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spacedout_reader's review against another edition
2.75
I really liked the general style of the writing, but I found some of the characters, including Flavia, to be a bit inconsistent, and I felt like the mystery wasn't as tightly worked as it could have been. also, in the middle section with the dad's backstory, the racism was pretty distracting. I get that it's a period piece in England, but as far as I could tell it didn't add any meaning to the story and overall just added unpleasantness. I'm really not sure if this book is meant for tweens or adults, so I've added content warnings to my review as if it were for tweens (otherwise most of it would be pretty much par for the course in the mystery genre)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
Minor: Torture
lilawsahar's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book read like a Wes Anderson film. Lots of dry humor and goofy moments —like her using poison ivy to get back at her sister. I also enjoyed her dark humor and curious disposition. Anyone who is fond of poisons can be my friend! You can definitely tell that this book was written by a man though.
Gripes with the book:
- Lots of description to the situation and scenery going on which makes it hard to read at times. I think the authors writing gets better as the novel goes on. The description about how Flavia was rescued at the end was so confusing.
- The conversations between Flavia and the detective seemed flirtatious.
- The author is American and is writing about Britain and their customs. Just seems wrong tbh. Do research.
Side note: I love how I read about poisons before this book and this novel references different types of poisons!
Gripes with the book:
- Lots of description to the situation and scenery going on which makes it hard to read at times. I think the authors writing gets better as the novel goes on. The description about how Flavia was rescued at the end was so confusing.
- The conversations between Flavia and the detective seemed flirtatious.
- The author is American and is writing about Britain and their customs. Just seems wrong tbh. Do research.
Side note: I love how I read about poisons before this book and this novel references different types of poisons!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Racism
purplepenning's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Confinement
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism, Death, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Colonisation, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Torture, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Sexism, Death of parent, and War
About halfway through the book there's a long monologue that features an extended depiction of racist stereotypes, with a few others scattered throughout.
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