Scan barcode
sxndaze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The world needs change, not forgiveness.
It’s a somber, queer book for sure. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for it, it’ll certainly hit hard. This novel is about what lies and prejudice can do to a person, especially in a society that isn’t so forgiving. It’s not happy, and I’m not sure I would have picked it up if I knew that. But it’s still something I’m glad I read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Antisemitism, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
eidal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, and Abandonment
slinkmalink's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Engaging historical fiction that switched easily between funny and emotional, I wasn't necessarily expecting it to end quite like that or for his brother to kill himself then but it made sense i was just sad about it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
tradepaperback's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
pkc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
A shocking morality tale masquerading as a passionate love story. This book had me absolutely hooked and I gobbled the last 135 pages up in one sitting. Absolutely breathtaking. Nuanced characters, shocking twists and a derisive cry against the status quo of the time that still rings now. I only deducted a half a star for the ending. It was a bit of a bummer. Otherwise, an excellent, sexy and shocking read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Grief, Outing, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Violence and Blood
berodatheelf's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
lordbyron's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don't usually do full reviews on here, but I had such high expectations for this book and was quite sorely let down that I would really like to air my grievances. Also, I've not really seen a full breakdown of the book that expressed the issues I had with it.
The premise really lured me in, but from the onset I was concerned that the narration felt laboured and formulaic. This didn't improve as the major plot beats -Edgar's suicide, Lavelle's reappearance and death - tended to be foreshadowed clumsily and were very predictable, feeling unearned and lacking gravity. Its main problem, however, is characterisation - though purported to be witty and seductive, Lavelle himself is the most unforgivable letdown. Swearing profusely and acting as a directionless reactionary do not a revolutionary antihero make. He simply comes across as a horrible person rather than a meaningful rebel of any kind and his pithy witticisms are unconvincing. Though there are attempts to redeem him, or perhaps earn him our pity, his backstory felt cheap and hackneyed. Is there seriously no better way to imagine a complex early life for a gay character in a historic novel besides that of a tragic sex worker?
Owing to his lack of charisma, I consequently found Benjamin - the novel's narrator - completely impossible to sympathise with. Put shortly, Lavelle simply doesn't feel worth any of the things Benjamin is prepared to do for him. Benjamin is maddeningly passive, and forgiving Lavelle for ruining his reputation and essentially causing the death of his brother just felt unrealistic. His behaviour comes off not only as astonishingly naive, but breathtakingly selfish. Though I felt the novel was trying to best to make me empathise with its leading characters, I found myself far more inclined to feel for those who were supposedly trying to prevent their happiness (which I assume was not its intention). More generally, characterisation was lazy and one-dimensional.
I would like to be able to say I enjoyed this book on a base level as simply a historical piece. Though it's far from its weakest aspect, it was also disappointing in this respect too. Blackmore really shoots himself in the foot by admitting a historical inaccuracy - a completely avoidable one, at that - before the story even starts, which is then repeated many times in the novel and it really breaks immersion, especially as I wouldn't have known it was inaccurate without him saying so. Inaccuracy is less of an issue for the novel than the sheer disdain and disgust it seems to have for the period in which it is set. Though born in the eighteenth century, Benjamin's outlook is jarringly, bizarrely modern; his sexuality makes him seem far less of an outsider than his weird disengagement from the times in which he lives. He simply doesn't actually read like a person who lived over two hundred years ago, and that's sad, as I enjoy historical fiction because of its distance from the present.
The sex scenes were also not great, and felt like a missed opportunity. There is so much colourful and interesting sexual slang in this period which was hardly used at all; if it had been integrated, it would have lent these scenes a degree of authenticity and character. Instead they are spoken of in very plain, almost clinical terms which rob it of any eroticism and in some cases dips it into cringeworthy bathos. This novel's strength lies in descriptive prose and there was occasionally some nice imagery in its depictions of the landscape. This was interspersed, however, with baffling omissions (such as 'dull cities of Germany') where genuinely interesting narrative opportunities are just completely glazed over and dismissed.
Simply put, there are just better historical gay romances than this. It reads much like a fanfiction, which I could maybe forgive from a debut, but not from an experienced novelist. It seems incapable of deciding whether it is a cynical scandal paper or a romance - either of which would be fine, but it seems eager to be both at once, to its detriment. Don't let the pretty cover fool you - there is very little behind that facade.
The premise really lured me in, but from the onset I was concerned that the narration felt laboured and formulaic. This didn't improve as the major plot beats -
Owing to his lack of charisma, I consequently found Benjamin - the novel's narrator - completely impossible to sympathise with. Put shortly, Lavelle simply doesn't feel worth any of the things Benjamin is prepared to do for him. Benjamin is maddeningly passive, and forgiving Lavelle
I would like to be able to say I enjoyed this book on a base level as simply a historical piece. Though it's far from its weakest aspect, it was also disappointing in this respect too. Blackmore really shoots himself in the foot by admitting a historical inaccuracy - a completely avoidable one, at that - before the story even starts, which is then repeated many times in the novel and it really breaks immersion, especially as I wouldn't have known it was inaccurate without him saying so. Inaccuracy is less of an issue for the novel than the sheer disdain and disgust it seems to have for the period in which it is set. Though born in the eighteenth century, Benjamin's outlook is jarringly, bizarrely modern; his sexuality makes him seem far less of an outsider than his weird disengagement from the times in which he lives. He simply doesn't actually read like a person who lived over two hundred years ago, and that's sad, as I enjoy historical fiction because of its distance from the present.
The sex scenes were also not great, and felt like a missed opportunity. There is so much colourful and interesting sexual slang in this period which was hardly used at all; if it had been integrated, it would have lent these scenes a degree of authenticity and character. Instead they are spoken of in very plain, almost clinical terms which rob it of any eroticism and in some cases dips it into cringeworthy bathos. This novel's strength lies in descriptive prose and there was occasionally some nice imagery in its depictions of the landscape. This was interspersed, however, with baffling omissions (such as 'dull cities of Germany') where genuinely interesting narrative opportunities are just completely glazed over and dismissed.
Simply put, there are just better historical gay romances than this. It reads much like a fanfiction, which I could maybe forgive from a debut, but not from an experienced novelist. It seems incapable of deciding whether it is a cynical scandal paper or a romance - either of which would be fine, but it seems eager to be both at once, to its detriment. Don't let the pretty cover fool you - there is very little behind that facade.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, and Antisemitism
Minor: Sexual violence
jil_m's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A gracefully and powerful written book that shows the truth of the 1600-1700s.
Quick summary (no major spoilers) :
We follow Benjamin, a man grown up in a family who is full of culture and class. Together with Edgar, his brother, he travels through Europe to encounter many useful people for the company of their father; which they are suppose to lead in the future. Quickly, he encounters a way more critical man, Mr. Lavelle. Everyone quite disguise him, including Edgar. Though Benjamin is more likely to be intrigued. The three men continue their long awaited travel and slowly find their way in Europe. But the more Lavelle makes his way into Benjamin’s life, the more Edgar is losing him.
My review:
I found this to be very interesting to read. Most people are likely to follow societies opinion, because that is what is most trusted. However, a Lavelle doesn’t. We get a fresh sense of critic on difference aspects of the world; culture, family, love, power and money.
We see how society looks at the way of love they proceed to give to eachother. And how they experience love within their relationship themselves.
However, in some ways I can see why people wouldn’t like this book. It is very graphic on some sensitive and intimate subjects. I’d definitely recommend looking at the trigger list before reading this. Plus, the way this thinking is introduced and told in this book, is not exactly for everyone. But, despite these critic points, I found this book to be very enjoyable and reflective to read. Strong opinions in a graceful manner of writing.
Thank you :))
Quick summary (no major spoilers) :
We follow Benjamin, a man grown up in a family who is full of culture and class. Together with Edgar, his brother, he travels through Europe to encounter many useful people for the company of their father; which they are suppose to lead in the future. Quickly, he encounters a way more critical man, Mr. Lavelle. Everyone quite disguise him, including Edgar. Though Benjamin is more likely to be intrigued. The three men continue their long awaited travel and slowly find their way in Europe. But the more Lavelle makes his way into Benjamin’s life, the more Edgar is losing him.
My review:
I found this to be very interesting to read. Most people are likely to follow societies opinion, because that is what is most trusted. However, a Lavelle doesn’t. We get a fresh sense of critic on difference aspects of the world; culture, family, love, power and money.
We see how society looks at the way of love they proceed to give to eachother. And how they experience love within their relationship themselves.
However, in some ways I can see why people wouldn’t like this book. It is very graphic on some sensitive and intimate subjects. I’d definitely recommend looking at the trigger list before reading this. Plus, the way this thinking is introduced and told in this book, is not exactly for everyone. But, despite these critic points, I found this book to be very enjoyable and reflective to read. Strong opinions in a graceful manner of writing.
Thank you :))
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
emmasoslightly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Murder
rlaurene's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide