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bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a nice, easy to read historical fiction novel inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s Box. Both the story and the prose are nothing spectacular but I still had a fun time. It also has one of the most truly hateable out and out villains I’ve read in a while.
For a book so focused around the black market trade of antiquities, I was a bit disappointed that the role of the British Empire in plundering Greece artifacts was never really raised. There was very little nuance in relation to this subject which threw me out of the book a bit. I think it would have been a more interesting read to have that kind of topic included.
I really enjoyed the side characters (Lady Latimer being a particular favourite).
Overall glad I read this. Recommended to those looking for a nicely paced, ambiguously supernatural historical mystery.
For a book so focused around the black market trade of antiquities, I was a bit disappointed that the role of the British Empire in plundering Greece artifacts was never really raised. There was very little nuance in relation to this subject which threw me out of the book a bit. I think it would have been a more interesting read to have that kind of topic included.
I really enjoyed the side characters (Lady Latimer being a particular favourite).
Overall glad I read this. Recommended to those looking for a nicely paced, ambiguously supernatural historical mystery.
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Animal death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Gore, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Minor: Kidnapping, War, and Homophobia
Instances of sexism, misogyny and homophobia etc. are in-world and consistent with the time period. They are also challenged, addresses or overcome. Also with regard to the animal death:bubblegirl858's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.0
Overall, a really well written story and a great twist on the Pandora story. I really enjoyed reading it and would probably read it again. The characters are a range of boring, interesting, valiant and villainous, as well as selfish and selfless which balances the book really well. I will say if you are squeamish at all about injuries and descriptions of that sort to steer clear of this book. Hermes was my favorite character. The entire time whenever Edward interacted with Cornelius I literally screamed out "He is in love with you, you moron!" because it was painfully obvious to everyone except the literal straight white man which was both hilarious and heartbreaking. Speaking of heartbreaking, Hermes' being killed was the absolute worst thing I had to read, and I was so upset. I will never recover.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Animal death, and Death of parent
allapaz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
wow solid atmospheric spooky historical thrilling mayhem madness, I thoroughly enjoyed the jaunt through Georgian London, lest the actually repulsive bits (though beautifully written!) also, pour one out for our feathered friend Hermes A solid read, a cool historical take on the mythic retellings move
Graphic: Sexism, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual assault
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