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The Cottage on The Border
Jenna's earliest memory is of her mother's feet dangling in dust motes, as a three year old left orphaned while her mother's corpse hung from a beam. Her mother committed suicide, that's how she escaped and freed herself. When her own life falls apart Jenna's earliest memory becomes her anchor, she too wants to be free.
Vincent Van Son is Jenna's adopted brother, her psychiatrist, perhaps her only friend. He takes her to the Cottage for recovery, determined to rescue his sister from herself after her failed suicide attempt. The cottage on the border is at Oud Land, and is the location of many dark secrets.
Jenna's close call with death leaves her open to the psychic world, and in this cottage in the onset of a misty winter, Jenna hears them, the voices of the past, memories of what happened on the border. It becomes a journey to herself. She has to listen, to witness, she has no choice. Their stories are her story, and it is a long heritage of murder, deceit, ethnic discourse and betrayal.
Perspective returns to the introspective prima ballerina, she has learned the truth of her family, of this cottage of psychic confessions. She alone emerges from the rubble of six decades of troubled family history, a lone phoenix.
The Cottage on The Border is a tale of murder, mystery, intrigue, familial despair, heartbreak, and spiritual resurrection.
Vincent Van Son is Jenna's adopted brother, her psychiatrist, perhaps her only friend. He takes her to the Cottage for recovery, determined to rescue his sister from herself after her failed suicide attempt. The cottage on the border is at Oud Land, and is the location of many dark secrets.
Jenna's close call with death leaves her open to the psychic world, and in this cottage in the onset of a misty winter, Jenna hears them, the voices of the past, memories of what happened on the border. It becomes a journey to herself. She has to listen, to witness, she has no choice. Their stories are her story, and it is a long heritage of murder, deceit, ethnic discourse and betrayal.
Perspective returns to the introspective prima ballerina, she has learned the truth of her family, of this cottage of psychic confessions. She alone emerges from the rubble of six decades of troubled family history, a lone phoenix.
The Cottage on The Border is a tale of murder, mystery, intrigue, familial despair, heartbreak, and spiritual resurrection.
356 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Hannah Warren
11 books62 followersHannah Warren also writes as Hannah Ferguson.
Hannah Ferguson writes gritty tales about fallible heroines, both in contemporary and historical settings. She writes series (The Jenna Kroon Series and Daughter of The Alvar Series) and stand-alone books (e.g. Mirembe and Casablanca My Heart) in the literary suspense genre. The series can also be ranked as psychological family sagas. Leitmotiv of Ferguson’s books is the impossible challenge the female main character invariably faces in order to survive, if she survives.
Hannah Ferguson was born in Paris but is of British and Dutch descent. She currently resides in the Netherlands. She has been a published fiction author and novelist since 2011 but has been writing stories all her life.
In her other life, Hannah Ferguson is an International Relations Officer at a university of applied sciences, where she recruits international students and works as a translator.
If you want to know about new book releases or special promos, do sign up for the newsletter at hannahferguson.online (just copy and paste into your browser).
Hannah Ferguson writes gritty tales about fallible heroines, both in contemporary and historical settings. She writes series (The Jenna Kroon Series and Daughter of The Alvar Series) and stand-alone books (e.g. Mirembe and Casablanca My Heart) in the literary suspense genre. The series can also be ranked as psychological family sagas. Leitmotiv of Ferguson’s books is the impossible challenge the female main character invariably faces in order to survive, if she survives.
Hannah Ferguson was born in Paris but is of British and Dutch descent. She currently resides in the Netherlands. She has been a published fiction author and novelist since 2011 but has been writing stories all her life.
In her other life, Hannah Ferguson is an International Relations Officer at a university of applied sciences, where she recruits international students and works as a translator.
If you want to know about new book releases or special promos, do sign up for the newsletter at hannahferguson.online (just copy and paste into your browser).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 16, 2017
The Cottage on the Border was a pleasant surprise. I expected this would be about self-discovery and personal growth, where the characters learn from the past what they need to know in order to find themselves in the present. It was so much more.
The book starts with Jenna’s story: a talented ballerina, star of the company, haunted by her personal ghosts and struggling through an eating disorder that threatens to put an end to her career. Soon, the pressure becomes too much and she finds herself reaching out to her adoptive brother, who she hasn’t contacted in a long time. He is more than willing to help his sister and it results in Jenna moving to a desolated cottage, far from the big city, in a desperate attempt to recover.
This is where the plot takes an interesting turn, and it develops into a murder/mystery historical fiction storyline, with notes of paranormal. I’m not a fan of paranormal, but this was the perfect degree, just enough to introduce the historical aspect, which I enjoy so much more.
We start to go back and forth in time, as Jenna slowly finds out that she is more related to this strange cabin than she thought. And the plot thickens: nazis, post-war scenarios, spiritual travels, attempts to take over the world…all coming back to one common element: Jenna.
The writing was unexpectedly good, poetic even. The steady pace kept me hooked at all times; and even though some chapters felt a bit long, so many things happen that there are no wasted lines.
The main characters were deep, enthralling, and with fascinating arcs throughout the story. The author does a great job giving motive to all their actions, thoughts and reactions. Nothing here is left to chance. On the other hand, I did not care at all about Jenna’s brother’s character and it felt flat, adding very little to the story; I disliked him strongly and considered him a secondary participant. I could have lived without the details of his romantic life.
After such a well-developed narrative, the ending seemed slightly rushed, as if it were almost too quick, considering the length of the whole story. However, this is the first installment of a trilogy, so it could easily make sense from that perspective.
If I had to point out one significant aspect, it would be that it incorporates so many big topics: eating disorders, abuse, megalomania, Nazism, suicide…all carefully addressed and delicately intertwined. I would definitely continue with this trilogy. I'd recommend it to lovers of mystery who enjoy historical fiction, and to anyone looking for an intricate family story.
The book starts with Jenna’s story: a talented ballerina, star of the company, haunted by her personal ghosts and struggling through an eating disorder that threatens to put an end to her career. Soon, the pressure becomes too much and she finds herself reaching out to her adoptive brother, who she hasn’t contacted in a long time. He is more than willing to help his sister and it results in Jenna moving to a desolated cottage, far from the big city, in a desperate attempt to recover.
This is where the plot takes an interesting turn, and it develops into a murder/mystery historical fiction storyline, with notes of paranormal. I’m not a fan of paranormal, but this was the perfect degree, just enough to introduce the historical aspect, which I enjoy so much more.
We start to go back and forth in time, as Jenna slowly finds out that she is more related to this strange cabin than she thought. And the plot thickens: nazis, post-war scenarios, spiritual travels, attempts to take over the world…all coming back to one common element: Jenna.
The writing was unexpectedly good, poetic even. The steady pace kept me hooked at all times; and even though some chapters felt a bit long, so many things happen that there are no wasted lines.
The main characters were deep, enthralling, and with fascinating arcs throughout the story. The author does a great job giving motive to all their actions, thoughts and reactions. Nothing here is left to chance. On the other hand, I did not care at all about Jenna’s brother’s character and it felt flat, adding very little to the story; I disliked him strongly and considered him a secondary participant. I could have lived without the details of his romantic life.
After such a well-developed narrative, the ending seemed slightly rushed, as if it were almost too quick, considering the length of the whole story. However, this is the first installment of a trilogy, so it could easily make sense from that perspective.
If I had to point out one significant aspect, it would be that it incorporates so many big topics: eating disorders, abuse, megalomania, Nazism, suicide…all carefully addressed and delicately intertwined. I would definitely continue with this trilogy. I'd recommend it to lovers of mystery who enjoy historical fiction, and to anyone looking for an intricate family story.
January 12, 2015
Living the Extremes of Life
This plot is rather unique. It is like several plots individually, which through the ability of the author, flow back into the main plot. Jenna Kroon de Coligny, knows that she was found as a three year old child with her deceased mother hanging from the rafters in this barn. This occurred on the property of the Van Sons on the Holland/Belgium border. Theo and Dora, his wife, took in Jenna as a foster child, and their only child, Vincent Van Son, who was nine years older than Jenna, adored Jenna. The entire household revolved around Jenna and her moods affected them. And she was very moody, but everyone gave her their love anyway knowing how her mother’s death must have affected her.
Jenna was most determined and became a lead female ballet dancer and intended to make that her life’s focus, but the head male ballet dancer, who was her partner, saw to it that she fell during one performance. She had become so thin and weak, that the boss of the ballet told her that she had to gain weight and energy and not to come back until she could. But there was something about her digestive process that she was not hungry, couldn’t hold food down and struggled to eat only a little. She finally got so depressed, she attempted suicide by cutting her wrists, was found in time and hospitalized. Her foster brother, Vincent, had become a doctor, specializing in psychiatry, and his psychiatrist teacher said that Vincent could leave with her to try to help her stabilize, but to keep checking with him. Vincent rented an old cottage in the vicinity of where she had been found, but Jenna was impossible. It was like she deliberately did whatever was necessary to alienate herself from Vincent. Finally she asked Vincent to leave her alone for a few days and so she could work things out within her mind. Vincent did, but called and checked on her each day.
Then Isolde, Markus and Oono become another plot, but which, in the end affect Jenna. Marcus has a plot all of his own, Vincent has a plot of his own, and finally Jenna is given her mother’s diary, which was found at her feet where she was hanging. With that diary, which becomes another plot, includes many aspects of all the people who in one way or another had affected Jenna.
This is a great story, deep and thought stimulating and one of the better ones I have read and reviewed for a while.
I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.
This plot is rather unique. It is like several plots individually, which through the ability of the author, flow back into the main plot. Jenna Kroon de Coligny, knows that she was found as a three year old child with her deceased mother hanging from the rafters in this barn. This occurred on the property of the Van Sons on the Holland/Belgium border. Theo and Dora, his wife, took in Jenna as a foster child, and their only child, Vincent Van Son, who was nine years older than Jenna, adored Jenna. The entire household revolved around Jenna and her moods affected them. And she was very moody, but everyone gave her their love anyway knowing how her mother’s death must have affected her.
Jenna was most determined and became a lead female ballet dancer and intended to make that her life’s focus, but the head male ballet dancer, who was her partner, saw to it that she fell during one performance. She had become so thin and weak, that the boss of the ballet told her that she had to gain weight and energy and not to come back until she could. But there was something about her digestive process that she was not hungry, couldn’t hold food down and struggled to eat only a little. She finally got so depressed, she attempted suicide by cutting her wrists, was found in time and hospitalized. Her foster brother, Vincent, had become a doctor, specializing in psychiatry, and his psychiatrist teacher said that Vincent could leave with her to try to help her stabilize, but to keep checking with him. Vincent rented an old cottage in the vicinity of where she had been found, but Jenna was impossible. It was like she deliberately did whatever was necessary to alienate herself from Vincent. Finally she asked Vincent to leave her alone for a few days and so she could work things out within her mind. Vincent did, but called and checked on her each day.
Then Isolde, Markus and Oono become another plot, but which, in the end affect Jenna. Marcus has a plot all of his own, Vincent has a plot of his own, and finally Jenna is given her mother’s diary, which was found at her feet where she was hanging. With that diary, which becomes another plot, includes many aspects of all the people who in one way or another had affected Jenna.
This is a great story, deep and thought stimulating and one of the better ones I have read and reviewed for a while.
I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.
March 5, 2015
5/1/2000, Oud Land Cottage Zeeland (Netherlands)
Jenna Kroon de Coligny (ballet dancer, Rotterdam Music & Dance) grandfather Baron Gustin Kroon de Coligny (father, Shell International) & brother Ferdinand de Coligny (Down’s syndrome) had died & were buried. Her grandmother Baroness Vivienne Van Voorst had deserted her.
Jenna & Mikhail Baikov (ballet dancer) were dance partners at Mozzi’s Dance Makers owned by Mr. Mario Mozzi (ballet dancer). Carl was the choreographer. Anna Petrova was a ballet dancer there also.
Jenna struggles with her past & sees Vincent Van Son (adopted brother, Psychiatrist).
Jenna reads her mother’s diary & later finds out the truth about her brother & their biological family.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written family mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great suspense-filled family mystery movie, or mini TV series. It will all make sense in the end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Story Cartel; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Jenna Kroon de Coligny (ballet dancer, Rotterdam Music & Dance) grandfather Baron Gustin Kroon de Coligny (father, Shell International) & brother Ferdinand de Coligny (Down’s syndrome) had died & were buried. Her grandmother Baroness Vivienne Van Voorst had deserted her.
Jenna & Mikhail Baikov (ballet dancer) were dance partners at Mozzi’s Dance Makers owned by Mr. Mario Mozzi (ballet dancer). Carl was the choreographer. Anna Petrova was a ballet dancer there also.
Jenna struggles with her past & sees Vincent Van Son (adopted brother, Psychiatrist).
Jenna reads her mother’s diary & later finds out the truth about her brother & their biological family.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written family mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great suspense-filled family mystery movie, or mini TV series. It will all make sense in the end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Story Cartel; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
December 22, 2014
Sometimes a fabulous book comes along and makes you really think about people’s past choices and motives.
My Book Review for Psychic Confessions . . .
“Just Fantastic”!
This read has everything you’d want in a suspense thriller. It deals with a families past pains, mental stability, dark secrets, mysteries, and much more. There is murder, mystery, intrigue through out each page of this wonderful storyline which spans 6 decades as Jenna reveals.
When you don’t think you can take anymore heart break, or take more emotional turmoil of the revelations Jenna stumble upon, more storyline past haunts melt into Jenna’s present. When she begins to have memories of her mothers death by suicide, and she ends up in an orphanage at age three, and her life starts to take off from there. But Jenna’s own life becomes pulled apart, her adopted brother Vincent, and Jenna’s psychiatrist, a good friend take her away to a cottage to try and help her recovery from her own brush with death, and attempted suicide.
BRAVO Hannah! You have done a wonderful job with book one of this new novel series! I truly can not wait for the next book of this series to come out.
And as the book blurb details:,
“Psychic Confessions is a tale of murder, mystery, intrigue, familial despair, heartbreak, and spiritual resurrection”. . .Great Family Saga & Thriller Read and well recommended.
December 17, 2015
The Cottage on the Border is the story of a girl, Jenna, who is taken to a cottage to recover after a failed suicide attempt. At three years old, her own mother was found hanging from the rafters of a barn with little Jenna at her feet. The family that found her took Jenna in and adopted her as their own. Their son, Vincent, adored her and it is he that helps her on her recovery journey at the cottage. Vincent has grown to become a psychiatry student and his professor agrees that it would be a good idea for him to go with Jenna to the cottage to keep an eye on her. But, he makes Vincent promise to check in with him. Jenna is searching for answers to who she is. Where does she comes from? She finds those answers, but at a cost.
I had mixed feelings about this story. Filled with mystery and suspense, the sadness contained within this story tugged at my heart. But, a good story take the reader on a roller coaster of emotions along with the characters. The author did just that and did a great job of it, too.
*Copy provided for review.
I had mixed feelings about this story. Filled with mystery and suspense, the sadness contained within this story tugged at my heart. But, a good story take the reader on a roller coaster of emotions along with the characters. The author did just that and did a great job of it, too.
*Copy provided for review.
June 29, 2015
Murder, mystery, suspense and more in this thriller set in Holland near the border of Belgium. Jenna’s introduction in the book is powerful, emotional and intriguing. The unfolding of why her life is as it is, how she finds out her family history and how the past may have impacted her in the present and will impact her in the future covers three generations and decades of living. The story engaged me from beginning to end and I take my hat off to Hannah for producing such a wonderful story. At the end of the book I felt this part of Jenna’s story was complete but I also wanted to know what will happen in her life in books two and three of the Jenna Kroon Trilogy. I would also like to say that this book has a “foreign” feel to it. I have been to Holland and have had Dutch friends - this book definitely has the “feel of Holland” within it although, I am not exactly sure why.
Thank you to the author for the copy of this book to read and review.
Thank you to the author for the copy of this book to read and review.
December 10, 2014
I began this book a while ago, as a request for a review from the author. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to set it down a while, and only just got back to reading it. Now that I have finished it, I must say I am pleasantly pleased I returned to it!
While it does begin a little slowly, there is a great deal of drama and mystery within this book that I was honestly not suspecting, but pleasantly surprised by, none the less! My one complaint lies with a death in the ending, which due to spoiler avoidance, I won't go into detail about, but felt a little let down by. That aside though, I loved this book, and it's characters. They really make you feel, flaws and all, for each of them, in their own way. 4/5 stars.
While it does begin a little slowly, there is a great deal of drama and mystery within this book that I was honestly not suspecting, but pleasantly surprised by, none the less! My one complaint lies with a death in the ending, which due to spoiler avoidance, I won't go into detail about, but felt a little let down by. That aside though, I loved this book, and it's characters. They really make you feel, flaws and all, for each of them, in their own way. 4/5 stars.
September 10, 2015
Loved it!!!!! The Cottage on the Border by Hannah Warren tells the story of Jenna a girl that is struggling with the memories of her mother suicide and like her she wants to be free.
After a suicide attempt her brother taker her to a cottage were she can try and find herself. While there she finds more than expected she gets caught in a psychic world and takes a journey to find out what happen at the border and on the way finds herself.
I have to say I really loved the story dark, it has mystery and more. I loved the Hannahs writing down and could not put the book down until I was done
I give this book 5 fangs!!!!!
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
After a suicide attempt her brother taker her to a cottage were she can try and find herself. While there she finds more than expected she gets caught in a psychic world and takes a journey to find out what happen at the border and on the way finds herself.
I have to say I really loved the story dark, it has mystery and more. I loved the Hannahs writing down and could not put the book down until I was done
I give this book 5 fangs!!!!!
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
October 26, 2016
I enjoyed Hannah's debut novel very much so I looked forward to reading the first in the Cottage on the Border series. Unlike Casablanca, My Heart, this story is a family saga. There is a roller coaster of emotions in this book and I found myself hoping that Jenna would find her answers. And find them she does as Hannah slowly reveals the past and present through the eyes of Jenna. Her brother Vincent is also an endearing character. This beautifully written novel will intrigue you and run you through a plethora of emotions. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a family saga series with a bit of thriller mixed in.
September 23, 2015
I can't even start as to what this book left me feeling. The characters the plot, the realistic feeling of it all. The emotions the entire book will have you drawn in from the beginning. There's not one page that won't have you intrigued... Absolutely loved this book!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
June 3, 2017
The Cottage on The Border (The Jenna Kroon Series, #1) by Hannah Warren is a very special book.
The plot grows around Jenna. A prima ballerina drowned in her own ghosts and traumas which bring to life the spiral of darkness, guilt, regret and harrowing secrets composing this story.
Her first memory about her mother's suicide plants the base of a life full of psychosis, eating disorders, neurosis, shades of paranormal and her own personal Hell inside her mind. After she fails trying to run away from life, her brother, psychiatrist, tries to keep her safe and recovering in a solitary cottage, soaked in obscure memories which sweep along Jenna's fears and subconscious. Suicide, Nazi's, murder... no one's safe.
“I’m innocent,” he roared as he was handcuffed. “Scandal! Scandal! The whole of the nation will hear how a decent German citizen was arrested for the murder of a rat.” Kicking and screaming, he went into the police van. ”
I never like to tell much about plots, so the reader can keep the mystery, but even more in this case. For me, as a reader and lover of darkness and introspection, the thread of this book is a line, a path you follow while you stare at the shadows around Jenna, around you.
You start the book observing a depressing scenario, with notes of hope “But she was alive, strange and wrong as it may seem”. After some pages, you get slowly impregned in our main character's depression, narcissistic compulsion, throbbing thoughts and phantoms from the mud of her soul.
“Even dreaming she knew it was one of those dreams where you can't get away, can't scream, a total victim of bad intentions.”
You don't get along with Jenna. Readers are used to like the protagonists. But it's not the case. Selfish, bratty, blind. This young woman with such a heavy burden on her shoulders leads us through an introspective self-knowledge inner fight. This book is a spy hole to fight your pure thoughts, full of shadows and crawling dark creatures from your origins.
The end might seem a bit quick or not very developed, but considering this book is the first one of the series, I didn't find it a negative point.
I love how the author moves the reader. The impression you build around a character, in few pages it will go to ashes. They are constantly spinning around and changing the filter they see their own background through. Jenna is ceaselessly discovering other's thoughts through their anger towards her because she only thinks of herself, so she's an emotional rollercoaster.
Descriptions are accurate, soft and sensorial. “When she walked the street, men turned their heads as she floated by in her flowery dress, balancing on her plateau shoes, swinging her hips. She moved like a magical angel, a fairy, a human dream. But that was the exterior. Inside Marcia was a wild creature with deep longings to do extravagant things without being held responsible for them. ”
Some of the chapters feel a bit long, due to the intensity of the descriptions, but the writing is fluent, poetic and drowning. Language is beautiful, correct and pleasing to read.
I recommend this book to lovers of the obscure, dark, evil, mystery. To suspense fans, people interested in psychology, mental health, and inner fights. Also brave and with good sleep. Congratulations to the author for such an amazing story.
The plot grows around Jenna. A prima ballerina drowned in her own ghosts and traumas which bring to life the spiral of darkness, guilt, regret and harrowing secrets composing this story.
Her first memory about her mother's suicide plants the base of a life full of psychosis, eating disorders, neurosis, shades of paranormal and her own personal Hell inside her mind. After she fails trying to run away from life, her brother, psychiatrist, tries to keep her safe and recovering in a solitary cottage, soaked in obscure memories which sweep along Jenna's fears and subconscious. Suicide, Nazi's, murder... no one's safe.
“I’m innocent,” he roared as he was handcuffed. “Scandal! Scandal! The whole of the nation will hear how a decent German citizen was arrested for the murder of a rat.” Kicking and screaming, he went into the police van. ”
I never like to tell much about plots, so the reader can keep the mystery, but even more in this case. For me, as a reader and lover of darkness and introspection, the thread of this book is a line, a path you follow while you stare at the shadows around Jenna, around you.
You start the book observing a depressing scenario, with notes of hope “But she was alive, strange and wrong as it may seem”. After some pages, you get slowly impregned in our main character's depression, narcissistic compulsion, throbbing thoughts and phantoms from the mud of her soul.
“Even dreaming she knew it was one of those dreams where you can't get away, can't scream, a total victim of bad intentions.”
You don't get along with Jenna. Readers are used to like the protagonists. But it's not the case. Selfish, bratty, blind. This young woman with such a heavy burden on her shoulders leads us through an introspective self-knowledge inner fight. This book is a spy hole to fight your pure thoughts, full of shadows and crawling dark creatures from your origins.
The end might seem a bit quick or not very developed, but considering this book is the first one of the series, I didn't find it a negative point.
I love how the author moves the reader. The impression you build around a character, in few pages it will go to ashes. They are constantly spinning around and changing the filter they see their own background through. Jenna is ceaselessly discovering other's thoughts through their anger towards her because she only thinks of herself, so she's an emotional rollercoaster.
Descriptions are accurate, soft and sensorial. “When she walked the street, men turned their heads as she floated by in her flowery dress, balancing on her plateau shoes, swinging her hips. She moved like a magical angel, a fairy, a human dream. But that was the exterior. Inside Marcia was a wild creature with deep longings to do extravagant things without being held responsible for them. ”
Some of the chapters feel a bit long, due to the intensity of the descriptions, but the writing is fluent, poetic and drowning. Language is beautiful, correct and pleasing to read.
I recommend this book to lovers of the obscure, dark, evil, mystery. To suspense fans, people interested in psychology, mental health, and inner fights. Also brave and with good sleep. Congratulations to the author for such an amazing story.
November 19, 2016
I wanted very much to like this book,the subject seemed interesting and the writing was well done, but I could not get into it.
The main character, Jenna, is unlikable and bratty. I wanted to feel sympathy for her. I wanted to want her to get better, but I found myself completely disinterested in her.
The WWII background story really threw me. I wasn't expecting to spend so much of my time reading stories from the past and although they were well written, they were unexpected and therefore not enjoyable.
Although I did not find the content or the characters in this book to be to my liking, I must mention that the book read smoothly and the writing was not my deterrence.
The main character, Jenna, is unlikable and bratty. I wanted to feel sympathy for her. I wanted to want her to get better, but I found myself completely disinterested in her.
The WWII background story really threw me. I wasn't expecting to spend so much of my time reading stories from the past and although they were well written, they were unexpected and therefore not enjoyable.
Although I did not find the content or the characters in this book to be to my liking, I must mention that the book read smoothly and the writing was not my deterrence.
January 1, 2017
The Cottage on the Border, the first in the Jenna Kroon series by Hannah Warren, captures the depth and complexity of love, struggle and family.
In Cottage on the Border, Jenna is a successful dancer who embodies duende. She is a master of the mixture between physical expression and emotional connection with music. Jenna's poor health habits catch up with her early in the book and she is hospitalized. Her hospitalization culminates her career.
In this hard time, Jenna reaches out to her brother for help. Vincent will always help his family first and comes to Jenna’s aid. Together, they begin work on Jenna’s healing path. Vincent's roles as professional and brother are one of the secondary themes and is one key to understanding Jenna.
After small successes, Jenna discovers she has an incredible gift along with a family history that is much closer than she previously believed. Jenna wants to continue working through her struggles and demands (as is her nature) that she be left alone to do so. She and Vincent work on a method so she will be successful then it is Jenna and her ghosts.
With her piles of blonde hair and violet eyes, she dives into her treasure trove of history, alone.
The Cottage on the Border delves into the full character of flawed humanity. I found myself cheering all the characters, which speaks to the depth of Warren’s character development. History and morality would dictate that I should not sympathize with people who have done such horrid things. This is a testament to Warren’s writing style. Her additional sheer genius in allowing us to travel with Jenna in all her discoveries is what made this a mouth-watering read for me. Like Jenna, I couldn’t stop.
Reading The Cottage on the Border is a great experience. I simply cannot wait to read the other two books in this series. Jenna is addicting, her struggle is superhuman and I need to know how it turns out. A solid five stars.
In Cottage on the Border, Jenna is a successful dancer who embodies duende. She is a master of the mixture between physical expression and emotional connection with music. Jenna's poor health habits catch up with her early in the book and she is hospitalized. Her hospitalization culminates her career.
In this hard time, Jenna reaches out to her brother for help. Vincent will always help his family first and comes to Jenna’s aid. Together, they begin work on Jenna’s healing path. Vincent's roles as professional and brother are one of the secondary themes and is one key to understanding Jenna.
After small successes, Jenna discovers she has an incredible gift along with a family history that is much closer than she previously believed. Jenna wants to continue working through her struggles and demands (as is her nature) that she be left alone to do so. She and Vincent work on a method so she will be successful then it is Jenna and her ghosts.
With her piles of blonde hair and violet eyes, she dives into her treasure trove of history, alone.
The Cottage on the Border delves into the full character of flawed humanity. I found myself cheering all the characters, which speaks to the depth of Warren’s character development. History and morality would dictate that I should not sympathize with people who have done such horrid things. This is a testament to Warren’s writing style. Her additional sheer genius in allowing us to travel with Jenna in all her discoveries is what made this a mouth-watering read for me. Like Jenna, I couldn’t stop.
Reading The Cottage on the Border is a great experience. I simply cannot wait to read the other two books in this series. Jenna is addicting, her struggle is superhuman and I need to know how it turns out. A solid five stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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