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City of Ash
Chicago socialite Geneva Langley is a woman used to pushing boundaries. When she inadvertently pushes too far, she finds herself banished, along with her husband, to Seattle, Washington Territory. In 1888, Seattle is a city on the cusp of greatness, but there Ginny feels stifled and alone, suffocated by her husband’s forgiveness, always cognizant of her need to atone.
Beatrice Wilkes is an actress who has lived by her wits since she first set out on her own at the age of fifteen. She has learned not to trust, that in the theater friends rarely stay friends for long. She longs for a career as a leading lady on the stage, although that dream seems to grow less possible with every passing hour. When she meets Geneva Langley, Bea pegs her correctly as the kind of woman who has had everything handed to her, who understands nothing of real life.
Fate—and the great Seattle fire of 1889—will bind these two different women together in a dark and perilous alliance. Neither suspects that their relationship will challenge everything they know about themselves, or that it will set them on a path that must lead to either redemption or damnation.
Beatrice Wilkes is an actress who has lived by her wits since she first set out on her own at the age of fifteen. She has learned not to trust, that in the theater friends rarely stay friends for long. She longs for a career as a leading lady on the stage, although that dream seems to grow less possible with every passing hour. When she meets Geneva Langley, Bea pegs her correctly as the kind of woman who has had everything handed to her, who understands nothing of real life.
Fate—and the great Seattle fire of 1889—will bind these two different women together in a dark and perilous alliance. Neither suspects that their relationship will challenge everything they know about themselves, or that it will set them on a path that must lead to either redemption or damnation.
432 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2011
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848 people want to read
About the author
Megan Chance
32 books717 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Megan Chance is the bestselling, critically acclaimed author of several novels. Booklist calls her writing “Provocative and haunting.” Her books have been chosen by Amazon's Book of the Month, Borders Original Voices and IndieNext. A former television news photographer with a BA from Western Washington University, Megan Chance lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Visit her at www.meganchance.com
Megan Chance is the bestselling, critically acclaimed author of several novels. Booklist calls her writing “Provocative and haunting.” Her books have been chosen by Amazon's Book of the Month, Borders Original Voices and IndieNext. A former television news photographer with a BA from Western Washington University, Megan Chance lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Visit her at www.meganchance.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
December 17, 2023
I absolutely devoured this story! A generally light read, "City of Ash" is a great choice for someone who, like me, isn't always a big historical fiction fan, because it's very much its own story that happens to be set in history, vs. a story largely driven by history itself. I found the plot and characters compelling from the start.
March 13, 2025
Kniha z knižnej štafety, za ktorú ďakujem Janke. Román vychádza z niektorých pomerne známych historických faktov (napr., že existovali sanatóriá, kde sa zatvárali nepohodlné osoby, ópiové brlohy a činske podsvetie, či smotánka v Amerike, ktorá sa delila ešte na tú staršiu (s viac ako 100-ročným rodokmeňom) a mladších zbohatlíkov), zasadený je do obdobia začiatku 20. storočia v San Franciscu. A mierne sa spomenú ženské práva, snahu o zamestnanie, či sebapresadenie v mužskej spoločnosti.
Celkový dojem bol naozaj fajn, dej plynul spočiatku celkom prívetivo. Sirota sa po smrti svojej mamy môže uchýliť do domu jej tety, s ktorou neboli vôbec v kontakte. Až doteraz. Otca nepozná, ale mama ju vychovávala tak, aby perfektne ovládala etiketu vyššej spoločnosti, aj keď žili v chudobe.
Ujo a sesternica ju očaria bohatstvom a okázalým spôsobom života, úplne odlišným od jej. No teta nie je úplne v poriadku, a kým sa s ňou vôbec stretne, uplynie istý čas. Zovšadiaľ počúva varovanie, že sem nemala prísť, ale nič konkrétne, takže keď sa to celé pozlátko zlúpe, už je neskoro. Nebudem vám prezrádzať, ale vyzeralo to beznádejne… a aj tajomstvá boli takmer až niekedy ku koncu vyriešené.
Páčilo sa mi zobrazenie reálnej skutočnosti (zemetrasenie v roku 1906), odporúčam pozrieť aj fotografie, naozaj je to obraz hrôzy a pekla.
Nepoznala som ani miestnu knižnicu a jej línie, svetlo a celkové poňatie priestoru ma okúzlili. Rada by som videla zápisníky hlavnej hrdinky a jej iné návrhy. Dobová interiérová dizajnérka je skvelé zamestnanie. Ken ho treba vymyslieť. ;) A ten novinár, čo písal o smotánke s iróniou hodnou lady Whistledownovej a obete jeho kritiky ho občas veru nepochopili, pripomenulo mi to súčasnosť, kde sa berie, že aj zlá reklama je reklama, hkavne, že sa o nich hovorí…
Celkový dojem bol naozaj fajn, dej plynul spočiatku celkom prívetivo. Sirota sa po smrti svojej mamy môže uchýliť do domu jej tety, s ktorou neboli vôbec v kontakte. Až doteraz. Otca nepozná, ale mama ju vychovávala tak, aby perfektne ovládala etiketu vyššej spoločnosti, aj keď žili v chudobe.
Ujo a sesternica ju očaria bohatstvom a okázalým spôsobom života, úplne odlišným od jej. No teta nie je úplne v poriadku, a kým sa s ňou vôbec stretne, uplynie istý čas. Zovšadiaľ počúva varovanie, že sem nemala prísť, ale nič konkrétne, takže keď sa to celé pozlátko zlúpe, už je neskoro. Nebudem vám prezrádzať, ale vyzeralo to beznádejne… a aj tajomstvá boli takmer až niekedy ku koncu vyriešené.
Páčilo sa mi zobrazenie reálnej skutočnosti (zemetrasenie v roku 1906), odporúčam pozrieť aj fotografie, naozaj je to obraz hrôzy a pekla.
Nepoznala som ani miestnu knižnicu a jej línie, svetlo a celkové poňatie priestoru ma okúzlili. Rada by som videla zápisníky hlavnej hrdinky a jej iné návrhy. Dobová interiérová dizajnérka je skvelé zamestnanie. Ken ho treba vymyslieť. ;) A ten novinár, čo písal o smotánke s iróniou hodnou lady Whistledownovej a obete jeho kritiky ho občas veru nepochopili, pripomenulo mi to súčasnosť, kde sa berie, že aj zlá reklama je reklama, hkavne, že sa o nich hovorí…
September 28, 2021
Bála som sa, či na mi novinka od vydavateľstva Grada bude páčiť, keďže historické romány vôbec nečítam. No hneď za prvý deň som zhltla 100 strán. Aj keď dej príbehu plynie pomaly, myslím, že autorkin príjemný štýl písanie to vynahradil a ja som sa vôbec nenudila.
Aspoň som mala čas vžiť sa do May, ktorá prichádza do San Francisca ku svojej (jedinej žijúcej) rodine po smrti svojej matky. Občas sa mi popis jej úvah a pocitov zdal zdĺhavý, ale rýchlo som si na to zvykla a už to viac nevnímala a brala ako súčasť príbehu.
Pomaličky mi boli podstrkované útržky tajomstva, ktorému som zo začiatku rovnako ako May nerozumela. Iba poznámku tu… zmienka či varovanie tam… O to viac som sa chcela dozvedieť, o čo v knihe ide.
A zrazu bum! Zapletka ako prasa! A hneď za ňou ďalšia, odkiaľ sa príbeh vyvíjal odlišným smerom, ktorý ma ale stále bavil. Netrpezlivo som čakala, ako to celé vyvrcholí a pre May to dopadlo až príliš dobre na môj vkus a hlavne príliš rýchlo. Nesťažujem sa, len konštatujem.
Rok 1904 bol vykreslený pútavo, len mi trošičku prekážali zbytočne popisy miestnosti. Nepotrebovala som detailný opis zlato - hnedých tapiet, na ktorých sa objavovali kadejaké vzory… ale nevadí, toto bolo iba maličké mínus, pričom niekoho možno oslovili práve takéto opisy a pre jednu časť deja boli podstatné.
Nie je na škodu niekedy opustiť svoju komfortnú zónu, za čo môžem poďakovať vydavateľstvu Grada a ich novinke, ktorú mi zaslali.
Aspoň som mala čas vžiť sa do May, ktorá prichádza do San Francisca ku svojej (jedinej žijúcej) rodine po smrti svojej matky. Občas sa mi popis jej úvah a pocitov zdal zdĺhavý, ale rýchlo som si na to zvykla a už to viac nevnímala a brala ako súčasť príbehu.
Pomaličky mi boli podstrkované útržky tajomstva, ktorému som zo začiatku rovnako ako May nerozumela. Iba poznámku tu… zmienka či varovanie tam… O to viac som sa chcela dozvedieť, o čo v knihe ide.
A zrazu bum! Zapletka ako prasa! A hneď za ňou ďalšia, odkiaľ sa príbeh vyvíjal odlišným smerom, ktorý ma ale stále bavil. Netrpezlivo som čakala, ako to celé vyvrcholí a pre May to dopadlo až príliš dobre na môj vkus a hlavne príliš rýchlo. Nesťažujem sa, len konštatujem.
Rok 1904 bol vykreslený pútavo, len mi trošičku prekážali zbytočne popisy miestnosti. Nepotrebovala som detailný opis zlato - hnedých tapiet, na ktorých sa objavovali kadejaké vzory… ale nevadí, toto bolo iba maličké mínus, pričom niekoho možno oslovili práve takéto opisy a pre jednu časť deja boli podstatné.
Nie je na škodu niekedy opustiť svoju komfortnú zónu, za čo môžem poďakovať vydavateľstvu Grada a ich novinke, ktorú mi zaslali.
December 25, 2014
The heroine, 29, is in a dysfunctional marriage. She comes from wealth and her husband, Nathan, married her for it. He comes up with a plan to get his hands on even more of it. I think her father, not knowing of Nathan’s plan, helps him.
Geneva learns of the plan and devises a plan of her own. She asks Nathan’s mistress, Beatrice, to help her and help her she does. Plans change when she can’t get access to money. The new plan is silly and really farfetched, totally unbelievable and I was real disappointed in it. Despite that, I was interested in watching it all unfold.
My favorite character is the actress, Beatrice. She’s twenty-eight and has been an actress for thirteen years. Sadly, we didn’t learn anything of her background. She’s a jealous, self centered person and it was very surprising that she’d help Geneva out.
Geneva didn’t seem that interesting to me. I didn’t like that out of nowhere she wanted to become an actress. I also thought it strange that she didn’t seem too bothered by the fact her husband was cheating.
Overall, I was happy with this book but was disappointed by the plan and how it all played out during the last third of the story. I grade this a B+
November 4, 2015
I couldn't finish this book, and maybe I will come back to it at a later time, but it had a strong start & after getting more than halfway through, I felt like it took a nose dive. Maybe I'll come back to it later??
January 6, 2019
I loved this but it should have been gay. Thanks
January 13, 2024
Zrodená z trosiek a popola sa u mňa radí do kategórie - kúpená iba kvôli obálke a bez toho, aby som si vôbec prečítala anotáciu 😅. Takých rozhodne nemám v knižnici málo. Teraz po prečítaní kúpu vôbec neľutujem, lebo aj napriek pomalšiemu rozbehu sa mi nesmierne páčila.
Mladá May ostane po smrti matky úplne sama. Z bezútešného života ju vytrhne list od majetnej rodiny, o ktorej doteraz vôbec netušila. Pozvú ju k sebe a zahrnú luxusom, ktorý doteraz nepoznala. Aj keď si May nový život užíva, zdá sa jej predsalen trochu povrchný. Sesternica a strýko sa snažia, aby jej nič nechýbalo, ale očividne pred ňou tiež niečo skrývajú. A to ešte netuší, akej zrady bude svedkom a akým desivým smerom sa jej život zvrtne.
Začiatok mi prišiel naozaj pomalý a taký nejaký rozvláčny. Tiež som si dlho hovorila, môže byť dospelá, aj keď mladá, žena taká jednoduchá a naivná? Často mi prišla ako čerstvo vyliahnuté kuriatko, ktoré iba spoznáva svet 😄. Potom však prišiel zvrat za zvratom a ja som ostala príjemne prekvapená a potešená, čo sa z nevinnej May vykľulo. Život ju zocelil a naučil, že môže veriť jedine sama sebe. Koniec bol super, pomsta naozaj sladká a aj romantiky tak akurát. Takže som veľmi rada, že ma začiatok neodradil, nakoniec som knihu prečítala za deň, čo som ju po rozbehu nevedela odložiť.
Mladá May ostane po smrti matky úplne sama. Z bezútešného života ju vytrhne list od majetnej rodiny, o ktorej doteraz vôbec netušila. Pozvú ju k sebe a zahrnú luxusom, ktorý doteraz nepoznala. Aj keď si May nový život užíva, zdá sa jej predsalen trochu povrchný. Sesternica a strýko sa snažia, aby jej nič nechýbalo, ale očividne pred ňou tiež niečo skrývajú. A to ešte netuší, akej zrady bude svedkom a akým desivým smerom sa jej život zvrtne.
Začiatok mi prišiel naozaj pomalý a taký nejaký rozvláčny. Tiež som si dlho hovorila, môže byť dospelá, aj keď mladá, žena taká jednoduchá a naivná? Často mi prišla ako čerstvo vyliahnuté kuriatko, ktoré iba spoznáva svet 😄. Potom však prišiel zvrat za zvratom a ja som ostala príjemne prekvapená a potešená, čo sa z nevinnej May vykľulo. Život ju zocelil a naučil, že môže veriť jedine sama sebe. Koniec bol super, pomsta naozaj sladká a aj romantiky tak akurát. Takže som veľmi rada, že ma začiatok neodradil, nakoniec som knihu prečítala za deň, čo som ju po rozbehu nevedela odložiť.
June 7, 2011
My Kirkus Review:
The fates of an ambitious young actress and an exiled society lady intertwine in 1889 Seattle when the Great Fire nearly burns the fledgling city to the ground.
Geneva Langley, daughter of a wealthy railroad tycoon, has it all, inviting the greatest artists of the day to her Chicago salons. All, that is, but a happy marriage. She poses nude for a sculptor, calculating that the ensuing scandal will force her husband Nathan to divorce her. Instead, she’s sent to Seattle, where her husband smells political opportunity in the soon-to-be state. Seattle’s cultural life pales beside Chicago’s, but it does host theatres where Geneva, shunned by society, seeks solace and meets talented young playwright Sebastian DeWitt. Mrs. Langley, an art patron, is thrilled when her husband begins underwriting the production of a play DeWitt has written to showcase the acting of Beatrice Wilkes, whom he admires. Frustrated to have been thrown over for many a leading role and lacking qualms about using sex to gain advantage, Ms. Wilkes becomes Nathan Langley’s mistress. The love triangle grows a fourth corner when lonely Mrs. Langley gravitates toward the playwright and her husband encourages their relationship, going so far as to suggest she take the stage, and in the very part meant for Ms. Wilkes, a complete reversal of mind given that he had previously forbidden such scandalous behavior since it caused their exile. Does Mr. Langley’s interest in the theatre have more to it than lust for an actress resembling his wife? Mistress and wife ally against Nathan Langley’s nefarious schemes, intricately developed against a scorched backdrop. Strangest of all, real life mimics DeWitt’s play as they find themselves living parts to rival Hamlet’s drama and deception.
With an Art-Nouveau-and-absinthe sensibility, tight plotting and stagecraft complete with traps and twists, Chance (Prima Donna, 2009, etc.) breathes a vitality into her frontier characters á la David Milch’s Deadwood.
The fates of an ambitious young actress and an exiled society lady intertwine in 1889 Seattle when the Great Fire nearly burns the fledgling city to the ground.
Geneva Langley, daughter of a wealthy railroad tycoon, has it all, inviting the greatest artists of the day to her Chicago salons. All, that is, but a happy marriage. She poses nude for a sculptor, calculating that the ensuing scandal will force her husband Nathan to divorce her. Instead, she’s sent to Seattle, where her husband smells political opportunity in the soon-to-be state. Seattle’s cultural life pales beside Chicago’s, but it does host theatres where Geneva, shunned by society, seeks solace and meets talented young playwright Sebastian DeWitt. Mrs. Langley, an art patron, is thrilled when her husband begins underwriting the production of a play DeWitt has written to showcase the acting of Beatrice Wilkes, whom he admires. Frustrated to have been thrown over for many a leading role and lacking qualms about using sex to gain advantage, Ms. Wilkes becomes Nathan Langley’s mistress. The love triangle grows a fourth corner when lonely Mrs. Langley gravitates toward the playwright and her husband encourages their relationship, going so far as to suggest she take the stage, and in the very part meant for Ms. Wilkes, a complete reversal of mind given that he had previously forbidden such scandalous behavior since it caused their exile. Does Mr. Langley’s interest in the theatre have more to it than lust for an actress resembling his wife? Mistress and wife ally against Nathan Langley’s nefarious schemes, intricately developed against a scorched backdrop. Strangest of all, real life mimics DeWitt’s play as they find themselves living parts to rival Hamlet’s drama and deception.
With an Art-Nouveau-and-absinthe sensibility, tight plotting and stagecraft complete with traps and twists, Chance (Prima Donna, 2009, etc.) breathes a vitality into her frontier characters á la David Milch’s Deadwood.
September 23, 2011
This would be a really great book except for language. The author did her research on the time period and locale but the language is bad. I emailed and asked her why she used that in her book. She said the characters in that time period would have talked that way. I think she could have written it without the crappy language and it would have been a great book. Avoid it if you hate F bombs.
March 23, 2025
Túto knihu som registrovala už dávnejšie, ale nejak som nevedela či po nej siahnuť, alebo nie, aj keď teda historické romány mám rada. Naskytla sa mi však možnosť si knihu prečítať a rozhodla som sa, že predsa len do nej pôjdem. Som rada, že som knihe dala šancu. Pod krásnou obálkou a za zaujímavou anotáciou sa skrýva príbeh plný tajomstiev, zrady, hamižnosti, nebezpečenstva ale aj boja za seba, za svoj život.
Po tom čo jej zomrie mama sa May Kimblová presťahuje za jej rodinou svojej tety do San Francisca. Aj keď ju jej mama učila správnej etikete, jej cesta medzi tamojšiu smotánku nie je ľahká. Má pocit, že sa ocitla v neznámom svete. Pod krídla si ju berie jej sesternica a ukazuje jej život v meste, v istých chvíľach však mizne a pred May skrýva tajomstvá. A nie je jediná. May si postupne uvedomuje, že jej rodina pred ňou niečo skrýva. Zákernou zradou prichádza o svoju slobodu a je obvinená z vraždy a zavretá do sanatória. Vďaka tragickej udalosti, spôsobenú zemetrasením, ktorá postihne mesto, dostáva šancu na záchranu. May tak postáva z trosiek a popola, aby sa pomstila tým, ktorý jej všetko zobrali.
Príbeh je rozdelený na tri časti. V tej prvej prichádza May, za jej novo nájdenou rodinou. Snaží sa zapadnúť a nájsť si svoje miesto v nej, ale aj vo vtedajšej spoločnosti. Spoznáva nových ľudí, nadväzuje nové vzťahy. Autorke sa ozaj dobre podarilo vystihnúť atmosféru vtedajšej doby a spoločnosti. Táto časť plynula tak trochu pomalšie, ale za to bola plná tajomstiev, ktoré mali ľudia okolo May. Autorka nám pomaličky sem tam podstrčí nejakú omrvinku, nejaké tajomstvo a postupne si spolu s May skladáme obraz o tom čo sa tam naozaj deje a prečo ju jej rodina vlastne pozvala k ním bývať. A z dobroty ich sŕdc to isto nebolo. May tak postupne prichádza na to, že nie je všetko zlato čo sa blyští. Nahliada pod pokrievku pozlátka, pod ktorou sa skrývajú tajomstvá, špina a zrada.
V druhej časti sa práve kvôli zrade dostáva do sanatória, kde sa k nej správajú ako k špine. May sa nevzdáva a nedovolí aby ju zlomili. Táto časť je ozaj zaujímavá, ale krátka a autorka ňou prešla trochu rýchlejšie. Po tom čo May prežila tamojšie hrôzy, sa dostáva na slobodu. Získava nečakaného spojenca a môže sa tak začať jej cesta za pomstou. Plán pomsty bol vymyslený výborne, dať ich dole a zničiť ich verejný image. Viac by sa mi však páčilo keby došlo k priamej konfrontácii a celé to neprebehlo len tak na pozadí. Čo ma mrzí je že ostala nevyriešená otázka vraždy jej tety. Či to bola naozaj vražda alebo len nehoda a oni toho využili. Jej rodine sa v konečnom dôsledku nestalo nič horšieho ako to že s nimi prestali komunikovať. Ja by som im asi ešte viac naložila, lebo si to zaslúžili. Takto konečné rozuzlenie nebolo zlé, ale také miernejšie. Aj keď vtedy aj to bola pre ľudí, ktorý si zakladali na ich postavení a image, veľká rana.
Príbeh sa čítal naozaj dobre, ale miestami som mala pocit akoby tam niečo chýbalo a to je už spomínaná hĺbka, s ktorou by autorka ešte hlbšie do toho všetkého zabŕdla a rozvinula niektoré linky či časti knihy ešte viac. Myslím že knihe by pristálo kľudne aj pár strán navyše, príbeh by to kľudne zniesol. Takto sa môže zdať akoby miestami kĺzala po povrchu toho všetkého. Nič to však nemení na tom, že išlo o naozaj dobrý príbeh, so zaujímavou zápletkou, ktorý sa oplatí prečítať.
Po tom čo jej zomrie mama sa May Kimblová presťahuje za jej rodinou svojej tety do San Francisca. Aj keď ju jej mama učila správnej etikete, jej cesta medzi tamojšiu smotánku nie je ľahká. Má pocit, že sa ocitla v neznámom svete. Pod krídla si ju berie jej sesternica a ukazuje jej život v meste, v istých chvíľach však mizne a pred May skrýva tajomstvá. A nie je jediná. May si postupne uvedomuje, že jej rodina pred ňou niečo skrýva. Zákernou zradou prichádza o svoju slobodu a je obvinená z vraždy a zavretá do sanatória. Vďaka tragickej udalosti, spôsobenú zemetrasením, ktorá postihne mesto, dostáva šancu na záchranu. May tak postáva z trosiek a popola, aby sa pomstila tým, ktorý jej všetko zobrali.
Príbeh je rozdelený na tri časti. V tej prvej prichádza May, za jej novo nájdenou rodinou. Snaží sa zapadnúť a nájsť si svoje miesto v nej, ale aj vo vtedajšej spoločnosti. Spoznáva nových ľudí, nadväzuje nové vzťahy. Autorke sa ozaj dobre podarilo vystihnúť atmosféru vtedajšej doby a spoločnosti. Táto časť plynula tak trochu pomalšie, ale za to bola plná tajomstiev, ktoré mali ľudia okolo May. Autorka nám pomaličky sem tam podstrčí nejakú omrvinku, nejaké tajomstvo a postupne si spolu s May skladáme obraz o tom čo sa tam naozaj deje a prečo ju jej rodina vlastne pozvala k ním bývať. A z dobroty ich sŕdc to isto nebolo. May tak postupne prichádza na to, že nie je všetko zlato čo sa blyští. Nahliada pod pokrievku pozlátka, pod ktorou sa skrývajú tajomstvá, špina a zrada.
V druhej časti sa práve kvôli zrade dostáva do sanatória, kde sa k nej správajú ako k špine. May sa nevzdáva a nedovolí aby ju zlomili. Táto časť je ozaj zaujímavá, ale krátka a autorka ňou prešla trochu rýchlejšie. Po tom čo May prežila tamojšie hrôzy, sa dostáva na slobodu. Získava nečakaného spojenca a môže sa tak začať jej cesta za pomstou. Plán pomsty bol vymyslený výborne, dať ich dole a zničiť ich verejný image. Viac by sa mi však páčilo keby došlo k priamej konfrontácii a celé to neprebehlo len tak na pozadí. Čo ma mrzí je že ostala nevyriešená otázka vraždy jej tety. Či to bola naozaj vražda alebo len nehoda a oni toho využili. Jej rodine sa v konečnom dôsledku nestalo nič horšieho ako to že s nimi prestali komunikovať. Ja by som im asi ešte viac naložila, lebo si to zaslúžili. Takto konečné rozuzlenie nebolo zlé, ale také miernejšie. Aj keď vtedy aj to bola pre ľudí, ktorý si zakladali na ich postavení a image, veľká rana.
Príbeh sa čítal naozaj dobre, ale miestami som mala pocit akoby tam niečo chýbalo a to je už spomínaná hĺbka, s ktorou by autorka ešte hlbšie do toho všetkého zabŕdla a rozvinula niektoré linky či časti knihy ešte viac. Myslím že knihe by pristálo kľudne aj pár strán navyše, príbeh by to kľudne zniesol. Takto sa môže zdať akoby miestami kĺzala po povrchu toho všetkého. Nič to však nemení na tom, že išlo o naozaj dobrý príbeh, so zaujímavou zápletkou, ktorý sa oplatí prečítať.
September 24, 2011
What a stunning, beautiful story whose characters came ALIVE like no other author's. The plot was heartbreaking, clever, intricate and almost flawless. The characters were so modern and contrasted sharply with the old-fashioned setting of 1889 Seattle, WA. Their dialogue was pithy and carefully crafted; every single word had a meaning and provided context to their actions. Reading City of Ash was like watching a film in my mind. Very quickly the core plot unfolded and all I could do was read/watch in exhilaration and horror as Bea and Ginny carried out their diabolical plan. Yes, diabolical but oh so understandable, especially as Ms. Chance describes the horrendously manipulative character of Nathan, the resident psychopath and Ginny's husband. My only reluctant critique was the role that Sebastian played in the story. Yes, the tragic hero, that was quite clear - you could smell the traditional Greek themes of the tragic hero emanating from every fiber of Sebastian's being, from the tattered coat to his long hair to his burning eyes. The old-fashioned hipster, starving artist, melancholy genius. But who was his love? Was it Ginny? Bea? I couldn't quite figure it out. What a thoroughly enjoyable read, an amazing story.
August 27, 2022
CITY OF ASH by Megan Chance
Revenge plots are some of my favorite types of stories and this book was a good one. It starts off slow, but toward the halfway point it picked up steam.
The two main characters, Geneva Langley (a wealthy socialite from Chicago) and Beatrice Wilkes (an actress from Seattle), are from different worlds/classes, but they’re both independent, intelligent and ambitious.
I liked how the storyline revolved around the Great Seattle fire of 1889 (worth looking up and reading about btw) even if the dialogue leans more modern. The love triangle (square?) was melodramatic at times, but it didn’t take away from the story. Also, I felt Beatrice sacrificed a lot more of herself (mentally, physically and emotionally) than Geneva.
Overall, a fun and quick read. This is the first book I’ve read by Megan Chance and I plan to check out her other ones soon.
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
#CityofAsh #MeganChance
Revenge plots are some of my favorite types of stories and this book was a good one. It starts off slow, but toward the halfway point it picked up steam.
The two main characters, Geneva Langley (a wealthy socialite from Chicago) and Beatrice Wilkes (an actress from Seattle), are from different worlds/classes, but they’re both independent, intelligent and ambitious.
I liked how the storyline revolved around the Great Seattle fire of 1889 (worth looking up and reading about btw) even if the dialogue leans more modern. The love triangle (square?) was melodramatic at times, but it didn’t take away from the story. Also, I felt Beatrice sacrificed a lot more of herself (mentally, physically and emotionally) than Geneva.
Overall, a fun and quick read. This is the first book I’ve read by Megan Chance and I plan to check out her other ones soon.
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
#CityofAsh #MeganChance
July 6, 2011
Megan Chance is quickly becoming my favorite author. Partially because my other favorite author contenders are writing too slowly or not at all, but mostly because she's so damn good. Her books have it all: beautiful prose, vivid and interesting characters, and gripping, often on-the-edge-of-your-seat plots. She's an excellent writer *and* storyteller. Anyone who's read a lot of books in their life should know how rare that is. This book is no exception. I absolutely loved it. I had some minor quibbles not worth mentioning and a bigger problem, namely that elements in this story reminded me too much of all three of her recent historical novels--there was a lot that felt familiar here. But ultimately it was unique enough that it didn't diminish my enjoyment overall. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.
May 20, 2014
I really enjoy Megan Chance's historical fiction, and this book was no exception. The interaction between the main female characters was great—they were forced together, but absolutely determined not to like each other. The relationship that they created was fascinating and felt very real.
January 8, 2012
I picked this book up on a whim from the library and I'm so glad! LOVED it! Great characters and writing! The end was particularly good. A GREAT book club pick!
April 20, 2020
I love historical fiction. Living near Seattle, I loved the background this was set in. Nathan was fun to hate, and I felt myself sympathizing both main characters. Let's face it-they were made for each other.
I was disappointed on 2 fronts:
1. The author sets the stage in society, and then flips the coin and shows life in poverty. When she makes the two classes meet, she hints of their respective differences to the point you would hope that one or both learns of the other's struggles. Instead, they've their own selfishness in mind (like I said, made for each other). It's not until the very last few pages that they truly understand each other, and honestly, I don't think Ginny ever truly understands what bea is forced to do just to *live*.
2. Why'd you have to go and kill Sebastian off? Honestly, I'd to admit it, but it was a good plot turn. I just hate tragedies. I always thought Romeo and Juliet was a waste. I did love how closely real life followed the plot, even when it ran out of control.
Ok I lied, I'm going to make a third point.
3. Ginny didn't really lose much to get what she wanted. She lost a good conversationalist, but that was it. She got her husband gone, her money, and her dads trust back. Bea finally learns to trust enough to love (and finally find a good f*ck-who knew women in the 1880s knew the pleasures of a tongue?) And she has it taken from her, because again, Ginny is just too selfish. She doesn't heed warnings. She's SEEN what her husband is willing to do, and yet, she thinks everything will turn out okay.
Overall, it was a good book my personal bias against tragedies aside.
I was disappointed on 2 fronts:
1. The author sets the stage in society, and then flips the coin and shows life in poverty. When she makes the two classes meet, she hints of their respective differences to the point you would hope that one or both learns of the other's struggles. Instead, they've their own selfishness in mind (like I said, made for each other). It's not until the very last few pages that they truly understand each other, and honestly, I don't think Ginny ever truly understands what bea is forced to do just to *live*.
2. Why'd you have to go and kill Sebastian off? Honestly, I'd to admit it, but it was a good plot turn. I just hate tragedies. I always thought Romeo and Juliet was a waste. I did love how closely real life followed the plot, even when it ran out of control.
Ok I lied, I'm going to make a third point.
3. Ginny didn't really lose much to get what she wanted. She lost a good conversationalist, but that was it. She got her husband gone, her money, and her dads trust back. Bea finally learns to trust enough to love (and finally find a good f*ck-who knew women in the 1880s knew the pleasures of a tongue?) And she has it taken from her, because again, Ginny is just too selfish. She doesn't heed warnings. She's SEEN what her husband is willing to do, and yet, she thinks everything will turn out okay.
Overall, it was a good book my personal bias against tragedies aside.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2018
Completely hypnotic. It’s what Chance does best even when it tugs at hard-to-swallow themes and plots and makes you want to dislike the story, but you get swept up into the world.
Nathan was a true villain, and I loved Bea the most. It’s funny how the most real characters Chance creates are the ones who professionally play other characters.
The author is a brilliant writer, and her writing alone is 5 stars. It’s the storylines that make it 4 stars for me though. Like a Facebook relationship status, it’s complicated. I love the female empowerment themes but I don’t love the way it gets there.... though it’s necessary and seamlessly told. It’s a complete personal preference, and yet I’ll be devouring her other novels like always.
Nathan was a true villain, and I loved Bea the most. It’s funny how the most real characters Chance creates are the ones who professionally play other characters.
The author is a brilliant writer, and her writing alone is 5 stars. It’s the storylines that make it 4 stars for me though. Like a Facebook relationship status, it’s complicated. I love the female empowerment themes but I don’t love the way it gets there.... though it’s necessary and seamlessly told. It’s a complete personal preference, and yet I’ll be devouring her other novels like always.
June 13, 2020
Anyways. The book was okay – it was a slow starter, I felt. But it wasn’t terrible. So, I dunno – two stars, I guess? I’ll give it an extra half star because it made me think of Addison DeWitt and that always makes me happy.
For the full review - including the actual reason why Alaina decided to rave about Addison DeWitt at this moment - follow the link to That's What She Read.
Guster Reading Challenge:
"Getting Even" / Goldfly
Read a book about revenge
For the full review - including the actual reason why Alaina decided to rave about Addison DeWitt at this moment - follow the link to That's What She Read.
Guster Reading Challenge:
"Getting Even" / Goldfly
Read a book about revenge
July 24, 2024
Kniha sa skladala z troch častí. Tej prvej som záver očakávala aj keď ma niektoré veci prekvapili. Druhá bola pre mňa, na čítanie zaujímavejšia a tretia nám odhalila, že všetko čo máme je dočasné, v jednej chvíli sme tu a v ďalšej nemusíme vlastniť nič, len samého seba.
Páčil sa mi záver knihy, napriek tomu že v ňom išlo o pomstu, postavy zostali stále ľuďmi s charakterom, ich podstata sa nezmenila ani nadobudnutou prevahou alebo mocou.
Strany sa míňali jedna za druhou, kniha sa čítala veľmi rýchlo.
Páčil sa mi záver knihy, napriek tomu že v ňom išlo o pomstu, postavy zostali stále ľuďmi s charakterom, ich podstata sa nezmenila ani nadobudnutou prevahou alebo mocou.
Strany sa míňali jedna za druhou, kniha sa čítala veľmi rýchlo.
January 10, 2020
I liked this book and would have given it four stars if it wasnt for the kind of melodramatic love triangle between the two leads and starving playwright. I found myself rolling my eyes and skimming through the love scenes to be honest. It would have much more impactful if the story could have stood on it's own merit without the unnecessary and frankly boring love plotline.
February 17, 2021
Haunting!!!
I would put more stars if possible. I grew up in Seattle and know the history of the fire very well. The author has it spot on! The two main characters plotting to take down a male chauvinist opportunist was so entertaining that I would love to see it in play! Loved, loved, loved this book!!!!
I would put more stars if possible. I grew up in Seattle and know the history of the fire very well. The author has it spot on! The two main characters plotting to take down a male chauvinist opportunist was so entertaining that I would love to see it in play! Loved, loved, loved this book!!!!
September 14, 2019
Hmmm
I liked the female friendship aspect of this book a lot, it’s not something you see a lot in-historical chick lit? I don’t really know what to call this.
Can someone tell me if the depiction of the Settle Fire was accurate or not?
I liked the female friendship aspect of this book a lot, it’s not something you see a lot in-historical chick lit? I don’t really know what to call this.
Can someone tell me if the depiction of the Settle Fire was accurate or not?
March 8, 2020
Surprised me
I was hesitant to get this book, but I wanted a book set in this time period in Seattle. It was a great read. I was surprised how much I liked it. I think the author did a great job developing the characters.
I was hesitant to get this book, but I wanted a book set in this time period in Seattle. It was a great read. I was surprised how much I liked it. I think the author did a great job developing the characters.
February 24, 2021
Fave author, terrific writing engaging story with layered history and storytelling that puts you in every scene, imagining late 1800s Seattle vividly. Always love her characters that are likable and flawed which keeps me reading.
March 30, 2021
For me, this book was an interesting, spell bounding full of twist and turns. I had a hard time putting it down. Every page had another mystery added into it.
I highly recommend this book too readers who enjoy a good mystery.
I highly recommend this book too readers who enjoy a good mystery.
March 16, 2025
Good plot, but if you're going to go back and forth between 2 narrators, you need to have their voices sound different, and these don't. One narrator says "you know" a lot, and that's the only device used to distinguish them.
March 29, 2025
Another Favorite!
Every time I read a Megan Chance novel, I think “This one’s my favorite!” They’re all that good. She is amazing. I become completely lost in the world she creates each time.
Every time I read a Megan Chance novel, I think “This one’s my favorite!” They’re all that good. She is amazing. I become completely lost in the world she creates each time.
October 2, 2025
This book starts off slow and I expected I would end up giving it a low rating, but then it picked up and I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what would happen. I'm glad I stayed with the book. I enjoyed the story!
February 6, 2018
Another wonderful passionate suspenseful read from chance.
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