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the_llewbrary's review against another edition
4.0
The cover had me hooked as soon as I saw it, and the premise was so enticing, I couldn't resist. Murder for the Modern Girl was a perfect length for a standalone that kept my attention and left me very pleased.
Ruby lives in 1920's Chicago, where high society flapper girls like her can have fun, sneak booze, and have fun twists with boys. But underneath all the bubbles and blitz, she can hear the dark thoughts of men, waiting to take advantage of those women who can't turn to the law for protection. Ruby is their protection. That is, until an unruly janitor with a penchant for changing faces and investigating where he has no right to goes looking for the mysterious person poisoning the city's dirtiest men. It truly was an invigorating read, and I gave it a 8/10.
--- SPOILERS AHEAD ---
As much as I enjoyed this book, there were two points that bothered me. One of them is definitely more trivial and a me thing, the other was about the book as a whole.
Firstly, as soon as they had the whole 'Vivian the journalist who likes women' thing, which was very briefly glossed over btw, I was definitely expecting some sort of romance between the pair. This definitely shows how much of the summary I read, but I feel like reading that takes away from the book sometimes. Anyways, I think they could've been queer.
The second thing was about the story. So, both of the main characters have powers. Sure. Peter was even trying to do scientific research on his. What bothered me was Ruby's power, and how it was explained away. Being able to know people's thoughts is a lot, but there was no way that her parents wouldn't have noticed when she was little. She said things often that she shouldn't know, and it would've made more people, in my opinion, suspicious. Especially her father. Deduction can only get you so far.
I did quite enjoy the resolution, though if a bit rushed. I enjoyed the feminism bits, and the shoot out at the end kept me on my toes. Peter and Ruby's relationship was well written, though I am more of a fan of enemies to lovers, it was cute. Overall, a great read, and one I would definitely recommend to someone just stepping into reading!
Ruby lives in 1920's Chicago, where high society flapper girls like her can have fun, sneak booze, and have fun twists with boys. But underneath all the bubbles and blitz, she can hear the dark thoughts of men, waiting to take advantage of those women who can't turn to the law for protection. Ruby is their protection. That is, until an unruly janitor with a penchant for changing faces and investigating where he has no right to goes looking for the mysterious person poisoning the city's dirtiest men. It truly was an invigorating read, and I gave it a 8/10.
--- SPOILERS AHEAD ---
As much as I enjoyed this book, there were two points that bothered me. One of them is definitely more trivial and a me thing, the other was about the book as a whole.
Firstly, as soon as they had the whole 'Vivian the journalist who likes women' thing, which was very briefly glossed over btw, I was definitely expecting some sort of romance between the pair. This definitely shows how much of the summary I read, but I feel like reading that takes away from the book sometimes. Anyways, I think they could've been queer.
The second thing was about the story. So, both of the main characters have powers. Sure. Peter was even trying to do scientific research on his. What bothered me was Ruby's power, and how it was explained away. Being able to know people's thoughts is a lot, but there was no way that her parents wouldn't have noticed when she was little. She said things often that she shouldn't know, and it would've made more people, in my opinion, suspicious. Especially her father. Deduction can only get you so far.
I did quite enjoy the resolution, though if a bit rushed. I enjoyed the feminism bits, and the shoot out at the end kept me on my toes. Peter and Ruby's relationship was well written, though I am more of a fan of enemies to lovers, it was cute. Overall, a great read, and one I would definitely recommend to someone just stepping into reading!
rebelqueen's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty interesting although really weird premise. People with super powers during 1920s prohibition. Ruby uses her mind reading powers to be a vigilante killer focused on men who abuse women. The “romance” in this was so meh. Ruby has some “quirky” turns of phrase that were very annoying. The resolution was fine. I just wish I knew how Ruby was going to use her powers to help people without all the killing, which seemed to be the direction at the end, but it just ends, so shrug.
suburbrat's review against another edition
3.0
this was okay - the diet diviners if you will. i skimmed the last few chapters. i think ruby and guy/peter were interesting characters but the story dragged out and i had a hard time staying interested. certainly not a bad book by any means, but forgettable.
magicalrary's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 This was such a page turner with great characters and plot.
Ruby was such a delight to read about. Such an interesting character. Loved reading her pov (this is a dual POV).
I love Guy, my bear, such a cinnamon roll. I loved seeing the development of his character. It was astonishing.
The relationship part of the book didn’t get me so hooked, but I can definitely see how other people can love them. The friendship parts of this book were amazing. I loved it so much!
I think this book could have done without the ab-so-tive-ly. I’m not sure what was with all the “-“ words. They didn’t really add anything to the story. I also felt like the beginning of the story had too much 20’s slang and lingo. It got a bit confusing. The writing overall was good but could be improved.
I loved the fantasy aspect of the story. The only thing I wished was that we got a bit more of the world building because their powers were a big part of the story.
Overall, this was a good, enjoyable book (with a beautiful cover by the way) that keeps you hooked. I would recommend it! I had fun reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ruby was such a delight to read about. Such an interesting character. Loved reading her pov (this is a dual POV).
I love Guy, my bear, such a cinnamon roll. I loved seeing the development of his character. It was astonishing.
The relationship part of the book didn’t get me so hooked, but I can definitely see how other people can love them. The friendship parts of this book were amazing. I loved it so much!
I think this book could have done without the ab-so-tive-ly. I’m not sure what was with all the “-“ words. They didn’t really add anything to the story. I also felt like the beginning of the story had too much 20’s slang and lingo. It got a bit confusing. The writing overall was good but could be improved.
I loved the fantasy aspect of the story. The only thing I wished was that we got a bit more of the world building because their powers were a big part of the story.
Overall, this was a good, enjoyable book (with a beautiful cover by the way) that keeps you hooked. I would recommend it! I had fun reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
iwontjustify's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
"It's as though the whole world's full of magic, and when you find out something new, you're in on it. A wink from the universe."
Ruby can read minds. Guy shapeshifts. Ruby murders evil husbands, criminal. Guy works in a morgue and thinks there's a murderer on the loose. When the two meet, will it be sparks that fly, or fists?
Ruby, though she doesn't know it, is considered an angel. Women of 1920s Chicago grow sick of their infidel husbands, the men who beat and abuse them and rape them. Ruby's always been able to read minds, and in doing so, she's learned about the terrible things some men do. And, well, she has a gift, doesn't she? It wouldn't be right of her not to share it, at least a little. But everything changes when her father's political enemies get too close to home, using a car bomb that puts him in a coma. Ruby's out for some revenge, but she can't do it alone. She needs to make friends in the morgue.
Guy runs away from his past, working for a mortician who had been made a laughing stock for publishing a paper about shapeshifters. Hoping to learn more about the mortician's discoveries, he employs himself as a janitor, and through reading and observation, connects a few dots: there've been an awful lot of poisonings of bad men. Perhaps it's a good thing, but isn't murder still murder?
I like to describe this as 1920s feminist Boondock Saints. I love a good hero who takes it upon herself to rid the world of bad men. I mean, you can't really disagree with her motives--murder is bad, but not always. Think of the greater good!
This book seriously has everything. Fashion, mind-reading, shapeshifting, 1920s jazz, Chicago, windy politicians! Not to mention romance, sistership, knowledgeable connections, and friends who would quite literally die for you. Kulper's Murder for the Modern Girl is an anthem for the do-gooders, the jazz-lovers, the party-animals. It's a love letter to yourself, to knowing your talents and using them wisely. It's about learning when to take a stand and how to forge connections.
I just cannot get over this book. It's so well done, so well written, with scenes that made my knuckles go white and scenes that made me laugh out loud. It's a murder mystery, it's fantasy, it's historical fiction. I've recommended it to so many people in my personal life. This is probably the best YA book I've read this year, hands down. You don't want to miss it.
Ruby can read minds. Guy shapeshifts. Ruby murders evil husbands, criminal. Guy works in a morgue and thinks there's a murderer on the loose. When the two meet, will it be sparks that fly, or fists?
Ruby, though she doesn't know it, is considered an angel. Women of 1920s Chicago grow sick of their infidel husbands, the men who beat and abuse them and rape them. Ruby's always been able to read minds, and in doing so, she's learned about the terrible things some men do. And, well, she has a gift, doesn't she? It wouldn't be right of her not to share it, at least a little. But everything changes when her father's political enemies get too close to home, using a car bomb that puts him in a coma. Ruby's out for some revenge, but she can't do it alone. She needs to make friends in the morgue.
Guy runs away from his past, working for a mortician who had been made a laughing stock for publishing a paper about shapeshifters. Hoping to learn more about the mortician's discoveries, he employs himself as a janitor, and through reading and observation, connects a few dots: there've been an awful lot of poisonings of bad men. Perhaps it's a good thing, but isn't murder still murder?
I like to describe this as 1920s feminist Boondock Saints. I love a good hero who takes it upon herself to rid the world of bad men. I mean, you can't really disagree with her motives--murder is bad, but not always. Think of the greater good!
This book seriously has everything. Fashion, mind-reading, shapeshifting, 1920s jazz, Chicago, windy politicians! Not to mention romance, sistership, knowledgeable connections, and friends who would quite literally die for you. Kulper's Murder for the Modern Girl is an anthem for the do-gooders, the jazz-lovers, the party-animals. It's a love letter to yourself, to knowing your talents and using them wisely. It's about learning when to take a stand and how to forge connections.
I just cannot get over this book. It's so well done, so well written, with scenes that made my knuckles go white and scenes that made me laugh out loud. It's a murder mystery, it's fantasy, it's historical fiction. I've recommended it to so many people in my personal life. This is probably the best YA book I've read this year, hands down. You don't want to miss it.
eokamoto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
fringebookreviews's review against another edition
3.5
3.5/5 this book was SO stressful lol but still fun and definitely unique. Totally didn’t realize Henrietta was her sister plus I’m all for bad men getting deaded. I was definitely annoyed by her constant use of Papa and fella b plus I’m just not a huge fan of the speech patterns and slang of the flapper era as I find it GRATING. The romance didn’t quite convince me and I didn’t really feel the chemistry.
romantasybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.75