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ettegoom's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
An interesting concept, but it felt strangely uncaptivating to read.
I found the writing strangely unemotive, with some peculiar turns of phrase which made me wonder whether English was a second language for the author?
I think that the biggest flaw for me was the identity of the killer... I was trying to find the breadcrumb trail through the whole story, wondering which of her associates it would be... and was disappointedthe killer is never a complete stranger, that's not how it works .
The romantic attraction was an irritating element, which wasn't really necessary and there were several moments that seemed a little far fetched and poorly developed. I hated the letter at the end. Actually, I just disliked the conclusion all up really... the cliffhanger was interesting though?
I didn't love it, but I'd probably read a sequel should one turn up at some point. It's a debut novel, so can only get better, surely?
I'm intrigued by the insightful plot element.
I found the writing strangely unemotive, with some peculiar turns of phrase which made me wonder whether English was a second language for the author?
I think that the biggest flaw for me was the identity of the killer... I was trying to find the breadcrumb trail through the whole story, wondering which of her associates it would be... and was disappointed
The romantic attraction was an irritating element, which wasn't really necessary and there were several moments that seemed a little far fetched and poorly developed. I hated the letter at the end. Actually, I just disliked the conclusion all up really... the cliffhanger was interesting though?
I didn't love it, but I'd probably read a sequel should one turn up at some point. It's a debut novel, so can only get better, surely?
I'm intrigued by the insightful plot element.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Stalking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Chronic illness and Miscarriage
rileylikes2read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
2.0
emerrick's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this so much. It's Paris in 1887 and it talks about the gruesome and macabre of Paris at that time. A young woman detailing the bodies on display in the morgue when suddenly she starts having visions of their murders. It was such a good idea with such promise and I just wanted.....it to be better.
Every part (with the exception of setting and overall idea) was just medicore and overall disappointing. There was so much promise for this story that ultimately didn't go Anywhere! All the major players are killed before anything actually interesting could be further investigated. Anything that could be explored and expanded on was just very suddenly shut down ! And not in.. oh the sequel will answer the questions kind of way. There at no open questions. Everything was resolved in the most unsatisfactory way because it was boring! Things just happened, the main character was just a witness to other things happening and played no part in the actual story.
Also, there's a love interest that also never develops into anything??? Like it's immediately shut down in less than a paragraph? For no reason?
Just over all, choices were made that were most definitely the wrong ones for this story, which is sad to say because I wanted this to be so much more.
Every part (with the exception of setting and overall idea) was just medicore and overall disappointing. There was so much promise for this story that ultimately didn't go Anywhere! All the major players are killed before anything actually interesting could be further investigated. Anything that could be explored and expanded on was just very suddenly shut down ! And not in.. oh the sequel will answer the questions kind of way. There at no open questions. Everything was resolved in the most unsatisfactory way because it was boring! Things just happened, the main character was just a witness to other things happening and played no part in the actual story.
Also, there's a love interest that also never develops into anything??? Like it's immediately shut down in less than a paragraph? For no reason?
Just over all, choices were made that were most definitely the wrong ones for this story, which is sad to say because I wanted this to be so much more.
kasfire's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 Stars
What an intriguing novel!
Set in Paris during the late 19th century, this story follows Nathalie, a sixteen year old journalist. As her daily life goes on, she begins having visions when she touches a viewing glass covering a murder victim. Will she be able to bring the murderer to justice or will she be sent to an asylum instead?
I loved the plot. There was no moment when I had an absolute idea of who the murderer was. Each new plot point introduced made sense and expanded the experience.
Each character was flawed and human. And the way the story was woven had me second guessing liking some of them.
There were some flaws in the writing, but seeing as I had an advanced copy, I can't fault the book for that. I'm certainly intrigued to see if there will be a sequel. What a fantastic debut.
Diaclaimer: Thanks to working at Barnes and Noble I was able to read an advanced copy
What an intriguing novel!
Set in Paris during the late 19th century, this story follows Nathalie, a sixteen year old journalist. As her daily life goes on, she begins having visions when she touches a viewing glass covering a murder victim. Will she be able to bring the murderer to justice or will she be sent to an asylum instead?
I loved the plot. There was no moment when I had an absolute idea of who the murderer was. Each new plot point introduced made sense and expanded the experience.
Each character was flawed and human. And the way the story was woven had me second guessing liking some of them.
There were some flaws in the writing, but seeing as I had an advanced copy, I can't fault the book for that. I'm certainly intrigued to see if there will be a sequel. What a fantastic debut.
Diaclaimer: Thanks to working at Barnes and Noble I was able to read an advanced copy
dabutkus's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting book. The author kept my interest but I kind of hated the ending - it just ended leaving me wanting more. Glad there’s more books coming out.
bayy245's review
2.0
Spectacle was a huge disappointment for me. It was super slow and I was never really connected to the characters. I did love our MC though and her decision to be a journalist in a time where women weren't allowed careers outside of the home.
The mystery didn't feel connected or foreshadowed at all. When one part was solved, another three questions showed up, but they never seemed to relate to anything prior. I wanted satisfaction when I found out the killer, but instead, I was blindsided. A good mystery leaves clues that you notice later and the clues that are gone over when the mystery is solved seemed so consequential and minor.
I loved the idea of the Insightfuls and the idea of manufacturing magic in people. That part of the novel never felt fully developed though. I also couldn't believe that there were so many of the magic touched people in one area. If he only did experiments on so many people before his murder, how are so many of them in the same area?
The pacing was a huge problem for me too. I never felt the speed or thrill of a murder mystery. I had to put down this book because it was going nowhere. Unfortunately, when I picked it up again, it just kept dragging on. I skimmed the last 30% because I was just so bored.
Some of the revelations seemed cheap to me, such as who actually killed the doctor who experimented on people.
Overall, a big disappointment and a pass for me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tor through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
The mystery didn't feel connected or foreshadowed at all. When one part was solved, another three questions showed up, but they never seemed to relate to anything prior. I wanted satisfaction when I found out the killer, but instead, I was blindsided. A good mystery leaves clues that you notice later and the clues that are gone over when the mystery is solved seemed so consequential and minor.
I loved the idea of the Insightfuls and the idea of manufacturing magic in people. That part of the novel never felt fully developed though. I also couldn't believe that there were so many of the magic touched people in one area. If he only did experiments on so many people before his murder, how are so many of them in the same area?
The pacing was a huge problem for me too. I never felt the speed or thrill of a murder mystery. I had to put down this book because it was going nowhere. Unfortunately, when I picked it up again, it just kept dragging on. I skimmed the last 30% because I was just so bored.
Some of the revelations seemed cheap to me, such as who actually killed the doctor who experimented on people.
Overall, a big disappointment and a pass for me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tor through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
krob41288's review
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There seems to be a publishing trend for the beginning of this year that has fantasy/historical fiction YA novels set in Paris, and I don't hate this trend. Zdrok's writing immediately drew me into Nathalie's world. I love a good historical fiction novel that turns traditional male professions of the time on their heads by have strong female characters in those roles instead -- and it doesn't hurt that the profession here is a little macabre since she writes the morgue report. My biggest problem with this novel is the pacing -- there were a few times I felt the pace was a little lagging but this can be overlooked because of the cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more!
There seems to be a publishing trend for the beginning of this year that has fantasy/historical fiction YA novels set in Paris, and I don't hate this trend. Zdrok's writing immediately drew me into Nathalie's world. I love a good historical fiction novel that turns traditional male professions of the time on their heads by have strong female characters in those roles instead -- and it doesn't hurt that the profession here is a little macabre since she writes the morgue report. My biggest problem with this novel is the pacing -- there were a few times I felt the pace was a little lagging but this can be overlooked because of the cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more!
battlehamster67's review against another edition
2.0
This book could have been so good! However the authors choice of plot line basically invalidated the main characters role making her kind of unnecessary in the main story.
Only reason I did not give this a one star was because the world building was really good! However, the plot/storyline missed the mark big time.
Only reason I did not give this a one star was because the world building was really good! However, the plot/storyline missed the mark big time.
books_over_everything's review against another edition
5.0
**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review from the author**
Title Spectacle
Author Jodie Lynn Zdrok
Description from Amazon
Paris, 1887.
Sixteen-year-old Nathalie Baudin writes the daily morgue column for Le Petit Journal. Her job is to summarize each day’s new arrivals, a task she finds both fascinating and routine. That is, until the day she has a vision of the newest body, a young woman, being murdered—from the perspective of the murderer himself.
When the body of another woman is retrieved from the Seine days later, Paris begins to buzz with rumors that this victim may not be the last. Nathalie’s search for answers sends her down a long, twisty road involving her mentally ill aunt, a brilliant but deluded scientist, and eventually into the Parisian Catacombs. As the killer continues to haunt the streets of Paris, it becomes clear that Nathalie’s strange new ability may make her the only one who can discover the killer’s identity–and she’ll have to do it before she becomes a target herself.
Release Date February 12, 2019
Initial Thoughts
This book is so my jam it’s not even funny. I saw it on NetGalley a while back and wanted to apply but I had too many other books on my plate and missed my chance. When I saw the FFBC was hosting a tour for the sequel, I knew it was finally my chance to read this series.
Some Things I Liked
Paris. I love books set in France, specifically, Paris. There’s something so magical and amazing about the city and I thought it suited the story so well.
MURDER MYSTERY. I absolutely love a good murder mystery and that’s what this story was at it’s core. Sure there were supernatural elements and a sprinkle of romance, but this was about crime solving and I just couldn’t get enough.
Jack the Ripper vibes. Once again, I loved the nods to the famous case while still maintaining an utterly unique criminal and premise.
The romance. It was just enough. Perfect for the time period and not overwhelming to the mystery plot in the slightest.
Series Value
As stated above, the tour I’m part of is actually for the second book in this series. Even if I wasn’t on a tour, I’d want to start the second book immediately because this book was amazing.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book. I read it in under 24 hours (despite other books I should have read first
Title Spectacle
Author Jodie Lynn Zdrok
Description from Amazon
Paris, 1887.
Sixteen-year-old Nathalie Baudin writes the daily morgue column for Le Petit Journal. Her job is to summarize each day’s new arrivals, a task she finds both fascinating and routine. That is, until the day she has a vision of the newest body, a young woman, being murdered—from the perspective of the murderer himself.
When the body of another woman is retrieved from the Seine days later, Paris begins to buzz with rumors that this victim may not be the last. Nathalie’s search for answers sends her down a long, twisty road involving her mentally ill aunt, a brilliant but deluded scientist, and eventually into the Parisian Catacombs. As the killer continues to haunt the streets of Paris, it becomes clear that Nathalie’s strange new ability may make her the only one who can discover the killer’s identity–and she’ll have to do it before she becomes a target herself.
Release Date February 12, 2019
Initial Thoughts
This book is so my jam it’s not even funny. I saw it on NetGalley a while back and wanted to apply but I had too many other books on my plate and missed my chance. When I saw the FFBC was hosting a tour for the sequel, I knew it was finally my chance to read this series.
Some Things I Liked
Paris. I love books set in France, specifically, Paris. There’s something so magical and amazing about the city and I thought it suited the story so well.
MURDER MYSTERY. I absolutely love a good murder mystery and that’s what this story was at it’s core. Sure there were supernatural elements and a sprinkle of romance, but this was about crime solving and I just couldn’t get enough.
Jack the Ripper vibes. Once again, I loved the nods to the famous case while still maintaining an utterly unique criminal and premise.
The romance. It was just enough. Perfect for the time period and not overwhelming to the mystery plot in the slightest.
Series Value
As stated above, the tour I’m part of is actually for the second book in this series. Even if I wasn’t on a tour, I’d want to start the second book immediately because this book was amazing.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book. I read it in under 24 hours (despite other books I should have read first