Reviews - A Curious Beginning

4.18k reviews for:

A Curious Beginning

Deanna Raybourn

3.91 AVERAGE

aaliyahxcx's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

ronjaleilani's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

ysuessm's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

basicallykaitie's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

layna2580's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

grainnewalsh's review against another edition

2.25

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I picked up this book expecting to be immersed in a mystery, and to turn my brain off as I read a fun historical fiction book.
This did happen for the most part, however my immersion was ruined whenever the main character had any thoughts, which, as it was written in first person, happened often. I appreciate a strong female lead, but she was genuinely insufferable. She was somehow above men and other women, except women who were exactly like her. She was so clueless the entire book that I wanted to strangle her - the facts were staring her in the face!!
There is a moment of vulnerability near the end that nearly redeemed her, but then I got pulled out of it by her clever quips and being reminded that there has never been a woman like her before. The way she reminds us constantly that she is not like other women is crazy - any of her “feminine” characteristics are explained away as a “practical” choice.
Also, the way the author picks and chooses which prejudices to retain and which to get rid of in this era is very interesting. Extremely, unrealistically progressive when it comes to women, but somehow comes across anti-irish, and anti-working class.
The relationship was fun, and I genuinely did enjoy the story, but if we are meant to read on to see Veronica redeems herself, then that will not happen for me.