Scan barcode
oxfordcommas91's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
But the biggest issue for me was that there was far less care taken in establishing the interest and intrigue between the two romantic "leads" of this book as there was in book one for Robin and Edwin. The tension and chemistry between Robin and Edwin is believable and builds into a very satisfying crescendo in Marvellous Light. Unfortunately the romance here isn't established in a thoughtful way and falls into too many of the bisexual/queer female stereotypes, resulting in a far less fulfilling story for the reader. You have an adventurous and experienced bisexual/pansexual queer woman who must "teach" the naive, doe-eyed bambi type who seemingly trips and falls into her lust for the main character. Unfortunately, I didn't love Violet as a character either - her motivations feel shallow and incomplete until much later in the book.
I did really enjoy learning more about the backstory and motivations of the Forsythia Club. For a period drama, it's intriguing that the keepers of this ancient magic was
Overall, I continue to be intrigued and interested in the world that Freya Marske has created and I look forward to reading the final installment of the Last Binding series, but I hope that it takes us back to London for a satisfying conclusion.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Stalking and Alcohol
findleydunn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
plantacj's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse and Classism
im_john_laurens's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Violence and Classism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cursing and Alcohol
beepbeep101's review
- 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: Sexual content, Blood, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence and Lesbophobia
becca303's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
maryellen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing
discardeddustjacket'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? It's complicated
2.5
Maybe I just don’t do mysteries, because this story had a very who-done-it murder mystery vibe to it. I don’t know enough about that sort of genre fiction to know whether or not the sort-of claustrophobic setting is a staple of these types of stories, but the entire book taking place on the ship made it a bit boring to me.
I really really liked the romance. Violet and Maud’s relationship was one of the high points of this story for me, as well as the the reluctant alliance of Hawthorne and Ross.
It was just that overall, the plot progression felt like wading through molasses.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny and Classism
heather_freshparchment's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Classism
offbrandclubsoda'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Kidnapping, and Alcohol