Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

70 reviews

jade62000111's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Death, Infertility, and Miscarriage

Minor: Vomit

mariamj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The beginning was a bit slow but when it picks up, it  picks up! This book was such a pleasure to read. I love the historical accuracy of the events that occurred in this book and I love that the story behind the apothecary. Looks truly can be deceiving and the truth was bittersweet. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Infertility, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Classism

Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol

cyndi1966's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder

kat_rowlen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book starts out a little slow in the beginning but quickly picks up. I loved the way the elements of Nella and Eliza’s stories from 1791 connect with Caroline’s story in modern times. This book definitely had unexpected twists that kept you guessing until the end 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Incest, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Abortion

Moderate: Pedophilia, Police brutality, and Grief

annniina98's review against another edition

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

elisahec's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Death, Rape, Terminal illness, Vomit, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

gummifrog's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm glad I listened to this book on audio because I think I would have struggled reading it physically. I loved the historic portion of this book, I enjoyed the characters of Nella and Eliza and I wanted to see more of them. 

I actually felt the modern day story was enjoyable if you consider that Caroline was meant to be the overall protagonist of the book - her life and journey is shaped by the joy of discovery based on this one tiny piece of history. It's about the idea that even the smallest thing can have an impact on someone hundreds of years from now, that our legacy ripples through time in ways we can't predict.

That being said, I have never wanted a character to leave her husband more quickly. Caroline and Gaynor are my ultimate OTP from this book, you can't change my mind.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Murder

Minor: Infertility and Medical trauma

crystal83087's review against another edition

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Classism

robin_reads's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This book is about Caroline in present times finding a remnant of an apothecary from two hundred years ago. She pieces together the history during her stay in London, while her own life is being turned upside down. 
The second POV is of the apothecary, Nella, in 1791 and how she is running her shop and how a 12-year-old girl changes everything.

It was slow to get into but once it did, I was hooked. I loved to learn what really happened in 1791 vs. what Caroline thinks has happened. 
I think I know why so many people didn’t like it because it’s focused on a rather unpopular trope for a while. 
The audiobook was lovely to listen to. The different characters and timelines were easily distinguished. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

lemonwrlds's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment