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alexashabit's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Sexism
Minor: Rape
kelly_e'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? No
4.0
Author: Audrey Blake
Series: Nora Beady #1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: May 4, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Unique β’ Interesting β’ Detailed
π S Y N O P S I S
After a cholera epidemic claims the lives of her entire family, the orphaned Nora Beady is taken in by Dr. Horace Croft. Being raised in the home of a surgeon, Nora takes a keen interest in the world of medicine, eventually developing an extensive knowledge base. 1840s London had no place for women in medicine, and the consequences of a woman practicing were very grave. For this very reason, only a selective few are aware of Nora's work as a medical assistant. The Girl in His Shadow follows Nora's journey of pushing boundaries, and self-discovery
π T H O U G H T S
I've never read anything quite like The Girl in His Shadow! This novel opened up a whole new world of medical history I know very little about, and offered a storyline that was so entirely different. This book felt like a breath of fresh air in the historical fiction genre.
Audrey Blake's writing offered vivid descriptions, to the point I often felt like I was in the room with the characters. There is no denying the plot was extensively and carefully researched, although it did seem long winded and overly scientific at times. The cast of characters were well-round, and Nora is a heroine unlikely any other.
It came as somewhat of a shock when I learned that Audrey Blake is the pseudonym for a writing duo, and that this was co-wrote. There is absolutely no way of knowing it was penned by multiple authors while reading. The Girl in His Shadow is a fascinating account, and I look forward to writing book two in the Nora Beady series, and will be curious to know if there will be more.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ historical fiction lovers
β’ readers who love a strong female lead
β’ fans of medical dramas
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"That is the great benefit of being a man, with every opportunity in the world before you. You cannot understand."
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault
pooogsz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Gore, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
maralaene's review against another edition
The characters and overall story were beautifully written and captivating. It was not a fast-paced book, but I still felt pulled in to the story. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy historical fiction, with a very realistic approach for its strong female character.
Graphic: Death and Medical content
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Child death, Rape, and Abortion
kadyofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Medical content
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Abortion
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
alyssapusateri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Excrement, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape and Abortion
meganpbennett's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
The book was very well-written and engaging, and gave a really good look at the time period. I found some of the medical scenes a bit too accurate. As it was period-accurate, there was a lot of misogyny directed at Nora, who was only trying to better herself professionally.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
tina_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Vomit