calcitestar's review against another edition
4.0
Not the book I was imagining but a good story anyway. Lots came out of it i wasn't expecting and the end still left room for a little more surmising.
imsosobored's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
koalathebear's review against another edition
3.0
Lydia Kang is an amazing writer and this book like her others was well-written and an absorbing read. The reason I only gave it three stars is that like her other novels, it has a real uneasy edge to it .. it's very unsettling with a real tonal/emotional dissonance to to it - just like all her other novels.
I enjoyed the characters, the immersive story-telling, the historical context and the way you are drawn into the past.
What I did not like ...
The very detailed and and heavy emphasis on the additional storyline. That was incredibly unpleasant and while historically accurate, I felt like the addition received more characterisation than the relationship between Tillie and Ian (which I loved by the way).
The James Cutter character was repugnant and disturbing.
Tillie was intelligent and too stupid to leave at the same time.
Did I mention the addition storyline as disturbing? Opium. Laudanum. Morphine and dear lord heroin from Bayer, too boot. I was just really unsettled by all of that..
Thank goodness for the dynamic between Ian and Tillie because that was charming and the novel's saving grace and lightness.
I enjoyed the characters, the immersive story-telling, the historical context and the way you are drawn into the past.
What I did not like ...
Spoiler
The very detailed and and heavy emphasis on the additional storyline. That was incredibly unpleasant and while historically accurate, I felt like the addition received more characterisation than the relationship between Tillie and Ian (which I loved by the way).
The James Cutter character was repugnant and disturbing.
Tillie was intelligent and too stupid to leave at the same time.
Did I mention the addition storyline as disturbing? Opium. Laudanum. Morphine and dear lord heroin from Bayer, too boot. I was just really unsettled by all of that..
Thank goodness for the dynamic between Ian and Tillie because that was charming and the novel's saving grace and lightness.
sydneyjn's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
plants_pages_poultry's review against another edition
5.0
Kang’s gothic novel stars Tillie, a wealthy teen who is too curious for her own good. She isn’t the demure lady her family wishes her to be. When her sister is found murdered with two bite marks on her neck, she is determined to bring the killer to justice. Although Dracula was recently published, Tillie soon learns that monsters aren’t only fictional.
I loved this book! I loved Tillie despite her faults. Her spunky and inquisitive nature really spoke to me.
I loved this book! I loved Tillie despite her faults. Her spunky and inquisitive nature really spoke to me.
alikatmckin's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Decent wriring; quick read. Solid mystery book.
kate_brauning's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't put this one down. Lydia Kang's historical and scientific knowledge makes this so real it's wild.
reading_withemma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0