Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

De poppenfabriek by Elizabeth Macneal

26 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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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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suzelarson's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It’s like You set in Victorian London. Creepy but great. The art theory is really excellent 
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midnightcomets's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Brutal like beauty and fresh like freedom, this book was a surprise to me, but a good one. I found it very spine-chilling and very interesting, and I really liked the ways in which for every character art and beauty was a different thing, as well as freedom and identity. There is a lot one can discuss about it, and some very interesting historical details were woven into the plot. Honestly, I enjoyed it immensely and will gladly pick up more by this author.
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books_for_the_bat's review against another edition

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dark medium-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

3.0

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dorien_s's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

3.75

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