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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Four conflicting narratives that build to one still slightly unclear narrative, and it's not exactly satisfying to read. Most everyone in the book is horrible in a number of ways. There's too many details. There's an entire segment narrated by a completely unreliable narrator (and that's fine and intentional but also by the end left me wondering why bother including his segment.) There's a couple minor female characters (a whore, a witch) and one major one but there's no POV woman and the women in the narrative more or less exist to be abused and belittled. Historically that's maybe kinda accurate but it's not very nice to read.
A lot of the writing is good, and the 4 narrative characters actually manage to sound a bit different, so that was good too.
A lot of the writing is good, and the 4 narrative characters actually manage to sound a bit different, so that was good too.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved the first part of the book. The switch in perspective made me lose interest and then I was picking it up so sporadically that I couldn’t remember enough details to appreciate what is clearly a well plotted and complex historical mystery. My biggest tip for anyone picking this up would be not to dawdle over reading it as I’m sure it is worth the investment of time to read it but consistent reading needed to see how the threads of each story intertwine.
Confusion over characters and disengaged from plot
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Second time through and I got a lot more out of it. It's very dense and is just one of those books that requires a second reading, I guess.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I started out loving it. By the end, I was skimming. I don't like an ending that reveals new unpredictable information. I don't have the historical background knowledge to enjoy much of this.
challenging
dark
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated