A Skinful of Shadows

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I would give this story 5 stars for its exhilarating storyline, sudden plot twists and amazing detail. This story by Frances Hardinge has made me want to find out more about the the English Civil War with Parliament against King Charles I and read more historical fiction stories. It has also made me want to read more books by Frances Hardinge because I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

A Skinful of Shadows - Historical Association A Skinful of Shadows - Historical Association

The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, and it may be her only defence when she is sent to live with her father's rich and powerful ancestors. There is talk of civil war, and they need people like her to protect their dark and terrible family secret. British Council complies with data protection law in the UK and laws in other countries that meet internationally accepted standards. Her first fantasy novel for children, Fly By Night (2005), set in an alternative 17 th century, won the Branford Boase Award for outstanding debut novel. Its more comical sequel, Twilight Robbery (2011), again with lead characters teenage runaway Mosca Mye and charlatan poet Eponymous Clent, was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. Frances Hardinge is an amazing writer. She is one of my favorites when it comes to word-smithing; never purple, but frequently vivid and full of emotional shading. Unfortunately, she tends to be the fantasy equivalent of Tana French: stories filled with a foreboding atmosphere, enough struggle to make one despair, and characters one would rather avoid. What are you doing here?' It was uttered in tones of outrage and surprise, and in a voice as cold and musical as the clinking of cups. 'Who do you think you are? This is my family.'

7) Haunted by Kelley Armstrong

And without a doubt Frances Hardinge is a superb writer. She sets excellent scenes and can create a creep factor without being gory or over the top. But... As in the other book I read by this author, I’m very much impressed with the atmosphere she conjured. The world created here is simultaneously familiar through the (accurate) historic setting and fantastical through the ghost element; the blurring of the lines was done splendidly. Just like the feel of the battlefield and danger of discovery. Her first rescue, to which she becomes host, is a mistreated circus bear. Makepeace discovers just how difficult it is to trust people, a good life lesson. This becomes more and more important as she wanders through the countryside searching for safety. The Charley Davidson series combines excellent detective work with engrossing paranormal romance. Definitely one of the best books in the ghosts as central characters genre. 5) Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire

A skinful of shadows : Hardinge, Frances, author : Free A skinful of shadows : Hardinge, Frances, author : Free

It is about a girl called Makepeace. One day she finds herself responsible for her mother's death and all alone. She is acting strange so her uncle sends her to live with one of the most powerful families in England, who are also her father's family. She meets her half-brother and they try to escape. They try to find out more about their family secret, but they find out more than she wants. Maybe she's now got to hide more than one secret? With her wild tempers, which come from inside, does she really know whose souls are inside her? The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. He’s no better than the other Fellmottes. Another rich man bent on what he thinks the world owes him, and willing to pay any price, as long as it’s in the blood of others.” Our MC's life stalls in the household of her biological family after she loses her mom who escaped from the horrors there, but she eventually escapes using her wits and ghosts and has an adventure across England. This wasn't so much horror at this point but it sure was fun. The rest is about survival, intrigue, and being hunted by a cadre of ancient ghosts. And what she learns is just as important as the adventure. Moreover, the characters, while not all being likeable, were vivid and fascinating and I imagine that isn’t too easy considering that many characters were made up of up to seven others!So here are a few books that are not scary but have ghosts as either their main characters or they are central to the plot of the novel. 1) A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge This doesn’t mean that the fantasy aspects are less significant though – and in here, the side of fantastical is no less elaborate: in fact, it serves the larger plot and it is essential in the formation of Makepeace’s arc. The former lies in the way that the fate of the Fellmotes is intermingled with that of the country and how their actions play a part in the dispute between Parliament and the King. The latter, in how Makepace’s character develops, grows, transforms herself into a courageous young woman. If there is one thing that connects all of the author’s works is this: the principled, strong-willed, dynamic and fierce heroines she creates. Makepeace might not know whose side should be victor in this war, but she never wavers from righting wrongs and she will fight tooth and … claws to save the life of her brother and the lives of those she thinks deserve a second chance. This book was extraordinary from the start because of the exhilarating storyline, sudden plot twists and amazing detail. It's an enjoyable read which I have found unputdownable from the start. Frances Hardinge constantly adds new elements which keeps you thinking about the storyline. For example when Makepeace recruits a ghost to help her, Frances Hardinge has added a completely new element to the storyline and makes the reader think about what has happened in more detail than written. The story (so far) follows Makepeace, a strange young girl with the ability to see dead things. Except, these aren't the sort of ghosts you'd want to meet on a dark night - we're talking wild, dangerous wisps that try to enter her mind and take over. Her mother tells her to arm herself against these spirits, before dying herself - which leaves Makepeace at the mercy of her father's strange and sinister family... However, the moment we think of a book featuring ghosts, we think of horror, spooky paranormal mysteries or at least something eerie, not for the faint-hearted.