Paranormal Elements

Use this forum to discuss the June 2018 Book of the Month"The Girl Who Knew da Vinci" by Belle Ami
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Paranormal Elements

Post by bookowlie »

Did you enjoy the paranormal elements of the story? Would the plot have worked as well without the supernatural tie-ins between the three time periods? I don't usually like this genre, but the author did a good job of using it to advance the plot. I think the story would have had a more serious, realistic tone without the paranormal aspects.
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Post by Sushan Ekanayake »

The main theme of past life regression is not a real thing; atleast not yet. So adding some drama to the story by using extra paranormal elements is not a wrong thing, in my view
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Post by ReyvrexQuestor Reyes »

The regression part of the story is not a bad idea at all. For one thing, if the sleuthing magic fails, there is a back-up in the paranormal aspect. It adds something more to the mystery.
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Post by Ashiyya Tariq »

I agree, paranormal element has taken the plot beyond reality. I think the plot could move forward even without this paranormal element.
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Post by bookowlie »

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes wrote: 01 Jun 2018, 11:23 The regression part of the story is not a bad idea at all. For one thing, if the sleuthing magic fails, there is a back-up in the paranormal aspect. It adds something more to the mystery.
Good point Rey, especially since there weren't many clues otherwise.
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Post by Cristina Chifane »

I don't know what would have happened with this book if the paranormal elements had not been right there to keep it together. Although Angela's blackouts seem ridiculous at times, they make the time switches possible and provide clues to find the missing painting. I also have the feeling Belle Ami plans to exploit them further in the next books of the series.
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Post by Manang Muyang »

The mystery wouldn't be solved without the paranormal stuff. In this story, the ghosts even come alive and participate in the present-day action.

I just found too much coincidence, especially when Casa del Sole turns out to have been owned by Sophia's family. Too convenient.

The scene between Angela and the old woman is also unrealistic. In my opinion, the "sin" was too petty to have caused such an impact on the mother-daughter relationship.
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Post by Kendra M Parker »

I'm enjoying the paranormal events, but I read stuff in the fantasy realm all the time. I'm used to suspending disbelief as I read.

I'm sure the paranormal events could have been left out, but then it would have felt far more like a Da Vinci Code knockoff.
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Post by bookowlie »

Miriam Molina wrote: 05 Jun 2018, 18:05 The mystery wouldn't be solved without the paranormal stuff. In this story, the ghosts even come alive and participate in the present-day action.

I just found too much coincidence, especially when Casa del Sole turns out to have been owned by Sophia's family. Too convenient.

The scene between Angela and the old woman is also unrealistic. In my opinion, the "sin" was too petty to have caused such an impact on the mother-daughter relationship.
You're right that the Casa del Sol connection was too contrived. I agree the mystery wouldn't have been solved without the ghosts. I just would have liked the story to be lighter on the paranormal elements and heavier on traditional ways of solving a mystery.
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Post by starshipsaga »

I am an avid reader of fantasy, so my response may be a bit biased, but I don't have a problem with the paranormal elements at all. Personally, I think it adds a bit of wonder :)
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Post by Jgideon »

I do not think that the book would have been as interesting as it is without the paranormal aspect of the story. I agree with Cristinaro although Angela's visions seem absurd at times "they make the time switches possible and provide clues to find the missing painting."
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Post by JR Mercier »

I love anything paranormal so I say go ahead and it gives the story that little magic touch that makes a story great, in my opinion.
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Post by revna01 »

I liked the paranormal inclusions. The story would have taken on a completely different identity without it. They provided a unique angle and gave the author a chance to color outside the lines
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Post by Jillpillbooknerd »

I've really been enjoying the supernatural elements. I very much like that kind of thing in books though so maybe I'm biased!
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Post by Kristy Khem »

I love paranormal elements in a book. It seems that this book was written with a blend of reality and supernatural elements and I think this is what would make it more interesting. Also, by adding in paranormal elements, it increases the audience for the book and in this way, it attracts a wider range of readers including paranormal lovers, art fans, fantasy fans and so on.
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