I have
mixed feelings about this novel. Overall, I liked the story. The idea
of friends in youth being separated for years and then reconnecting
is a nice story, as is the solving of a centuries old mystery. I
liked the characters, Lucy the spunky and tireless questioner and
Dash, the heroic star gazer.
I felt
the plot was way too complex. We readers deal with two time periods
which is fine. Characters within each time period have memories and
dreams, however, adding another time element to each of the two major
time periods. (At least I think they were dreams. They were
italicized.) I found the stories the watchmaker told were enigmatic
and I had trouble making sense of them. Near the end of the book,
Lucy thinks, “The pieces did not all fit neatly together.” (Loc
5519/5993) My thoughts too. I did feel the plot was too complex, with
the story/riddles and the many “coincidences” that were required.
Dykes
has a lyrical way of writing that made this novel entertaining even
if it was hard to believe the whole concept was plausible.
You can
read an excerpt here.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Amanda
Dykes is a former English teacher and author of Whose Waves These
Are , a Booklist 2019 Top Ten Romance debut, as well as three
novellas. You can find out more at www.amandadykes.com.
Photo credit: Michael Pettrey.
Bethany
House, 368 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
(My star
ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I
hate it.)
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