The Wizard's Daughter (Doctrine and Devotion)

Rating:
Summary: Just the worst Barbara Michaels' novel
Review: I have read about 8 of this author's books. Just about all have kept me totally engrossed and expected the same reaction to The Wizard's Daughter. BUT it is totally banal - I just could not believe it was by the same author. Totally unbelievable plot and insipid heroine.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet, Innocent and Spiritual
Review: I've read this before and I remembered that there was a surprise ending and it was overall, a sweet tale. Upon rereading this book, I again reiterate: sweet tale, surprise ending. A story of an innocent country girl, drawn by circumstance into a world of spiritualism and seances. A world of the corrupt and of the decrepit, which has trouble believing our heroines innocence and honesty. I love stories that point out all the "peculiarities" of the upper crust, their eccentricities and their evils. Help from Jane Austen here, I think. I hate to stuff Ms. Michaels into a stereotype, but this is one of her "bits of fluff". Not at all insulting, mind you. This is just the sort of tale I enjoy reading at times. The "Wizard's Daughter" is a good "bit of fluff," and I recommend it most emphatically. Expect to be entertained!

Rating:
Summary: Sheer agony...
Review: Let me say up front, I don't typically read this genre. So keep that in mind when you read my comments. Now for my comments:

This was one of the hardest books I've ever listened to. On more than one occasion I started to just give up and call it a loss. But I kept listening hoping it would get better; it didn't. I purchased the book based upon its synopsis and other reviews. But quite frankly, after forcing myself to listen to it, I can sum it up by saying, this book was boring.

The pace is too slow, and contrary to the synopsis, there's no "earthly terror" to be found here. However, there is mystery but it's no great mystery. And what there was, was unraveled so slowly that I really didn't care about the outcome. To top it off, most of the characters weren't interesting including the main one, Marianne. She was more of an irritant with her simpering ways, than anything else. The setting is dreary, and the story, yawn... Rather than bash this book, I'll end here and say this was definitely not my cup of tea. I prefer books that have either interesting characters and events, or action. This book lacked both.