Should This Have Been Longlisted? The Maidens by Kate Foster | Spoiler Free Book Review

[@BookishTexan]

I have been curious about this book. Thanks for reviewing it.

[@GemofBooks]

You’re welcome matey 🧡

[@ameliabarlowbooks]

I really wasn’t fussed about reading this one, even though the premise has the potential to be something I’d enjoy I think I’d need a cosy winter evening to really get the atmosphere right for it 🕯️

[@GemofBooks]

Yes - as a cost winter read I think it would work really well. I think if I hadn’t had high expectations I would have enjoyed it more for what it was too.

[@tabitha_h2000]

Could not have said it better!📚👏

[@GemofBooks]

😘😘

[@TheLeniverse]

Yeah, that was pretty much my take on it too. The buildup took too long and I just wanted them to get to the killing already. And I really wanted someone to off that reverend as well. I had that song from... is it Chicago? in my head throughout most of the book. "🎶He had it coming 🎶" 😆

[@GemofBooks]

That song fits it perfectly!! And I’ll probably humming it all day now 😂🎶

[@StephanieP1901]

I really loved this book, but I wasn't surprised that it didn't make the short list. I'm grateful to the prize for bringing this author to my attention. I'm not sure this book has an American publisher even now, so without the WPF I would have been deprived. I don't disagree that it was a little longer than it needed to be, but I loved the story. Violet in particular was a treat. I'm still pretty determined to see this guillotine in Edinburgh when I visit Scotland this summer. Luckily, it's in the National Museum of Scotland. :)

[@GemofBooks]

I’m really glad you liked it!! I think it’s a book that will work for lots of people, unfortunately not me though ☹️ Violets story line was far more interesting to me, so I agree on that for sure. I didn’t realise the guillotine was still in Scotland! That’s pretty cool 🤩

[@readingoffmyshelf2088]

It was my cup of tea, but I enjoy historical mystery . I can see where you are coming from with it being long . It is a bit far-fetched with what happened, but I guess I don't mind that in Books. But overall, I really enjoyed it . Thank you for your review. I am always interested to hear what you think of books .

[@GemofBooks]

I definitely think this one was a case of just not aligning with my reading taste. I’m glad you enjoyed it though matey 🧡

[@bjminton2698]

There were only 2 on the fiction longlist this year that were remotely interesting to me. This was one of the 2, but it's still not available at our library here in the SE US, so I doubt that I ever try it. I'm not sure that it's gotten a US publisher yet... Hope you are enjoying your huge TBR! 🙂

[@GemofBooks]

It still doesn’t have a US publisher?! How is that possible?? I know a lot of people did love it, so hopefully you’ll be one of them when/if it becomes available on your side of the pond. What was the other one you were interested in?!

[@bjminton2698]

​@GemofBooks 8 Lives was my other choice. It was certainly not a typical read for me, but I try to read 6 - 8 NFs and literary fictions a year, which is about 5% of my choices. As a preteen and a teenager, our school library was the only easily accessible place to acquire books. I have always been an avid reader, so dozens of classics and literary fiction were the main choices and I think I hit my limit - lol. Today, I read for entertainment, so it's mostly mysteries and SFF. 😁 I enjoy watching your enthusiasm for reading!! Thank you!

[@rebecca.reader]

I felt very similar to you , Gemma. There were parts where I felt really engaged and interested in the characters lives, but then also huge parts where I felt I just was reading to get to the next bit and didn't particularly care. Ultimately it felt very much like a debut and I am interested to see what else Elliott writes...I believe she has another book coming out this year?.... but this book will be fairly forgettable for me unfortunately.

[@GemofBooks]

Glad I’m not alone on this one. Definitely forgettable for me too

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I enjoyed this book... But I enjoy a lot of books and that's about a positive as I can go.

[@GemofBooks]

💯

[@Bookishtravels1]

Sounds an interesting book a d gives me vibes of another i read before but cannot put my finger on it. Thanks for the review:)

[@GemofBooks]

You’re very welcome matey 🧡

[@awebofstories]

Your thoughts on this book were similar to mine. I enjoyed it for what it was, but I was really surprised to see it on the longlist. It just didn't feel like "that kind" of book.

[@GemofBooks]

Completely agree. I think it was actually a bit unfair to list it for this prize as it’s not really the right audience… 😬

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

It’s a shame this didn’t really work so well. I think for me the murder mystery appeals but the historical doesn’t so it will be interesting to see which way it goes for me (if I ever get to it 😂).

[@GemofBooks]

I am really interested in what your take would be. Though it’s not one I will be pushing you to pick up 😂

[@spreadbookjoy]

Not fussed on this book at all, though on paper it seems very me as I do love historical mystery, but your review confirms that it would be as meh as I suspect it to be.

[@GemofBooks]

It’s very middle of the road mate, I wouldn’t recommend it for you.

[@novellenovels]

I enjoyed it but looking back it wasn’t as good as some of the other woman’s prize books unfortunately

[@GemofBooks]

I think this one really appeals to a lot of people, just wasn’t my jam. Defo better books on the list