Simply amazing, captivating
582704
Wow what can I say about this book! Simply amazing, captivating, and mesmerizing. A page turner from the very beginning. Thank you Alerga for another amazing book and your twisted mind keeps me in the edge of my seat!
2337954
Where do I begin... This books covered so much ground and captivated me so very deeply that it is hard to summarize my overall feelings for it.

First of all, the title is just fantastic. That alone caught my interest, and then the cover is just lovely. But within the pages, that's where the magic happens. And not just magic by spells and witchcraft, (yes, that is part of it) But the magic of nature--a moonlit meadow on an autumn night, thunder roaring across the heavens, and rain drenching the cooling face of the Colorado earth. I have never read a story that better brought the natural world to life, and that sets a divine backdrop for the rest of this enchanting tale. Then there is the house that Rosalind inherits from her mysterious mother, connecting her to her estranged family from a forgotten past: Wynterhaven. Not only was I mesmerized by the decor and the layout of this gorgeous estate, but it all felt so very alive. Maybe it was the ghosts, or the memories within the paintings, walls, and mysterious antiques, but every creak in the floorboards and each rapping at the windows, rattled my soul and bewildered my heart.
Now, the story itself... This book--riddled with ghosts, old journals, skeleton keys, and family secrets--seamlessly blends the tales of three lifetimes, taking the reader on a historically accurate adventure throughout the centuries. In each era, there is love, heartbreak, and turmoil, all of which bound in and out of the endearing character's grasps, and left me longing to know what was next, and craving to uncover the mysteries that bind them all together. Throughout, I found myself shocked and surprised, I laughed out loud and shrieked in suspense, and best of all, I fell deeply in love over and over again.
I am an author, an artist, and an all around daydreamer, and I have never before read a story that has enchanted me so. Candlelight & Cobwebs, by Denice Garrou, shook the cobwebs from my soul and led me by candlelight to magical places that will forever remain a part of my heart.
1472251
this series is amazing. could hardly wait for this one to come out, and was not disappointed at all. way to go, this one was amazing! unbelievable, sit on the edge, draw me in and make me feel like I am right there, these main characters, this story line, I just loved it. I felt so much a part of things, I just cannot express in words truly. I so look forward to the next one. way to go, on an phenomenal job of writing, captivating our attention, and bringing us right there.
738177
This is one of the most riveting stories I have ever read!  Beautifully written, each chapter begs to be read as more of this engaging tale is unveiled.  Anyone who appreciates a well-authored, captivating story should put this at the top of your reading list.
1955460
A totally captivating read.  Well researched, multi-layered, simply wonderful.
4816289
The most amazing book of fiction I have read easily in the past year.  I started reading this book this afternoon probably around 4pm and have now finished it at 11pm.  I couldn't put it down, I was completely immersed in this world and invested in the characters lives.  It was just a beautifully crafted piece of literature.  The way it was written was very unique and it took a bit getting used to in the beginning but then just flowed really amazingly.  Just absolutely beautiful.  I was crying my eyeballs out I was so moved.  There really is nothing I would change about this story at all. Love. Love. Love.
3677487
This book is so captivating I read it page by page throughout the night.  My eyes were burning, but I couldn't stop reading.  The author has told a masterful saga of family love, living intentionally, and how to struggle with the uphill battles of our lives. This is more than a book. This is a tribute to 4 people who's story you must know.  Thanks to the author for this gift.  She must have crafted the book out of her own familiarity with life's turnings and an uncommon insight into the hearts of others.
1456914
Captivating, enthralling, and completely engrossing, I seriously could not put this one down.

There's action, drama, and one hell of an interesting cast of characters. I loved getting to know and understand each of the characters, how they change based on the situations surrounding them, and all the twists and turns. There are several plot twists that I didn't see coming, which is always fun.

Mainly, I loved getting to read about the relationships between Marina, James, and Finn, and how it changed. The writing sucks you in and doesn't let go - it feels so realistic, and there were a lot of things I could relate too. You know a book is good when it makes time travel seem real.

Honestly, I can't think of anything bad about this book, except that I wish we had more at the end! But the ending really was perfect, I just don't want to let these characters go.

100% recommend this novel. It kept my attention through every single page, hell, with every single word. All Our Yesterdays is one hell of a book, and I enjoyed every single second of it. I almost wish that I could time travel to before I read it just so I can read it again .... it's that good.

I can't believe how long it took me to pick up this book. Very intriguing, and lots of fun. Yeah, there are some dark bits, but that just makes it all the more engaging. And it really does hit home how we're not tied to any one action, we have the power to change our future.
504585
This book is simply amazing. The author brings these characters to life in a way that grabs you and keeps you. You will want to know these people personally. I've heard there is a sequel coming, I can't wait to read it! I'm sure we will all be going to see it on the big screen someday soon.
2918383
This book is amazing! I fell in love with the writing right away, so ... visual, beautiful, gripping, heart-wrenching in a good way, in that everything builds slowly and makes sense, and comes alive in full color. Someone said that the ending is not what one would expect but it leaves you feeling happy, with warmth in one's heart, and it's really what happens, difficult to pin this one into words. I highly recommend it! (does need a bit of patience, at times; the second half i couldn't put down though)
3477925
I'm not sure there are accurate words to describe what I think of this book. I was captivated right from the start, and it has lingered with me since finishing last night. I truly didn't want it to end!

The characters in this story were so well developed. I saw each person as portrayed through the eyes of the other character, and then came to see them as they truly were as the story progressed and they were forced to confront trials. The entire book was just so deep, and yet simple. Gripping, and yet gentle. Incredible, and yet realistic.

Going into this book I was afraid that the author would slip a "compromising" scene into the works. This era always seems to bend in that direction. There was a section of the book where two newlyweds found themselves thinking...well, like married people (go figure, ha!). I thought the results were tactfully handled, and after a bit the "honeymoon" ended and focus returned to life at large (as would be normal).

I simply can't describe how much I love this book! I will be getting Lori's other published work (Burning Sky) as soon as possible, and I hope to some day return and revisit Tamsen Littlejohn.

*Sigh* Just wonderful.
1501975
The Promise is very captivating and inspiring. I began reading the book and couldn't put it down. The way the author has designed the personalities of the characters, makes the book even more astonishing.  This book certainly deserves five stars.
2102424
Simply stunning. Every clich bit of praise one can laud on a book applies here: the characters are believably drawn and enticing, the pace of the plot simply soars, and the quality of the prose far exceeds what one normally expects from the genre.

There are enough five-star reviews giving an outline of plot, so as someone who doesn't read much fantasy (my only real frame of contemporary reference would be the Song of Ice & Fire books and the Kingkiller Chronicles), here's what had me traumatized by the finality of the last page, knowing I must wait for the next installment.

Scope:
This book covered a tremendous amount of ground without spilling unnecessary ink. It is largely the tale of one character in a complex world. As such, it was easy to keep focus on what was happening without feeling like I needed to have a room filled with maps and character charts to keep track of things. Yet it still feels epic. (Note: if you read the e-book, do go to the author's site for a high-resolution map.)

Believability:
One thing that keeps me from reading much fantasy is that I despise fanciful description for description's sake. The endless customs of the Adem in the Name of the Wind, the verbose descriptions of creatures in The Amber Spyglass, etc... such descriptions annoy me to no end and I was relieved to never get the inkling that Anthony Ryan was indulging in this manner.

I'm also not a big fan of excessive magic. I like just enough for the story to be exotic, but not so much that rules of nature cease to exist. The gradual introduction of the supernatural is so well done in this that when it does arise my heartbeat quickened as I tried to understand what was happening.

Not too much warfare, please:
I've never cared much for big books of war. When the tactical descriptions start, I tend to yawn and wonder if I really need to pay attention. Not here. Descriptions of battle are either blissfully short (for me), or carefully described in language and content that kept me focused. This said, if you love battle I'm sure you'll find enough in here to keep you going.

Characters are real:
This isn't merely a concern when reading fantasy, but it's worth a mention here. The characters are all fully three-dimensional and rich in complexity. The heroes are not flawless or superhuman, and the bad guys have their reasons. If only Ayn Rand could have learned this lesson, but now I digress...

If more fantasy grabbed me like this, I might become a junky. This reads like finely conceived literature that is gifted with a touch of magic and a breakneck pace. Stop hesitating and buy it already. Or wait a few years so you'll be spared the pause in between books. But then again, you may not be alive tomorrow, so better read it now while you can.
1307163
One of my all time favorite books.  Completely captivating (and I never use that word) from the beginning to the end.  The nuances, stories, and feelings just take you to their world and trap you there in the best way.  I read a review that basically said it was too hard to read due to authentic names and the images.  But how do you not want to read a book that draws you into it's images?  It hits every single emotion (you'll laugh and cry) and this is actually based on a real story, so it's going to have a lot going on, again, in the best way.  I read this as a young adult, and have read it at least once a year since.
1065562
Soolie Beetch and the Dying Light is enthralling, engaging and impossible to put down. I had to read it twice, once just because I could not sleep without finding out what happens next, and the second to really let myself sink into the amazing story. This book is fantasy-fiction at it's very finest. The world is exquisitely crafted, and yet the characters are heartbreakingly real in every sense. It is everything I want in a book; intense, sweet, sad, funny, horrifying, and an escape. Not for the faint of heart (things gets *dark*) this book is a superb first novel, and I honestly don't know if I can wait for the series to continue.
3230597
I am at loss of words due to total wonderment. I have just finished reading the book. It is a wonderful plot, a clever set-up (frame) but mostly a superb sensitive wondrous look into the souls of those whose life has not been simple to them (probably a description of many, most or all of humanity). So first and for most HELELUYAH!!!! It is a great story and super reading experience rich in colors and shapes of nature around us and the nature within us. I loved every page of it. Could not put the book down. It was beyond fascinating. Can hardly wait for the sequel. Na'ama certainly has a remarkable and fantastic way with words, and with the worlds they can build (or destroy).
2781609
Thank you, Hugh. I just finished your book and I have to say that I was absolutely blown away. As I read every page I could feel every meticulously crafted detail falling into place. The imagery was so picturesque, I could imagine the fear in every character's heart, and that final bit towards the end, with the spoilers and what not, as I was reading it all I could think about was how amazing that would look in some form of media. At first I was thinking that a movie would be awesome but after seeing a reviewer mention TV series, it dawned on me that this could be very 24esque, if it was done properly. Don't sell the rights to this, lease them! Or at least maintain full creative control.