Reviews

Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

jessslibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

thechemicaldetective's review

5.0

"How we weave ourselves into knots trying to convince ourselves we are not monsters, even as we grow fat on the profits of our monstrosity."

I bought this book after hearing Laura speak at Bristol Crimefest, but it took a while to get to the top of the TBR pile. What a treat! I couldn't put it down. A great "whodunnit", with the why always key to the questions. Wonderful evocation of 18th century London and its ports and a satisfyingly complex story.

There is something particularly chilling about organised, codified barbarity, with all sexes, ages and races complicit.. Violence in the throes of extreme emotion is easier to understand than a cold hard logical framework justifying the kidnap, abuse, torture and murder of slaves.

Not just a page turner, but an informative, thought provoking read.

gracemacdonald94's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

emmadnl's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

leahhhtaylor's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

i really hoped this book would be better after reading square of sevens. i feel it sort of got lost in the middle and then came out with a sort of undercooked ending. but i’ll give her other book a read to determine if this was just an unfortunate flop! and maybe i just should write off all books using the hard r for my own sake

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Slavery

alsamps21's review

5.0

4.5 stars

hera90's review against another edition

dark informative sad slow-paced

2.5

caroline1976's review

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

nicjohnston's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this. Having read some superb fiction based on true events related to slavery in the US, it’s important to find something based on the equally shameful British exploits. Centred on a satisfying (if a little convoluted) murder and cast of characters all up to no good. The main protagonist is superb and hopefully has scope to return in other work. A solid 4*

saga_medievalist's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0