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reka111's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
First, there was trust. Then, there was betrayal. You cannot have one without the other.
Honestly, even though this book used to be a DNF for me, I liked it immensely now. It was so lifelike, and I would even say modern, in a word, brilliantly written.
The characters were lovable, each in their own way (well, except for James, he was more of a toxicer) little Eliza was a staple of my heart, but Nella was still my favourite. The tremendous helpfulness, acceptance, and struggle that burned within her was extremely inspiring.
Although the plot ran on two time threads, it was not confusing, the events followed each other nicely, it was understandable and simple. Basically, it took place over a few days (both modern and past) so I think the time was right. I really liked the wording, it was a bit like reading a diary, and even the first-person POV didn't bother me. The end was closed nicely, albeit slightly open.
Overall, I really liked it and recommend it to anyone who loves history and poisons, but doesn't want anything big.
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Grief
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Suicide, Vomit, Murder, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Blood
ahoijules's review against another edition
2.0
Ich empfand das Buch als furchtbar langatmig mit vielen Beschreibungen und Erklärungen, die nicht nötig gewesen wären, um das Buch zu verstehen. Ich hatte Probleme mit den Protagonistinnen warm zu werden und fand keine so richtig spannend. Auch dauerte es bis gut zwei Drittel des Buchs bis die Handlung langsam an Fahrt aufgenommen hat.
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death, and Infertility
junglejelly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Someone of the writing near the end was a bit clumsy and the characters stereotypical. But Penner knows exactly how to write mysteriously and have you hooked, I needed to know what happened to the two 18th century characters, and this alone is what kept me reading.
Overall a below average book for me hence the rating.
Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Vomit
Moderate: Infidelity, Death, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
Minor: Alcoholism, Grief, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
cowahbull's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
The story was interesting but rather slow paced and I didn't find that I liked any of the characters very much. Eliza was the only person I was rooting for.
The bond and relationships between women was lovely to see but it went a bit too far. It had almost no male characters and almost all of them were evil; hurting the female charcters for their own gain or pleasure and manipulating them. It's possible to tell a positive story about women empowering women without becoming anti-men, this book didn't quite manage that.
I may have listed a dozen reasons I didn't like this book but overall I had a good time reading it. The audio book had different readers for each chapter/charcter so it was more immersive. Good story!
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
lisa_m's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
taylortome's review against another edition
- 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
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
meenakshisathish's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Blood, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Murder, Grief, and Miscarriage
anni_swanilda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Medical content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Abortion, Animal death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Death of parent
lyfeistrip's review
- 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
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