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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
callidoralblack's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility and Kidnapping
Minor: Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
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 castrato