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heathers426's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Medical content and Blood
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Abortion
kelly_e's review
- 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
4.0
Author: Audrey Blake
Series: Nora Beady #1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: May 4, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Unique • Interesting • Detailed
📖 S Y N O P S I S
After a cholera epidemic claims the lives of her entire family, the orphaned Nora Beady is taken in by Dr. Horace Croft. Being raised in the home of a surgeon, Nora takes a keen interest in the world of medicine, eventually developing an extensive knowledge base. 1840s London had no place for women in medicine, and the consequences of a woman practicing were very grave. For this very reason, only a selective few are aware of Nora's work as a medical assistant. The Girl in His Shadow follows Nora's journey of pushing boundaries, and self-discovery
💭 T H O U G H T S
I've never read anything quite like The Girl in His Shadow! This novel opened up a whole new world of medical history I know very little about, and offered a storyline that was so entirely different. This book felt like a breath of fresh air in the historical fiction genre.
Audrey Blake's writing offered vivid descriptions, to the point I often felt like I was in the room with the characters. There is no denying the plot was extensively and carefully researched, although it did seem long winded and overly scientific at times. The cast of characters were well-round, and Nora is a heroine unlikely any other.
It came as somewhat of a shock when I learned that Audrey Blake is the pseudonym for a writing duo, and that this was co-wrote. There is absolutely no way of knowing it was penned by multiple authors while reading. The Girl in His Shadow is a fascinating account, and I look forward to writing book two in the Nora Beady series, and will be curious to know if there will be more.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction lovers
• readers who love a strong female lead
• fans of medical dramas
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"That is the great benefit of being a man, with every opportunity in the world before you. You cannot understand."
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Abortion, Death, Death of parent, and Miscarriage
Minor: Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism
pooogsz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Abortion, Sexism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, Suicide attempt, Violence, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and War
maralaene's review against another edition
The characters and overall story were beautifully written and captivating. It was not a fast-paced book, but I still felt pulled in to the story. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy historical fiction, with a very realistic approach for its strong female character.
Graphic: Death and Medical content
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Abortion, Child death, and Rape
kadyofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Abortion, Child death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent and Rape
emilyjeanne's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Abortion, and Medical content
alyssapusateri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, and Excrement
Minor: Abortion and Rape
theferret's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Sexism
theemptynotebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Abortion
meganpbennett's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
1.0
The book was very well-written and engaging, and gave a really good look at the time period. I found some of the medical scenes a bit too accurate. As it was period-accurate, there was a lot of misogyny directed at Nora, who was only trying to better herself professionally.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Pregnancy, Death, Misogyny, Alcohol, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexism, Animal death, and Child death
Moderate: Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Rape