Cover Image: A Skinful of Shadows

A Skinful of Shadows

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Member Reviews

I am unable to offer a review as I lost this title when I updated my kindle.

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Such an interesting concept. Totally something I'd recommend to my students.

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A Skinful of Shadows was, in short, magical and mesmerizing. This was my first Frances Hardinge book and it absolutely will not be my last. I have been completely taken by her imagination and vivid characters. This is the sort of book that is just as beautiful, if not more so, on the inside as the cover (and just LOOK at that cover!).

We are given an intriguing balancing act of well-researched historical detail surrounding the English civil war and a whimsical, sometimes dark, ghost story. It was such an earthy, autumnal read and getting to experience this book while the leaves were falling outside my window was so incredibly cozy and nostalgic.

The writing is minimalistic enough that it can be easily digested by any level of reader from middle grade and up - and yet it is masterfully crafted and full of beauty that will also appeal to adults who have an appreciation for imaginative stories.

The story is driven by lively characters who will draw you right in with promises of friendship, precarious loyalty, and plenty of secrets and intrigue. Makepeace (which isn't really her name, though we never get to learn what her true name is) displays a surprising strength and resourcefulness. She may be a small girl with little worldly influence but her wit and patience enable her to accomplish incredible things in an age where girls are considered mostly worthless. The quirky cast of side characters are humorous, not always reliable, and are introduced in such a unique way that I can't say too much about. 

I'm not going to give too much more away because much of my enjoyment was in discovering it for myself and getting carried away by the whimsical details. If you like ghost stories, plucky female protagonists, and an atmospheric historical setting, pick this book up.

Like a call to wild and beautiful adventure, this book spoke to some deep part of me that dreams of experiencing life with limitless freedom and earthly boundaries. I resonated so strongly with Makepeace every step of the way and she won't be a character I quickly forget.

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I got a 5 chapter sampler of this book from NetGalley, so my review is based off the sampler! I will update my review if/when I read the full novel!

I have never read a book by Hardinge before, but this sampler clearly showed that she has a way with words! I really liked her writing style and how descriptive she was. The author weaved in some interesting plot points and information within the first 5 chapters of the book that makes me VERY intrigued to see how the rest of the book is going to develop.

With an intriguing plot and already likable characters, I can tell this book is going to be a winner! I cannot wait to finish the entire book!

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook sampler was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

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A scary but entertaining read. Makepeace is a unique character with a horrible talent for sensing ghosts. Perfect for Halloween. Entertaining beginning.

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I received a 5 chapter sample through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Had I known it was just a sample I probably wouldn't have requested it. I find it difficult to rate and review a book from a sample.

This started out rough for me, I didn't like the style or the setting description, I felt like I wanted more information on the surroundings. The blurb made a point of it being during the English Civil War, but I don't recall much historical information being provided on it.

Of everything in the sample, I did like the possession by the bear and how it seemed to be a separate entity that she could communicate with. I felt like the story was just starting to get to a place I wanted to keep going and then the sample ended.

While I became more interested towards the end of the sample, I probably won't seek it out to finish it at this time.

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I want to thank NetGalley for this ARC five chapter sneak peak of this intriguing novel!

It follows the story of Makepeace who grew up with fearing the shadows and the ghosts who inhabit them. In her mother's attempts to lessen the fear, she would leave this child in graveyards to fend for her mental, spiritual, and emotional pieces of her life. It's disheartening to say the least, but it sets the groundwork for how Makepeace reacts to the things that normal individuals cannot see.

The five chapters were enough to hook me and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the story plays out once it's officially released!

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4ish stars.

As always, Frances Hardinge delivers an emotionally resonant, fantastical novel that's immediately accessible across age ranges. Beautiful imagery and prose. Another success for Ms. Hardinge.

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I'm usually not into historical fiction, but this book was so good! The action was nonstop and the mystery was perfect! Dark and enriching characters and plot! Can't wait to read more from this author. I received a free arc for an honest review from net galley.

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I was sent a 5 chapter sampler via Netgalley for review.

After reading the 5 chapters, this book is not for me. While I personally do not like the writing style or the point of view the book is written in, I didn't find the story dark or creepy as other people have stated.

Had I liked the writing style of the author I may have enjoyed the story a little more. While reading the story didn't flow well for me, it felt forced? half-assed? Either way, I wont be continuing on with the story.
I am all for dark, creepy historical fiction stories but this just didn't do it for me. Like I said had I liked the authors writing style i probably would have liked the story

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A Skinful of Shadows is masterly written. The reader is drawn into a world of family secrets, unlikely alliances, questionable loyalties, and intrigue. As I was reading, I was confident I knew where the story was going, but to my surprise, it took the perfect twist or turn I never could have predicted. This book is very creepy and will remain under your skin long after you finish the book. After finishing the book, I set it down and stared at the cover marveling at how A Skinful of Shadows is the perfect title for this book.

I was instantly drawn to this book because the author is Frances Hardinge. She is the author of The Lie Tree, one of my all time favorite books. After I saw the cover for A Skinful of Shadows, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I did. It was next to impossible to put down. I’m afraid my “real” life suffered because I was so caught up in Makepeace’s life.

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A quick read but I was hoping for a little more. Still I'll have to read this again.

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Nope, not my kind of book as all. I was confused most of the time, had no idea what was going on the rest of it.

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Just by reading the sample, I can tell that this will be an interesting and creepy story.

It is set in 17th century England, so there is a historical fiction aspect to the story., Makepeace lives with her mother and goes to a very Puritan church. She has nightmares everyday and her mother thinks that by having Makepeace sleep in a graveyard, she can overcome whatever is trying to get into her mind.

Unfortunately, that doesn't help her and it adds a strain on the relationship with her mother. One day she attempts to run from her mother in the market but instead finds herself in the middle of an angry mob. Both she and her mother are swept away with the mob and her mother dies. This is when things really get weird.

Makepeace begins lashing out randomly and her family has no idea why. She also sees the spirit of a dead bear in the marshes, which leads to ever more anger issues. So her mother's family decides to ship her off to her mysterious father's family.

Once there, she meets her grandfather who apparently has supernatural abilities. Makepeace lashes out again but she figures out why-because she and the bear are connected.

The sampler ended there, but I really wanted more! I can't wait to read the full story.

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This is definitely going to be different than my normal reviews because I’ve never reviewed a sampler before and have thus learned my lesson to read all the way through a description to ensure I know what I’m getting into.

Like the main character I too was irritated with her name, Makepeace, something about it just made me roll my eyes every time I saw it but then I shouldn’t be too judgmental since my last name in Gaelic means Peacemaker – cue irony.

The story is very dark and honestly I had a lot of trouble with it because Makepeace’s mother essentially abuses her greatly by forcing her into a psychologically and potentially physically harmful situation with no decent explanation as to why. Makepeace is obviously being traumatized and as a mother all I could feel was outrage at what was being done so when something occurred to free her from that situation I was quite happy with the circumstances and felt karma had done its job.

What I read was interesting and I would have liked to read more if only to understand what was going on. There were SO MANY questions that I obviously couldn’t answer as I was only reading the foundational part of the story but if my review were solely based on “Is the beginning interesting enough you’d want to read more?” then I would have to say yes. As to whether the book as a whole would turn out to be decent and worthy of a positive remark that I cannot say and will withhold speculation.

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I am thankful for the sample of A Skinful of Shadows, I have heard great things about Hardinge. I have been meaning to read Hardinge's work for some time and thought I would give this a chance. Not sure this title is for me, it was a little too fantast-ical for me, but I can see many YA readers getting into it. I think I got a little burnt out on all the YA fantasy that I've read in the last few years.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a digital ARC of “A Skinful of Shadows” by Frances Hardinge. Frances Hardinge does it again! This novel is fantastic, gripping, emotional, and magical. I know readers of her work will be just as pleased with this story as they were with her other novels. There is a dark and mysterious quality that will interest teens and adults alike.

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Hardinge has done it again in this dark historical fantasy. Makepeace's mother is strict, and insists on preparing Makepeace for some sinister future that neither one of them wants to name. In a moment of rebellion, Makepeace separates herself from her mother forever, and is forced to live with relatives who seem emphatically not to have her best interests in mind. Makepeace will have to use all her skills and all her cunning to extricate herself from danger. Recommended for Hardinge fans and fans of smart, complex, unique fantasy.

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I had a really tough time getting through this book and I ended up not finishing it. I was so put off by the main characters name that it sincerely just three me off for the remainder of the story. I just could not take it seriously.

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