Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Amy Snow: A Novel
    Amy Snow: A Novel
    Amy Snow: A Novel
    Audiobook15 hours

    Amy Snow: A Novel

    Written by Tracy Rees

    Narrated by Melody Grove

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    Winner of the UK’s Richard & Judy Search for a Bestseller Competition, this page-turning debut novel follows an orphan whose late, beloved best friend bequeaths her a treasure hunt that leads her all over Victorian England and finally to the one secret her friend never shared.

    It is 1831 when eight-year-old Aurelia Vennaway finds a naked baby girl abandoned in the snow on the grounds of her aristocratic family’s magnificent mansion. Her parents are horrified that she has brought a bastard foundling into the house, but Aurelia convinces them to keep the baby, whom she names Amy Snow. Amy is brought up as a second-class citizen, despised by Vennaways, but she and Aurelia are as close as sisters. When Aurelia dies at the age of twenty-three, she leaves Amy ten pounds, and the Vennaways immediately banish Amy from their home.

    But Aurelia left her much more. Amy soon receives a packet that contains a rich inheritance and a letter from Aurelia revealing she had kept secrets from Amy, secrets that she wants Amy to know. From the grave she sends Amy on a treasure hunt from one end of England to the other: a treasure hunt that only Amy can follow. Ultimately, a life-changing discovery awaits...if only Amy can unlock the secret. In the end, Amy escapes the Vennaways, finds true love, and learns her dearest friend’s secret, a secret that she will protect for the rest of her life.

    An abandoned baby, a treasure hunt, a secret. As Amy sets forth on her quest, readers will be swept away by this engrossing gem of a novel—the wonderful debut by newcomer Tracy Rees.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateJun 7, 2016
    ISBN9781508215134
    Author

    Tracy Rees

    Tracy Rees, author of Amy Snow, was the first winner of the Richard and Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ competition. She has also won the Love Stories Best Historical Read award and been shortlisted for the RNA Epic Romantic Novel of the Year. A Cambridge graduate, Tracy had a successful career in non-fiction publishing before retraining for a second career practising and teaching humanistic counselling. She has also been a waitress, bartender, shop assistant, estate agent, classroom assistant and workshop leader. Tracy divides her time between the Gower Peninsula of South Wales and London.

    More audiobooks from Tracy Rees

    Related to Amy Snow

    Related audiobooks

    Historical Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    Related categories

    Reviews for Amy Snow

    4/5

    110 ratings16 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      The story was done well, the download of he recoding is not in as good of shape. Short sections sometimes and longer portions at other times are missing.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Great writing. The story kept me interested and even made me cry a few times. Overall, I really enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      Reading this book was like pulling on a comfy old sweater - I felt the echoes of some of my favorite nineteenth-century British novels. Amy Snow is an orphan abandoned in a snowdrift as an infant, but she is adopted as a companion by a wealthy heiress. Years later, the heiress dies and leaves Amy a series of letters which urge her on a fascinating journey across England, a journey in which Amy must discover both herself and her past. A great read that left me wanted more stories like this!
    • 4/5
      Enjoyed this book for the most part, especially in the beginning. However towards the end with the emphasis on romance it kind of turned me off. I would have enjoyed it much more if the ending had been more ambiguous and our heroine had had to experience more personal growth.
    • 4/5
      Ich mag historische Romane, aber bei diesem hat mich die Beschreibung zunächst etwas abgeschreckt: Amy Snow wurde als Baby ausgesetzt und von Aurelia, der Tochter der adligen Familie Vennaway gefunden. Die Eltern wollen das Baby sofort ins Waisenhaus geben, wo es ihrer Meinung nach hingehört, aber Aurelia besteht darauf, dass sie bleibt. Die beiden Mädchen werden beste Freundinnen, doch Aurelia stirbt sehr jung. Nach ihrem Tod lässt sie Amy einen Brief zukommen, in dem sie sie auf eine "Schatzsuche" schickt. In diesem Brief steht ein "Code", den nur Amy entschlüsseln kann, um dann den nächsten Brief mit dem nächsten "Code" zu finden - das hat sich für mich nicht nach historischem Roman angehört, eher nach Fantasy oder Spionage-Thriller…Doch schon nach wenigen Seiten war ich überzeugt, denn ich war bereits tief ins viktorianische England eingetaucht, das die Autorin mit ihrer Sprache und ihren Beschreibungen perfekt vermittelt. Durch die Briefe lernt der Leser Aurelia kennen und auch Amy lernt dadurch eine "neue" Aurelia kennen, von der sie nicht wusste, dass sie existierte. Aurelia hatte ein Geheimnis und zu dessen Lösung will sie Amy mit Hilfe der Briefe führen. Zugegeben, für Leser im 21. Jahrhundert ist es bald offensichtlich, was Aurelias Geheimnis ist, aber da man keine Details weiß, mindert das die Spannung nicht. Abgesehen davon, dass Aurelia Amy zu ihrem Geheimnis führen will, möchte sie mit ihren Briefen auch erreichen, dass Amy endlich anfängt richtig zu leben. Bisher war sie als Aurelias Freundin im Haus ihrer Eltern nur geduldet und hat weder in die Welt der Reichen noch in die der Dienstboten gehört. Dass sie nun als Frau alleine auf Reisen geht, widerspricht auch den Konventionen der Zeit. Mit Aurelias Hilfe findet sie Freunde und Unterstützung und trotzdem überkommen sie oft Zweifel, ob diese Suche es letztendlich wirklich wert ist…Das ist der Punkt, der zum Sternabzug bei mir geführt hat: das Buch ist mit fast 500 Seiten zu lang; ein Großteil der Seiten ist damit ausgefüllt, dass Amy nicht weiß, was sie machen soll und ob sie überhaupt weitermachen soll. Nach einem fesselnden Anfang verliert das Buch an Tempo und wiederholt sich sehr oft. Zum Teil lösen sich Amys Probleme auch zu schnell von selbst und durch Zufall, das hat mich auch etwas gestört.Die Beschreibungen sowohl der verschiedenen Charaktere als auch der viktorianischen Zeit wären allerdings fünf Sterne wert. Allein durch ihre Briefe hat man das Gefühl Aurelia zu kennen, Amys neue Freunde in Twickenham sind einfach nur entzückend und an der exzentrischen Mrs Riverthorpe kommt niemand vorbei. Die Autorin hat sehr gut und viel recherchiert und versetzt den Leser in eine anderen Zeit und Welt.Trotz der Länge ein wirklich schönes Buch und obwohl es um die üblichen Themen geht – beste Freundinnen, Liebe, arme Frau in der Welt der Reichen - ein ungewöhnlicher historischer Roman.
    • 4/5
      Well written. A little slow moving, although some parts were highly entertaining and enjoyable. Sort of like a Dickensonian tale with a moderate feminist touch. Worth a listen. Try it!
    • 3/5
      Dickens in a modern voice. I cried through all of part one.
    • 5/5
      It was hard to put this one down! It has mystery, intrigue, romance, and a vivid historical context. The author’s characters are so thoroughly constructed that I immediately began to relate to them.
      I also appreciate that there is no crude language or coarse scenarios. The tactful handling of any “unfortunate” situations seems entirely consistent with the decorum of the time period.
      This is easily one of the top 2 or 3 audiobooks I have “read” to date! I’m happy to have reached the end but sad to see it go.
    • 5/5
      One of the best of HUNDREDS of audiobooks I have listened to. Superb all the way around. Admittedly grim subject matter, absolutely horrid characters made such by their own experiences in some cases, but no soft porn, explicit violence, or foul language. What’s not to like? Remarkable story, and the narrator WAS “Amy Snow”.
    • 2/5
      In Victorian England, this novel started out with promise [shades of Jane Eyre] but eventually degenerated into saccharine romance. A poor Jane Austen imitation. At least 200 pp. too long; so much could have been excised--much of Amy's stay in Bath and in York. I had thought to buy as gift but decided against it. No wonder I first came across this novel as a remainder.
    • 4/5
       Delightful surprise! listened to it as an audio book. A true rags to riches with a treasure hunt of secrets. Well written and well read! The epilogue tied up some loose ends, which I wish were more part of the story, but otherwise a good read.
    • 2/5
      Amy Snow by Tracy Rees is about the journey of Amy Snow. In 1831, eight-year-old Aurelia Vennaway finds a baby in the snow outside her family home. Aurelia immediately wrapped up the naked and cold infant in her cloak and rushed into the house. Her mother was entertaining and was outraged that Aurelia would bring the child into the home. But considering her guests, Lady Celestina had to keep quiet. Thanks to the esteemed guests, the child was taken into the home (with stipulations) and placed in the kitchen (to sleep, live, and work). Aurelia named her Amy Snow (Amy after her favorite doll). Amy worked her way up in the household from kitchen maid (and sleeping in the pantry) to lady’s maid and then Aurelia’s companion. When Aurelia collapses outside one day, it was discovered that she had a heart condition. Aurelia seized a last chance to travel before she died and went away for a year. Aurelia sent Amy some letters, but she never included many details. Upon her return Aurelia’s condition deteriorated and Amy took care of her until she passed away at twenty-three. In Aurelia’s will she left Amy 10 pounds (this is British currency). Aurelia knew she had to be careful because of her parents (they would take it away from Amy). The next morning the local schoolteacher, Mr. Clay gives Amy a package and a letter. Aurelia is sending Amy on a treasure hunt one last time (they enjoyed them when they were younger). Aurelia knew her parents would not let Amy stay at Hatville Court once she passed away. They went through Amy’s belongings and threw her out that day. Amy follows the directions in the first letter and her adventure begins. What will Amy find at the end of the treasure hunt? What secret was Aurelia hiding from her parents? You will have to read Amy Snow to find out!Amy Snow is a nicely written book, but it is extremely slow paced (and sentimental). We get to find out what life was like for Amy and Aurelia growing up in the Vennaway household (very different lives), what happened during Aurelia’s year of traveling, and Amy experiencing life outside the Vennaway household. I thought the story was predictable (it is a story we have read or heard many times). The author, though, does a good job of capturing the time period (Ms. Rees is a very descriptive writer). Tracy Rees gives the reader beautiful descriptions of the towns, homes and their furnishing, and the clothing worn by the people. I give Amy Snow 2 out of 5 stars (not for me). The story just dragged on too long and there was nothing unexpected or interesting to liven up the storyline. I did like the epilogue (when I finally go to it). The book is supposed to be a like mystery. Amy goes on the treasure hunt to find out what happened to Aurelia during that year. However, it is really no mystery. I think everyone will be able to guess the secret. I found Amy to be extremely naïve and gullible (as well as annoying). This novel was just not for me. I believe it would appeal to a younger audience (I probably would have enjoyed it more when I was a teenager). I received a complimentary copy of Amy Snow from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation. The comments and opinions are strictly my own.
    • 4/5
      This was quite a hefty book! 551 pages of story! Please don’t allow that to persuade you NOT to read it because this book was very good. It is a debut hi storical fiction book with a very promising storyline, if you can first get past the horrible circumstances she was born into and lived for a short while until she was old enough to move out of the cold and uncaring home she was raised in. The only person who showed they cared for her was an 8 year old little girl herself! Can you imagine, though, being 8 years old and finding a barely living baby outside in the snow, all blue, barely alive, bringing it indoors and showing it to your parents but having them BANISH THIS CHILD OUT OF THEIR HOME??? Even the SERVANTS refuse to care for this baby! Unbelievable! SHAME on the person putting this LIVE child on the property of this rich home and ASSUMING these people will care for it? HA! If they only knew how badly this backfires and the struggles Amy (Aurelia named her!) she faces on a daily basis. I don’t think I could have managed that when I was 8! (Yes, 8 years old is extremely young, but I believe back in the days when life was so much harder to live in, I believe we were much more mature than we are today. Or at least today it is known we DESERVE a childhood, thankfully. So because of the rejection of this baby, 8 year old Aurelia takes over the care for this infant. Aurelia has a heart, but, that heart is not very strong as she ends up passing away at the mere age of 23! She secretly leaves Amy an inheritance, the only thing is Amy has to follow Aurelia’s letters she intentionally sent to her after she is gone, as this was all planned ahead to a “T” in order to get to her life-changing promises in the end. It is the journey Amy is upon that is so enjoyable to read about that makes this truly a beauty of a book worth the hefty number of pages! I received this book from the publisher, Simon and Schuster and NetGalley in exchange for writing a reviews of my own opinion. My review does not have to be positive or negative, but just how I truly felt about the book.
    • 4/5
      Love this book, it's like a map that needs to be followed, with twists and turns, from rags to riches in more than monetary ways, your excited for each sections this fabulous book brings, I hope for further exciting reads
    • 3/5
      In two minds about this one - the cover put me off starting for months, then when I finally threw caution to the wind, my reading experience alternated between 'What happens next, what happens next?' to 'Is this a YA novel?' Plot-wise, I wish that Amy's 'treasure hunt' had been more of a voyage of discovery about her own mysterious origins - which are finally explained, in a tacked-on epilogue - rather than her posthumous 'sister' and guardian, Aurelia. Also, the requisite romance - which tipped me towards classing this as YA - felt rushed and completely unconvincing. Amy meets two men on her travels who are the romantic equivalents of 'white hat'/'black hat', but I didn't buy the instant passion between Amy and Henry. Why did she need to find a man at all, despite the Victorian setting? I just felt that Henry made the otherwise intriguing mystery of Aurelia drag.Character-wise, Amy is a very modern heroine in a historical adventure, but Tracy Rees lampshades any anachronisms so neatly that I wasn't thrown out of the story (the first person narrative is still what I term 'awkwardly formal', but Amy remains likeable throughout). Aurelia, although recounted in rose-tinted retrospect by her devoted protegee throughout, is less sympathetic - yeah, yeah, she was determined and unconventional and practically perfect in every way, but as a reader, I'm still sort of glad she's dead. My favourite character, though, is one of Amy's hosts, Mrs Riverthorpe, who was everything I think Rees wants her readers to love in Aurelia - completely outspoken, uncaring of public opinion, but loyal and caring when it matters - all at the proud age of 80! Amy, Aurelia and Mrs Riverthorpe reminded me of similar characters in Thackeray's Vanity Fair, only Amy is far too good and noble to have the same impact as Becky Sharp. The premise is sort of the same, though - Amy must leave behind the reflected glory of her childhood friend and carve a future for herself, encountering friends, connections and lovers along the way.A good read but let down by all the romantic gushing.
    • 3/5
      I'm not always a fan of historical fiction, but I do sometimes like to read it and I thought that this book sounded really intriguing. Amy Snow, after being abandoned in the snow as a new born baby at Hatville Court, is found by the daughter of the house, Aurelia aged 8, and she somehow makes her mother and father take her into the household, although they both hated the child. 17 years later, Aurelia dies and leaves a treasure hunt for Amy so that she can find out Aurelia's big secret.This book got off to quite a good start. I enjoyed Amy's story as she is cast out from Hatville and finds out that Aurelia has plans from beyond the grave for her. In particular, I really liked the first part of her treasure hunt and thought how promising the book seemed. However, my interest waned as the very long and drawn-out story continued. It could easily have been 100-150 pages less and been much more interesting for it. Some of the plot devices didn't work too well for me and didn't ring true. For me this was ok but not a shining example of historical fiction.