Review of 'Pandora'

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.

Review

Pandora is not a retelling but instead looks at the history behind the myths of Pandora’s box, shifting between characters to build up the mystery and plot.

Characterization

Pandora has a fine balance with the characters and makes them work. Pandora’s perspective is the ruling one behind the story. Going between her uncle and her love interest, Edward, we get to know all the characters intimately. Still, Pandora is the character we’re invested in.

Initially, her personality was a little dry as Stokes-Chapman was setting up the story and building up the history of the story. Pandora is under the care of her uncle after her parents died in an archeology dig when she was a child.

I love that her “pet” is a magpie she named Hermes, that she nursed back to health before the novel began. Hermes is cute and collects shiny objects for her so that she can pursue her dream of being a jeweler. Pandora loves to design jewelry, incorporating Grecian themes into her designs.

The arrival of the vase sets in motion many mysterious moments in the story while also making her aware of her uncle’s dealings with the black market and how his behavior has tarnished her parents’ legacy.

This puts her in the path of Edward.

Edward and Pandora’s personalities balance one another. Whereas she initially came off as a little dry, his idealism brought out the warmth in her character. They are both of practical mind and creative in their own way. They bring out the best in one another and the subtle romance that forms between the characters.

Final Thoughts

This is a slow and steady story, the pace quickening when everything comes to a head in those last few chapters. But the plot is exciting and holds the reader’s attention.

However, don’t pick up this book expecting to read a retelling of Pandora. Pandora is a story about a woman eager to make a name for herself while unraveling her uncle’s nefarious dealings. Again, this is a slow and steady novel, but strange and unusual things occur whenever the vase is around.

And the mysterious old man with blue eyes, who might just be Zeus, will make you second-guess everything.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development : 9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 9/10
• Intellectual Depth: 10/10
• Originality: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 4 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.