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angelsbefore's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
not a regular read of mine, but I found parts of it interesting and I am enjoying the resurgence of Jacobean set media that's been around at the moment, Its wording just wasn't my favourite (honestly too much profanity for me, but I can see the authors intention) and I struggled during some parts. I don't regret reading it though!
rosebeccs's review against another edition
4.0
Oh this was very good and a complete surprise to me. Who knew the story of Francis Bacon could be told in such a beautiful but horrifying, gentle yet brutal way? I truly did not expect to be sitting here feeling torn apart after it but here we are. One thing I know is that this is going to stick with me. It sets up so many dichotomies – love and power, duty and reason, intelligence and hope. It really is a story where nobody ever quite wins.
The prose is stunning, I really found myself steeped right into this world. And it doesn't shy away from what was happening at court by any means. The grooming of young men for sex and the sheer wielding of power. The rage and cruelty across the board, and what people will do for a better position. Whether that leaves any room for real affection or tenderness.
I don't quite know how I feel about a lot of this yet but it will definitely be on my mind. In particular, the depiction of both Bacon and Villiers is just so fantastically complicated. In not trying to give us the easy answers, it's all the more harsh and supremely interesting.
Thanks to Random House UK for letting me read the ARC.
The prose is stunning, I really found myself steeped right into this world. And it doesn't shy away from what was happening at court by any means. The grooming of young men for sex and the sheer wielding of power. The rage and cruelty across the board, and what people will do for a better position. Whether that leaves any room for real affection or tenderness.
I don't quite know how I feel about a lot of this yet but it will definitely be on my mind. In particular, the depiction of both Bacon and Villiers is just so fantastically complicated. In not trying to give us the easy answers, it's all the more harsh and supremely interesting.
Thanks to Random House UK for letting me read the ARC.
featherinthewind's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
How dare you make me cry at the very end
peppermint_pink's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
By far the most interesting book I've read all year and I realized how much I love political intrigue and plotting. I never in my life expected I would relate to Francis Bacon but here we are. Love that the author made him an unreliable narrator so it really keeps you guessing.
However, the ending was a bit difficult to read because it was so tense - if you have a hard time with books that don't have happy endings, don't read this one! It's definitely a good read but maybe not for everyone.
However, the ending was a bit difficult to read because it was so tense - if you have a hard time with books that don't have happy endings, don't read this one! It's definitely a good read but maybe not for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Pedophilia
acrosstheskyinstars's review against another edition
4.0
This book tells the story of Francis Bacon, a gay man living in Jacobean England (and obviously a real-life historical figure) as he plots and schemes his way through the court of King James I. On his journey, he crosses paths with other notable historical figures, the biggest name of which is William Shakespeare.
The story starts when Francis’ enemy, who also happens to be the lover of the King begins plotting. Francis, in his need to secure his position at court, devises an opposing plan. He will team up with the Queen and find a young love interest for the King to take his enemy’s place. (For anyone wondering about the problematic nature of this relationship, I can’t tell you it’s not in anyway problematic, but the person chosen is above the modern age of consent.)
In the course of Francis scheming, he fails to account for one thing: human nature. It becomes very clear that our main character is a natural plotter, but he fails to recognize the human element in the people he plots against. This leads to his ultimate downfall.
One thing I really liked about this book was that Francis Bacon is portrayed as an unreliable narrator. I wish it had been made more clear earlier on in the book. In my opinion, the reveal at the end was a bit too late. However, it does add to the book positively. This book gave me similar vibes to As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann. That is also a book with a gay unreliable narrator who plots and schemes, and is also set in a similar time period (though that one is during the English Civil War).
Overall, I’d recommend this book if you like retellings. I thought this was a great way to make the personalities and situations from history stand out and be more palatable to a modern audience. While I cannot confirm the accuracy of the portrayals, they do make for a compelling read. I found myself not wanting to put the book down.
This book was given to me as an Advance Reading Copy by Netgalley.
The story starts when Francis’ enemy, who also happens to be the lover of the King begins plotting. Francis, in his need to secure his position at court, devises an opposing plan. He will team up with the Queen and find a young love interest for the King to take his enemy’s place. (For anyone wondering about the problematic nature of this relationship, I can’t tell you it’s not in anyway problematic, but the person chosen is above the modern age of consent.)
In the course of Francis scheming, he fails to account for one thing: human nature. It becomes very clear that our main character is a natural plotter, but he fails to recognize the human element in the people he plots against. This leads to his ultimate downfall.
One thing I really liked about this book was that Francis Bacon is portrayed as an unreliable narrator. I wish it had been made more clear earlier on in the book. In my opinion, the reveal at the end was a bit too late. However, it does add to the book positively. This book gave me similar vibes to As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann. That is also a book with a gay unreliable narrator who plots and schemes, and is also set in a similar time period (though that one is during the English Civil War).
Overall, I’d recommend this book if you like retellings. I thought this was a great way to make the personalities and situations from history stand out and be more palatable to a modern audience. While I cannot confirm the accuracy of the portrayals, they do make for a compelling read. I found myself not wanting to put the book down.
This book was given to me as an Advance Reading Copy by Netgalley.
charinabook's review against another edition
5.0
✨4.5✨
Only rating down half a star due to my own stupidity and lack of understanding certain things that likely made my enjoyment of this book a bit harder.
However, oh my gosh this book is a stunning piece of prose and as a lover of queer historical fiction I cannot help but adore it. It is truly heartbreaking and is hugely lead by an unreliable narrator and I'll definitely need to go and read something a little lighter after this book, but wow.
The way this book explores power dynamics and makes you question everything, as well as also being a wonderful telling of a true story is truly phenomenal.
Only rating down half a star due to my own stupidity and lack of understanding certain things that likely made my enjoyment of this book a bit harder.
However, oh my gosh this book is a stunning piece of prose and as a lover of queer historical fiction I cannot help but adore it. It is truly heartbreaking and is hugely lead by an unreliable narrator and I'll definitely need to go and read something a little lighter after this book, but wow.
The way this book explores power dynamics and makes you question everything, as well as also being a wonderful telling of a true story is truly phenomenal.
yogurtyong's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is undeniably a smut, with sprinkling of historical details, and make it Jacobean - right up my alley!
I loved Neil Blackmore’s use of modern language and his not shying away from vulgarity, made reading the book (and learning somewhat about the Jacobean era) that much more enthralling and absorbing.
p.s. Oh Bacon, if only you’d listened to Georgie and executed the Carrs.
I loved Neil Blackmore’s use of modern language and his not shying away from vulgarity, made reading the book (and learning somewhat about the Jacobean era) that much more enthralling and absorbing.
p.s. Oh Bacon, if only you’d listened to Georgie and executed the Carrs.
gruhuken's review against another edition
4.0
Witty and delightfully vulgar! Blackmore clearly has a knack for keeping historical fiction interesting and entertaining. Despite being familiar with the Overbury affair I still found myself wanting desperately to know what would happen.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
brotacel94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
evervillainous's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75