PDF A Skinful of Shadows Frances Hardinge Books
Download As PDF : A Skinful of Shadows Frances Hardinge Books
A Skinful of Shadows is a dark historical fantasy set in the early part of the English Civil War. Makepeace is an illegitimate daughter of the aristocratic Fellmotte family, and as such shares their unique hereditary gift—the capacity to be possessed by ghosts. Reluctant to accept her appointed destiny as vessel for a coterie of her ancestors, she escapes. As she flees the pursuing Fellmottes across war-torn England, she accumulates a motley crew of her own allies—outcasts, misfits, criminals, and one extremely angry dead bear. From Costa Book of the Year award–winning author Frances Hardinge comes another historical fantasy that’s sure to satisfy her leagues of fans who are eager for more.
PDF A Skinful of Shadows Frances Hardinge Books
"I was a bit bored at the start but the story got pretty exciting halfway through. The historical setting was interesting - I found it funny how much they were afraid of baths. Also I had no idea that they hated catholics that much."
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Tags : A Skinful of Shadows (9781419733765) Frances Hardinge Books,Frances Hardinge,A Skinful of Shadows,Amulet Paperbacks,1419733761,Fiction-Fantasy,JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,TEEN'S FICTION / FANTASY,TEEN'S FICTION / HISTORICAL,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Historical,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / Military Wars,Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy - Historical,Young Adult Fiction/Historical - Military Wars,supernatural mystery; ya fantasy; dark fantasy; possession; ghosts; young adult paranormal; spooky; paranormal; english civil war; dark historical fantasy; outcasts; misfits; criminals; suspenseful; eerie tales; macabre; british literature; wartime fantasy; crew of misfits; edgy story; dark; crime; thriller; fast paced,supernatural mystery;ya fantasy;dark fantasy;possession;ghosts;young adult paranormal;spooky;paranormal;english civil war;dark historical fantasy;outcasts;misfits;criminals;suspenseful;eerie tales;macabre;british literature;wartime fantasy;crew of misfits;edgy story;dark;crime;thriller;fast paced
A Skinful of Shadows Frances Hardinge Books Reviews :
A Skinful of Shadows Frances Hardinge Books Reviews
- I will admit I was a bit skeptical after reading the synopsis in a book shop. Having time to start a new book I took the chance and I’m so glad that I did.
I’m not one for ghost tales in general, but this plot for this one tethered me.
A necromancy of a sort is practiced by a high holding family steeped with legacy and secrets. A young bastard girl is sucked into this family drama after losing her mother and sent to them, her fatherhood’s family.
A bubbling war bursts upon the country and matches the battles that have been simmering within the confines of the family’s estate. The girl has been kept more like a prisoner and house servant than any sort of family member. The war provides an opportunity to escape and along the way she learns some terrible family secrets that ignite the will to endure and rise above the curse of her family.
This author creates a new way to look at ghosts and spirits and the vessels that can store them. I would love to keep reading about the characters- even if some of the Puritan names drive me a little crazy.
The ending had all the feels and propped me up for more! - A Skinful of Shadows is a lightning-fast read about a young girl who can sense ghosts - and let them possess her, too. With an honest look at a complicated relationship between mother and daughter, and no romantic sub-plots whatsoever, this book was able to focus entirely on the main character and her progression from timid girl to self-assured young woman.
This is a ghost story, but it is mostly a book about power. The power struggle between king and parliament, the power that comes from wealth and reputation, the power of containing more than one soul within one skin. The power of family - the family that blood chooses, as well as the family the heart chooses. The power of compassion, even for our enemies, and how it can change everything.
The power of bears in ghost form.
I enjoyed this book immensely, and genuinely had no idea how it would end until it ended.
Pairs well with raw fish, hand-stitched lace, or repeating yourself a dozen times before anyone listens to you.
Recommend reading by flashlight in a cemetery on the longest night of the year.
Also recommend buying in paperback, because the paperback cover is absolutely gorgeous. - I was a bit bored at the start but the story got pretty exciting halfway through. The historical setting was interesting - I found it funny how much they were afraid of baths. Also I had no idea that they hated catholics that much.
- Last year, I read (and very much enjoyed) The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge, so when I found out she had another book coming out, I was in! Alas, though it was strange and magical (in that it contained a supernatural bent), it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
The concept is fascinating a young girl discovers she can sense spirits, which is terrifying in and of itself. However, it turns out she can also house those spirits within herself, and the spirits know it. Desperate to “relocate†and hang onto human life a little longer, they pester her and torment her, forcing her to learn how to fend them off. In fact, her mother forces her into a graveyard regularly to practice, despite how much she hates doing so, and though she resents her mother for putting her through this, it eventually makes her strong enough to fend for herself against much older and stronger specters, the likes of which she never imagined.
So much prospect in this story, but ultimately it fell a bit flat for me. Makepeace is an interesting character, and I admire her moxie. She is served up a rather difficult existence from the get, but she never gives into despair, always strategizing for the long-term goal. However, the other characters were rather despicable, even those who we are to believe are redeemed. I suspect that I was supposed to come back around and forgive a certain character (trying to avoid spoilers here), but the truth is, I never liked him to begin with, and the close relationship Makepeace was supposed to share with him was never fleshed out enough to feel like anything.
It was weird, and I generally like weird. But I think I expected spooky or creepy, and it certainly wasn’t that. Since The Lie Tree was slow to boil, I anticipated the same with this book, but at some point, I started to wonder if the burner was even on. It just never got beyond lukewarm for me.
In a word meh.
Note I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews. - I keep thinking that Frances Hardinge is going to run out of original ideas, and she keeps blowing me away. She can take the most overworked premise and make it into something fresh and exciting. Here, it's ghosts. I really wonder what she would do with vampires. Something incredible, I'm sure.
I think the reason I love her novels is the same reason I love Hayao Miyazaki's films. There's a bit of fantasy, a bit of fairy tale, and a whole lot of mind-blowing originality and imagination. And really interesting female main characters. I loved Mosca in Fly by Night, and I loved Makepeace here. I was completely swept away on her journey as she discovered her strange skill, and the plans her elders had to use it for their own gain. And, of course, the writing is amazing. I'd give it 10 stars, if I could.
