Title: Oxford Whispers (The Oxford Trilogy #1)Author: Marion Croslydon
Release Date: October 8/2012
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Fiction
Publisher: Carlux Publishing
Page Count: 324
Acquired: Review Request from Author
Format: ARC-Paperback
Read On: Mar 7-Apr 20/2013
Goodreads: ADD
Madison LeBon is dead set against the dead.
Her fresh start at Oxford University is a brand new beginning. She finally has a chance to turn the page on her psychic powers and cumbersome voodoo heritage. Snakes, dolls, ghosts, and spirits: Farewell…
Not quite.
When the tragic lovers in a painting—the subject of her first history class—begin to haunt her, she must accept her gift before life imitates art. The lovers warn her against their own nemesis, a Puritan from the English Civil War. Unfortunately, said nemesis is now going all homicidal on Madison.
College becomes more complicated when she falls hard for Rupert Vance, a troubled aristocrat and descendant of one of the characters in the painting. With the spirit of a murderer after her, Madison realizes that her own first love may also be doomed…
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It took me over a month to finish Oxford Whispers. At first, it was just a matter of having way too much on my plate, but once I actually found some time to devote to it, I realized that it just wasn't my cup of tea. I'll give you the now cliched line: I really, really wanted to love this book. Ghosts in a painting. Need I say more? *Sigh* Unfortunately, the excitement stops dead (ha!) at the synopsis.
Madison Lebon has been able to see the dead for as long as she can remember, and belongs to a lineage of women who could do the same. Determined to not follow the trail that led her ancestors straight to the nuthouse, Madison tries to ignore her abilities. Tries, and fails miserably, as we learn in the opening of Oxford Whispers, that her sightings begin to get a lot more personal. She begins to receive visions from characters in a painting, visions that have her wondering if the connection to them runs deeper than she could have imagined. Throw into the mix a one Rupert Vance, pretty boy extraordinaire, and future Earl. Madison is weary of his reputation and advances at first, but soon realizes that he might be an important part of her visions, and the painting.
Oxford Whispers started in the right place, but quickly ran far away from the interested part of my brain, and left me sitting there a little confused and disappointed. It was vaguely implied whether or not Madison's visions were dreams, or just that: a sudden onslaught of visions. The storyline indicated when it was switching to the past, with the use of dates, but after that narrative was over, I was never sure if Madison just HAD that vision, or if it was strictly for the readers sake. Also, Madison's claim of virginity had me questioning her honesty once the book hit the more graphic scenes-she seemed a liiiiittle too experienced to me. Overall, I think I just wanted more from the lead female character. I wanted Madison to be stronger, more assertive, and not so quick to drop her doubts about Rupert. She came off so strong-willed and sure of herself initially..and then BAM!, there went her values, and beliefs, and in came complete hormone indulgence. *Shake my head*. Lastly, I had a hard time keeping up with the mix of backgrounds. Rupert was British, Madison: New Orleanian, but I feel like the author kept forgetting that herself, and everyone just eventually sounded English.
Aside from those negatives, Oxford Whispers was an interesting take on hauntings, and the plot twists were numerous enough to keep me turning the pages. I'm glad I held on until the end, because the final twist completely THREW ME. It was a classic case of whodunit, but the culprit wasn't who I suspected at ALL. I also really enjoyed the flavour of the New Orleans thrown into the scenery. I thought it was a little cliche to immerse Madison's family history in voodooism, but I think I enjoyed those parts of the book the most.
Hopefully the second book rights some of these qualms, which seems promising, because I've already started the first few pages!
Been seeing this book around a lot. I enjoyed your review. Sorry it didn't work for you. I'm still on the fence about it myself.
ReplyDeleteUntil now i haven't read New Adult genre, so don't know what must say. I like the cover book, it's very beautiful. Thanks for review :)
ReplyDeletei want to read oxford series...still looking the right time...
ReplyDeletethx 4 the review :)