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rorikae'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
4.5
Helen is coming up on the 10 year deadline of the deal that brought her brother back to life. But before a devil comes to reclaim her, she has one final case to solve, the White City Vampire. The payout will be significant, even more that she can squirrel away for her love, Edith, to use after she is gone. But when her client floats the possibility of returning her soul as part of the payment for solving the case, Helen will do anything to see the murderer brought to justice.
Polk knows exactly how to set up characters that make you care for them even with the limited length of a novella. Helen's predicament appears straightforward toward the beginning but as the story progresses, the case turns out to be far different than what it originally seemed. Polk builds off of relatively well known Christian mythology to build out the world and the supernatural elements, which does a lot to make the world feel lived in. Polk is one of my favorite authors for a reason and I think this book demonstrates why. I do think this story had the potential for a longer work but I think Polk does a good job of fitting it to the novella length.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
sparklefarm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
micheala's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's very short (only 135 pages) so I can't really say much without spoiling things. I will say that overall the mystery was interesting, however there was one key piece that Helen should have noticed much sooner, and her not realizing it felt like a blatant plot convenience.
Content warnings for time period (1940s-ish) homophobia, misogyny, mental institution (characters commited against their will), electroshock therapy, adversion therapy, death, possession,blood and gore - most of these are not described in great detail, but they are present and discussed on page
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Car accident, and Death of parent
bashsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Misogyny
takarakei's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
- Noir
- Sapphic romance
- Chicago speakeasies
- Photography
- Magical realism
- Novella
- great audio narration
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
wyllora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I only wish it was longer and the magic and world was more fleshed out! It was fleshed out enough for the story it was telling--but it intrigued me enough that I wish it stayed longer on the world and pieces of the mystery. If some things had been better established early on, I also think it would've captured more of the mystery staple of trying to figure out what's going on along with the characters. As it was, we're more along for the ride, but it's a nice ride, I like it.
Would love a sequel or more entries into this world!
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, and Homophobia
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Police brutality
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Gore
Minor: Car accident, Violence, Torture, and Murder
mandkips'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
Graphic: Blood, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Lesbophobia, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
booksthatburn'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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Death, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Sexism, Mental illness, and Cursing
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Self harm, Car accident, Torture, and Alcohol
crownoflaurel'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
4.5
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Dementia, Car accident, and Blood