Reviews

The Latinist by Mark Prins

jesshudson's review against another edition

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dark sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No

3.0

jesssica__berg's review against another edition

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4.0

The Latinist is a stunning debut novel that showcases the remarkable talent of author David Hewson. Set in contemporary Rome, the novel is a thrilling combination of mystery, suspense, and historical fiction that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
At the heart of The Latinist is a classic whodunit mystery that centers around the death of a prominent Vatican scholar. Hewson's masterful plotting keeps the reader guessing until the very end, and his ability to interweave historical details and contemporary events is truly impressive.
What sets The Latinist apart from other mysteries is its deep engagement with the history and culture of Rome. Hewson's descriptions of the city are rich and vivid, and his knowledge of Roman history is both extensive and impressive. The novel is filled with fascinating details about Roman architecture, art, and politics, and these details add depth and texture to the story.
Another remarkable aspect of The Latinist is its complex and multi-dimensional characters. The novel's protagonist, Daniel Forster, is a flawed and deeply human character who is both compelling and relatable. Hewson's exploration of Forster's psyche is insightful and empathetic, and his portrayal of the other characters in the novel is equally impressive.
The Latinist is a stunning achievement in the world of mystery and historical fiction. Hewson's writing is elegant and sophisticated, and his storytelling is masterful. The novel is a testament to the enduring power of Rome's history and culture, and a must-read for anyone who loves great literature. David Hewson is a writer to watch, and The Latinist is a novel that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading.

cntemporary's review against another edition

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4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite the last forty pages going off the deep end in a rather unenjoyable and unbelievable way.

reyna_reads's review against another edition

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3.5

this only works with gay ppl I fear 

nicurel's review against another edition

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5.0

I really liked this book. It has an archaeology/classicist theme which I found really engaging.

alexandramann99's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is unbelievable, and I loved reading it. Once I had the time to actually properly read again, I raced through it in a couple of days. It’s ultimately a retelling of the Daphne/Apollo story, set at Oxford, and it wasn’t obvious until the book was over and all the pieces had unraveled which way the story would end. 4/5, would strongly recommend, especially to anyone with a foot in academia.

sofiarodriguez's review against another edition

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

2.75

the ending was… anticlimactic at best and completely idiotic at worse. the prose and voice was confusing at times. chris pissed me off 

isabel_tong's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

balao's review against another edition

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2.0

I picked up this book mainly because it was dark academia and related to greek mythology. I did not like it as much as I thought I would. It was first, hard to get into, I didn't like the plot, and I hated both of the characters that the story revolved around. The plot had potential, but it seemed sloppy, not done well, and inconsistent, as well as a bit inaccurate. I hate the denouement of the book, I hate how it ended, it didn't work, it felt like it was just put there to try and fit the dark academia feel. For the idea for the plot, it felt to slow, and dragged, I felt like it would've been better with fast and continuous action, except parts were slow and felt unnecessary, especially where Prins tried to dive into philosophy and the academia part, it was tacky. I would've dnf'ed the book but I wanted to see what happened at the end.

isabellafmtz's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I hate Tessa. and Chris. everyone sucks, but love the blend of Classics and stalking <3