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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
With overtones of FINGERSMITH and THE CRIMSON PETAL AND THE WHITE, this is a historical read for anyone who wants diversity in their gritty Dickensian rags-to-riches-and-back-again coming of age novel. Slow to start, it quickly picks up the pace and was a delightful romp. I can't wait to see what Carlin writes next. This luxurious cover hides dark depths within.
This gothic historical novel brilliantly evokes the disease-ridden slums of 1830s London. Impoverished and without family, Hester White finds herself in the middle of a web of criss-crossing connections and secrets that will lead her towards a danger far darker than she could have imagined.
The Wicked Cometh definitely has some issues with pacing, but overall I found this a gripping and immersive read. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of, and relationship between, Rebekah and Hester. Recommended for fans of [b:Fingersmith|8913370|Fingersmith|Sarah Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348622459s/8913370.jpg|1014113], and anyone who shares my somewhat morbid curiosity about the likes of Burke and Hare and the history of medicine.
The Wicked Cometh definitely has some issues with pacing, but overall I found this a gripping and immersive read. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of, and relationship between, Rebekah and Hester. Recommended for fans of [b:Fingersmith|8913370|Fingersmith|Sarah Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348622459s/8913370.jpg|1014113], and anyone who shares my somewhat morbid curiosity about the likes of Burke and Hare and the history of medicine.
This book was great.
Hester has fallen from grace and when she is ‘rescued’ by the Brock family all seems to be moving in the right direction.
Thrilling plot and great characters. 4.5 stars
Hester has fallen from grace and when she is ‘rescued’ by the Brock family all seems to be moving in the right direction.
Thrilling plot and great characters. 4.5 stars
*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
The writing of this book was clear, precise, and poetic at times which was good the one good thing. I struggled with what rating to give this book a 2 or 3 star rating because the writing quality was a 3 but the story was 2. In the end I decided on 2 because at times reading this felt a bit like a chore and I wasn’t really enjoying the book in general. There was too much going on in the book and it felt like the author resolved it quickly at the end and it left me unsatisfied. Another problem was that the author acted like the relationship between two of the key characters wasn’t that big of a deal. When let’s be honest in that day and age it would have been a huge scandal. All being said I’m sure some people will really enjoy this book it just wasn’t for me.
The writing of this book was clear, precise, and poetic at times which was good the one good thing. I struggled with what rating to give this book a 2 or 3 star rating because the writing quality was a 3 but the story was 2. In the end I decided on 2 because at times reading this felt a bit like a chore and I wasn’t really enjoying the book in general. There was too much going on in the book and it felt like the author resolved it quickly at the end and it left me unsatisfied. Another problem was that the author acted like the relationship between two of the key characters wasn’t that big of a deal. When let’s be honest in that day and age it would have been a huge scandal. All being said I’m sure some people will really enjoy this book it just wasn’t for me.
I am disappointed. The summary made me expect better. And it started okay, truly. I even enjoyed the time it takes to establish itself and to come to the point of the shared investigation. But it meanders so much in the middle. And the mystery turns out less than interesting, the resolution simplistic but convoluted, with a last twist that is just useless and narrowly avoids the "kill your gays" problem.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
