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ronniethereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Death of parent
modernmatilda's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was queer, it had emotional damage, and it was a new to me genre that I loved (noir)!
However, there is a giant plot point and a scene at an "asylum". The book is set in the 1930s and there is pushback conversations from the characters on topics of queer people and conversion therapy and wives not needing permission from husbands to do things. BUT it still doesn't sit right with me that it was a plot point at all. I don't know.
Overall, I had fun riding the ride of this book and could recommend it, but I'd like to hear more about the topic above from the author.
However, there is a giant plot point and a scene at an "asylum". The book is set in the 1930s and there is pushback conversations from the characters on topics of queer people and conversion therapy and wives not needing permission from husbands to do things. BUT it still doesn't sit right with me that it was a plot point at all. I don't know.
Overall, I had fun riding the ride of this book and could recommend it, but I'd like to hear more about the topic above from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
jenns_bookshelf's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Less actual vampires than expected, and wish it had a touch more noir vibes, but this was definitely a fun, good read! Immediately liked the characters, and felt like a movie in my mind. Love CL’s works so much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Blood
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Car accident
thetainaship's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Confinement, Homophobia, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
sarasreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a surprising little book! I had close to no idea what it was about going in, and I never could have guessed.
Interesting that it's not the first LGBTQ+ book I've read this year featuring a gay gumshoe detective (Lavender House), or a wlw who's sold their soul to a demon (Light from Uncommon Stars). And I'm not mad about it. I got all misty at the end too. A good, short read to round out 2022!
Interesting that it's not the first LGBTQ+ book I've read this year featuring a
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Lesbophobia
elwirax's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
A fast paced, bittersweet and atmospheric novella set in an alternative 1930/40s magical Chicago.
This novella very much gave me Supernatural vibes where a character would risk anything and everything for their loved ones, and well, I loved it. The yearning and love that Helen and Edith shared was beautiful and heartwarming and I couldn't help but root for them despite predicting how the novella would end. The noir setting, speakeasys, hidden lesbian clubs and subtle use of '40s slang really did it for me and created a substantial world given the book's short page count. I also appreciated the exploration of darker themes in this novella such as prejudice, homophobia and forced institutionalisation present in the time period which provided a stark contrast between the beauty of Helen and Edith's love and the lesbian speakeasys.
That being said, I thinks the concept would have been better served in a longer novel, though it's a wee bit unfair of me to say this for almost every novella I read. The mystery was good but the reveals were rather heavy handed and lacked certain suspense, though this didn't really hinder my enjoyment of the story as a whole. The sibling reconciliation between Teddy and Helen was a bit rushed given the 10 years they had not seen each other. I would've like to see their bond more developed (this could also be said for Helen and Edith, to an extent but I still loved their romance). While the world was immersive enough, I also think the magic systems and ideas could've been explored more. Admittedly, the whole Angels vs Demons battle isn't really my thing but that's also not fair of me to complain that the book fault delivered what it promised 🤷🏼♀️.
Overall, a good start to my 2023 reading year, I really don't have major complaints for this book. For what it was, it definitely managed to create an interesting atmosphere/ world and developed most aspects well. All plotpoints managed to be tied up and I
enjoyed it.
This novella very much gave me Supernatural vibes where a character would risk anything and everything for their loved ones, and well, I loved it. The yearning and love that Helen and Edith shared was beautiful and heartwarming and I couldn't help but root for them despite predicting how the novella would end. The noir setting, speakeasys, hidden lesbian clubs and subtle use of '40s slang really did it for me and created a substantial world given the book's short page count. I also appreciated the exploration of darker themes in this novella such as prejudice, homophobia and forced institutionalisation present in the time period which provided a stark contrast between the beauty of Helen and Edith's love and the lesbian speakeasys.
That being said, I thinks the concept would have been better served in a longer novel, though it's a wee bit unfair of me to say this for almost every novella I read. The mystery was good but the reveals were rather heavy handed and lacked certain suspense, though this didn't really hinder my enjoyment of the story as a whole. The sibling reconciliation between Teddy and Helen was a bit rushed given the 10 years they had not seen each other. I would've like to see their bond more developed (this could also be said for Helen and Edith, to an extent but I still loved their romance). While the world was immersive enough, I also think the magic systems and ideas could've been explored more. Admittedly, the whole Angels vs Demons battle isn't really my thing but that's also not fair of me to complain that the book fault delivered what it promised 🤷🏼♀️.
Overall, a good start to my 2023 reading year, I really don't have major complaints for this book. For what it was, it definitely managed to create an interesting atmosphere/ world and developed most aspects well. All plotpoints managed to be tied up and I
enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
gaffleck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Blood, and Murder
paulasnotsosecretdiary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Readers will be submerged into a fantasy based in Chicago during the early part of the 20th century when the LGBTQIA+ community existed in the shadows. An engaging mystery, heroine and supporting characters as well as well-researched anecdotes about LGBTQIA+ history are here. When this novella ends, readers may want more; however, the story is so well-paced and tightly plotted folks will realize it's perfect as it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Transphobia, Blood, and Police brutality