Carole's Monday Review: The Bittersweet tapestry

Author:  Kevin O'Connell

Title: Bittersweet Tapestry (The Derrynane Saga, Book Three)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 380

Publication Date: November 1, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Unhappily returned to Derrynane, within a year, under the auspices of their uncle, a general in the armies of Maria Theresa, Eileen and her sister, Abigail departed for Vienna and a life neither could have ever imagined – one at the dizzying heights of the Hapsburg empire and court, where Abigail ultimately became principal lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself, whilst Eileen, for nine momentous years, served as governess to the Empress’s youngest daughter – during which time Maria Antonia, whom Eileen still calls ‘my wee little archduchess’, has become Marie Antoinette, dauphine of France, though she continues to refer to her beloved governess as “Mama”.

As Bittersweet Tapestry opens, it is the High Summer of 1770. Having escorted the future Queen of France from Vienna to her new life, Eileen and her husband, Captain Arthur O’Leary of the Hungarian Hussars, along with their little boy and Eileen’s treasured friend (and former servant) Anna Pfeffer are establishing themselves in Ireland.

Their ties to Catholic Europe remain close and strong; in addition to Abigail and her O’Sullivan family and General O’Connell, his wife and young daughter in Vienna, their brother Daniel is an officer in the Irish Brigade of the armies of Louis XV, whilst their youngest brother, Hugh, is studying at École Militaire in Paris, his path to a commission in the Dillons’ Regiment of the Brigade. His gentle Austrian friendship with Maria Antonia having inevitably waned, Hugh’s relationship with the strikingly-beautiful young widowed Princess Marie Thérèse Louise of Savoy is blossoming.

Though happily ensconced at Rathleigh House, the O’Leary family estate in County Cork, being prominent amongst those families which are the remnants of the old Gaelic order in the area, Eileen and Art find that the dark cloud of the Protestant Ascendancy hovers heavily, at times threateningly, over them

Been itching for more when book 2 ended! I was so excited when this was ready to be read. 

The story continues with Eileen and her friends/family. After escorting Maria Antonia to the Versailles, they have withdrawn back home to Ireland. However, not all is happily ever after for them or for the archduchess. There is a dark cloud on the horizon. 

I feel so bad for everyone. I just want them to have a HEA and live peacefully, but that is never the case. There is always something so it  made this story more realistic. Sad things happen and we all know the story of Marie Antoinette especially at the beginning of her unhappy marriage. I still wanted it to be different for her! I just want her to be loved! SIGHS. And I want Art and Eileen to be all happy and live their lives in peace in Ireland. But alas....not meant to be. 

The beginning was a little slow, but it worked and I liked it. It does allow for those who didn't read book 1 of 2 to be able to know what is going on. However, I do encourage reading books 1 and 2 to fully fall for the characters and get attached.

The writing is just as lovely as the others. The author really knows how to bring the story and characters to life in a beautiful way. 

OOoooOOOOO the feels in this one especially after a certain event. My poor heart! It did get a tear from me. Ugh. Won't say what, but it got me right in my heart there. 

Grrrr that baddie!!! *shakes fist* 

I want to be like Eileen when I grow up! And I loveeeee Art too!

The ending has me wanting more even though I am worried for our characters especially as time trickles on and we know Marie Antoinette and her family will have their own doom cloud heading towards them. Sobs!

In the end, this was addictive! I couldn't put it down just like the others. I think this was my favorite so far even though I was so upset at that one scene. Sob! I highly recommend this series for historical fiction lovers. 5 stars. :) 

Carole's Sunday Review: Beyond Derrynane

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Author: Kevin O'Connell

Title: Beyond Derrynane (The Derrynane Saga, #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 348

First Published: June 7th 2016

Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Wed in an arranged marriage to a man nearly fifty years her senior, sixteen-year-old Eileen O'Connell goes from being one of five unmarried sisters to become the mistress of Ballyhar, the great estate of John O'Connor, one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Ireland.

When O'Connor dies suddenly seven months into their marriage, Eileen must decide whether she will fulfill her brother's strategic goals for her family by marrying her late husband's son.

Headstrong and outspoken, Eileen frustrates her brother's wishes, as, through the auspices of her uncle, General Moritz O'Connell of the Imperial Austrian Army, she, along with her ebullient elder sister, Abigail, spend the ensuing richly-dramatic and eventful years at the court of the Empress Maria Theresa in Vienna. The sisters learn to navigate the complex and frequently contradictory ways of the court--making a place for themselves in a world far different from remote Derrynane. Together with the general, they experience a complex life at the pinnacle of the Habsburg Empire.

Poor Eileen. She had such a hard time of it. She is first forced to marry a guy who is way older than she is. Sure, he is nice, but he takes forever to really warm up to her and even remotely like her and then he dies. She is sent back to her family and her brother is already lining up husbands for her. C'mon give the girl some mourning time! Through some events she ends up taking her sister Abigail to Austria with her uncle. 

This was an interesting read. Eileen was an interesting character and I am curious to follow her story further. Abigail was entertaining; I think I liked Abigail more than I liked Eileen honestly...maybe it was because I see a little of myself in her. Eileen's late husband was nice, but he was old and didn't last long so I didn't really grow too fond of him. Everyone was meh. Eileen's brother was a jerk. He needed a swift kick in the shins. 

The beginning was super sloooooooooooow. I didn't truly get hooked to the story until about halfway or so when Eileen arrived in Austria to serve in the court of Empress Maria Theresa. There was a lot of character building and world-building in the first half. Maybe a little too much, but I think it was needed.  

Now, when the ending came, I was upset, I wanted it to keep going. I really want to see what is next for Eileen and her sister. Well, I know my history and I know what is going to happen, but I want to see how Eileen handles everything.

I am really glad the author made sure to announce the month, year, and location. There was a little bit of jumping around and I would've been so confused without those indications. 

This was an excellent opening book to the saga. It wasn't amazing, but it was good. I really feel like this was a set-up for some real good drama in the upcoming books. I can't wait!!

In the end, this was pretty good. The beginning was super slow, but once you got past the character and world build-up, it got way better. The characters were interesting and the story was addicting. Poor Eileen! I am curious to see what is in store for her in the next part of the saga. I for sure recommend this if you like historical fiction. Out of five stars, I'll give this 3.