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finedanddandy's review
dark
tense
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
nikkihaske's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ricegod's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I found the concept interesting, but the story can drag a little at times. It can also be a difficult read, Clara goes through a lot of awful treatment and is constantly put in extremely frustrating predicaments. It is a well written & sad story regarding the treatment of women in asylums and I’m glad I read it but I wouldn’t say it was always enjoyable to read.
bellasbookmark's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
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.
Content Warnings
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
gcalvin533's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
bea_angelica's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
The year is 1873, and Clara Blackstone has just been released from an asylum. Only to find herself in a prison of an entirely different making. The pressures of society and the abusive expectations of her husband make the experience an arduous one.
However, Clara soon finds solace in the understanding of another woman. One Mary Ann Cotton – yes, that one. She feels that this is the one person who could possibly ever understand her, however, the secrets told through friendship may very well drown any bond that has formed.
Yikes! The Savage Instinct is one of those novels that simply knocks your socks off. But that’s probably not a surprise, given the time period and promise of all the talk in the world about poisoning and serial killers.
I don’t normally read novels surrounding real-life killers (I prefer to keep them fictional, thank you very much!), but I have to admit that this was wonderfully done. I especially appreciated how Marjorie DeLuca was able to keep things pretty open-ended, all things considered.
She also does a horrifying good job at portraying the suffocating feeling that Clara experiences. The struggles of that time period feel real – almost too real. If you’re looking for a novel that’ll get you thinking – and feeling – then this is the book for you!
Check out more of my reviews over at The Review Crew
However, Clara soon finds solace in the understanding of another woman. One Mary Ann Cotton – yes, that one. She feels that this is the one person who could possibly ever understand her, however, the secrets told through friendship may very well drown any bond that has formed.
Yikes! The Savage Instinct is one of those novels that simply knocks your socks off. But that’s probably not a surprise, given the time period and promise of all the talk in the world about poisoning and serial killers.
I don’t normally read novels surrounding real-life killers (I prefer to keep them fictional, thank you very much!), but I have to admit that this was wonderfully done. I especially appreciated how Marjorie DeLuca was able to keep things pretty open-ended, all things considered.
She also does a horrifying good job at portraying the suffocating feeling that Clara experiences. The struggles of that time period feel real – almost too real. If you’re looking for a novel that’ll get you thinking – and feeling – then this is the book for you!
Check out more of my reviews over at The Review Crew
morticia_59's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0