Reviews for The Silent Governess

The average rating for The Silent Governess based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-10-03 00:00:00 Neil Charles I noted while I was reading that this book was like vanilla pudding with vanilla sprinkles on a very vanilla day. Upon finishing, I still hold to that statement. The plot was bland, the conflict was bland, the romance was bland (not because of the lack of, um, physical carnality but because there was not even a fizzle'much less a spark' between the two characters), and the characters were bland. There was a great deal of potential in the plot, such as: a governess who stumbles upon a secret is forced to remain as a mute in the secret-holder's household. This is an even better setup for intrigue and sizzle than the setup in Jane Eyre! But, believe you me, this book ain't no Jane Eyre. I'm surprised I got through this book, especially considering one of the most glaring flaws was characterization. Not only is Olivia, our heroine, supremely gifted with math (to the point where she, after an hour's perusal, finds that one niggling flaw in account books that various authorities couldn't find after poring over the same books for hours upon hours), but she's also pretty, nice, and extremely likable. She's not an aristocrat, but that doesn't matter because with her innate qualities, she has the capability to attract all manners of men to her effusively kind-spirited self, from jaded earls to sour old woodsmen. ******* Excuse me while I take this time to issue a belated MARY SUE ALERT . This is not a drill. Please proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion. Don't mind the Mary Sue heroically and self-sacrificially herding everyone out of the building as she will miraculously emerge alive anyway, even after the building collapses on her. Mary Sues always come back. ******* I was going to give this book one star, but looking back, the writing itself wasn't bad. And I do think this style of storytelling would appeal to some people. Also, I don't really regret reading the book, though I feel no particular joy in having read it. I like my books with more realism, conflict, and shades of gray. So, to make up for my (potential) bias, I decided to bump up my rating to two stars.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-05-10 00:00:00 Mark Locaparra My word, what a novel! I have no idea what to say...I loved it!! It was SO engrossing right from the start, and the excitement didn't drop once. From the prologue was are swept in a web of intrigue, mystery, secrets and adventure. This book is like, impossible to put down. Olivia Keene, the heroine, was absolutely amazing. She was courageous, loyal, clever and fierce and I loved the way she stayed true to herself and stood up to Lord Bradley from time to time. Her relationship with the children was really touching, and I loved all the scenes they had together. Who said children were annoying in Regencies? ;) I used to think they were, but lately I've hit upon a few books that featured really attaching ones. The plot in The Silent Governess is really intricate and twisty, and although I guessed a few things right early on enough, it still kept me really interested and I couldn't wait to turn the next page to see what would happen. I have amazed myself for once and DID NOT SPOIL ANYTHING FOR MYSELF BY PEEKING (cue round of applause) and the experience was so enjoyable that I am determined not to peek in the next novel I'll read. This book was definitely more focused on the plot than the romance, which was a little too bad because the hero, while not exactly swoon-worthy, was really fascinating and of the reserved-judgemental-haughty- type, with a resting bitchface on his gorgeous blond-haired, blue-eyed face. Aaaannnd he's tall, broad-shouldered and very muscular, facts confirmed by Olivia herself, when she *accidentally* sees him in his bath. ;) We learn his secret, or part of it, right from the beginning because the heroine overhears it, and that is why he forces to stay on his estate, first as an under-nurse, and eventually as a governess (all the while never taking his eyes off her - both for security and personal reasons, hehehe!). Their relationship is a bit peculiar, although interesting. Lord Bradley is clearly attracted to her early on, but it isn't until almost the end that we are made to understand that Olivia sees him in a romantic light too. All along, they have a few delicious scenes, but also some very conflicting ones where it felt unclear why they were acting the way they were. Edward had a few strange mood swings throughout, and Olivia's decisions near the end were rather too sudden and precipitous. But nevertheless the romantic aspect was very enjoyable to follow, and the ending is delectable. My favourite character is probably Lord Brightwell, though, and I *wish* he'd gotten a HEA too, because he was the most deserving and the most awesome. Generous, philanthropic and super kind, he reminded me a lot of Mr. Jarndyce from Bleak House, and every scene with him was really good. I wish there was a sequel to this book so he could get his own story. The setting of this novel was really great, and I enjoyed learning more about the lives of servants back in the Regency era (and prior to this I had no idea what the heck an undernurse was!), and it also made me realize just how awkward the position of governess was, since they were only supposed to interact with the children and no one else, being too good for the servants, but not good enough for the family of the house. Awkward indeed. No wonder Olivia got tired of it and wanted to teach in a school of her own! I loved how we can so tell that Julie Klassen loves all things Jane. :) The Silent Governess was reminiscent of Jane Eyre in so many ways, but what would have been really awesome is if the author had started the epilogue with "Reader, I married him.". :) I can't wait to read another Klassen novel. Her books are SO good. And she has TWO new ones coming out this year!!! Weeee!! :D