You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
yellowbinge's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Publishing date: 24.12.2024 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
TLDR: Gothic, romantic, a little slow to start, and also full of dead bodies
I have many thoughts about this book, and this review is not going to be coherent so strap in.
The setting and the atmosphere of this book? Oh I loved it dearly. It was so gothic and so London I simply couldn't believe it. I was envisioning dingy brick buildings, a light drizzle, dark streets lit up by too few street lamps, the smell of petrichor in the air, and of course people dressed in suits and simple gowns. The whole time reading I was somewhere completely different than where I was really sitting. I felt like a spectator to the spectacle in front of me.
The characters ... Hit and miss. There is a very clear distinction between the main characters and the side-characters. Some weren't fleshed out at all and had only their name to go by. Some had attempted "fleshings" but were still somewhat flat and bare. This is a little nitpick only, I wish more people in the background had more going on for them.
The romance? Oh hell yeah. It had the perfect amount of "we don't care who catches us in the act", but also "ohmygod we are going to be hanged if anyone sees us". A good blend of companionship and desire. These two were so good together. The moment the relationship was "estabølished" I was hooked. Stunning work.
The story itself had a hard time actually catching me in the beginning I fear. I was waiting for things to happen, things happened, then it didn't really carry on anywhere. It kept this strange pace almost throughout the whole book. Except for the final 20% or so, that's where the story took a more exciting turn. For me at least. Maybe the pace fits others fine, but I wish it was more focused or had more events scattered throughout. Another nitpick truly.
All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the book. Really enjoyed the time I got with it. Highly recommend to those who like the "walk in a graveyard" vibe. 4.5 stars, stunning read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
TLDR: Gothic, romantic, a little slow to start, and also full of dead bodies
I have many thoughts about this book, and this review is not going to be coherent so strap in.
The setting and the atmosphere of this book? Oh I loved it dearly. It was so gothic and so London I simply couldn't believe it. I was envisioning dingy brick buildings, a light drizzle, dark streets lit up by too few street lamps, the smell of petrichor in the air, and of course people dressed in suits and simple gowns. The whole time reading I was somewhere completely different than where I was really sitting. I felt like a spectator to the spectacle in front of me.
The characters ... Hit and miss. There is a very clear distinction between the main characters and the side-characters. Some weren't fleshed out at all and had only their name to go by. Some had attempted "fleshings" but were still somewhat flat and bare. This is a little nitpick only, I wish more people in the background had more going on for them.
The romance? Oh hell yeah. It had the perfect amount of "we don't care who catches us in the act", but also "ohmygod we are going to be hanged if anyone sees us". A good blend of companionship and desire. These two were so good together. The moment the relationship was "estabølished" I was hooked. Stunning work.
The story itself had a hard time actually catching me in the beginning I fear. I was waiting for things to happen, things happened, then it didn't really carry on anywhere. It kept this strange pace almost throughout the whole book. Except for the final 20% or so, that's where the story took a more exciting turn. For me at least. Maybe the pace fits others fine, but I wish it was more focused or had more events scattered throughout. Another nitpick truly.
All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the book. Really enjoyed the time I got with it. Highly recommend to those who like the "walk in a graveyard" vibe. 4.5 stars, stunning read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, and Outing
Minor: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
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
knly_'s review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment