booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB doubles down on the dangers of being a closeted homosexual in a homophobic society when Ned and Julian investigate a series of murders among the members of a particular men's club, all while trying to avoid letting the lead detective know what the victims have in common.
This is a stellar example of story with homophobia entrenched in the worldbuilding in ways that affect the characters and make certain actions dangerous, but without filling the pages with slurs or overt bigotry. Their world is a dangerous place to be a man who likes men, and even though they are helping investigate a crime they're very aware that they could be locked up any minute for what they do at night. It's a story of trying to do the right thing and stop a strange series of murders at what might end up being a high personal cost. I like Ned and Julian as a couple. By making most intimate scenes fade to black instead of being explicit, the story stays focused on romance instead of sex, which may suit some readers who want a gay romance which doesn't double as erotica.
As a sequel, A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB focuses on Ned and Julian as they are more often in each other's company, working together on cases during the day and sharing a bed most nights. They're trying to carve out a space to be themselves, something which is made harder by knowing their late night activities are illegal for no reason except prudish bigotry. The worldbuilding delves a bit more into the magic system, mostly by looking into magic which doesn't conform to the modern system and reacts badly when the two are mixed.
This doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging, but it does feature some professional and relational developments for several characters from DEATH BY SILVER. There's a new storyline which focuses on a string of bizarre deaths where men are being found with their hearts missing, and it gradually becomes clear that what they have in common is their sexual proclivities and their attendance at the Dionysus Club. That mystery is both introduced and resolved here, and while the plot wraps up neatly enough that this might stay as a duology, I have hope that it will turn into a longer series in this reprint with a new press.
A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB doubles down on the dangers of being a closeted homosexual in a homophobic society when Ned and Julian investigate a series of murders among the members of a particular men's club, all while trying to avoid letting the lead detective know what the victims have in common.
This is a stellar example of story with homophobia entrenched in the worldbuilding in ways that affect the characters and make certain actions dangerous, but without filling the pages with slurs or overt bigotry. Their world is a dangerous place to be a man who likes men, and even though they are helping investigate a crime they're very aware that they could be locked up any minute for what they do at night. It's a story of trying to do the right thing and stop a strange series of murders at what might end up being a high personal cost. I like Ned and Julian as a couple. By making most intimate scenes fade to black instead of being explicit, the story stays focused on romance instead of sex, which may suit some readers who want a gay romance which doesn't double as erotica.
As a sequel, A DEATH AT THE DIONYSUS CLUB focuses on Ned and Julian as they are more often in each other's company, working together on cases during the day and sharing a bed most nights. They're trying to carve out a space to be themselves, something which is made harder by knowing their late night activities are illegal for no reason except prudish bigotry. The worldbuilding delves a bit more into the magic system, mostly by looking into magic which doesn't conform to the modern system and reacts badly when the two are mixed.
This doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging, but it does feature some professional and relational developments for several characters from DEATH BY SILVER. There's a new storyline which focuses on a string of bizarre deaths where men are being found with their hearts missing, and it gradually becomes clear that what they have in common is their sexual proclivities and their attendance at the Dionysus Club. That mystery is both introduced and resolved here, and while the plot wraps up neatly enough that this might stay as a duology, I have hope that it will turn into a longer series in this reprint with a new press.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Gore, Sexual content, Alcohol, Murder, Sexism, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Racism
hpstrangelove's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook review. Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo
I enjoyed this story as much as book one. The narrator is different, which didn't bother me. I like both narrators just fine.
I enjoyed this story as much as book one. The narrator is different, which didn't bother me. I like both narrators just fine.
wishingfish's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
mgwuh's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
snazel's review
5.0
EXACTLY the kind of gleeful adventure that I needed after these brutally good books I've been reading. Murderous writing desks! Blackmail! Scandalous schoolteachers! Magical grammatical problems distorting space and time! Awkward victorian sex clubs! Police bro-friendships! The look the coroner gives you when you bring him a body that sometimes shoots ice shards! This was so much FUN.
The series doesn't take itself too seriously, but at the same time it absolutely commits itself to the logical end of all its ideas, from magical grammar gone wrong (Do NOT bring a poet to a magic fight) to the social implications of magic (magicians are gentlemen, unlike those dirty tradesmen romance writers). It has the same sort of tone as Leverage.
And oh my word the QUOTES.
The series doesn't take itself too seriously, but at the same time it absolutely commits itself to the logical end of all its ideas, from magical grammar gone wrong (Do NOT bring a poet to a magic fight) to the social implications of magic (magicians are gentlemen, unlike those dirty tradesmen romance writers). It has the same sort of tone as Leverage.
And oh my word the QUOTES.
kiiouex's review
4.0
yess I did indeed like this more than the first one, now that the relationship is most firmly Established.
So this is another magical-murder-mystery, again with the very neat magic system from the first one, and a lot of gentlemen running around and going to clubs and eating mutton and trying not to get murdered. Overall well-written, I like the two leads, and the story overall is great though the mystery peters out somewhat towards the end. The leads don't have much of an arc in this one and I feel like the relationship doesn't get much focus compared to the murders, but on the whole it's a pretty comfortable novel. I would happily rec it to anyone who likes magic-mystery books
So this is another magical-murder-mystery, again with the very neat magic system from the first one, and a lot of gentlemen running around and going to clubs and eating mutton and trying not to get murdered. Overall well-written, I like the two leads, and the story overall is great though the mystery peters out somewhat towards the end. The leads don't have much of an arc in this one and I feel like the relationship doesn't get much focus compared to the murders, but on the whole it's a pretty comfortable novel. I would happily rec it to anyone who likes magic-mystery books
a___broad's review
Stopped @ 47% It just couldn't hold my interest, I found myself looking for reason to stop reading. I may pick this back up at later date.
thebroadsheets's review
Stopped @ 47% It just couldn't hold my interest, I found myself looking for reason to stop reading. I may pick this back up at later date.
claudia_is_reading's review
5.0
I simply loved this one. The story itself was thrilling, with nail-biting moments (that desperate run through the fog!) and so filled with mostly despicable victims that you need to remind yourself that, no, eating human parts it's not the adequated way of dealing with things.
The relationship between Julian and Ned is... complicated. There are so many unsaid things, and so much in their past that it's affecting their present. And the times don't help, either. But, somehow, they make it work and manage to trust each other not only with their bodies (that was the easy part) but with their heart too.
But what I truly enjoyed here is how some secondary characters are taking a more definite shape. Miss Frost is sharp as a whip, resourceful, strong-willed and firmly set in her own goals, and I love her... and her friend, Miss Barton? Well, as she's going to work with Hatton as police matron I think we'll see more of her.
And talking of Hatton... I like him, too. He is down-to-earth, sensible and intelligent, his work his motivating force. A truly decent man, in the real sense of the word.
Even Oppenshaw is likeable: stern but curious, severe but compassionate. Yeah, I like him.
So, yes, this certainly made to my favourites list =D
The relationship between Julian and Ned is... complicated. There are so many unsaid things, and so much in their past that it's affecting their present. And the times don't help, either. But, somehow, they make it work and manage to trust each other not only with their bodies (that was the easy part) but with their heart too.
But what I truly enjoyed here is how some secondary characters are taking a more definite shape. Miss Frost is sharp as a whip, resourceful, strong-willed and firmly set in her own goals, and I love her... and her friend, Miss Barton? Well, as she's going to work with Hatton as police matron I think we'll see more of her.
And talking of Hatton... I like him, too. He is down-to-earth, sensible and intelligent, his work his motivating force. A truly decent man, in the real sense of the word.
Even Oppenshaw is likeable: stern but curious, severe but compassionate. Yeah, I like him.
So, yes, this certainly made to my favourites list =D