In 1876, Tilly, a recently married young English woman, is reeling with shock and guilt after her tempestuous marriage ends in horrific circumstances on the remote Channel Islands. Determined to get as far from England as she can, she takes on a new identity and a job on Ember Island in Moreton Bay, Australia, where she becomes the governess to a prison superintendent’s young daughter, Nell. Tilly fights her attraction to the superintendent, Sterling Holt, and befriends one the few female inmates, Hettie Thorpe, and a dangerous relationship develops. She doesn’t know that Nell is watching her every move and writing it all down, hiding tiny journals all over Starwater, her rambling manor home.
More than 100 years later, bestselling novelist Nina Jones is struggling with writer’s block and her disappointing personal life. Her poet boyfriend has recently broken up with her, and a reporter who is digging into her past insists on speaking to Nina about her great-grandmother, Nell. There are some secrets Nina may no longer be able to hide. Retreating to Starwater, she discovers Nell’s diary pages hidden in the old walls and becomes determined to solve the mystery. Though Tilly and Nina are separated by many years, Starwater House will change both their lives.
Deeply affecting and beautifully written, Ember Island is a sweeping novel of secrets, second chances, and learning to trust your heart.
More than 100 years later, bestselling novelist Nina Jones is struggling with writer’s block and her disappointing personal life. Her poet boyfriend has recently broken up with her, and a reporter who is digging into her past insists on speaking to Nina about her great-grandmother, Nell. There are some secrets Nina may no longer be able to hide. Retreating to Starwater, she discovers Nell’s diary pages hidden in the old walls and becomes determined to solve the mystery. Though Tilly and Nina are separated by many years, Starwater House will change both their lives.
Deeply affecting and beautifully written, Ember Island is a sweeping novel of secrets, second chances, and learning to trust your heart.
Kindle Edition, 449 pages,
Published April 15, 2014
by Gallery Books
3.5/5 stars
Ember Island is a story that moves between two timelines. In the 1890's, Tilly is running from something she left behind in England and travels halfway around the world to Australia. Hoping for a fresh start and that her past won’t catch up with her. She ends up on Ember Island, an island off the coast of Queensland and is home to a prison. Here she becomes a tutor and caregiver to the warden’s young daughter.
In the present day, Nina Jones is a successful author with a serious case of writer’s block. Hoping a change of scenery will help, she retreats to Starwater, the family home on Ember Island that has been passed down through the generations. While she’s there, she comes across pages from her grandmother’s diary and slowly the island’s past begins to come together.
I much preferred the past timeline. A prison on an island is a fascinating setting and Tilly’s chapters were full of the history I love in a dual-timeline novel. Nina’s present-day story was fine, but honestly nothing to write home about, I always found myself eager to get back to Tilly.
In the present day, Nina Jones is a successful author with a serious case of writer’s block. Hoping a change of scenery will help, she retreats to Starwater, the family home on Ember Island that has been passed down through the generations. While she’s there, she comes across pages from her grandmother’s diary and slowly the island’s past begins to come together.
I much preferred the past timeline. A prison on an island is a fascinating setting and Tilly’s chapters were full of the history I love in a dual-timeline novel. Nina’s present-day story was fine, but honestly nothing to write home about, I always found myself eager to get back to Tilly.
My copy obtained via kindle and audible - yes a hybrid read.
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