Love Barbara Taylor Bradford and absolutely loved this book. Read the whole series and am now reading the Cavendon series.

I received this for free through netgalley. DNF. Too many characters and not enough excitement to keep me going.

Exwctly what I would expect from this author. Complex, well-developed characters and a story written in a way that I get to know the characters and their personalities. Wonderful descriptions that made me feel as if I were there.

This book was everything I was hoping it would be and I can't wait to read the next book in the series..

The setting is in Victorian England, the story is of James Falconer, a young man determined to rise in the ranks and make something of himself. Alexis is a high class lady who falls in love with a much older man. Their lives cross through a series of tragedies. This book has it all: romance, intrigue, drama.

If you loved this author's Woman of Substance, you will like this novel, because it has the same feel of the main character pulling himself up the social ladder using his wits and business acumen. And of course, there is delicious romance, drama, and relationships between the characters that will make you want to scream out loud. I enjoyed this immensely.

I have been a Barbara Taylow Bradford reader most of my adult life, starting with A Woman Of Substance. She is an expert at writing about Victorian England, with details that literally take you there. Master of His Fate is a sprawling family drama with all the details that the writer is known for. Come and inhibit this past world for a while with an interesting cast of characters. You will be glad you did.

I don't generally read a lot of historical fiction from the Victorian era, but Master of His Fate has inspired me to read more. Bradford's descriptions of the clothing and decor really pulled me into the time of the story, and the characters were well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I look forward to the next book in this series.

I absolutely loved BTB’s woman of substance, however my tastes must have changed in the many years since I read that. I found master of his fate very boring and I just wasn’t interested in finishing it.

I still love this author, but this one wasn't a real win for me. It felt slow-moving and there weren't really any reversals or suspense. I'll still read her next novel, though!

I really enjoyed Barbara Taylor Bradford’s “Woman of Substance” series so I was excited to have the opportunity to review BTB’s latest novel. I wanted to love this historical fiction novel, but I did not. The story started off very slowly and the language was just overly descriptive, making the novel much longer than it needed to be. I don’t think I’ll be reading the next book in the series. I did appreciate the opportunity to receive an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love historical fiction and this book is an interesting addition to my collection. Honestly, I had trouble getting into the book. I loved the Victorian London setting and the descriptions of the fashions, houses, etc. were really interesting. I didn't find the characters in the book as fascinating, unfortunately. The book dragged on in places and there was a lot of dialogue. Not for me.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a fan of historical English fiction, you will LOVE Master of His Fate by Barbara Taylor Bradford. I know I certaibly did! I read this book in two days and was so disappointed when it was over. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions in the writing about the class struggles, the clothing, and the surroundings. It was an easy read but perfect for my recent vacation!

4 out of 5 stars for Master of His Fate by Barbara Taylor Bradford.

You just can't help getting into a Barbara Taylor Bradford book - they are usually hefty tomes, but once you start reading you just get swept along in the story. Master of His Fate tells the story of the Falconers and the Malverns in Victorian times, and is apparently the first in a series. I look forward to reading the sequels.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance ARC copy of this book.

An epic story begins set in Victorian England. James Falconer is the son of a merchant, but with hopes of being a great businessman. Alexis Malvern is the daughter of a great businessman with no intentions of marriage, but destiny steps in. This is the beginning of what promises to be an epic family saga that brings together rich and poor with Alexis and James.

I have to admit that this book started slow for me. It took a little while for me to get into it. That is the only reason I gave it a 4 star review. However, once I was about halfway in, I had to keep going. You kept reading about these two people living totally different lives and following different paths. How were these paths going to converge? I haven't read a lot of Bradford's books, but know she has a great reputation as an author. I am eagerly awaiting the second installment of this series.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Barbara Taylor Bradford and I am excited that this novel is part of a series. Master of His Fate tells the story of two completely different characters, James and Alexis. One of them is born with privilege while the other is born poor but has much ambition to see himself succeed in life. James' and Alexis' stories alternate and eventually intertwine in a very interesting way. Barbara Taylor Bradford is such a great and descriptive storyteller that you feel like you are transported back to Victorian England. I am looking forward to the next story in this family saga.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

I am conflicted about providing a review because I did not finish the book. I usually like this author's books but I just found this one to be very slow in the beginning. I tried several times to read it but could not get engaged.

I love historical novels and this one was no different. I love all the detail presented about the time period, the characters, their homes, their clothes, and their work lives. This story revolves around two families--the Falconers who come from the wealthy class and the Malverns who are working class citizens. James Falconer, one of the main characters, is determined to be an owner of a business from a young age and works to gain as much knowledge as he can. We learn a lot about him and his family throughout the pages of the book. Alexis Malvern, the other main character, works for her father's bank and also does charitable work with woman. We are brought into her home life as well as her charitable work. As the story progresses, through triumphs and heartache, we learn more about each character and how their paths cross. I really enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting it down. Since it is the first book in a series, I can't wait to read the next installment and see where the story takes the characters we have grown to care so much about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical novels and detailed descriptions woven into their stories.

I received an advance copy of this novel from Net Galley for my honest review.

So much description of what everyone is wearing. Repeatedly. So much description of what every room in a house looks like. So very much description of how Sebastian is so attracted to Alexis, and how Alexis is so attracted to Sebastian, EVERY TIME they are in a scene. This book could have been a third of the length, and so much better written, if that junk was kept under control. It drove me nuts. This author's writing style has put me off ever reading anything else she has written, or ever will write.

I was lucky enough to read an ARC from #netgalley. Thank you to HarperCollins. I absolutely loved it. When woman were becoming part of the work force and the changing of fashion. The plot revolves around James Falconer and his determination and drive to open a chain of stores on par with Fortnum and Mason even though he is a humble barrow boy working with his father in a London market owned by Henry Malvern.
Alexis , Henry's daughter, beautiful, compassionate and a respected member of her fathers workforce and will inherit the business one day.
Their backgrounds couldn't be more different but their worlds collide when James gets employed by Henry.
This novel took me back to the time when Jack the Ripper was terrifying London and when life seemed simpler. A true insight into how the class system worked and the people who moved to break the boundaries. Full of love, family and tragedy.
It's the first in a four book series and I'm left with wanting more. Roll on the next one.

I've been a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford for a long time; why I've been a fan of historical fiction period. Master of His Fate was a fabulous novel, one that I would read over and over again. It was the perfect beginning for the planned historical fiction saga. I cannot wait to see how the saga will continue!