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mreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, and Slavery
ezwolf's review
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Okay, so I'll admit to being pleasantly surprised by this book, in a good way! I thought this was going to be maybe a queer story where a woman dresses as her brother and becomes involved with another woman in some way and I was very excited for that. This story is not that at all (other than Tiffany dressing as her brother), and while I was disappointed that it wasn't the gay story I expected, I still really enjoyed what the book turned out to be.
Reading a book where the main character is forty was incredibly enjoyable, even though I'm only in my late 20s, it was nice to read about a woman settled into life even if it's not the best life, and then getting to read about her making strides to improve her life and help those around her. Even though I figured out the murderer and the secret the duchess kept right away, the ending of the book surprised me for what it didn't do and that was really what sealed my enjoyment of it!
I also thought this was a great commentary on the way that women and people of color were/are treated and the way that society, both its rules and people, are quick to judge them.
***SPOILERS***
My only real grievance was that the character who was being blackmailed for being gay was also tried and hung for providing the duke with the poison. Obviously I know that he was just as in the wrong and gay people can do bad things, but it just didn't sit right with me considering the tone of the book, he could have been blackmailed for a different reason
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Reading a book where the main character is forty was incredibly enjoyable, even though I'm only in my late 20s, it was nice to read about a woman settled into life even if it's not the best life, and then getting to read about her making strides to improve her life and help those around her. Even though I figured out the murderer and the secret the duchess kept right away, the ending of the book surprised me for what it didn't do and that was really what sealed my enjoyment of it!
I also thought this was a great commentary on the way that women and people of color were/are treated and the way that society, both its rules and people, are quick to judge them.
***SPOILERS***
My only real grievance was that the character who was being blackmailed for being gay was also tried and hung for providing the duke with the poison. Obviously I know that he was just as in the wrong and gay people can do bad things, but it just didn't sit right with me considering the tone of the book, he could have been blackmailed for a different reason
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Xenophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Slavery, and Fire/Fire injury
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