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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
fast-paced
giving the Artful Dodger vibes. took at least half the book for some romance
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow.
I really wasn't expecting that ending.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The representation of the 1800s felt very informative and Schwartz had clearly done her research.
Hazels desire to become a physician despite what society said was inspiring, however her being a woman of class may have had a bit to do with it. Since she was born into wealth, and essentially engaged at birth, she didn't have a whole lot to lose other than a bit of gossip if the physician thing didn't work out for whatever reason.
While I saw the twist with Beecham being the one performing the immoral surgeries coming, I was still shocked by it, and still hate him just as much. I thought his 'reasoning' and discussion with Hazel afterwards a poor attempt at sympathy and I will never be able to get behind him.
As I was reading the final couple of chapters, Jacks imprisonment and hanging, I was preparing the speech I would send to the friend who recommended this book. In essence it would have said something like 'I can't believe you made me read all that just for him to die at the end'. However I decided to wait till the very end with a sneaky suspicion that he wasn't actually dead... probably a good thing I waited.
I really wasn't expecting that ending.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The representation of the 1800s felt very informative and Schwartz had clearly done her research.
Hazels desire to become a physician despite what society said was inspiring, however her being a woman of class may have had a bit to do with it. Since she was born into wealth, and essentially engaged at birth, she didn't have a whole lot to lose other than a bit of gossip if the physician thing didn't work out for whatever reason.
As I was reading the final couple of chapters, Jacks imprisonment and hanging, I was preparing the speech I would send to the friend who recommended this book. In essence it would have said something like 'I can't believe you made me read all that just for him to die at the end'. However I decided to wait till the very end with a sneaky suspicion that he wasn't actually dead... probably a good thing I waited.
3.5 ⭐
I selected this as part of a 'Blind Date with a Book' and loved the experience from start to finish. This book had the perfect description in my opinion and so was a clear choice. I was delighted when I unpacked it, and excited to dive into the story.
I enjoyed the read, it was a bit different from what I'd usually go for. I quite liked Hazel though her complete dedication to anatomy often at a cost of avoiding meals/sleep/social engagements was sometimes a bit frustrating (I say after spending the whole week doing exactly the same thing for my work lol). I love a woman in STEM story, and setting it in a time when women we're not allowed to pursue such careers added a lot to Hazel as a character as well as the story as a whole. I also love that the book took place in Edinburgh since I was actually able to visualise where people were!
There were quite a few things I didn't expect from the story, such as the slow set up, the fantasy-like elements but also the surprising ending. I always appreciate being surprised so I'm definitely going to buy to sequel to see how everything wraps up!
I selected this as part of a 'Blind Date with a Book' and loved the experience from start to finish. This book had the perfect description in my opinion and so was a clear choice. I was delighted when I unpacked it, and excited to dive into the story.
I enjoyed the read, it was a bit different from what I'd usually go for. I quite liked Hazel though her complete dedication to anatomy often at a cost of avoiding meals/sleep/social engagements was sometimes a bit frustrating (I say after spending the whole week doing exactly the same thing for my work lol). I love a woman in STEM story, and setting it in a time when women we're not allowed to pursue such careers added a lot to Hazel as a character as well as the story as a whole. I also love that the book took place in Edinburgh since I was actually able to visualise where people were!
There were quite a few things I didn't expect from the story, such as the slow set up, the fantasy-like elements but also the surprising ending. I always appreciate being surprised so I'm definitely going to buy to sequel to see how everything wraps up!
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5 purely for the fact that Hazel crushing a heart in her fist to shut a guy up was iconic and onbrand for Hazels everywhere.
I thought she was a believable, well developed character, the book certainly wasn't badly written (although, unsure if it was just my copy, some characters had unexplained name changes).
Aside from that, I felt as though it took too long to actually reach the inciting incident (Hazel being kicked out of the dissection), and as an anatomy student, I have to say it, not really a whole lot of anatomy. In this YA book about a girl's love for anatomy.
The ending was a little lacklustre (and I'm not referring to the "romance" with Jack and how she doesn't 'end up with him'. I preferred it that way. honestly if anything I feel sorry for the guy. being 17 forever is just giving me twilight flashbacks. what hell). Beecham feels a little half baked. this guy swings from relatively supportive teacher to unhinged surgeon doing blatantly evil things and professing to be god. fairly quickly. and then, at the end? he's just sort of chilling. oh hazel do you want my secret immortality tonic that I've never told anyone else about and have been using to facilitate the removal and transplantation of organs? yes pls I'd like to save my boyfriends life. oh good, I guess.
I thought she was a believable, well developed character, the book certainly wasn't badly written (although, unsure if it was just my copy, some characters had unexplained name changes).
Aside from that, I felt as though it took too long to actually reach the inciting incident (Hazel being kicked out of the dissection), and as an anatomy student, I have to say it, not really a whole lot of anatomy. In this YA book about a girl's love for anatomy.
The ending was a little lacklustre (and I'm not referring to the "romance" with Jack and how she doesn't 'end up with him'. I preferred it that way. honestly if anything I feel sorry for the guy. being 17 forever is just giving me twilight flashbacks. what hell). Beecham feels a little half baked. this guy swings from relatively supportive teacher to unhinged surgeon doing blatantly evil things and professing to be god. fairly quickly. and then, at the end? he's just sort of chilling. oh hazel do you want my secret immortality tonic that I've never told anyone else about and have been using to facilitate the removal and transplantation of organs? yes pls I'd like to save my boyfriends life. oh good, I guess.