“I love sweeping family sagas and I have been enjoying the "Rose Trilogy" that began with The Tea Rose and concludes with this the final book in the series. I am so sorry to say that this was a huge letdown and disappointing conclusion.
Because it is the third book there will be spoilers in the review, so if you haven't read the other two books be wary.
The first two books focused on the story of Fiona and Joe, star crossed lovers who are separated by misunderstandings and timing. The second book was the equally intriguing story of India Selwyn-Jones and her love affair with the notorious gangster Sid Malone.
Book three focuses on Seamus Finnegan and Willa Alden, and opens about eight years after the catastrophic accident that severely injured Willa. The difference in the books is that Fiona and India were strong female protagonists, always ready to stand up for their principles, their rights and their families. Willa Alden on the other hand spends most of this book feeling sorry for herself and dealing with life by drowning her sorrows with drugs and alcohol. Every time the book focused on her I cringed. Her poor me attitude, abrasiveness and melancholy was so tiresome I literally couldn't wait for her story to come to an end, unfortunately that took the entire book.
The best parts of the book were those that focused on the original main characters of Fiona and Joe and their children, now adults, and the parts where Sid and India were the focus. In addition even though this is historical fiction it doesn't mean that every famous historical personage from this time had to cross paths with the Bristow's and the Finnegan's. I mean really, Willa Alden, a severely handicapped woman is allowed to travel with T.E. Lawrence as he crosses the deserts of Arabia? Eye rolling did occur. In addition that handicap seemed to come and go quite often, there were things that happened where no mention is made of it at all, which just seemed preposterous. Also there was an over the top spy story that came to an unbelievable conclusion.
So three stars for the memory of a good series and I'm sad to see it end, but if I never read about Seamie and Willa again it will be just fine with me.
”
Ladyslott wrote this review Monday, February 6, 2012.
(
reply |
permalink )
