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grunbean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
All in all, I liked this book. It’s beautifully written, and takes you into a world of dark academia that if interesting. It is, however, a slow burner. And what you’re left with at the end doesn’t tie all the ends together. Especially as none of the characters have what I’d consider a likeable development?
The twists are interesting, and I think these are the best parts of the book. It is interesting to have a morally grey main character. But in a sea of morally grey main characters, it doesn’t make her too different. I suppose that is the point, but it’s not the most compelling when you’re trying to read it.
It’s a book I’d consider aesthetic in its contents, and it’s perfect for the colder and spookier seasons (even though it’s set in summer). I just feel like there’s more need to really flesh this out.
The twists are interesting, and I think these are the best parts of the book. It is interesting to have a morally grey main character. But in a sea of morally grey main characters, it doesn’t make her too different. I suppose that is the point, but it’s not the most compelling when you’re trying to read it.
It’s a book I’d consider aesthetic in its contents, and it’s perfect for the colder and spookier seasons (even though it’s set in summer). I just feel like there’s more need to really flesh this out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
jessicamcfarland's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I notice this book has quite mixed reviews but I really enjoyed it! I loved all of the art history references and found the prose deliciously gothic and beguiling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Toxic friendship
_thugbug_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay…..about 80% of this book is “when is the story gonna start” BUT that last 20% surprisingly had me in a chokehold.
I gave it a 3.8 cause it feel like it took SO long to get to the point. Well-written through, and you really feel the main character change throughout the novel…..or circle back to her true self? Guess its up to you to decide.
I gave it a 3.8 cause it feel like it took SO long to get to the point. Well-written through, and you really feel the main character change throughout the novel…..or circle back to her true self? Guess its up to you to decide.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use
chris_reads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Eating disorder and Injury/Injury detail
drjoannehill's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Read on the recommendation of a friend.
Art History grad goes to New York for curation work and works on a tarot research project.
Nope. Not for me. Mainly because of such annoying characters. I figured out who was the wrong un quite early. There was supposed to be a big disaster coming that never did (telling us things like "I wish I had left The Cloisters at that point") - tension but no grand ending. Small twists that just made me dislike people even more.
There's not enough history of tarot or weaving in of readings, divination, or spooky goings on. A bit unfinished, to me.
Art History grad goes to New York for curation work and works on a tarot research project.
Nope. Not for me. Mainly because of such annoying characters. I figured out who was the wrong un quite early. There was supposed to be a big disaster coming that never did (telling us things like "I wish I had left The Cloisters at that point") - tension but no grand ending. Small twists that just made me dislike people even more.
There's not enough history of tarot or weaving in of readings, divination, or spooky goings on. A bit unfinished, to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
tania_mybookishsecret's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
kumozaru's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
tetedump's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
se_wigget's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Although this didn't take place on a castle or manor house, the tone felt gothic. I would have liked less heterosexuality and more occult, but it's well written. It inspired me to order a reproduction Renaissance tarot deck on Etsy--in a wooden box.
Jaw-dropping ending.
Jaw-dropping ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Murder
Minor: Eating disorder
mari_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was captivating! Just the right mix of mystery, museum lore and toxic relationships. I finished this book in one day. I did have some issues with the characters feeling flat. There was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing outside of the relationship between the two female mains. I disliked Ann’s relationship with Leo it felt like she wasn’t into it at all and then would have random sweet sentences but it was like we readers were never really in the room with them. I also feel like Ann’s mom and dad story needed more airtime. Also Ann being a total pushover and not having reactions was so boring….like when she found out Leo was stealing or had slept with Rachel before - I found her nonreaction strange. That author should at least describe how she feels. Additionally, the book kind of crashed at the end. I think it could have paced itself a bit tighter There is something slightly unfinished about the plot and narrative, however I did enjoy deeply.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, Violence, and Murder