The Wizard's Daughter

Rating:
Summary: Vivid, memorable narration of a rich, gothic novel.
Review: Barbara Michaels' Wizard's Daughter is narrated by Norma West, whose extensive acting experience displays a vivid, memorable voice here. Ghostly seances, romance and orphan Marianne's experiences in Victorian London blend in a rich gothic novel.

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.

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.

Rating:
Summary: Highly entertaining mystery.
Review: Ms. Michaels combined a damsel in distress story with a who done it and kept me guessing until the end

Rating:
Summary: Did anyone else notice?
Review: The character of Bagstock changed names two pages after he was introduced and was called Bagshot throughout the rest of the book. At the very least, that's a red flag for me and I should have put the book down then, wondering if the book's editor ever woke up. Apparently, said editor was asleep through most of the task...this is a tediously written book. The only good thing I can say about the experience is at least I didn't pay full price for it. I couldn't even finish it, it was so bad, although I skimmed the last half to see if it ever picked up. It didn't.

Rating:
Summary: Go Ahead and Read It If....
Review: you are in a very tolerant mood! The heroine, I've forgotten her name already, is one of the most insipid creatures Barbara Michaels has ever created. She annoyed me immensly--as she will any remotely liberated female. Other than this *minor* flaw, it was a great book, with a great plot. You will enjoy it especially if have a penchant for those dark, saturnine heros who scoff a lot. I recommend, however, that if you enjoyed this book, you should read the Amelia Peabody series from Barbara Mertz's other nom de plume, Elizabeth Peters. You will enjoy those EVEN MORE. Guranteed.