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Hearts and Sails #1
A Girl with A Knife
Women could not be surgeons. She did it anyway.
After the heartbreaking loss of her mother and a cruel attack by her drunken father, Ella Parker decides that dishonesty is fine when it serves her needs. At a time when wealthy young ladies do little more than embroidery, Ella escapes her luxurious but lonely life, and meets an eccentric ship surgeon who—once she impresses him with her quick-thinking and empathy—allows her to assist him during a surgery.
Compelled by Ella’s intelligence and interest in medicine, the doctor prepares her for a medical career, but there’s a catch: in early 19th century England, women are not accepted into universities. To fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor, Ella must disguise herself as a young man with aspirations of becoming a doctor. After changing her look and name, Ella finds her footing as she performs dissections, conducts experiments, and cares for patients. She also tutors Oli, a kind but struggling fellow student, but she must take caution. Even in her loneliest moment, she cannot trust anyone or make friends.
As Ella continues to excel in her studies, brilliantly saving the life of a patient, she becomes a top contender for the apprenticeship with a famed professor. Dogged by fear of discovery, she must choose between truth and lies, and distinguish between real and false friends, before her pretense is uncovered.
After the heartbreaking loss of her mother and a cruel attack by her drunken father, Ella Parker decides that dishonesty is fine when it serves her needs. At a time when wealthy young ladies do little more than embroidery, Ella escapes her luxurious but lonely life, and meets an eccentric ship surgeon who—once she impresses him with her quick-thinking and empathy—allows her to assist him during a surgery.
Compelled by Ella’s intelligence and interest in medicine, the doctor prepares her for a medical career, but there’s a catch: in early 19th century England, women are not accepted into universities. To fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor, Ella must disguise herself as a young man with aspirations of becoming a doctor. After changing her look and name, Ella finds her footing as she performs dissections, conducts experiments, and cares for patients. She also tutors Oli, a kind but struggling fellow student, but she must take caution. Even in her loneliest moment, she cannot trust anyone or make friends.
As Ella continues to excel in her studies, brilliantly saving the life of a patient, she becomes a top contender for the apprenticeship with a famed professor. Dogged by fear of discovery, she must choose between truth and lies, and distinguish between real and false friends, before her pretense is uncovered.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2022
1380 people are currently reading
2469 people want to read
About the author
Alina Rubin
9 books62 followersAlina Rubin is a best-selling author who celebrates heroines with strong voices and able hands. Amidst the pandemic, she authored her debut novel while working in IT. Her characters took her on a journey beyond her wildest dreams. She’s an accomplished speaker and an owner of Hearts and Sails Author Services.
Her novel, A Girl with a Knife, has won the Illinois Soon to be Famous Author Competition. Her book series is set in the Regency England era, but her characters are more likely to suture wounds and climb rigging than dance at a ball.
Alina obtained a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Business and Information Technology from DePaul University. She lives near Chicago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling.
Download free prequel Hearts by the Sea: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ne4u00p6he
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Website and Blog: https://alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author
Her novel, A Girl with a Knife, has won the Illinois Soon to be Famous Author Competition. Her book series is set in the Regency England era, but her characters are more likely to suture wounds and climb rigging than dance at a ball.
Alina obtained a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Business and Information Technology from DePaul University. She lives near Chicago with her husband and daughter. She enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling.
Download free prequel Hearts by the Sea: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ne4u00p6he
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Website and Blog: https://alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
March 27, 2023
Ella Parker is extremely upset when her mother dies in childbirth, her father the Earl of Greenwoods doesn’t seem to care and he’s a difficult man. Ella plans her escape, she doesn’t trust her father, and she assumes he will either marry her off or have her locked up in an institution.
Ella leaves Newcastle for London, aboard the Pamela, she meets the ships surgeon Doctor Joseph Pesce, he offers her a place to stay in London and he lives with his sister Matilda. Ella dreams of being a doctor, in the early 19th century in England, only two options are available for women involving medicine, one is to be a midwife and the other is to become a nun and devote her life to god and nursing the sick.
Ella learns a lot working alongside Doctor Pesce and she's not squeamish, unfortunately universities only accept male students to study medicine, and Ella changes her name, dresses as a young man and enrolls. Ella dissects cadavers, conducts experiments, cares for the sick, works in the maternity ward and overcomes her fear of childbirth and obstetrics. Ella’s friends with a fellow student Oliver Higgins, she tutors him and she admires the skills of the chief surgeon Doctor Richard Miller.
Ella has to make a decision about a patient, her actions save the young mans life and she’s now the top candidate to be Doctor Miller’s apprentice. Not only does Ella have to worry about her father finding her, she has to maintain her secret identity, if they discover she is a woman, Ella will be thrown out of medical school, she won’t be able to sit for her final exam and her skills will be wasted!
I received a digital copy of A Girl With A Knife from the author Alina Rubin and in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading the book, it highlighted the difficulties women faced becoming a doctor, the diagnosis, treatment and pain management options mentioned were relevant for the time, and the narrative explores new medical techniques and ideas around infection control when they were only theories. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Hearts and Sails series, No Job For A Woman, the perfect choice for readers who like medical inspired historical fiction and four stars from me.
Ella leaves Newcastle for London, aboard the Pamela, she meets the ships surgeon Doctor Joseph Pesce, he offers her a place to stay in London and he lives with his sister Matilda. Ella dreams of being a doctor, in the early 19th century in England, only two options are available for women involving medicine, one is to be a midwife and the other is to become a nun and devote her life to god and nursing the sick.
Ella learns a lot working alongside Doctor Pesce and she's not squeamish, unfortunately universities only accept male students to study medicine, and Ella changes her name, dresses as a young man and enrolls. Ella dissects cadavers, conducts experiments, cares for the sick, works in the maternity ward and overcomes her fear of childbirth and obstetrics. Ella’s friends with a fellow student Oliver Higgins, she tutors him and she admires the skills of the chief surgeon Doctor Richard Miller.
Ella has to make a decision about a patient, her actions save the young mans life and she’s now the top candidate to be Doctor Miller’s apprentice. Not only does Ella have to worry about her father finding her, she has to maintain her secret identity, if they discover she is a woman, Ella will be thrown out of medical school, she won’t be able to sit for her final exam and her skills will be wasted!
I received a digital copy of A Girl With A Knife from the author Alina Rubin and in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading the book, it highlighted the difficulties women faced becoming a doctor, the diagnosis, treatment and pain management options mentioned were relevant for the time, and the narrative explores new medical techniques and ideas around infection control when they were only theories. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Hearts and Sails series, No Job For A Woman, the perfect choice for readers who like medical inspired historical fiction and four stars from me.
May 31, 2023
Gritty story of a girl in a medical profession in the nineteenth century
The story starts with the death of Ella's mother during childbirth. Life turns worse for her, as her father, the earl turns abusive because of the drinks. She runs away from home and in the ship things change for the better when she sees the doctor there.
Ella then tries to become a doctor and the author brings out the troubles that women had to go through in the nineteenth century as she shows herself as a man under the name of Alan.
There were many odd medical techniques in the nineteenth century which seem funny as the author has included them as the things that Ella sees in her medical university and subsequently.
Her friendship with Oliver and the way she helps him was sweet to read about,
Inspiring story of a woman who went through a lot to fulfill her dreams and ambition and paved the way for others to follow it.
The story starts with the death of Ella's mother during childbirth. Life turns worse for her, as her father, the earl turns abusive because of the drinks. She runs away from home and in the ship things change for the better when she sees the doctor there.
Ella then tries to become a doctor and the author brings out the troubles that women had to go through in the nineteenth century as she shows herself as a man under the name of Alan.
There were many odd medical techniques in the nineteenth century which seem funny as the author has included them as the things that Ella sees in her medical university and subsequently.
Her friendship with Oliver and the way she helps him was sweet to read about,
Inspiring story of a woman who went through a lot to fulfill her dreams and ambition and paved the way for others to follow it.
February 24, 2022
Really loved the story and want to find out what happens next with Ella! The characters are super relatable, the plot is exciting and well-developed, and the level of detail (particularly medical) is perfect without being overwhelming.
I received this book from the author and was a beta reader. Can’t wait for the next volumes!
I received this book from the author and was a beta reader. Can’t wait for the next volumes!
October 13, 2022
I have to admit that I could not finish this book. The first few chapters bounced around with Ella being an immature child to being mature enough to board a ship on her own, which NEVER would have happened in this timeline. The speech patterns were modern and the story was unbelievable for me. I truly believe that the author did an immense amount of research for it seems to me that she tried to insert everything she found into the story. Sorry, but this book is just a hard pass for me. If you want a truly good historical fiction about female doctors in the late Victorian era, read Sara Donati's The Gilded Hour and Where the Light Enters.
September 30, 2023
Ela is a typical rich woman of the nobility, expected to marry and provide an heir for her family. When her mother dies, she loses all hope of a happy existence, with an abusive father who cuts her in a fit of drunken rage.
She finds a doctor and midwife who encourage her and masquerading as a man, she gains medical school, succeeding beyond all dreams.
Alina Rubin has you rooting for Ella the whole way, through ups and downs and disasters. A great read.
She finds a doctor and midwife who encourage her and masquerading as a man, she gains medical school, succeeding beyond all dreams.
Alina Rubin has you rooting for Ella the whole way, through ups and downs and disasters. A great read.
June 27, 2023
A Girl With A Knife takes you back to a time period in which women were relegated to the home fires. Because women were not accepted to medical school, Ella Parker becomes Alan Parker, and proceeds to perform really well in her/his studies. You can imagine the challenges. It is an enjoyable read with many insights into the barbaric ways of medicine at the time. Makes you glad for modern medicine. (If only they could make it easier to get an appointment today!)
June 12, 2022
A lot of research has gone into ‘A Girl with a Knife’, enabling the author to paint a super picture of the past—I could imagine the scenes easily.
Apart from a few tense changes in places, the story flows well. We’re straight into the book and eager to find out what happens to Ella/Alan.
The ending is rather abrupt, but then this is the first book in the series—will have to wait for the next one!
Apart from a few tense changes in places, the story flows well. We’re straight into the book and eager to find out what happens to Ella/Alan.
The ending is rather abrupt, but then this is the first book in the series—will have to wait for the next one!
June 8, 2025
“Life punishes us more cruelly than any person ever could” (146, 9).
This book offers an engaging look at a young woman’s fight to practice medicine in a world that refuses to see her as capable. Ella’s journey from a privileged but abusive home to sneaking into medical school disguised as a boy is an undeniably compelling premise. The feminist themes are clear, especially in how Ella navigates the male-only halls of medicine without ever truly wanting to abandon her identity as a woman. That said, some of the one-liners felt too artificial. A prime example: Ella discovers her mother wrote a groundbreaking paper on vaccinations but refused to publish under a male pseudonym because of her feminist convictions. Ella is only 15, so her need to take cues from her mother is understandable, but having an issue like this shoved in my face over and over again made it lose effectiveness. There are better ways to guide a reader to the same conclusion.
The real gem of the book lies in its medical and surgical detail. The descriptions of 19th-century surgical tools, procedure, and philosophies are vivid and accessible, even to someone without a strong medical background. One of my favorite parts was the emphasis on “surgeon’s pride”. This was the chilling reality that many leading doctors of the time refused to believe they were the cause of post-surgical infections due to their filthy tools and operating rooms. That kind of historical stubbornness, grounded in ego and confirmation bias, was fascinating to read about.
Unfortunately, the story loses much of its bite in the final act. The subplot involving Ella’s father, who tracks her down with private investigators only to die just before he can change his will, was too neat. Instead of raising the stakes, it conveniently removed them. Ella, who began as a girl who could barely survive without help, suddenly inherits an estate and another identity to retreat into. Though she actively avoids any duties associated with her father’s wealth, the ability to return to a privileged life removes much of the danger. This shift dissolves much of the story’s earlier tension and undercuts the premise of a young women forging her own way in a hostile world.
[3 stars, read on Kindle from Libby]
[#16 of 2025 New Reads]
This book offers an engaging look at a young woman’s fight to practice medicine in a world that refuses to see her as capable. Ella’s journey from a privileged but abusive home to sneaking into medical school disguised as a boy is an undeniably compelling premise. The feminist themes are clear, especially in how Ella navigates the male-only halls of medicine without ever truly wanting to abandon her identity as a woman. That said, some of the one-liners felt too artificial. A prime example: Ella discovers her mother wrote a groundbreaking paper on vaccinations but refused to publish under a male pseudonym because of her feminist convictions. Ella is only 15, so her need to take cues from her mother is understandable, but having an issue like this shoved in my face over and over again made it lose effectiveness. There are better ways to guide a reader to the same conclusion.
The real gem of the book lies in its medical and surgical detail. The descriptions of 19th-century surgical tools, procedure, and philosophies are vivid and accessible, even to someone without a strong medical background. One of my favorite parts was the emphasis on “surgeon’s pride”. This was the chilling reality that many leading doctors of the time refused to believe they were the cause of post-surgical infections due to their filthy tools and operating rooms. That kind of historical stubbornness, grounded in ego and confirmation bias, was fascinating to read about.
Unfortunately, the story loses much of its bite in the final act. The subplot involving Ella’s father, who tracks her down with private investigators only to die just before he can change his will, was too neat. Instead of raising the stakes, it conveniently removed them. Ella, who began as a girl who could barely survive without help, suddenly inherits an estate and another identity to retreat into. Though she actively avoids any duties associated with her father’s wealth, the ability to return to a privileged life removes much of the danger. This shift dissolves much of the story’s earlier tension and undercuts the premise of a young women forging her own way in a hostile world.
[3 stars, read on Kindle from Libby]
[#16 of 2025 New Reads]
November 4, 2024
I was excited to see this clean content (free of explicit material and blasphemes) medical historical fiction featuring a woman in an unusual role in a Book Club newsletter in summer 2023. After contacting the author and corresponding about other historical medical fiction featuring women, I was pleased to see the audiobook was narrated by Ana Clements. I had been thinking I should listen to her narration after having heard her as a Clubhouse moderator and narrator event panelist. While the book shared many similarities with other historical medical fiction I’ve read, as well as a few expected plot lines, I still found it enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the letters between Ella and the midwife/healer as well as the friendship between Allan and Oli.
Read
November 12, 2022Direct Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TFF75N6/
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-girl-w...
BN online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gi...
Available formats: ebook (Amazon only), paperback, large print hardcover
Available for Kindle Unlimited
Author website: alinarubinauthor.com - sign up for my newsletter!
Check out stories on my blog, A Girl on Adventure: alinarubinauthor.com/blog/
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author
I highly appreciate all reviews!
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-girl-w...
BN online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gi...
Available formats: ebook (Amazon only), paperback, large print hardcover
Available for Kindle Unlimited
Author website: alinarubinauthor.com - sign up for my newsletter!
Check out stories on my blog, A Girl on Adventure: alinarubinauthor.com/blog/
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author
I highly appreciate all reviews!
Want to read
December 17, 2024Direct Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TFF75N6/
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-girl-w...
BN online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gi...
Available formats: ebook (Amazon only), paperback, large print hardcover, audiobook
Available for Kindle Unlimited
Author website: alinarubinauthor.com - sign up for my newsletter!
Check out stories on my blog, A Girl on Adventure: alinarubinauthor.com/blog/
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author
I highly appreciate all reviews!
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-girl-w...
BN online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gi...
Available formats: ebook (Amazon only), paperback, large print hardcover, audiobook
Available for Kindle Unlimited
Author website: alinarubinauthor.com - sign up for my newsletter!
Check out stories on my blog, A Girl on Adventure: alinarubinauthor.com/blog/
Email: alina@alinarubinauthor.com
Facebook: Alina Rubin Author
Instagram: Alina.Rubin.Author
I highly appreciate all reviews!
December 29, 2022
Average book. This book definitely got better towards the end. I wish the author spent more time developing some of the characters and plots (ie. more of a story between Jeffers and Ella while in med school, more than a few pages after Ella’s father gets her back before he dies, etc). Most of the dialogue between the characters lacks depth and seems juvenile-y (for lack of a better word) written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
It's okay
I did not realize this book was written for 6th graders.I finished it but just ...anyway. Dialog is simple. Statutory about a 15 year old girl who wants to be a doctor. I found it uninteresting and frankly kept reading just to be sure it didn't get better. Not for Adults. Childlike. Done readers will enjoy this story. Just not me. Writing to simple
I did not realize this book was written for 6th graders.I finished it but just ...anyway. Dialog is simple. Statutory about a 15 year old girl who wants to be a doctor. I found it uninteresting and frankly kept reading just to be sure it didn't get better. Not for Adults. Childlike. Done readers will enjoy this story. Just not me. Writing to simple
January 5, 2024
With a fast pace and strong heroine, this book is a quick read. If the plot is rather implausible and the characters one dimensional, the story still manages to draw the reader in wishing to know how it will all turn out.
January 13, 2025
Wow.
I really loved this book! I finished it so fast. I think being in the medical field made me like it more than those who are not!
I really loved this book! I finished it so fast. I think being in the medical field made me like it more than those who are not!
June 29, 2025
a cute but somewhat improbable story. It made me appreciate how far medicine has come, but made me realize that men have not progressed at all. I look forward to reading the other stories in the series.
August 22, 2023
Historical fiction slut meets medical
May 18, 2022
I loved this fascinating story about bright young girl who wanted become a doctor. Unfortunately 19th century society expects from women just to be housekeepers and bear babies. An amazing account how a woman needed to disguised herself as a man to live her dream of studying at medical school to become a surgeon. Well written and very interesting material regarding aspects in medicine of 19th century. Marvelous description throughout and very well researched.
April 6, 2022
I absolutely loved it. Completely charmed by the main character Eloise/Ella/Alan. You will be, too! Set in England in the 1800s, 14 year old Eloise Parker loses her mother while she's in childbirth. She decides to leave and reinvent herself due to her abusive father.She's inquisitive, strong, and hard working. On the ship she takes to escape her father, she meets a surgeon who takes her under his wing. Without giving too much away...she will have to reinvent herself again. I can't wait for the next book!
November 9, 2025
Nov 2025
Re read novel and enjoyed immensely. Looking forward to reading the next novels in this series, which I haven’t read.
A Girl with a Knife is an outstanding historical fiction novel. I was enraptured by this beautifully and meticulously written story.
In the early 19th century women had no opportunity to make something of themselves as they were considered weak, ignorant and incapable. Therefore, only good for being wives and mothers.
Our heroine, Ella, is determined to receive a medical degree and thus disguises her self as a man. I have read a number of excellent historical novels in which women dressed as men. The goal to soldier, particularly during the Civil War and to practice medicine, the earliest, Dr. Barry.
The subject of early female physicians is of great interest to me. My great aunt was among the first women in the early 20th century to attend medical school and became a practicing physician. My aunt practiced medicine beginning in the 1950s.
Particularly fascinating— the practice of medicine during the early 19th century was crude and unenlightened. Bloodletting, lack of sanitation due to ignorance regarding germs and surgery performed while the patient was conscious amongst other horrific practices.
The prejudice against women, and Jews, which this novel addresses, is not a problem confined to the 19th century. Read the headlines today— the Dobbs decision, stripping women of basic lifesaving health care. Women in Iran put to death because they wore their head scarves incorrectly. Antisemitism, racism, homophobia, etc. The fight for rights continues unbelievably in the 21st century.
My politicizing aside, read this novel—it is 5 star reading!
Re read novel and enjoyed immensely. Looking forward to reading the next novels in this series, which I haven’t read.
A Girl with a Knife is an outstanding historical fiction novel. I was enraptured by this beautifully and meticulously written story.
In the early 19th century women had no opportunity to make something of themselves as they were considered weak, ignorant and incapable. Therefore, only good for being wives and mothers.
Our heroine, Ella, is determined to receive a medical degree and thus disguises her self as a man. I have read a number of excellent historical novels in which women dressed as men. The goal to soldier, particularly during the Civil War and to practice medicine, the earliest, Dr. Barry.
The subject of early female physicians is of great interest to me. My great aunt was among the first women in the early 20th century to attend medical school and became a practicing physician. My aunt practiced medicine beginning in the 1950s.
Particularly fascinating— the practice of medicine during the early 19th century was crude and unenlightened. Bloodletting, lack of sanitation due to ignorance regarding germs and surgery performed while the patient was conscious amongst other horrific practices.
The prejudice against women, and Jews, which this novel addresses, is not a problem confined to the 19th century. Read the headlines today— the Dobbs decision, stripping women of basic lifesaving health care. Women in Iran put to death because they wore their head scarves incorrectly. Antisemitism, racism, homophobia, etc. The fight for rights continues unbelievably in the 21st century.
My politicizing aside, read this novel—it is 5 star reading!
August 31, 2022
This book presents the origins story for its protagonist - a young girl who dreams of being a surgeon in 19th century England. I'll admit the first few chapters were a little rocky at first, as it moves the plight of the protagonist Ella. After her dramatic escape, however, the book starts to take shape - and becomes something incredibly exciting - as Ella assumes to identity of Alan Parker, a young boy enrolled at a university - and must figure out who she can - and cannot - trust with her secret. I particularly liked her frequent letters with her mentors, which provide a fun recap of the previous chapter while at the same time building tension and foreshadowing. The book itself isn't for the faint of heart, offering an unflinching look at the antiquated medicine of the time. Still, the pacing moves a breakneck speed, with enjoyable characters and some truly cinematic payoff. While it does seem a few of the complications are solved too easily, it ultimately sets up the characters for a very interesting series I'd definitely like to read more of - and for now can't recommend enough.
January 28, 2024
Entertaining but painful modern characterizations.
November 3, 2024
DNF at 38%. I can’t read books where people continually make stupid decisions.
March 14, 2025
This was a random pick for me ... I noticed the Kindle copy was included in Prime reading, and I could borrow the audio via Hoopla. The ratings were quite high and historical fiction fit into my genre rotation. I liked this. As with many historical fiction reads, it introduces some history so that I feel like I learn a little. I appreciated the author's notes at the end (although there were some typos there, maybe it needed another edit) as to inspiration and what portions were based on real people/things. Discussion questions were there too, which I like, although these didn't really make me think much more than I had already on my own.
I went primarily with the audio. Good narration. Loved the pronunciation of "respiratory"
There were several exchanged letters - in italics in print (maybe needed another space to separate it from the text before). Ironic that Ella/Alan is so careful in her letters out, but if anyone read Matilda's answers, she is NOT careful, and the ruse would be easily uncovered.
I did have to stop and refer to the Kindle copy at one point - a change that happened out of the blue. I felt a little lost, as if I'd missed something. SPOILER
It was interesting to learn a little more about the medical field back in these early days.
I think the narration was well done and made it all flow more than when I reviewed the Kindle copy. Reading on my own, the writing felt a little off.
Overall I enjoyed this, and may continue on with the series (the next book is included in KU, so next time I splurge on a month of that subscription ... audio on Hoopla again).
I went primarily with the audio. Good narration. Loved the pronunciation of "respiratory"
There were several exchanged letters - in italics in print (maybe needed another space to separate it from the text before). Ironic that Ella/Alan is so careful in her letters out, but if anyone read Matilda's answers, she is NOT careful, and the ruse would be easily uncovered.
I did have to stop and refer to the Kindle copy at one point - a change that happened out of the blue. I felt a little lost, as if I'd missed something. SPOILER
It was interesting to learn a little more about the medical field back in these early days.
I think the narration was well done and made it all flow more than when I reviewed the Kindle copy. Reading on my own, the writing felt a little off.
Overall I enjoyed this, and may continue on with the series (the next book is included in KU, so next time I splurge on a month of that subscription ... audio on Hoopla again).
June 12, 2023
A Medical Escapade!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was hard to put down!! I have a medical background, and I found the historical aspect of the book fascinating. I have a passion for nursing, midwifery, and medical history, and it is why I felt drawn to this book, and it did not disappoint.
I liked the strong femine character and her determination to escape her dire circumstances. Things could have gone so wrong for her like so many young women who have to leave home. We see this later in the book with other minor characters and their disastrous situations. Our main character, Ella, had the good fortune to meet a guardian angel.
Parallels to modern life for some women I have cared for were not hard to see!!
As the story unfolds, I was always aware of the tension building towards the inevitable revealing of Alan's secret.
Here again, we see Ella as a strong and resourceful woman.
However, the conclusion, although we see our character succeed up to a point, we want to see more of the story.
What exciting escapades can we expect from Alan/Ella Parker next!
I am waiting to see what's in store for Ella next with great interest!
A great read for those who enjoy period books, with medical storyline and a bit of romance thrown in!.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was hard to put down!! I have a medical background, and I found the historical aspect of the book fascinating. I have a passion for nursing, midwifery, and medical history, and it is why I felt drawn to this book, and it did not disappoint.
I liked the strong femine character and her determination to escape her dire circumstances. Things could have gone so wrong for her like so many young women who have to leave home. We see this later in the book with other minor characters and their disastrous situations. Our main character, Ella, had the good fortune to meet a guardian angel.
Parallels to modern life for some women I have cared for were not hard to see!!
As the story unfolds, I was always aware of the tension building towards the inevitable revealing of Alan's secret.
Here again, we see Ella as a strong and resourceful woman.
However, the conclusion, although we see our character succeed up to a point, we want to see more of the story.
What exciting escapades can we expect from Alan/Ella Parker next!
I am waiting to see what's in store for Ella next with great interest!
A great read for those who enjoy period books, with medical storyline and a bit of romance thrown in!.
September 7, 2025
Three and a half stars for basic plot, but I observe a couple of common problems today's newer authors seem to share: having their characters use words or phrases that are anachronistic, and failing to make the correct choice of grammatical tense.
Authors, eighteenth- century speakers in England just did not speak like Americans of our century. You can't tweak everything to be exactly correct, but authors need to be more aware. Read contemporary authors. For this novel, set in the very early 1800s -- though no dates are ever given -- reading Jane Austen, for example, or even Dickens, could supply one with turns of phrase more comfortably compatible with the characters' time line.
The use of "may" when "might" is needed, changes the meaning of the phrase; "I may have made the situation worse" means that this still is a possibility -- it could still turn out to be worse. "I might have made the situation worse" means that, thank God, the situation did not become worse, though it could have done so. That phrasing turned up multiple times in this book .
I intend to read some of the sequels, since the characters of Eloise and Oliver are attractive and I want to see how they deal with the prejudices and roadblocks their society presents them with.
Authors, eighteenth- century speakers in England just did not speak like Americans of our century. You can't tweak everything to be exactly correct, but authors need to be more aware. Read contemporary authors. For this novel, set in the very early 1800s -- though no dates are ever given -- reading Jane Austen, for example, or even Dickens, could supply one with turns of phrase more comfortably compatible with the characters' time line.
The use of "may" when "might" is needed, changes the meaning of the phrase; "I may have made the situation worse" means that this still is a possibility -- it could still turn out to be worse. "I might have made the situation worse" means that, thank God, the situation did not become worse, though it could have done so. That phrasing turned up multiple times in this book .
I intend to read some of the sequels, since the characters of Eloise and Oliver are attractive and I want to see how they deal with the prejudices and roadblocks their society presents them with.
July 9, 2023
Ella is a young lady with a passion for learning medicine and life circumstances that push her to run away from her family home to London. As she gets on a ship to begin her journey to become a governess, she meets a doctor who sees her potential and takes her under his and his sister’s wing. With the doctor’s help, Ella disguises herself as a young man and attends university to study medicine.
Wow. Historical fiction is not my first choice of book genre but this story intrigued me. I was not disappointed in the slightest. Ella is a ferocious little number, even though she follows all the rules not to be found out, and you root for her to succeed. She’s intelligent, quick on her feet, and really knows what she’s talking about even at such a young age.
Her best friend, Oli, is a delight. He’s not just a sidekick character, he really makes a name for himself by being loyal, thinking outside of the box, and standing his ground when needed - especially when it came to Ella as well as his beliefs.
Overall, the story was written really well. The medical jargon was explained throughout the story so it was easy to follow. Ella’s background story was not overwhelming with details and gave great insight into her character. The supporting characters also made awesome impact on the progression of the story. 10/10!
Wow. Historical fiction is not my first choice of book genre but this story intrigued me. I was not disappointed in the slightest. Ella is a ferocious little number, even though she follows all the rules not to be found out, and you root for her to succeed. She’s intelligent, quick on her feet, and really knows what she’s talking about even at such a young age.
Her best friend, Oli, is a delight. He’s not just a sidekick character, he really makes a name for himself by being loyal, thinking outside of the box, and standing his ground when needed - especially when it came to Ella as well as his beliefs.
Overall, the story was written really well. The medical jargon was explained throughout the story so it was easy to follow. Ella’s background story was not overwhelming with details and gave great insight into her character. The supporting characters also made awesome impact on the progression of the story. 10/10!
October 12, 2022
Book Review: Alina Rubin, ’A Girl with a Knife’.
‘A Girl with a Knife’ is set in England in the early 1800’s where the heroine, Eleanor Parker, adopts male attire to achieve her goal of becoming a doctor, prompted by harsh treatment at home and coupled with her own obsession. She takes the name and guise of ‘Alan’ Parker to attend medical school in London where she is confronted by the male dominated and prejudiced society of the university, her professors recoiling with horror at the thought of women in the profession. However, will she win through and achieve her goal? All in all, this is a well written and thought provoking story, it’s immediacy being such that one feels almost a fly on the wall. There are moments of awkward confrontation with her professors and the other students, but Eleanor’s calm determination coupled with moments of humour serve her well. In her after notes the author brings our attention to the women pioneers in the medical profession. Highly recommended and I look forward to Ms. Rubin’s sequel.
‘A Girl with a Knife’ is set in England in the early 1800’s where the heroine, Eleanor Parker, adopts male attire to achieve her goal of becoming a doctor, prompted by harsh treatment at home and coupled with her own obsession. She takes the name and guise of ‘Alan’ Parker to attend medical school in London where she is confronted by the male dominated and prejudiced society of the university, her professors recoiling with horror at the thought of women in the profession. However, will she win through and achieve her goal? All in all, this is a well written and thought provoking story, it’s immediacy being such that one feels almost a fly on the wall. There are moments of awkward confrontation with her professors and the other students, but Eleanor’s calm determination coupled with moments of humour serve her well. In her after notes the author brings our attention to the women pioneers in the medical profession. Highly recommended and I look forward to Ms. Rubin’s sequel.
October 22, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed reading this book, it was well written and easy to read. It was very interesting to learn about medicine in the early 1800s, but also very sad how many people suffered and died from basic things we can treat and cure now. Especially daunting is how long it took doctors to give up bloodletting, and to realize that infection can be prevented by hand washing and sterilizing instruments. I'm thankful that people, especially women like Ella, we're brave enough to try new treatments.
At one point in the story, it hinted that it was possibly going to turn in to a Cinderella type story; the main character Eleanor goes by Ella, her father is engaged to marry a nasty woman who has two spoiled daughters. Oh, and she is locked in the cellar overnight. Ella's father does die, although it is before he marries the almost step mother. So, alas, no Cinderella story...
I now find out there are another 3 books in the series! I will definitely read them.
I enjoyed reading this book, it was well written and easy to read. It was very interesting to learn about medicine in the early 1800s, but also very sad how many people suffered and died from basic things we can treat and cure now. Especially daunting is how long it took doctors to give up bloodletting, and to realize that infection can be prevented by hand washing and sterilizing instruments. I'm thankful that people, especially women like Ella, we're brave enough to try new treatments.
At one point in the story, it hinted that it was possibly going to turn in to a Cinderella type story; the main character Eleanor goes by Ella, her father is engaged to marry a nasty woman who has two spoiled daughters. Oh, and she is locked in the cellar overnight. Ella's father does die, although it is before he marries the almost step mother. So, alas, no Cinderella story...
I now find out there are another 3 books in the series! I will definitely read them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2022
Rubin deftly shows us the state of medicine in early nineteenth-century England, and the state of women's rights. Ella has a talent for healing, and she even finds a doctor willing to teach her, but to become a physician she must go to university - and that is not possible for women. Donning men's clothing and taking on the name Alan, Ella becomes a university student, and from the beginning she shines. Rubin does a wonderful job of helping us feel what it would have been like to do what Ella does. It is not just that she must conceal her true identity, in order to safeguard her secret, she has been advised to make no friends, to become close to no one. This is a fascinating tale of a woman trying to use her talents and knowledge in a society which would deny them simply because of her gender. An inspiring story, and one which it is easy to believe, as we know of women throughout history who went to such lengths to fulfill their potential.
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