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ezwolf's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Lesbophobia, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
jesshudzik's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
I was intrigued by the blurb about this book, historical fiction about a woman astronomer and a sapphic romance? Yes please! But a book jacket blurb can't do this book justice.
The romance is very sweet, complete with plenty of astronomy prose and flourishes. I also enjoyed how the characters, at different points in their lives, came to understand themselves as sapphic and what that meant in 1800s England.
But what really struck me about this book was the many examples of women helping women in various stations in life. Beyond the main characters there are a number of strong women who make their mark in their chosen fields. It was both inspiring to read about these women pushing for progress in the 1800s, but also frustrating that in some instances we have only come so far.
The book also discusses the very practical impacts of the lack of same sex marriage (and of course the impact of marriage itself historically being tied so tightly to the patriarchy).
Did I mention the intrigue and infighting of the scientific community? Or the dramatic return of an ex lover?
This manages to be an excellent blend of genres that will appeal to many.
The romance is very sweet, complete with plenty of astronomy prose and flourishes. I also enjoyed how the characters, at different points in their lives, came to understand themselves as sapphic and what that meant in 1800s England.
But what really struck me about this book was the many examples of women helping women in various stations in life. Beyond the main characters there are a number of strong women who make their mark in their chosen fields. It was both inspiring to read about these women pushing for progress in the 1800s, but also frustrating that in some instances we have only come so far.
The book also discusses the very practical impacts of the lack of same sex marriage (and of course the impact of marriage itself historically being tied so tightly to the patriarchy).
Did I mention the intrigue and infighting of the scientific community? Or the dramatic return of an ex lover?
This manages to be an excellent blend of genres that will appeal to many.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Classism
sophiesmallhands's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I purchased this for a romance book club I'm a part of and wasn't expecting to particularly enjoy it because I don't usually love historicals, although it, especially LGBTQ+ historicals, has been growing on me. But instead, I loved this book so much. It has everything I have come to appreciate from a historical romance novel, a lot of romance but also a lot of another plot that is unique and allows the characters to grow. For example, some of Cat Sebastian's books that I have read this year had that in spades!
Both Catherine and Lucy were beautiful characters that developed so well, I loved seeing their romance develop, leading their confidences and, even, their feminism to grow. Catherine especially felt so earnest in her emotions as she realized her sexuality in comparison to Lucy's early childhood knowledge of her sexuality. Their relationship felt real and honest while being beautifully written; the prose in this novel is gorgeous!
The plot itself was so engaging that although the romance was fantastic, the plot made the book for me. I personally struggle in science, so I loved that Lucy wrote the expanded translation to be for the common woman, especially with the knowledge at the time that women would not have had access to certain levels of education. I loved the twist with Olrean being a woman and a black woman at that! I particularly enjoyed that the book did not stray from the classism, racism, and especially misogyny of the time, with Catherine somewhat acknowledging her privilege at times, and her husband's use of his privilege as a white man in the times. It felt both realistic in that she did not fully see the issue with the colonization etc but did see it somewhat.
The side characters also added to the book so much, with each feeling fleshed out and thoughtfully created. The diversity was well-written, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Frampton and his pushing and support of Lucy even when he could have had the fame himself. Catherine's "Aunt", who turned out to have been her mother's lover, was another character I greatly enjoyed because it showcased lesbian/queer women's history and constant existence.
I highly recommend this book and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Both Catherine and Lucy were beautiful characters that developed so well, I loved seeing their romance develop, leading their confidences and, even, their feminism to grow. Catherine especially felt so earnest in her emotions as she realized her sexuality in comparison to Lucy's early childhood knowledge of her sexuality. Their relationship felt real and honest while being beautifully written; the prose in this novel is gorgeous!
The plot itself was so engaging that although the romance was fantastic, the plot made the book for me. I personally struggle in science, so I loved that Lucy wrote the expanded translation to be for the common woman, especially with the knowledge at the time that women would not have had access to certain levels of education. I loved the twist with
The side characters also added to the book so much, with each feeling fleshed out and thoughtfully created. The diversity was well-written, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Frampton and his pushing and support of Lucy
I highly recommend this book and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Colonisation, and Classism
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.25
In comparison to the books that I’ve read in the genre since now this book was so much better. And, it wasn’t because it was a sapphic love story (although, that might have contributed to my overall enjoyment).
Of course, this isn’t without saying that the book has some pitfalls. Lucy, the main character, sometimes feels a bit bland and just a canvas for things to happen (whilst I enjoyed Catherine’s character much better and felt she was developed much more in depth), and there is a small issue with the pacing.
However, the writing is incredible. It’s lyrical and poetic in just the right points that makes the love story that much more romantic.
Of course, this isn’t without saying that the book has some pitfalls. Lucy, the main character, sometimes feels a bit bland and just a canvas for things to happen (whilst I enjoyed Catherine’s character much better and felt she was developed much more in depth), and there is a small issue with the pacing.
However, the writing is incredible. It’s lyrical and poetic in just the right points that makes the love story that much more romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Classism