaves me wondering why this story was so hard for publishers to classify when that doesn't appear to be the case for Hodge's books. I understand that the publishing industry is a fickle one, but it's enough to make an author give up entirely. But I'm so glad this author decided to self-publish so that legions of her fans will still get a chance to read it. I don't care if it's hard to classify; this is the type of story I most love to read: convoluted and twisty and not falling into any one niche.
I really did love this one.
GIF it to me straight:
October 1, 2022
Juliet ha sido sorda desde pequeña despues de padecer una grave enfermedad, pero eso no fue lo unico que le paso cuando niña y que dejo consecuencias en su vida, tambien cayo dentro de una de las minas de carbon de un cercano pueblo, esto tambien le dejo el recuerdo de un niño que la curo, le canto y la mantuvo caliente mientras la rescataban. Pero su vida ahora de mayor esta centrada en recuperarse de la muerte de su madre, e intentar conservar la casa de su niñez que la quiere comprar Lord Thornton.
En el cementerio despues del entierro de su madre una cosa maravillosa ocurrio, Juliet consiguio una hermosa rosa plateada enterrada dentro de un mausoleo y por alguna razon (que no lograba entender) tuvo que desenterrarla y robarla, su asombro fue mayusculo cuando se dio cuenta que los petalos de la flor le permitian ver/hablar con el fantasma de un hombre, uno por el que ella se sintio inmediatamente atraida y que por alguna razon era exactamente igual a Lord Thornton. Pero el fantasma no conocia su pasado y ella queria ayudarlo a encontrar la paz y para eso formaron un plan, y asi descubrir no solo el pasado de su fantasma sino los secretos que guardaba Lord Thornton.
Poco a poco los secretos se van develando y los sentimientos de Juliet son cada vez mas intensos, ahora solo tiene que escoger entre la vida o la muerte.
Es un libro de romance, muy dulce, con toques de misterio. Los protas son inteligentes, con pasados dificiles que estan bastante bien trabajados. En cuanto al misterio, casi desde la mitad del libro pude ver cual seria el "secreto" que ocultaba Lord Thornton y el porque, ahora, la forma como el autor dedico casi la mitad del libro en que la prota lo descubriera, incluso si nos basamos en que es una novela de epoca victoriana, resulto exageradamente inocente en descubrir las pistas y en como las manejaba.
Sin embargo, me disgusto como el fantasma resultaba tan posesivo y celoso, y con unos ataques de rabia, pero al final cuando se da a entender que esa era su personalidad real, se podia perdonar. Otro de los personajes que resulto realmente inocente fue el tio, y la tia gitana resulto totalmente manipuladora.
En fin, es una bonita novela romantica, dulce y entretenida, que se puede leer para pasar el rato, pero no creo que vaya a leer el 2do libro, ya que senti que con este se cumplia toda la historia y no me quedan mas incognitas o deseos de conocer que mas paso con la pareja (o sus hijos, si de eso es que va la continuacion). Leeria algun otro libro de este autor? Probablemente, si se me vuelve a despertar el animo de leer romance victoriano dulce.
En el cementerio despues del entierro de su madre una cosa maravillosa ocurrio, Juliet consiguio una hermosa rosa plateada enterrada dentro de un mausoleo y por alguna razon (que no lograba entender) tuvo que desenterrarla y robarla, su asombro fue mayusculo cuando se dio cuenta que los petalos de la flor le permitian ver/hablar con el fantasma de un hombre, uno por el que ella se sintio inmediatamente atraida y que por alguna razon era exactamente igual a Lord Thornton. Pero el fantasma no conocia su pasado y ella queria ayudarlo a encontrar la paz y para eso formaron un plan, y asi descubrir no solo el pasado de su fantasma sino los secretos que guardaba Lord Thornton.
Poco a poco los secretos se van develando y los sentimientos de Juliet son cada vez mas intensos, ahora solo tiene que escoger entre la vida o la muerte.
Es un libro de romance, muy dulce, con toques de misterio. Los protas son inteligentes, con pasados dificiles que estan bastante bien trabajados. En cuanto al misterio, casi desde la mitad del libro pude ver cual seria el "secreto" que ocultaba Lord Thornton y el porque, ahora, la forma como el autor dedico casi la mitad del libro en que la prota lo descubriera, incluso si nos basamos en que es una novela de epoca victoriana, resulto exageradamente inocente en descubrir las pistas y en como las manejaba.
Sin embargo, me disgusto como el fantasma resultaba tan posesivo y celoso, y con unos ataques de rabia, pero al final cuando se da a entender que esa era su personalidad real, se podia perdonar. Otro de los personajes que resulto realmente inocente fue el tio, y la tia gitana resulto totalmente manipuladora.
En fin, es una bonita novela romantica, dulce y entretenida, que se puede leer para pasar el rato, pero no creo que vaya a leer el 2do libro, ya que senti que con este se cumplia toda la historia y no me quedan mas incognitas o deseos de conocer que mas paso con la pareja (o sus hijos, si de eso es que va la continuacion). Leeria algun otro libro de este autor? Probablemente, si se me vuelve a despertar el animo de leer romance victoriano dulce.
March 29, 2017
DNF at 30%
Insta-insta-insta-love, stupid as hell Mary-Sue and a ghost-pervert. I don`t really care about the plot, because every page made me raise my brows so high that I started to worry it`ll leave permanent wrinkles.
I get that the MC`s deaf, and the ghost was the only, ahem, person she could hear, but come fucking on. The fist time she met him she was naked in a bath tube. What would be your reaction if you saw a ghost? Don`t know about you, but the only thing she was curious about was whether he liked her tits!!!!!! She thinks about it a lot and then even asks him (they were talking to each other for about three minutes):
And after explaining to him that he is a ghost (he didn`t realise it), the man basically threatened to rape her in order to prove that he is pretty much real:
Hooray, he vanished, now you are safe from this bastard! But that would be a reaction of any sane person who met a ghost and was almost "defiled" by him, as he put it sometime later. Since our MC`s definately not the brightest crayon in the box, she immediatelly summons him back. I guess it`s a question who would have raped who in the end.
All in all, this was like a cheap start of a porn with a pizza guy, and I don`t have it in me to continue to read this.
Insta-insta-insta-love, stupid as hell Mary-Sue and a ghost-pervert. I don`t really care about the plot, because every page made me raise my brows so high that I started to worry it`ll leave permanent wrinkles.
I get that the MC`s deaf, and the ghost was the only, ahem, person she could hear, but come fucking on. The fist time she met him she was naked in a bath tube. What would be your reaction if you saw a ghost? Don`t know about you, but the only thing she was curious about was whether he liked her tits!!!!!! She thinks about it a lot and then even asks him (they were talking to each other for about three minutes):
«What kind of scheme are you running? Summoning men to your bath and teasing them with visions of milky skin and perfect breasts. Purposely leading them on a nightmare journey into madness.”
A forbidden delight stirred in my chest. “You think my breasts are perfect?»
And after explaining to him that he is a ghost (he didn`t realise it), the man basically threatened to rape her in order to prove that he is pretty much real:
«Why are you holding that blasted plant? Put it down.” A dare laced his words. “Put it down and I’ll give you something worth stealing. First, we start with a kiss. Then I’ll show you how real the rest of my body is.”
My mouth drained of moisture. I never realized a threat could double as an enticement.
Before I could react, he reached for my wrist. His hand dispersed like a rush of dandelion seeds then reappeared. It felt as if the wind had ruffled my skin. He cried out and my legs jerked in reaction, toppling the pot from my lap. Dirt hiccupped onto my bare feet as my guest vanished.»
Hooray, he vanished, now you are safe from this bastard! But that would be a reaction of any sane person who met a ghost and was almost "defiled" by him, as he put it sometime later. Since our MC`s definately not the brightest crayon in the box, she immediatelly summons him back. I guess it`s a question who would have raped who in the end.
All in all, this was like a cheap start of a porn with a pizza guy, and I don`t have it in me to continue to read this.
November 22, 2016
This was a scandalous yet romantic novel- not really a erotica like everybody wanted, but it was a very great adventure. Review to come tomorrow!
Actual Review- Spoilers may be present:
Hiya Guys- Welcome To the Nether! Hey I'm going to be talk about the architect of song by AG Howard. this book really surprise me guys I'm not going to lie this is way different than what AG Howard usually writes. first of all this is an adult novel so it's going to be different either way just because of that sheer aspect but I'm also very skeptical about the Ronchi love scenes in this book, which if you read AG Howard's other books as you know they're not like that. And I know people will argue with me because I am kind of saying that I know that there's going to be Raunchy scenes because I know this is an adult novel, but blah I'm kind of just used to AG Howard writing in her typical why YA style it might have just threw me off guard a little, don't judge me. I actually really adore this book because of its sheer originality of it even though it is just a ghost love novel. Without furtherer adue I'm probably just going to go to the plot of the novel and tell you what I think it's about before going into my points.
This book takes place in 18th century England . The main character is Juliette and she is deaf. she just lost her mother life kind of sucks and the book starts out with her but of course the cemetery because that typical AG Howard style there's got to be a Graveyard area in it I think she digs up a grave and she finds a flower and when she touches this flowers she sees an image of a very young attractive man, Hawke. This man ends up being one of the main male characters of the story and the whole story is about The two finding out how he died. Meanwhile in her real life she is getting courted by this young nobleman, Thorn. Juliette finds out a lot of dirty secrets about him-what truly happened to Hawk. This becomes a love triangle which actually works a little bit other than most love triangles nowadays and her desire to find the truth. Well we ever find out how Hawks died? Only you can to find out if you read the book that's all I'm gonna say about it.
Point 1: what's talk about the romance Shall we? Of course I'm going to talk about both characters and their weird obsession with the main character. Sorry guys did not like hawk that much-which he was the main love interest of the story and was the ghost. I thought you was way too clingy- both characters just seemly fell in love with each other within like a week. Don't get me wrong I thought they were very cute but yeah I felt like it was unbelievable because I felt like there wasn't a lot of time spent on building the relationship up. On the other hand however I thought that Shawn and Juliette's relationship was believable enough to make me like them both. So if I was going to pick between Shawn or Nicholas I would probably pick Shawn. That is just the sheer aspect of him be a romantically involved with her more, and that he is alive and not dead but let's just move on.
Point 2: did I think the plot enough with strong yes what do I believe that this book should be a series I don't think so. If you read the entire story all the way through it reads like a standalone novel I don't feel like we could get three more books of the series after the conclusion of this novel. Feel like I should be talking about this in point 4 but been aching my mind since I've finished this novel. I have felt like that this novel really does not need a sequel but I guess you can elaborate on the children that Juliet has and they're problems I guess? I felt like the plot in the story was begun and ended at the last page so I don't know how she's going to pick it up in the next novel. Good thing about this novel though is that it's a self published novel if she could basically publish the book whenever she goddamn feels like it so I feel like we're going to probably get the sequel fairly soon soon whether or not it'll be next year I don't know. I remember her saying that she was done with the first draft of the second book already so I would be surprised if the book came around sometime early next year. Hopefully she will publish a audiobook along with the novel because I rather read a novel with the audiobook alongside with it.
Point 3: there was pretty solid side characters in this book. A lot of the being maids or her family but I felt like it was an OK addition to the series. I know that there's going to be some additional characters in the next novel probably just because we know that she's having twins probably twin boys because there are twin boys in this novel after her heart that's not a spoiler at all. But I also feel like this but really needed more characters in it. I didn't really feel like there was a lot going on because of the lack of characters in it- don't like Juliet was whining for most of the novel because there wasn't a lot of conflict in the Novel that we saw in anyway. A lot of it was fighting herself trying to realize that she shouldn't be so longing of the dead and embracing her livelihood- and I feel like that was what the book attended to go Upon. Other than that I thought that a lot of the conflicts in the novel which was like the conflict with herself the conflict with the ghost it was all concluded throughout the story as it ended. I might have to read the summary in order to understand where she's heading with the series but for now I am kind of confused. The side characters yet again did have some conflicts within themselves but it was resolved by the end of the novel like I said before.
Point 4: I really don't know what else to say other then I was content with how the book ended and I love the romantic scenes between the couples. I felt like it was appropriate for that time it was in- and overall I love the ambience of the book itself. I feel like maybe we should go into further detail what I thought of the plot of them trying to solve the mystery of the ghost but there really wasn't a lot to say about it without spoiling it to the extreme so I'm just going to say that there is a ghost she goes on a adventure to find out how he dies she finds out how he dies and gets married to the man you would not expect. That's it and that's all I'm going to say about it!
Conclusion I'm going to give this book a four star rating for what the book really wise which was a love adult novel. Writing is very compelling because AG Howard knows how to write very well, story drives you in with that steamy love scenes even though there's not particularly any sex in this novel. I believe that it's a better love love triangle novel that I have read. Granted I don't think that it deserves a series of but maybe she will surprise me I don't know but I will see you next time when I read a book!
BYE~
((Feeling like you guys didn't really like my review on this ahhh!!))
UPDATE: AG Howard is making this COMPANION novels so that makes a whole lot of scents don't you agree! The woman is a genius I love her XD
Actual Review- Spoilers may be present:
Hiya Guys- Welcome To the Nether! Hey I'm going to be talk about the architect of song by AG Howard. this book really surprise me guys I'm not going to lie this is way different than what AG Howard usually writes. first of all this is an adult novel so it's going to be different either way just because of that sheer aspect but I'm also very skeptical about the Ronchi love scenes in this book, which if you read AG Howard's other books as you know they're not like that. And I know people will argue with me because I am kind of saying that I know that there's going to be Raunchy scenes because I know this is an adult novel, but blah I'm kind of just used to AG Howard writing in her typical why YA style it might have just threw me off guard a little, don't judge me. I actually really adore this book because of its sheer originality of it even though it is just a ghost love novel. Without furtherer adue I'm probably just going to go to the plot of the novel and tell you what I think it's about before going into my points.
This book takes place in 18th century England . The main character is Juliette and she is deaf. she just lost her mother life kind of sucks and the book starts out with her but of course the cemetery because that typical AG Howard style there's got to be a Graveyard area in it I think she digs up a grave and she finds a flower and when she touches this flowers she sees an image of a very young attractive man, Hawke. This man ends up being one of the main male characters of the story and the whole story is about The two finding out how he died. Meanwhile in her real life she is getting courted by this young nobleman, Thorn. Juliette finds out a lot of dirty secrets about him-what truly happened to Hawk. This becomes a love triangle which actually works a little bit other than most love triangles nowadays and her desire to find the truth. Well we ever find out how Hawks died? Only you can to find out if you read the book that's all I'm gonna say about it.
Point 1: what's talk about the romance Shall we? Of course I'm going to talk about both characters and their weird obsession with the main character. Sorry guys did not like hawk that much-which he was the main love interest of the story and was the ghost. I thought you was way too clingy- both characters just seemly fell in love with each other within like a week. Don't get me wrong I thought they were very cute but yeah I felt like it was unbelievable because I felt like there wasn't a lot of time spent on building the relationship up. On the other hand however I thought that Shawn and Juliette's relationship was believable enough to make me like them both. So if I was going to pick between Shawn or Nicholas I would probably pick Shawn. That is just the sheer aspect of him be a romantically involved with her more, and that he is alive and not dead but let's just move on.
Point 2: did I think the plot enough with strong yes what do I believe that this book should be a series I don't think so. If you read the entire story all the way through it reads like a standalone novel I don't feel like we could get three more books of the series after the conclusion of this novel. Feel like I should be talking about this in point 4 but been aching my mind since I've finished this novel. I have felt like that this novel really does not need a sequel but I guess you can elaborate on the children that Juliet has and they're problems I guess? I felt like the plot in the story was begun and ended at the last page so I don't know how she's going to pick it up in the next novel. Good thing about this novel though is that it's a self published novel if she could basically publish the book whenever she goddamn feels like it so I feel like we're going to probably get the sequel fairly soon soon whether or not it'll be next year I don't know. I remember her saying that she was done with the first draft of the second book already so I would be surprised if the book came around sometime early next year. Hopefully she will publish a audiobook along with the novel because I rather read a novel with the audiobook alongside with it.
Point 3: there was pretty solid side characters in this book. A lot of the being maids or her family but I felt like it was an OK addition to the series. I know that there's going to be some additional characters in the next novel probably just because we know that she's having twins probably twin boys because there are twin boys in this novel after her heart that's not a spoiler at all. But I also feel like this but really needed more characters in it. I didn't really feel like there was a lot going on because of the lack of characters in it- don't like Juliet was whining for most of the novel because there wasn't a lot of conflict in the Novel that we saw in anyway. A lot of it was fighting herself trying to realize that she shouldn't be so longing of the dead and embracing her livelihood- and I feel like that was what the book attended to go Upon. Other than that I thought that a lot of the conflicts in the novel which was like the conflict with herself the conflict with the ghost it was all concluded throughout the story as it ended. I might have to read the summary in order to understand where she's heading with the series but for now I am kind of confused. The side characters yet again did have some conflicts within themselves but it was resolved by the end of the novel like I said before.
Point 4: I really don't know what else to say other then I was content with how the book ended and I love the romantic scenes between the couples. I felt like it was appropriate for that time it was in- and overall I love the ambience of the book itself. I feel like maybe we should go into further detail what I thought of the plot of them trying to solve the mystery of the ghost but there really wasn't a lot to say about it without spoiling it to the extreme so I'm just going to say that there is a ghost she goes on a adventure to find out how he dies she finds out how he dies and gets married to the man you would not expect. That's it and that's all I'm going to say about it!
Conclusion I'm going to give this book a four star rating for what the book really wise which was a love adult novel. Writing is very compelling because AG Howard knows how to write very well, story drives you in with that steamy love scenes even though there's not particularly any sex in this novel. I believe that it's a better love love triangle novel that I have read. Granted I don't think that it deserves a series of but maybe she will surprise me I don't know but I will see you next time when I read a book!
BYE~
((Feeling like you guys didn't really like my review on this ahhh!!))
UPDATE: AG Howard is making this COMPANION novels so that makes a whole lot of scents don't you agree! The woman is a genius I love her XD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2016
This book needs more than 5 stars!!!! Omg it was so good! It was beautiful! I need more now!!!!
March 9, 2017
Twists, turns, and gorgeous prose! I will say A G. Howard is the only author who can make love triangles palatable for me, and you all know how I deeply loathe them. Although this is a period story she still managed to shine a light on her love of fashion. If you like classics like Jane Eyre, you will love this book.
Please don't be turned away by the NA (New Adult) classification because the intimate scenes are steamy, but not explicit.
FULL BLOG REVIEW: lalatoadstone.blogspot.com/2017/01/ra...
I was given an early reader pdf in return for an early, and honest, review.
Please don't be turned away by the NA (New Adult) classification because the intimate scenes are steamy, but not explicit.
FULL BLOG REVIEW: lalatoadstone.blogspot.com/2017/01/ra...
I was given an early reader pdf in return for an early, and honest, review.
August 15, 2016
My Thoughts:
This book was so, so beautifully done. I’m a long time fan of Howard’s work and this did not disappoint in any way. I loved the characters, story and pacing. This novel was in essence a ghost story. I’ve not had the best of luck lately with ghost stories but this one was exactly what I’ve been looking for.
The main character, Juliet, was so easy to relate to and I found her voice wonderful. I had no problems getting into the story and her headspace. The loss of her mother was so poignant and touching- I think anyone that has lost someone they love will be able to easily relate to how Juliet felt. I felt that her inability to hear was handled very well. I can’t imagine how it would have felt to for her to lose her hearing at a young age and then hide it from the rest of society. It was easy to understand her detachment from other people and how it created loneliness for her. Because of this, the idea that she would connect so deeply with the ghost she encounters- the ghost she can hear- made perfect sense to me.
As I mentioned above, this ghost story worked for me. In a good amount of books the ghost really isn’t all that different from the living. At times, the reader might even forget that they are not of this world any longer. I didn’t have that in this book. Hawking was always apart from the living world. I felt that the way he related to Juliet- physically and emotionally- was very accurate to a ghostly encounter.
Each of the characters were enthralling and I loved the hint of mystery surrounding Hawk’s past and demise. As the reader, I was as riveted as the characters to find out more and more details about who he was and what occurred. The questions surrounding Lord Thornton were just as enticing and really helped pull me deeper in the story.
I had some suspicions on where the story was going and some of the time I was correct. I loved trying to figure things out and then seeing how all the story lines tied together. All of this kept me enthralled and eager to keep reading.
Final Thoughts:
The Architect of Song was achingly beautiful, lush with vivid descriptions and an ability to capture and communicate the emotions surrounding the characters to the reader. I thought this was wonderfully done and I look forward to future companion novels.
This book was so, so beautifully done. I’m a long time fan of Howard’s work and this did not disappoint in any way. I loved the characters, story and pacing. This novel was in essence a ghost story. I’ve not had the best of luck lately with ghost stories but this one was exactly what I’ve been looking for.
The main character, Juliet, was so easy to relate to and I found her voice wonderful. I had no problems getting into the story and her headspace. The loss of her mother was so poignant and touching- I think anyone that has lost someone they love will be able to easily relate to how Juliet felt. I felt that her inability to hear was handled very well. I can’t imagine how it would have felt to for her to lose her hearing at a young age and then hide it from the rest of society. It was easy to understand her detachment from other people and how it created loneliness for her. Because of this, the idea that she would connect so deeply with the ghost she encounters- the ghost she can hear- made perfect sense to me.
As I mentioned above, this ghost story worked for me. In a good amount of books the ghost really isn’t all that different from the living. At times, the reader might even forget that they are not of this world any longer. I didn’t have that in this book. Hawking was always apart from the living world. I felt that the way he related to Juliet- physically and emotionally- was very accurate to a ghostly encounter.
Each of the characters were enthralling and I loved the hint of mystery surrounding Hawk’s past and demise. As the reader, I was as riveted as the characters to find out more and more details about who he was and what occurred. The questions surrounding Lord Thornton were just as enticing and really helped pull me deeper in the story.
I had some suspicions on where the story was going and some of the time I was correct. I loved trying to figure things out and then seeing how all the story lines tied together. All of this kept me enthralled and eager to keep reading.
Final Thoughts:
The Architect of Song was achingly beautiful, lush with vivid descriptions and an ability to capture and communicate the emotions surrounding the characters to the reader. I thought this was wonderfully done and I look forward to future companion novels.
November 9, 2017
The book overall was fun and I really liked the mystery, however the last chapter was cringey af. I also need to see if I can find some own voices reviews of it because I question how some of the rep was written.
July 26, 2016
This book was gorgeous, simply gorgeous. I had high expectations and I'm so glad they were all met. I knew this was going to be a great read but it still took me by surprise in the best way possible.
The heroine of this book, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline was really interesting and I liked her so much. As the summary says, she is quite isolated by her deafness until she risks losing her home to Lord Thornton. A lot of mystery surround him as well as a ghost of an young English nobleman that appear when Juliet touches the petals of a unique flower she found on a headstone that has the name "Hawk" on. Together with the ghost she goes to investigate when she visits Lord Thornton's manor.
Juliet was really a great heroine. I also liked the ghost Hawk, and Lord Thornton also, even though I wasn't totally sure he was actually a good guy. This book really made me go back and forth between these two men. I don't want to reveal how they are connected or if both of them are indeed good guys or not but holy plot twist, this author knows how to shock me.
The romance was so amazing, so beautiful. And yes, there was a love triangle, sort of, in a complicated way but it's one written so well that I don't even care about that. Both men envoked a lot of feelings in Juliet that she always wanted to explore. Honestly, I loved them both to bits and pieces. They were just swoon-worthy. I have no other word for them.
The mystery about Hawk and Thornton was kind of driving me crazy. I wanted to know what was going on and who Juliet could actually trust. And I thought the end was a little sad but actually pretty perfect also.
Overall, The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard was the perfect gothic novel. Set in Victorian England, it had a dark atmosphere, a ghost surrounded by mystery, captivating romance and the writing was oh so beautiful. I can't wait for the next three books in the Haunted Hearts Legacy series!
May 23, 2018
2/5
Un libro con una ambientación buena pero con una historia mal aprovechada. Instalove, un triángulo amoroso sin sentido, cursi y empalagoso. Nada creíble. Una protagonista bastante tonta y sin personalidad...no me ha gustado nada :/ Le doy un 2 porque los capitulos finales son entretenidos.
Reseña completa:
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Un libro con una ambientación buena pero con una historia mal aprovechada. Instalove, un triángulo amoroso sin sentido, cursi y empalagoso. Nada creíble. Una protagonista bastante tonta y sin personalidad...no me ha gustado nada :/ Le doy un 2 porque los capitulos finales son entretenidos.
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August 3, 2016
Read more of my reviews at Cornerfolds.com!
Initial reaction:
A.G. Howard is hands down one of my top 5 favorite authors and her books are on my auto buy list! I adored her Splintered series SO much that I would basically read her grocery list. When I saw that A.G. was going to be releasing the first book in a new adult series, I knew I had to have it!! I will admit... I had no idea what this book was even about when I requested a copy. I saw the cover, saw the author, and dived right in!
As it turns out, this is an incredible story about Juliet, a deaf girl whose mother has recently died. After stumbling into a friendship with a ghost who also happens to be the only person she can hear, Juliet finds herself embarking on a mission to help him find out more about his life and death. To gain information, she has to journey to a resort run by Lord Thornton, an unsavory fellow who has been after her estate for reasons unknown. Once there, she finds herself unsure of what to believe or who to trust, but remains determined to uncover the truth.
I loved Juliet! Despite the fact that she is forced to go to Lord Thornton's estate and essentially audition for the part of his wife, Juliet always maintains her independence and never becomes a weak character in any way. Not only does she play a huge part in the uncovering of the mystery surrounding Hawk, she actually fights against the system in several ways. The most entertaining of these is her refusal to wear the uncomfortable clothes forced upon her by the society of the time. I found it hilarious to see her repeatedly try to get away with not wearing the incredible uncomfortable dresses people kept trying to put her in, but I did like that she offered reasonable solutions to the issue. I also really liked that she was open to exploring relationships and her sexuality, albeit not in an overly risqué way. What I mean to say is I loved that A.G. Howard was able to give us a strong female protagonist while staying true to the time period.
Of course, there are two love interests, as implied by the synopsis. I ended up loving Hawk and Lord Thornton in different ways. There were times when I really didn't like either of them, but it all came together perfectly. I can't say much about either of these men without spoiling the book, but suffice it to say there were many swoons to be had. I was a little worried when I realized that there would be a love triangle in this story, but if anyone knows how to write a satisfying love triangle, it's A.G. Howard! Although this is a new adult romance and there is some sexual content, there are no sexually explicit scenes. Something to keep in mind if you're not a fan of the overly steamy!
The setting was also fantastic and really goes hand in hand with the cover. Most of this story takes place between a graveyard, a really unique luxury resort, and an old mine. All of it fit right into a story of a ghost stuck between worlds and a shady nobleman with a questionable past. I definitely felt like I could picture my surroundings the whole way through and it really added to the reading experience!
Speaking of reading experience... Sometimes new adult romance has a tendency to focus too much on the romance, while the plot slides to the back burner, but that is not the case here! I wasn't sure what the story would be going in and much of it stays shrouded in mystery until late in the book. I love big twists and The Architect of Song has them! I was totally shocked more than once reading this. There is also a very satisfying conclusion at the end of this book. Although it is the first in a series, they are loosely connected enough that there's no cliffhanger to leave you in agony for the next year!
I honestly don't think A.G. Howard can write a book I won't like. I went into The Architect of Song not knowing what it was all about, but with very high expectations. Sometimes high expectations are a recipe for disaster, but in this case I was not disappointed! I blew through this in a couple days and, even though there wasn't a cliffhanger ending, I already can't wait to get the next one!
Initial reaction:
A.G. Howard is hands down one of my top 5 favorite authors and her books are on my auto buy list! I adored her Splintered series SO much that I would basically read her grocery list. When I saw that A.G. was going to be releasing the first book in a new adult series, I knew I had to have it!! I will admit... I had no idea what this book was even about when I requested a copy. I saw the cover, saw the author, and dived right in!
As it turns out, this is an incredible story about Juliet, a deaf girl whose mother has recently died. After stumbling into a friendship with a ghost who also happens to be the only person she can hear, Juliet finds herself embarking on a mission to help him find out more about his life and death. To gain information, she has to journey to a resort run by Lord Thornton, an unsavory fellow who has been after her estate for reasons unknown. Once there, she finds herself unsure of what to believe or who to trust, but remains determined to uncover the truth.
I loved Juliet! Despite the fact that she is forced to go to Lord Thornton's estate and essentially audition for the part of his wife, Juliet always maintains her independence and never becomes a weak character in any way. Not only does she play a huge part in the uncovering of the mystery surrounding Hawk, she actually fights against the system in several ways. The most entertaining of these is her refusal to wear the uncomfortable clothes forced upon her by the society of the time. I found it hilarious to see her repeatedly try to get away with not wearing the incredible uncomfortable dresses people kept trying to put her in, but I did like that she offered reasonable solutions to the issue. I also really liked that she was open to exploring relationships and her sexuality, albeit not in an overly risqué way. What I mean to say is I loved that A.G. Howard was able to give us a strong female protagonist while staying true to the time period.
Of course, there are two love interests, as implied by the synopsis. I ended up loving Hawk and Lord Thornton in different ways. There were times when I really didn't like either of them, but it all came together perfectly. I can't say much about either of these men without spoiling the book, but suffice it to say there were many swoons to be had. I was a little worried when I realized that there would be a love triangle in this story, but if anyone knows how to write a satisfying love triangle, it's A.G. Howard! Although this is a new adult romance and there is some sexual content, there are no sexually explicit scenes. Something to keep in mind if you're not a fan of the overly steamy!
The setting was also fantastic and really goes hand in hand with the cover. Most of this story takes place between a graveyard, a really unique luxury resort, and an old mine. All of it fit right into a story of a ghost stuck between worlds and a shady nobleman with a questionable past. I definitely felt like I could picture my surroundings the whole way through and it really added to the reading experience!
Speaking of reading experience... Sometimes new adult romance has a tendency to focus too much on the romance, while the plot slides to the back burner, but that is not the case here! I wasn't sure what the story would be going in and much of it stays shrouded in mystery until late in the book. I love big twists and The Architect of Song has them! I was totally shocked more than once reading this. There is also a very satisfying conclusion at the end of this book. Although it is the first in a series, they are loosely connected enough that there's no cliffhanger to leave you in agony for the next year!
I honestly don't think A.G. Howard can write a book I won't like. I went into The Architect of Song not knowing what it was all about, but with very high expectations. Sometimes high expectations are a recipe for disaster, but in this case I was not disappointed! I blew through this in a couple days and, even though there wasn't a cliffhanger ending, I already can't wait to get the next one!
Read
June 16, 2021DNFing this at 13%
I absolutely appreciate the disability rep and the premise seems super original, but I'm really not feeling this book right now and the writing isn't my cup of tea.
Maybe I'll get back to it when and if I'm in the proper mood, but for now I'm moving on to something hopefully more entertaining.
#PenguinOnATBRMission: book #16
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the shelf with the same name if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...🐧
I absolutely appreciate the disability rep and the premise seems super original, but I'm really not feeling this book right now and the writing isn't my cup of tea.
Maybe I'll get back to it when and if I'm in the proper mood, but for now I'm moving on to something hopefully more entertaining.
#PenguinOnATBRMission: book #16
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the shelf with the same name if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...🐧
October 8, 2018
My first A.G. Howard book and I loved it! Can't wait to read more of her works. I've been looking high and low for an author who writes romantic fantasy that hits the steam level I like, and voila! Howard, you beautiful goddess, thank you for giving me a great read!
March 27, 2018
Reseña completa -> http://thewordsofbooks.blogspot.com/2...
October 27, 2016
~*Full review on The Bent Bookworm!*~
This book totally surprised me. I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, though I was hoping I would. So I was delighted when this was my initial reaction:
Yep. This was one giant dark truffle of deliciousness. I started it one day, and about two chapters in decided I wanted to just sit down and devour it all in one go, so I waited for a weekend day and did just that.
First of all, don’t go into this book expecting something it’s not. This is a gothic historical romance. Period. It doesn’t try to have the next greatest plot twist. In fact it has some of the traditional YA tropes (it’s a NA, btw) that usually drive me to distraction or leave me throwing the book across the room. However, popular plot devices are popular for a reason. They resonate with a large percentage of the human population on some intrinsic level. That doesn’t mean we don’t get tired of them, particularly if you read a lot. What seems new and exciting to someone who reads 2 books a year may seem bland and unoriginal to someone who reads 200. Authors CAN, however, come up with new twists on the tried and true tropes of literature and A.G. Howard has done just that. ANYWAY. Climbing off my soapbox now.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD…but nothing too horrible, I promise, and I hid them.
As soon as the book starts, we’re thrown into a very melancholy, VERY Victorian atmosphere. I almost put it down, honestly. I wasn’t in the mood for another book where the heroine simpers and flutters and nearly passes out when the hero gets within 6 inches of her. But I was intrigued…and let’s just say, while yes, the time period is Victorian, the romantic intensity is SO NOT.
^My mental image of the main guy.
All I can say is well done, well done indeed. I was several chapters in before I was sure that was what was happening, and by that point I was so intrigued and invested that I couldn’t stop reading!
A.G. Howard writes IN COLOR. I swear I could see the colors, the fabrics, the clothes she described just spilling out of the pages. It was amazing. This is the first of her books I’ve read, so I’m not sure if she just always writes that way or if it was a feature of this particular book, but I loved it. I’m not a “clothes person,” but damn if I didn’t want to reach out and touch some of the dresses Juliet was wearing.
The plot is…well, gothic. Semi-tragic. There were SO MANY layers and so many half-truths that about 3/4 of the way through I just wanted to SCREAM because I was just as confused as poor Juliet, whom everyone seems to think needs “protecting” in the form of an elaborately built scheme to keep her “safe.” Geez Louise, people. Our young heroine is deaf, yes, but copes remarkably well and is no shrinking violet, even if she sometimes acts the part. There’s the love triangle. At first I was skeptical, and then I was sympathetic, and then I was panicked, because these two guys…well, they get ALL the hearts. AT FIRST. Then one starts to be controlling, manipulative, and demanding and my little gun-shy heart ran away screaming…but I still felt so sorry for him and wanted him to have a happy ending.
Now, the problems. First, as soon as a guy comes into her life, Juliet loses all focus on everything else, even when at first she had a relatively big goal regarding her estate. She just tosses it all aside for TWU RUV.
I’m sure we’ve all been there, but I hate it when that’s one of the first things to occur in a book. Especially in cases like this, where, as a true Victorian female, Juliet has been sheltered and taught that women shouldn’t have sexual desires like men, and then she just falls into the arms of the first man that waltzes across her path (it takes 149 pages). Le sigh. But ok, it’s a romance. Forgiven…ish.
Then there are a few times when the dialogue sounds like it was supposed to be description. Because honestly, who describes their hair color as “My hair is the warm glimmer of golden coins beneath the sun,” instead of just “My hair is blonde (golden, yellow, fill-in-the-blank-with-one-word)?” Ugh. It was just overkill for me…the flowery descriptions were great, but in dialogue it was just a bit too much.
My hat is off to A.G. Howard for not giving her book the traditional happily-ever-after ending. Oh, there’s plenty to be happy about, don’t get me wrong! But it’s definitely bittersweet, and by being so it’s much more realistic and makes me even more excited for the next one!
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars. I love Juliet and *bleep*. They’re giant dark chocolate truffles and I want to eat them.
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This book totally surprised me. I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, though I was hoping I would. So I was delighted when this was my initial reaction:
Yep. This was one giant dark truffle of deliciousness. I started it one day, and about two chapters in decided I wanted to just sit down and devour it all in one go, so I waited for a weekend day and did just that.
First of all, don’t go into this book expecting something it’s not. This is a gothic historical romance. Period. It doesn’t try to have the next greatest plot twist. In fact it has some of the traditional YA tropes (it’s a NA, btw) that usually drive me to distraction or leave me throwing the book across the room. However, popular plot devices are popular for a reason. They resonate with a large percentage of the human population on some intrinsic level. That doesn’t mean we don’t get tired of them, particularly if you read a lot. What seems new and exciting to someone who reads 2 books a year may seem bland and unoriginal to someone who reads 200. Authors CAN, however, come up with new twists on the tried and true tropes of literature and A.G. Howard has done just that. ANYWAY. Climbing off my soapbox now.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD…but nothing too horrible, I promise, and I hid them.
As soon as the book starts, we’re thrown into a very melancholy, VERY Victorian atmosphere. I almost put it down, honestly. I wasn’t in the mood for another book where the heroine simpers and flutters and nearly passes out when the hero gets within 6 inches of her. But I was intrigued…and let’s just say, while yes, the time period is Victorian, the romantic intensity is SO NOT.
^My mental image of the main guy.
All I can say is well done, well done indeed. I was several chapters in before I was sure that was what was happening, and by that point I was so intrigued and invested that I couldn’t stop reading!
A.G. Howard writes IN COLOR. I swear I could see the colors, the fabrics, the clothes she described just spilling out of the pages. It was amazing. This is the first of her books I’ve read, so I’m not sure if she just always writes that way or if it was a feature of this particular book, but I loved it. I’m not a “clothes person,” but damn if I didn’t want to reach out and touch some of the dresses Juliet was wearing.
The plot is…well, gothic. Semi-tragic. There were SO MANY layers and so many half-truths that about 3/4 of the way through I just wanted to SCREAM because I was just as confused as poor Juliet, whom everyone seems to think needs “protecting” in the form of an elaborately built scheme to keep her “safe.” Geez Louise, people. Our young heroine is deaf, yes, but copes remarkably well and is no shrinking violet, even if she sometimes acts the part. There’s the love triangle. At first I was skeptical, and then I was sympathetic, and then I was panicked, because these two guys…well, they get ALL the hearts. AT FIRST. Then one starts to be controlling, manipulative, and demanding and my little gun-shy heart ran away screaming…but I still felt so sorry for him and wanted him to have a happy ending.
Now, the problems. First, as soon as a guy comes into her life, Juliet loses all focus on everything else, even when at first she had a relatively big goal regarding her estate. She just tosses it all aside for TWU RUV.
I’m sure we’ve all been there, but I hate it when that’s one of the first things to occur in a book. Especially in cases like this, where, as a true Victorian female, Juliet has been sheltered and taught that women shouldn’t have sexual desires like men, and then she just falls into the arms of the first man that waltzes across her path (it takes 149 pages). Le sigh. But ok, it’s a romance. Forgiven…ish.
Then there are a few times when the dialogue sounds like it was supposed to be description. Because honestly, who describes their hair color as “My hair is the warm glimmer of golden coins beneath the sun,” instead of just “My hair is blonde (golden, yellow, fill-in-the-blank-with-one-word)?” Ugh. It was just overkill for me…the flowery descriptions were great, but in dialogue it was just a bit too much.
My hat is off to A.G. Howard for not giving her book the traditional happily-ever-after ending. Oh, there’s plenty to be happy about, don’t get me wrong! But it’s definitely bittersweet, and by being so it’s much more realistic and makes me even more excited for the next one!
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars. I love Juliet and *bleep*. They’re giant dark chocolate truffles and I want to eat them.
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February 26, 2018
Más bien 3,75⭐️
Es un libro que tiene una trama muy bien elaborada, en el que vas conociendo a los personajes poco a poco, te mantiene intrigada y con ganas de ver qué sucederá, quien es cada personaje y cómo se han llegado a la situación actual. Ha tenido un par de giros que me han sorprendido, algunos me los olía pero otros han sido de golpe y me han pillado desprevenida, Jejejeje. He conocido la pluma de la autora con este libro y puedo decir que es una pluma que me ha cautivado, por su forma casi poética de escribir, con grandes descripciones que te ayudan a adentrarte en la mente de la protagonista y comprender mejor sus actos. Algo lento al principio, aunque no me ha costado adentrarme en la historia.
Es un libro que tiene una trama muy bien elaborada, en el que vas conociendo a los personajes poco a poco, te mantiene intrigada y con ganas de ver qué sucederá, quien es cada personaje y cómo se han llegado a la situación actual. Ha tenido un par de giros que me han sorprendido, algunos me los olía pero otros han sido de golpe y me han pillado desprevenida, Jejejeje. He conocido la pluma de la autora con este libro y puedo decir que es una pluma que me ha cautivado, por su forma casi poética de escribir, con grandes descripciones que te ayudan a adentrarte en la mente de la protagonista y comprender mejor sus actos. Algo lento al principio, aunque no me ha costado adentrarme en la historia.
Read
February 5, 2017Ладно, я сдаюсь.
Трижды я пыталась вникнуть в эту историю и трижды потерпела неудачу.
Мне дико скучно. Персонажи не цепляют, мир не трогает, а красивые речи вызывают не восхищение, а лишь насмешливое фырканье, ибо веет от всего этого пафосом за версту.
С предыдущей серией автора я тоже не справилась, соскочила на первой книге.
Не мое.
Не буду больше мучить ни себя, ни поклонников мадам Говард своим ворчанием.
Трижды я пыталась вникнуть в эту историю и трижды потерпела неудачу.
Мне дико скучно. Персонажи не цепляют, мир не трогает, а красивые речи вызывают не восхищение, а лишь насмешливое фырканье, ибо веет от всего этого пафосом за версту.
С предыдущей серией автора я тоже не справилась, соскочила на первой книге.
Не мое.
Не буду больше мучить ни себя, ни поклонников мадам Говард своим ворчанием.
April 11, 2018
La verdad es que no sabía qué esperar del libro, y me ha gustado mucho lo que me he encontrado, una historia muy emotiva y romántica,con giros argumentales que no esperaba y que hacían que la historia me enganchase más.
La única pega que he encontrado es que he visto un final cerrado, y pone que es una saga. Tengo curiosidad por la secuela.
La única pega que he encontrado es que he visto un final cerrado, y pone que es una saga. Tengo curiosidad por la secuela.
February 12, 2017
Let's talk about the Architect of Song shall we? I was very impressed with this story in general. I am not familiar with the Phantom of the Opera which the story is loosely based on. That being said it was very easy to get lost in this amazing yet slightly macabre world. I love that she went with a more historical tale as well. It was obvious that she did her research cause the imagery I got while reading seemed to suit this story to a tee. From the very beginning I felt that creepy macabre vibe that Anita is simply know for. I love that style she uses and yet this one feels a bit more gothic due to the time period.This review was originally posted on Brittersweet Reads Click here to keep reading bout my feels!
August 15, 2016
Anita Howard is one of my auto buy authors and every book of hers reinforces this more and more!
The Architect of Song is a perfect example of a brilliantly done gothic novel. Atmospheric, enticing and absolutely captivating!
The writing is as vivid and visual as it was in her previous books and it paints us clearly both settings and characters without bogging down the narrative.
Very soon we are completely enthralled by the mystery and Juliet's experience through it all. Given Juliet's disability and her losses in the book, she is a wonderful & strong main character that tries to be strong and true to herself even if it goes against what society expects and accepts in her time.
She still has a support system that accepts her as a whole and even if misguidedly try to push her towards something or other, they always try and be there for her when she needs it.
The romance is very much part of the mystery, a mix of love triangle and forbidden love and the author really managed to surprise me and very much like and enjoy the way she did & resolved the love triangle, and that really IS saying something!
There's so much tension in this book, romantic tension and character development tension and it's all so well paced! It just keeps you glued to the page, wanting to continue reading and finding out more and finally knowing what will happen!
And the way the book ends is done so very well!! It's the first book of a series of companion novels and as such ends up resolving everything very satisfactory, but have you looking forward to more stories too! Very much deserved 5 stars to this enthralling & perfect gothic tale!
The Architect of Song is a perfect example of a brilliantly done gothic novel. Atmospheric, enticing and absolutely captivating!
The writing is as vivid and visual as it was in her previous books and it paints us clearly both settings and characters without bogging down the narrative.
Very soon we are completely enthralled by the mystery and Juliet's experience through it all. Given Juliet's disability and her losses in the book, she is a wonderful & strong main character that tries to be strong and true to herself even if it goes against what society expects and accepts in her time.
She still has a support system that accepts her as a whole and even if misguidedly try to push her towards something or other, they always try and be there for her when she needs it.
The romance is very much part of the mystery, a mix of love triangle and forbidden love and the author really managed to surprise me and very much like and enjoy the way she did & resolved the love triangle, and that really IS saying something!
There's so much tension in this book, romantic tension and character development tension and it's all so well paced! It just keeps you glued to the page, wanting to continue reading and finding out more and finally knowing what will happen!
And the way the book ends is done so very well!! It's the first book of a series of companion novels and as such ends up resolving everything very satisfactory, but have you looking forward to more stories too! Very much deserved 5 stars to this enthralling & perfect gothic tale!
January 27, 2021
A perfect 5 star! When you start this book the beginning may seem a little slow but omg dont let that stop you. There's so many twist and turns in this book you really dont know which way it's going to turn. It will leave you on the edge of your set trying to figure it all out. Closer to the end of the book you may want to have some tissues near by...trust me...I wasnt ready for that ending. I NEED the second and third book. I'm suppose to be saving money this year but right now that's so hard to do.
March 20, 2018
Lo terminé hace unos días y ¡me ha encantado! Presenta una ambientación oscura pero con cierto misterio que te hace seguir leyendo. Y aunque el instalove sobra, y mucho, acabó siendo una historia que me enamoró.
October 4, 2021
I really didn’t enjoy this book. Initially it was because I was being a bit of a historical fiction snob, so filled with modern sensibilities and anachronisms. But then the plot was ridiculous, seesawing from one discovery to another- and it was badly overwritten and over dramatic. A real piece of nonsense. It only gets two stars because I was able to finish it.
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