Now Face to Face

Through a Glass Darkly #3

by Karleen Koen

Widow Barbara Montgeoffry, Countess Devane, finds heartbreak, love, and intrigue in early eighteenth-century Virginia and London as she struggles to build a new life for herself following the devastation of her husband's death. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Historical Romance, 18th Century, British Literature

703 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

My childhood was filled with glorious books, Little Women, Lad A Dog, Black Beauty, Little House on the Prairie, Caddie Woodlawn. They were as real to me as the life around me, a lower middle class one in a small oil refinery town in Texas. My grandfather, an invalid, was a huge fan of the writers Frank Slaughter, Frank Yerby, and Zane Grey. By the time I learned to read, I was sneaking his square, cheap (a dime, I think) paperbacks off and reading them. Pirates. Passion. History. It has never occurred to me to write anything but historicals, a kind of time travel into other minds, other lands, other eras, other cultures, other worlds. That's what I wish for my readers, that my books take them far away into another place and time and that they enjoy themselves there and maybe even learn an interesting fact or two.

My blog: http://www.karleenkoen.wordpress.com
My website: http://www.karleenkoen.net

Reviews

[Federico DN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demotivated niece goes to America.

In this last installment we follow the adventures and misadventures of Barbara Devane, formerly Barbara Alderley. Marriage, happiness and wealth disappears overnight with the tragic death of Lord Roger in scandalous circumstances. Young widow, impossibly indebted, and fallen from grace of the King; Barbara leaves London for good and set sails to colonial Virginia, intending to rebuild her life in the New World. But the land of opportunities turns out to be a place as beautiful as inhospitable, and sadly no place is too far from home, as royal intrigues and rumors travel across the sea. Some dangers may even find her again, among them love.

This was a solid 3 stars romance, not wowing, but fairly acceptable. Barbara lovely and strong spirited as ever. A good range of new supporting characters, but not very memorable ones, except maybe Colonel Perry and Slane. The new setting was ok, but not exactly immersive; interesting details about running a tobacco plantation though. Some nice romantic scenes here and there, but borderline cheesy, and far too scarce for such a lengthy book. An extra star awarded for the outstanding ‘last dream’ ending of Alice, Dutchess of Tamworth. Unforgettable, and moving beyond words. In truth I can forget nearly everything about this book, but never that ending. Another massively long book. Good, but not recommendable.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1995] [703p] [Historical] [Not Recommendable]
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★★★☆☆ 1. Dark Angels
★★★★☆ 2. Through a Glass Darkly [3.5]
★★★★☆ 3. Now Face to Face

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Nieta desmotivada viaja a America.

En esta última entrega seguimos las aventuras y desventuras de Bárbara Devane, anteriormente Bárbara Alderley. Matrimonio, felicidad y riqueza desaparecen instantáneamente con la trágica muerte de Lord Roger en escandalosas circunstancias. Joven viuda, imposiblemente endeudada, y caída en gracia del Rey; Bárbara abandona London para siempre y navega hacia la Virginia colonial, intentando reconstruir su vida en el Nuevo Mundo. Pero la tierra de las oportunidades resulta ser un lugar tan hermoso como inhóspito, y tristemente ningún lugar es demasiado lejos del hogar, mientras intrigas de la realeza y rumores viajan a través de los mares. Algunos peligros podrían alcanzarla otra vez, entre ellos el amor.

Este fue un romance de sólidas 3 estrellas, no alucinante, pero bastante aceptable. Bárbara adorable y con fuerte espíritu como siempre. Una buena variedad de nuevos personajes secundarios, pero no muy memorables, excepto tal vez por el Coronel Perry y Slane. El nuevo escenario estuvo bien, pero no exactamente inmersivo; aunque sí tiene algunos detalles interesantes sobre cómo manejar una plantación de tabaco. Algunas lindas escenas románticas aquí y allá, pero bordeando lo cliché y demasiado escasas para una novela tan larga. Una estrella extra ganada por el sobresaliente ‘sueño final’ de Alice, Duquesa de Tamworth. Inolvidable, y conmovedor más allá de las palabras. En verdad podría olvidar casi todo este libro, pero jamás ese final. Otro libro masivamente extenso. Bueno, pero no recomendable.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1995] [703p] [Histórica] [No Recomendable]
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[Amy Bruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, with movies, the sequels are never better than the original. In my opinion, the same can be said for Now Face to Face, which is the sequel for Through a Glass Darkly. Not to say that I did not enjoy it and am not happy that I read it, but it wasn’t quite up there with the TAGD.

After the death of her husband, Barbara is beside herself with grief. Her grandmother, the Duchess of Tamworth, offers her the chance to go to Colonial Virginia to check out her newly acquired tobacco plantation. We follow Barbara to the new world where she learns all she can about the tobacco farming and we get to meet some new and interesting characters, my favorite being Colonel Perry. Barbara eventually returns to England after receiving some letters from back home that there are new adventures afoot. She returns to England and finds herself in the midst of Jacobite investigations.

I think I would have liked this book more had it not been for the ending. The end scene was about one of supporting characters, not Barbara. In turn, I did not have that sense of “closure” so to say. I always like how a book wraps up everything nice and neat for you at the end. And after finishing the book, you walk away content, knowing your new friend will be well. I didn’t have that with this and it was a little disappointing.

Another thing that bothered me was that there were a lot of things not followed up on or worked out…a lot of open issues…which leads me to believe that that there may be another sequel?!

Overall: 4/5

Song: Alive by Pearl Jam

More wisdom from the Duchess of Tamworth: “Keep one’s eyes upon the goal desired, not upon the delays and impediments”

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of how much I truly enjoy historical fiction. The story began in sparse and spare colonial Virginia but was interspersed with scenes of delicious London court intrigues. The heroine, Barbara was a believable and lovable character despite (or perhaps because of) her human foibles. This book would have fallen in my "unbelievable reads" category if the last few hundred pages didn't peter off. I understand the novel was based on James II's attempts to wrest the throne from King George but it simply didn't tie in that neatly with Barbara's immediate concerns. The Virginia storyline was much more compelling to me. Nevertheless, I plan to read Koen's other novels, which are also based on this lush time period.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

****SPOILERS POSSIBLE***

NWTF continues the story of Barbara Devane begun in Through a Glass Darkly. Widowed and saddled with her husband's huge debts, Barbara's grandmother convinces her to inspect the Virginia plantation she now owns and she's soon sailing westward, although much to the chagrin of her mother Diana and Cousin Tony (who loves her and would marry her despite her crippling debts).

Our plucky heroine sets the plantation to rights, runs off the black hearted smugglers, frees the slaves and jumps tall buildings....... Oh not quite that but you get the idea - although there is one tragic event that breaks Barbara's heart and she's soon ready to head for home and Grandmama. Once there, she charms King George and the Prince of Wales still lusts after her, as does a now married Tony and her former lover Charles (married to Tony's sister). Barbara meets a mysterious actor and soon finds herself mixed up in intrigues, plots and treachery as the Jacobites plan to invade and put James III on the throne.

*Yawn*

As much as I loved loved loved Through a Glass Darkly and I actually adored this one the first time I read it, I now confess to being bored to tears at times and found myself skimming quite a bit. The bits in Virginia were especially dull, and I wished Koen had begun the story upon Barbara's return to London and then recounted the back-story in flashbacks. As for the London story - also a bit disjointed and things jumped around too much and the storyline just did not flow.

I did enjoy seeing Barbara mature into a strong woman and a force to be reckoned with, along with her close friend Jane. Like other reviewers, I felt the romance with Slane came out of nowhere and like magic its true love forever. As for Tony? Ah, be still my breaking heart, he deserved a lot better in life and I was sorry to see how his heartbreak changed him into such a stranger. It was fun watching more of Diana's antics and her lovers, adored Aunt Shrew (must re-read Dark Angels and revisit her as a young girl), hated Philippe (grrrr) and as always adored Grandmama Alice as well as the continual hints on what caused Richard's final illness. Ms. Koen, please write that book soon.

As for the ending? That was plain mean to end it so abruptly, especially for an author who doesn't pump out a book every year. I enjoyed it, but as I know Koen can do better it was ultimately disappointing. Three stars.

[Naksed · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dead are not dead, they sang. They are not under the earth. They are in the rustling trees. They are in the groaning wood. They are in the moaning rocks. The dead are not dead.

Now face to face, Karleen Koen's sequel to her best-selling historical fiction novel Through a Glass darkly is many things. One is a wistful hymn to the beloved dead. The author wrote the book as her sister was slowly dying of cancer and the despair and love and painful efforts to make sense of it, to reconcile oneself with it, is apparent throughout every page of the novel, as the main character and a multitude of secondary characters grapple with the haunting memory of their dearly departed as well as new, shocking passings, and turn a look towards the future and their own mortality.

They do this to break your spirit, your power to resist them. They must cow you to nothingness. Do not resist them, or they will break you. A way will come, a time when you will see your way clear to us. Make me hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Now face to face is also a gorgeous historical fiction. Picking up right at the end of its predecessor, the reader follows the main character from a turbulent, economically and morally bankrupt England to the wild shores of Virginia in the early 1700s.

It is a powerful, head-on, no holds barred confrontation of slavery, the greed behind it, the machine that sustained and justified it. The story of the slave Hyacinthe, who we met as a child in the previous novel when he was chosen as the decorative page to the main character Barbara, as was the fashion with the high ranking women of the era, and who undergoes a harrowing journey in this sequel, could have and should have been encompassed in its own, separate novel, so powerful its potential.

Unfortunately, Hyacinthe's story is dwarfed by the enormous amount of time devoted to political intrigue back in the motherland, as various factions plot and conspire to replace one despot with another on the English throne. It might make fascinating read for someone who is interested in this period of history in England but I unfortunately found it rather dull and uninspiring. A couple of secondary characters from the previous book come to the forefront of the action and this made me like the plot even less, because I always found those characters rather unlikable and could not for the life of me root for them or their futile, meaningless goals.

Roger she had loved with a girl's heart. Slane she was beginning to love with a woman's heart, in which the girl had a part, but was not the whole. This love was deeper, more complex.

I wish that the romance part of Now face to face had lived up to this quote. I wanted to see Barbara Devane, Koen's bombastic creation of an eighteenth century heroine, triumph, not only over her enemies but over the cruel experience that love had offered her up to now. Unfortunately, the romance was in the backburner and to me, completely underdeveloped and implausible. Even the ending of the novel, which is supposed to elate the reader with the story of Barbara overcoming all obstacles etc. etc. was underwhelming.

It saddens me to join the ranks of disappointed readers who thought this sequel to Through the glass darkly was a big disappointment, especially because I truly love the gorgeous writing. Entire pages were highlighted as they were in the previous book. The author regaled us with the return of beloved secondary characters and villains you love to hate, as well as introducing even more new characters, each of them interesting. But overall, for me, Now face to face bored me more than it moved me.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book, but I was disappointed in the ending. I loved "Through a Glass Darkly" and reread it before starting on this one. While I did enjoy this book, I felt like the first 500 pages were spent getting the reader invested in all of the characters, their stories, and what the future held for them. The rest of the book seemed like a rushed attempt to wrap up these stories & some were still left wide open. There were events that you wanted to read about that were described in one sentence in the 3 page epilouge. I did think this book was really enjoyable, but it still disappointed me in the end. I almost had to imagine my own endings for some of the characters so that I could feel that the story was finished. I would recommend this book to a friend. I'm not sure if my experience would have been more satisfying if I had not read "Through a Glass Darkly" or if Koen is leaving ends open for a book to follow, but I was left wanting to know more about story lines that should have ended. I still give the book 4 stars because it was an addicting and above average read, I just felt the ending was rushed and I could have easily read another 200 pages.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

Tough for me to rate this book... As much as I loved and hated the 1st book, I didn't love and hate this book. It's a satisfying story in many ways, but upon reflection, it seems a bit disjointed. I agree with some other reviewers listed here who feel as if the author attempted too much in one book -- especially trying to tie up loose ends from the 1st book.

But because the 1st book left me shattered, I was very glad that this book filled that emptiness and replaced the hope and light the first book took away. I was happy that Barbara moved on... happy that she got past Roger and found love again... happy that she found a way to have a family.

Some things, though, were still very wrong to me:

1) Philippe - I wanted nothing more than to see him die in front of Barbara's eyes, while she rubbed it in his face that, ultimately, Roger loved her and she was the one who won. Philippe might have taken him away for a time, but Roger sated his lust for Philippe when Barbara left him. And despite his obvious regard for Philippe, Roger never gave in to that lust again. I wanted Philippe to PAY - to be stripped of his arrogance and artifice and exposed to the world for the cruel bastard that he was. Or something.

2) Tony - I was so happy for him that he seemed to not only be reconciled to marrying another (other than Barbara), but that he genuinely seemed happy with Harriet. Until Barbara re-appeared. And she did nothing to encourage him or give any sign that she wanted anything more than friendship from him. So why did Tony become so cold and calculating? Even at the end of the book, I got the impression that he wouldn't yield to Harriet... and that made me sad for her and irritated at him.

3) Diana - Too many loose ends with her. I suppose she's a cat that always lands on its feet, but still... I'd rather have seen her die in childbirth at the end. Taking Charles as a lover was...icky and so Diana & Charles-like, it made me giggle. And their names together made me giggle. I suppose the implication is that the two of them were truly a pair, and Diana got her heart broken, of a sort. She always did pick the wrong man to fall in love with. Maybe she got some sort of payback.

4) Hyacinthe - Too many gaping holes in this poor young man's life between the time he left Virginia to the time he showed up in front of Therese.

5) Therese - She got her shop, obviously, but I still wanted her to return to Virginia and have her shop there -- and Blackthorne, too.

6) Sloan/Dunncannon - Again, too many holes from where we leave him to where we have to assume that he's the man Barbara is to marry. And while we learned somewhat of his life before this time in Italy and somewhat of how he & Barbara met... I don't know - maybe theirs was the kind of love/courtship where 2 people are in the right time and place and just KNOW - no need to take so much time. So why 2 years before they marry?

7)Virginia - I guess the purpose of the trip was for Barbara to emerge from the shell she'd built around herself from the whole thing with Roger. And I was proud of her to not become involved/entangled with a man there, especially Klaus. Although his story was puzzling, too - what happened to make Beth change her mind? That was left dangling. And speaking of Beth, was it just jealousy that caused her to turn against her own father and sue him? Again, too much left out.

8) Perry - The stuff with the "archangel" whom we know to be Roger was good. But again, too much dangling. Was this supposed to be Roger's way of making amends? Was Perry supposed to be the better side of Roger, the only one who could truly help Barbara to see the truth and to heal? Dunno. Again, too much left dangling.

The history stuff was OK... I knew of the 1715 attempt by James, the Pretender, and I knew of Bonnie Prince Charles' attempt to take the English throne in 1745. I had no idea of the in-between attempts, and that, to a degree fascinated me. As did, to a degree, the South Seas Bubble and the early Virginia. But at time, I admit that I simply skimmed pages and pages at a time.

Overall, a good book and a satisfying way (mostly) to end the 2-part story.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Face to Face is the first novel I've finished in which I was/am truly saddened to have to say goodbye to the characters and story.

That being said I did enjoy reading it, despite the fact that it almost felt like two entirely separate novels crammed into one.

Through A Glass Darkly ends with Barbara on a boat headed to Virginia. That is right where Now Face to Face picks up.

Koen tried, rather unsuccessfully, to juggle the story of Barbara's time in Virginia along with a subplot in London for the Jacobite's to restore King James II to the throne. Barbara's entire section in Virginia (something I would have easily read another 200 pages about) seemed rushed because of this whereas parts of the Jacobite storyline dragged on for longer than I would have liked.

What's more, the Virginia sections missed the rich detail from Through A Glass Darkly that I came to love so much. I found that I had to create the landscapes and other such things in my own mind due to lack of detail.

However the book went back up to 4 stars because of the last few hundred pages or so. I literally could NOT put this book down at that point because things were getting so intense. Sadly, after the intense sections things take a bit of a nosedive again.

It was almost as if Koen had run out of words when it came to the very end and just decided to sum what could have been beautiful, elaborate chapters in a few paragraphs. This rather upset me, since I wanted to hear more about each of the characters I had fallen in love with throughout this long series.

I do not regret reading this book though. Not at all. The ending, while a bit disappointing, was at least more satisfying than the ending of it's predecessor and I am able to walk away contented.

[Lori Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Now Face to Face" is the sequel to Karleen Koen's book "Through a Glass Darkly". I dearly love historical fiction, and as I devoured "Through a Glass Darkly and gave it a resounding Five Stars, I really looked forward to the sequel.

Eh. Well.

This book was on its way to being put on my "Not Finished" shelf, but I persevered and the pace finally picked up and the story fell back into the method of her first book. When I finished the book, I had tears in my eyes, and felt the novel had redeemed itself somewhat.

I'm still only giving this book Three Stars, and here's why:

* While I enjoy studying history, the first half of the book was way too political for my taste. I kept losing the story line because just when I'd get interested, bam, politics. Don't get me wrong, a certain amount of politics had to be written into the book or there would have been no plot, but there's a line that got crossed.

* Characters I liked in the first book seemed to change personalities in the sequel, particularly Barbara, the main character.

* The pace got bogged down, largely due to the huge chunks of politics.



If you're a fan of the Jacobite uprising, you'll love it. I was fortunate in knowing a fair amount about this time period or I would have been completely lost. If you're a fan of court intrigue, you'll like the book. I'm glad I decided to plug along and finish the book, but be prepared -- it's nothing like the first book.



Lori Anderson

my blog

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid four stars.

Koen brings her "history" to a satisfying conclusion, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The energy level was lower than Through a Glass Darkly, but the writing better. A few of the subplots were too neatly concluded.

Koen successfully relates how the Bible (as well as Shakespeare, John Donne, etc.) wove through the consciousness of the eighteenth century, even among people who were not believers. That's a rare achievement.

Several egregious errors about boats and boating. Koen needs to get smarter or be vaguer.

The ending was abrupt, leading me to suspect a sequel is coming.

A very good read.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first this story started out slow. Then it picked up and I had a hard time putting it down. You just want to keep reading and find out what happens to the characters. This story is full of double dealing and political intrigue. It is a great story for people who enjoy the Jacobite period of history.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first worry upon starting this book was that the Duchess of Tamworth might no longer be with us......she is! Alive and kicking and more astute and ornery than ever.

In this book, new characters are introduced and old characters take on more dominant roles. We start out with Barbara's New World adventures, which could be subtitled 'Lady Devane Grows Up'. Barbara is at last pitched forcefully from the cocoon of her sheltering life and her focus on her own needs and desires. She becomes a socially conscious young woman and begins to take an active role. She learns much about life and love, as well as land and tobacco crops and slave labor. She experiences a tragic loss. She returns to England.

We also have the treat of a fascinating historical backdrop for the action. Back home the throne of George I is being threatened by rumors of invasion; the Stewart claimant to the throne is said to be putting together an army to come to England. The situation is tense, as no one truly knows which side anyone else might be aligned with. Barbara soon finds herself in a precarious situation; she has to balance her position at court with her love for a Jacobite spy; meanwhile her mother, Diana, is sharing her bed with Robert Walpole, a man who poses great danger to Barbara.

Barbara's childhood friend, Jane Ashford Cromwell, along with Jane's husband, Augustus Cromwell, and her father, Sir John Ashford come to the forefront of the action in this book. Their story is action packed and very good; although not tragedy free.

For me the true stars of this novel were Alexander "Lumpy" Pendarves and Louisa, Lady Shrewsbury. Their December romance is funny and sweet. And how about that reveal.....I wanted to high-five Aunt Shrew at the end of the book; what an awesome crazy old broad she was!

From here we have a prequel of sorts in "Dark Angel", which tells the tale of Lady Alice Varney as a young lady at the court of Charles II. Good, because I'm not sure I would want to read any books in this series without her......she should always be a character.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the jacket: "A child bride at fifteen, widow at twenty, Barbara Montgeoffry, Countess Devane, arrives in colonial Virginia in 1721. Emotionally devastated and financially ruined by her husband's death, she must find the strength and skill to turn a family tobacco plantation into a prosperous enterprise. But soon, as King George and James Stuart vie for the English crown, Barbara will return to London, entering a world of treacherous intrigue to confront her enemies, reclaim what is rightfully hers...and pursue a dangerous, clandestine love that will shape her destiny and forever alter the course of nations."

Looking at the front cover photo and reading the above book description, I bet you were thinking this was a romance novel. You'd be betting wrong! This is the third and last book in Karleen Koen's Tamworth Saga, a fictional, yet historical look at England's changing political landscape in the early 18th century.

This was my least favorite of the trilogy, but only because of it's disjointedness of pitting two parallel stories against each other. I liked very much Barbara Montgeoffry's story line of her adventures in Virginia. The author does a fine job in telling of colonial life and the stark contrast the Countess Devane would have found in Virginian life compared to English genteel society. The English story line incorporating her family's political intrigues with Barbara's situation was confusing to me for much of the book. It was difficult to make out who the various characters were and how they (and their actions) connected with the Countess Devane. It did all come together at the end, but it was by no means seamless.

Still, I'm glad I finally finished the trilogy, giving closure to this story. 3 1/2 stars.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Nothing changes, everything changes” – several characters repeat this mantra throughout the story, and it certainly sums up the plot as the wheels of change grind along slowly. Nothing appears to change on the surface, but meanwhile, huge upheaval is on its way as the 18th century gets going.

Lady Barbara spends some time in the Virginia colony, and quickly becomes the only person to realize slavery is bad because she is just. that. special. However, Barbara’s Mary-Sue like tendencies are watered down by the rest of the cast, who are a lot more flawed, and thereof, a lot more interesting to follow.

There are tantalizing details here and there about a boy who escapes slavery and could have had his own book, there are high ranking politicians twists laws to stab rivals in the back, spies send coded messages all over Europe, Moll Flanders and Robinson Crusoe get shout outs, and the beta couple from the last book, Jane and Gussy, go from acting as a stand in for “typical” life in the time period (a whole lot of cooking and a whole lack of birth control), to taking center stage as they get involved in a plot to put a Catholic on the English throne.

It’s a stupid plan, doomed to failure, but as the whole thing falls apart, I was on the edge of my seat to see how badly it would go, and if Gussy would live. Janes saves him in the most bold prison escape I’ve ever seen. Go Jane!

The book ends with the door wide open for more to come in this series, and I would be happy to see that.

[Gilda Felt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed my return to the adventures of Barbara, Countess Devane and those of her friends and family, though much of this book is focused on the Jacobite plots against George I, and how many of them are affected by, or affect, the workings against the crown. Having just watched The History of Scotland, I was aware of how it all played out, and of the attributes, both good and bad, of James Stuart and George Hanover.

But there is much in the book that deals with the personal: weddings and babies, wishes fulfilled and broken hearts, sickness and death. The author covers a lot of territory. And there are many new characters to learn about and, sometimes, come to care about. But I would have preferred that there was more about her grandmother, Alice, the focus of the first book in the trilogy. There was so much more I wanted to know about her and her earlier life. But that’s just my own personal preference, since, when it comes to all the people the reader is introduced to in the trilogy of books, she remains my favorite.

My only major complaint against the book is that it ends rather abruptly, as if the author was in a rush to end the story. Either that or, and I would truly love for it to be true, she is planning yet another sequel. A reader can only hope.

[Linda Wulf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, couldn't stop reading it, but was exhausted by the end--not because of the writing, by any means, but because of all the intrigue, the plotting, the backstabbing. I really needed a break by the time I finished this and the one before it, Through a Glass Darkly. Yes, I know, life at Court was grueling. It was what it was. I could never have survived it. Thank goodness Barbara ends up with the man she wanted to be with; I was very afraid he would die, as so many other beloved characters in her life did. And I cried buckets of tears throughout this book, more so perhaps than even the last one. And that's saying a lot. Again, though--grief issues. Lots of buttons being pushed. So that may just be me. And also again--there is some humor, some dark, some not so dark.

On to something lighter for the next read. I would ask, though, the same question of Karleen Koen as I did Phillipa Gregory a few years back. How in the world do you manage to do THAT MUCH research AND write these books, while living your daily life with its own challenges? Did someone hand out 48-hour days when I wasn't looking? ;)

[Nattie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Through a glass darkly was pretty good up until a bit past Barbara finding out what her husband was up to; then the thing just went to the dogs. That book had way too much pointless graphic sex. It was a dirty and trashy read, which I just finished several days ago. I'll admit I skipped a few pages here and there. I had Now face to face waiting by my bedside and couldn't wait to get at it, that was of course before I read the first book, after having struggled through that one, I wasn't too keen on reading part 2 anymore.

I really can't review it in great detail, given that I found it so boring that I couldn't even focus on the words. I probably more skimmed the book than read it, OK, I really just skimmed it and still found it a dud. I didn't care about Barbara anymore after the first book. She should have stayed 15, because growing older did not make her more entertaining.

[Raya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man this book draaaagged! When you find yourself skipping lines, then whole paragraphs, and flipping to the next page, then it’s probably time to throw in the towel. But no, I insisted on finding out how it ended, and in so doing read 700 pages, of which only about 200 was relevant information. Was it really necessary to include the thoughts of every…single…person, minor character or not? Does she really have that little faith where she can’t rely on her readers to make inferences and read between the lines? I don’t remember the first novel being this horribly written, or maybe I was too distracted by all the drama. If you’ve read the first novel and are just dying to know the rest of Barbara’s story, take my advice and just read the spoilers.

[Anna Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Through a Glass Darkly, which is the first book and I loved this book as well, but not quite as much as Through a Glass Darkly. I need a third book, so I can catch up on what everyone is now doing...I don't like for books to just end, unless there is another one coming along to tie up any loose ends. There is also Dark Angels, but that is about Barbaras grandmother and was written later. They are all three great examples of historical fiction that is juicy, but also loaded with factual information!

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one, "Through the Glass, Darkly." There were too many "history lessons" (e.g. all of Chapter 34!), and I did not like that the Jacobite plot to restore James III to the throne was at the forefront. I much prefer when the historical elements are in the backdrop. Still, we do follow the main character, Barbara, and, despite the heavy history lessons, this book remains a must-read for those who enjoyed the first book and want to know what happens to the cast of characters.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely agree that I miss these characters now that I've finished the book; but I'll get more sleep and feel less in need of coffee STAT when I get to work. Vividly drawn and well-constructed prose. Read this several years ago and yet every twist of the story was tense and enjoyable again.

[Laura Kroeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

langdradig en vreemd einde. Dit is het derde boek, het eerste was het leukste, de tweede al minder en het derde (deze) het minst. Overbodig wellicht, vooral omdat er zoveel gebeurde maar tegelijk ook niets en veel personages geen einde hadden voor hun verhaal

[Natalia Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Este libro forma parte de un trilogía, lo primero y más importante a saber es que si no has leído los dos anteriores es probable que no entiendas bien la trama de esta novela.
En segundo lugar sino lees este libro tampoco te perderás nada importante de la historia de los personajes, bien es cierto que se avanza en la vida de Bárbara pero no hubiera hecho falta una novela entera de tal logintud para lo que realmente importa, con un par de capítulos más en el libro anterior de la trilogía podría haber quedado todo resuelto. Me siento defraudada y decepcionada.
La extensión de la narración es excesiva, repetitiva y en ocasiones aburrida, los desvarios mentales de los personajes aparecen continuamente, sin aportar nada a la historia ni ayudar a la comprensión de la personalidad de los protagonistas. Facilmente se podrían haber narrado los hechos con una tercera parte de las páginas utilizadas.
Si bien recomendé las dos novelas anteriores que me cautivaron, no puedo hacer lo mismo en este caso, preferiría no haber leído este libro pues la autora me había causado una grata impresión con la primera y la segunda parte

[Luanne Oleas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing saga! If you ever wondered about living in either Virginia or England in 1722, this is the book for you. It's not only a great story with political intrigue and passion, but it's also long on details to help you envision living back then. Everything from the types of flowers blooming to the nursery rhymes that children said. It's all here. From ships to soaps to sealing wax.

Apparently Barbara (nee Alderley) was more beautiful than is almost believable. However, if you swallow that, you can pretty much believe the rest of the book—hook, line, and sinker. Wanna know about growing tobacco back then? Check. Shipping bees back then? Check. The royal household quirks back then? Check. The architecture of Christopher Wren? Check.

The end felt a little rushed, but after 734 pages, including the epilogue and bonus chapters, well, it's hard to believe anything could feel rushed. I loved this book and I almost never read historical fiction, so that says a lot.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was the story of Barbara, Lady Devane, during the Jacobite plotting in the early 1700s. Barbara was an intelligent, quick-spirited heroine and it was easy to get caught up in the emotions of this story-especially the side-stories of her best friend Jane and her slave Hyacinthe. This story earned 4 stars from me because of the tears it elicited. After 700+ pages it was hard not to get attached to Barbara and her circle. However, I felt this novel tried to do too much. Jacobites, Virginia tobacco plantations, abolition of slavery, Hyacinthe's adventures (this alone could have been an entire book but the conclusion to this subplot is hastily thrown in at the end) and a love story. Still, a worthwhile read about the intrigue surrounding the Jacobite supporters.

[Nicolette Horsthuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

So. Boring. I liked the first book, Through a Glass Darkly, well enough. Although the end was a bit of a slog. But this book... it was a little too much of everything: too much Emo Barbara, too much Barbara the magnificent, way too much time devoted to politics, too much being sad and reminiscing from everyone. I just wanted to read the storyline but the author gets bogged down by reflection. Her characters think way too much. At any rate, skimming through much of the book a decent storyline emerges. But this is definitely a one time read and could have used a good edit.

[tmb16511 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately couldn't finish ~ and I hate having to admit that. I loved the preceding novel, Through a Glass Darkly, loved it so much that I kept moving forward with this one in the hopes of connecting in that same manner, but it was just far too political for my tastes, and made me feel differently (less interested) in the main characters. A bit too much about England's monarchy and I found it distracting because I had to struggle to follow along with all of that. Some may enjoy it though. Just not for me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Political intrigue, Jacobite rebellion, whats not to like? In the final installment of the trilogy the author does a nice job of developing new characters and bringing existing characters to a full arc of their story. The only criticism is the handing of Hyacinthe's reappearance - a few pages on that journey would have rounded things out. A bit of a rushed ending. Author was likely exhausted after 721 pages. I would be happy with another installment!

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

I somewhat enjoyed the other two books in this series, so I started this one as a fun summer read. I can't even come close to finishing it. When you read "He was a sensual man whom pleasure did not frighten. Pleasure did not frighten her, either. They saw that in each other. It was like a promise between them" and you still have over 500 pages to go, you know it's time to call it quits.

[Katrina Balle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great! It also repeated some things that might have been forgotten as it's a long book just like the first book. The end left me wondering what happened further! Maybe left open ended for a 3rd? I also recommend reading the prequel, Dark Angels.