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chrissireads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
kirstyjpoynton's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia
bootrat's review
dark
mysterious
fast-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
2.0
The blurb for this book really doesn't match the contents of the book imo, it promised a lot but delivers very little.
I hated most of the characters in this book, Abernathy and Polly were the only ones I cared about. Although Flora is the main character in this, I found it very hard to relate to her, to sympathise, or to care about her. She jumps from one bad situation to another, and though that's normal and true of many abused people she left Jordan far too easily for her actions to be believable.
There's so much sexual assault and abuse in this book, and while that's what you'd expect from the characters it was definitely A Choice from the author to make that a central part of this book when the characters could have been evil in a different way instead.
The "romance" between Flora and Minnie is really anything but romantic. They talk of love, but to me their relationship was all about ownership, control, and desperation. Given what we learnt at the end of the book I really hated that this relationship existed at all.
The Knowing isn't explored anywhere near enough for me, and even in the times where it's used it feels very brushed over and unexplained.
If I wasn't reading this for a book club I probably would have DNFd it.
I hated most of the characters in this book, Abernathy and Polly were the only ones I cared about. Although Flora is the main character in this, I found it very hard to relate to her, to sympathise, or to care about her. She jumps from one bad situation to another, and though that's normal and true of many abused people she left Jordan far too easily for her actions to be believable.
There's so much sexual assault and abuse in this book, and while that's what you'd expect from the characters it was definitely A Choice from the author to make that a central part of this book when the characters could have been evil in a different way instead.
The "romance" between Flora and Minnie is really anything but romantic. They talk of love, but to me their relationship was all about ownership, control, and desperation. Given what we learnt at the end of the book I really hated that this relationship existed at all.
The Knowing isn't explored anywhere near enough for me, and even in the times where it's used it feels very brushed over and unexplained.
If I wasn't reading this for a book club I probably would have DNFd it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Pregnancy
jlstein's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Xenophobia, and Vomit
mariasmusings's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Book Review
Title: The Knowing
Author: Emma Hinds
Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Knowing is a truly unique novel, that has been inspired by the lives of real historical figures such as Maud Wagner, one of the original female tattoo artists, the fearsome crime gang the Dead Rabbits, among others. The storyline is full of captivating characters and I soon found myself emersed in the tale of Florence.
Florence, is a young tattoo artist and mystic. She manages to escape Jordan, with the help of Minnie, but soon realises that she may have simply exchanged one relationship for another. And all the time, she must be watchful to escape the attentions of the gangs.
Moving from New York, to Dublin to London, the imagery and descriptions are vivid, if very brutal at times. And this story is not always an easy read, but it is compelling and I couldn't put it down.
#bookblogger #bookstagrammer #theknowing #bookreview #emmahinds
Title: The Knowing
Author: Emma Hinds
Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Knowing is a truly unique novel, that has been inspired by the lives of real historical figures such as Maud Wagner, one of the original female tattoo artists, the fearsome crime gang the Dead Rabbits, among others. The storyline is full of captivating characters and I soon found myself emersed in the tale of Florence.
Florence, is a young tattoo artist and mystic. She manages to escape Jordan, with the help of Minnie, but soon realises that she may have simply exchanged one relationship for another. And all the time, she must be watchful to escape the attentions of the gangs.
Moving from New York, to Dublin to London, the imagery and descriptions are vivid, if very brutal at times. And this story is not always an easy read, but it is compelling and I couldn't put it down.
#bookblogger #bookstagrammer #theknowing #bookreview #emmahinds
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Murder, and Gaslighting
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: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
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