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youarethelibrarian's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
At first I wasn’t sure why this wasn’t dual POV of Edie and Violet, but it is really Edie’s story. She is having to work through her grief and guilt, believing that their mother’s death was her fault. She doesn’t trust easily, but she learns she has to open up to those she loves most in order to thrive, not just survive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping
debussy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
This is a delightful historical fantasy debut by Amanda Glaze. Set in the late 1800s, when women were sent to asylums for little more than liking to read, Edie and Violet Bond are part of a traveling spiritualism show. Most of the so-called mediums on the circuit are frauds, but Violet and Edie are the real deal, being able to call spirits out of the veil or enter into it with the right burned herb. When a shadow nearly breaks free from the veil during one of their performances, Edie finds herself drawn into spiritualism intrigue--a spirit is possessing someone, leaving behind a shadow in the veil that's angry and, if it gets out, could wreak havoc. Edit must find the spirit, leading her down a twisted path of nineteenth century misogyny and keeping secrets that threatens her life and that of her sister.
All together, I really liked this book. Its themes were well drawn and the romance between Edie and Laws was well done. If there are any criticisms, I wish there had been more for Violet to do--she seems to get ferried out of the story too frequently up until the stakes include her in the last act. I also wasn't quite sure on the magic system, how the herbs seemed to be doing all the work so why is it important that the girls have abilities others don't? That was never quite explained, but whatever. It's a strong debut and I loved the spiritualism vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder