Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

37 reviews

graco's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Described as Dickensian because of the London setting and time period. Maybe it's more obvious because I was concurrently reading Dickens but the writing pales in comparison. I could definitely tell this was a debut novel --the pacing and writing were not particularly polished and the plotting seemed a little too obvious. The relationships were not explored with much depth, especially the sister's relationship. The reasons for their falling out didn't make a lot sense when they seemingly spent 24/7 together and could have just talked it out. Then, after YEARS of resentment they just immediately reconciled in a few short pages. Also weird use of disability in a very unoriginal "who would ever love me?" way for both sisters.
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nicoleh's review against another edition

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

3.75

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constancepoplos's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

3.75

This book…..holy cow did it make me feel things and not always good things. This is a story of obsession and heartache and unrealistic visions of the world. Each character has major flaws which makes the story as a whole feel fairly real. But Silas…..I haven’t been so disgusted by a character in so long (maybe ever). This would be perfect around Halloween to read with a book club!
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sheeprustler's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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teresaelj's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

God I loved this book. 
The perfect circular way this book was written. 
Iris is the perfect main character, flawed and stunning and kind and passionate and agh! I love her.
The way Macneal mirrors iris and rose and then Louis and Silas is brilliant. The concepts of obsession vs love, male gaze vs female gaze, and the concept of true freedom are explored so beautifully. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is so elegantly told as well as beautifully written. Just stunning.
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miaaa_lenaaa's review

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dark 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? Yes

4.0

ARE U FUCKING KIDDING ME????????????????? NO FINAL CHAPTER???????? WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT???????
Im gonna scream
no reunion chapter??? Fucking albie????????????WHAT
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haylsr's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

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arielcorrea's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-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

3.0

I picked this book up after hearing Soairse-Monica Jackson talk about her role in the TV adaptation. I completely misheard her description and spent the majority of the book waiting for a story line that never happened (my fault). Aside from that, I found Silas to be sickening and knowing what he was working up to was hard to deal with. This story of Iris, based on Lizzie Siddal, is powerful. 
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katiegideon's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bonefires's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

A lot of unexpected animal violence and cruelty. 
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