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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This had a mood to it reminiscent of THE MERMAID AND MRS. HANCOCK, both in subject matter and in general "feel." However, it did not really strike me. While I think some of it was well-done, such as the weaving together of the case and Bridy's past, for much of it I was just left going, "Why?" While I think Ruby's character was cool, I'm not sure what the point of him actually was, as he's not important for solving the case, doesn't really play that much into Bridy's past, despite what he says, and clearly isn't a long-term character if Kidd plans to write more books about Bridy (which I'm unsure of). And the parts where the narrative zoomed WAY out and was like "Let's look at London through the eyes of a raven!" felt very purple and forced to me.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This books is completely different from my typical reads! The writing is superb, beautiful and magical. I was in love with this book from page 1.
A supernatural mystery book, with a female detective, Birdie Devine. Birdie is determined to find out what happened to a young missing, illegitimate child. As long as you can suspend reality, this is well worth the read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review.
A supernatural mystery book, with a female detective, Birdie Devine. Birdie is determined to find out what happened to a young missing, illegitimate child. As long as you can suspend reality, this is well worth the read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy, in exchange for an honest review.
This book is very atmospheric which is cool. It's also super weird and at times dark. It is primarily a mystery set in a historical setting with fantasy elements. I had a hard time getting into it and it felt pretty slow at first. I liked the flashbacks to Bridie's childhood because they helped with understanding her. It felt like some disjointed storylines at first, and we even knew who did the kidnapping from the beginning (as well as knowing some other things before the characters figure it out), but I liked how everything came together by the end. I thought the ghost hanging around was pretty odd, but I liked Bridie and Cora. 3/5 stars.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Victorian England. Lady Detective.
Stop right there. I'll take it. Whatever it is.
In this case it is a tale of a mysterious girl who is wanted by those who have only their best interests at heart, and the lady detective who is charged with finding her before it is too late. Things in Jars is a wonderful romp, a curiousity cabinet of a novel filled with the stench and clatter of Victorian England, the magic and mysticism of the age, and an achingly tender heart that guides you through to the end. Highly recommended folks.
Stop right there. I'll take it. Whatever it is.
In this case it is a tale of a mysterious girl who is wanted by those who have only their best interests at heart, and the lady detective who is charged with finding her before it is too late. Things in Jars is a wonderful romp, a curiousity cabinet of a novel filled with the stench and clatter of Victorian England, the magic and mysticism of the age, and an achingly tender heart that guides you through to the end. Highly recommended folks.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Graphic depictions of certain scenes. I wish I had content warnings, because I didn’t realize this story would include certain depictions- and I don’t think they were necessary to the storyline always.
I liked the underlying flaws of the protagonist, but the ending was dissatisfying in terms of the last paragraph. There was so much build up of a storyline between the protagonist and another character that I don’t think resolved well for the amount of hype in the text.
I liked the underlying flaws of the protagonist, but the ending was dissatisfying in terms of the last paragraph. There was so much build up of a storyline between the protagonist and another character that I don’t think resolved well for the amount of hype in the text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Trafficking
Didn’t hold me quite like Mr. Flood, but still great.