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mimlleigh's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
cassielaj's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Fiona Davis is the MASTER of the dual timeline and applies her skills so adeptly to historical mysteries centered on New York City landmarks. I really enjoyed this book theft mystery that spans generations of the Lyons family. Laura’s 1913 storyline captured the restlessness of a wife and mother who dreams of more in a society that doesn’t see her as an equal to her male counterparts. Sadie’s storyline, in a different way, chronicles a woman’s longing for more. As more pieces were added, I began to wonder how this would wrap up nicely, but I was really impressed with how everything tied together. I would definitely recommend this book for lovers of history, mystery, and books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent
amyeicher's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A compelling mystery for book lovers but I had one major issue Sophie lobbied for a harsher prison sentence for an at-risk youth which is carceral feminism at its worst and seemed like a missed opportunity in character development to ignore her grandmother’s progressive history and her uncle’s similar past. Put a bad taste in my mouth to end the book that way and made me knock off a whole star.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
emsreading's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I'm not a fan of historical fiction lately especially since everything is centered around WW2. I read this book for a book club. It flips between a past timeline that plays into a more modern timeline. I enjoyed the past timeline more and cared for Laura's character. She was a woman and mother struggling to fit into her "place". There's so much that goes into the story but it all fit perfectly and with such fun little facts about the New York Public Library and how families used to live in it. I loved that most of the book was set in a library and around the love of books. Well written historical fiction!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
jashanac's review
I did sort of read this, but after 132 pages I HEAVILY skimmed. Barely read the rest of it, just checking ends of chapters and ends of sections to see what major things were happening. I was curious about the big secret that was hinted at, but didn't care about the characters enough to want to actually read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Suicide
Minor: Sexism and Child abuse
alyxi3's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
m_greenlaw's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Suicide
mhinnen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
so this is the 3rd Fiona Davis book I've read this week! This one is about The NYC Public Library and mysteries of book stealing in 2 different time periods. When I was young, one of my favorite books was From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler about two children who secretly move into the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are drawn into an art mystery. The Lions of Fifth Avenue are about a family who live in an apartment in the NY Public Library in 1913/14 and books begin disappearing. The mother, Laura Lyons, is a devoted mother and wife but yearns for independence. She is a writer who is introduced to the bohemian and feminist circles of Greenwich Village and who pursues journalism at Columbia. Her essays on women's liberation become popular decades after her death.
We also follow the story of Laura's granddaughter, Sadie who is assigned to curate an exhibit at the NY Library. She never knew her grandmother and her mother didn't share much about the time she lived in the library. And wouldn't you know it, books begin disappearing.
Is there a connection between past and present?
Well done story about dreams, family, tragedy, generational connection, and a NYC landmark.
We also follow the story of Laura's granddaughter, Sadie who is assigned to curate an exhibit at the NY Library. She never knew her grandmother and her mother didn't share much about the time she lived in the library. And wouldn't you know it, books begin disappearing.
Is there a connection between past and present?
Well done story about dreams, family, tragedy, generational connection, and a NYC landmark.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
I appreciate the care that Fiona Davis puts in incorporating LGBTQI people into her books - particularly in the older time periods.momsmagicreads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Dementia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Toxic relationship
laurynsmith's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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? Yes
2.5
I am very sad that I did not love this book. I thought that it had so much promise and there were so many elements that I feel like should've spoken to me, but it was the execution that I found off. The third person coupled with the joint timelines made it immediately hard to discern what was going on and who's head I was supposed to be in. I also had a really hard time connecting to the characters, and especially when it's alternating timelines it runs the risk of being more invested in one storyline than the other, which is exactly what happened. I kind of wished I listened to this on audio because perhaps I wouldn't have been so bothered by the stylistic decisions in the writing. I will say as a positive that once the book picked up, I found myself getting invested in the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide