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all_books_great_and_small's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
guybrushtmp's review
I don't know if it is the wrong time for me but this was too much. The sexual violence warnings are real. Strong lack of consent and powerlessness. Be warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Ableism, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
kindle_and_crossstitch's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
clairereviews's review
5.0
Book Review:
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Published 18 Jan 2024, Bedford Square Publishers
Synopsis:
In the slums of 19th-century New York, Flora, living canvas for her abusive tattoo artist boyfriend, meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers Flora refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead, and simultaneously trying to avoid Chester's clutches and also stay alive.
Review:
Inspired by historical figures, including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, characters from P.T. Barnum's circus and New York gang The Dead Rabbits, The Knowing is a powerful debut, full of breathtaking detail and suspense.
Flora's spellbinding story is richly told; you can almost smell the slums and feel the texture of the opulent gowns from Uptown. There are many fantastic supporting characters here, and all written with such flair that you feel you know them intimately.
This isn't a particularly long novel, but there is a lot contained within the 298 pages, so there's no need for any more. The Knowing kept me reading deep into the night, as I was gripped by Flora's story and had to know how it ended. It's hard to know where to place this as it's unlike anything else, but Amazon lists it as Historical Fantasy, Alternative History, and LGBTQ+ Romance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I received a proof copy from the publisher; this is my unbiased review.
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Published 18 Jan 2024, Bedford Square Publishers
Synopsis:
In the slums of 19th-century New York, Flora, living canvas for her abusive tattoo artist boyfriend, meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers Flora refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead, and simultaneously trying to avoid Chester's clutches and also stay alive.
Review:
Inspired by historical figures, including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, characters from P.T. Barnum's circus and New York gang The Dead Rabbits, The Knowing is a powerful debut, full of breathtaking detail and suspense.
Flora's spellbinding story is richly told; you can almost smell the slums and feel the texture of the opulent gowns from Uptown. There are many fantastic supporting characters here, and all written with such flair that you feel you know them intimately.
This isn't a particularly long novel, but there is a lot contained within the 298 pages, so there's no need for any more. The Knowing kept me reading deep into the night, as I was gripped by Flora's story and had to know how it ended. It's hard to know where to place this as it's unlike anything else, but Amazon lists it as Historical Fantasy, Alternative History, and LGBTQ+ Romance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I received a proof copy from the publisher; this is my unbiased review.
mcgbreads's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ARC review; as always, I got this through NetGalley and I'm very grateful!
The description was very intriguing to me and it's why I requested the book, but this wasn't what I expected. Not getting what I expected is not the issue, it just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with the characters and disliked them all to varying degrees. I wasn't rooting for anyone, didn't care about anyone, and didn't understand anyone.
One of the things the description says is that this is a story about love, obsession, and betrayal. It missed the mark if I was supposed to get love from any of the relationships between these characters. Or maybe it's just me. Now, obsession and betrayal? Yes, that's accurate, and it's why I kept reading. More out of a need for finality than out of enjoyment of the story.
Overall, this wasn't for me. Sometimes, that's just how it goes. Now, just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean this is a bad book or it won't work for someone else. If this intrigues you, I think it's worth giving it a chance.
The description was very intriguing to me and it's why I requested the book, but this wasn't what I expected. Not getting what I expected is not the issue, it just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with the characters and disliked them all to varying degrees. I wasn't rooting for anyone, didn't care about anyone, and didn't understand anyone.
One of the things the description says is that this is a story about love, obsession, and betrayal. It missed the mark if I was supposed to get love from any of the relationships between these characters. Or maybe it's just me. Now, obsession and betrayal? Yes, that's accurate, and it's why I kept reading. More out of a need for finality than out of enjoyment of the story.
Overall, this wasn't for me. Sometimes, that's just how it goes. Now, just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean this is a bad book or it won't work for someone else. If this intrigues you, I think it's worth giving it a chance.
lilibookworm's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
books_by_your_bedside's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
travelsalongmybookshelf's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
‘They told me I had the Knowing. Things people didn’t want anyone to know were whispers I heard or pictures I saw’
Flora is a living canvas for an abusive tattoo artist, living in the slums of 19th century New York. She meets Minnie who offers her love and refuge in the house of her lover Chester Merton. But it is out of the frying pan and into the fire, for in this home she has to work as a mystic, reading the tarot cards, whilst struggling to contain her gift. The Knowing is her ability to see and speak to, and for the dead. In this dark love triangle she begins to unravel secrets and then when she exposes a killer through the use of the Knowing she has to fight to survive.
‘Wilhelmina the Magnificent Armless Wonder marched ahead.’
This is a stunning debut, dark gothic and suspenseful. I got into this book so quickly, it moves fast and I was enthralled by Flora’s story. It is dark and full of a brooding malevolence that will keep your attention throughout.
I liked Minnie but felt mistrustful of everyone’s motives, except perhaps Abernathy who just seemed a sweetheart really.
‘The wheel of fortune was always turning and there was nothing to do but face it. ‘
I was interested to find that the story was inspired by real historical characters including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, New York gang the Dead Rabbits, and characters from PT Barnum's circus in the 1800s. It sent me off down a few rabbit holes!
As the story progresses it gets very dark, there is terror, violence and abuse, murder stalks the pages and there is a fear of The Knowing that curdles your blood as you read.
The plot moves at pace, at times disturbing, creating confusion so you feel you are in the mind of Flora, laudanum soaked and disjointed. It’s really well done and keeps you on your toes.
A really excellent, dark debut, rolling, twisting and totally enthralling!
clarke's review
1.0
Thank you net galley for the arc. DNF @60% and should've done it earlier. The blurb of this book sounded appealing, a mixture of fantasy, mystery, and romance. It didn't deliver. TW: rape, SA, abusive relationships, paedophilia (I think), murder, among others.
There is a lot of abuse in this book. It very quickly starts you off in one abusive relationship and sweeps you into another (with rape scenes, references, and other SA featured heavily throughout). The blurb describes a love triangle between Florence, Minnie, and Chester. Whilst Florence is 'saved' from her first abuser by Minnie, her fate doesn’t seem much better. Minnie is the lesser of two evils, but both Minnie and Chester try to force themselves on Florence at least once, and it's all very icky with power imbalances and all kinds of abuse. Chester is also sexually abusive to Polly, who I think is a minor, but she's only described as 'young' so I'm not sure of her age. I didn't really like anyone and reading it was a chore. This combined with so many abusive relationships (I don't think I could ever root for Florence and Minnie with how things started, idk how it ends) solidified that I need to DNF. I'm very reluctant to DNF books in general, but I'm learning more and more that I need to stop wasting my energy on things I don't enjoy.
There is a lot of abuse in this book. It very quickly starts you off in one abusive relationship and sweeps you into another (with rape scenes, references, and other SA featured heavily throughout). The blurb describes a love triangle between Florence, Minnie, and Chester. Whilst Florence is 'saved' from her first abuser by Minnie, her fate doesn’t seem much better. Minnie is the lesser of two evils, but both Minnie and Chester try to force themselves on Florence at least once, and it's all very icky with power imbalances and all kinds of abuse. Chester is also sexually abusive to Polly, who I think is a minor, but she's only described as 'young' so I'm not sure of her age. I didn't really like anyone and reading it was a chore. This combined with so many abusive relationships (I don't think I could ever root for Florence and Minnie with how things started, idk how it ends) solidified that I need to DNF. I'm very reluctant to DNF books in general, but I'm learning more and more that I need to stop wasting my energy on things I don't enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Ableism