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dev921's review
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Confinement, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Death, and Racial slurs
lucyatoz's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang is a book of historical fiction based around the time of the earthquake of San Francisco, which occurred on 18 April 1906. Four women, Alice, a world class botanist, Gemma, a Opera soprano who is part of the chorus of a tour company performing in the city, Nellie, a brilliant artist, and Suling, a talented seamstress, living with her third Uncle in Chinatown.
We read about how their lives come together and are then pulled apart again with the story centred around the Octagon House of Henry Thornton, millionaire philanthropist of the arts, who appreciates unique plants and the finer things in life, including having a Phoenix Crown, the prize in his collection.
I appreciated how Kate and Janie collaborated together on this book and really liked how they brought the story to a close in their authors' note.
I owned a copy of this book and listened to it on Audible. I read this for the April 2024 Readalong for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
We read about how their lives come together and are then pulled apart again with the story centred around the Octagon House of Henry Thornton, millionaire philanthropist of the arts, who appreciates unique plants and the finer things in life, including having a Phoenix Crown, the prize in his collection.
I appreciated how Kate and Janie collaborated together on this book and really liked how they brought the story to a close in their authors' note.
I owned a copy of this book and listened to it on Audible. I read this for the April 2024 Readalong for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
sarah_reading_party's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
4.25
What an amazing book! The Phoenix Crown is a story of friendship, of women standing up for themselves and others, and of love. I really enjoyed the strength of all of these women - Reggie, Gemma, Suling, and Alice - and the way they pursued justice, their careers/passions, and survival. The story revolves around the actions of one slimy man - Henry Thornton - and the effects of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The setting was fabulous and very engaging. I really enjoyed learning about the city at the turn of the century, the Chinese community, and the experience of women during this era... especially women with career vocations and passions. Each of these women's stories are so well told, which is not always the case with books with multiple main characters. I liked how the stories intertwined and how the women worked together and for each other to survive. One aspect that I did not like about this book was how cleanly everything came together at the end. I'm used to historical fiction having loose and uncertain ends, and felt this ending was a bit too unrealistic... though I did like the epilogue quite a bit so I guess it can go both ways!
This story is a must read! Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
This story is a must read! Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Racial slurs, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
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