An intersectional romp through 18th century Europe that kept me up until after 2am to finish it in one sitting. What else do you need?!

Probably 3.5 stars rounded up.

It isn't possible to describe this book as good, given it is about a child who is groomed into having a relationship with her much older teacher, and his subsequent rape and sexual abuse of her. But it is uncomfortable, probably quite important for people to read to understand why survivors can often struggle with the abuse they have suffered, and finally it is not unrealistic.

I found the alternating chapters between the past and current events really interesting in how the perception of an event can change in our own minds, but also how it hadn't really, but Vanessa was simply still trying to survive every day without really realising it. Brutal, but I finished it in one sitting.

I've read a lot of YA books over the years I've enjoyed, but none as much as this. The whole way through I kept imagining how happy my teen self would have been with Felicity as the main character, she is astonishing.

What I liked about this as an adult was the ideas I've read in other books (The Essex Serpant, ES Thomson's Jem Flockhart series, Bodies of Light by Sarah Moss) are all here, ideas that female protagonists of the time can be lots of different things and based in fact. Those books all take place later in time - Felicity is fighting for her future 100 years earlier and is a trailblazer.

Queer feminist writing for the ages: I am literally going to be thinking about Felicity forever.