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gawronma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
What a captivating and exciting book.
cricricricricricricri's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 4th book in the Gilded Gotham series by Kate Belli.
I had really enjoyed the first 3 books and was eager to start the 4th, I have luckily been awarded an advance reader copy by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review so I could cut the waiting short.
As per the previous books, the characters are well thought out and the story is a page turner, the plot is pretty twisted with many unexpected events happening.
An arsonist, a kidnapper, someone from Daniel's past: I couldn't wait to have it all sorted out. It is like the gift that keeps giving.
Thanks again to the author and can't wait to see what happens on the next book!
I had really enjoyed the first 3 books and was eager to start the 4th, I have luckily been awarded an advance reader copy by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review so I could cut the waiting short.
As per the previous books, the characters are well thought out and the story is a page turner, the plot is pretty twisted with many unexpected events happening.
An arsonist, a kidnapper, someone from Daniel's past: I couldn't wait to have it all sorted out. It is like the gift that keeps giving.
Thanks again to the author and can't wait to see what happens on the next book!
dmsreader09's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
himpersonal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
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? No
4.0
I really love this series because it takes important historical topics but doesn't take itself too seriously. However, I think there was a missed opportunity here to talk about the racism in the suffrage movement, but there's only so much a book can take on, so bravo to another fun book with a great hero!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
mirificmoxie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
caitygrace9's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.0
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
cgonya1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Opulence and Ashes is book 4 in Kate Belli’s Gilded Gotham Mystery series, and the first 1 I have read.
In the Spring of 1890, Genevieve and Daniel are ready to be married while working with Dagmar Hansen in social reform and being a female journalist. To add to their busy schedule, someone has set fire to the Sunflower Mission House. The investigation leads to Dagmar’s studio as well as a female physician’s home being burnt down, and both Daniel and Genevieve barely escaping.
When Genevieve goes missing, and someone from Daniel’s past arrives, Daniel must put his personal feelings aside to figure out what is going on. Can he find Genevieve in time? Or will he lose her as he lost his siblings many years ago?
This novel is very fast paced. Readers are immediately introduced to the horrors of institutions. The whole reason behind why Daniel is so invested in social reform. This makes readers feel empathy for Daniel throughout the novel and relate to him. Then we must follow Genevieve’s more logical side. The healthy balance between practical and emotional made everything go very quickly, and while not graphic, there are some scenes that I read quicker than others.
The mystery is also practical and emotional. While there are more red tape protocols, there are still ways for corrupt individuals to move through life. The descriptions of the insane asylum, the medical staff’s behavior, and the House of Refuge are just tips of the iceberg of what citizens in 1890 had survive. Without having read the previous novels, I was unprepared for the ending. I suspected one thread of the investigation, but that was it.
Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.