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syntaxofthings's review against another edition
I can't stand romances where there's literally no explanation for why they are attracted to each other; the characters do everything to annoy each other and then are like "whoa let's kiss!" BAH. Could have been a good book with an intriguing world!
crimsonking19's review
4.0
Almost a 3 star, the romance aspect was kind of dull and like every other romance, It would have been way better if it just focused on Joan discovering her powers, it almost felt like that was a side story.
sailaranel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Mental illness
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Death, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide
husnaibrahim_'s review
3.5
Ratings can sometimes be a bit tricky. I would have rated this book higher if it weren’t for its ending.
The suspect was pretty much out in the open from the start; it was set up that way. Because just as we met our male mc/detective, we met our suspect.
I liked the mage aspect of the book. It was nice to add a bit of magical realism to the book. Joan's character was cool too. She was someone who could stand her ground. And I liked Sherringford too. On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure how I felt about their romance, as it felt a bit rushed. The chemistry was evident, so it wasn’t surprising or anything. I just wished we had a bit more time with them. But I guess since the next book in this series is about them too, that’s fine.
Then there's Augustine. He had this slightly creepy vibe, but it strangely fit into the story well. I wouldn't have minded if Joan ended up with him in the long run. I also liked her mother. She might have seemed a bit timid, as Joan described, but considering the societal constraints of middle-class women in that time, things probably weren't easy for her. You earn enough to be important in society yet you still can’t do whatever you want because all your fortune and freedom belongs to your husband who inherits it after marrying you. Then there’s the way she was treated after her marriage, and how she was restricted with his illness and all, it's something worth considering.
But let me tell you, I wasn’t a fan of the ending, at all. The whole confrontation and the duel felt a bit stupid. Why can’t we ever read crime fiction books where the fmc wouldn’t have to risk her life to achieve something at the ending? Why is it always the fmc’s? Why never the others or even the name lead? I get the idea of portraying strong female characters, but it's becoming a bit of a cliche, especially when not executed well, as in this case.
Then dragging her mother into the climax—unnecessary. Why??? Just why? Why couldn’t the author just let her be. Yes it made sense that she’d be involved in it somehow but I didn’t like it because I liked her, because I didn’t see it coming and because it wasn’t necessary. Why should her mother be the one she’ll lose in place of the somewhat abusive father. Isn’t the mother a victim of some sort too? It all just felt too abrupt and unplanned, especially since her mother wasn't a part of the lead character’s troubles. Idk maybe I’m not being rational about this with all the facts but I just hated it it because it was so last minute.
All these aside, it's a decent read. The world-building sets up a really intriguing backdrop, and I’m definitely interested in the second book to see how the story takes us to Gregor's noble family.
The suspect was pretty much out in the open from the start; it was set up that way. Because just as we met our male mc/detective, we met our suspect.
I liked the mage aspect of the book. It was nice to add a bit of magical realism to the book. Joan's character was cool too. She was someone who could stand her ground. And I liked Sherringford too. On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure how I felt about their romance, as it felt a bit rushed. The chemistry was evident, so it wasn’t surprising or anything. I just wished we had a bit more time with them. But I guess since the next book in this series is about them too, that’s fine.
Then there's Augustine. He had this slightly creepy vibe, but it strangely fit into the story well. I wouldn't have minded if Joan ended up with him in the long run. I also liked her mother. She might have seemed a bit timid, as Joan described, but considering the societal constraints of middle-class women in that time, things probably weren't easy for her. You earn enough to be important in society yet you still can’t do whatever you want because all your fortune and freedom belongs to your husband who inherits it after marrying you. Then there’s the way she was treated after her marriage, and how she was restricted with his illness and all, it's something worth considering.
But let me tell you, I wasn’t a fan of the ending, at all. The whole confrontation and the duel felt a bit stupid. Why can’t we ever read crime fiction books where the fmc wouldn’t have to risk her life to achieve something at the ending? Why is it always the fmc’s? Why never the others or even the name lead? I get the idea of portraying strong female characters, but it's becoming a bit of a cliche, especially when not executed well, as in this case.
Then dragging her mother into the climax—unnecessary. Why??? Just why? Why couldn’t the author just let her be. Yes it made sense that she’d be involved in it somehow but I didn’t like it because I liked her, because I didn’t see it coming and because it wasn’t necessary. Why should her mother be the one she’ll lose in place of the somewhat abusive father. Isn’t the mother a victim of some sort too? It all just felt too abrupt and unplanned, especially since her mother wasn't a part of the lead character’s troubles. Idk maybe I’m not being rational about this with all the facts but I just hated it it because it was so last minute.
All these aside, it's a decent read. The world-building sets up a really intriguing backdrop, and I’m definitely interested in the second book to see how the story takes us to Gregor's noble family.
vagaybond's review
4.0
This was pretty cute!!!
Steampunk magical mystery with talks of class and cultural + gender divides in a pseudo-Victorian era London. Protagonist is Jewish and falls in love with a half-Indian man as a side story to them solving a mystery together.
It wasn't anything super duper thought provoking for me personally but it was still a lovely read. I did get mildly annoyed by the argument that corsets are uncomfortable or that working women didn't wear them, because it's just not accurate or true. Especially by a seamstress who would know about fittings properly. But that's relatively minor.
Steampunk magical mystery with talks of class and cultural + gender divides in a pseudo-Victorian era London. Protagonist is Jewish and falls in love with a half-Indian man as a side story to them solving a mystery together.
It wasn't anything super duper thought provoking for me personally but it was still a lovely read. I did get mildly annoyed by the argument that corsets are uncomfortable or that working women didn't wear them, because it's just not accurate or true. Especially by a seamstress who would know about fittings properly. But that's relatively minor.