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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This was a Goodreads giveaway win
I so wanted to like this but for the life of me I couldn’t get into it. Every chapter is about our main character until a few pages in. Then you get a random view point from a different character. There is no real warning or any obvious statement of who this view point is from until you read on. It’s a bit too much work. So by the time you get into this new POV you are now back at Remedios. I feel this could have been developed better or edited differently. It felt like too much was going on for such a short(ish) novel
I so wanted to like this but for the life of me I couldn’t get into it. Every chapter is about our main character until a few pages in. Then you get a random view point from a different character. There is no real warning or any obvious statement of who this view point is from until you read on. It’s a bit too much work. So by the time you get into this new POV you are now back at Remedios. I feel this could have been developed better or edited differently. It felt like too much was going on for such a short(ish) novel
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved the focus on a great female friendship and how it could be a muse for a full life. The weaving in of tarot was a unique element that made me intrigued to learn more.
Will pick up her other books.
Will pick up her other books.
I thought this was an interesting premise, indeed being based on real painters and their lives adds to that. My difficulty comes with switching points of view. It's a first-person limited viewpoint that is often Remedios, however, it changes suddenly, sometimes in the same chapter, to another person I then have to play detective to figure out since there are no clear markers of whose head I am in. I found this off-putting enough that I will discontinue reading, as every time this happens it breaks the immersion for me.
Otherwise, I believe this is a fine book. It's intriguing, the characters are interesting and well-written. I just found that I could not continue reading based on the point of views issue which made it more tedious each time I thought about going back to the book to continue the story.
This unbiased review has been provided in exchange for access to an ARC via Netgalley.
Otherwise, I believe this is a fine book. It's intriguing, the characters are interesting and well-written. I just found that I could not continue reading based on the point of views issue which made it more tedious each time I thought about going back to the book to continue the story.
This unbiased review has been provided in exchange for access to an ARC via Netgalley.
If you enjoy historical fiction about women, self discovery, art, or obscure figures, Alchemy of a Blackbird may be one to watch out for! I picked it up because I love books about art and artists, and I had never heard of Remedios Varo or Leonora Carrington. As it turns out, they were connected to major players in the Surrealist movement, although neither gained fame until later in life, overshadowed by the male artists of their circle. I may not be the true target audience, as the book had a lot to do with tarot and Remedios’ connection to it, and it’s not something I know much about. The book employs an unusual format, introducing each person as a certain character of the tarot deck. I personally didn’t care for so many side characters’ perspectives and thought we’d get more from Leonora and Remedios; some of the POVs added to the story while others felt unnecessary, or I at least wanted them more fleshed out. Clocking in at just under 300 pages, Alcheky of a Blackbird is a relatively quick read, but I definitely felt like it should be longer at times to fully immerse myself in Remedios’ journey. In fact, her last few chapters were some of my favorites, because she is fully confident and acting on her dreams of being an artist, and I got clear insight into her painting/creative process. I also enjoyed the deep friendship between Leonora and Remedios, a source of continual encouragement and support for them throughout the book. If you do pick up Alchemy of a Blackbird, I highly recommend looking up images of Remedios’ and Leonora’s art. It’s so alluring.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes