Reviews

Galvanism and Ghouls by Tilly Wallace

emmad's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

jonseyjaguar's review

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.5

sarah_moynihan's review

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4.0

'Together beyond death...

A new unnatural horror is about to rattle Hannah Miles' quiet existence, and it's not the short-tempered viscount prowling the hallways. Someone is creating a monster by stitching together pieces of different people. When a limb makes an escape attempt, Viscount Wycliff is called to investigate. All of London knows there is one mad scientist among them capable of creating such an ungodly monster... Sir Hugh Miles.

Hannah's father is suspected of a most heinous crime and she is determined to clear his name, even as Wycliff works to see the murderer hang. Buried secrets that touch all their lives will be brought to the surface. One such secret belongs to Hannah and could tear her world apart.

With Hannah and Wycliff on opposing sides, can they find the real monster and will it be the hand that wields the scalpel, or the creature hiding in the dark?'
__________________________

Galvanism and Ghouls is the second book in Tilly Wallace's Manners and Monsters series, which is a historical mystery series set in a London in which supernatural and magical beings co-exist within society.

This book has aspects that are really reminiscent of other works(I'm thinking The Addams Family and Frankenstein), but at the same time it also has a really original feel. I personally feel that Galvanism and Ghouls is much stronger than the first in the series. I found the first to be a bit repetitive when it was setting up the story, but the author fixed that problem for this book; everything unfolded very smoothly. Plus I love that the supernatural aspect of the book is being expanded upon and hope that that trend continues as the series does.

If I had to find something to critique, I would perhaps say that the answer to the mystery wasn't super tricky. There are some clues dropped along the way and there was little room left for doubt and so I felt myself wanting to shake them for having not pieced it together yet because I wanted everything to fall into place.

The larger plots that thread through the series as a whole are starting to deepen as well and I am really looking forward to seeing what direction they'll take and what that will mean for our characters. I recommend this series, if paranormal historicals are your cup of tea I think you'll really enjoy it.

tinynavajo's review

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4.0

Another excellent adventure for Hannah and Lord Wycliff as they seek to find out who is creating Frankenstein's Monster like creatures in Chelsea. When her father is accused, Hannah does all that she can in order to clear her father's name and to find a cure for the Afflicted.

cosmicrusalka's review

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5.0

Overall : I can't say that the reveals were completely unexpected, but I gasped all the same.

Writing : ★★★★☆ - not bad, not amazing but overall enjoyable.

Narration : ★★★★☆ - still only wish there was a male narrator for Wycliff.

Pacing : ★★★★★ - not a dull moment.

Plot : ★★★★★ - like the first one, it's not an overly complex story, but because of that it makes it a very fun and easy read. It was highly entertaining, and that's what matters most to me.

World/Setting : ★★★★★ - I can't get enough of this world!

Focus : Lore/myth

Imagrey : ★★★★☆ - I could always use more descriptive writing, but this book is not bad, especially where it counts.

Character(s) : Hannah - it's so adorable how into research she is, but also adorable how she wants a pretty dress but denies it.

Favorite Character : Mr. Barn's Hand/Thing 100% - some of the best personality traits I've seen!

Relationships : Hannah and Wycliff, ah, what a pair these two are. They clearly care about each other, but it's a question of how much. It's really adorable how uncomfortable they are around each other, but they also don't really like being apart. Can't wait for when they get to the point of realizing their feelings!

Emotional Response : made me laugh a few times, gasp a few times and overall stayed very interested.

Most memorable moment : "You can't eat her just because she's sick!" -Timmy

rusticreadingal's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars

I had such a great time reading this book! This series is turning out to be so much fun. This installment was even better than the first. The world building is spectacular and the characters are charming and easy to root for. I can't get enough.

There were twists and turns and a couple of surprising reveals that I didn't see coming. I thought the mystery was good. I was absolutely convinced I knew who the guilty party was. So much so that I pretty much dismissed everyone else. Boy, was I in for a shock! And while this mystery was solved, there are quite a few loose threads that I'm sure will carry through the rest of the series, which I'm eager to read ASAP! If you're a fan of paranormal cozy mysteries, this series gets a huge recommendation from me. Start with book one and you'll be hooked!

lashakas7's review against another edition

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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? Yes

5.0

janeefritz's review against another edition

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3.0

I’d give this book 3.5 stars. I found Hannah to be a little irritating in this installment to be honest. It’s fine that she has grand fantasies about what she wants her life to be like, but we all know the truth. She’s in her 20’s and has no suitors, her mother is un-dead, and her father is devoted to finding a cure to this disease. She’s not exactly an eligible young lady but she acts as if marrying Wycliff is a fate worse than death. I don’t see anyone else lining up to court you honey. Like girl, get off your high horse. You’ve lived with this man for several months now and he treats you and your family with respect but you’re acting like he’s some scoundrel whose after your family’s land and money. She was just acting a bit childishly in my opinion for someone who could literally end up on the streets if her father died and she wasn’t married.

Another problem I have is the pacing of these novels. I noticed that in the first novel and this novel the mystery was hastily unfolded and wrapped up in the last 20%. while the first 80% was a slow introduction of characters and some of the facts. Both times I reached a point where I thought “why is everything suddenly happening now when I only have about 14% of the book left?” I will continue reading the series for now because I want to learn more about Wycliff’s condition and hopefully things get a little better in the next book.

nevclue's review against another edition

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3.0

I don't know that I would have continued onto book 2 if a pandemic hadn't been going on, but here we are. I liked this better than book 1: Wycliff is mildly less of an ass (although I don't really think Hannah should forgive him for his cruelty and prejudice towards the Afflicted) and the plot was a smidge more compelling. The biggest improvement is that Hannah gets more of a personality.

nik_reads02's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5
Enjoyable return, which sets up the rest of the series.