Pandora: A Novel

#1 Sunday Times Bestseller
A Library Journal Best Book of 2023
“Lush, evocative and utterly irresistible.”—Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
Prepare to lift the lid on a lush reimagination of the mythological Pandora….Susan Stokes-Chapman’s atmospheric debut, PANDORA, immerses the reader in the dangerous, mysterious world of ancient antiquities with prose that is elegant and teeming with visceral sensory detail. A marvelous debut—imaginative, ambitious, and begging to be savored." — Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Apothecary
Steeped in mystery and rich in imagination, an exhilarating historical novel set in Georgian London where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations, and romance.
London, 1799. Dora Blake, an aspiring jewelry artist, lives with her odious uncle atop her late parents’ once-famed shop of antiquities. After a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, her uncle begins to act suspiciously, keeping the vase locked in the store’s basement, away from prying eyes—including Dora’s. Intrigued by her uncle’s peculiar behavior, Dora turns to young, ambitious antiquarian scholar Edward Lawrence who eagerly agrees to help. Edward believes the ancient vase is the key that will unlock his academic future; Dora sees it as a chance to establish her own name.
But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life, her family, and the world as she knows it. As Dora uncovers the truth, she comes to understand that some doors are locked and some mysteries are buried for a reason, while others are closer to the surface than they appear.
A story of myth and mystery, secrets and deception, fate and hope, Pandora is an enchanting work of historical fiction as captivating and evocative as The Song of Achilles, The Essex Serpent, and The Miniaturist.
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Community Reviews
True Rating: 3.5 Stars!
This book. Damn.
I had very high expectations, I have to admit, when I first downloaded it. It combined late-1700s England and Greek mythology-- how could I not like it. And I did like it. A lot. It just took a while to get there.
I like the characters quite a lot, but they seemed almost one-dimensional-- especially the uncle, who is seemed to be like a mix of Cinderella's stepmother and Vernon Dursley (really hated the guy though. Props for that.). I also think it took about 60% of the book for me to be actually invested in the plot. So. There's that.
But overall? I adored the description and the sheer realness you feel when you read Pandora. I feels like you're almost with the characters as they walk the streets of London.
I liked this book, and I'll definitely be looking out for more of Stokes-Chapman!
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