Rating: 
Summary: Still a good read . . .
Review: Even though I am one of Isabel Allende's biggest fans, I have to admit that this is probably not her finest work. I would have to agree with other readers - the end is rather abrupt. I have finished every other book Ms. Allende has written feeling like all my questions and concerns about her characters were answered. Her stories are always complete - I guarantee you will walk away saying to yourself "That was perfect - there is nothing more to know" but Daughter of Fortune doesn't quite live up to that, even though it is a wonderful story. If anyone is thinking about reading one of Ms. Allende's books and hasn't already read one in the past, PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and read her books in order of publication! When you get to her incomparable memoir, Paula, you will really appreciate how Ms. Allende came up with all her wonderful stories. While Eva Luna is probably my favorite work of fiction, Paula is just in a class all by itself - but you really need to be familiar with Ms. Allende's previous work to really appreciate all that is in Paula.
Rating: 
Summary: Cliffhanger!
Review: For as many pages I read, Daughter of Fortune came to a weak climax, and in my opinion never had an ending. It seems like Allende got tired after part 3 and just put her pen down and sent it off to the printer.As other reviewers before me stated, there were to many unfinished story lines! I've got to say, despite my criticisms, that if another book came out completing the tale of Eliza Sommers, I'd buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book
Review: The storytelling of this book is excellent. Though it is not my favorite book of Allende's it is certainly a large cut above much of the 'literature' currently being written. The interactions of time, hertiage, mind, and setting are intriguing and beautifully written. I have to wonder, though, if Allende intends for this to be the first book in a series. Not all of her web seems finished. I would love to see a second volume if Allende can write it with as much sensitivity and skill as she has written this one.
Rating:
Summary: So enjoyable you'll be angry!
Review: "Daughter of Fortune" by Isabel Allende pulls you in, involves you, then drops you like a stone! The story of Eliza Somers is also the story of Tao Ch'ien, a Chinese acupunturist & Eliza's comrade/benefactor. Both stories are interwoven with those of surrounding characters, sometimes to the detriment of narrative; often I wasn't sure what order events had actually occurred in & sometimes even the author seemed confused! Yet throughout the novel, the characters seem real enough that the reader gets angry with their actions or sympathises with decisions, as well as feeling the surroundings with clarity. This only adds to the disappointment of the ending which seems completely arbitrary; there is simply no reason for the story to end where it does, and many many questions are left unanswered. I suppose it is ambiguities such as this that make "Daughter of Fortune" a work of literature rather than simply a historical romance or bodice ripper. However, being arty for arts sake doesn't necessarily satisfy. Please Ms. Allende, either write a sequel or an epilogue for future additions! You're not being fair to your readers!
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely disappointing
Review: I love Isabel Allende's books and was really looking forward to the next one. However, this seems written by a different author. The characters had no depth, the story was predictable and boring, and although my faith in Allende's writing took me through more of the book than I would ever have read otherwise, I found this a very shallow, teenage, commercial read. I would recommend any of her other books, including "Paula", "Eva Luna" and "The House of the Spirits", but skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: I did enjoy this book, however, I was disappointed in the ending. If you are an Allende fan, it's worth a read, but it's not House of Spirits.
Rating:
Summary: Haven't I Heard This Before?
Review: I am a huge Isabele Allende fan. I especially loved _House of the Spirits_ which I have read several times, _Eva Luna_ and _Paula_. There was something about _Daughter of Fortune_ though. It started out well enough. There were interesting people, situations, environments, but then, although the amount of research Ms Allende did is evident in the details of her work, as her story moves to North America and its California location, it takes on a very familiar ring. I realized that I had heard the basic elements of this story before.Then several nights ago a 1993 movie aired on cable.It was a movie I had seen before. The Ballad of Little Jo is based on the true story of a woman cast out by her family, who went to the minefields in California, disguised herself as a man and took a Chinese lover, who kept her secret. I had assumed Ms Allendes book was a completely original work of fiction. There is no mention in _Daughter of Fortune_ of the story being based on, or inspired by actual people or events. I find this to be quite distressing and a serious oversight.I prefer the magical realism of Ms. Allendes earlier writtings, and that they were truly original pieces beautifully written.I will look forward to Ms Allendes next work, but hope it will be more in the vein of her first offering _ House of the Spirits, than this current book, _ Daughter of Fortune_._Daughter of Fortune_ begins with promise, but looses its way, and in the end leaves us hanging. It lacks the richness of imagination and prose-like use of language I appreciated so much in the earlier books. But, most of all I am saddened to discover the lack of originality. So, I will eagerly await a new book and a return to genuine creativity.
Rating:
Summary: Just scratching the surface
Review: Having to read this book for a book club was the only reason I got beyond the first 100 pages of this poorly crafted book. After reading Memoirs of a Geisha and The Poisonwood Bible ( two of the best books I have read in a year), this was an enormous disappointment. I felt the character development was shaky and with so many "life stories," I was at times unclear who the protagonist was. I never felt myself rooting for Eliza (was she the main character! ). I find it disappointing when all of the love stories begin with love at first sight...seems a bit Danielle Steel-ish to me. Too many countries, experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and characters...just develop people that I want to know more about and the story becomes a rich part of their experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the next chapter?
Review: I really liked the book and liked the different storylines, however, it seemed all the stories were beginning to get very interesting when the book abruptly ended. Did Miss Rose ever make it to San Francisco, what happened to Tao and Eliza's relationship? What about Paulina's trip back to Chile to see her father? Definately anouther chapter to converge the story lines would have ended the book on a more satisfying note!
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable until the end
Review: I am in agreement with many of the other reviewers-this book starts off with a bang and ends with a whimper. I really love Allende and overall Daughter of Fortune is worth reading, but I was disappointed by the ending-the last 50 pages are not the same quality as the rest of the novel.
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