Reviews tagging 'Death'

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

180 reviews

kitty_reads_'s review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Still debating if this is a 4 or a 3.75… either way I really enjoy this book! Schwartz writing beautifully captured the macabre vibes of Edinburgh in the 1800s. 

I really enjoyed Hazel as a main character. The book is titled “A love Story,” and while I really enjoyed the romance, it focuses on Hazels love for Anatomy (which the author said is the point). In a society where women are confined to running the house, Hazel has a modern drive to become a surgeon. Hazel being upperclass has the sense she can do anything. However, though shes ambitious, Hazel begins to understand how society limits her.. which felt realistic. Ultimately her position still grants her opportunities she otherwise would not have had. 

Beyond the themes of feminism, this book touches on class issues when it comes to lifestyle, choices, and medicine (both receiving medical help & studying medicine.) Now I always love a good jab at the rich so I particularly liked this discussion! I do think it was handled quite well with Jacks character serving as a lower class perspective. However, there is no discussion about race. 

As mentioned the romance is subtle but I didn’t mind that. The romance we did get felt well timed and gave me a few flutters! 

The ending felt a bit rushed and I wasn’t in love with it. But I am interested in reading the next book! 

Be aware that while this is YA and it’s not too graphic, it still contains descriptions of surgeries, corpses, and general body gore. 

All in all I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their historical fiction set in the 1800s with creepy  cemeteries! A good read for the fall, particularly November. 
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thebookkeepers's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

This was a feminist, gothic infused, mystery set in Edinburgh in the 1800s with a FMC determined to become a surgeon. I loved the setting, themes, characters, and the mystery all involved. I feel like some things came without trial for the MC and would’ve liked to see her have realistic failed attempts with some of her endeavors, but I think book 2 is set up for some of that. Love Hazel & Jack. Hate Bernard. Supppper curious about Dr Beecham 
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chelle22's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.0

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vilima's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

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lisashelves's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • 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? No

3.75

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hannahcstocks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0

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imcourtneymarie's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

An addicting story in a familiar-to-me setting. Love a FMC that is science minded. 

The dialogue/language reads more “I’m from England” than “I’m Scottish” which was somewhat off putting and distracting. You can tell it’s written by an American. Not saying it’s BAD, but if you’re intimately familiar with Edinburgh or Scotland it might be rough. 

That said, it was so delightful, captivating, and could easily be a stand-alone. 
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mina2299's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

3.5

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sarahamuller1's review

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adventurous dark medium-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

3.0

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laffi's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I enjoyed the story so much that I wish the book was longer and not as fast paced as it is. While I think the ending might be controversial, I'm happy to say I liked it a lot. 
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