Reviews

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

sternchenauge's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

2.0

This book was an okay read, and I debated mire than once if I shouldn’t just DNF it. This had a lot to do with the fact that I struggled to follow the story. In part because I found it complicated and in part because it moved so slowly that my AuDHD brain kept getting distracted while listening to the audiobook.

Another reason for the low rating (though for me 2 stars means it was an okay read) lies in two things that irritated me a lot:

1. The constant misrepresentation of (Victorian) corsets. When fitting properly (and not tight laced, which wasn't as much a thing as so many people believe) a corset is actually very comfortable. So the fact that every time a corset was mentioned it was said that the person wearing it struggled to breath or eat, etc annoyed me to no end.

2. In a society that is technologically and medically as advanced as the Empire and with genetics playing such a part, how do the three protagonists not know about intersex, and the fact that our chromosomes don't necessarily dictate our sex (e.g. the are a lot of variations besides XX and XY). This seemed very unbelievable to me. Especially since all three seemed very well educated. 

unwantedlamb's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

1.75

It’s crazy that I finished this considering how little happens in it and how little of it has value. I guess I just kept waiting for any sort of payoff and it never arrived. 

zeemonster's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

3.75

patorcer's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

corsetedfeminist's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

missrmaxwell's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

jenniferkowash's review against another edition

5.0

This book was such a fluffy alternate history that I couldn't help but love it! I could definitely see the critiques of confusing writing style and lack of characterization for some readers, but I personally quite enjoyed how this story was put together. It was hopeful, full of etiquette and technology, and I am highly anticipating more.

priya_amrev's review against another edition

3.0

What a fascinating book. I won’t say I enjoyed the idea of the British empire ruling over everything. But I liked the (as of yet, fantastical) concept of “no racismâ€

marvelruinedmyspirit's review against another edition

It's a little bit crazy that E.K. Johnston wrote a world in which the British Empire won and excepted me to give a shit about romance tbh.

anarose13's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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? Yes

5.0