I’m sorry. I’m sorry. *Shame faced*.  My great big blogging plans completely slipped my mind. But I assure you, I am back (and with a little schedule in mind). So, basically, as I love book series (especially YA ones), I am going to be starting a ‘series saturday’ set of articles *CHEERS AND APPLAUSE* as well as having other little reviews mid-week now that I have nearly finished my exams (one more left… gaaahh). I hope to dedicate more time to this little blog o’ mine. Starting with: a book review!

This book, with a gorgeous cover may I add (although you should never judge a book by its cover, mind), is a beautiful story of relationships intertwined with mystery and the struggles of tragedy, the ‘curse’ of leprosy in the book’s case.

Hislop manages to, in my opinion, flip between the present, Alexis’ journey to find out more about her mother’s past, and the past, the terrible tragedies of the island of Spinalonga, very smoothly, although I do feel that the ending was rushed a little and could have been stretched out descriptively a lot more.

The descriptions of the island, the people, and the ways in which they interacted really enhanced the emotional aspect of the book, and I felt really engrossed in the book’s storyline, especially Eleni’s stoic bravery, which really touched me. As well as this, I learned a lot about leprosy, a disease I wasn’t at all familiar with and thus felt as though I was moving through the story along with Alexis, who knew nothing about it as well.

All in all, I give this book 8/10. Although very well written and a very good story, it could have gone in depth a little more. I hope you read it, and if you do or already have, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Hasta pronto,