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The House On Durrow Street (2010)

by Galen Beckett(Favorite Author)

3.77 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0553807595 (ISBN13: 9780553807592)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Spectra Books

series

Mrs. Quent

review 1: This sequel is better than the first book. However, it does take quite a long time to get started, and it was only about 500 pages in that it wasn't tedious. I think this book could have been better if it were shorter, and didn't jump around so much between times, it was sometimes unclear when the next character's timeline was from. Also, one issue I have is the way Eldyn's sister's story played out, really I thought the whole Eldyn story line was a little weak. Worth it to read if you want to know what happens, but I'm gonna skip the third book - especially if it is the same length.
review 2: The Quents and the Lockwells are settling in to the old house on Durrow Street but it is a bit eerie and unsettling. Ivy is fascinated by the mysterious old house and the... more history behind some of the hidden wonders which have been uncovered during renovation. When she discovers her father's journal, she relishes the chance to learn more about him and his magickal studies. The days are growing shorter and the mysterious new red planet is coming ever closer. Ivy learns that her father left more clues for her to follow to unlock the secrets of the unusual astrographical events in order to prevent Altania from falling into permanent darkness. Ivy also enters Society and makes friends in high places who encourage her to think about power and position. The young Miss Lockwells look forward to their coming out and Lily hopes Eldyn Garritt will be at her party. Eldyn is busy trying to provide for himself and his sister by clerking for the church. Sashie grows ever pious but Eldyn is torn. By day he works hard tallying numbers but at night he's drawn to the glittering world of the illusionists, particularly his friend Dercy. As Dercy tries to teach Eldyn to create illusions, Eldyn discovers some surprising truths about himself. Eldyn remains determined to bring himself and his sister into the light and everyone knows the theater is full of sin and corruption, not to mention the unusual proclivities of the illusionists. Can something so beautiful be so wrong even if it makes Eldyn happy? Does it matter what the church thinks? Someone seems to think it matters for illusionists have been turning up dead and blinded. Meanwhile Rafferdy is busy avoiding his duties and avoiding Ivy. His father is gravely ill and so Mr. Rafferdy takes his father's seat in Assembly. The Magnates are divided over the issue of succession and what to do about the Wyrdword Risings. At first Rafferdy wants nothing to do with any of it but then he is befriended other frivolous young Magnates who invite him to participate in a secret magickal society. He isn't sure what to make of the society but when he uncovers dangerous secrets he doesn't understand he may have need of magick after all. The author borrows elements of 16th-19th century English history in order to create this unique world. The plot hinges on politics and power as well as the teachings of the church which strongly resembles the Catholic Church. The unusual solar system of Altania is a bit complicated and difficult to understand but I was drawn to Ivy's journey of discovery and the mysteries she has to solve. This part of the book is the most unique and the strongest plot. I saw things that Ivy didn't and I couldn't care for her as much in this novel because she had less reason to be so naive and trusting. Eldyn's plot bored me. I've heard the same debate played out endlessly in real life. It got very repetitive reading about it in fiction. I felt Eldyn was a bit too whiny and stupid to really feel sorry for. Again I figured out things he didn't and wondered why it took him so long to see what he didn't want to see all along. It also took way too long for his plot to intersect with the main magical mystery. It almost seemed like an entirely different story set in the same world. Rafferdy's plot is also interesting because it parallels British history and politics but with a magical twist. His plot is intertwined with Ivy's for most of the book and secrets are revealed and more questions raised. I also found the idea of unrequited love of a man unusual and interesting. I quite like Rafferdy and his coming-of-age story. I would recommend this book to grown-up Harry Potter fans and Lord of the Rings fans. It works OK as a stand alone but better as a sequel. less

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