Take a photo of a barcode or cover
rayleneistryingtoread's Reviews (8)
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is about four old white elitist men solving a murder through their academic obsession of Dante. I would definitely call it dark academia in that retrospect. It's academia is nothing except Dante and a very gruesome description of flies( which was gag inducing to read , I hate flies). So if you're looking for a dark academia that spans multiple subjects this is not that it's just Dante and flies. There's a token poc policemen that just kinda feels random? The police in general are not very useful in this book. It just feels unnecessary to the plot??? He's subjugated to racism and violence for???? His whole character is that he's a black policemen and him being black has barely any affect on the plot and him being a policemen( all the policemen as previously said are useless) doesn't have any affect on the plot. You could have taken all the police characters out of the book and given them no povs or names and nothing would have changed. I don't know it just feels kinda "here's a black man! Diversity! Check ✔️" Also woman? Not relevant just a dead-wife-montage-in-the-begining-of-an-action-movie-for-motivation/plot. Plus two very well meaning daughters who just worry about their fathers and look up to them so. If you're looking for diverse dark academia with poc and woman this is big the book.
That being said, I did like it overall. The white men in question are very cute. I found the banter very silly at times and even laughed out loud. Dr Holmes and Lowell in my head are the cutest frenemies and Dr Holmes is my favorite character overall. I feel like he was the most flushed out character compared to the others. Amougest the gruesome murder I found it a cozy little read about silly old white Dante obsessed nerds.Would I read the second book? I don't know if it comes my way organically, yes. If I have to go out of my way to find it, no.
That being said, I did like it overall. The white men in question are very cute. I found the banter very silly at times and even laughed out loud. Dr Holmes and Lowell in my head are the cutest frenemies and Dr Holmes is my favorite character overall. I feel like he was the most flushed out character compared to the others. Amougest the gruesome murder I found it a cozy little read about silly old white Dante obsessed nerds.Would I read the second book? I don't know if it comes my way organically, yes. If I have to go out of my way to find it, no.
informative
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this book I learned a lot. I do feel like becks delivery at times was a bit lacking and unstructured at times. Other then that I think this was an excellent gate way into feminism.
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Just not my particular flavor of historical fiction. Very straight forward narrative. If I wasn't listening to the audiobook I probably would have dnf.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a gift and not something I would have picked up for myself but I really enjoyed it! It was cute cozy and simple. I really loved the playlist accompanying the chapters. I found myself comparing each chapter to their song and just really slowing down and absorbing the vibes. I will be picking up other books from the author in the future.
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Uniquely dark and spooky. I think the author successfully blended inspiration from multiple stories while staying away from overdone tropes. She created an atmosphere that was hauntingly beautiful.
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved the delivery of this book. All the split povs felt really intentional and relevant to the plot. Theres a slow build up in the characters and plot that feels very natural, not at all forced. I laughed and giggled and gasped and clutched my pearls. Would definitely re-read.