FeaturedLiterary Fiction

Tunnel of Mirrors

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With brilliant characters, a poetic writing style, and full of beauty and passion, this is a must-read for historical romance lovers.

Tunnel of Mirrors by Ferne Arfin kept me hooked from the first glimpse and kept me engaged throughout the whole book. Her main character, Rachel, has so much fire and magic that she is impossible to look away from, as is the charming, storytelling Ciaran. With the skill of a true artist, Arfin creates a world and a love that swallows you whole and leaves you begging for more.


Arfin's writing style is captivating and beautiful; her work is full of poetry, an artful and sensory experience. The way she allows the story to unfold and draws you into the imagery and the characters' worlds, I never felt like I was being told a story as much as I felt that I was in the story. Bringing us into such a complex world - early 1900s New York, a young Jewish woman trying to escape a stern father, and an Irishman left adrift after the civil war - and portraying the families and situations so compellingly is not an easy feat, but Arfin clearly did her research and has the skill to make it realistic and magical. I was blown away by her writing and couldn't put it down.


On a more personal note, my Ashkenazi Jewish great-grandparents arrived in New York at the same time our main character's parents did and it was so powerful to see that rich culture and the struggles of young women in that time period (that are, unfortunately, still relatable now), all portrayed with such authenticity and care. I can honestly say I've never read a book that reflected that experience and I am so grateful for the time and attention this author paid to paint such a wonderful picture of not only Jewish culture but all of the cultures and characters that collide in this magnificent book.


I would highly recommend this book to folks who like a more poetic writing style, more history, culture, and character in their romantic reading. Tunnel of Mirrors: an excellent novel full of love, spirit, and magic.

Reviewed by

Reviewer & Copy Editor - M.Ed. in Curriculum Development and Instruction, double-focus in STEAM and Trauma & Resilience. Current day job: General Manager and Rare Book Specialist at NW Book Rescue Preferred Genres: I love non-fiction. Fiction needs to really hook me to keep me reading.

Prelude

About the author

Ferne Arfin has written since childhood and has been a journalist, actress and travel writer. She began publishing her short stories in her 20s. She earned a Masters Degree in Creative Writing studying with Malcolm Bradbury at the University of East Anglia. Tunnel of Mirrors is her first novel. view profile

Published on February 01, 2022

Published by Green River Press

150000 words

Contains mild explicit content ⚠️

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Genre: Literary Fiction

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