4.04 AVERAGE

emotional informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
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: Complicated

I chose this because it was a community read, and I flew through it. It reminded me of the books I would read in middle school in a good way- nothing truly controversial, a pleasant main character and clear villains- which was nice.
funny informative inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional sad tense medium-paced

Quick, enjoyable read. The writing style made it feel like a YA novel, especially since I could see a few plot points coming from a mile away, but still worthwhile.
informative inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

4.75 stars
If you love historical fiction and medical fiction, this is the book for you! The characters are richly developed, the plot is engaging, and the narrator of the audiobook is one of my faves!

In His Shadow follows the story of Nora Beady, an orphan raised by a surgeon in the 1800s after surviving cholera. Women are not allowed to practice medicine in England, but all Nora wants to do is continue her secret research and assistance to her caregiver, Dr Croft. Things change when Dr Croft hires an assistant, Dr. Gibson and everyone must readjust to this new dynamic.
I started listening to this book when I went on a road trip and finished it weeks later because my library hold lapsed. I enjoyed parts of the book but there were other parts that I didn’t like much.
The characters in the book are interesting and I found myself drawn into their antics and discoveries. The medical details were very thorough - too thorough if I’m being honest. I had moments of utter shock as I was driving listening to the details of a surgery or dissection - perhaps less awkward when read on paper instead of read aloud.
I’m a little annoyed there is a second book. I thought the story wrapped up quite well and could have been finished with an epilogue if desired, or just left as is. Mainly because I wanted the love theme to wrap up. And I don’t think it finishes in book two. I never read Anne of Windy Poplars for a reason and I suspect Daughter of a Surgeon will strike me similarly. But I can see his it would be right up a lot of people’s alley so just not the perfect book for me.