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charlotte_burt123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
fredicia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I'm not sure how to explain it exactly but this book is stylish. It's got impeccable, smooth, peaky-blinders-esque atmosphere with the adventure of the Princess Bride, that's just so fun to read about. I was drawn into this drama that Waters is unfolding, and I could tell from the beginning that not all is as it seems, but it's unclear how. Great writing, hooked me right in.
The pacing was well-done. The suspense of anticipating the next plot twist, slowly dreading the conclusion, b/c it cannot possibly end well. Waters is amazing at writing tension and twists that actually make sense in the context of the story, as demonstrated by the climax. And the ending was perfect with Maud repurposing the library into potentially a place of pleasure, and her choosing to be exposed to sex on her own terms.
I should read more award winning books next time instead of listening to booktok.
The pacing was well-done. The suspense of anticipating the next plot twist, slowly dreading the conclusion, b/c it cannot possibly end well. Waters is amazing at writing tension and twists that actually make sense in the context of the story, as demonstrated by the climax. And the ending was perfect with Maud repurposing the library into potentially a place of pleasure, and her choosing to be exposed to sex on her own terms.
I should read more award winning books next time instead of listening to booktok.
amaiii's review against another edition
5.0
To think that I had thoughts of dropping it a couple days ago when it had gotten really slow. I could've never been able to read the perfect ending. It was so worth it. Everything about this book is worth the time.
Yes it does get a bet annoying sometimes cause you don't seem to be making progress but it was all so worth it.
I'd love to buy the physical book and read this again it's so beautiful.
Yes it does get a bet annoying sometimes cause you don't seem to be making progress but it was all so worth it.
I'd love to buy the physical book and read this again it's so beautiful.
elizabethwillett's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cynethryth's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Goodness, I do appreciate an unhinged lesbian now and again!
This is a book that, as I was reading, I realized I was going to enjoy re-reading it. That doesn’t happen all the time, and it was a delight. I listened to the audiobook as checked out from the library, and now I am thinking of adding a print copy to my personal collection. Really a delightful read. I’m sure I could say many thoughtful things but right now I’m just delighted
This is a book that, as I was reading, I realized I was going to enjoy re-reading it. That doesn’t happen all the time, and it was a delight. I listened to the audiobook as checked out from the library, and now I am thinking of adding a print copy to my personal collection. Really a delightful read. I’m sure I could say many thoughtful things but right now I’m just delighted
braincell4rent's review against another edition
5.0
Probablemente una de mis mejores lecturas de este año.
Y es que no saben ustedes el tiempo que yo llevaba buscando una novela (L)GBT+ que me gustase lo suficiente como para terminarla. Ésta, sin ir más lejos, lo ha conseguido: No me enganchaba tanto a una novela gótica desde Jane Eyre.
La historia empieza con Sue, una muchacha huérfana y criada entre ladrones (muy a lo Oliver Twist) a la que convencen para infiltrarse en casa de unos ricos, como doncella, a fin de ganarse la confianza de Maud (la señorita de turno, una humana que heredará una gran fortuna al casarse) y así ayudar a un estafador amigo suyo a hacerse con el dinero a cambio de una pequeña comisión por las molestias.
Narrada en primera persona, una de las cosas que más me gustaron es el hecho de cómo cambia la percepción de los sucesos según quién los esté contando. Y es que la primera y tercera parte de la novela las narra Sue, pero la segunda lo hace Maud. Y aunque hay algunas escenas que se repiten (btw, 10/10 para la autora en esto, porque ni siquiera repitiendo un par de cosas se hace aburrido), justo por la perspectiva no luce como la misma novela ni evoca los mismos sentimientos.
La trama está llena de traiciones, intrigas para sacar un beneficio propio y personajes que incluso siendo villanos se dejan querer (menos el tío de Maud, a ese que le parta un rayo).
Así que si quieren leer un romance lento y con varias y oscuras capas, les recomiendo este..
Y es que no saben ustedes el tiempo que yo llevaba buscando una novela (L)GBT+ que me gustase lo suficiente como para terminarla. Ésta, sin ir más lejos, lo ha conseguido: No me enganchaba tanto a una novela gótica desde Jane Eyre.
La historia empieza con Sue, una muchacha huérfana y criada entre ladrones (muy a lo Oliver Twist) a la que convencen para infiltrarse en casa de unos ricos, como doncella, a fin de ganarse la confianza de Maud (la señorita de turno, una humana que heredará una gran fortuna al casarse) y así ayudar a un estafador amigo suyo a hacerse con el dinero a cambio de una pequeña comisión por las molestias.
Narrada en primera persona, una de las cosas que más me gustaron es el hecho de cómo cambia la percepción de los sucesos según quién los esté contando. Y es que la primera y tercera parte de la novela las narra Sue, pero la segunda lo hace Maud. Y aunque hay algunas escenas que se repiten (btw, 10/10 para la autora en esto, porque ni siquiera repitiendo un par de cosas se hace aburrido), justo por la perspectiva no luce como la misma novela ni evoca los mismos sentimientos.
La trama está llena de traiciones, intrigas para sacar un beneficio propio y personajes que incluso siendo villanos se dejan querer (menos el tío de Maud, a ese que le parta un rayo).
Así que si quieren leer un romance lento y con varias y oscuras capas, les recomiendo este..
bitterlemon's review against another edition
5.0
[4.5 Stars] The audiobook is ~23 hours. When I started it on a whim, having known nothing of Waters, I dreaded that. But slowly (terribly slowly) my interest was piqued. The author has such a focus on detailing things that don't seem to matter. I think they never matter. She over-explains. I yearn for the book to get back to the relationship between the two main women. I enjoyed the anticipation. I needed more. I listened to it in a single weekend.
I didn't know I could ache like that.
Also the final scenes made me cry! I don't know that I've ever cried over a book!
So if you don't mind a book that meanders, and don't expect many explicit romance scenes—for it's not that kind of book—I think you should like it.
I didn't know I could ache like that.
Also the final scenes made me cry! I don't know that I've ever cried over a book!
So if you don't mind a book that meanders, and don't expect many explicit romance scenes—for it's not that kind of book—I think you should like it.
hannahlannonblack's review
dark
emotional
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
elvispelvis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
damesor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0