A wonderful piece of historical fiction. The descriptions of the characters, the settings, the decor and culture of the time so perfectly written. I think the Georgian period is fast becoming my favourite era.
Dora’s story grabbed me from the very beginning. To have lost so much so young, her story was one of strength and a formidable attitude, and I love a strong female lead who battles against all adversity.
The history of Pandora’s Box was one I knew bits of, but reading this added such depth to the myth and I loved reading about the details of the time and the artefacts. The amount of research conducted for the novel must have been extensive. The balance between the facts of history and myth written so well.
Characters such as Lady Latimer and Lottie added much to the story - so different in their lives but ultimately strong women in a patriarchal society.

I was hooked in by this extract and I can't wait to be able to read the whole book! I love the mix of Greek myth and Georgian London setting.

Just a sample, when it starts to be really good it ends... Can not write a review based on this.
Just a sample, when it starts to be really good it ends... Can not write a review based on this.

Hooked me and made me want to read the whole book. Great teaser. Like the idea of being able to read a little synopsis of a book so you can decide if it's a story you will enjoy.

This was a great little snippet of the book and was a really great way for people to get excited for the book to be published.

Fascinating, beautifully-written, fantastic concept. Definitely made me want to read the whole thing! Full review to follow.

I absolutely adored it. Anything that has to do with Greek mythology will be my cup of tea and Pandora did not disappoint one bit

Within just a short extract I am already drawn into the world of this book.

I love the fact that she is a jeweller, I love the fact that there is a magpie helpful. Straight away, there is the feel of magic. The myth of Pandora is one of my favourites and I always think that it should be improved. I can't wait for the rest of this book.

An intriguing sample of a well written book which was left on a cliff hanger. I am going to have to buy the full version of the book!

Although this book wasn't quite what I was expecting in terms of the Greek Mythology element, I had a fun time with the mystery and development of this world. A fun historical mystery, but not the retelling I expected.

Beautiful writing that really evokes the style of the period and an intrguing premise. Bought the physical novel on the strength of this.

The first thing to say about this 13-chapter sample is that immediately after finishing reading it I have ordered the book and I can't wait to read and review the whole novel.

Pandora is based upon the Greek myth of Pandora - but it also seems to be a fledgling romance set in 1799 between (Pan)Dora Blake and Edward Lawrence (so a Georgian, almost a Regency romance). Plus there are Gothic tropes: Dora is an orphan forced to depend on an awful/wicked uncle, and there appear to be mysterious supernatural happenings concerning an antique Greek vase.

Which is not to say that the novel is derivative or formulaic. The writer's voice is fresh, with an inventive plot that moves at pace. Characterisation is nicely drawn, and I am rooting for Dora and Edward already (how can I not when Dora has a pet magpie named Hermes?) Our protagonists are both struggling to carve out independent, fulfilling lives, Dora as a jewellery designer and Edward as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries which he hopes will enable him to travel and study. They persist in their dreams despite rejection - and come to pin these dreams on the Greek vase.

Chapter 13 ends on a real cliffhanger regarding this vase, leaving me desperate for the full novel to arrive. So far, Pandora has earned 5 stars and I am hopeful that this can be sustained through the rest of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this extract in return for an honest review.

A perfectly tantalising sample of what looks to be an intriguing historical read. After reading this sampler, I knew I had to order a copy of the book!

As soon as I finished reading this extract, Pandora very quickly was pre-ordered and put on my most anticipated reads list. I can not wait to read and fully review this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the e-arc extract for this book

I was drawn in by the beautiful cover. I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Dora was a good character but the others weren’t as strong, however I did love the magpie. The writing style was good, it was a quick read but didn’t hold my attention as I though it would. The beginning was quite slow and other parts seemed rushed. Not a bad read just wasn’t as expected.

Thank you to Random House UK for this advance copy.

As soon as I’d read the extract, I pre-ordered my copy.
The physical copy is beautiful…and I can’t wait to read the full book.

I was so excited to receive this excerpt of Pandora and was only disappointed that it was only an excerpt. The excerpt ended on a cliffhanger and I had to wait for the book to come out to continue! The writing and characterization are great so far and I have every faith that it will continue to be a great read.

As I began to read this extract of ‘Pandora’ by Susan Stokes-Chapman, I knew almost from the first page that it was going to be a winner for me.

I am fascinated by both the Georgian period and Greek myths. As I have the full text to review (thank you Random House U.K. Vintage), I won’t say more.

I am assigning 4 stars just to be cautious at this point.

Still, I was confident enough based on this extract to have preordered both its exclusive hardback and unabridged audiobook editions, which I am currently reading. Will post review of full text as soon as possible.

I am certainly piqued by this sample of Pandora. A mysterious artefact retrieved from the sea bed is certain to invite curiosity particularly as it seems to be accompanied by some sort of curse. Blake's emporium, now a trove of artificial treasures and the home of a certain (Pan)Dora Blake seems a fitting destination for it. I loved her ability to create jewellery from found objects but I am not entirely sure whether I like her yet. The descriptions and narrative have a suitably historical feel to them and the characters are distinctive and are beginning to come together. Every scene and movement is described in meticulous detail which unfortunately slows the pace a little but I have been left on a knife edge and hope the rest of the book builds on this promising start.

Enjoyed this extract. Here's my full review of the book.
Pandora Blake lives with her uncle Hezekiah above the family's antique business. During the time her parents traded in antiquities the business was successful, and honourable, however, their untimely demise brought the business, and Dora, into the guardianship of Hezekiah. Realising that her uncle is less than scrupulous in his business dealings, Dora enlists the help of a young book binder, Edward Lawrence, whose own interest in antiquities is exactly what Dora needs to help her to restore the family business to its former glory.

What then follows is an atmospheric and beautifully detailed historical novel which opens up the world of Greek mythology and the dreaded secrets of Pandora's Box. The Georgian world of 1799 comes alive, from the mean dispirited streets of London, to the gloomy shop basement filled with boxes of precious antiquities, there is never a moment when we are not fully in the moment with Dora and Edward as they go about setting right the terrible wrongs which have been done, and of the sinister evil which lurks within the world they uncover.

Beautifully written and impeccably researched, Pandora not only brings to life a worthy heroine in Dora, and not forgetting then glorious, Hermes, but it also paints a wonderful picture of Georgian England with all its colourful eccentricities. Pandora is a commendable debut by a talented new writer of historical fiction.