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clone's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Classism, Death, Abandonment, Grief, Murder, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Misogyny
sapphic_reader's review
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
allisonwonderlandreads's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This historical mystery opens a window into 1800 Joseon. With a Queen Regent recently in power, a Catholic purge on the horizon, and brutal murders targeting converts and sympathizers, it is a tumultuous moment in time. The story follows Seol, an indentured servant for the police. With her natural inquisitiveness and broad stubborn streak, she's a gifted investigator in the making, although her gender and class prevent her from fully exercising that gift. Seol loyally assists an inspector whom she idolizes as he works on a challenging murder case. However, her easy trust might not survive the secrets coming to light.
I gleaned a lot of historical information that was new to me from this read, so that was greatly appreciated. The setting and the details of social structures were deftly woven throughout the story. That was easily my favorite part of the reading experience. I also appreciated the audiobook format, which allowed me to hear the correct pronunciation of names and terms throughout.
In terms of plot, I was less enthused. The mystery didn't draw me in, lacking in urgency and emotional timbre for most of the duration. Although I didn't anticipate the identity of the murderer, I also wasn't particularly concerned about it. In addition, the personal aspects of Seol's journey didn't catch my interest. While I appreciated the lack of romantic plot, I would have liked other relationships to be more fleshed-out to anchor me to the story. The big reveals on this front were quite predictable, yet the piecing together of Seol's past is fraught and drawn out. Worst of all, the ending seemed rushed in comparison, not leaving room to resolve any emotional fallout.
In the end, I would recommend this as a piece of historical fiction, but it didn't suit my tastes in terms of mystery or general plotting.
I gleaned a lot of historical information that was new to me from this read, so that was greatly appreciated. The setting and the details of social structures were deftly woven throughout the story. That was easily my favorite part of the reading experience. I also appreciated the audiobook format, which allowed me to hear the correct pronunciation of names and terms throughout.
In terms of plot, I was less enthused. The mystery didn't draw me in, lacking in urgency and emotional timbre for most of the duration. Although I didn't anticipate the identity of the murderer, I also wasn't particularly concerned about it. In addition, the personal aspects of Seol's journey didn't catch my interest. While I appreciated the lack of romantic plot, I would have liked other relationships to be more fleshed-out to anchor me to the story. The big reveals on this front were quite predictable, yet the piecing together of Seol's past is fraught and drawn out. Worst of all, the ending seemed rushed in comparison, not leaving room to resolve any emotional fallout.
In the end, I would recommend this as a piece of historical fiction, but it didn't suit my tastes in terms of mystery or general plotting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, Sexism, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.25
It took about half the book for me to be drawn in, but when it happened I really enjoyed it. The narrator, Seol, was fantastic as the main character, as she was gutsy, bright, headstrong and resourceful. I wasn't expecting the political and religious complexity that this book delivered, which added intriguing layers to the murder mystery. I also liked that on top of the murder mystery, there was a supporting personal mystery surrounding Seol's brother, as this really padded out the plot. Overall, the thriller had all the grittiness of a modern-day crime drama, which I loved. The third act in particular was incredible, and the resolution was satisfying. However, because I couldn't get into this book for its entire first half, I decided to rate it only 4.25 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, and Torture
Minor: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Alcohol
starrynight's review
dark
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Animal death, Suicide, Torture, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, and Blood
willowy's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
The Silence of Bones by June Hur
Length: 336 Pages
Genres: Historical Mystery, Young Adult
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Trigger Warnings in this book for Violence, Gore, Murder and Animal Death
"I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eye, but I mustn't see."
This is what sixteen-year-old Seol tries to live by, but it's hard for an intelligent and curious girl living in 19th-century Joseon (Korea), to follow not only the rigid rules of society, but laws that dictate who and what men and women should be. She is a damo, an indentured servant to the Police Bureau, who makes it possible for the Officers to follow strict Confucian law, which prevents them from being able to touch any woman who isn't related to them, even female prisoners and corpses. Yet she is still little more than an means to an end, forbidden to even make eye contact with those above her station.
When a Noblewoman is found with her throat cut, and most curiously, her nose removed, Seol's bright mind is noticed by the mysterious Inspector Han. For once, she is seen as more, as a living, breathing, thinking person. But when Seol makes a mistake that nearly costs her her life and the Inspector his dignity, she is thrust into a maelstrom of suspicion that leads straight to Inspector Han. And even more shocking, Seol begins to see similarities between the Inspector and someone, thought lost forever, from her past...
Set during a fascinating time in Korea, when one Queen used her newly found power to root out those who would question her, all in the guise of violently eradicating the Catholics that have spread across the land, The Silence of Bones is a bittersweet and meticulously researched story of loyalty, family, and how the past indelibly haunts the present. I highly recommend this, and can't wait to check out Hur's newest book, The Forest of Stolen Girls!
For more reviews visit my blog!
Length: 336 Pages
Genres: Historical Mystery, Young Adult
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Trigger Warnings in this book for Violence, Gore, Murder and Animal Death
"I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eye, but I mustn't see."
This is what sixteen-year-old Seol tries to live by, but it's hard for an intelligent and curious girl living in 19th-century Joseon (Korea), to follow not only the rigid rules of society, but laws that dictate who and what men and women should be. She is a damo, an indentured servant to the Police Bureau, who makes it possible for the Officers to follow strict Confucian law, which prevents them from being able to touch any woman who isn't related to them, even female prisoners and corpses. Yet she is still little more than an means to an end, forbidden to even make eye contact with those above her station.
When a Noblewoman is found with her throat cut, and most curiously, her nose removed, Seol's bright mind is noticed by the mysterious Inspector Han. For once, she is seen as more, as a living, breathing, thinking person. But when Seol makes a mistake that nearly costs her her life and the Inspector his dignity, she is thrust into a maelstrom of suspicion that leads straight to Inspector Han. And even more shocking, Seol begins to see similarities between the Inspector and someone, thought lost forever, from her past...
Set during a fascinating time in Korea, when one Queen used her newly found power to root out those who would question her, all in the guise of violently eradicating the Catholics that have spread across the land, The Silence of Bones is a bittersweet and meticulously researched story of loyalty, family, and how the past indelibly haunts the present. I highly recommend this, and can't wait to check out Hur's newest book, The Forest of Stolen Girls!
For more reviews visit my blog!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Murder
translove's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Murder, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Suicide, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Pregnancy
pucksandpaperbacks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Great debut. Thrilling until the end and I did not suspect the killer. Was also very immersive and informative about 1800s Korea.
CW: Religious persecution
CW: Religious persecution
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Animal death, Death, and Violence
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