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A review by adogmomsbookishlife
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books!
I went back and forth on how much I enjoyed this novel. It start’s with Ivy’s coming of age story (mother) and then transitions into Mia’s (daughter). The remainder of the first part of this book is about Mia and her escape from the cult her mother found them in.
Davis’ (cult leader) sociopathic behavior towards Mia is super creepy! Be cautious if you have any triggers for stalking and manipulative/narcissistic conversations.
Mia has a love for Nathaniel Hawthorne and his novel The Scarlet Letter. She feels it was written just for her. The story takes a break from these women and transitions into a historical narrative of Nathan Hawthorne’s life. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of Hawthorne’s side of the story. It made me want to read The Scarlet Letter, for sure.
However, the two timelines then merge and that was the part that I am not so sure about. I was very intrigued and wanted to keep reading, but I also couldn’t help but feeling like it was a little weird.
I will say that the story did not end the way I thought it would. this was neither a good nor a bad thing. Overall I do recommend this book. It didn’t have the fall witchy vibes I was anticipating, but it did have a level of magical realism that made it a fun fall read.
I went back and forth on how much I enjoyed this novel. It start’s with Ivy’s coming of age story (mother) and then transitions into Mia’s (daughter). The remainder of the first part of this book is about Mia and her escape from the cult her mother found them in.
Davis’ (cult leader) sociopathic behavior towards Mia is super creepy! Be cautious if you have any triggers for stalking and manipulative/narcissistic conversations.
Mia has a love for Nathaniel Hawthorne and his novel The Scarlet Letter. She feels it was written just for her. The story takes a break from these women and transitions into a historical narrative of Nathan Hawthorne’s life. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of Hawthorne’s side of the story. It made me want to read The Scarlet Letter, for sure.
However, the two timelines then merge and that was the part that I am not so sure about. I was very intrigued and wanted to keep reading, but I also couldn’t help but feeling like it was a little weird.
I will say that the story did not end the way I thought it would. this was neither a good nor a bad thing. Overall I do recommend this book. It didn’t have the fall witchy vibes I was anticipating, but it did have a level of magical realism that made it a fun fall read.