Rating: 
Summary: Good History Book
Review: I like one of the other reviewers that I had to force myself to finish the book. If you are looking for a book that discusses the history of early Americans in California during the gold rush, this is your book. This novel tended to drag a lot. I did however, enjoy the relationship Eliza had would Tao. I do not think that the relationship with Joaquin was developed enough. The ending like another reviewer also mentioned was not good enough. Through the whole book I just felt that I could care less about whatever happened to Joaquin. She should have quit looking for him a hundered pages ago. Eliza's story is interesting , but some of the characters she meets, I could care less about. I do not feel for Eliza and had a hard time relating to her. This book is best for someone who is interesting in historical drama, and doesn't mind reading about random characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Left a bit to be desired...
Review: I finished the book, but I had to force myself. The characters were intriguing, but the story line drew on so long that it became monotonous. I feel that Allende could have told the story in 100 fewer pages.The ending was not what I anticipated, but for all the story lines that were created within the whole book, it sure didn't give me a sense of closure.
Rating: 
Summary: it just gets worse
Review: After reading Isabel Allende's brilliant The House of the Spirits back in the 80s, I looked immediately for other books by her. Of Love and Shadows was pretty good, but then things started going downhill when Eva Luna came into the picture. And this, Daughter of Fortune (Hija de la Fortuna) has to be the low point. It is little more than one of those pink-jacketed historical romances you can buy at the drugstore. Just because the author throws in a ghost or two and some Chinese medicine doesn't make this book magical, spiritual, or deep. It doesn't even feel particularly historically accurate. It's more like the writer just picked a random time in history and did a minimal amount of research into the era. Shallow, poorly defined characters don't help, either. Altogether a disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Allende continues to shine
Review: This is an epic story which uses the typical Allende style of twists,turning the world on its head and maagic suprise. It is errotic and exciting. There is a generous humanity which fills this big plot and leaves you feeling refreshed in spite of all the tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to her usual excellence
Review: Disappointing. Missing is the magic of her other books, both in the plot and in the style.
Rating:
Summary: Isabel Allende has done it again!
Review: This is a great book, esp. for Allende fans. I've read almost all of her books, all but one I think. I love the way she tells story. She and Amy Tan are similar in their writing styles.
Rating:
Summary: Amusing but not credible
Review: I am a big Isabel Allende fan and eagerly turned to this one. Unfortunately in this book she departs from her South American roots and send her heroine to California during Gold Rush days. She then embarks on a series of very unlikely adventures disguised as a boy in this totally uncivilized time and place, and ends up falling for a most unlikely prospect--I am trying not to give anything away but it is not possible that this relationship could exist in the society of the time. Suspend your disbelief and read this on the beach this summer.
Rating:
Summary: Blech
Review: Considering Allende's illustrious reputation, I was shocked at how dreadful this book was. The plot and some of the characters were engaging enough that I read it through, but certain things really marred the experience. Allende has a tin ear when it comes to dialogue: everyone, from humble Chinese women to brash English adventurers, sound exactly the same and all use jarringly modern locutions (the book is set in the mid 19th c.) What are presented as excerpts from character's writings are indistinguishable to the narrative voice. She uses the same cliched similes--look out for swarming ants!--over and over. Allende also has a bit of trouble with flow; the arrival of a new character is often announced with a two-or-three-chapter digression into his or her past, not so much interwoven into the story as roughly grafted on, and the ending was so abrupt that I kept turning pages until, chagrined, I hit the back cover. What I found most galling was the aplomb with which Allende--who has clearly done a good bit of research on Gold Rush California--whips this brutal historical period into a frothy, fairy-tale land of feminism and relative racial detente. Allende glosses over the real violence going on (despite its plot significance) and imagines a California in which a Chinese man is allowed to visit non-Asian prostitutes and is told that the viciously anti-Chinese Caucasians will respect him if he "commands respect". Huh? I got the feeling, both from her PC treatment of the era and her spoon-feeding of plot points, that Allende was writing more for 12-year-olds than her purported adult audience. Readable, but still a waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read but not GREAT!
Review: I enjoy reading Isabel Allende! Have enjoyed other books by this author and would read her without Oprah's "OK"! But this book was not the same caliber as some of the others (House of Sprits) and I was a little disappointed in the characters and plot. I felt as if something were being left out or that I was missing something. Usually, I feel very satisfied by Allende's stories but this one left me wanting to pull more out of the book. I still give it 4 stars, if only to encourage others to read more of this author.
Rating:
Summary: Fun book to read
Review: This was a fun book to read, although I can't say that it was in any way fantastic. It's a good story and enjoyable light readig, but I wouldn't hail Ms. Allende as a great writer.
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