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readiac1999's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I almost passed this book over given the other reviews but I'm so glad I didn't! I can understand the frustration with the writing given that it was at times a bit vague but based on the approach that the book is trying to take of creating a plausible narrative for an uncovered artifact it's remarkably told. Her acknowledgements show she was clearly wedded to telling an approximately accurate story. The vagueness, I think is Stott not wanting to veer too far away from the little that is known about this period. A remarkable work of critical fabulation about a period that I would not have otherwise cared to read about!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Rape, Pregnancy, Pandemic/Epidemic, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
angryglitterwitch's review
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The writing wasn't great but it was very readable and enjoyable - I finished it in one day. I wish the background characters had been as fleshed out as Isla, even Blue seemed a bit underdeveloped. It was thoroughly researched and I enjoyed the threads of reuse/blending of the physical environment and mythology by the characters. The hook was great, it was just a bit lacking in realisation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Animal death, Slavery, and Sexual violence
ruthmoog's review
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
The research that went into this book is amazing, and it's well worth a read just to land yourself in a time and place in history that isn't often described.
I loved exploring the Roman ruins of London, and I had been thinking about what happened to them after playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla so it was a treat to explore them with the characters.
The key women of the book are badass, their journey is difficult as they forge forward with their taboo abilities, all the while caught between their tradition and the cultures they live in, and a fear of ghosts - and enemies.
The story didn't pull me in as much as the history did.
I loved exploring the Roman ruins of London, and I had been thinking about what happened to them after playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla so it was a treat to explore them with the characters.
The key women of the book are badass, their journey is difficult as they forge forward with their taboo abilities, all the while caught between their tradition and the cultures they live in, and a fear of ghosts - and enemies.
The story didn't pull me in as much as the history did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Drowning/Water injurynicoleh3's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ARC received from NetGalley
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Animal death, Death of parent, and Gore
Minor: Child death
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