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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
This was another really great mystery, and I loved watching things unfold!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first half of the book was pretty slow, and I was more interested in Seol's family history than the mystery she was trying to solve. But I am interested in reading more of this author's books to see how her writing evolves
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Due to Agust D's Daechwita music video, I became obsessed with older Korea, specifically the Joseon Dynasty. This book completed all of my fantasies. I appreciated the accuracy so much. I loved all the characters. The plotline was unmatched. At some point, I'd like to read it again, as I read fast and tend to miss a few things. June Hur has become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to see what she has in store for future books.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really did like the writing style of this book. I really did like the historical aspects of the story and learning of the culture of how women were treated during that that time, if they are in the police bureau because we're treated like maids but also help with investigation but during this man werent alot touch women or even go in room spaces. But Seol is very impressive, I love her as the main character trying to figure the case and wanting to figure the evidence and who was involved in the murderer's of the people who believed in Christianity ( who is banned because it western teaching and it come China)
I do like the plot twist, in trying to figure who did the murderer's in the capital cause of this religion that is banned. I do like how some people different perfectures and how everyone know something about the religion knowing they are bad but knowing those to practice this religion.
The character development is very good. There something I would change about Seol I do wish she would have inspector Han questions and does he know who she is. Han was always answering her question even though she was getting in the was of investigation sometimes. But if she didn't we won't have a story now would we. I do like the little side character and some of somewhat main character that adds something to story to help it jeep going.
I do like the plot twist, in trying to figure who did the murderer's in the capital cause of this religion that is banned. I do like how some people different perfectures and how everyone know something about the religion knowing they are bad but knowing those to practice this religion.
The character development is very good. There something I would change about Seol I do wish she would have inspector Han questions and does he know who she is. Han was always answering her question even though she was getting in the was of investigation sometimes. But if she didn't we won't have a story now would we. I do like the little side character and some of somewhat main character that adds something to story to help it jeep going.
Seol, a young damo (female inspector) finds herself entangled in a murder mystery that's getting far too personal for her taste.
I could not put this down, even when the twist became somewhat predictable.
I could not put this down, even when the twist became somewhat predictable.
In this intriguing historical mystery, one servant girl goes against societal convention to find a killer. An indentured servant given to the police bureau, sixteen year-old Seol is a doma who acts as the hands of officers when a case involves a woman. In 1800s Korea, no unrelated man may touch a woman and so the bureau uses female servants to handle female witnesses, arrest female criminals, and in the worst cases, deal with the female dead. When the body of a murdered noble woman is discovered outside the south gate of the capital, Seol is sent to be the lead Investigator's hands. Unable to shelve her curiosity and terrible at holding her tongue, Seol is drawn into the investigation - an investigation that may even lead her to uncovering her own past.
The Silence of Bones is a solid mystery novel, but what really makes this book is how it breaths life into Korean history. Using the early nineteenth century Catholic purges as a launching point, Hur builds a rich and detailed story centering on a lower class woman whose life is so often over looked in these kinds of narratives. Seol is not exceptional, other than in her curiosity. She's tenacious and loyal, but those are never treated as characteristics others of her class fail to have. Hur treats her subject, both the woman and the history, to the care they deserve.
On top of this rich setting, Hur builds a substantive mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Even the most genre savvy readers will enjoy the paths this novel takes on the way to solving not only the murder case, but uncovering Seol's family history. An enjoyable solid read from start to finish, don't give this one a miss.
A digital copy of this book was provided by Feiwel & Friends via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Silence of Bones is a solid mystery novel, but what really makes this book is how it breaths life into Korean history. Using the early nineteenth century Catholic purges as a launching point, Hur builds a rich and detailed story centering on a lower class woman whose life is so often over looked in these kinds of narratives. Seol is not exceptional, other than in her curiosity. She's tenacious and loyal, but those are never treated as characteristics others of her class fail to have. Hur treats her subject, both the woman and the history, to the care they deserve.
On top of this rich setting, Hur builds a substantive mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Even the most genre savvy readers will enjoy the paths this novel takes on the way to solving not only the murder case, but uncovering Seol's family history. An enjoyable solid read from start to finish, don't give this one a miss.
A digital copy of this book was provided by Feiwel & Friends via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had the potential to be really good—a murder mystery set in 19th century Korea during a time of Catholic oppression and intense political intrigue? Sign me up! Unfortunately, it has some of the most violently purple prose I’ve ever read and a main character who started out annoying and never learned from her mistakes. The pacing was that of a literary character study, but since the MC’s character didn’t develop, this made for an excruciating read. I audiobooked this and would absolutely have DNF’d if not for the fact that I read this for a book club. The idea was good, but the execution was not. At least I learned about a fascinating period of Korean history.