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mar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia and Forced institutionalization
sparklefarm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
laurareads87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Gun violence, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
quirkykayleetam's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The writing was gorgeously atmospheric, the relationship at the heart of this lesbian noir literally to die for.
And I loved the first half! It felt like the best of the speakeasy scene from Master of Djinn mixed with all the lost possibilities of Supernatural the TV show told by a voice I longed to hear on audio. But when things became more blatantly about patriarchal control, I longed for more nuance in its perspective on religion.
The end hit hard, right where it was supposed to, but never felt exactly the way it should.
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Lesbophobia
stacyaj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood and Violence
micheala'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's very short (only 135 pages) so I can't really say much without spoiling things. I will say that overall the mystery was interesting, however there was one key piece that Helen should have noticed much sooner, and her not realizing it felt like a blatant plot convenience.
Content warnings for time period (1940s-ish) homophobia, misogyny, mental institution (characters commited against their will), electroshock therapy, adversion therapy, death, possession,blood and gore - most of these are not described in great detail, but they are present and discussed on page
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Car accident, and Death of parent
bashsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Misogyny
reutermiriam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Homophobia
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
- Noir
- Sapphic romance
- Chicago speakeasies
- Photography
- Magical realism
- Novella
- great audio narration
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
wyllora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I only wish it was longer and the magic and world was more fleshed out! It was fleshed out enough for the story it was telling--but it intrigued me enough that I wish it stayed longer on the world and pieces of the mystery. If some things had been better established early on, I also think it would've captured more of the mystery staple of trying to figure out what's going on along with the characters. As it was, we're more along for the ride, but it's a nice ride, I like it.
Would love a sequel or more entries into this world!
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, and Homophobia
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Police brutality