Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

6 reviews

bessadams's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Sexual content, Colonisation, Ableism, and Infidelity

emilywemily6's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you like witty banter, a clever FMC who strays from the stereotypical, and a historical mystery, this book is for you. I found that I really liked the writing style and was sucked in to these characters. The only thing I didn’t like was the pacing of this book, which made many of the dramatic moments in the book feel inconsequential. I guess I expected more drama in the writing considering how much their lives were threatened, but we breezed through a lot of perilous scenes. I adore Veronica and found her relatable yet refreshingly distinct, and while she would be considered an odd duck in this time period it felt like her characterization fit in with the story and felt realistic. Though she was overly stubborn when Stoker thought she was connected to the murder (which she was!). I loved the direction this book went and I definitely did not see the major plot line going the direction it went, which was so fun to read. I’m looking forward to reading the next one!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

Minor: Cursing, Colonisation, and Pregnancy

eleek0609's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Death, Fatphobia, Murder, Ableism, Abandonment, Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Misogyny

wilybooklover's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

2.0

I would’ve liked Veronica’s characterisation as bold and before her time if she also didn’t feel so disdainful of and superior to other women and anything she perceives as feminine. As it was, it came across as Not Like Other Girls style internalised misogyny and combined with the caricatural portrayal of almost every other woman but Veronica it really ruined my enjoyment of the book. 

Also, exactly how many skills is Stoker supposed to have before it strains my credulity? He’s a natural historian and taxidermist, a tracker and hunter, a former expedition leader, a former magician/knife-thrower in a circus, a surgeon who served in the Navy... all of which he is apparently exemplary at. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Classism, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexism, Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Xenophobia

Minor: Colonisation and Sexual content

saricostanzo's review against another edition

I just was not into the casual colonialism. I get that it’s historical fiction-ish but I don’t want or need descriptions of mounting elephant carcasses for showing off to rich white people. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

ablaine's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

A light read I picked up for a break from heavier book covering challenging subject. The audiobook was delightful. I found I could keep up with the story even if I accidentally tuned out because major plot points were restated often. That may be a drawback for someone who dislikes repetition or reader hand-holding. I found the characters charming and plan to read the next book in the series. An important criticism to raise is that diverse characters are portrayed as “exotic” sexual exploits, which is not cool. This story definitely romanticizes British colonization.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Colonisation, Medical content, and Murder