Readers will cheer on this gutsy heroine, a woman who, unlike her mother, refuses to be a servant, and who is prepared to go out on a limb in her quest for justice. Zillah's two male admirers make up a vibrant cast that also includes her best friend Ellen, an Irish singer who dreams of a new life in New York; stage manager and loyal lookout Barky, and Black Bill, ringleader of a vicious criminal gang, the Blackbirds ... In addition, London-based Dillsworth brilliantly renders parts of the city, from gas-lit streets to Mayfair mansions via docks, slums, and Crillick's hellish 'Odditorium' ... Several anachronisms rear their ugly heads throughout and there is a rather frictionless run-up to the finale. Fortunately, the book's closing scenes yield a surprise and pack an unexpected emotional punch. This is an accomplished first novel from a bright new talent.
An entertaining tale ... Thoroughly researched details of life in Victorian London and Zillah’s chatty narration create very appealing historical fiction. Purchase for readers who love Victorian settings and independent, feisty women characters.
Rich with historical details of Victorian life, freak shows, and racial tension, Dillsworth’s debut is an empowering tale of strength and determination.
Engrossing ... Dillsworth’s graphic descriptions of pungent docks, warehouses, opium dens, and back alleys create an immersive atmosphere, and the author rounds things out with strong secondary characters, like the henchman Bill Black; and rich backstories, such as that of Zillah’s childhood love. It all adds up to a stunning historical drama.
With the exception of Zillah, all the characters are flat archetypes—Crillick is cartoonishly evil; Vincent and Lucien are both bland though are apparently meant to be charming. While Dillsworth does a decent job of evoking Victorian London and her pacing isn’t terrible, readers will see the plot twists, such as they are, coming a mile (kilometre?) away. Dillsworth shows some promise, but this novel never manages to rise above the level of unremarkable ... Nothing to marvel at.
