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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I’m really torn on whether I enjoyed this book or not. I was warned it’s a “slow burn”, but it never took off for me. The pace plods along slowly and even action scenes feel anti-climatic. My biggest critique would be her writing style - it’s just not my taste; she holds the reader’s hand and explains every detail instead of showing. Overall, I found this juvenile and struggled to let go of that judgment to fully get immersed in the story. I appreciated the ~one~ intriguing through-line of female sex workers subverting patriarchal power. However, her language made potentially insightful commentary feel clunky. I don’t think I’ll finish the series; I’m just not interested enough in finding out what happens to these characters.
3.5- I might have to sit on this rating. Not for the faint of heart, this story is an excruciatingly close look at the lives of brothel women in Pompeii. Well written, but so heavily character based there wasn’t a lot of plot. I feel like I didn’t *enjoy* reading it? But maybe I did?
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
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
Récit très agréable à lire, les personnages sont travaillés et l’écriture aide à se projeter dans cet univers antique. L’autrice parvient à traiter du sujet de la prostitution sans lourdeur mais avec la gravité nécessaire
Très bon livre à l’intrigue prenante et aux personnages attachants
Très bon livre à l’intrigue prenante et aux personnages attachants
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
I feel genuinely gaslit by the internet about this book. The reviews I read claimed it was a modern feminist masterpiece, inspiring, enthralling, gripping, etc..
I thought it was one of the most boring books I’ve read this year. Zero character depth, slow and predictable plot, weird Gen Z language use for a book set in ancient Pompeii. Genuinely all around did not like it. But I feel insane for having this opinion based off of the cult following and 5 star reviews.
I thought it was one of the most boring books I’ve read this year. Zero character depth, slow and predictable plot, weird Gen Z language use for a book set in ancient Pompeii. Genuinely all around did not like it. But I feel insane for having this opinion based off of the cult following and 5 star reviews.