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midnightlibrarymouse's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly well written and poignant.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, and Murder
shellmoffat89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This book was highly recommended so I gave it a try. I’m glad it read it but after this I need a happy book to take me out of the depressive state I’m in after reading it.
You have to have a strong stomach for this book. It’s extremely graphic. I had to skim over a few parts because it was difficult to read. The story was captivating and horrifying at the same time. I really enjoyed the first and the third person perspective and that it jumps back and forth. Margret was by far the best character because I loved her development throughout the novel.
This book is extremely well written and impressive for a debut novel. It was definitely interesting to read a book set in 1800s Iceland.
Round up to 4 stars because of the writing, the setting, character development & research effort to make the book successful.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Blood, and Murder
atalea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
confused_cat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It felt like I was there in person. In the gritty, cold, hard Iceland in 19th century. I thought I could smell the icy wind, the dried fish, the pungent, smelly and hot suffocating air of a closed room.
It really makes me appreciate my rather easy life, warm house and all its modern comfort.
This book also made me think of life, death, and what is just. Fate has been cruel and unfair to Agnes since the beginning. Yet, Agnes strived to live.. till the end.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Blood, Excrement, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
mackli's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
pich's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Child death
veliana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Abandonment
amyteurhour's review against another edition
3.75
Definitely make sure to look through the content warnings (I'm sure I've missed some). Kent's writing was very atmospheric and painted a bleak picture of Agnes's last days. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as Morven Christie gives an amazing performance to really bring Kent's words to life. If you usually speed up the audio, I wouldn't go any further than 1.5x; let yourself sink into the story. It's really slow, but just be patient with it
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
patsypoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The family dynamics at Kornsá were fascinating as were the flashbacks from Agnes's past. I thought the writing was so atmospheric I was transported to Iceland every time I opened this book. I'm going for real later this year and now I'm even more excited to see it in person.
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Rape
felkyo_grey's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Grief