Reviews

It’s really impressive how a book can keep you so engaged in the mess that it isn’t until the last 40 pages that you realized that nothing has actually happened.

The Marriage Portrait was a buddy read, that despite having two months to read, I binged in 48 hours. There were some elements that reminded me of Court of Thorns and Roses as Alfonzo played the role of Tamlin from both books, except Alfonzo was a lot more aggressive.

I really enjoyed the research and simplistic approach the author took to share these characters (read the author’s note and also enjoy a Wikipedia rabbit hole afterward). At times it was a bit too descriptive, but overall, I was entertained.

Lucrezia is the middle child who is often neglected because of her personality being a bit more assertive and independent than her siblings. When her sister suddenly dies, Lucrezia is promised to a man 11 years older than her who is set to become a duke.

At 15, she is married and realizing her main priority is to produce an heir for Alfonzo. He fears that when he dies, his world will be handed to one of his sisters’ children and that’s a future he can’t allow.

The chapters alternate between the start of the relationship and Lucrezia's firm belief that Alfonzo is going to murder her a year into their marriage. I definitely lived for those paranoid shorter chapters, even if they didn't amount to much.

Justice for Emilia.

macksanders20's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

inesmts's review against another edition

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sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

kwagner's review against another edition

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5.0

This was my third attempt reading this book but wow was it worth it. I listened to the audio as well which was helpful. The writing was a bit slow and it took me awhile to appreciate the switching back and forth but by the end I was consumed by the narrative.

SO wonderful and interconnected from the first chapter to the last page. The imagery was so detailed and sweeping which feels dramatic to say but you read it and tell me differently.

My heart aches for so many reasons but the ending was perfect.

rnicaogain's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

maggie2567's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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