I love historical fiction, especially ones that shift between a past and present timeline. So for this book, Nicola Cornick really met my expectations. It was mysterious, thrilling and a small aspect of romance that I always need. I've seen a few other reviews say this, and I would really like to see this as a movie! The dialogue and concepts just seemed to lend itself well for that media!

A nice surprise. I did not go into this with high expectations but this was such an engaging story. Several timelines across various centuries; evocative and intriguing — especially the Winter Queen storyline.

Thank you to Graydon House and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. This is historical fiction at it's best. It contained everything I like in a good story-mystery, history, romance and a little bit of the supernatural. Highly recommend!

If you like historical fiction, this is a great read for you. The historical always are well researched, which makes sense as the author is known for her historical fiction. The premise of three different timelines was interesting and way to follow, which isn't always the case in books that contain this plot device, but I didn't really connect with the characters. I like to care really deeply about the characters I'm reading about and, in a corny sounding way, spending time with, but they failed to engage me this time b that being said, historical fiction isn't really my cup of tea. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

A suspenseful and compelling historical romance novel!

"House of Shadows" was a pleasant read. The story shifts between the past and the present, with the a decent amount being set in the present time.

The story and characters are relatable and compelling enough to keep your attention till the end. The author paints a wonderful picture of the world and does not leave readers confused or struggling to imagine the scenery.

As with most books that alternate between different timelines, it becomes a bit difficult at times to fully master the setting and plot. Cornick does a good job at this for the bulk of the book but at times it felt lacking a little bit.

A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

I tried my best to get into this story, but it wasn't for me. I can totally see it will work brilliantly for historical mystery lovers. Thank you for the opportunity to be a reader & reviewer.

I typically love Nicola Cornick books, but had a hard time with this one. I found it very difficult to enter the book and stay there.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book via Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

Ghostly visions of the past. A dangerous magical mirror and pearl. Family secrets coming to light like monsters in a bedroom. *Sings These are a few of my favorite things. To read about.

Nicola Cornick’s House of Shadows was a delightfully eerie surprise when I discovered it nestled deep in my Kindle history the other day. Told from different perspectives—historical and present-day—and containing the gothic and romantic elements that I adore in Susanna Kearsley & Kate Morton’s books, House of Shadows had me enraptured from the word go to the final, satisfying lines.

I’ll try to keep the plot’s description simple though Cornick grandly pulls off a big story. Part of the book surrounds Queen Elizabeth Stuart, a 17th-century monarch who’s been sent off to royal exile and dreams of a better world, one she and her husband hope to create through the use of a magical mirror and pearl. And then we have Holly Ansell in the present-day, whose brother Ben is missing, and who runs into other mysteries as she looks for him: like the aforementioned mirror and pearl, the diary of a courtesan she discovers on her search (that’s the novel’s third perspective), and the ghostly visions she keeps seeing as she lives and works in the village her brother was last in.

House of Shadows reads like a detective novel of sorts, with Holly on the search for her brother, feeling like every clue she solves in this larger mirror & pearl historical mystery is taking her closer to finding him. Cornick’s historical descriptions are lush and lovely and her depictions of complicated women interesting and astute. I love how she captures different personalities in this book and how she not only makes aha connections between the characters but also links them to moments in time. These women feel the weight of their personal (and sometimes global) histories, and that’s part of what makes them so compelling to watch—and root for.

Like Morton’s books, Cornick’s features a “historical” romance and a “contemporary” one. I had some slight issues with the pacing of the contemporary one but then it turned suspenseful in the way that I adore.

House of Shadows is a scrumptious treat, and one I heartily recommend as we run headlong into fall. Give me all the ghost stories (with romance and magic and mayhem!).

4.5 out of 5 stars

The author does a really nice job of linking the stories from three different time periods together to make one entertaining story! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

House Of Shadows by Nicola Cornick is a fascinating and compulsive contemporary and historical read. Fact and fiction combine under the author’s skilful imagination.
The novel is mainly set in present day but travels back to the late seventeenth century and the early nineteenth century. It is an epic tale of myths, love, curses and ancient artefacts which wield their power. The reader is enthralled as we try to predict the action.
There are missing persons to be found in the past and present – men who disappeared leaving no trace.
A great love travels down the ages. It is a love that refuses to die but is continually reborn.
When we love, we may put people on a pedestal that they do not always deserve but we are blinded by love.
There is the theme of loss. Loss in the past has created strong sibling bonds. The desire to protect is fierce.
There is also the theme of PTSD. Sights or sounds may transport people back to where they do not want to be.
House Of Shadows was a brilliant read. It consumed my every waking moment – I was either reading the book or thinking about the characters and the action. I really love Nicola Cornick’s work.

*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.*

WHAT I LIKED:
- The romance between the main character (Holly) and Mark was well-written
- The historical elements were interesting
- The overall plot was unique
- Some hints of magical realism

WHAT I DIDN’T:
- Some plot holes or editing mistakes (example: Holly comments that she isn’t sure how an architect like Mark could have such a rockin’ bod, but she’s already been told that he is ex-military and does endurance races)
- The past/present narratives didn’t always line up
- The main plot point of Holly’s brother going missing doesn’t actually seem to be very necessary in the end
- Overall predictable and slightly boring

In the end, I wouldn’t recommend this to my friends. It could use a few more edits by a professional to be tightened up, but the idea is unique. It’s a great start but feels unfinished.

I have to confess that I chose to read this because of the beautiful cover and title. The story line alternated between characters in two different time periods. It was interesting, but something was missing. I didn't grow to love any of the main characters. I did read to the very end though, thinking that the end would make it worthwhile. It was ok; 2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3. Thank you, Netgalley, for my honest review in exchange for an electronic copy of House of Shadows.

The beginning threw me, it jumped around some and did not follow what I thought the story was going to be from the summary. But the story drew me in and captured my attention.

"The wooded hills of Oxfordshire conceal the remains of the aptly named Ashdown House—a wasted pile of cinders and regret. Once home to the daughter of a king, Ashdown and its secrets will unite three women across four centuries in a tangle of intrigue, deceit and destiny...

In the winter of 1662, Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, is on her deathbed. She entrusts an ancient pearl, rumored to have magic power, to her faithful cavalier William Craven for safekeeping. In his grief, William orders the construction of Ashdown Estate in her memory and places the pearl at its center.

One hundred and fifty years later, notorious courtesan Lavinia Flyte hears the maids at Ashdown House whisper of a hidden treasure, and bears witness as her protector Lord Evershot—desperate to find it—burns the building to the ground.

Now, a battered mirror and the diary of a Regency courtesan are the only clues Holly Ansell has to finding her brother, who has gone missing researching the mystery of Elizabeth Stuart and her alleged affair with Lord Craven. As she retraces his footsteps, Holly's quest will soon reveal the truth about Lavinia and compel her to confront the stunning revelation about the legacy of the Winter Queen."

Yeah, I love house books. English house books are even better!

This book begins in the 1600s at the death bed of Elizabeth Stewart, the Winter Queen. The story immediately fascinated me. Within the next several pages the story flashed back to the present day, with the main character, Holly, being awakened by her cell phone. Her niece was on the phone telling her that her brother was missing. She left her loveless relationship behind and went to Oxfordshire to find her brother Ben. She stays at the family’s ancestral home and an interesting cast of characters become part of her circle, including a slightly brooding character named Mark.

The story moves back and forth between the story of Elizabeth Stewart and William Craven in the 1600s and Holly, Mark, and her friends in the village in present day. Eventually, yet another historical story makes its entrance when Holly finds an old diary in the house, and the story of Lavinia Flyte becomes another part of the historical side of a super intricately woven story. To say much more would likely ruin the plot for other readers.

This story was fascinating with its intricate detailing, without being boring, as some historicals can sometimes be. The historical end of the story with Elizabeth is from a third person perspective, where you can see what everyone is thinking and saying. Since Lavinia’s diary is the source of her story, everything is told in first person point of view, with mesmerizing detail. And finally, the story from Holly’s perspective is third person limited point of view, where we see all, but know more about what Holly thinks and feels than the other characters.

The location in Oxfordshire is very atmospheric, driving home the feel of an old European town. This may have been one of the best settings I’ve enjoyed in a long time. Also, the moves back and forth through time where done seamlessly. My favorite parts, however, were the part that featured Holly and the present day.

This author is clearly very skilled. She was able to integrate three separate story lines that converge in this incredible story. Yes, there is a little bit of romance, but this is not a romance novel. Rather, it’s a fascinating story about people. I enjoyed this story so much that the characters became very really to me, especially Holly and Mark, and I didn’t want the story to end, so I put off reading the last couple chapters because I knew that a story, and characters I had grown to love, would come to an end.

I am sorry that I couldn't complete the book on time and it got expired. I am giving 1 star because of the book description. I liked the synopsis and that is why I asked for the book.

Wow, what a book! I LOVED this!
There are three narrative strands set at different times in history which intertwine through the book. The main character is in the present day: Holly is a glass engraver whose brother Ben disappears and she hunts for clues about the treasure he was seeking. In the aftermath of his disappearance, she reevaluates her life and relationships and moves to Ashdown to wait for her brother's return.
What was he searching for? A huge pearl and diamond mirror said to have mystical powers, owned by Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia and daughter of James I. The plot set in the 1600s revolves around the relationship between Elizabeth and William Craven, the man who built Ashdown.
Ben also found a journal by a courtesan Lavinia from 1801. Out of necessity she is the lover of Lord Evershot but then falls in love with surveyor Robert Verity. Both men are searching Ashdown House for the treasures but their story ends in flames as the house is burned to the ground. I won't spoil the outcome for Lavinia...
Back in the present day, Holly is haunted by the mirror which ends up in her possession. She sees the house in its former glory and has visions of past events. She needs to find the pearl so she can end the power of the two objects once and for all, just as Elizabeth of Bohemia had intended 350 years earlier.
The characters are all believable and as a huge history fan I adored the way that the plot unravelled in each time period. I love the way that fact and fiction have been combined and it really got me interested in the places, events and people described in the book. Nicola Cornick has brought them all to life and the result is simply excellent.
I would score this book 10/10 and would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in history or if you just like mysteries or romance: there's something for everyone!

I am SO Much a fan of dual timeline books, and this one did not disappoint. (In fact, this one had a third timeline running through the latter part of it, so *ding-ding* winner!)

Of course, like many multiple timeline stories, one timeline might be stronger than the other(s) and for me this held true -- I found the story of Elizabeth, the Winter Queen to be the one I was ready to come back to, even though the present day tale was intriguing.

I'm definitely a fan of Nicola Cornick and this story was sweeping and sucked me in. It was the perfect beach read for my Spring break trip and I thoroughly regret not getting to this gem sooner.

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A spellbinding tale of love through centuries

Thank you for the chance to review this book, however, unfortunately, I was unable to read and review this title before it was archived.