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rottenpaperbacks's review against another edition
i’m gonna be honest, i only picked up this book because of the cover. i liked that it was also based on the classic sherlock holmes stories, however, as someone who has never read an original sherlock holmes book, perhaps i should start with an ORIGINAL before reading this book .
i should put this in a spoiler, however i really don’t want to because id like people to know this about the book before giving it a try;, upon reading reviews, ive come to find out that the two characters end up MARRIED?? even though holmes met the MC when she was 15 when he was 50?? i picked up this novel expecting the MC and sherlock to have a father / daughter relationship, NOT A ROMANTIC ONE?
i should put this in a spoiler, however i really don’t want to because id like people to know this about the book before giving it a try;, upon reading reviews, ive come to find out that the two characters end up MARRIED?? even though holmes met the MC when she was 15 when he was 50?? i picked up this novel expecting the MC and sherlock to have a father / daughter relationship, NOT A ROMANTIC ONE?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
caramellattekiss's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This attempts to tell a feminist Sherlock Holmes story, but I found Mary Russell the worst kind of "not like other girls" Mary-Sue. She is beautiful, has a mind to match Holmes, is wealthy, is excellent at physical pursuits, can create perfect disguises...the list goes on and on, and all at the age of 15. I found Mary deeply irritating.
Sherlock Holmes is pretty out of character for most of the book and spends a lot of time talking about how wonderful Russell is compared to the bumbling idiot Watson. I really disliked the constant putting down of Watson. I'm not sure King has actually read much Sherlock Holmes, or she'd know that these two men have a lot of love and respect for each other. Watson might not be a teenage genius, but he's not a fool.
The mystery itself is a fun read, with satisfying twists and turns. The clues for the final reveal are all laid, without giving everything away. The fun story saved this book from being a DNF, even though the characters were largely unlikeable.
Sherlock Holmes is pretty out of character for most of the book and spends a lot of time talking about how wonderful Russell is compared to the bumbling idiot Watson. I really disliked the constant putting down of Watson. I'm not sure King has actually read much Sherlock Holmes, or she'd know that these two men have a lot of love and respect for each other. Watson might not be a teenage genius, but he's not a fool.
The mystery itself is a fun read, with satisfying twists and turns. The clues for the final reveal are all laid, without giving everything away. The fun story saved this book from being a DNF, even though the characters were largely unlikeable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
izzster's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship