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bubblybuttercup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
ohshebookish's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
kathis_wonderland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I've had this book on my to-read list for over three years. When a friend of mine said she had it at home, I was really excited to finally read it. However, I am a little disappointed. This book was not really my cup of tea. The characters are all rather cold and distant. None of them really appealed to me. I just didn't get warm with them. Sebastian was the coldest of them all. I did not really see his charm. He is abrupt and demanding, but he never did anything against Annabelle's wishes. All the aristocratic and misogynistic thinking made me mad. I was constantly annoyed and just did not really enjoy the writing style of this book. The sex scenes were steamy and okayish.
There was nothing extraordinary or exciting in this book. It was an okay read. Sadly, I don't want to read the other books in the series. I expected something different.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
endlesssky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexual content
undecidedpersonality's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Slavery, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
annick's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Almost flawless. I loved so so much of this.
Two scenes disappointed me in the final 20% - for the miscommunication plot device and for the grand gesture in the HoL.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
agw622's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Colonisation
emmablast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
caelfind's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
unsweetener's review against another edition
5.0
Annabelle is a broke, overeducated, and slightly jaded vicar's daughter who becomes one of the first women admitted to Oxford; Sebastian is your prototypical tightly wound, super rich, hyper competent Duke (we all love a Duke named Sebastian; there's nothing for it).
There's a real class difference to contend with, and the late Victorian setting is well researched, lived in, and unglamorous. Annabelle's involvement with the suffragists offers both personal and plot development for both main characters; no 90% mark crisis to add drama here! The external conflict builds gradually, comes to a head with real consequences, and the fallout carries the rest of the book. It's definitely not a downer; there's some really excellent angst, though, and the historical grounding makes the class difference a meaningful obstacle and source of conflict. Since these characters have experience working through difficulties with high stakes, it only enhances the happy ending.
All told, this felt like an original, meaty approach to familiar tropes, and it ended so strongly that I forgot my minor critiques. Read it!
As a final note, I tried and failed to listen to a later audiobook in the series first, and I'd recommend against both (audiobook and skipping this one). Start here; the supporting characters get really excellent introductions (hope to see you again someday, Peregrine).
Moderate: Sexual content