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haylethal's review against another edition
I was excited to read this one. I like historical fiction, World War II is a fine setting (too many books in that niche, but whatever), and occult/tarot…awesome!
However, I was confused from the jump and couldn’t really follow the story. I feel like you need a degree in the surrealism movement during WWII to fully enjoy this book. It’s based on real people and I’ve heard most of their names in passing but I don’t have an in depth knowledge about any of them so I was kind of lost.
However, I was confused from the jump and couldn’t really follow the story. I feel like you need a degree in the surrealism movement during WWII to fully enjoy this book. It’s based on real people and I’ve heard most of their names in passing but I don’t have an in depth knowledge about any of them so I was kind of lost.
kflan123's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kelsobutch's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
happily_undignified's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
"Buy what you wish, mademoiselle. No need to wait for someone to give you what you need. You must acquire your tools for yourself. You are the agent of your destiny."⠀
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Claire McMillan, Alchemy of a Blackbird⠀
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⠀
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Alchemy of a Blackbird by Claire McMillan is a fascinating look into the occult and art scene of the mid 1900's. Focused on real life artists Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington, this international tale is one of intrigue, survival, love, and self awakening. I was immediately drawn into the tense world of the war and it's fallout, as the artists and their companions travel around at breakneck speeds to evade capture. The tarot and occult aspects of the story were very interesting and I especially liked the tarot card headers for each chapter. The mentions of many famous artists and philosophers was intriguing and I found myself looking many of them up after finishing the book. I really enjoy historical fiction like this and recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of fancy in their history.
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Claire McMillan, Alchemy of a Blackbird⠀
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⠀
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Alchemy of a Blackbird by Claire McMillan is a fascinating look into the occult and art scene of the mid 1900's. Focused on real life artists Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington, this international tale is one of intrigue, survival, love, and self awakening. I was immediately drawn into the tense world of the war and it's fallout, as the artists and their companions travel around at breakneck speeds to evade capture. The tarot and occult aspects of the story were very interesting and I especially liked the tarot card headers for each chapter. The mentions of many famous artists and philosophers was intriguing and I found myself looking many of them up after finishing the book. I really enjoy historical fiction like this and recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of fancy in their history.
vshah's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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? No
3.0
madison_k's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-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
4.0
kookie9200's review
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
Remedios and Leonora are two good friends living with their lovers in France. When the war picks up, they are separated by circumstance. Happily, they meet again in Mexico.
Honestly, I found this book to be plodding and pretentious. The first part of the chapter is from Remedios' pov and then switches to a random side characters POV for the end of the chapter. This book could have been so much shorter without the unneeded side character points of view. I actually stopped reading at about 85% when BUTTERFLIES were the side character. I just couldn't read more.
The men in this book are also insufferable. They preach lofty ideas but aren't willing to put in any work. They grated my nerves terribly. I found Remedios interesting in the first half of the book when she's very into tarot, but by the time they get to Mexico, she barely mentions it anymore. Instead, all the story is people telling her what an incredible artist she is and that she needs to create her own art and her saying she isn't good enough. It becomes both repetitive and boring.
Like I said, I DNF'd this at about 85%. It sucks to make it that far and stop, but I realized that I just genuinely didn't care how the book ended. I'd rather move on to something more interesting.
Remedios and Leonora are two good friends living with their lovers in France. When the war picks up, they are separated by circumstance. Happily, they meet again in Mexico.
Honestly, I found this book to be plodding and pretentious. The first part of the chapter is from Remedios' pov and then switches to a random side characters POV for the end of the chapter. This book could have been so much shorter without the unneeded side character points of view. I actually stopped reading at about 85% when BUTTERFLIES were the side character. I just couldn't read more.
The men in this book are also insufferable. They preach lofty ideas but aren't willing to put in any work. They grated my nerves terribly. I found Remedios interesting in the first half of the book when she's very into tarot, but by the time they get to Mexico, she barely mentions it anymore. Instead, all the story is people telling her what an incredible artist she is and that she needs to create her own art and her saying she isn't good enough. It becomes both repetitive and boring.
Like I said, I DNF'd this at about 85%. It sucks to make it that far and stop, but I realized that I just genuinely didn't care how the book ended. I'd rather move on to something more interesting.
weavedreamer's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
ablondebooknerd's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
cmareads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0