Review of The Aviculturist
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melanie moll
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- Latest Review: The Aviculturist by Ann Smythe
Review of The Aviculturist
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Aviculturist" by Ann Smythe.]
A Gothic mansion in disrepair awaits Lily Sanders as her mother’s solicitor from Lostmor rings her about a long buried will. The secret inheritance of Penwyth House brings her back to a time that she struggles to remember clearly. With her new found love, a quirky veterinarian, and a recently discovered family member by her side, she embarks on a journey to discover the whole truth behind the frightful night that has plagued her with nightmares for twenty four years. With The Aviculturist, Ann Smythe eases you into dealing with childhood trauma, creating new beginnings, and moving on from grief all while walking you through a series of mysteries that intertwine in the most delicate of ways.
The slowly revealed links between characters in their individual storylines is what kept this book moving. I started out with a multitude of unanswered questions that were carefully unpacked through the very last chapter. Even though this book lacks the energy to be considered a page turner, I still enjoyed unraveling old secrets and hidden motives with the characters as their plots progressed.
The dialogue was very formal throughout the entire book. I didn’t quite get the emotional connections I would have liked to feel from our main characters, Lily and Oliver. Additionally, the chapters jump from plot to plot between three sets of characters that seemingly have nothing in common besides Lostmor, the town they now live in. The three storylines together lacked cohesiveness.
I’d give this book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. The rating is in part due to the lengthy, somewhat run-on, sentences that try to include too many details that could have been better placed. This makes it more difficult to link the previous sentence or dialogue with the current after finishing a long, over stimulating sentence. This book did not receive a 4 out of 5 because I found myself rereading sentences that came before the introduction and initial description of new characters to piece together where the thought was supposed to conclude. I did not give the book a lower rating because the story was still compelling enough to continue.
I’d recommend this book to readers that have the patience to read through all the slow burning details to get to the final solution. Some of the language and more delicate subject matter may not be suitable for younger, less advanced readers. I believe fourteen and over would be the most beneficial audience. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would consider reading the sequel once it is completed.
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The Aviculturist
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
A Gothic mansion in disrepair awaits Lily Sanders as her mother’s solicitor from Lostmor rings her about a long buried will. The secret inheritance of Penwyth House brings her back to a time that she struggles to remember clearly. With her new found love, a quirky veterinarian, and a recently discovered family member by her side, she embarks on a journey to discover the whole truth behind the frightful night that has plagued her with nightmares for twenty four years. With The Aviculturist, Ann Smythe eases you into dealing with childhood trauma, creating new beginnings, and moving on from grief all while walking you through a series of mysteries that intertwine in the most delicate of ways.
The slowly revealed links between characters in their individual storylines is what kept this book moving. I started out with a multitude of unanswered questions that were carefully unpacked through the very last chapter. Even though this book lacks the energy to be considered a page turner, I still enjoyed unraveling old secrets and hidden motives with the characters as their plots progressed.
The dialogue was very formal throughout the entire book. I didn’t quite get the emotional connections I would have liked to feel from our main characters, Lily and Oliver. Additionally, the chapters jump from plot to plot between three sets of characters that seemingly have nothing in common besides Lostmor, the town they now live in. The three storylines together lacked cohesiveness.
I’d give this book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. The rating is in part due to the lengthy, somewhat run-on, sentences that try to include too many details that could have been better placed. This makes it more difficult to link the previous sentence or dialogue with the current after finishing a long, over stimulating sentence. This book did not receive a 4 out of 5 because I found myself rereading sentences that came before the introduction and initial description of new characters to piece together where the thought was supposed to conclude. I did not give the book a lower rating because the story was still compelling enough to continue.
I’d recommend this book to readers that have the patience to read through all the slow burning details to get to the final solution. Some of the language and more delicate subject matter may not be suitable for younger, less advanced readers. I believe fourteen and over would be the most beneficial audience. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would consider reading the sequel once it is completed.
******
The Aviculturist
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: The Aviculturist by Ann Smythe
