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savysav's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
gh0st0fth0ught's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
leonix's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
I wanted to like this so much more...
I feel like Veronica is a character I tried so hard to understand and like but never fully did, something about her is devoid of.. idk, life, she is a very illogical character who almost never shows vulnerabilities in a way that's comprehensive to me..shes very artificial and i didn't like that bc she is my exact type of character, the curious genius/scientific person who doesn't care or understand social rules, but something about Veronica didn't click for me, maybe because i felt like most of the times.. she's very very ilogical that veers on stupidity lmao
Stoker is more solid as a character to me, even if we don't know his full backstory, he is more consistently characterized, and i feel Veronica is what the narrative needs to be , a strong woman type.... I need more. And her backstory is so flimsy omg... She is the smartest lepidopterist ever who went to expeditions by herself as young as a 20 something woman in victorian era, who learned everything by herself and drinks and smokes like a sailor and also has tons of lovers , but considering her backstory we learned,,, how did she did all that so easily.......... She should have deal with more difficulties c'mon now
Also as a Brazilian person with background in science is very very disturbing to see these characters talking about what basically is stealing animals to be stuffed in rich British collectors... That's imperialism i know, this is a silly adventure book, but sometimes it's jarring like i have to read about a British guy almost getting his eye claw out by a Brazilian jaguar he was hunting.. and I'm supposed to feel bad for him??! Lol
Also this book only worked when it's focused on the two main characters interacting.. it's almost a silly adventurous rom com in victorian era and that's the strength of this book really, because anything else is rushed as hell, not mysterious enough, not about their science career, not commentary on women working in the scientific field in the 19 century... Not even that adventurous really.. but these two main characters bicker like old married couple and they have sizzling chemistry so.. that was at least enough for me
I feel like Veronica is a character I tried so hard to understand and like but never fully did, something about her is devoid of.. idk, life, she is a very illogical character who almost never shows vulnerabilities in a way that's comprehensive to me..shes very artificial and i didn't like that bc she is my exact type of character, the curious genius/scientific person who doesn't care or understand social rules, but something about Veronica didn't click for me, maybe because i felt like most of the times.. she's very very ilogical that veers on stupidity lmao
Stoker is more solid as a character to me, even if we don't know his full backstory, he is more consistently characterized, and i feel Veronica is what the narrative needs to be , a strong woman type.... I need more. And her backstory is so flimsy omg... She is the smartest lepidopterist ever who went to expeditions by herself as young as a 20 something woman in victorian era, who learned everything by herself and drinks and smokes like a sailor and also has tons of lovers , but considering her backstory we learned,,, how did she did all that so easily.......... She should have deal with more difficulties c'mon now
Also as a Brazilian person with background in science is very very disturbing to see these characters talking about what basically is stealing animals to be stuffed in rich British collectors... That's imperialism i know, this is a silly adventure book, but sometimes it's jarring like i have to read about a British guy almost getting his eye claw out by a Brazilian jaguar he was hunting.. and I'm supposed to feel bad for him??! Lol
Also this book only worked when it's focused on the two main characters interacting.. it's almost a silly adventurous rom com in victorian era and that's the strength of this book really, because anything else is rushed as hell, not mysterious enough, not about their science career, not commentary on women working in the scientific field in the 19 century... Not even that adventurous really.. but these two main characters bicker like old married couple and they have sizzling chemistry so.. that was at least enough for me
starryclaudia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
indianoceanwalkman's review against another edition
3.0
So. I enjoyed this in the beginning with a strong main female who isn't a virgin. But lost most of that at the FMC's delight in angering the MMC to physical anger. And then her being so smart and so judgemental and she's so strong no one can persuade her of anything... It just got to be too much. Especially toward the end.
mbbb72's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
catherinebullions's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
wholesomeaino's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I really didn't like the pro colonialist stances of the main characters. I found them unnecessary and distracting. The use of slurs for the romani was also very unnecessary.
Not taking into account the problems I had, the book and its characters were charming.
Not taking into account the problems I had, the book and its characters were charming.
judith_aline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A new favourite for sure, I'm obsessed with Veronica and Stoker
This is going to be fantastic hehe
This is going to be fantastic hehe
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
4.0
A light, easy reading, Victorian-set mystery. Characters have snappy dialog that keeps the pace going on a low-stakes mystery. Definitely worth picking up the next one as it'll keep your attention, won't stress you out to read and leave you with a smile.