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leanneymu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I feel really conflicted about this one. I normally love Everisto's whiting, and I actually found the verse form pretty easy to get into, but a lot of the characters, dialogue and attitudes felt very early 2000s in a way that was quite alienating. While all the characters felt believable, I struggled with the everyone's attitude to the character of Venus in particular (including her attitude to herself). I also found the adult/minor relationship, although believable for the Roman time period, a bit hard to stomach. Probably my least favourite novel by this author so far, but I will definitely continue to read the rest of her back-catalogue, as I loved Mr Loverman and Girl, Woman, Other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit and Transphobia
hardcoverhearts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
This book takes place in London when Romans occupied it and it was called Londinium. There is a brutal and horrific coliseum scene of death for sport in all sorts of forms. It’s powerful and effective in how it impacts the narrator. But rough to read.
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