Scan barcode
libscote's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I knew this book would be for me when I first heard about it--historical fiction sword-wielding lesbians in Potosi (which I thought was Peru but is actually Bolivia)? Sign me up! This book delivers, with dueling perspectives from Kiki and Ana, society ladies by day and swashbucklers by night. Their world is upended when Kiki's engagement is announced, and her brother dies. Now it comes time to figure out that mystery, before someone kills them.
I really, really enjoyed seeing both perspectives and how all the characters interacted. I didn't know a lot about Potosi, but I learned a little about it and there's an author's note at the end to learn more. It's inspired by true events (I haven't fully vetted this website, but it gives a rough idea. https://culturacolectiva.com/history/the-valiant-ladies-of-potosi-ana-lezama-eustaquia-de-sonza/) There were a few moments where I missed the tip from one event to another, but overall, excellent.
I really, really enjoyed seeing both perspectives and how all the characters interacted. I didn't know a lot about Potosi, but I learned a little about it and there's an author's note at the end to learn more. It's inspired by true events (I haven't fully vetted this website, but it gives a rough idea. https://culturacolectiva.com/history/the-valiant-ladies-of-potosi-ana-lezama-eustaquia-de-sonza/) There were a few moments where I missed the tip from one event to another, but overall, excellent.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Violence
frantically's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I know, I know, books are about more than just the romance BUT this romance — damn. While the story felt so big and monumental, the romance was so precious. It felt exactly like all my sapphic romances have been, just two best friends slowly falling for each other. It's the rec string through the book, that keeps this characters going: their love for each other. To be honest, I wasn't even the biggest fan of the plot but this romance means so much to me <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Death, Sexual content, and Abandonment
qraveline's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Abandonment
foreverinastory's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Ugh I loved this so much!!
Rep: Spanish-Peruvian sapphic female MC, biracial Dutch-Peruvian (indigenous) lesbian female MC, Spanish cishet male side character with gout who uses a walking aid, Spanish and Peruvian cast, mute Peruvian female side character who uses sign language.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, blood, body horror, colonisation, cursing, death, grief, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, murder/ritualistic murder, sexism, suicide, violence. Moderate: past death of parent(s), chronic illness, fire/explosion, forced institutionalization (at a convent), gun violence, pregnancy mention, religious bigotry, sexual content (not graphic).
Rep: Spanish-Peruvian sapphic female MC, biracial Dutch-Peruvian (indigenous) lesbian female MC, Spanish cishet male side character with gout who uses a walking aid, Spanish and Peruvian cast, mute Peruvian female side character who uses sign language.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, blood, body horror, colonisation, cursing, death, grief, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, murder/ritualistic murder, sexism, suicide, violence. Moderate: past death of parent(s), chronic illness, fire/explosion, forced institutionalization (at a convent), gun violence, pregnancy mention, religious bigotry, sexual content (not graphic).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury