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codysmovingcastle's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god I loved this. I'd describe it like If We Were Villains combined with a bit of Maurice and The Talented Mr. Ripley. But with Agatha Christie vibes.
The pacing and character work was phenomenal (especially for a book under 300 pages). The angst and relationships were so well done. And KJ Charles absolutely nailed the late nineteenth century aesthetic. (I've mentioned this before in reviews but my era of research for my MA and PhD was 1880-1913 so I'm incredibly picky about historical fiction set in this time, but this 100% gets my seal of approval.)
I don't think it was necessary for the story it was telling, but I was so invested, I could have read a whole book about the group's time at Oxford because I could not get enough of these characters.
Actually so sad for this to be over :')
The pacing and character work was phenomenal (especially for a book under 300 pages). The angst and relationships were so well done. And KJ Charles absolutely nailed the late nineteenth century aesthetic. (I've mentioned this before in reviews but my era of research for my MA and PhD was 1880-1913 so I'm incredibly picky about historical fiction set in this time, but this 100% gets my seal of approval.)
I don't think it was necessary for the story it was telling, but I was so invested, I could have read a whole book about the group's time at Oxford because I could not get enough of these characters.
Actually so sad for this to be over :')
bitbutton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
4.0
Sigh. Another deliciously brilliant book by KJ Charles. How unexpected. Could she please suck at something?
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Screamed my way through this, obsessed
f18's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
danalu_bookcorner's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mshusky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Intensely satisfying who dunnit, why dunnit, and really it became "a why didn't X do it". Not her usual fare, although there was a couple of romance subplots.
Yes, I am up for reading more non romantic mysteries by KJ Charles
Yes, I am up for reading more non romantic mysteries by KJ Charles
galleytrot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
READ: Sep 2024
FORMAT: Audio
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4.5 / 5 ⭐️
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 5 / 5 ⭐️
FINAL – OVERALL: 4.75 / 5 ⭐️
FORMAT: Audio
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4.5 / 5 ⭐️
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 5 / 5 ⭐️
FINAL – OVERALL: 4.75 / 5 ⭐️
ladypageling's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
violentlyagitated's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The only gripe I have about this is that some parts throughout (mostly the first half) felt repetitive just by virtue of Jem having to repeat himself a lot, since he‘s telling the same stories and theories to his old friends one at a time.
What I liked most was the fact that it ended on a hopeful note. Mysteries can so easily feel bleak.
What I liked most was the fact that it ended on a hopeful note. Mysteries can so easily feel bleak.
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child death and Rape