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being_b's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to four.
My controversial contention: Sherlock Holmes adaptations live or die on the strength of their Watson. The Watson grounds the story in realism both actual and emotional. The Holmes character can be fantastic and bit removed, but as long as the Watson connects with them, and we connect with the Watson, all is well. O'Dell understands this, so we spend the vast majority of this first book in a series intimately immersed in the head of one Janet Watson, a queer black veteran of the Second American Civil War. As Janet (as I will call her, to distinguish from the archetypal Watson-figure more generally) is deep in the throes of depression and PTSD while struggling to make ends meet in a super-racist dystopian version of Washington D.C., the reading experience is necessarily rather grim. Yet I don't feel the grimness is egregious, if only because we also get to see Janet working through and with her feelings, never stopping or giving up. In true Watson-style, she suffers but doesn't wallow (at least not for long). For me, Watsons are defined by the tension between their pragmatism and practicality one one hand and their empathy and passion on the other, and Janet embodies this beautifully. There's one absolutely fantastic scene where and it just delighted me. It was so much what I want in a modern Watson-- passionately grounded in the body and human relationships.
Sara Holmes is a weaker piece-- despite extensive authorial lampshading, she does often come across as James Bond-esque, with just the right tech and the right connections for every situation. Always poised, collected, and classy, with opaque meant-to-be-intriguing spy chatter of the "I owe them more than I'd like, and less than I should" flavor. Still, I don't really care: since Watson believes she's the real thing, I do too. Making Holmes an intelligence agent rather than PI is a logical move. I wonder what this universe's Mycroft is up to?
I did have a few complaints. The world-building is rather broadly sketched-- particularly the civil war part feels more stitched-together-for-effect than really thought through. This deprives the final revelation of the mystery of some of its punch. Some plot threads get dropped, but maybe they'll be picked up by future books. I'll have to read them to see, which is no hardship.
Finally, most egregiously, the author clearly knows absolutely nothing about fountain pens. Janet does a lot of hand-writing in a journal (obligatory references to creamy thick paper and a favorite ink). At one point Sara gifts her with a fountain pen, described as having a "plain square nib." That's not a fountain pen, it's a calligraphy pen, and it would be an absolute bitch to journal with. Kind of undercuts the "awesome Holmesian omniscience" thing, except Janet doesn't seem to know it's wrong either. Also, Janet is described as having to dip her pen in a bottle of ink as she writes, but a fountain pen has a built-in ink cartridge or reservoir. If you have to dip the nib, it's called a "dip pen." A disappointing series of errors that undermines a lovely character detail of the Writing Watson.
My controversial contention: Sherlock Holmes adaptations live or die on the strength of their Watson. The Watson grounds the story in realism both actual and emotional. The Holmes character can be fantastic and bit removed, but as long as the Watson connects with them, and we connect with the Watson, all is well. O'Dell understands this, so we spend the vast majority of this first book in a series intimately immersed in the head of one Janet Watson, a queer black veteran of the Second American Civil War. As Janet (as I will call her, to distinguish from the archetypal Watson-figure more generally) is deep in the throes of depression and PTSD while struggling to make ends meet in a super-racist dystopian version of Washington D.C., the reading experience is necessarily rather grim. Yet I don't feel the grimness is egregious, if only because we also get to see Janet working through and with her feelings, never stopping or giving up. In true Watson-style, she suffers but doesn't wallow (at least not for long). For me, Watsons are defined by the tension between their pragmatism and practicality one one hand and their empathy and passion on the other, and Janet embodies this beautifully. There's one absolutely fantastic scene where
Spoiler
devastated by the death of a mentor and friend, Janet removes her prothetic arm mid-argument and uses it to punch Holmes in the stomachSara Holmes is a weaker piece-- despite extensive authorial lampshading, she does often come across as James Bond-esque, with just the right tech and the right connections for every situation. Always poised, collected, and classy, with opaque meant-to-be-intriguing spy chatter of the "I owe them more than I'd like, and less than I should" flavor. Still, I don't really care: since Watson believes she's the real thing, I do too. Making Holmes an intelligence agent rather than PI is a logical move. I wonder what this universe's Mycroft is up to?
I did have a few complaints. The world-building is rather broadly sketched-- particularly the civil war part feels more stitched-together-for-effect than really thought through. This deprives the final revelation of the mystery of some of its punch. Some plot threads get dropped
Spoiler
particularly Janet's burgeoning pain pill addictionFinally, most egregiously, the author clearly knows absolutely nothing about fountain pens. Janet does a lot of hand-writing in a journal (obligatory references to creamy thick paper and a favorite ink). At one point Sara gifts her with a fountain pen, described as having a "plain square nib." That's not a fountain pen, it's a calligraphy pen, and it would be an absolute bitch to journal with. Kind of undercuts the "awesome Holmesian omniscience" thing, except Janet doesn't seem to know it's wrong either. Also, Janet is described as having to dip her pen in a bottle of ink as she writes, but a fountain pen has a built-in ink cartridge or reservoir. If you have to dip the nib, it's called a "dip pen." A disappointing series of errors that undermines a lovely character detail of the Writing Watson.
eliza_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dormilona's review against another edition
3.0
A really interesting take on Holmes and Watson, thought the characters were super cool, especially Watson. This book is more of a set up for the greater mystery/plot/relationship than its own contained story. Wish that wasn't so, but it was still fun enough. The focus on race comes off a bit too strong to be honest which is something I pretty much never say. Watson's anger at her situation and American society are a big part of this book and I liked it, but I guess it felt a bit repetitive.
cj13's review against another edition
Moving too slow; can’t maintain an interest
lyssie03's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
castoffcreature's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
yourlocalscrivener's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tinynavajo's review against another edition
4.0
ARC Review: this sparked my interest quite a bit once I read the back blurb. A futuristic LGBTQA black female Watson and her Sherlock Holmes; or, in this case, Sara Holmes. I liked the changes made to the story of Sherlock and Watson to fit this future but you could still have the elements of the original stories.
Will be writing a full review to come.
Will be writing a full review to come.
rikerandom's review against another edition
4.0
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars.
I LOVED Janet and Sara, their characters are awesome - both as an reimagining of Watson and Holmes but also as individuals. Their dynamic is great and really fascinating. Janet - being the narrator of the story - is way more tangible and her characterisation is so very well done. But Sara is just as captivating in this mysterious way.
Unfortunately, while I loved the characters and liked the story and worldbuilding, I had some problems with the way the story was constructed and told. At some point it was just too much Sherlock/Sara monologue about political intrigues and whatnot and while I don't mind books with a lot of detailed politics and occasionally even enjoy them, this was really, really dry. Especially in the last third and right before the big climax. While I was excited to find out how everything would end, I found it hard to stick to the story and to resist skipping the longer speeches.
Still, I liked this a lot. And the not-so-far-future politics especially were fascinating. Holmes and Watson are so very well written. I'm definitely going to read the sequel!
I LOVED Janet and Sara, their characters are awesome - both as an reimagining of Watson and Holmes but also as individuals. Their dynamic is great and really fascinating. Janet - being the narrator of the story - is way more tangible and her characterisation is so very well done. But Sara is just as captivating in this mysterious way.
Unfortunately, while I loved the characters and liked the story and worldbuilding, I had some problems with the way the story was constructed and told. At some point it was just too much Sherlock/Sara monologue about political intrigues and whatnot and while I don't mind books with a lot of detailed politics and occasionally even enjoy them, this was really, really dry. Especially in the last third and right before the big climax. While I was excited to find out how everything would end, I found it hard to stick to the story and to resist skipping the longer speeches.
Still, I liked this a lot. And the not-so-far-future politics especially were fascinating. Holmes and Watson are so very well written. I'm definitely going to read the sequel!
dw_'s review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.0