The Apothecary's Daughter

Overall I enjoyed this book. I thought the story was intriguing and the characters well written, however I felt some of the story didn't flow and the actions of the characters were questionable. This may be because the book Is a stand alone book and not written in a series, so there wasn't enough time to get to know the characters very well. It did have good twists and turns along the way though and I'm still glad I read it.

I've loved every single one of Julie Klassen's books, except this one. The plot just seemed a little far-fetched for me and the characters annoying. That said, as with all her books, it was brilliantly written with beautiful descriptions drawing the reader in and a fascinating insight into the world of apothecaries in Victorian London. Just not my cup of tea. \\r\\n

Courtesy of her mother's yearning for travel and adventure, Lilly Haswell dreams of more while helping her father in the apothecary store. As Lilly, spurred on by distant memories, searches for the answers to her mother's disappearance, she is swept into fashionable society where her loyalty to the mysterious doctor-in-training, her father's apprentice and her family all provide turmoil and conflict to her faith. And when two devastating and unexpected events shatter Lilly's conceptions of faith and society, it is her faith that triumphs over life's surprisingly dealt hand. \\r\\n\\r\\nJulie Klassen has produced a novel that keeps the reader in suspense. You'll wonder about the identity of Lilly's choice of suitor and question whether she will ever find the answers she is seeking. The constant twists and turns within The Apothecary's Daughter provide a thoroughly engaging read. \\r\\n\\r\\nReview by Laurey Smith, Koorong Woolloongabba\\r\\n