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thecharmofit's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Cancer, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia
heather_freshparchment's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity
jupiter2932's review
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
eire2011's review
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I received an advanced reading copy via Netgalley though all thoughts are my own. I was so excited to be approved for an early copy as it's one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it didn't disappoint!
Though this is considered to be a part of the Slains series, it can be read by itself but I would recommend having a bit of knowledge about early 1700s Scotland including some information about the Jacobites to get some context of the book.
This was told in multiple points of view, jumping between the late 1600s to the early 1700s as stories are told about some of the characters and you get more insight into why some of the characters are reluctant to speak about their past.
I really felt for Lilly who was one of my favorite characters and was just trying her best to live a good life but often found herself between a rock and a hard place. She was able to overcome so much, including coming to terms with being abused as a little girl by someone she trusted, the death of her parents, losing friends and loved ones while also keeping a candle for a man who she fell in love with.
I also really enjoyed learning about Adam's story who has also had his fair share of hurdles to overcome, is full of surprises and did not see the ending that reveals things about his past. I had to go back and reread some parts for it to click but that's probably because I was so wrapped up in the story.
Highly recommend checking out this book especially if you are interested in the early 1700s Scotland and the Jacobites. Looking forward to reading more of Susanna's books and can't wait to see what next she has up her sleeve!
Trigger warnings: death, prison, hanging, forced into service, pedophile, child abuse, black mail, some violence, death due to child birth
Though this is considered to be a part of the Slains series, it can be read by itself but I would recommend having a bit of knowledge about early 1700s Scotland including some information about the Jacobites to get some context of the book.
This was told in multiple points of view, jumping between the late 1600s to the early 1700s as stories are told about some of the characters and you get more insight into why some of the characters are reluctant to speak about their past.
I really felt for Lilly who was one of my favorite characters and was just trying her best to live a good life but often found herself between a rock and a hard place. She was able to overcome so much, including coming to terms with being abused as a little girl by someone she trusted, the death of her parents, losing friends and loved ones while also keeping a candle for a man who she fell in love with.
I also really enjoyed learning about Adam's story who has also had his fair share of hurdles to overcome, is full of surprises and did not see the ending that reveals things about his past. I had to go back and reread some parts for it to click but that's probably because I was so wrapped up in the story.
Highly recommend checking out this book especially if you are interested in the early 1700s Scotland and the Jacobites. Looking forward to reading more of Susanna's books and can't wait to see what next she has up her sleeve!
Trigger warnings: death, prison, hanging, forced into service, pedophile, child abuse, black mail, some violence, death due to child birth
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
ridesthesun's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
She's done it again 🥺🥺🥺🥺
I don't have words to explain the brilliance of this book. The twists, the history, the threads of this story are woven so artfully, so beautifully. SK's simple, layered style absolutely punches my gut every time. She pulls these little known figures from history, and fleshes them out, tells their stories, so that they won't be forgotten. Absolute brilliance.
Also I'm pretty sure I would die for Lily, that she would never see another hard day in her life, just saying.
I don't have words to explain the brilliance of this book. The twists, the history, the threads of this story are woven so artfully, so beautifully. SK's simple, layered style absolutely punches my gut every time. She pulls these little known figures from history, and fleshes them out, tells their stories, so that they won't be forgotten. Absolute brilliance.
Also I'm pretty sure I would die for Lily, that she would never see another hard day in her life, just saying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Alcohol
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