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itsheyfay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Child death, Murder, Violence, Abandonment, and Outing
Moderate: Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Confinement, Medical content, Vomit, Classism, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Rape
dalenora's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
WOW! This book was incredible. I felt like I was on an incredible ride start to finish, it was really thrilling and emotionally satisfying as each puzzle piece slipped into place. The story was so real and tangible, and you felt their pain but it was also so incredibly fun with the scooby doo/the turning of the screw type premise.
The initial premise really reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of the show Psych (premise: a fake psychic is hired to go to a wealthy man’s house and exorcise a fake ghost only to wonder if maybe ghosts exist after all? Meta shenanigans ensue) and that very fun and eye catching premise gave way to an emotional, thoughtful, exciting novel that surprised me at every turn.
The initial premise really reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of the show Psych (premise: a fake psychic is hired to go to a wealthy man’s house and exorcise a fake ghost only to wonder if maybe ghosts exist after all? Meta shenanigans ensue) and that very fun and eye catching premise gave way to an emotional, thoughtful, exciting novel that surprised me at every turn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Child death, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Rape, Outing, and Death of parent
doomham's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism
tofugal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
With gorgeous prose and a lovely gothic feel, this definitely delivered on its “for fans of Sarah Waters” promise. It felt like a solid blend of Fingersmith and Affinity. Though this was more predictable than Waters’ books, there were still plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing whether the ghosts were real, fake, or some combination of the two.
Sylvie’s perspective held my attention, but I feel like the book truly picked up when it switched over to Charlotte’s perspective, in large part because Florence stole my heart. I really wanted that poor gal to win.
My only criticism is that the ending felt rushed, the final twist was too obvious, and I don’t think the epilogue was needed.
Overall, a very impressive debut. I look forward to reading more from Carmella Lowkis.
CW: For DA, deaths, and mentions of past SA.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
lornography's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This well told gothic fairy tale is a cautionary story of what comes of actions based on appearances.
Set in Paris during the mid-to-late 19th century, we experience love, vengeance and redemption through the eyes of two estranged spiritist sisters. There is Sherlockian mystery combined with Shakespearean tragedy and all the tropes of the Victorian era.
The character development is on point, you care deeply about the focal ladies and their grande plights (with a side of sapphic wooing and cooing that is delightfully coquettish). The settings are portrayed in such detail that they play out during the reading experience as if watching a compelling mind-movie. While more Parisian flair could have possibly added to the book’s supernatural mystique, in all, Spitting Gold is easily a highly recommended novel full of heart-pounding suspense and heart-breaking emotion!
Much appreciation goes out to author, Carmella Lowkis, and Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) for the opportunity to experience Spitting Gold in advance of its May 14th, 2024 release.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Child death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Dementia, Suicide, Homophobia, Sexism, Gore, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: War, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Rape, Colonisation, and Suicide attempt
tonyaf's review
dark
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? Yes
4.25
Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis was such a pleasant surprise for me! It’s a mystery, historical fiction, and family drama with captivating characters and complex relationships.
The story is set in 1866 in France and is about two sisters, Sylvie and Charlotte, who formerly worked as fraudulent mediums and conned wealthy families out of money. The job was part of their family business built by their mother, who has since passed, and their father who is currently very ill. The father’s illness reunites the sisters for one last con, but this new job sets off a string of events that leads to wide-ranging consequences.
Both sisters are complex characters and have complicated feelings towards each other. The story references Charles Perrault’s The Fairies throughout. The Fairies tells the story of one good sister and one bad sister. Spitting Gold argues that the story would be far more nuanced than that. All stories have more than one side. Sylvie and Charlotte are both the good sisters and the bad sisters. They love each other dearly but also harbor anger and resentment. They both make decisions that both hurt and help the other. They are both doing their best in the world they are living in. This complexity makes for such a riveting story!
While the sisters and their relationship is the star of Spitting Gold, I also loved the mystery plot and the cast of side characters. There’s also a sweet Sapphic love story entwined (and a few other delightful queer characters too).
The story is set in 1866 in France and is about two sisters, Sylvie and Charlotte, who formerly worked as fraudulent mediums and conned wealthy families out of money. The job was part of their family business built by their mother, who has since passed, and their father who is currently very ill. The father’s illness reunites the sisters for one last con, but this new job sets off a string of events that leads to wide-ranging consequences.
Both sisters are complex characters and have complicated feelings towards each other. The story references Charles Perrault’s The Fairies throughout. The Fairies tells the story of one good sister and one bad sister. Spitting Gold argues that the story would be far more nuanced than that. All stories have more than one side. Sylvie and Charlotte are both the good sisters and the bad sisters. They love each other dearly but also harbor anger and resentment. They both make decisions that both hurt and help the other. They are both doing their best in the world they are living in. This complexity makes for such a riveting story!
While the sisters and their relationship is the star of Spitting Gold, I also loved the mystery plot and the cast of side characters. There’s also a sweet Sapphic love story entwined (and a few other delightful queer characters too).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual assault
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