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joanna_m's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book free as a GoodReads First reads giveaway.
In many ways this was a very good simulacrum of a Victorian novel, as only minor editing for sex and violence would surely have guaranteed its publication during the era. However, it was not written then, to be judged by Victorian standards, but now, when storytelling can be much more dark, when there is more scope for psychological explanation. This novel failed in this sense. The story was very obvious, in a way that could be 'fun', but if you did not engage with its conceit quickly turned to irritation and tedium. All of the characters were very two dimensional, with the bad characters being fairly irredeemable, the good characters uninteresting. There were no surprises, thrills or satisfaction to be had. As a fan of other neo- Victorian novels such as 'The Crimson Petal and the White' I was just frustrated that a fairly interesting idea was being explored in such an uninspired way. My star rating is one star lower than it would have been if it was an idea with no potential, but as it was, the unrealised potential really grated.
In many ways this was a very good simulacrum of a Victorian novel, as only minor editing for sex and violence would surely have guaranteed its publication during the era. However, it was not written then, to be judged by Victorian standards, but now, when storytelling can be much more dark, when there is more scope for psychological explanation. This novel failed in this sense. The story was very obvious, in a way that could be 'fun', but if you did not engage with its conceit quickly turned to irritation and tedium. All of the characters were very two dimensional, with the bad characters being fairly irredeemable, the good characters uninteresting. There were no surprises, thrills or satisfaction to be had. As a fan of other neo- Victorian novels such as 'The Crimson Petal and the White' I was just frustrated that a fairly interesting idea was being explored in such an uninspired way. My star rating is one star lower than it would have been if it was an idea with no potential, but as it was, the unrealised potential really grated.
gl_mrtnl's review against another edition
2.0
I am really quite disappointed in this book, I reached the end eventually skipping paragraphs. This is a story where the main characters are senselessly cruel, the story confusingly jump around or drags too long, and the heroine has the dullest personality and is frankly quite clueless. How many times can you get your drink spiked or trust the wrong person? I was quite disturbed by the careless portrayal of abuse and, well, rape passed on as attraction or desire.. Or whatever it was meant to be. Initially veering towards 3 stars, I'm just glad it's over as it got worse and worse until the bitter end.
sarahtonin_099's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
beatrizmallow's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked some parts of this book, the victorian setting was very good and I enjoyed the stories within stories about Indian Gods. The female characters were not bad but I really disliked the male character and I dind't understand his relation with the protagonist. All in all it was an OK book.
lizziea229's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Fox's other two books but I couldn't get into this one... It feels like Fox is trying too hard to stick to her genre when she actually wants to branch out a bit. Maybe fans were pressuring her to continue to 'dark victorian novel about abused orphans' thing going, but still I felt this was too forced. :/ I really wanted to like it!
verityw's review against another edition
3.0
******Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
I've had a couple of Essie Fox books on various to-read wishlists for a while, so I was very keen when this popped up on NetGalley. And whilst I quite enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I've been sitting here trying to work out what it was that I didn't love, and I can't put my finger on what it was except to say that possibly it was a little too mystical for me. But that doesn't really explain it - as I'm a fantasy and sci fi fan. Perhaps it was just that I didn't really click with the main character. The antagnoists are definitely suitably slimey and loathesome, but I don't think I cared enough about her plight.
Possibly just not my bag - I'm sure that lots of other people will love it.
I've had a couple of Essie Fox books on various to-read wishlists for a while, so I was very keen when this popped up on NetGalley. And whilst I quite enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I've been sitting here trying to work out what it was that I didn't love, and I can't put my finger on what it was except to say that possibly it was a little too mystical for me. But that doesn't really explain it - as I'm a fantasy and sci fi fan. Perhaps it was just that I didn't really click with the main character. The antagnoists are definitely suitably slimey and loathesome, but I don't think I cared enough about her plight.
Possibly just not my bag - I'm sure that lots of other people will love it.
gnomely's review against another edition
4.0
Essie Fox uses words really well, the writing itself and language used was gorgeous, evocative and dreamlike, the author definitely knows how to set the perfect gothic mood (complete with ghosts and ). also the setting is rich and beautiful and vivid.
that said i didn't really enjoy reading this book for a few reasons.
•i found all the characters very horrible and unlikeable
•alice had no power or agency of her own
•alice and tilsbury's relationship was very disturbing to me
•the plot was incredibly slow-moving
these four points are are pretty typical of gothic novels, though, so perhaps that's what the author was going for? i didn't enjoy reading it, though. also i hate reading about pregnancy it makes me nauseous YUCK GOODBYE.
despite all that, im glad i picked it up, because Essie Fox's writing is beautiful, and the history and mythology is very intriguing. im torn lol
anyway yea its a good book just not for me
—
Updated rating after thinking about it some more. I actually really like this book I decided lmao
I think alices lack of agency made the book work on a suspense level... I was explaining this book to some friends, and as I was describing it I realised it’s a very well written story, actually. Just took me a while to see it. Might give it a reread someday.
Spoiler
housefiresthat said i didn't really enjoy reading this book for a few reasons.
•i found all the characters very horrible and unlikeable
•alice had no power or agency of her own
•alice and tilsbury's relationship was very disturbing to me
•the plot was incredibly slow-moving
these four points are are pretty typical of gothic novels, though, so perhaps that's what the author was going for? i didn't enjoy reading it, though. also i hate reading about pregnancy it makes me nauseous YUCK GOODBYE.
despite all that, im glad i picked it up, because Essie Fox's writing is beautiful, and the history and mythology is very intriguing. im torn lol
anyway yea its a good book just not for me
—
Updated rating after thinking about it some more. I actually really like this book I decided lmao
I think alices lack of agency made the book work on a suspense level... I was explaining this book to some friends, and as I was describing it I realised it’s a very well written story, actually. Just took me a while to see it. Might give it a reread someday.
aditurbo's review
2.0
DNF at 12%. Started out with a very engrossing epilogue and first chapter, but soon dwindled into no plot and no interest. A good idea badly developed. A shame.