The Man In The Stone Cottage // Stephanie Cowell

Titel: The Man In The Stone Cottage

Författare: Stephanie Cowell

Sidantal: 266

Utgivning: 16 september 2025 Regal House Publishing

NetGalley ARC finished 21 april 2025

Description:

In 1846 Yorkshire, the Bront sisters-- Charlotte, Anne, and Emily-- navigate precarious lives marked by heartbreak and struggle. Charlotte faces rejection from the man she loves, while their blind father and troubled brother add to their burdens. Despite their immense talent, no one will publish their poetry or novels. Amidst this turmoil, Emily encounters a charming shepherd during her solitary walks on the moors, yet he remains unseen by anyone else. After Emily's untimely death, Charlotte-- now a successful author with Jane Eyre-- stumbles upon hidden letters and a mysterious map. As she stands on the brink of her own marriage, Charlotte is determined to uncover the truth about her sister's secret relationship.

My thoughts about the book:

The Brontë siblings struggle to support themselves and their family. While Anne and Bramwell work as teachers for a wealthy family, Emily and Charlotte look after their father and their home. Emily has been taking walks on the moor since childhood. During one of her walks, she meets a man who lives alone in a stone cottage on the moor. After Emily's death, Charlotte tries to find out who he was and what role he played in her sister's life.

I really like the book's mix of fact and fiction. What I appreciate most is that the facts were given the most space and then spiced up with Emily's story. Of course, it's hard to know exactly what the sisters were thinking and feeling at the time, but the story feels as if it could have happened.

I'm a little dissatisfied with the ending. Maybe because my personal interpretation of what happened didn't feel right. The "right" answer isn't entirely clear. As a whole, I like the book a lot. It was a nice evening read before bed.

The Gargoyles of Notre Dame // Greg Walters

Handling:

Paris, 1789. The soaring spires of Notre Dame conceal more than prayer and piety. Within the cathedral lies the secret of the gargoyles, mystical creatures bound by ancient magic to the aristocracy. For centuries, these stone sentinels have ensured the power of the nobility and kept the oppressed powerless.

When Henri, a 22-year-old stonemason apprentice, accidentally forges a sacred bond with one of these creatures, he shatters a tradition meant to protect only the upper class. Betrayed by the gargoyles and hunted as a traitor, Henri flees into a city teetering on the edge of revolution.

As word of his forbidden connection spreads, hope ignites among the oppressed. To the people, Henri becomes more than a fugitive. He is a symbol, proof that the chains of oppression can be broken. With cries of “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!” rising in the streets, Henri faces an impossible choice.

Will he hide from the chaos or risk everything to lead a rebellion that could reshape France forever?

Mina tankar:

Vad ska jag säga. Ge mig nästa bok i serien typ NU!

Jag tycker om interaktionen mellan Nyron och Henri. Karaktärerna är trovärdiga även om jag hade velat ha lite mer "kött på benen".  Språket svajar lite då dialogen ibland känns för modern och ibland lite styltigt gammalmodig. Men det gör inget. Händelseutvecklingen gör att man snart inte funderar så mycket på det. Jag tycker om hur magin tar en nästan tillbakadragen roll i handlingen.

Netgalley hade jag nästan gett upp hoppet om. Detta är första boken på mycket länge som jag verkligen har tyckt om.

Serie: The Gargoyles of Notre Dame #1 / Sidor: 323 / Utgiven: Book Whisperer (2025-03-19) - Netgalley ARC /  Omdöme: ★★★★★