I'm not entirely sure how to string a set of cohesive thoughts to explain how I feel about this novel. It took me almost a full 8 months to get from beginning to end, but I always knew that I was drawn to it and would see it through to the end but it was gonna take a hot minute.

I definitely started the novel preferring one timeline over the other (see Hannah >>> Marian), which is pretty on brand for me and dual timeline perspectives. I mean, it's pirate over professor for me every time in terms of intrigue and interest. But as I came closer and closer to the end of the tale, I found myself appreciating Marian's perspective more than I thought I would. Because while she was an infuriating character to follow at times with her self-centred attitude and the choices she made to be passive in situations as opposed to reactive or reckless, she really did have heart when it came to Hannah's story. And it was her passion for the truth which made me come to respect her as a character by the end of the story. She never really comes into her own in terms of justice and I never really truly came to like her, but she finds justice for Hannah, and it's more impactful that way to the overall narrative.

Juggling the main themes of sexuality, coming of age, betrayal, and justice, Katherine Howe definitely held my attention with her writing, and I think she did a great job conveying the messages that she sought to discuss. And as much as I despised how certain plot-lines and characters ended up by the end (here's looking at you Kay), I think it all culminates in an ending that while not satisfying per se, is still valid and worthy of the tale overall.

This is a historical literary fiction tale that I finished a couple weeks ago and am still thinking about in spite of its qualms, so if you're at all intrigued, I think you should pick it up. I think I'm going to need a physical copy to add to my shelves because I listened to this almost entirely as an audiobook, which is not a bad way to consume this story.