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Anonymous
Posted May 14, 2013
Really good book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 29, 2013
Thought this was a "typical" romance....not so much. The only positve thing that I will share: I was/am just as confused as the main character...for ever page turned, I could only think, "WTH am I reading?" So glad it was a freebie. Not too sure I want to read another one from this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Magluvsya03
Posted June 1, 2012
I would like to thank Read 2 Review for allowing me to read this book for a review. It's quite interesting. There were several twists and turns and I was quite surprised with the ending with this book. I was totally shocked how they've put so much history and well know "names" and they all fit together. I have to say that was my favorite part. I was a little sad for the main character as she seemed to have quite a hard life. and when they people you love the most won't believe you or help you, and make you think you're crazy, it can make life miserable. I love the supporting characters, especially the Willoughby's!! I just love them :) This is an interesting concept of paranormal romance with mystery included. There is some magical landscapes and interesting things going on. If you like a sweet, fairy-tale type paranormal romance. This one is for you :) 3.5 PAWS!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Icecream18
Posted August 22, 2011
Have you ever had an imaginary friend? How about one that becomes very close to you? The main character, Willow, has had an "imaginary friend" that she has loved for a long time, he went from being her friend to being "something more." When she gets older, she realizes that this is not normal; she isn't sure if she is crazy or if her feelings are correct, and her Boogeyman is real. She buys a cottage in England in an attempt to figure out which of her options are true.
The book is told from Willow's point of view, allowing the reader to get closer to Willow and understand her. Willow is caring, inquisitive, and somewhat demanding. She really draws the reader into the story. The author describes Willow as well as Willow's thoughts and actions very well, the reader can imagine Willow perfectly. The author also details the scenery and plot, making it very easy to picture. However, at times, there is almost too much detail.
The plot is unique, the author includes fairly controversial subjects-especially religion, bringing up the question "Are religious leaders followed too blindly?" The author makes a strong case for this though, without being too forceful. The love scenes were, once again, detailed and believable. They were the perfect blend of romance and steam. The reader can tell the characters really love each other, this can be a rarity in romance novels. The concept of a "Boogeyman" in a novel with romance may appear a little strange, but it worked perfectly. The Boogeyman represented the unknown rather than the scary guy in your closet.
The ending was perfect for the novel, the reader will be satisfied. The author writes very fluidly, the only complaint a reader could make would be that there could have been slightly less detail. This book was very enjoyable and adults/young adults will enjoy this novel.
Willow Jane has felt the presence of Boon since childhood, but everyone else thinks she should have grown out of her imaginary friend by now. Instead she's drawn closer to him till she feels she's in love or going mad. In an attempt to find out which she buys a cottage in a small English village where she can be alone with her musical and artistic muses.
Author Catherine Thorpe conveys that dislocation of a foreigner abroad very well, though the meticulously rendered Wiltshire dialect is sometimes hard to read or hear in the mind. I found myself puzzling through a world of estates and multiple manors, but soon the magical aspects of the story take over-statues, obelisks, sunshine and flowers. Is the celandine a poppy, and are we drugged to sleep?
Willow's mystery man reveals himself through dreams, introspection and visions. The story stretches in enchanted sun till it encompasses history, symbol, myth and ancient manuscripts. Willow's rejection of established faith is finally brought to fruit in a whole new world-view with some surprising mystic revelations. And the concept of name being less than self is very nicely drawn.
Not a novel for those who prefer more established documents of faith, science and history, In a Celandine World presents a fascinating search for an intriguingly powerful love, with shades of Alice's rabbit-hole guiding the path.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
bonnie_lamer_blogspot_com
Posted July 14, 2011
Willow Jane knew that she was different from everyone else. Since she was a child, her parents have worried for her sanity, and so has she. But crazy or not, Willow has always known without a doubt that she loved the man that came to her in her dreams. Now an adult, it's time to figure out the truth about who he is. Moving to a small cottage in England, she is suddenly amongst people who may be crazier than she is. Can she trust anyone in the village with her secrets? How do the Willoughby's, the village butcher and his wife who have taken her under their wing, fit into the world of her dreams? And then there's the mysterious gardener who no one seems to see but her. Will the answers she seeks put her in danger of losing more than her sanity?
In a Celandine World, Catherine Thorpe challenges some of human kind's most basic religious beliefs. What if the religious leaders of the world have been intentionally misleading people? What if they hid the truth in order to further their own power? This fear is as old as religion itself. Once the pagan religions that worshipped and respected the earth and its people were wiped out, religion often brought with it battles of power as witnessed by the history of the Romans and Christians, the Christians and the Jews and Muslims, the Holy Crusades, and even the battle between science and religion. The list goes on and on. Catherine Thorpe does an excellent job in her book of arguing the point of view of her characters and making the reader feel the truth of their beliefs.
I will be honest and say that I only truly began to enjoy the book about two thirds of the way through. Catherine Thorpe is an excellent writer and is able to paint a clear picture of details and the internal turmoil of her characters. But what was difficult for me during the first two thirds of the book was that the majority of the writing was focused almost exclusively on describing these things, to the point where I almost did not continue to read the book as it was not moving forward in plot. No matter how well written, too much detail can be as detrimental to a book as too little. The same can be said for creating mystery. A reader's curiosity and interest can waver if the plot does not move along at a steady pace. How much is too much or too little information will always be based on personal opinion, but in mine, I feel the book would have been better served with the 'less is more' philosophy in detail and a healthier dose of progress in the earlier parts of the book.
That being said, once the book finally started to come together and the pace picked up, I was glad I kept reading. The characters became much more engaging and the story kept me turning the pages way after my bedtime to finish the book. If the first two thirds of the book had been written as the last third, not finishing the book would never have crossed my mind.
I received a review copy of this book. I give it three stars.
Bridget_Jones
Posted July 7, 2011
I already had high expectations when I started this book, but this book exceeded those expectations by a mile. I was expecting a story that was kind of like the usual same old paranormal romance story, but Catherine Thorpe completely came up with a whole new idea that was so interesting to read! Willow was in love with a man from her dreams, which is a common story, but her dream man is with her when she's awake too. That's never happened before! Everything that happens after that I'm like, "woah what??" because I'm never expecting what's next. It was so refreshing reading a story that kept me guessing with each page. Even though I may have been confused at parts, I was confused with Willow. Catherine Thorpe never withheld any facts or information from the reader that the main character knew too. I got annoyed when Willow got annoyed and I got scared when Willow got scared. I could really connect with Willow and I actually cared what happened to her, which is really important for me in a book. And what I also really liked was how there was a kind of historical, Jane Austen vibe with Hugh's character. I love historical romances, so I got to indulge a little bit with that while still enjoying the whole paranormal side of the story. But my favorite thing was when Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland would quote lines from the book in Willow's head. Willow should have sounded crazy, but instead it was really charming to me. This was such a good book and I am so glad I finally got to read a unique, addicting book for once.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Bridget_Jones
Posted July 7, 2011
I already had high expectations when I started this book, but this book exceeded those expectations by a mile. I was expecting a story that was kind of like the usual same old paranormal romance story, but Catherine Thorpe completely came up with a whole new idea that was so interesting to read! Willow was in love with a man from her dreams, which is a common story, but her dream man is with her when she's awake too. That's never happened before! Everything that happens after that I'm like, "woah what??" because I'm never expecting what's next. It was so refreshing reading a story that kept me guessing with each page. Even though I may have been confused at parts, I was confused with Willow. Catherine Thorpe never withheld any facts or information from the reader that the main character knew too. I got annoyed when Willow got annoyed and I got scared when Willow got scared. I could really connect with Willow and I actually cared what happened to her, which is really important for me in a book. And what I also really liked was how there was a kind of historical, Jane Austen vibe with Hugh's character. I love historical romances, so I got to indulge a little bit with that while still enjoying the whole paranormal side of the story. But my favorite thing was when Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland would quote lines from the book in Willow's head. Willow should have sounded crazy, but instead it was really charming to me. This was such a good book and I am so glad I finally got to read a unique, addicting book for once.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
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