Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Anatomía: Una historia de amor by Dana Schwartz

8 reviews

jaynovara's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Blood, Death, Medical trauma, Gore, and Medical content

Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Classism, Child death, Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Confinement, and Pandemic/Epidemic

ambenicole418's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0

“Anatomy: A Love Story” is exactly what the title says it is. A love story between Hazel, an ambitious 17 y/o girl who is set on being a surgeon during a time where woman aren’t even allowed to study anatomy, and Jack, a 17 y/o boy who digs up dead bodies for a living. I’ll admit that the first half of this book didn’t really grip me because it was all set up, but once the love story and the mystery behind all these disappearances really started taking off I couldn’t put the book down! Now I’m kinda glad I waited so long to read this book because now I don’t have to wait a year for the second book to come out (although I do have to wait some time for my turn to borrow the book from library). Overall, if you’re looking for a good love story/mystery with a little bit of alchemy mixed in and you don’t mind a lot of set up I would highly recommend this book.

P.S. there is moderate incest in this book in that Hazel is betrothed to her first cousin and they share a few kisses throughout the story. Which is pretty customary given their social statuses and the time period this book takes place in, but I figured I should include that in my review just in case someone vehemently hates this kind of thing and can’t read a book that includes it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gore, Death, Medical content, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, and Sexism

Moderate: Kidnapping and Incest

arbramirez's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Chronic illness, Sexism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, and Police brutality

eeread247's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Sexism and Bullying

Minor: Alcohol

kassidypf13's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Blood, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Incest, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Violence

bandysbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? No

3.0

I was a bit torn about reading this book. I’m not the biggest romance reader, but I do love historical fiction…particularly when it’s set in Edinburgh (one of my real life favorite cities). I decided to go in with an open mind and give it a solid try.

I was mostly pleased with this story and particularly enjoyed the bits about medical practice in Scotland. I recognized bits about the development of “ether” as this also features prominently in The Way of All Flesh which I’ve read prior. I will say that some plot points struck me as a bit similar to that story as they both feature the poor of Edinburgh being murdered in horrific ways and with possible links to medical practice.

That said, I loved the main character in Anatomy. She is spunky, resilient, clever, and determined. She finds loopholes for everything that could potentially stand in her way. I appreciated that although she does have an innate talent for medicine, she also literally grows up studying it and continues to be studious throughout her career. Her talent helps, but she earns her reputation through hard work.

The romance was fine. I felt it was fairly realistic and not overly sweet. Both characters seem authentic for their ages, class, and the situation.

The only major downside in this book for me is when it deterred from reality. The magical reveal made what was an engaging plot seem silly and cheapened the ending. I wish it had been edited out honestly.

All in all, a good read most of the way with an ending that just didn't quite get me there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Terminal illness, Torture, Kidnapping, Medical content, Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Murder

sailormegan's review against another edition

dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Review For Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz 

 

Writing 4.5/5 

The writing portrayed the Gothic, early 1800s Edinburgh vibe perfectly.  Loved the detail and research Dana put into early nineteenth century medicine and the history of medicine. She didn’t shy away from describing bloody scenes which I would say requires a bit of a more mature audience. The romance was well done, however, I would have liked more clear direction with the timeline.  I can see an influence of Jane Austen. 

 

Characters 4.5/5 

The characters were unique and all had a purpose to the plot.  Hazel’s determination and interest in medicine helped to propel her story forward and I wanted to see her succeed despite the restraints put on her for being a woman. 

 

Plot 5/5 

I loved the plot. It was something I haven’t seen in a YA novel before.   We get to go on a journey with Hazel on her hopeful pursuit of becoming a surgeon, finding love outside her social standing, and solving a mystery surrounding the deaths of fellow citizens.  The combo of prime and proper with macabre, gothic scenes was fantastic 

 

Post-Reading Rating 4/5 

The ending was definitely not a happily ever after but it suited the tone of the book very well. The main characters got the best outcome for their circumstances. 

 

 

Who Should Read This 

-Fans of Mary Shelly and/or Jane Austen 

-Interest in gothic victorian vibes 

-Those who don’t mind a lil gore and death 

 

Final Rating 4.5/5 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Medical content, Body horror, and Gore

Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexism, and Terminal illness

Minor: Vomit

jadie_berg's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Gore, and Murder

Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Terminal illness

Minor: Child death