Dark Tides

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Louise Brealey

Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

Number One bestselling author Philippa Gregory's new historical novel tracks the rise of the Tidelands family in London, Venice and New England. 

Midsummer Eve 1670. Two unexpected visitors arrive at a shabby warehouse on the south side of the River Thames. The first is a wealthy man hoping to find the lover he deserted twenty-one years before. James Avery has everything to offer, including the favour of the newly restored King Charles II, and he believes that the warehouse's poor owner Alinor has the one thing his money cannot buy – his son and heir.

The second visitor is a beautiful widow from Venice in deepest mourning. She claims Alinor as her mother-in-law and has come to tell Alinor that her son Rob has drowned in the dark tides of the Venice lagoon.

Alinor writes to her brother Ned, newly arrived in faraway New England and trying to make a life between the worlds of the English newcomers and the American Indians as they move toward inevitable war. Alinor tells him that she knows – without doubt – that her son is alive and the widow is an imposter.

Set in the poverty and glamour of Restoration London, in the golden streets of Venice, and on the tensely contested frontier of early America, this is a novel of greed and desire: for love, for wealth, for a child, and for home.

©2020 Philippa Gregory (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Thrilling and excellent story

Loved the book so exciting couldn’t stop listening and can’t wait for the third book to come out.

I loved this book!!!

Everything Philippa is my favorite. This one I could not switch off ❤️. Tidelands was lovely. Dark Tides, so addictive.

Boring

I tried hard to listen to this book but I just couldn't. Long drawn out boring.

Not recommended

So boring
60 chapters too long ,drawn out and corny
Bad narration
And therefor not recommended.

History good, very poor narration

The overall story was okay but it would’ve been good to have a bit of a reminder of what went on in the previous novel. The historical side of it was very interesting particularly about Venice. But the narration completely let it all down. It sounded as though a child was delivering the story in a very flat monotone quite the worst I’ve ever heard, because it could’ve been made so much more interesting.

Awful narration ...I couldn't get to chapter 2

The narrater, god, love her, just sounded too young and bored. Like you were reading in a classroom.

Book Two Disappointing

I enjoyed 'Tidelands'. It felt fresh and I wanted to know what happened to the characters.

This follow-up I simply couldn't finish. I gave it my best shot, but came out well before the end.

The writing just felt more and more tired ; the frequent, sometimes repetitive descriptive passages irritating and the direction it was going, less and less believable.

Not as engrossing as tu book 1.

Having really enjoyed the first book I was looking forward to the second, Dark Tides. However, although this is a pleasing tale portraytheing interesting scenarios of how life was lived at the time I found it to be implausible and light weight. The good thing is that I no longer wonder about the fate of Alinor and her family, which is satisfying.

Such a disappointment!

I had eagerly awaited this book after enjoying Tidelands so much. After the unsatisfying ending of Tidelands I was really hoping this would continue the same story.
Immediately I was disappointed as Alinor is portrayed as old and infirm - a shadow of her former self. She barely features at all in Dark Tides and i wanted to shake her awake! Alys is irritating and the chapters involving Ned are a pointless and irritating distraction. Sort of hoping for a third book to fix it all....! I have never enjoyed a Philippa Gregory book so little before :(

Great story

I was so excited when this came out as I had previously enjoyed tide lands and this didn’t disappoint! Highly recommend

Interesting historical fiction

I loved the first book in this series but felt this book jumped around too much between the characters and their respective locations. And the main character Eleanor, who was a great character, hardly featured in the sequel, which was a great pity.
I hope there is a follow up book because the ending was left open for another book for sure.

Absolutely Brilliant

A fabulous follow up to Tidelands. This book continued to surprise me. I would definitely recommend this series and hope for other similar titles.

Up to the usual standard

I really enjoyed the irritating suspense of being the reader who knows all along and wonders when the penny will drop or how the veil will fall

Dark Tides

I have so enjoyed this clever book and like the way the story moves from country to country and time to time. Covering interesting history while telling a gripping story. I hope there is a third book - there is more to tell.