Scan barcode
roseamongstories's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A heist by four ingenious young women aboard the infamous Titanic? Count me in!! This book's premise and cover alone can attract any reader who's parched for an adventure that features a sapphic romance subplot.
However, I hate to admit that this one felt rather short of the grand heist it promised. Top of mind, here are the reasons why I think the book could be better:
However, I hate to admit that this one felt rather short of the grand heist it promised. Top of mind, here are the reasons why I think the book could be better:
- The sapphic romance is too insta-lovey for me; either that, or I have outgrown the formulaic will they-won't they-trope in YA romance.
- The execution of the actual heist was rather juvenile and very convenient, in favor of our MCs. I guess that's why this is labeled as YA. But I would have liked more and higher stakes (not including the impending doom the passengers of the ship will suffer though, of course)
- The short chapters lent to the characters being less fleshed-out and more like caricatures and 2D sketches. Most of the characters' motivations in participating in the heist were clear, but it was made to appear that all their personalities just revolved around one single thing, namely:
- Josefa, finally getting to avenge for himself and taking down an old friend turned archenemy
- Violet, with her longing to be with her brother, which ultimately
led to her demise, which still saddens me tbh - Hinnah, with her thirst for finally belonging and having someone to call family, after being shunned by her own <spoiler alert!!>
her death shook me - Emilie and her desire to make peace with her father's death and re-connecting with art
The above motivations were laid out clearly, like crystal, alright. But it seemed like apart from the heist, it felt like nothing else was going on with them, which I think, if we were to be historically accurate, would be far from the truth. I just wished the author gave us more ground to root for these characters!!
I read this one as an audiobook so take everything I say with a grain of salt. Either I was fast asleep when one of my points of contention above was actually satisfied in the novel, or I was too focused on the other activity I was doing while listening, to care enough for what was happening. Which already says a lot about the story as a whole.
All in all, I appreciate that a more diverse take on the otherwise euro-centric story of Titanic is out there and accessible to many. But it left me with so much to be desired. I might as well rewatch Our Flag Means Death for that swashbuckling queer romance yearning to be sated.
All in all, I appreciate that a more diverse take on the otherwise euro-centric story of Titanic is out there and accessible to many. But it left me with so much to be desired. I might as well rewatch Our Flag Means Death for that swashbuckling queer romance yearning to be sated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
lexnicole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I haven’t cried or felt this much anxiety for the characters in a long time and I loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence
More...