Reviews

I read this book in a single evening. I just couldn't put it down. It gripped me from page one and I just had to follow this story! And the fact that it's based on an actual person makes this even better! The story telling and narrative were beyond fantastic!

lavenderlemonade's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Finished for a challenge. Really interesting historical figure but ultimately I wouldn’t have finished it if it weren’t for a challenge. It got boring and dragged; I stopped caring. Agree with other reviewers that there’s something stilted and dry about the narration. Lots of telling, very little showing.

katie_m26's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.5

Solid 4.5 stars for me. I felt like this book tackled race during an era that I haven’t heard talked about much. Belle’s story is one of strength, courage, and humanity. She went through struggles and triumphs that are displayed beautifully. While it is noted by the authors that the story is not 100% historically accurate, I felt that it was completely plausible and an extremely intriguing read

Content Warnings

avackkkkkkk's review against another edition

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1.75

This book only received such a high rating for me because of the intrigue that I felt when learning about Belle Greener herself. However, my biggest faults with this book were the insufferable narratives and writing style. I understand that the authors had creative liberty when writing this (after all, it is classified as “fictionalized history”) but the way that they info dumped and providing the information was so disrupting in terms of the flow and pacing. The tone was just generally annoying, and it felt like a middle school assignment where you are instructed to write fr on the perspective of a famous figure. I was extremely disappointed in how this book turned out, and I would not recommend.

loho's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I adored this book and it surprised me how moved and emotional I was at the end of this. In the same vein as Passing for me and will definitely return to this one again.

ellenigraves's review

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Not in the mood.

rheading's review

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3.0

Really enjoyed the premise and beginning of this book, and the keen attention to art historical detail and the Gilded Age setting. Didn’t enjoy how the protagonist and story got a little too finance fanfiction-y towards the middle and end.

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