umbreen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
neaful's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Good history. Internal integrity is weak.
jawallace's review against another edition
4.0
Great job moving between the past and present. Loved the historical accuracy also.
pansypantaloons's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.25
Enjoyable and relatable story. Loved all the female characters and their relationships with each other
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
pjpjpj1208's review against another edition
1.5
this book had no idea what it wanted to be. the pacing was wild. and why did it take so long for someone to tell eliza was a period was?
meghantilley11's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
ruinedbyreading's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.25
kavanaughcori's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
jillselwyn's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5 Stars*
I thought at the beginning of this haunting masterpiece, that this was going to harp on women's instincts to be mothers. I've seen so many pieces of media that do this in a disgusting light. Ok maybe not many but Multiverse of Madness certainly disgusted me in the way it portrayed Wanda's desperation to be a mother. As someone who likely will struggle to not only get pregnant but carry a pregnancy to term and physically give birth should that be something I want to do, I avoid those sorts of stories like the goddamned plague.
So when I realized that wasn't where this book was going, I was so fucking relieved. In fact I felt stronger myself as it seemed to make it clear that women don't need to be mothers to be happy or successful. The mystery aspect was so delightful, and I really liked the almost "slice of life" aspect of Caroline struggling to figure herself and her husband out. I also really enjoyed reading from wisened and older characters perspectives, and though Eliza was quite literally a child, she was amusing in certain ways herself.
The only reason that this did not get a full five stars for me was because I wondered if Nella had arthritis but it was never confirmed, and again, as someone likely to suffer from it in the future thanks to genetics, I would have loved some sort of confirmation of that representation, but I personally believe that what we got was confirmation enough, hence the 4.5 clarification at the beginning of this review.
I also really really wanted for Caroline to be related to either Nella or Eliza (of course more likely Eliza than Nella at that point) but she wasn't as far as I can tell and I feel like that really would have pulled everything perfectly full circle. Still, this really was just a masterpiece and I simply cannot wait for The London Seance Society - I may just have to reach out for a physical advanced reader's copy... unless it comes out relatively soon. Ok nope it comes out in March, and considering I already have to wait for Shadow and Bone Season 2, I will be reaching out as soon as I publish this review.
I leave you with this final thought on the book:
A woman does not need a man nor a child to be happy, and in fact, they can both hinder her true dreams.
I thought at the beginning of this haunting masterpiece, that this was going to harp on women's instincts to be mothers. I've seen so many pieces of media that do this in a disgusting light. Ok maybe not many but Multiverse of Madness certainly disgusted me in the way it portrayed Wanda's desperation to be a mother. As someone who likely will struggle to not only get pregnant but carry a pregnancy to term and physically give birth should that be something I want to do, I avoid those sorts of stories like the goddamned plague.
So when I realized that wasn't where this book was going, I was so fucking relieved. In fact I felt stronger myself as it seemed to make it clear that women don't need to be mothers to be happy or successful. The mystery aspect was so delightful, and I really liked the almost "slice of life" aspect of Caroline struggling to figure herself and her husband out. I also really enjoyed reading from wisened and older characters perspectives, and though Eliza was quite literally a child, she was amusing in certain ways herself.
The only reason that this did not get a full five stars for me was because I wondered if Nella had arthritis but it was never confirmed, and again, as someone likely to suffer from it in the future thanks to genetics, I would have loved some sort of confirmation of that representation, but I personally believe that what we got was confirmation enough, hence the 4.5 clarification at the beginning of this review.
I also really really wanted for Caroline to be related to either Nella or Eliza (of course more likely Eliza than Nella at that point) but she wasn't as far as I can tell and I feel like that really would have pulled everything perfectly full circle. Still, this really was just a masterpiece and I simply cannot wait for The London Seance Society - I may just have to reach out for a physical advanced reader's copy... unless it comes out relatively soon. Ok nope it comes out in March, and considering I already have to wait for Shadow and Bone Season 2, I will be reaching out as soon as I publish this review.
I leave you with this final thought on the book:
A woman does not need a man nor a child to be happy, and in fact, they can both hinder her true dreams.
lnbowser's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0