Reviews

Saturnalia by Stephanie Feldman

luckykosmos's review

slow-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? Yes

3.75

Went in with no expectations and was really fascinated, especially as someone who grew up around Philly. I think I expected something somewhat narrow and underground - in the vein of Ninth House or Starless Sea - and it was interesting to see a slice of a world that has much larger. I did enjoy it, but it's definitely darker, and I do think I need to give it a reread to get to the heart of it

laurenxochitl's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

3.5

keely_ochs's review

4.0

• a little confusing at some parts
• intriguing and mysterious
• felt like you were a part of it/discovering the story with the characters
• three years ago

mbourdeau's review

dark hopeful mysterious fast-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? No

4.0

readwithzelda's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This book felt like it could have been a flash fiction story, or a single chapter in a much longer book. I would have enjoyed more backstory and exploration of the other characters. As it is it just felt incomplete. 

magic_kitten's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

justnei's review against another edition

right book wrong time? i kept getting lost in the (plot) sauce which i think is entirely a "me" problem. i will try again later. 

abbylawr's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

A well-written fever dream of a book. I really enjoyed Nina and reading her point of view. The concept here is utterly fascinating, but very crowded. With like 100 more pages to further explain the social clubs, alchemy, and a few other elements, I think I really could’ve loved this book a lot more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Death

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

pinotconnoir's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Lore: 10/10 absolutely cool and interesting, tarot and divination and alchemy- all of this I absolutely loved.

Location : South Philly- very random but cool world building for a real city.

Characters: not great- not fleshed out, not likable.  Rhea was interesting but we didn’t really get to know her. Actually all the females were interesting but I didn’t feel I got to know them. I liked the homunculi and the mandragora, but they weren’t really characters, more the “baddies”.

Story: under-fleshed as well, fast paced but lacking something.  

Best parts were the Saturnalia festival- would 100% attend. I also loved the concepts of the clubs. The rituals, cool. The secret societies- super cool. I just wish the story had been more engaging for me. 

nursays's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

3.5