Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Tuesday Intro: The Goddess and the Thief by Essie Fox


First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea - every Tuesday, sharing the first paragraph (or a few) of a book you are currently reading or thinking about reading soon. Visit the blog here to join in.


I'm reading The Goddess and the Thief by Essie Fox.


What a stunning cover design this book has.

First paragraph

'The Letter - Never Sent

Benares
Tuesday, July 22nd, 1843

My Dearest Sister, Mercy,
How pleased I was to receive your letter, and to know that you and Mama have settled into the Windsor house, although Charles (and please, you must call him Charles - Doctor Willoughby is too formal by far!) says he will not countenance one more word of you being the 'poor relations'. He insists that Claremont Road is yours to do with exactly as you choose, and that when the time comes for us to return the house is perfectly adequate to accommodate the four of us - and any children too.
I only wish I were with you now, to select the new hangings and furniture - all those pleasures that I dreamed about before Charles was so prematurely called to return to his duties in India. Oh, Mercy, how I miss you! England is too far away, both in distance and in memory. I beg you not to tell Mama, but your letter has found me ailing and really at the lowest ebb. This homesickness consumes me.'


Well, I'm halfway through and really absorbed in this brilliant tale. I liked the opening and was intrigued about the fact that the letter was never sent.

What do you think, and would you keep reading?


Synopsis

Uprooted from her home in India, Alice is raised by her aunt, a spiritualist medium in Windsor. When the mysterious Mr Tilsbury enters their lives, Alice is drawn into a plot to steal the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.

Said to be both blessed and cursed, the sacred Indian stone exerts its power over all who encounter it: a handsome deposed maharajah determined to claim his rightful throne, a man hell-bent on discovering the secrets of eternity, and a widowed queen who hopes the jewel can draw her husband's spirit back. In the midst of all this madness, Alice must discover a way to regain control of her life and fate...

12 comments:

  1. The intro does pique my interest. The cover is interesting. Glad you are enjoying it.

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  2. I definitely want to know more of this story! Thanks for visiting my blog...and enjoy your read.

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  3. Oh...I'm not sure. The cover is intriguing and the opening interesting. I'd probably keep reading and be worried the whole time about Alice's involvement with the diamond theft!
    Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Yes, I would keep on reading. Letters are fun to read. I can literally feel her homesickness.

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  5. This does sound good! I would keep reading.

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  6. Love that intro. I would go on.....

    Here is my Intro post!

    AND

    Here is my teaser post!

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  7. Sounds good and what a great cover! I'd keep reading.

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  8. I'm not sure this is up my alley.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog!
    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-cutting-teeth-julia-fierro/

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  9. You are right, the one brief line 'The letter - never sent' makes it very intriguing. Clever.
    Thanks for stopping by :)

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  10. I love the old-fashioned feel. I'd like to read more.

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  11. I like that intro a lot and would read more. Happy you are enjoying it.

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  12. Agreed that the concept of letter written but never sent is a hook that would encourage me to read on.


    The writing also looks to be good.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. It's great reading your comments and I really appreciate them :)