Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

18 reviews

mattiedancer's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful 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? Yes

3.0

Writing: 3⭐️/5 

The writing was fine, adequate, presentable. A few times Penner had some really stunning lines, but mostly the writing did what needed to be done without too much flare or finesse. A lot of sections for backstory were lengthy, giving us a bit of information by flashback and then overexplaining the emotions of the situation. But overall the writing did enough to not get in the way.

Characters: 3.5⭐️/5

I think the characters in the historical sections were much more fascinating than our modern-day protagonist. While I appreciated that Caroline had a lot going on, I also felt like her half-telling of the story made me lose a bit of interest in what was going on. I loved her research-heavy mind, but it felt stunningly unbelievable the way in which she pursued her research so easily after so long. And, while the characters were interesting, they felt a bit surface at times, almost as though we never got a true glimpse of their whole beings.

Plot: 3⭐️/5 

Okay, so the concept? Super cool. The execution? Maybe that’s where I got lost. I loved everything about the apothecary. I even loved the slow unravelling of clues from Caroline’s side, but I also felt like that was the only thing that felt super fleshed out. All the details in the novel felt muddled, as though they were unclear and unformed. I also think that the end kind of undid some of the feminist points made throughout the novel, leaving kind of a sour taste in my mouth at the end.

Who Should Read This Book? 

• Fans of historical books that have a split POV with modern perspective
• Someone looking for a cool concept over everything else
• Fans of witchy history who are looking for an easy read

Content Warnings? 

• Pregnancy, adultery, murder, sexism, misogyny, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, violence, abuse, child abuse, child death, death, death of parent, self-harm, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, terminal illness, poison, gun violence, medical trauma, classism, injury, injury detail, fire, pedophilia, incest, infertility 

Post-Reading Rating:  2.75⭐️/5

I just… wanted more? I liked the concept so much but I think everything else fell pretty flat.

Final Rating: 3⭐️/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Infertility, Violence, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Child death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Blood, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Pedophilia

annorabrady's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

The story was intriguing, but still left a lot to be desired. Especially when it came to Caroline's POV. I found a lot of her actions to be incredibly dumb, especially in regards to how she took notes. I also didn't understand a lot of her thought processes. I also felt that her husband's presence didn't add to the story except to show the extent to which he was willing and capable of abusing her. But memories alone showed most of that. 

I wish the story had focused more on Eliza. Her part of the story was the most compelling by far. 

Upon further reflection, I have to say that Caroline's story doesn't fit with the themes of the other stories. The others focus on seizing what little control they have over their situations as women of their time by means of harming the people who harmed them. 

Caroline learned almost nothing from her "research" that lent itself to her situation. And she didn't even intend to hurt her husband. If he hadn't attempted to force her to stay married to him by way of poisoning himself (a move that he also intended to use as means to frame her for his death should he not live), nothing about her story would have been different despite the attempt at drawing a parallel between the various stories. 

Also, on the bit about him poisoning himself. Are we really supposed to believe that her husband's history of toxic behaviors was limited to "being pragmatic and convincing her to give up her dreams until the right time" and then cheating on her? One doesn't go from infidelity and "risk aversion" to extreme manipulation via self harm and attempts at suicide without there being other attempts at similar methods of control. That level of escalation, especially after 10 years of marriage and however long of dating is unrealistic. Abusers use tactics they know are likely to work based on past acceptance of similar behaviors.

Also also am I really supposed to believe that someone who goes so far as to poison themself as an act of manipulation is going to just accept that it didn't work and leave calmly? Someone willing to go that far is someone who is dangerous. The kind of dangerous where the person leaving shouldn't be alone with their abuser. At all. 

To have that storyline end with a hug and understanding is alarming. This is the kind of storyline that could encourage an abuse victim to stay in an abusive relationship because "well it's not always bad." Or, worse, could encourage someone to attempt a similar "conscious uncoupling" with someone who could seriously hurt them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Murder, Grief, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

theimposter's review

adventurous emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Murder, and Grief

taylortome's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

A lovely little story about an apothecary turned deadly and it’s *downfall*. This story is more than what it seems. It is a journey for all characters as they discover themselves and their truths. It is written with multiple POV throughout different timelines. It is cohesive and concise and comes together well in the end. I did find it difficult to identify with and love the characters, though I understood the meaning of taking one’s own journey to discover themselves and what they truly find fulfilling in their lives. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Miscarriage

Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

gallexi's review

adventurous informative mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Infidelity, Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Blood

lyfeistrip's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Infertility, Incest, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Death

nanditha14's review

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book felt surprisingly healing.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Child death, Miscarriage, Murder, and Sexual assault

spootilious's review

adventurous dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

 

Read: December 13, 2022 

Title: The Lost Apothecary 

Author: Sarah Penner 

 

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Rating: 2/5 

Review: 

I really wanted to love this book. I went into it excited about the history, adventure and the numerous female main characters. What was there not to love regarding a story about a woman who runs an apothecary that helps women murder men that have jaded them? 

 

First thing I noticed is that present day main character is extremely melodramatic and puts far too much of her self-worth on whether or not she can have a baby. Then Nella, one of the main characters in the late 1700s is mirrored in this… along with one of her clients. It felt as if each of these women portrayed themselves as useless if they could not have a child. I suppose this makes sense in the 1700s for the wealthy but rubbed me the wrong way. 

 

One the opposite side, every man in this story (with the exception of the bachelor that goes mud larking and the bookshop attendant (that may or may not end up murdered, so I rather not count him)) are all described in disgusting manners and are outright manipulative, feral, or aggressive. While I understand why this is the case I would have liked to see one (supporting) male character to cling to and be reminded that not all men are that terrible. 

 

I also found the story to be extremely predictable along with the ‘happy’ ending that felt far too unrealistic. It wasn’t HOW everyone was saved but rather that they were saved. I think the story would have had more substance if there were consequences to the actions of our main characters rather than these happy endings (specifically Eliza and Nella). 

 

Overall, the 2-star rating is taking into account that I can see why others like it. The premise is good, the message of choosing yourself, and your passion, over what society would force upon you is great. The book has a steady pace and is easy to read. Those that want to get into historical fiction or just enjoy slice of life reads would enjoy this. It is simply not for me. 

 

 

Quotes: 

N/A 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Grief

Moderate: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Child death, Infidelity, Incest, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Rape

inconsistantly_sarah's review

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, Murder, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Misogyny, and Pedophilia

amethysthighlander's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, and Murder

Minor: Domestic abuse