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ashylibrarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Maybe a more in-depth review to come?
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Blood, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and War
readandfindout's review against another edition
4.25
Themes: 5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Graphic: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion and War
jenny_higgins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence
katiejohns's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest
dkamada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
nimeneth's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Still, really enjoyed the plot overall and I was a little surprised by the culprit of the murder, Lawhon crafted that part of the tale very well and it's not outlandish within the scope of the story. Glad my book club picked this one and I was able to get my hands on a copy to read it.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lizreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Murder
kgc8's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Though the book uses a murder to grab your attention, I honestly found the legal case more interesting because of how nascent the U.S. legal system was at the time (and I'm not even a lawyer!). The author's note at the end (don't read until you're done because there are spoilers) tells you you have to throw out all your preconceived notions about due process and the law before reading because it's so vastly different and primitive. Colonel Joseph North, despite not having studied law, was the judge in the area given his rank and deeds during the War. Not only that, he was able to preside over the case locally and didn't recuse himself in spite of the conflict of interest! (Don't worry, he gets scolded for that by the regional court).
If you enjoy history and immersing yourself in a different period, check out this book. I took off a star because I think the author dumbed a few things down for "modern" readers in her exposition and I loved the idea of Martha Ballard's story being told more than the author's writing style.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Pregnancy and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Violence, and Blood
lbuck303's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Abortion, and Pregnancy
danielledtetreau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
My only complaint about this historical fiction is the mention of a species of oak tree that doesn’t grow in Maine (nerdalert!)
Graphic: Rape and Pregnancy
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Child death, Sexual violence, and Blood