The Square of Sevens, by Laura Shepherd-Robinson.

The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was utterly gob-smacked when I reached the final chapters of this outstandingly clever novel!



And once again I cannot say a single word about this incredibly well written plot without revealing massive spoilers.



My advice: just keep your wits about you and try to remember as many details as you possibly can, so that you can fully appreciate that sensational ending! Take notes even!!!



Laura Shepherd-Robinson rivals Dickens for managing to introduce so many characters and still manage to tell a coherent, enthralling story. From rags to riches indeed… or so everyone in this story seems to aspire to…



At first I was attracted to this book because of the theme of cartomancy. I dabble (very amateurishly, I assure you!) in the study of tarot cards. The Square of Sevens method is an incredibly complex layout of cards that defied my limited comprehension, so I just went with the various interpretations of each reading throughout this incredible story.



I will readily admit that I was totally ENTHRALLED! I had read an excerpt of this novel several weeks ago on my Libby Ap and, to my great frustration, had to wait several excruciating weeks to get a copy of it from the library…. and it was well worth the wait!

As the story unfolds, we are told that Red (aka Rachel) – being a precocious child – was able to read fortunes using the Square of Sevens method taught to her by her father, an itinerant “Cunning Man” – aka Cornish Gypsy.



…. And AGAIN I have to stop here because so many spoilers will fall from my lips if I go any further!

This book was almost impossible to put down. Many is the time I would find that I had been reading non-stop well into the night and then into the wee hours of the morning!



This story is ADDICTIVE, so make sure you have a good block of time to devote to this incredible tale of the occult, avarice, seduction, treachery and even murder! (Don’t worry, by saying this, I didn’t reveal any spoilers that are not already contained in the blurb!)



And don’t worry that this is set in the 1700s. I haven’t read historical fiction in ages, but this story had a contemporary vibe.

So what are you waiting for?!!! Go get your hands on this book and READ IT! Highly, highly recommended: you wont regret a minute of the time you spent on this novel, and I also recommend that you hold on to your jaw at the very end – it will drop so low with shock.

I was literally gasping: I did not see that ending coming!!! 5 out of 5 well deserved stars!





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