A fascinating story of another place and time!
598457
I enjoyed this novel so much! What a fascinating look at a place and a time in history, told through the experiences of a flawed but relatable and entirely compelling character. The sights, the smells, the weather, the crowds, the foods -- everything comes to life so vividly, thanks to Rodrigues' accomplished storytelling. I was truly transported away, and was sorry to leaves those Bossa Nova days when the novel end. Looking forward to Rodrigues' next book!
1004789
I finished reading Lost Legend of Vahilele this week and oh, my goodness what a read. Although it took a while for me to be comfortable with the many native words I had to keep track of, this book grabbed my attention! I'm amazed at the research hours the author must have put into describing  the setting and in keeping the characters true to the time period. Framing it an unusual format with the action moving from a storyteller in the twentieth century to the ancients of 650 AD was brilliant.
4781295
A very intriguing and memorable story! Great part of history!
147019
I found this a fascinating time in history with a wonderful parallel of lives. I did not realize part of it was true.  (the sisters that promoted abolition) until after the end where there were notes about the story. A great read! Makes you appreciate your time in history even more !  I highly recommend it and wish every high school student would read it.
4076955
Great story weaving the lives of different generations together! Fascinating history at the base of it all. Great reading and thought provoking!
1387767
I really enjoyed this book!  As a history lover, I found the glimpses of the past to be both accurate and fun!  I also enjoyed the fact that, given the various twists and turns in the story, the ending managed to be somewhat of a surprise.  Much like the trailer in the story, each new layer presented a new dimension.  I thoroughly recommend this book!
2426529
Fascinating!  A look inside a place and time few of us have considered as part of our female history. Previously colorless characters come to life.
3489658
I really enjoyed reading this book.  The dual story lines are both very interesting and filled with history and culture.  having just returned from a trip to China, this book really delves into the rich history and culture and sets the scene for the events that occur in the book within a historical reference.  The story is fast paced, yet draws you in and absorbs you.  Nina, please keep writing!  thank you so much, Julie.
2573145
A real page turner ! It's time travelling but the gist of the story is the human experiences through crises  that happen simultaneously 700 years apart ! It was very interesting to find that the 2 epidemics separated by 700 years had a real commonality in a church !
2504956
A totally delightful book!  The story is full and complex and the movement between the 2 eras is smooth.  The events of the early 1900's support solution of the mystery of the 2011 era.  This is a book which overlaps genres - there is a mystery to be solved involving a violin, there is a developing romance between Lilly and Gabriel, there is historical fiction relating to the early 20th century.  All are skillfully woven together in a most satisfying manner. An extremely worthwhile Kindle First selection.

Often a translation suffers between the languages but this was very well done.  The characters are richly developed, the scenery and traditions of Sumatra are intriguing, and the reader becomes very involved in it all.  A bit of a stretch that Lilly would be able to find so many leads and answers in a relatively short time, but it is a story after all.  This is a book well worth your time to read and enjoy.  I found it quite amazing!!
2341917
I loved reading this fascinating novel that had many twists and turns, and was hard to put down until the last page!  The author put details that shows he knows both local and international issues and details.  I especially loved the references to places in my home State of Arizona! It left me wanting to read more, and I hope there is another book soon!
558817
Wonderful story, time travel and history, my cup of tea!
108105
Do not allow the length of Largent's book keep you from opening it. Whether it takes you a short or long time to read, it promises to take you on an engaging journey into the rich tapestry of characters, history, assassination plots, monasteries, the kingdoms and queendoms of kings and Seers. You'll even get to peer into the 'Edge of the World!' Largent masterfully weaves all of these realms into a story that you will feel yourself a part of by the time you know that Cuin, the beloved protagonist in the story, is in danger. Largent's ability to fashion the dialog to match the era really helps the reader feel as if they are taking a journey back in time. He does a great job of including the varying cultures that were interacting at the time: the politics of kings and their armies, the undercurrent of hidden negotiation and diplomacy, the monasteries and spiritualist healers and their practices...with a bit of love and a lot of intrigue thrown in. An impressive work of story-telling. Thank you!
90682
I loved how the author seamlessly interwove the history of his family, through letters and diaries from his mother and grandfather, with his own life story. So moving to see how the past influences the present in ways that are both expected and surprising. As someone who is also fascinated by family history, this book makes me want to look at old letters I have in a whole new way. This was an inspiring, interesting story. Highly recommend!
542809
This novel brings to life an amazing and frightening bit of history from 5 centuries ago about the Hapsburg royal family.
The smells, social structure, importance of religion and monarchy mixed in with a little witchcraft and superstition are all brought together in a thrilling tale that becomes hard to put down as it is both fascinating and seemingly very real and suspenseful.
Definitely a good read!
1189679
Back There, Then is a great book. It's not just a story about members of a family, it is a delightful and fascinating story of a family network and their geography over generations. The meticulous attention to detail intrigue the reader to want to follow the detective process for themselves. The authors followed thin threads, tidbits that lead to a bonanza of information and answers to questions but also raised so many more in new and different directions.  Fascinating reading and encouragement to search one's own family roots. Excellent!
2686131
The Painter's Apprentice is a richly woven tale which takes the reader back in time to the Venice of long ago. One becomes immersed in the culture of one of the world's most beautiful cities.
In a time fraught with difficulties, the heroine navigates her way through circumstances which are largely not under her control, not least of which is the Plague that cuts her off from her family and the man she loves. Join her on her perilous journey...you will not be disappointed!