Reviews with content warning for Abortion - The Shadow in the Glass

Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Harwood

21 reviews

lolocole's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

When they said Gothic Cinderella, they meant it. There is a menacing energy driving this book. It's coated with Ella's desperation, with impossible situations, with the claustrophobia of being a women with no resources but violence.
This book had me in a thrall- it was like the impulse to stare at a car crash. You know something horrible has happened, you know equally with the pit in your stomach that you don't actually want to see destruction, and you find your eyes glued to it anyway.
I am fascinated by the loose ends of this story.

Was Ella the one murdering all along? Was there even a woman in the dark? Was murder even necessary for the wishes? Was there such thing as a soul? If not, was Ella's death/suicide at the end a result of guilty paranoia? Did she kill her mother? Why are the accounts of her as a child so cryptic and violent and disorienting? What happened to change the violent silent child? Did Mrs. Pembroke die as a result of magic? I am just reeling.

The fact that Ella was an unreliable narrator didn't really hit home until half of the book had flashed by. We were so deep in her head, feeling the injustices piled upon her and the girls she worked with that the increasing wild nature of her justifications for her actions felt like a startling revelation.
Being a woman is so scary.

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user8432's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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jo_d's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Started and finished this book in less than 24 hours it was so good.
Cinderella retelling: imagine if Ella Enchanted met Oliver Twist and was written by Mary Shelley. The book does a really good job of reverse character growth, and really ropes you into cheering for someone

who by the end makes some horrible decisions that mean she justifies murder for the sake of personal gain

Had me at the edge of my seat the entire time and could hardly put it down. Excellent reworking of the classic tale in a completely different light. The themes of the corruption of power and the justification of horrid actions by someone who believes they deserve better is just *chefs kiss*

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amalyndb's review against another edition

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3.5

I need to remember that I do not enjoy Gothic novels in November with SAD.

This is very much a Gothic novel, the slow descent from reality into unraveling. It is well done, just not my cup of tea

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livetgjennomb_ker's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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ssmijuat's review

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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crystalsparkles's review against another edition

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dark mysterious 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? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

There’s a quote on the cover from Katie Lowe that says ‘A gothic twist on Cinderella that is truly exquisite’ - I would say that there’s definitely an element of Rumpelstiltskin in there. But in all, not a happily ever after kind of story.
Was somewhat frustrated by the ending, but I suppose it’s because we’re all used to things tied off neatly in a bow at the end of our stories, and it’s not happening here.
It was dark & twisted and messy.
I’d put this in the murder mystery or psychological thriller section if it didn’t have a fairy godmother.

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lisette_eponine's review

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It just kept getting sadder. The main character would get a break, and then be immediately knocked down again.

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rachaelvo4's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

The ending was expected but also disappointing nonetheless. After awhile I just thought Eleanor was irritating but she is a great character to analyze, I do understand that she had so much going on w her circumstance, and it’s hard to have self control when you’re given the option between your greatest dreams and living hell. She does not deserve any of the love that Charles gave her. I love the historical time period accuracy. The relationship w the characters was a little hard to see how they reflected on the main character, felt like it was mostly to give more storylines and keep plot moving. Probably wouldn’t read again.

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gimmiiie's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-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

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