Reviews

Terra das Marés by Philippa Gregory

bethany_jane_'s review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

baking_muffins's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

wow, fuck men!

while I didn't fall in love with the characters straight away, I did fall in love with Gregory's writing from the first page. I knew nothing of the time of the English civil war, but this story contained everything I needed to know. The book was so well researched, right down to the customs of the townspeople and the mannerisms of those living on the southern English coast at the time.

However, one thing that did bug me was that

the byline on the book says "a king beheaded"; that doesn't happen until page 349.

The strength of the female characters really carried this book, even if the plot was very slow.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture

michelehoward's review against another edition

5.0

Love love love her writing. And this was no different couldn’t put it down.

ufstefgator's review against another edition

3.0

It took me 2 tries to get through it. I just couldn’t get into it the first go round. The second time was much better and I enjoyed the story. Why only 3 stars? Because I thought the ending was terrible and unbelievable!

libbysbooks_'s review against another edition

5.0

What can I say about this book? I absolutely love it. This is the quickest I’ve read a book in a long time. It isn’t my usual genre of choice, but I am so glad that I picked it up because I have fallen in love with Philippa Gregory’s writing style and will definitely be reading more of her work. The descriptions and imagery had just the right amount of information to help you perfectly image every scene. I loved the depth of the characters and the development of each character as the book progressed. The ending was completely unexpected and whilst it’s not how I would have wanted it to end, I loved it all the same. I came to love and care for Alinor’s character and appreciate the hardships she had faced. I loved the subplot of a king at war and the internal struggles that James faces. I throughly enjoyed every part of the book and I am sad to have finished reading it!!

derrinnearley's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

jenmulholland's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

3.5

starryeyesali's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No

4.0

I’m not sure how I feel about this story. It was kind of bleak, a little bit magical (but not) and didn’t really go anywhere. The descriptions of the time and place were fantastic. The romance seemed a bit instant and the characters seemed to sometimes veer away from their personalities in strange ways. Not sure but will read more by the author.

awellreadlady's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rachthereader's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I didn't really enjoy this as much as I'd hoped. The time and setting were portrayed really well, and definitely the things I enjoyed most about the book. 
I just disliked almost all of the characters - especially Alinor. She made such selfish and stupid decisions - and I understand some of those might have been out love, but for a woman of that time, her decisions were not admirable or smart. 
Kinda disappointed and I don't think I'll read the rest of the series