Reviews

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

marvelruinedmyspirit's review against another edition

It's a little bit crazy that E.K. Johnston wrote a world in which the British Empire won and excepted me to give a shit about romance tbh.

anarose13's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

5.0

purple_rose_kat93's review

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review

1.0

1/5

The book was hard to follow for me. The history that was changed was something I knew little about so the changes and names were had to follow. I also felt like the characters had no emotions, that they were just going where they were taken. It took all that was in me not to DNF this book.

jayraams's review

4.0

Alternative history is tricky. I think there is enough here to see the author's idea and it's not a bad idea. I thought it was shitty that Margret would have to hide her Afro hair but after thinking about it more it makes sense that even though striving for change whiteness and racism would be a problem.

Overall, I loved this book only took 2 days to finish. I liked that it showed representation for an often forgotten group in the LGBTQIA+ community.

It's queer and it slaps, highly recommended by me at least.

lunaballz's review

4.0

I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would, possibly because I had no expectations. It's a bit slow-paced, much more driven by character/relationship development rather than plot but I found myself pretty engrossed in it and didn't want to put it down.

I also loved the sheer diversity the author packed into it, and I loved imagining a world like the one she described. It lacked a little bit in the world building though, I really wish more had been clarified and explained. Also, the side notes and whatnot between chapters mostly just confused me.

All in all, I definitely recommend it

dormilona's review

3.0

the world building was very interesting and pulled off fairly well for trying to rewrite history. also, really loved how the relationship between August, Margaret, and Helena was pulled off. they were all little too perfect and sensible to me, but it was nice anyway.

ironhorse19's review

lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

brookelovesbooks's review

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-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

4.5

An absolutely delightful read that takes wonderfully surprising turns. It marries the charm and dramatic setting of the Victorian era with an aspirational queer and anticolonial landscape to play within. Such a healing and fun read!

mainjain's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-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

5.0