mhkennadixon's review against another edition
3.0
I have such mixed feelings about this one. So much misery for one book! It seemed to be the overall theme of the story. If you're looking for a happy story, this one is not it. Not to mention there are a LOT of utterly grotesque elements in this book. For anyone thinking this is a Young Adult book, THINK AGAIN AND LOOK ELSEWHERE. I'd say this book is for adults through and through. Still, while I couldn't relate to the characters, I did find myself sympathizing with them, and something about the story kept drawing me back in, excited to read what happened next. 2.5 Stars because I can't figure out whether I liked or hated this book.
ssung's review
3.0
really very well written, although i'm not 100% sure i enjoyed the experience; it was distinctly discomfiting and visceral.
itadakinasu's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Racism
madmaxxie's review
4.0
Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, I think. I liked it enough to read all 500+ pages. It's definitely got some weird and squicky moments, but I don't think it's nearly as graphic as the reviews I've read seem to suggest? I definitely don't recommend reading it unless you check out a list of triggers or something, but that goes for any book, not just this one.
It's very much about syphilis, so keep that in mind while you consider whether or not you want to read it.
It's very much about syphilis, so keep that in mind while you consider whether or not you want to read it.
abhimanyu01's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
drrawsonreads's review
5.0
So I will start by saying that the people who rated this book really low because "it's not a YA novel" are right... and wrong. Right because it most definitely is not a young adult book. Wrong because that's not a justification for giving this a low rating.
I'm really confused as to why the publisher marketed it as YA. While the main character (one of them, anyway) is seventeen and thus a "young adult" by our standards, she is several years into adulthood by the standards of her time period. The events of this story are extremely mature / graphic, and beyond that, the writing style is that of an adult novel, without question. The fact that this book was awarded a Printz Honor this year also baffles me, since again, it's CLEARLY not a young adult novel regardless of how it was marketed.
All that said, there's no reason to rate this book low simply because you disagree with the publisher's decision to market it as YA. If you can get past that, this is actually a beautifully written, though disturbing, book. Cokal has described this book as "a fairy tale about syphilis," and that's as good a description as any I could come up with. But be warned - when she says "fairy tale," she's not talking about the Disney kind. This book is dark, dark, dark. There are graphic depictions of miscarriage, STDs, rape, and violence. So if you're squeamish at all, this book is not for you! If, on the other hand, you enjoy the Grimm-style fairy tales and are interested in the darker side of Medieval history and medicine, you might really enjoy this one, as I did.
I'm really confused as to why the publisher marketed it as YA. While the main character (one of them, anyway) is seventeen and thus a "young adult" by our standards, she is several years into adulthood by the standards of her time period. The events of this story are extremely mature / graphic, and beyond that, the writing style is that of an adult novel, without question. The fact that this book was awarded a Printz Honor this year also baffles me, since again, it's CLEARLY not a young adult novel regardless of how it was marketed.
All that said, there's no reason to rate this book low simply because you disagree with the publisher's decision to market it as YA. If you can get past that, this is actually a beautifully written, though disturbing, book. Cokal has described this book as "a fairy tale about syphilis," and that's as good a description as any I could come up with. But be warned - when she says "fairy tale," she's not talking about the Disney kind. This book is dark, dark, dark. There are graphic depictions of miscarriage, STDs, rape, and violence. So if you're squeamish at all, this book is not for you! If, on the other hand, you enjoy the Grimm-style fairy tales and are interested in the darker side of Medieval history and medicine, you might really enjoy this one, as I did.
freesien's review against another edition
4.0
It's kind of a disgusting book. Sickening. And off-putting. On the slower paced side as well. But I was hooked. Intrigued and immersed!
I really liked it.
But I never want to hear about syphilis again. Let's eradicate that shit. It is nasty.
I really liked it.
But I never want to hear about syphilis again. Let's eradicate that shit. It is nasty.
ex_libris_lena's review
1.0
Do not be fooled by the pretty cover. This book is 500 pages about Scandiavian Syphilius in the 1500s. Nothing of note happens. Everyone has syphilius. The best part of the book is the end.
emvdw's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is a very weird book. I don't quite know what to think about it. I liked the story, the mystery and it's resolution. The afterword was lovely. The writing is quite beautiful and extremely atmospheric. The setting is unique.
However. It is very dark. It is also almost constantly gross, most of the time unnecessarily so... So be warned..
However. It is very dark. It is also almost constantly gross, most of the time unnecessarily so... So be warned..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Slavery, Child death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Miscarriage, Mental illness, Death, Vomit, Confinement, Sexual assault, Addiction, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Torture