Augusta, the First

Saga of the Phenwick Women #1

by Katheryn Kimbrough

Gothic, Saga of the Phenwick women

Genres: Gothic, Historical Fiction, Gothic Romance, Horror, Mystery, Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Real name John M. Kimbro - also wrote as
Kym Allyson, Ann Ashton, Charlotte Bramwell, Jean Kimbro. He was the author of over 80 books including the 40 book Gothic series The Saga of the Phenwick Women.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

AUGUSTA, THE FIRST, book #1 in the 40-book series, Saga of the Phenwick Women, by Katheryn Kimbrough (a.k.a. John Kimbro).

I’ve never read a book with a story so different from its back cover description! *scratches head* A strange evil haunting her in England? Curse of the past? The whole Joshua Phenwick thing? And, I’m still not sure who the man was who “held her helpless by his iron will.” Hmm...

Despite the misleading blurb, I liked the book. Augusta was one tough, determined young woman. There was something in the New World that she was after, so she figured out a way to escape her family in England and start a life in Colonial America. She was a savvy businesswoman with powerful connections, and when life knocked her down, she got right back up.

I was a bit disappointed that the story wasn’t more “Gothic.” It wasn’t spooky or suspenseful in the least, except perhaps right at the very beginning and very end. I’m guessing this book was meant to set the foundation for the rest of the series and let readers know how the Phenwick Women came about.

[Sarah Mac · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Mediocre' is the defining adjective for this novel. It has good ideas, but the flow & development are hampered by inadequate writing -- very much in the vein of Dan Ross, another prolific author whose career was defined by grandiose plots + verbal mediocrity.

Perhaps the biggest fail in this particular book is the lack of gothicness. The blurb -- which happens to be the most singularly inaccurate blurb in the history of 70s fiction -- makes much of curses & haunted heroines & monuments to undying love, but in reality these things aren't anything to do with the story. Point of fact, aside from one brief scene at the end, this isn't a even gothic romance. There's absolutely nothing "gothic" about it, unless you count Augusta's antagonism & her building a big, cumbersome house. Rather, it feels like a pilot episode in a long-running tv show. "So you want to see how our matriarch got started? And look! Here are ancestors of other characters who will be important in the future!"

I'd be lying if I said I liked it, because the characters are pretty flat & unpleasant (Tim, the great hulking Irishman, being a notable exception), but there are things about it that kept me reading. The biggest saving grace is how Augusta's determination to live beyond death bodes ill for future heroines, as Augusta is a mercenary bitch who refuses to be denied anything, period -- so future installments may well have a stronger gothic presence. *crosses fingers*

Anyway, since I already have books 2-5, I'll read those before deciding whether to pursue further adventures with the army of Phenwick women.

2.5 stars.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books that I read again every couple of years since I was a teenager. It's the right mix of romantic and eerie and adventurous, so I've never been able to figure out why it was never popular. First in a series of forty (yes, forty).

[Reading with Cats · Rating 1 out of 5]

Imagine a “gothic” “heroine” written by a man in the 1970s and you will have an idea of just how low to set the bar for this one. I am going to continue on with this batshit crazy series, though, because I want to see Augusta (the First) haunt the fuck out of future hapless heroines.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally amazing series. I Read Rachael The Possessed before I knew it was part of a series. I think I've read 80% of them and want to read the rest. Augusta the first tells of how the Phenwick women came into being and why. You have just got to read this book, if you do, you'll become addicted to reading the rest of the books in this series.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this at least 30 years ago. I enjoyed it immensely. I think I only read the first 13 books because I had no idea there were more. I was a teenager at the time. Romances were exciting. Gothic Romances were even better, Romances with mystery and moody characters, Drama. The settings were often eerie and remote. The main characters were haunting and sometimes haunted. They were at the opposite end of light romances. My favorite light romances were written by Barbra Cartland. What a contrast. If you like this kind of book you will enjoy the whole series.

[Lisa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one out of order. I read Jane first so I thought I was going to know what happened. I didn't. I knew Augusta was a strong woman. I didn't know what got her there. Her first husband was a %!@#. To killa a woman's children is inexcusable. I know they weren't his, but damn. I loved the O'Plaggerty clan. Although, if Augusta was sleeping with my husband I wouldn't be as nice as Molly. Indentured servant or not Auguasta would be slapped. HARD. All in all I loved the book. The date I finished the series is debatable. I'm guessing it was around 86ish

[An W · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many critical reviews for a book released in 1975, wow. Keep in mind we weren't so jaded back then and still believed in mystery as this series presents. No one knew that times would change so drastically where people want more violence and bloodshed as the case now.
Kimbro was writing at a time when a little mystery, history and old house creaking was entertaining. Got the first 4 books 1975/76 and became hooked on following the story. Couldn't imagine a 40 book series. There was a promise of a TV series but seems that didn't happen. Just found 2 books of the series at thrift books and ready to go into the story once more. To each his own.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the packaging, marketing, and prologue narrated by a ghost, this is in no way a gothic novel. If you can let that go it is a fun, trashy, pulpy, soapy bit of wish fulfillment as Augusta gets rich and cycles through a list of lovers and husbands. She has a few setbacks but none really touch her. At times the narrative hovers on the edge of being dull but the short length helps. I already have the next three books in the series so I will be continuing for now. I sincerely hope some Gothic starts to creep in.

[Kristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted this to be trashier. It was super annoying that a scene would end just as things were about to get steamy. Still, I enjoyed the characters and storyline and I'm interested in continuing with the series.

[Marsha K. Atchison]

I read most of this series decades ago and thoroughly enjoyed every addition to the series. I would love to re-read them and finish the series!

[Mistie's Bones of the Storie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like books that have strong determined women in a historical time. Especially when that was "frowned upon". This book is about Augusta's determination to have a good strong name, an heir, a fortune, and she does what she wants regardless of the rules. She makes her way in the New World, in a mans world - and does something with her life - not allowing others to make choices for her. Augusta controls her life and everyone it in.




****Part of POPSUGAR 2015 Reading Challenge:A Book You Own But Have Never Read

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom gave me this to try out. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

The book is really slow up until the last 50 pages or so. I did enjoy the slight references to certain characters "preferring the company of men" as they put it. I didn't care for how Augusta doesn't give any indication to being religious until the last 50 pages.

I might give the next book a shot, but I'm not sure.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first NINE books in this series in high school and enjoyed them immensely. Romantic with a touch of the supernatural.

[Jammies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hooray for '70s cheese, as lurid as many of the carpets of the day!

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I stumbled across this series at a church rummage sale. It's all kinds of cheesy 70s gothic goodness. This opening book is set in colonial America and the heroine is one tough cookie.

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

Save yourself a few hours and don't read this book. Just don't do it.

For a full review visit http://ireadalotofbooks.com/augusta-t...

[Bonnie Seiwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

HOW is this a Gothic? Book barely resembles the description on the back.