A review by kaylo88
The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In the second instalment of the series, I found the overall experience to be quite enjoyable, although it didn't quite reach the level of engagement that the first book offered. The protagonist, Ruth, continues to struggle with self-hate and engages in fat-shaming herself, which, while adding depth to her character, did become somewhat repetitive and tiresome for me as a reader.

The storyline was compelling, but I couldn't help but find it slightly less believable than the narrative in the first book. However, I was thoroughly impressed by the detailed portrayal of archaeology, although I did notice a few inaccuracies. For example, in a discussion about skull structure and Neanderthals, there was a minor oversight regarding the interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals, as evidenced by the presence of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans. A forensic archaeologist would likely have mentioned this crucial fact, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

Overall I did enjoy and will likely read the next in the series.