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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another book that had been on my TBR for a while and I found it at the library booksale. I loved the first fourth of this book. At that point my only qualm was that old school gothic novels always seemed to hint at the supernatural rather than to shine a light on them directly (although I'm not sure if that is a gothic "rule" or anything) as they did in this book as soon as they spoke frankly of magic. Once that happened it was kind of downhill for me. I also hadn't realized initially that this book was a horror so the admission of magic + the gore were a no thank you for me. I skimmed through the rest of the book because I still wanted to know what happened. I appreciated the very strong female main character, the skill with which this book was written, and the original story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
dark
mysterious
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, I guess the reviews for this weren't lying.
The gothic vibes are easily the strongest part of the book. The unsettling tone and creepy atmosphere; the crumbling estate with shadows that hide unknown horrors; the faint notion that there used to be a door here but isn't now... All excellent.
Sadly, that's where the good stuff ended for me. I was confused by the motivations and characterization of the FMC, and often it seemed her expressed character traits (disinterest in social attachments, preference for logic) were at odds with her decision making. I also, like several others, found "Chapter Zero" to be a little confusing in its point. Like, soJane was seeing herself the whole time, and not Elodie? And Augustine died but then was resurrected in some way by Jane's magic? ??
I also found the explanation of magic to be incredibly undercooked, and the frequent inclusion of some dissertation about the concept of zero a little tedious (and also didn't really make sense to me/in the context of the book). Sigh.
The gothic vibes are easily the strongest part of the book. The unsettling tone and creepy atmosphere; the crumbling estate with shadows that hide unknown horrors; the faint notion that there used to be a door here but isn't now... All excellent.
Sadly, that's where the good stuff ended for me. I was confused by the motivations and characterization of the FMC, and often it seemed her expressed character traits (disinterest in social attachments, preference for logic) were at odds with her decision making. I also, like several others, found "Chapter Zero" to be a little confusing in its point. Like, so
I also found the explanation of magic to be incredibly undercooked, and the frequent inclusion of some dissertation about the concept of zero a little tedious (and also didn't really make sense to me/in the context of the book). Sigh.
Whoa. I need to gather my thoughts as this was quite unsettling, really. RTC.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another unfortunate book with a gorgeous cover. A lot is said without anything actually happening. But goth. Yet not really.
Think: horror cliches and Jane Austen cliches have to write a book together. Plus magic, because why not?
Think: horror cliches and Jane Austen cliches have to write a book together. Plus magic, because why not?
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(Churning out a few short reviews because I’m so behind on them!)
Oh, this book seemed so much at first that it would be entirely up my alley. And it was: a Gothic romance with definite [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386605169l/17899948._SX50_.jpg|46663] vibes, of a courtship unfolding between a sheltered young woman and a brooding widower with a mysterious history and a shuttered old manor. A marriage of convenience! A Victorian vibe in a faux Anglo setting! Strange body horror magic and gruesome medical details and a sharp competent determined protagonist in the form of Jane Shoringfield Lawrence herself! All great things!
And I loved it for maybe the first half or so, when Jane was first being steeped into this strange new world, their courtship was just beginning, and she was starting to untangle the mysteries of her husband’s mouldering manor. It seemed like it might’ve been a 5-star read. But then my main problem is that it slowed way wayyyy down for me in the back half, when she’s by herself and going through her magical trials.
It becomes surreal, dreamlike, strange, and hard to follow — and as Jane becomes increasingly isolated and stops interacting with other people, then it becomes less compelling for me. I loved things like the delicate social tightrope of her husband’s colleagues barging into the house and Jane having to host them on short notice, polite yet furious, and her taking the opportunity to weasel details about his past out of them. Once she’s wandering the magical hallways entirely on her own, then there’s less to be invested in, imo.
Those early parts of the novel, though. Chefskiss.
Oh, this book seemed so much at first that it would be entirely up my alley. And it was: a Gothic romance with definite [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386605169l/17899948._SX50_.jpg|46663] vibes, of a courtship unfolding between a sheltered young woman and a brooding widower with a mysterious history and a shuttered old manor. A marriage of convenience! A Victorian vibe in a faux Anglo setting! Strange body horror magic and gruesome medical details and a sharp competent determined protagonist in the form of Jane Shoringfield Lawrence herself! All great things!
And I loved it for maybe the first half or so, when Jane was first being steeped into this strange new world, their courtship was just beginning, and she was starting to untangle the mysteries of her husband’s mouldering manor. It seemed like it might’ve been a 5-star read. But then my main problem is that it slowed way wayyyy down for me in the back half, when she’s by herself and going through her magical trials.
It becomes surreal, dreamlike, strange, and hard to follow — and as Jane becomes increasingly isolated and stops interacting with other people, then it becomes less compelling for me. I loved things like the delicate social tightrope of her husband’s colleagues barging into the house and Jane having to host them on short notice, polite yet furious, and her taking the opportunity to weasel details about his past out of them. Once she’s wandering the magical hallways entirely on her own, then there’s less to be invested in, imo.
Those early parts of the novel, though. Chefskiss.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
So much promise but second half fell short
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The gothic atmosphere in The Death of Jane Lawrence was done quite well and I really enjoyed how all the characters had a bit of 'unreliableness' to them which had me questioning everyone. Unfortunately, I felt like there was something missing in the ending - this is definitely not a book for those that don't like an open-ended conclusion.
Personally, I felt like the ending leant itself toAugustine actually dying within Lindridge Hall, whether by accident via Jane or if the cellar really did collapse on him, and that Dr. Nizamiev has Jane under her care at the asylum with Jane imagining Augustine being safe with her.
However, based on an interview that I found with the author, it doesn't seem to be the case and the ending is pretty cut and dry.
Personally, I felt like the ending leant itself to
However, based on an interview that I found with the author, it doesn't seem to be the case and the ending is pretty cut and dry.