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angelica_jardinerica's review
5.0
The author describes her book as "mythical and magical, a sweeping Dickensian story with a twist...a tale of fraud, excess, illusion and the vagaries of fortune". That more or less sums it up. It's a long book, but as there's hardly a lull in the pace I didn't get the impression of ploughing through a tome; quite the opposite in fact - I was completely drawn into the colourful, dangerous and fascinating world of Georgian England. The story is extremely well thought out and written, following Red, who we meet as a poverty-stricken, fortune-telling child at the beginning of the novel, as she doggedly attempts to prove her right to inherit one of the largest fortunes in 18th Century England. The plot does get quite complex as more lies, half truths and deceit are revealed, and there were points when I needed time to assimilate all the information I was being given (although that might be the fault of my foggy menopausal brain). I also needed to consult the family tree numerous times to be able to follow the many twists and turns in the novel. The author's historical note at the end of the book is equally fascinating, revealing the reality behind events I could only envisage as fiction.
dottienic123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
violentlyagitated's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Incest
books_coffee_cornwall's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
imalionheart's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The ending had me gagged. I never knew where it was going. if you want a book that gives 100% mysterious vibes...this is it
absynth_fee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
5.0
zzara's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Incest
kimmag92's review against another edition
I feel bad DNFing this book as the author clearly put a lot of time and effort into researching the Georgian period, the square of sevens, and the tension that existed between "rational thought" and fortune telling and beliefs in this period. My reason for DNFing is the MC got so annoying and the plot felt like it kept circling the same thing but without moving forward.
aurie1000's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5