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lel524's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, Murder, and Sexual harassment
trying_ceratops's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed this book, it’s always fun to read a mystery involving poison. The main character is rambunctious and gets herself into a lot of trouble. The little bit of romance is nice and believable. The reason for not giving this a full 5 is that I’m left not feeling very attached to the main character nor if her story continues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism
riale's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Wouldn't read again, but it's a quick and easy read for those looking to get into reading again , or interested in trying out a different genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Murder and Fire/Fire injury
karalyndawn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The slow burn romance in this book tho… 😍 I enjoyed this book a lot although some of the scientific jargon lost me a bit. I loved the romantic scenes between Saffron and Alexander. The ending was a bit lackluster but overall it was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
Minor: Vomit
chilivanilli28's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault and War
chelseylb1988's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and War
kiala's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
rowdymeowdy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder, and War
Minor: Death of parent
hazychapters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
i stumbled upon this book completely by chance, having never heard of it on bookstagram. and it felt good! being able to appreciate a book without any preconception due to social media, it even made me a little nostalgic. but what about this reading?
we follow the story of Saffron, a young botanist and assistant researcher, who finds herself having to lead an investigation following an assassination attempt. Kate Khavari drew her inspiration from the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Hercules Poirot, and it shows! i absolutely adored this cosy little investigation, with its endearing characters. it's fairly quick but well-executed plot. it's not a great masterpiece, but it's the perfect book for hassle-free reading.
it's a debut novel, which means it's not perfect. the rhythm is not always well maintained (sometimes too fast, sometimes a little slower), but the book being short, it's not a big problem. the characters can occasionally lack a bit of background, leading to actions that don't sit well with their personalities (e.g. Saffron jumping to conclusions when she's supposed to be a scientist). nevertheless, she remains a very interesting character who understands her mistakes and doesn't hesitate to accept criticism in order to grow and improve (which many heroines lack).
the author also catches up with the character of Alexander, whom i adored (and who becomes a new bookboyfriend haha). with him, she deals in particular with the traumas of the First World War among the surviving soldiers. it was quite interesting to see this character evolve with his PTSD, without being ashamed of it. his traumatic past is also what makes his strength and his empathy for Saffron!
the character of Saffron also allows the author to report significant facts of the time, and which still remain today: sexism and sexual harassment in the university environment. i find it important to denounce this sexism and this misogyny, especially in an environment such as research. but i also really appreciated that the author highlights male characters who were there to support our heroine, without ever crushing her with mansplaining.
we always appreciate, of course, the little author's note in which she explains to us, without any pretension, her world-building choices. not knowing much about botany, i couldn't really judge the author's knowledge, but she seems capable of writing a book on this subject. as for the historical part, it isn't the main aspect; and the author is careful not to go into details she doesn't grasp. this doesn't prevent us from getting an idea of the state of research in 1923 which was, as Khavari explains in the said author's note, a very fruitful period with a lot of progress.
trigger warnings:
bullying, loss of a parent (past), murder (attempt), PTSD (war), sexism, sexual assault (attempt, mentioned and on-page), sexual harassment, sexual predation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
hschlecht's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, and War