3.5
The Library of Light and Shadow
ByPublisher Description
In this riveting and richly drawn novel from “one of the master storytellers of historical fiction” (New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams), a talented young artist flees New York for the South of France after one of her scandalous drawings reveals a dark secret—and triggers a terribly tragedy.
In the wake of the Great War, the glamour of 1925 Manhattan shines like a beacon for high society, desperate to keep their gaze firmly fixed to the future. But Delphine Duplessi sees more than most. At a time in her career when she could easily be unknown and penniless, she has gained notoriety for her stunning shadow portraits that frequently expose her subjects’ most scandalous secrets.
Then, on a snowy night in a penthouse high above Fifth Avenue, Delphine’s mystical talent leads to a tragedy between two brothers. Devastated and disconsolate, Delphine renounces her gift and returns to her old life in the South of France where Picasso, Matisse, and the Fitzgeralds are living. There, Delphine is thrust into recapturing the past. First by her charismatic twin brother and business manager, Sebastian, who attempts to cajole her back into work and into codependence, then by the world famous opera singer Emma Calvé, who is obsessed with the writings of the fourteenth-century alchemist Nicolas Flamel. And finally by her ex-lover Mathieu, who is determined to lure her back into his arms, unaware of the danger that led Delphine to flee him five years before.
Trapped in an ancient chateau where hidden knowledge lurks in the shadows, Delphine questions everything and everyone she loves the most—her art, her magick, her family, and Mathieu—in an effort to see them as the gifts they are. Only there can she shed her fear of loving and living with her eyes open.
In the wake of the Great War, the glamour of 1925 Manhattan shines like a beacon for high society, desperate to keep their gaze firmly fixed to the future. But Delphine Duplessi sees more than most. At a time in her career when she could easily be unknown and penniless, she has gained notoriety for her stunning shadow portraits that frequently expose her subjects’ most scandalous secrets.
Then, on a snowy night in a penthouse high above Fifth Avenue, Delphine’s mystical talent leads to a tragedy between two brothers. Devastated and disconsolate, Delphine renounces her gift and returns to her old life in the South of France where Picasso, Matisse, and the Fitzgeralds are living. There, Delphine is thrust into recapturing the past. First by her charismatic twin brother and business manager, Sebastian, who attempts to cajole her back into work and into codependence, then by the world famous opera singer Emma Calvé, who is obsessed with the writings of the fourteenth-century alchemist Nicolas Flamel. And finally by her ex-lover Mathieu, who is determined to lure her back into his arms, unaware of the danger that led Delphine to flee him five years before.
Trapped in an ancient chateau where hidden knowledge lurks in the shadows, Delphine questions everything and everyone she loves the most—her art, her magick, her family, and Mathieu—in an effort to see them as the gifts they are. Only there can she shed her fear of loving and living with her eyes open.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communities46 Reviews
3.5
Izzy
Created 6 months agoShare
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“It was okay but you’re not missing anything if you haven’t read it. I think the book was meant to be more character focused versus plot driven but it excelled at neither so was boring. I didn’t care for Delphine as a character. She’s just sad and lacks a backbone plus has little to no character development to make me like her more.
A lot of the writing is very repetitive. You don’t need to tell the reader 10 times that Delphine feels obligated to her brother because he saved her. We got it the first time. Also I don’t need to be told more than once (max twice) how the love interest smells. Stop telling me he smells like honey. The author also over explains everyone’s feelings, intentions, and thoughts…and it’s usually the same thoughts over and over.
Usually I’m fine with flashbacks and time jumps but I feel like there should have been less back and forth in this book. We kept getting very similar flashbacks with only tiny details added. I don’t think making the chapters/flashbacks shorter helped keep the suspense going. Nothing crazy was revealed in them most of the time so like ??? Why do I care? You’re just interrupting the story for nothing.”
Katherine R
Created 9 months agoShare
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“<strong>loved</strong>
This series was so lovely to read though I did desperately want an epilogue”
Brandiwyne
Created 10 months agoShare
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Shelby Burns
Created 12 months agoShare
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Hannah Crossno
Created over 1 year agoShare
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About M. J. Rose
New York Times bestselling author M.J. Rose grew up in New York City exploring the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum and the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park. She was the author of more than a dozen novels, the founder of the first marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz.com and cofounder of 1001DarkNights.com Her website is MJRose.com.
Other books by M. J. Rose
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