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A review by sasabrina
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3/5
Contains spoilers ahead.
"Healing by way of vengeance. But no such thing existed; it never had. Hurting others had only injured me further."
Liked the idea, not so much on the execution. It has so much potential but it was just bland. The premise was interesting: an apothecary, specialty of helping women's maladies. The apothecary started out as a safe haven for women with only good intentions, but a series of unfortunate events and betrayal turned the shop all around. And so the apothecary turned into a place treating women's maladies with ill-intent.
With the premise I expected some depth from the women characters, considering the prominent theme of vengeance and betrayal. But the main characters came off shallow without much depth. Nella, the owner of the apothecary, seemed to have a strong motive to run this shady shop, but it was getting less and less significant as the book progressed. This is not to take lightly her pains and trauma, but I feel like it can be explored more. Caroline, oh Caroline. I don't think I've ever been pissed by a protagonist before but there was just no depth, no connection with this character. Her problems seemed to be added just for the plot, for the sake of adding more complications. You know who's the most interesting character in the book? Nella's mother. Unfortunately it wasn't about her and she was just a prominent supporting role in Nella's character.
I also think that the author is trying to explore women's relationship with one another but it's vague and lack intricacies, as if it was an afterthought rather than the main theme. Although I had to give it up to the author for the twist towards the end: Eliza jumping off the bridge, framed herself instead of Nella. It was so thrilling when it unveiled.
A little more of what I like: trivia on poisonous living things, though mostly plants and insects. It was fascinating to learn, "Many good remedies are poisonous in great quantities or when prepared a certain way."
Overall, it was a okay. Read if you have free time, and like the premise (though it could've been executed better).
Contains spoilers ahead.
"Healing by way of vengeance. But no such thing existed; it never had. Hurting others had only injured me further."
Liked the idea, not so much on the execution. It has so much potential but it was just bland. The premise was interesting: an apothecary, specialty of helping women's maladies. The apothecary started out as a safe haven for women with only good intentions, but a series of unfortunate events and betrayal turned the shop all around. And so the apothecary turned into a place treating women's maladies with ill-intent.
With the premise I expected some depth from the women characters, considering the prominent theme of vengeance and betrayal. But the main characters came off shallow without much depth. Nella, the owner of the apothecary, seemed to have a strong motive to run this shady shop, but it was getting less and less significant as the book progressed. This is not to take lightly her pains and trauma, but I feel like it can be explored more. Caroline, oh Caroline. I don't think I've ever been pissed by a protagonist before but there was just no depth, no connection with this character. Her problems seemed to be added just for the plot, for the sake of adding more complications. You know who's the most interesting character in the book? Nella's mother. Unfortunately it wasn't about her and she was just a prominent supporting role in Nella's character.
I also think that the author is trying to explore women's relationship with one another but it's vague and lack intricacies, as if it was an afterthought rather than the main theme. Although I had to give it up to the author for the twist towards the end: Eliza jumping off the bridge, framed herself instead of Nella. It was so thrilling when it unveiled.
A little more of what I like: trivia on poisonous living things, though mostly plants and insects. It was fascinating to learn, "Many good remedies are poisonous in great quantities or when prepared a certain way."
Overall, it was a okay. Read if you have free time, and like the premise (though it could've been executed better).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Suicide attempt, and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexual harassment