Scan barcode
maregred's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Transphobia, Blood, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Outing
srm's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A charming story about a young Englishman who heads to Edinburgh in the 1820s for med school. He quickly finds himself involved in the, ahem, supply of specimens for the anatomy students, but darker secrets than mere body snatching lie beneath the city. True crime fans will get a treat, as will historical fiction readers. Also, I very much enjoyed the side of swoony M/M romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
chezler24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"We are members of the league of men who call ourselves not by the mantle of snatchers, but Resurrectionists. Our motivation is not the value of the bodies we steal, but in the second life we give them; each acts as a post-mortem Prometheus, bringing fire to mankind." p. 109
I really enjoyed this book, and I wish I had jotted down my thoughts right after reading it, but life has been a bit busy lately. As someone who has always been interested in dark academic tales and learning about medical developments, this book was a perfect pick. Wonderfully gothic and grotesque with a bit of queer romance threaded within the mystery. It did take a bit for the mystery elements to come to the forefront; however, losing myself in 19th-century Scotland almost made me not care. I would definitely read a sequel if Dunlap decides to revisit these characters; I need to see where their romance and medical developments go! (Also the cover is simply gorgeous.)
Advance Uncorrected Proof
I really enjoyed this book, and I wish I had jotted down my thoughts right after reading it, but life has been a bit busy lately. As someone who has always been interested in dark academic tales and learning about medical developments, this book was a perfect pick. Wonderfully gothic and grotesque with a bit of queer romance threaded within the mystery. It did take a bit for the mystery elements to come to the forefront; however, losing myself in 19th-century Scotland almost made me not care. I would definitely read a sequel if Dunlap decides to revisit these characters; I need to see where their romance and medical developments go! (Also the cover is simply gorgeous.)
Advance Uncorrected Proof
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, Murder, Outing, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
ktdakotareads's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury