Reviews

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

burningupasun's review

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with this, which is why I'm not rating it or anything. The writing style just didn't suit me, and the antisemitism (part of the plot) was too much for me to handle.

seattlehols16's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

meaghanelizabook's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Misogyny, Sexism, Antisemitism, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gore, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Stalking

psyco12_2000's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

marie_adina's review

4.0

A fun read and I liked the creepy ending.

literary_reference's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

celiapowell's review

4.0

The mystery in this novel revolves around the murder of young children, and how they were killed is portrayed in some disturbing detail - that's the only thing I didn't particularly like about it. It's otherwise a wonderful novel, and the "mistress of the art of death" (aka a doctor who examines corpses) is a fantastic character.

sandylc's review

5.0

 Excellent book: probably the heroine is too modern in her thinking but she is a foreigner and a doctor that makes it more acceptable. The history seems very accurate. there is a wonderful discourse on the Crusades, and it is a page-turner. On to the next book! 

triceliatops's review against another edition

3.0

https://sphinxou.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/adelia-aguilar-tome-1-la-confidente-des-morts-_-ariana-franklin

culpeppper's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I'm disgusted and intrigued. I do so deeply wish I weren't able to relate to the main character. She's clearly a brilliant mind that is stifled by the constraints of her time and culture, so some of my favorite moments were when she was able to be brilliant on her own, flexing her brain and agency even as she is forced to bend to the will of men around her. 

It's a line that I think a lot of historical stories teeter unsuccessfully, a brilliant female protagonist with attributes that render her powerless in one way or another in general society,  but I think was done well here. Historical relevance in this was rarely disregarded in settings, characters, and actions, but at the same time the author has given Adelia a mind sharp enough to offer credibility to our suspension of disbelief. This feels like a cohesive world, so while Adelia is largely disadvantaged in many ways it's believeable to a non-historian that a woman in this time like her could exist. 

I hate the relationship between her and the tax collector (I have no idea how to spell his name, or any names for that matter) the more it develops. I really feel 0 chemistry bewteen them, and unless this is set up for something bigger down the line I don't get it. He is so irritating even when he is supposed to be charming. 
I guess if I were a young woman in the 12th century and I was facing massive life changes, multiple traumatic events, misogyny + antisemitism + xenophobia from literally everyone, and social isolation, I KNOW I'd fall for the first asshole that respected my personage 25% of the time. 
Out of all the characters in the book, there are only four (4!) male characters I don't wish venereal diseases on in this story. And one of them is dead by the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Fatphobia, Genocide, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Excrement, Vomit, Abortion, Pregnancy, Abandonment, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic

A lot of implied and referenced sexual violence, with some on page, towards children, women, and animals.

Though certain acts rape, genital mutilation, and stabbing into pelvic orifices happen to children and animals multiple times throughout the book. Though none are shown on page in a visual of the act happening, what happens after is described in a variety of ways.)