Scan barcode
shantial20's review
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.
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.
myneverendingtbrlist's review
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!
mmcav's review against another edition
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
diana1881's review
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
callistag1's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars
This book follows Elanor "Nora" Beady in 19th century London where she is the ward of the famous surgeon Dr. Croft, and she has to navigate the difficulties of being a woman trying to practice medicine in a time where such a thing isn't legal unless acting as a nurse or midwife, which doesn't allow her to work in surgery. So, she has to keep this a secret as she works with Dr. Croft, and that becomes considerably more difficult when Dr. Croft allows Dr. Daniel Gibson to work with him in his clinic.
This book is a standard historical fiction with the woman being ahead of her time. The medical terminology is used frequently which is understandable but is hard for me to understand because I am not the most knowledgeable with medical terminology. Also this book makes me thankful I live in the 21st century and can have surgery with anesthesia to knock me out. Nora is a decent enough character, but I do find the reminder of her "not being like other women" a bit annoying because those words are used as a way to make her seem "better" than women who don't practice medicine and enjoy the "feminine" hobbies that society in that time deemed as appropriate for women. Of course the main female character is always going to be special. That's why she's the main character, after all. But I feel like the author could have shown that without saying more than once that Nora is "not like other women." It gives "pick me" vibes, if I'm honest.
My second critique is the romance because it feels a little awkward. Because at first, Nora and Daniel do not like each other, and then they slowly start to become friends after a few months of working together. This book shows both of their perspectives, and when they become friends, there's not really any mention of attraction or romantic feelings from either of them until after Daniel kisses Nora for the first time. I was honestly shocked with the first kiss because at that point it just felt like it came out of nowhere. Because they had become friends, but because Daniel was still getting over his fiancée calling off their engagement, and Nora had a very fleeting romance with Harry that Nora didn't see as going anywhere, it seemed like they were platonic in how they felt for each other, so when Daniel suddenly kissed her I was wondering if I missed anything. Afterwards the romance leveled out a little, but the build up was awkward and stiff.
There were a few other things that are small that I had issues with, such Dr. Croft and Nora being upset with Daniel when Daniel's parents were assholes. I don't know why they were mad at him for that, especially when he apologized on their behalf and, to state the obvious, his parents are grown adults and he is not responsible for their actions.
Overall the book was okay, with the two major issues I had being the reason two stars were removed. There is a second book that I might read at some point, but it's not something I'm immediately jumping to.
This book follows Elanor "Nora" Beady in 19th century London where she is the ward of the famous surgeon Dr. Croft, and she has to navigate the difficulties of being a woman trying to practice medicine in a time where such a thing isn't legal unless acting as a nurse or midwife, which doesn't allow her to work in surgery. So, she has to keep this a secret as she works with Dr. Croft, and that becomes considerably more difficult when Dr. Croft allows Dr. Daniel Gibson to work with him in his clinic.
This book is a standard historical fiction with the woman being ahead of her time. The medical terminology is used frequently which is understandable but is hard for me to understand because I am not the most knowledgeable with medical terminology. Also this book makes me thankful I live in the 21st century and can have surgery with anesthesia to knock me out. Nora is a decent enough character, but I do find the reminder of her "not being like other women" a bit annoying because those words are used as a way to make her seem "better" than women who don't practice medicine and enjoy the "feminine" hobbies that society in that time deemed as appropriate for women. Of course the main female character is always going to be special. That's why she's the main character, after all. But I feel like the author could have shown that without saying more than once that Nora is "not like other women." It gives "pick me" vibes, if I'm honest.
My second critique is the romance because it feels a little awkward. Because at first, Nora and Daniel do not like each other, and then they slowly start to become friends after a few months of working together. This book shows both of their perspectives, and when they become friends, there's not really any mention of attraction or romantic feelings from either of them until after Daniel kisses Nora for the first time. I was honestly shocked with the first kiss because at that point it just felt like it came out of nowhere. Because they had become friends, but because Daniel was still getting over his fiancée calling off their engagement, and Nora had a very fleeting romance with Harry that Nora didn't see as going anywhere, it seemed like they were platonic in how they felt for each other, so when Daniel suddenly kissed her I was wondering if I missed anything. Afterwards the romance leveled out a little, but the build up was awkward and stiff.
There were a few other things that are small that I had issues with, such Dr. Croft and Nora being upset with Daniel when Daniel's parents were assholes. I don't know why they were mad at him for that, especially when he apologized on their behalf and, to state the obvious, his parents are grown adults and he is not responsible for their actions.
Overall the book was okay, with the two major issues I had being the reason two stars were removed. There is a second book that I might read at some point, but it's not something I'm immediately jumping to.
jennreidsma's review
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.0