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burningupasun's review against another edition
4.0
This was a bit slow to start, but it was good in the end! I liked how there were multiple mysteries woven together in this one. At times, some of the things related to Lin Chung were a bit... slightly awkward? But all in all I think it was handled better than I expected, when it came to the obsession with Orientalism, at least. What bothered me more was the multiple insinuations that Phryne somehow looked Chinese because of her dark hair and pale skin. But anyway, overall it was a good book!!
awesomebrandi's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite book in the series, sad to say. Just hit too many lulls.
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
Phryne rescues a Chinese man and his grandmother from some thugs and gathers another gentleman admirer, before going to a theatre production of Gildert and Sullivan's Ruddigore where first one and then the next actor falls prey to a mysterious illness, which then kills one. Asked to investigate Phryne finds a lot of complicated issues and interesting twists and turns with a group of people who have complicated relationships.
It's messy and complicated and involved and features commentary on period racism and I enjoyed it.
It's messy and complicated and involved and features commentary on period racism and I enjoyed it.
kelleamy11's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rani_reeds's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
juliusclearance's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Very enjoyable! I would recommend it.
lfro2013's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I didn't love this one. It was a bit all over the place, and I'm not that interested in the theater and the entire first half takes place in the theater. I also thought that the Chinese element was fairly token, I expected them to be more incorporated in the plot. And I'm having to accept at this point that the Robinson-Phrybe romance is a creation entirely of the TV show which is of course very disappointing.
Also, this is a small thing, but they act like this is the first time Phryne ever interacts with a medium or the beyond when in fact she did go to a medium in Death at Victoria Dock.
Also, this is a small thing, but they act like this is the first time Phryne ever interacts with a medium or the beyond when in fact she did go to a medium in Death at Victoria Dock.
romiress's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A much better version of the TV version, for me.