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gatun's review against another edition
5.0
Dark Asylum
A Novel
by E. S. Thomson
Pegasus Books
Pub Date 07 Nov 2017
Courtesy Netgalley
Dark Asylum is the second book in a series featuring Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain. Jem is an apothecary. Will is an architect. The setting is Victorian London with its tenements full of poverty, crime and disease and a society that punishes those afflicted with a case of being from the lower classes of society. Although I had not read the first book in the series yet (Beloved Poison), I had no problems following the story and the characters. I had read about three chapters before I contacted my library and requested Beloved Poison. Any other books in the series will be requested as soon as they are available.
There were so many things I liked about Dark Asylum. The easiest way to communicate it is probably by bullet points:
* The setting was written very well. All the smells of Victorian London. The darkness, the smog, the tenements. It really created a believable atmosphere.
* The mental health aspect was very well researched. The way people have treated the mentally ill throughout history is diverse. Some cultures treated mentally ill people as though they had been touched by the divine. Then you have the Victorians. The belief that the mental illness was caused by a weakness or failing on the individual’s part and needed to be punished is just cruel. The book does a very good job of showing that mind set while also showing the few who began to realize that possibly humane treatment would do more good than strait jackets and locked cells.
* The characters were fantastic. Characters like Susan Chance did not reveal themselves to the reader all at once. What was revealed was a well rounded and complex character. All the characters were like that.
* Jem. Oh my goodness, Jem. Not having read the first book yet, I do not know Jem’s whole story. What I do know is that Jem is one of the most likeable, relatable and well written characters I have encounter. There is only so much I can say without spoilers. Read the book and you will see what I mean.
* The plot at it’s heart is a mystery. What a fun mystery it was. At one point, I was sure it was this character. I chapter later I changed my mind. A chapter later back to the original one. At the end, I was totally wrong. It is wonderful to be surprised by the solution to a mystery when that solution makes sense.
I was very surprised to find that there are not audio versions of Dark Asylum or the first book in the series. The publisher is missing a huge market by not releasing the books on audio also. Dark Asylum was a joy to read. It really was. I am looking forward to reading more from E. S. Thomson.
A Novel
by E. S. Thomson
Pegasus Books
Pub Date 07 Nov 2017
Courtesy Netgalley
Dark Asylum is the second book in a series featuring Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain. Jem is an apothecary. Will is an architect. The setting is Victorian London with its tenements full of poverty, crime and disease and a society that punishes those afflicted with a case of being from the lower classes of society. Although I had not read the first book in the series yet (Beloved Poison), I had no problems following the story and the characters. I had read about three chapters before I contacted my library and requested Beloved Poison. Any other books in the series will be requested as soon as they are available.
There were so many things I liked about Dark Asylum. The easiest way to communicate it is probably by bullet points:
* The setting was written very well. All the smells of Victorian London. The darkness, the smog, the tenements. It really created a believable atmosphere.
* The mental health aspect was very well researched. The way people have treated the mentally ill throughout history is diverse. Some cultures treated mentally ill people as though they had been touched by the divine. Then you have the Victorians. The belief that the mental illness was caused by a weakness or failing on the individual’s part and needed to be punished is just cruel. The book does a very good job of showing that mind set while also showing the few who began to realize that possibly humane treatment would do more good than strait jackets and locked cells.
* The characters were fantastic. Characters like Susan Chance did not reveal themselves to the reader all at once. What was revealed was a well rounded and complex character. All the characters were like that.
* Jem. Oh my goodness, Jem. Not having read the first book yet, I do not know Jem’s whole story. What I do know is that Jem is one of the most likeable, relatable and well written characters I have encounter. There is only so much I can say without spoilers. Read the book and you will see what I mean.
* The plot at it’s heart is a mystery. What a fun mystery it was. At one point, I was sure it was this character. I chapter later I changed my mind. A chapter later back to the original one. At the end, I was totally wrong. It is wonderful to be surprised by the solution to a mystery when that solution makes sense.
I was very surprised to find that there are not audio versions of Dark Asylum or the first book in the series. The publisher is missing a huge market by not releasing the books on audio also. Dark Asylum was a joy to read. It really was. I am looking forward to reading more from E. S. Thomson.
brubru's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookguyinva2022's review
4.0
I love this series and look forward to the third book. I gave it 4 *s only because it left me with unanswered questions. The twists and turns, the story itself kept me glued to it. But the best thing is the continuous descriptions of Dr Motherspole which always gave me a chuckle in the midst of the horror. I'm intrigued by Will and Jem's relationship and where it is heading. Please, if you have the chance dive into these books, do it, you will not be disappointed.
andyn5's review against another edition
4.0
Once again I didn't realise this was the second book when I requested it. Still, I enjoyed it and didn't feel like I missed anything apart from getting to know the main characters a little more.
In 1851, in Angel Meadow Asylum, Dr. Rutherford, principal physician to the insane, is found dead in a very gruesome state. Jem Flockhart, gentleman apothecary, ends up investigating the murder with his friend Will.
The plot is engaging and the mystery is both gruesome and addictive. The scientific and medical details of this time period are on point which complements the horrific reality of the life inside the asylum. I had to stop a few times because the pure horror, pain and misery described in the book just to me at times. Still, I went right back in. That's how good E.S. Thomson has done their job. The descriptions of the slums of London just pulled me right into the story and walking with Jem and Will into this dark side of the English capital.
The characters are very well developed and described. Jem is like the shadow of Sherlock Holmes with his powers of deduction but he has a different vibe all together. I loved seeing his interactions with Will.
I'm glad this series is going to continue
I got the advance copy from Netgalley.
In 1851, in Angel Meadow Asylum, Dr. Rutherford, principal physician to the insane, is found dead in a very gruesome state. Jem Flockhart, gentleman apothecary, ends up investigating the murder with his friend Will.
The plot is engaging and the mystery is both gruesome and addictive. The scientific and medical details of this time period are on point which complements the horrific reality of the life inside the asylum. I had to stop a few times because the pure horror, pain and misery described in the book just to me at times. Still, I went right back in. That's how good E.S. Thomson has done their job. The descriptions of the slums of London just pulled me right into the story and walking with Jem and Will into this dark side of the English capital.
The characters are very well developed and described. Jem is like the shadow of Sherlock Holmes with his powers of deduction but he has a different vibe all together. I loved seeing his interactions with Will.
I'm glad this series is going to continue
I got the advance copy from Netgalley.
richmondo's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
gregoreads's review
5.0
4.5 stars. *taps mic* I’m here to announce that we have decided to stan. Queer women, cross dressing, soft boys, wholesome friendships, creepy mysteries, Victorian London setting, this series has it all.
shelbymarie64's review against another edition
Honestly I had no idea this was a second book in a series, perhaps it's why I couldn't get into it. I read over 100 pages and did not care at all about any of the main characters, or the murder being investigated.
westrany's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I know not where to begin reviewing this masterpiece. Such thrilling paragraphs, engaging story line, mindblowing character development!
This book froze the blood in my veins, crushed my heart, threw me in a rollercoaster of emotional despair and fear for my beloved characters.
When I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, Thomson strikes again with her exceptional reasoning and shocking plot twists.
I avidly recommend this book to lovers of the crime genre, Victorian settings, apothecary aesthetics and the intricate knowledge of herbs and poisons!
***
I would like to leave you with the following quote which, in my humble opinion, defines the astonishing levels of emotion this book contains:
«"I had to protect her. I said I would. I would not have her sent back to the gallows. (...)"
"And she never knew who you were?"
Thank God she did not. But I had to protect her. I said I would."»
This book froze the blood in my veins, crushed my heart, threw me in a rollercoaster of emotional despair and fear for my beloved characters.
When I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, Thomson strikes again with her exceptional reasoning and shocking plot twists.
I avidly recommend this book to lovers of the crime genre, Victorian settings, apothecary aesthetics and the intricate knowledge of herbs and poisons!
***
I would like to leave you with the following quote which, in my humble opinion, defines the astonishing levels of emotion this book contains:
«"I had to protect her. I said I would. I would not have her sent back to the gallows. (...)"
"And she never knew who you were?"
Thank God she did not. But I had to protect her. I said I would."»