A review by redthistle
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

dark reflective sad medium-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

2.0

I thought the premise of this book was amazing and it sounded like something I would love.

The execution, unfortunately for me was severely lacking and I had to force myself to finish this one. I am pretty picky about books in first person and this book had some serious issues in my opinion. There was not much difference in the writing between the three different characters narration. I also found Caroline's chapters extremely frustrating as she restated the same things over and over and over.
I get
you wanted a child, I get your husband cheated, I get that you feel like dislike your choices in life and wish you made different ones you really don't have to keep repeating yourself in a 300 page, book I'm not about to forget these points.


In general, as well I kept finding myself rolling my eyes at things the characters would say or think, especially the characters in the 1700s and I felt like the book overall, for one about a history and a budding historian was lacking in research. 
In the end when she chucked the MAIN item which spurred her entire idea for her project for her thesis into the river I wanted to scream. No historian would do that, especially one hoping to go to a prestigious college to earn a masters in english studies.
 To be honest that final plot point was what made me rate this book 2 stars. I should have DNFed.
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