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karydiazc's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**Before reading the book... you should consider that if you are catholic or anything similar, you might not like it because of the religious topics and how the story clashes with how it is told in the bible.**
I used to be in catholic school (not religious anymore though) but I did not remember Jezebel's story at all and I'm glad of it. I did a bit of my own research about her when I was close to finishing the book and realized that if I had remember the story, I would have gone with prejudices about the character.
I liked this book retelling of the story of queen Jezebel. She is a morally grey character from the very start of the book. Always wanting to do great things a be known for it, however not always doing it the right way.
It is a bit conflicting thinking that the character is someone who was actually alive and reigned. If it was just a biblical myth I would say how greatly written she is, doing both good and bad thing for the sake of her own gratness, however, taking into account some of the things she did actually happened and may lives were lost in the game of power betwee religions, I don't feel right calling her a good character and glorifying everything she did.
I understand the historical context, so I know women were not people, but property back in those days, so I find inspiring how she was willing to do may things in order to gain power, denied to her simply for being a woman. However, as I said before, she was morally gray and her actions (and I don't mean bringing her religion with her) had consequences.
I used to be in catholic school (not religious anymore though) but I did not remember Jezebel's story at all and I'm glad of it. I did a bit of my own research about her when I was close to finishing the book and realized that if I had remember the story, I would have gone with prejudices about the character.
I liked this book retelling of the story of queen Jezebel. She is a morally grey character from the very start of the book. Always wanting to do great things a be known for it, however not always doing it the right way.
It is a bit conflicting thinking that the character is someone who was actually alive and reigned. If it was just a biblical myth I would say how greatly written she is, doing both good and bad thing for the sake of her own gratness, however, taking into account some of the things she did actually happened and may lives were lost in the game of power betwee religions, I don't feel right calling her a good character and glorifying everything she did.
I understand the historical context, so I know women were not people, but property back in those days, so I find inspiring how she was willing to do may things in order to gain power, denied to her simply for being a woman. However, as I said before, she was morally gray and her actions (and I don't mean bringing her religion with her) had consequences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion and Pregnancy
buckydotson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Not knowing much about the story of Jezebel, this read like a mythology retelling (which I love). I love a story about a woman that kinda sucks sometimes! Women aren’t all sweet and accommodating. Also speaks to how much women have to do to be remarkable or memorable compared to men. Even though she was flawed, I loved her and was rooting for all the good things she did. Def one of my favorite retellings so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit and War
jghood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book felt pretty one-dimensional. Jezebel and the other Tyrians are good and intelligent and responsible for all the positive events of the book. The Israelites are self-sabotaging, stubborn, spiteful, and violent, and responsible for almost all the negative events of the book. Tyrian religion is presented as egalitarian and nonjudgmental, and Israelite religion/Yahwism is presented as fanatical, hard-line, and bloodthirsty.
There are a few opportunities for more depth but the book is told through first-person and the narrator, Jezebel, is not capable of much self reflection or empathy, which limits the depth that other characters and plot events are seen in. It dragged on a bit without the characters changing too much, and was a bit repetitive.
There are a few opportunities for more depth but the book is told through first-person and the narrator, Jezebel, is not capable of much self reflection or empathy, which limits the depth that other characters and plot events are seen in. It dragged on a bit without the characters changing too much, and was a bit repetitive.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage, Blood, and Murder
lespiritusanto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was written in the same style as Circe by Madeline Miller. Probably wouldn’t recommend to anyone super religious as it does not align with the Bible which might be upsetting to some. A quick read abs overall interesting take on Jezebel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
Moderate: Infidelity
savanhahope's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Miscarriage
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and War
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of the better Biblical retellings I've read in a while. The political and religious tensions were instantly comprehensible and compelling. No character is completely likeable or dislikeable - which, I suppose, makes them fully human characters. I like this trend of retelling the stories of Biblical women of whom we know so little, especially those from the Old Testament, which tends to make a lot of modern Christians a bit uncomfortable with how violent and vengeful it is. How much of this retelling is true, I don't know, but I did like how it fully illustrates how the desire for fame and vengeance can cause anyone's downfall, regardless of their religion.
This was one of the better Biblical retellings I've read in a while. The political and religious tensions were instantly comprehensible and compelling. No character is completely likeable or dislikeable - which, I suppose, makes them fully human characters. I like this trend of retelling the stories of Biblical women of whom we know so little, especially those from the Old Testament, which tends to make a lot of modern Christians a bit uncomfortable with how violent and vengeful it is. How much of this retelling is true, I don't know, but I did like how it fully illustrates how the desire for fame and vengeance can cause anyone's downfall, regardless of their religion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide and Vomit
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my God (or should I say Goddess?), Jezebel!!! Another powerful woman’s story reclaimed from the Judeo-Christian patriarchy that demonized her. Megan Barnard has woven a story of Jezebel’s entire life—from birth to death—in a way that is compulsively readable, incredibly empowering, and absolutely comparable to Circe. Sold in marriage to a foreign prince, Jezebel must leave her beloved home, but not without her beloved goddess. A woman made to be remembered, the Queen of Israel screams off the page. Read this and know that Jezebel did not go down without a fight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Violence, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, Alcohol, and War
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