Review of Etch of a Promise
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Precious Anavheoba
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Review of Etch of a Promise
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Etch of a Promise" by Ruby M Holder.]
Historical fiction possesses an exceptional ability to endear and entertain, particularly when the author skillfully weaves out a good plot from it. Ruby M Holder has accomplished precisely that in the first installment of her interesting novel, Etch of a Promise. This beautiful story encompasses themes of love, abuse, friendship, romance, and the pursuit of fulfillment in life. Nicklaus, a journeyman from Luxembourg, has been travelling for nearly two years when he steps into Cologne to find a master with whom he could work. Prior to his arrival, Nicklaus had travelled to France to acquire a novel invention known as a velocipede. Despite being perceived as peculiar, Nicklaus radiates an overwhelming sense of happiness and pride in this achievement.
Aspiring to follow in his father's footsteps as a master carpenter, Nicklaus' journey serves as the foundation for such a prosperous career. However, he crosses paths with Maria, an emotionally wounded and sad young lady burdened by unfortunate experiences from her past. He falls in love, but he is not ready yet, or is he? How will he navigate their relationship amidst the numerous obstacles they encounter? Will he succeed in realising his dream of becoming a master carpenter? Discover what becomes of their beautiful love story within the pages of this book.
Holder beautifully narrates the love story of her great-grandparents, infusing it with carefully crafted fictional elements. Set in the 1800s in Cologne, Germany, the book shows how life might have been for ordinary folks at the time. The narrative gains momentum swiftly as the soon-to-be lovers meet a second time in the bustling city. Their conversations were realistic and easy to follow. I loved how the narrative was divided into sections under each main character's name (Maria or Nicklaus). I was particularly impressed by Erik's maturity and professionalism in his dealings with Nicklaus. Unlike the typical toxic and envious boss, Erik serves as a shining example of support and encouragement for individuals in similar positions.
The incorporation of German phrases, words, interjections, and sentences at various points throughout the narrative was commendable. The author expertly integrated them into the characters' dialogues, ensuring a seamless flow. I never found myself struggling to comprehend the meaning of a phrase or word, as their meaning naturally unfolded through the characters' subsequent actions, speech, or the provision of English equivalents. This aspect was truly noteworthy! Additionally, I appreciate the author's inclusion of a draft for the second book at the conclusion of this installment, as it alleviated concerns about Maria's unresolved parental issues.
Personally, however, I didn't completely appreciate how the couple's wedding seemed to be rushed at some point. It was almost as if they were desperate to be married and just went ahead without really wanting everything to be properly checked. There was also little character development for Klaus, who assaulted Maria at the festival (Volksfest). The reader gets no insight into the underlying factor behind his crude behaviour toward everyone. After the assault at the festival, neither Maria nor Nicklaus are able to report him to the police or any law enforcement agent. The only punishment he got was a beating from some men who saved Maria from the assault. Although a few grammatical errors and font size inconsistencies were present in the book, they did not significantly diminish the story's overall beauty as a relevant love story.
Despite finding the book interesting, I believe it deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars due to the concerns I've mentioned and the fact that it didn't keep me anxiously perched on the edge of my seat. I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, romance, or anyone seeking an enjoyable and relaxing story.
******
Etch of a Promise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Historical fiction possesses an exceptional ability to endear and entertain, particularly when the author skillfully weaves out a good plot from it. Ruby M Holder has accomplished precisely that in the first installment of her interesting novel, Etch of a Promise. This beautiful story encompasses themes of love, abuse, friendship, romance, and the pursuit of fulfillment in life. Nicklaus, a journeyman from Luxembourg, has been travelling for nearly two years when he steps into Cologne to find a master with whom he could work. Prior to his arrival, Nicklaus had travelled to France to acquire a novel invention known as a velocipede. Despite being perceived as peculiar, Nicklaus radiates an overwhelming sense of happiness and pride in this achievement.
Aspiring to follow in his father's footsteps as a master carpenter, Nicklaus' journey serves as the foundation for such a prosperous career. However, he crosses paths with Maria, an emotionally wounded and sad young lady burdened by unfortunate experiences from her past. He falls in love, but he is not ready yet, or is he? How will he navigate their relationship amidst the numerous obstacles they encounter? Will he succeed in realising his dream of becoming a master carpenter? Discover what becomes of their beautiful love story within the pages of this book.
Holder beautifully narrates the love story of her great-grandparents, infusing it with carefully crafted fictional elements. Set in the 1800s in Cologne, Germany, the book shows how life might have been for ordinary folks at the time. The narrative gains momentum swiftly as the soon-to-be lovers meet a second time in the bustling city. Their conversations were realistic and easy to follow. I loved how the narrative was divided into sections under each main character's name (Maria or Nicklaus). I was particularly impressed by Erik's maturity and professionalism in his dealings with Nicklaus. Unlike the typical toxic and envious boss, Erik serves as a shining example of support and encouragement for individuals in similar positions.
The incorporation of German phrases, words, interjections, and sentences at various points throughout the narrative was commendable. The author expertly integrated them into the characters' dialogues, ensuring a seamless flow. I never found myself struggling to comprehend the meaning of a phrase or word, as their meaning naturally unfolded through the characters' subsequent actions, speech, or the provision of English equivalents. This aspect was truly noteworthy! Additionally, I appreciate the author's inclusion of a draft for the second book at the conclusion of this installment, as it alleviated concerns about Maria's unresolved parental issues.
Personally, however, I didn't completely appreciate how the couple's wedding seemed to be rushed at some point. It was almost as if they were desperate to be married and just went ahead without really wanting everything to be properly checked. There was also little character development for Klaus, who assaulted Maria at the festival (Volksfest). The reader gets no insight into the underlying factor behind his crude behaviour toward everyone. After the assault at the festival, neither Maria nor Nicklaus are able to report him to the police or any law enforcement agent. The only punishment he got was a beating from some men who saved Maria from the assault. Although a few grammatical errors and font size inconsistencies were present in the book, they did not significantly diminish the story's overall beauty as a relevant love story.
Despite finding the book interesting, I believe it deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars due to the concerns I've mentioned and the fact that it didn't keep me anxiously perched on the edge of my seat. I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, romance, or anyone seeking an enjoyable and relaxing story.
******
Etch of a Promise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: How I became a mother of seven by Calanda J. Owens
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Ram Uday Mahajan
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Thank you for your insightful review of "Etch of a Promise"! I appreciate how the author skillfully weaved historical fiction elements into a captivating plot, exploring themes of love, abuse, and fulfillment. The incorporation of German phrases and the inclusion of a draft for the second book were notable highlights. While there were some rushed moments and a lack of character development for Klaus, the overall beauty of the love story shone through.
Latest Review: The Legacy of Job's Wife by Cynthia Koelker
