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meowster's review
dark
mysterious
sad
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Good but nothing more.
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death, Mental illness, Rape, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming and Grief
bookedbymadeline's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for the eARC of The Savage Instinct by Marjorie DeLuca!
“This case was notable for the media attention it received, and that inspired me to create a story, not necessarily about Mary Ann Cotton’s crimes, but about the impact her arrest and trial had on Victorian society at the time, as well as what it revealed about that society’s attitudes towards women who strayed from their natural “God-given” roles.”
The writing was a little bumpy in the beginning but it smoothed itself out by the second half. The last couple chapters were intense with plot twists and that ending blew my mind! The book is fast paced and I loved the characters. Clara has some good developments over the course of her story. I especially loved seeing Mary Ann Cotton become unreliable as we see her through Clara’s eyes and never know what to believe.
Overall an enjoyable read and if you like Victorian era books, true crime based fiction, The Familiars by Stacey Hall, or books about women going against society’s expectations, you may enjoy this one!
Graphic: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Infertility, Sexism, Misogyny, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, Miscarriage, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent
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