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thethingwithfeathers's review against another edition
I wanted to love this book so bad. Sapphic heist on the titanic? I was so ready.
- lack of excitement in the narrative
- poorly developed back stories that clung to stereotypes
- aggressive racism from the white character towards the only black woman main character that, according to reviews by people who finished, never gets addressed properly.
- lack of excitement in the narrative
- poorly developed back stories that clung to stereotypes
- aggressive racism from the white character towards the only black woman main character that, according to reviews by people who finished, never gets addressed properly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
jachnax's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I felt like this book wasn't thought out well enough. There were a lot of moments that felt staged to me. Situations they could have found easier solutions for or situations were everything worked too well.
The plot just didn't always work for me. The girls somehow felt like they did were not prepared at all for any of this and it was just missing a lot for me in this book.
Overall the premise is great but it lacks the execution in my humble opinion.
On the other hand the characters were very complete and you grew attached to them and the dynamic between them. Sometimes the characterization felt a bit too much on the nose but overall I really grew attached, especially to Hinnah. The other characters I started to dislike especially at the end.
Overall I felt this had so much potential that was not used.
The plot just didn't always work for me. The girls somehow felt like they did were not prepared at all for any of this and it was just missing a lot for me in this book.
Overall the premise is great but it lacks the execution in my humble opinion.
On the other hand the characters were very complete and you grew attached to them and the dynamic between them. Sometimes the characterization felt a bit too much on the nose but overall I really grew attached, especially to Hinnah. The other characters I started to dislike especially at the end.
Overall I felt this had so much potential that was not used.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Classism, and Racism
mari1532's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I first heard about this book from Lilly's Library, Lilly Singh's book club. Her description of the book sounded interesting so I checked the audiobook out of my library.
Imagine that Ocean's 8 had half the people in on the heist and was set aboard the Titanic. Now add a friend turned rival who thinks he is an expert con artist, a noisy floor matron, and the interworkings of a found family and you have the basic ingredients of this book.
When I tell you that Jaigirdar's writing is fantastic in this book it does not even feel close to being an accurate description. The way that she was able to interweave the perspectives of the four central characters (Josefa, Emilie, Hinnah, and Violet) and made me love each and every one of them honestly didn't feel fair as they are not real people and I cannot in fact become a member of their friend group. Furthermore, the fact that this book was set on the Titanic and Jaigirdar included a countdown truly gave me the worst anxiety because you know what is coming in terms of the ship, but as the reader you have absolutely no idea what that will mean for the characters that she has spent the better part of the novel making you fall in love with.
The found family dynamics of the four women were also so beautiful. The way that they are thrown together by their respective circumstances, but learn to work together was beautiful to watch unfold. I particularly liked how the friendship dynamics were being tested and growing as a romance was blooming. It was so heartwarming.
My only note about this book is very minor and not having the answer to it does not make me love this book any less, but did Matron Wallace steal the hairclip or did she find it? And if she stole it why would she then point the finger for an item that she stole? If she found it why did she keep it? Did they not have a lost and found on the Titanic?
If you love books with strong female characters and chosen families I highly recommend this book. Also if you love a good heist plot line this one does not disappoint. Highly recommend. Absolutely one of my favourite books of the year!
Imagine that Ocean's 8 had half the people in on the heist and was set aboard the Titanic. Now add a friend turned rival who thinks he is an expert con artist, a noisy floor matron, and the interworkings of a found family and you have the basic ingredients of this book.
When I tell you that Jaigirdar's writing is fantastic in this book it does not even feel close to being an accurate description. The way that she was able to interweave the perspectives of the four central characters (Josefa, Emilie, Hinnah, and Violet) and made me love each and every one of them honestly didn't feel fair as they are not real people and I cannot in fact become a member of their friend group. Furthermore, the fact that this book was set on the Titanic and Jaigirdar included a countdown truly gave me the worst anxiety because you know what is coming in terms of the ship, but as the reader you have absolutely no idea what that will mean for the characters that she has spent the better part of the novel making you fall in love with.
The found family dynamics of the four women were also so beautiful. The way that they are thrown together by their respective circumstances, but learn to work together was beautiful to watch unfold. I particularly liked how the friendship dynamics were being tested and growing as a romance was blooming. It was so heartwarming.
If you love books with strong female characters and chosen families I highly recommend this book. Also if you love a good heist plot line this one does not disappoint. Highly recommend. Absolutely one of my favourite books of the year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Death, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Violence
This book is set on the Titanic and as a result death, specifically death by drowning is discussed.sophie42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping and Confinement
Minor: Gaslighting, Violence, and Racism
amberinpieces's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Confinement, Grief, Violence, and Alcohol
falibat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
saliwali's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness
quinnyquinnquinn's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
cecinamo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved the idea of the book, but I expected a little more from the book. I am a huge fan of the Titanic, but it kind of seemed like the plot didn’t have to play on the Titanic. Only in the end ( when the ship sank) the Titanic actually played a bigger part in the plot. I still had a really fun time reading the book, because who doesn’t love epic women who do epic heists, but it just didn’t feel real enough (if that makes sense?). Sometimes big plot points were solved to quickly and easily. The whole thing also just didn’t really have a 1910’s feel to it. Overall though I enjoyed it and I might reread it in the future. 💗
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Child death, and Classism
_p0ssum_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, and Racism