Reviews - A Curious Beginning

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4.18k reviews for:

A Curious Beginning

Deanna Raybourn

3.91 AVERAGE

ramblingreadingrose's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This is a fun fairly lighthearted mystery set in 1880s England that I quite enjoyed! It’s nothing earth shattering, and there plenty of eye rolling moments, but I had a good time and I’m interested to see where the story will continue!

PS I don’t really feel like we got to know our MMC very well, but it is a long series, so perhaps plenty of time. Highly enjoyed the banter between them!

mjm136's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Victoria Speedwell is a delightful protagonist, and the dialogue between her and her partner/colleague Stoker is consistently sharp and witty. But the plot was too convoluted and absurd for my tastes.

yaakovakiva's review

3.0

A bit slow and uneven but a good ending

It definitely feels like a first novel in a series and I’m not sure I actually feel the chemistry between the two leads, but I do like Veronica. As much as I was venting about the amount it took me to finish this, I may very well read book 2. Excelsior!

stacypopp's review

3.0

It was a slow read for me. I struggled getting into it & almost didn’t finish it. It also felt anticlimactic BUT I’m intrigued enough to look into the other books in the series. So, we shall see if I continue them.

sheadel's review

4.0

Entirely ridiculous but so. Much. Fun.

Spoiler

Stoker is like every historical love interest trope in one: disgraced aristocracy, rake, scientist, secret romantic, sailor, doctor, gentleman, man who doesn't care about propriety, tragic widower (maybe? it's unclear at this point), even a member of a traveling circus (???) and yet... I do not care.