Dark Tides

A Novel (The Fairmile Series, Book 2)

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Louise Brealey

Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

Named a Best Book of the Month by CNN and MSNBC

Named a Most Exciting New Book of Fall by PopSugar 

Number one New York Times best-selling 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 21 years before. James Avery has everything to offer, including the favor 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 impostor. 

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 Levon Publishing, Ltd. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Good Story

I believe I have read every book Philippa Gregory has written, so I consider myself very knowledgeable about her writing, although, certainly not an expert. If you love her stories, you will no doubt enjoy Dark Tides, as I did. That said, I must say I was very generous in giving this one four stars. It was entertaining, and held my interest, but it cannot be compared to Gregory’s earlier work. Since she no longer continues in the vein of her Henry VIII novels, captivating readers in court dramas and intrigue, I haven’t found her talents quite as awe inspiring. The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, etc., transported me to a different world. At times, it was difficult to come back to reality after spending time in the court of the Tutors. More recently, I find her stories are good, just not worthy of five star ratings.
As for the narration, I have never listened to Louise Brealey before, and will say she did nice job with this novel, though no one could ever replace Bianca Amato as Gregory’s go-to narrator. Overall, I am glad I chose this book, but look forward to more Philippa Gregory novels that can take me back to that fantasyland that is the Tudor court.

Execeklent story, but...

The ending felt unfinished. I hope that there is another sequel to this story. The story must continue.

Perfect Sequel

I have never read a Philippa Gregory book that I didn’t enjoy, but the narration of Louise Brealey makes the story on immersive experience. Each character has a unique voice which is simple to distinguish. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, don’t hesitate to pick this up. (Make sure you read the first book, though, or you’ll miss out on the backstory.) The ending of this book sets the stage perfectly for another story to follow! I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Very good story!

It is refreshing to read a Philippe Gregory book that is not about Henry the VIII. I enjoyed the time period and the twists and turns!

Exceptional blend of fiction and fact

As this remarkable novel ends you will feel the sun setting on your back as it does for the character Ned, who is setting out on a journey▪︎▪︎again. And you'll carry with you questions about how we become the people we are, at once bonded to history and its unbreakable hold on our lives and yet independent of it. That is, for those who have courage.

Deception and Intrigue

Absolutely loved this book. Set in 1670, two stories-- one in London, one in Hadley New England--one tells the story of a duplicitous villainess and the other a man torn by his values. The characters are well developed but it's the plot of deception and intrigue set against family tragedies that drives the story. The Hadley story is interesting and thought provoking but separate from the main intrigue that fills the London story. The ending has an unexpected twist that is unsettling although in its own way satisfying. Another masterful tale by Phillipa Gregory.

Not Phillips Gregory’s Best

The characters are not well developed and the relationships are not clear. I did not understand the purpose of the second plot line of the brother in the colonies. Overall it’s a good book for a long drive or airplane flight; no serious concentration necessary!

Entertaining

As always, Philippa Gregory entertains with drama, plots and twists, betrayal, revenge, and love all in one story. Louise Brealey did a fantastic job at narrating. I hope to hear more from both the author and narrator.

Meh

I have enjoyed many of Phillipa Gregory’s books in the past but this series just couldn’t engage me. The story line is ludicrous, Livia’s victims are annoyingly gullible and the “voice” of Livia painfully annoying. I felt no real connection to any of the characters. It was hard to finish and the ending underwhelming.

Amazing Book

I’m a big fan of the author and liked the first book, but the second book was great! You loved the characters, you didn’t like others, I felt you could truly sense what they were thinking!

Patiently waiting for book three