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morethanmylupus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This time, however, the building barely played into the story. Mostly, the story revolved around a bomber who spent some 15+ years planting bombs around NYC. We got some brief history and fun facts about the Rockettes. It was hard to be invested in the main characters because so much of the story felt disjointed.
We also got a narrative about the origin of psychologists build profiles to help catch serial predators. Unfortunately, this didn't seem to align with anything I've previously read. When it comes to historical fiction, some things can be changed but this felt beyond the pale and ruined the book for me.
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
cc_shelflove's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Child death, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Violence, Terminal illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Chronic illness
Minor: Confinement, Car accident, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
theoceanrose's review
- 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
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Violence, and Death of parent
soobooksalot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I got to tour Radio City Music Hall and learn the history of the Rockettes during my first trip to NYC six years ago. So I couldn't pass up adding The Spectacular by Fiona Davis to my BOTM box as soon as I saw the gorgeous cover and book description.
It's 1956. Marion Brooks is a talented dancer and is hired as a Rockette, despite her father's plans for her to get married and be a housewife.
Meanwhile, the "Big Apple Bomber" has been terrorizing the city with pipe bombs for 16 years. His latest attack in Radio City affects Marion way too close to home, and she enlists a psych resident friend to help. Dr. Peter Griggs uses profiling techniques that aren't yet well accepted in the medical or police communities, but might lead to capturing the bomber.
What a fascinating combination of elements in this historical fiction! The bomber is based on real events from the day, which sold it for me even more.
I was completely invested in The Spectacular - recommended!
Moderate: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Violence
mtnest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
kelly93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Chronic illness
dnpatterson2's review
- 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
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Murder
chailady's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
From the 1956 Radio City Music Hall, Davis takes us on an adventure through the eyes of 19 year old Rockette, Marion Brooks. Definitely recommend.
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness