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evewithanapple's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Okay, we need to talk for a second about the autistic character in this book. I . . . don't think the depiction of Zofia was intentionally offensive. I think the author was genuinely trying very hard to write autism authentically! It's just that her idea of what autism looks like seems to have been mined exclusively from The Big Bang Theory. Zofia is overly literal, speaks in a weirdly formal register, obsessed with counting things (did Chokshi mistake autism for OCD?), a genuis scientist/mathemetician, and cannot recognize or follow social cues. Look at these interactions:
Severin crossed his arms. "Zofia, tell him he's pretty."
Zofia didn't look up from her tea. "I am personally undecided, but if we're assessing based on objectivity, then according to the principles of the golden ratio, also known as phi, which is approximately 1.618, your facial beauty is mathematically pleasing."
"What on earth are you doing?"
"I am imitating patterns of flirtation."
"Wait. You're flirting . . . with me?"
Zofia frowned. Why would he think that? She just said she was imitating the general strategy of others.
"Great minds think alike."
Zofia frowned. "No they don't. Otherwise every idea would be uniform."
This would be cringeworthy even if Zofia was a well-rounded character outside of being on the spectrum (autistic people don't talk like this!) but the thing is, there's absolutely nothing going on with her apart from the things that make her identifiable Different. It's honestly really tiresome to read, and it's too bad, because Chokshi was clearly trying to write Zofia as an actual human being. She just . . . didn't do a very good job.
Severin crossed his arms. "Zofia, tell him he's pretty."
Zofia didn't look up from her tea. "I am personally undecided, but if we're assessing based on objectivity, then according to the principles of the golden ratio, also known as phi, which is approximately 1.618, your facial beauty is mathematically pleasing."
"What on earth are you doing?"
"I am imitating patterns of flirtation."
"Wait. You're flirting . . . with me?"
Zofia frowned. Why would he think that? She just said she was imitating the general strategy of others.
"Great minds think alike."
Zofia frowned. "No they don't. Otherwise every idea would be uniform."
This would be cringeworthy even if Zofia was a well-rounded character outside of being on the spectrum (autistic people don't talk like this!) but the thing is, there's absolutely nothing going on with her apart from the things that make her identifiable Different. It's honestly really tiresome to read, and it's too bad, because Chokshi was clearly trying to write Zofia as an actual human being. She just . . . didn't do a very good job.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Racism
claudiaswords's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I am very surprised by how much this book falls right in the middle for me. I didn't hate it but I didn't adore it. I think this is mainly because I had very high expectations. Overall, I liked the characters and most aspects of the plot had me interested. It wasn't as amazing as I hope it would be, but an entertaining read nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Ableism
bibookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5 Stars! History, Magic, Diversity, and Heists? What more could I ask for? This book is amazing and Roshani Chokshi is a mega talented writer. I fell in love with story and the characters almost instantly. I love France so the setting of the book really drew me in. I would recommend this to people who enjoyed Six of Crows, Ace of Shades, and Shades of Magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Torture
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
archaicgambit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was incredible, I'm sad the average rating is so low!
Such a diverse cast of characters (racially diverse, multiple gay characters, an autistic lead!), rotating POV. Stunning critique and description of the Belle Epoque era in Paris. Really cool magic system.
If you love heists and morally ambigious heroes you will love this!
Such a diverse cast of characters (racially diverse, multiple gay characters, an autistic lead!), rotating POV. Stunning critique and description of the Belle Epoque era in Paris. Really cool magic system.
If you love heists and morally ambigious heroes you will love this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Ableism
alainaev's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Torture, Racism, Child death, Child abuse, Ableism, and Animal death
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
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