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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This felt very different to other Jodi P novels, I can’t think of another one that has such a big historical timeline, and yet it still carried her effortless ways with story telling. By halfway through I was thoroughly hooked and a little obsessed with the ideas and theories behind Shakespeare and the truth of how his works came to be. I think I may have found my conspiracy of choice 🙏
I absolutely loved the Emilia chapters but found myself speed reading the Melina chapters. The only thing I did not like about this book was the stuuuuupid trope of “I can explain” “no!” Like oh my god just LET PEOPLE EXPLAIN. I hate this trope and I wish it would die. Other than that the book was a solid 4 stars.
medium-paced
Love Jodi books but I am learning to enjoy historical so this had more historical than I normally enjoy.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Parallel present day and historical (Elizabethan age plots and multiple themes such as : Shakespeare not having written his own works (gasp! A woman even perhaps! ), gender and racial inequality in theater, gender inequality in marriage, marginalized groups, and of course misunderstandings for the plot twists. Emilia’s story (60+%)was sometimes desolate (understandably accurate but still… hard to read!) but present day plot (40%?) moved quickly . Fascinating origin stories for Shakespearean works and now looking for the non-fiction book the author’s note at end recommended :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexism, Grief, Sexual harassment
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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