Monday, March 25, 2013

Book Review Monday

I finally finished reading The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen.
Here is a book description from Amazon: "Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?
The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.
When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame...and which brother to trust with her heart?"

My thoughts:
I really liked it! This really was an awesome read. I like the characters of both Emma and Henry, and the plot included a lot of surprises that kept me guessing. Emma goes to the Weston home to help her father teach the twin Weston boys. She has always been very organized, and is a bit reluctant to come to the Weston home, knowing that Henry Weston, a boy who taunted her relentlessly back at their boarding school in their childhood, will be there.
Henry Weston is regretful of all the pranks he pulled on Miss Smallwood when he was younger. However, The Smalllwood's visit comes at a bad time for the Weston family and their secrets are hard to keep hidden.
I loved all of the mystery in this book; it kept me guessing til the very end! It reminded my a little of Jane Eyre, because it had a few similar elements, which is awesome because I like Jane Eyre, but it was written in a more modern style, which was more pleasing to my taste.
All in all, this was a great book! My favorite I have read of Julie Klassen's.


What are you reading? Have you read many books set in this time era?

3 comments:

  1. I haven't been able to read anything but textbooks for a couple weeks now, but I have read this book. I LOVE it. It is my favorite of Julie Klassen's books, too. Her writing seems to get even better with each new release. I especially loved the scene near the end that takes place in the chapel. The characters' interactions and the mysteries are entrancing, and the setting is beautiful!
    The book reminded me of Jane Eyre, too, which became my favorite book when I read it back in grade school.
    I love books from that time era.

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    Replies
    1. Ugh, I know the feeling, Cortney. I'm glad you liked the book; it was great!

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  2. Sounds like an interesting book. I haven't read much set during this time period (Regency Era it looks like?), other than Pride and Prejudice.

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