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rrrinacore's review
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A bit torn on this one. The last quarter had me so hooked that I wish I could ignore how slow and repetitive the rest of the story was.
I also was not very thrilled about the magical elements. The life of Artemisia Gentileschi and her art is so fascinating in itself and although adding magic to this alternate telling of her story was partly interesting, it felt kind of unnecessary until the last quarter.
I did love the feminism, the powerful personality of Artemisia and the female rage, which was done really well and has one passionately longing for Artemisias revenge while reading.
I also was not very thrilled about the magical elements. The life of Artemisia Gentileschi and her art is so fascinating in itself and although adding magic to this alternate telling of her story was partly interesting, it felt kind of unnecessary until the last quarter.
I did love the feminism, the powerful personality of Artemisia and the female rage, which was done really well and has one passionately longing for Artemisias revenge while reading.
themagicalworldofnian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A Portrait in Shadow by Nicole Jarvis - review
4.5⭐️
🫑
First of all, what an amazing story and it is told in such a beautiful way. I am obsessed with this story right now 🥰.
A Portrait in Shadow is the integrated history of Artemisia Gentileschi, the first female artist to be a part of the Accademia of Art in Florence, together with some fantastic elements. Though she really had to earn this place. It shows the hardships of being a woman in academia and having to work twice as hard as any man, just because she is a female artist in a male world.
The magical elements are also soo amazing! I just love how the artist can integrate healing magics into their art, but also necrotic magics. It is such a unique magic system. I also just love the symbolism of the power of art. Because in my opinion art can be very powerful even so that it can even feel like it is magical ✨.
The characters are written so beautifully and you can really feel the emotions history and debt behind them all. The anger and fury that burns in Artemisia is just written in a way that you can really feel it.
Further the research that has gone into writing this story is just soo amazing. I love that it is based on the real history of Artemisia Gentileschi. Especially as someone who loves art this book is amazing.
It makes me even more enthusiastic about her art pieces! I can just feel her history, emotions and feelings. I would love to see it in real life and visit a museum with a real Artemisia 💕.
tamlin_draper's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
becksu614's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Rape
xuanoanh_nguyen's review against another edition
A soft DNF as of now because my Everand subscription ended and I need to make a dent in my physical TBR before borrowing more books.
bibliobrittish's review against another edition
5.0
This book wrecked me. And built me up again. Powerful from start to finish, A PORTRAIT IN SHADOW is a love letter to art and artists that simultaneously manages to critique patronage systems and the hoarding of wealth by supposed arbiters of creativity that have continued to this day. It also explores how magic, science, nature, and faith intersect when you give them the chance.
The setting of early 1600s Florence is sumptuous, imbued with magic, and speckled with the likes of Galileo and the Medici as intriguing side characters, without glossing over its very real strife. Jarvis has done an excellent job of conveying the ubiquity of death in this era without minimizing its grief.
Then there's Artemesia (yes, she was real), who makes for an incredibly captivating protagonist - battle-bruised, ambitious, and intent on revenge against the man who raped her. But the friends, romance, and success she find along the way might just be able to help her find healing too.
For fans of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, Jarvis' sophomore novel combines art therapy, romance, history, and political intrigue in a beautiful page-turner that is not to be missed.
The setting of early 1600s Florence is sumptuous, imbued with magic, and speckled with the likes of Galileo and the Medici as intriguing side characters, without glossing over its very real strife. Jarvis has done an excellent job of conveying the ubiquity of death in this era without minimizing its grief.
Then there's Artemesia (yes, she was real), who makes for an incredibly captivating protagonist - battle-bruised, ambitious, and intent on revenge against the man who raped her. But the friends, romance, and success she find along the way might just be able to help her find healing too.
For fans of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, Jarvis' sophomore novel combines art therapy, romance, history, and political intrigue in a beautiful page-turner that is not to be missed.
31_camillagoh's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
giselaelisabeth's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
adamm's review against another edition
3.5
The idea and magic system - amazing!
I also really liked the writing style.
The pick me girl vibes? The unnecessary romance? The dumb bitch energy? Aah I don’t know
I also really liked the writing style.
The pick me girl vibes? The unnecessary romance? The dumb bitch energy? Aah I don’t know
kareny's review
Kept trying to like Artemesia but gave up on page 125. Sorry about your trials and tribulations, Artemisia, but I just can’t take another page of your shock and rage at all the bad treatment. Moving on to the next book.