Reviews

The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake

bookphenomena_micky's review

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challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Headlines:
More than an assistant
Masculinity threatened
Medical science forefront

There is so much to sell this story centred on Nora Beady, a young woman taken in as an orphaned child by a doctor/surgeon who craved to push medicine forward through experimentation and autopsy. Nora grew up to be much more than his assistant, she was his colleague, friend and companion and she was an excellent anatomist.

Their equilibrium was upset by the invited arrival of a doctor wanting to study under her guardian. She had to hide her skills, her treatment of patients and her frankly superior knowledge to his. The middle of the book went a little slow as the two doctors and Nora found their place amongst one another and a reluctant respect developed. However, this book is full of the patriarchy of the time and in particular, the fact that Nora could not become the doctor on paper that she already was in practice.

I found Daniel, the student of her guardian, irrirating for much of the book but he did have some redemption in the final quarter and he began to want the things Nora deserved to happen for her. I loved where this book ended, the hope, the opportunities and the potential ahead.

There is some romance in this book and it didn't detract from the core themes of this book. I'll definitely read the next installment.

 

ivannam1991's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shantial20's review

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2.0

Solid 2.5 stars.
I enjoyed the first half of this novel but the second half was not interesting. It started focusing more on the romance which was way to predictable. Nora character went through very little character development and was written to be very bland. Her predictable love interest, Daniel, was the most boring, prudish man I ever read about. The medical jargon and scenes were good but story became weak and tiresome with a very predictable plot. I did enjoy the house keeper and Dr. Croft characters though. I will not be continuing this series because the main characters just aren't interesting enough. In conclusion it had a good first half but quickly fell flat.

aliciab7474's review

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challenging funny hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced

5.0

myneverendingtbrlist's review

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4.0

I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised. Some of this book was quite descriptive of surgeries, which I suppose could make some queasy...but I loved the main character and her passion for research, surgeries and autopsies. I will definitely be reading the next book!

krista_billings's review

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4.0

An enjoyable read.

mmcav's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring medium-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? No

5.0

kathyv's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

sunny_r's review

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3.0

3.25

diana1881's review

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inspiring 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

4.5