Scan barcode
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Moderate: Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, and Classism
Minor: Excrement, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Infidelity, Death of parent, Violence, War, Torture, and Toxic friendship
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content, Rape, and Animal death
Minor: Pregnancy
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It could be a bit slow for my liking and the second half was harder to get through. I liked the references to Melusine, who I’ve heard about prior when reading other books about the war of the roses!
I thought the ending was really well done. Overall an enjoyable read that I devoured in three days despite being slow for my taste! I had read one of Geoff’s works earlier in the year and hated it so I’m happy I gave her a second chance. I’m curious now to see how I like her other works. Highly recommend if you like stories about powerful women challenging that status quo (especially in the world of religion)!
Graphic: Gore, Sexism, Rape, Torture, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Grief, Child death, and Animal death
Minor: Violence
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Cancer, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It is hard to put into words why Matrix was such a joy to read. This book contains so much and does it all so well. Gorgeous prose, religious fervor, heartbreak, revenge, lesbian sex, labyrinths, boundless female power, divine visions, sisterly solidarity, and passionate love.
If you like historical fiction or strong female heroines (or both!), I implore you to read Matrix.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Sexual content, Grief, and War
Moderate: Rape
carbs666's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The way Groff effortlessly explores the mystical, sacred lives of characters bound to their faith while simultaneously getting into the mud and shit and darkness and weirdness of being a human body on this earth is really provoking. There are so many beautiful quiet moments of contemplation and description in this book about a woman who knows she is destined for greatness and therefore makes greatness happen, against all odds and all opponents. I also liked how Groff played with the prophetess element of the book by giving Marie holy yet heretical visions of the future, the future in which we now live, and imbued a sense of foreboding in the descriptions of the impact of the nuns' ambitions on their natural world. This book is rich in symbolism that isn't allowed to linger in the subtext - both Groff and Marie have to pick it up and turn it about in their hands, so by the end of the book the consequences are very clear.
I will echo what some other reviews have said, which is basically that there isn't much believable external conflict for Marie to face so the book can feel a bit repetitive. But overall, this book blazes with holy and profane love, and its gay as hell.
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
aok_3000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Sexual content
howwoolatthemoon's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
teresareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Grief
prettiestwhistles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Child death, and Sexual content
Minor: Islamophobia and Dementia