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karcitis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Gore, Torture, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Alcohol
bookfortbuilder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
rea's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really really loved this book, it's much slower in pace than I would normally read but that gave it time to really settle in and feel real. One of the things I enjoyed was the difference in the magic systems, one for the blacks and one for the whites and of course the white one is the one that is socially allowed and black people aren't allowed to own a wand even though slavery is over.
Hetty and Benji are great characters and their relationship is such a great slow burn in that they have already been married for years and yet Hetty is still convinced it was for convenience and not because they love each other.
The murder mystery aspect was done really well and I fell for a couple of the red herrings.
I would 100% recommend this book to other people
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery and Torture
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Infertility and Abortion
mandkips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Grief
noreadingdegree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Medical content
qace90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Full review closer to publication but if you’re looking for a slow murder mystery set post Civil War with a sweet romance and fantastic chosen family, you’re going to want to check this book out!
Full review:
The Conductors is a fantasy murder mystery set in post-Civil War America and also has wonderful elements of chosen family and community, plus a sweet romance between Hetty and Benjy (whose marriage is one of friendship, not romance). From the moment I heard about this book, I was intrigued, and in no way did it disappoint!
Hetty is amazing and fierce and a very good example of competence porn. She’s very skilled with magic, and also at making clothes. She’s also known to meld the two together and sew sigils into the clothes she makes. I love her brashness and how she stands for what she believes in. But sometimes that also gets her into trouble, especially as a Black woman who used to be a Conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Her husband, Benjy, is also an amazingly competent individual and he does so many little things for Hetty to show his care, though sometimes she’s oblivious to the significance of his actions. He followed her to lead people from slavery because he was “bored” and together they balance each other and strengthen their skills in a way that ensured they were more often than not successful on their trips. Since the Civil War, they’re known to help people with unusual incidents - like finding a body in an alleyway with a cursed sigil carved in his chest.
All of the side characters feel fleshed out and the mystery was wonderfully layered. The clues were there, but at least for me I felt like I was along for the ride with Hetty rather than figuring everything out on my own.
I really enjoyed this story, and I’m looking forward to the continuation of this series. I loved the chosen family and community especially because it shows friendships growing from common pasts and how everyone in their community will help and when they can. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy slower paced mysteries, especially with a unique magic system.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Torture
bibookworm's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, and Trafficking
These Trigger Warnings are all relevant to the time period