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laurajeangrace's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Torture, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Confinement, and Pregnancy
nestofwordsandblankets's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
While there was great imagery of Elizabethan London, the story dragged on with more characters than necessary. I love a good historical reference, but I found myself rereading passages to confirm the connections between the players in this time-traveling adventure. The name index at the end of the book was very helpful.
Matthew and Diana were not likable in most of the story. Their relationship fell into a negative cyclical pattern, which was distracting to the story. How can two people, who are so entrenched in defending their love and discovering truths, feel so unsure about each other? Why would you time travel with someone then? This dynamic made it difficult to believe their relationship was fated and worth fighting for.
There were several open-ended plot lines, which only added to the confusion and frustration of this story. I can only hope the third book will have answers, though a few Elizabethan characters may never have their true conclusion.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Drug use, Death, and Toxic friendship
theespressoedition's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Because this was a sequel, it followed the same progression as a lot of fantasy sequels and slowed down a lot to introduce you to the world in which the characters are living. I found myself zoning out a few times, but I think that a lot of that had to do with the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of historical references (which is why I tend to stay away from historical fiction) and so the true immersion into the 16th century was a bit uninteresting to me, personally.
That being said, I did, however, really enjoy how so many of the characters were real people. Maybe it's not exactly what they were like in reality, but it made the story more fun because it gave me the chance to imagine what they could've been like in those circumstances. There were a few really interesting references to well-known individuals that made my mind continue to ponder long after I finished the book (ex: Annie and who she actually was!)
One of the things this series has done is stick in my brain. Just like when I finished the first book, I've found myself revisiting the plot of the sequel to consider certain things and how they could play into the future of the story. Even though I might not have been 100% immersed in every single part while I was actively reading, it won't leave my mind now that I've completed it. This alone makes me all the more excited to dive into The Book of Life.
I can't wait to see what happens next!
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Torture, Violence, and Child abuse
hexenlibrarian'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
4.25
Minor: Sexual content, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, and Blood
btrz7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
For as much as the premise sounds interesting and just what I would love (magic creatures time travelling to the past), the book itself falls miserably short of anything.
First, I think I just read a book with absolutely no plot. It drags on and on and on and you really don't know what's the point of it (or rather, you know what the point is meant to be, but the book itself seems to have forgotten). Second, the two main characters became kind of insufferable. Matthew seems to be the most important man at any point in space and time, who knows everyone of importance, is involved in everything, and can influence just about anything and anyone. Diana is the most special witch to have existed, and despite knowing nothing about magic, she is also apparently one of the most powerful. Together, they go through time and meet a new historical figure every 10 pages or so. Forgetting, along the way, everything they're there to do.
So yeah, I fail to see what this book accomplished in the trilogy, as most of it seemed to be both of the main characters dressing up and going out and being dramatic about their marriage.
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, and Infidelity
meganpbennett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm not sure what I think. I don't really like Matthew, though he is growing on me, a bit like mold or calculus. I have issues with how he treats Diana, and how much he didn't seem willing to help her adjust to suddenly living in Elizabethan England. Or how he treats her and how he doesn't seem willing to help her when they have to go to Prague, tracking a traitor alchemist and the book.
Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Death
msjk427's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Torture and Drug abuse
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse