Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

One for All by Lillie Lainoff

53 reviews

asparagusisreading's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

First, I want to say thank you to the author, the publisher, NetGalley, and the FierceReads for making an e-arc copy for me to read in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes: finishing school used a cover for something else, love triangle, found family,
Representation Included: POTS, a lesbian character, an ac character, a demi bi character,
Content and Trigger Warnings: ableism, implied sexual assault, death of a parent, murder, violence, blood, gore

ONE FOR ALL by LILLIE LAINOFF is an Own-Voices feminist, gender-bent retelling of the Three Musketeers following a female main character with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). All Tania wants is to become a musketeer like her father but when he is found dead and the circumstances sound suspicious, she sets her sights on finding who killed him and why. The next thing she knows, she is sent to a finishing school (a place to teach women to be proper ladies and wives) as part of her father's will. At first, Tania is appalled by her father's choice of school but quickly learns why. The finishing school is secretly a cover for what is really taught: how to use a sword, hide weapons underneath skirts, and how to use them, to seduce men and get secrets. Tania starts to feel like she's found where she belongs, a place where she and her illness are accepted but she has to choose where her loyalties lie when she starts to fall in love with her first target... and he might have information on who killed her father.

Before I begin my review, I read this book mostly with an audiobook because the book has been released by the time I got around to reading it. Talia is about 16 years old and that is shown by how naive she can be. Some parts of the book were a little easy to guess based on books with similar tropes and plots, but I didn't mind it. The main twist towards the end I didn't catch onto because I fully believed the twist would've involved one of the musketeers. I do not have POTS so I can not speak on the accuracy of the representation from that perspective. However, I can speak on it from what I know through research and friends that have it. Based on what I know, I think the POTS representation was done well and explored more than just the fainting spells. I liked seeing Talia's growing connection with the musketeers and the small family she found from it, how they supported her and "wouldn't let her fall." Overall, I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook and anticipate reading the ebook or physical book will be even better.

My content featuring this book:
-August TBR https://youtu.be/nVPYzsM5Zfk
-September TBR https://youtu.be/GAqnZvCFdOw

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madamenovelist's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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libraryghost's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

3.5


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hilaryreadsbooks's review against another edition

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3.0


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vaniavela's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted 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? No

5.0

A feminist genderbent retelling of the Three Musketeers where the chronically ill protagonist seeks the truth behind her father's murder. 

The author is a fencing competitor and suffers from the same chronic health problem as Tania, which brings great authenticity and veracity to our protagonist's experiences, thoughts and emotions. Important issues such as disability and women's rights are discussed here, featuring highly in the story. One of the elements I enjoyed most was reading the message that her disability was not the problem, but society and the way she was perceived and treated. She was powerful just the way she was. We were not given a story where she was cured of her disability and saved the day, but rather showed that even with her disability she was a hero. 

One for All is a beautiful and gripping story. Tania is a very strong character and I love her. The relationships she formed throughout the story were beautiful to me as she was able to grow as a person because of them.  The feeling of sisterhood is very strong; seeing the girls united was incredible.

One of the things I like most about this book is that it recognizes more than one type of strength. Willpower, the drive to fight for what's right, and passion are great strength boosters. 

Sometimes I have a hard time getting into historical fiction, but this book did not disappoint me at all.  The writing in this book is beautiful and completely immerses you in the story.

I can't believe I don't have a copy of this novel in my hands, and I'm heartbroken that I don't have the money to buy it. If any of my acquaintances read this, it would make a great birthday present :)

I loved the concept of an adaptation of The Three Musketeers, and the characters being so well developed is one of the coolest aspects of the book.

Rep: white Russian-French cishet female MC with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), sapphic cis female side characters, aroace cis female side character. 

CWs: Ableism, chronic illness, death of parent, death, murder. Moderate: Sexual assault (of side character), blood, gore, violence, emotional abuse, medical trauma.

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charitylee92's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.25


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bookishflower's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

5.0

There are rare occasions when you read a book at the perfect time and feel as though the author has peered into your soul and written a book just for you. This is one of those books for me. 
As a chronically ill ex-fencer with the same symptoms as Tania (if less extreme), this book means so much to me. Seeing Tania struggle, fight, make friends, be loved and exist was incredibly validating: to be able to know I’m not alone or exaggerating, that other people relate, that I could just be. This was one of my most anticipated books of this year and it didn’t disappoint.
The political intrigue, balls and ball gowns, women supporting women, musketeers, and women with swords and razor sharp wit was the icing on the cake. Please go support this book and author! ❤️🥄

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sunlit_music's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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? N/A

4.5

Plot: Tania, the heroine of the story, has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Tania's father, a renowned musketeer, is tragically killed. Tania suspects he is murdered, and takes a chance to attend a finishing school to find her father's murderer and carry out justice. Soon, she is surrounded by supportive friends and a teacher who will help her find out who is trying to destroy the monarchy. Will she be able to prevent bloodshed and war, and save those she loves? 

Characters: Reading this book was an emotional roller coaster for me. I loved the protagonist Tania de Batz. She's brave, kind, and loyal, and her friends are delightful. Her father was so lovely, and it was so sad to see her mother worn down by society's ableism and sexism. I did not expect a certain someone to be the antagonist - the plot twist was heart breaking but so clever! The romance is really sweet too. 

There are two love interests - one is the antagonist (think lovers to enemies), and the other is on the protagonist's side (friends to lovers). 

World building: world building and setting was realistic and well researched. I was so immersed in the world I barely noticed my own surroundings while reading the book! The intrigue and spy craft is realistic and detailed, and so believable. I really did feel transported to another time. 

Ending: The ending was emotionally satisfying, made sense, and felt uplifting. Tania and her friends deserved their happy ending. They worked hard for it!

Diversity - the story is diverse, with several strong and likable women characters, great lgbt+ representation and amazing disabled characters. Like the author said on goodreads, one musketeer loves women, another one is a demi bisexual, and a main character is asexual. 

Prose:  prose flowed naturally and beautifully, without being too flowery. 

I would recommend this book for: people who love great stories about friendship, family, disability, self esteem and women's rights. This is historical Young Adult fiction with intrigue, suspense, and adventure. 

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my_forest_library's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious 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

4.0


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thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition

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adventurous

4.0

I really enjoyed this debut! I saw girl with sword on the cover and had to read it. 😂
It's an ownvoices (author has POTS) reimagining of The Three Musketeers. I thought it a cool nod to the original that the girls' names were similar. I loved seeing the sisterhood build between Tania and the others and the way they supported and accepted her.

Minor spoiler:
when Tania arrived and they already had a pulley elevator, I wanted to cry

Major spoiler:
maybe I'm just oblivious but I didn't see the villain reveal coming until right before it happened 😢

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