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christinereads1823's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
However. The characters still had many moments of unlikeability, things that seemed important were dropped instantly after a small resolution, and it felt like certain beats of the story were either severely underdeveloped or skipped over entirely.
Not a bad read, and definitely wasn't a slog like its predecessor, but also still nowhere near what I know Alexis Hall can write (Boyfriend Material set such a high standard).
Graphic: Homophobia, Infertility, Sexual content, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, and Classism
unsuccessfulbookclub'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
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
graceheartsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Dysphoria
Moderate: Transphobia, Kidnapping, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Violence, and Pregnancy
f18's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A touch more serious than SF, but it left me misty eyed so I can't complain. The drana in SF felt firmly like tongue-in-cheek parody where here it was not, but still had plenty of jokes.
Also, the misty eyes were during a scene
Crossing my fingers for books for Belle and Sir Horley in the future. In a lot of ways SS felt like Belle's book as well as Peggy's, but despite her in some ways coming to terms with being aro it didn't feel like her HEA yet.
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In case it is useful for anyone, here are the opera pieces in the order which they are described in the book:
1. Ombra ma Fui https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9yTjXM6m50
2. O too lovely, Too Unkind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLWGB11Vm-o
3. Parto, Ti lascio, O cara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABEvncd0qeQ
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
misgendering, verbal abuse re: infertility, verbal abuse re: genital mutilation,kit_carmichael's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, and Acephobia/Arophobia
withlivjones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While Something Fabulous has more of a fairytale feel, set in the Surrey countryside where stakes are relatively low, Something Spectacular has a more grounded feel - things are far less idyllic in the middle of London where Real Life(TM) and Other People(TM) tend to get in the way of happy endings. This is excellently displayed in the character of Orfeo, a castrato who was destined as a child for a certain purpose - to be a singer - and therefore they have never even thought about questioning who they are and what they want out of life. Orfeo walks a line between glamorously defying the gender binary and accepting all the praise and adoration for their talents, and insecurity over being seen as damaged and less than human due to what was done to them as a child. This balance of confidence and vulnerability make them a fantastic character and an excellent partner to the quiet confidence that covers Peggy’s own insecurities.
In conclusion, this series slays. I hope another instalment comes out soon.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Dysphoria
The author’s note at the beginning of the book gives excellent insight into certain sensitive topics covered, such as how they approached creating a character who is a castratobergha1998'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
3.25
“She’ll never love me the way I love her—I don’t think she’ll ever love anyone the way I want to be loved. But the truth is nobody else makes me feel the way she does.”
“Then again, all her romantic fantasies of Belle had been about Belle—what she needed, what would make her happy—and it had never really occurred to Peggy to wonder about her own needs. Her own happiness. Typical, really. Only she could find a way to write herself out of her own forever.”
“And she wasn’t sure she knew how to explain the parts of herself that didn’t always fit together when she wanted them to. That went unseen even, she feared, by herself.”
“I do not need you—I do not need anyone—to grant me permission to exist in the world.”
“At first she wasn’t sure if she recognised herself. And then she realised it was the opposite: that she was only just beginning to.”
“You couldn’t write your own story in the margins of someone else’s.”
“I’d rather be someone who gets their heart broken than someone who never dares their heart at all.”
Moderate: Homophobia
caseymac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Infertility, Sexual content, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Body shaming, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Pregnancy and Gaslighting
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was so afraid that Peggy was going to end up with
I really loved how Sir Horley had a frank conversation with them, not everyone has the privilege to be themselves. We got a few teasing tidbits about what he has been up to, I hope we get a book about his Priest! I did love how there was some aromantic representation, I feel that often gets overlooked.
Favorite Moments: Sir Horley, the "poetry" reading event, Bob the secretary
Least Favorite:
I highly recommend this book!
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
- Aren't we all so lucky to be living when Alexis Hall is writing books? SOMETHING SPECTACULAR is everything I've come to love about his romance: silly, spicy, queer, messy, and tender.
- This book has two protagonists who would likely be considered nonbinary today, though they don't have the word for it in the Regency era. I loved that they both experienced gender and expressed themselves differently.
- As with many Hall books, there are some real, thorny emotional struggles here, but they are handled so lovingly and gently. It's probably also the funniest and most over the top Hall book I've read so far. Just the best.
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Transphobia