What do You think about No Angel (2004)?
This book had the potential to be a good book due to the premise/overall concepts that the book was built on.Though there were so many issues I had with this book, that I was forced to not finish the book. The book was EXTREMELY slow moving- and trust me I gave the book a complete chance, hoping that it would improve or the pace of the story would pick up by chapter 8. It just dragged on and added more and more characters to the point where I came close to losing track (this is coming from an avid reader).The author also made the characters seems so emotion-free, once husbands/boyfriends started dying off at war, they all seemed to move forward and cope so easily. It just was not realistic. Along with the obviousness of missing the Titanic, or receiving a letter at just the perfect time- all of these coincidental incidents in the book just made it less believable and less relatable, and more soap opera like. Im confused how someone could enjoy this book, unless this person of course is extremely patient and willing to wait for a climax in a story or is a gullible person that doesnt mind fantasy intertwined with history/reality.
—Kimberly Kolansky
Yes ... this was a silly book and yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it despite it being like a Sydney Sheldon book on steroids. Set it the UK and starting before WWI and ending several years after the war. About a family involved in the publishing business. Everything was hyper-dramatic in the book ... from the characters to the plot. Almost every woman has large beautiful eyes and gorgeous flowing hair. Almost every man is tall, dark and handsome. Every woman (and man) has rapturous, earth-ending sex (though not described in dirty detail, which is just fine). What I liked about the book is that it was absolutely filled with characters, and there were a lot of stories to follow. I admit that I stayed up late last night to finish as I wanted to see what happened. The end of the book manages to bring several story lines together in a suspenseful way and at a good pace - though, again, with lots o' drama. Literary fiction this is not. This book is total brain candy ... but the sweet kind that makes you happy you splurged, not the sticky kind that makes you regret it and kick yourself afterwards for going off your diet. I found it in the bargain section of B & N for a mere $5.00, which makes it less guilt-inducing. Bring it to the beach or by the pool this summer and enjoy!
—Kelly
What a brilliant introduction to the Lytton family! I was quickly absorbed in their saga -- so much drama, deception, delight, and devastation -- in London during the years, 1904-1920 (verrrry Downton Abbey-esque). I loved some characters, then despised them, then loved them again. I felt my heart pounding as I flipped through the pages during some of the more dramatic moments in the story (and there were many!). And, of course, I was completely smitten reading about the triumphs, trials, and tribulations dealing with the Lytton publishing house -- BOOKS! *swoon* I am excited to dive into the next book in The Spoils of Time trilogy and see how the Lytton clan are thriving.
—Charity
