House of Shadows

House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick

*I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis (from Goodreads)
London, 1662:
There was something the Winter Queen needed to tell him. She fought for the strength to speak.
‘The crystal mirror is a danger. It must be destroyed – ‘
He replied instantly. ‘It will’.

Ashdown, Oxfordshire, present day: Ben Ansell is researching his family tree when he disappears. As his sister Holly begins a desperate search, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to an ornate antique mirror and to the diary of Lavinia, a 19th century courtesan who was living at Ashdown House when it burned to the ground over 200 years ago.

Intrigued, and determined to find out more about the tragedy at Ashdown, Holly’s only hope is that uncovering the truth about the past will lead her to Ben.

Review

I really enjoyed this story. It's refreshing to read a well-researched historical fiction that also has an intriguing plot-line and real, relatable characters.

The story jumps between three narratives, each around 200 years apart. We have Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen in the mid 1600s, then Lavinia Flyte, the courtesan in 1801, and finally Holly Ansell, who is in modern times. The story is mainly in the present day, with about a third being devoted to the Winter Queen. Lavinia's point of view is rather small, despite her large impact on the story, but her part is woven into the present-day narrative via a journal. Juggling three timelines can be tricky, but Cornick pulls it off with finesse and grace. I felt like we got the exact right amount in each story line, nor was it confusing to follow along when the story jumped. I also enjoyed getting to read more about the Winter Queen, a point in history that I don't know that much about.

The setting plays a huge part of the story, and is based on real-life Ashdown House. After some quick googling, I found that the real Ashdown House didn't actually burn to the ground, like it did in the story, and the author actually works there doing tours! I love that she brought such an amazing narrative to a place for which she obviously has a passion. The descriptions of the park surrounding the house made me want to go on holiday to England and wander around the countryside! 

Cornick's writing is evocative and smooth and gently pulls you deeper into the story. I loved little details she sprinkled in, little actions that just made the picture even more vivid in my mind, such as walking the dog or drinking hot chocolate. Cornick reveals the mystery little by little and we see the threads come together at the right pace. The mirror and the pearl guide the character's actions and add a fantastical element that enhances what would otherwise still be an interesting story about relationships.

The characters, as I said, felt very real and genuine. With the real-life historical figures, like Elizabeth Stuart, Cornick breathed life back into them, helped them be seen as people with emotions and faults and not just a name in a history book. The other two main characters, Holly and Lavinia, felt just as warm and alive. The secondary characters, like Mark, Fran, and Holly's grandparents, were also very well-written. I loved Bonnie (the dog). The romance was also paced well, and the emotions of the characters were written in such a way that I could feel the intensity.

All in all, a well-written, captivating tale of magic, history, and passion.

Rating

4 stars.

Details

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery.

Language: Mild to none.

Sex: Some sex scenes, brief but somewhat descriptive.

Violence: Some instances of sexual violence.