Reviews

The Disenchantment by Celia Bell

patriciajustino's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

iamdebookworm's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

ninjamuse's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Blood

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Miscarriage

dedempsey's review against another edition

2.0

For fans of Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh and Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Disenchantment tells the story of a baronne in 17th century Paris, trapped in a bad marriage but in love with a young woman. Much of this novel was based in fact, which I learned from the author’s note at the end. In hindsight, I wish I’d known a bit more about the Affair of the Poisons (a period of witchcraft accusations against the aristocracy in the late 1600s France) going into this book. Much of the plot was based on real aristocrats and writers at the time, even using their real names. I wish we’d gotten more love between the main character and her love interest Victoire, and I wish Victoire had been more fully developed. Finally, this book moved pretty slowly, so it wasn’t my favorite, which is a shame given the really strong and unique premise!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted digital copy. The Disenchantment is out now!

beatricem5's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

heartleafmads's review against another edition

4.0

whew! talk about a slow burn (not in the romance trope way but in the moody, atmospheric litfic trope way)

caitsidhe's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

a queer historical delight, with wonderful prose

lexcellent's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

sea_uh_dahmay's review against another edition

2.0

Top 5 most disappointing book of the year I fear. The lack of chemistry was ASTOUNDING

takonoichigo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0