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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
I absolutely adore stories that take me to another place and time. This novel did just that as I was transported to the late 19th century in Venice, Italy. Not only did it have an air of history, but it also included the magical and demonic. I loved how this novel weaved together the figures of Byron, Keats, and Vivaldi by connecting them to a single woman who has lived for far too long.
Fleeing from New York City in the wake of a scandal, twin siblings Joseph and Sophie come to Venice in hopes of finding fame and fortune. While Joseph's artistic talents are clear, it is also clear that Sophie is his one and only muse. In hopes of entering into the elite spheres of art society, Joseph and Sophie meet Nicholas. Little do they know that Nicholas has spent the last seven years following the illusively immortal woman who drained him of his inspiration. Together the three of them confront the immortal, Odilé Leon, and all the while attempting to both keep and restore creative inspiration.
I greatly enjoyed that each chapter was told through a different perspective, each being either Nicholas, Sophie, or Odilé. I found that this first person perspective was then able to still give a 360 degree feel to the story, which is often lost in the first person. I also greatly liked the interaction between all of these characters. They were both dynamic and though entirely predictable in several aspects, it was still endearing to read this through the end. Though I was able to see where this story was leading, it was an adventure none the less. Sometimes in simplicity, the best stories are told. Strangely, given the supernatural nature of the creature in this story, I feel entirely satisfied upon finishing this novel.
Fleeing from New York City in the wake of a scandal, twin siblings Joseph and Sophie come to Venice in hopes of finding fame and fortune. While Joseph's artistic talents are clear, it is also clear that Sophie is his one and only muse. In hopes of entering into the elite spheres of art society, Joseph and Sophie meet Nicholas. Little do they know that Nicholas has spent the last seven years following the illusively immortal woman who drained him of his inspiration. Together the three of them confront the immortal, Odilé Leon, and all the while attempting to both keep and restore creative inspiration.
I greatly enjoyed that each chapter was told through a different perspective, each being either Nicholas, Sophie, or Odilé. I found that this first person perspective was then able to still give a 360 degree feel to the story, which is often lost in the first person. I also greatly liked the interaction between all of these characters. They were both dynamic and though entirely predictable in several aspects, it was still endearing to read this through the end. Though I was able to see where this story was leading, it was an adventure none the less. Sometimes in simplicity, the best stories are told. Strangely, given the supernatural nature of the creature in this story, I feel entirely satisfied upon finishing this novel.
It took me a while to begin reading this book after downloading it. I've been known to judge a few covers, this book being the latest. My baseless first impression aside, I finished the book feeling a bit conflicted. Megan Chance wrote some beautiful depictions of Venice- she was successful in transporting me to balconies above canals, watching the gondola lamps eerily bob into the evening fog, observing lavish salon parties- all in the comfort of my bed. The author painted some pretty scenes, and that is where I place most of the praise for this book.
The characters left me lacking. Nicholas Dane was a bit dull and one-dimensional. As much as I would like to think that I have a very open and progressive mind, Sophie & Joseph just came across as creepy the majority of the time. These are the protagonists that I want to root for? Some incest-vibey twins and a shit poet? Eh. The antagonist, Odilé Leon, was far more intriguing. The themes of succubi and muses were a refreshing change in what I expect to read in a fantasy novel.
I leave the book with 3 stars , bordering closer to 2.5, because I cannot shake the weird vibes the twins gave off. I would read Chance again, just to see how I'd feel about a book wherein I enjoy the world she creates along with the characters, instead of despite.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the setting - the author set up Venice beautifully. The format of the book took awhile to get used to - I kept having to flip back to remind myself who each character was in the beginning before they were really fleshed out. But I liked the new take on the succubus concept. Fast and fun (and free) read.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm going to start this like an online recipe and talk about my history with this book, so feel free to skip this part.
I first started reading this book in 2014 while sitting in my ex-boyfriend's apartment. He'd play guitar and sing along to Radiohead for hours at a time and I would just sit there and watch. Eventually, I started to get bored with this, so I downloaded the Kindle app and got about 40 pages into this book until I decided reading off a screen wasn't for me. Ten years later, I decided I either needed to finish reading it or take it off my Goodreads. I opted to buy a physical copy for some light reading on the plane to a friend's wedding.
Ok, nonsense over.
I think I probably would have liked this book better if I'd finished it in 2014. At 25, my standards for spicy content and horror were much lower. At 36, I felt like the spicy bits weren't all that spicy and the scary bits weren't all that horrific. I feel like I had several questions about the characters, but none of them were really answered:
- What is the extent of Joseph and Sophie's seemingly incestuous relationship?
- What happened to Nicholas's wife? Is he still technically married?
- Do Odile's servants know what she is? Or do they just not care?
- Does Odile eat actual food? Or just do succubus stuff?
I was disappointed to not get clear answers on any of these. And then there was the ending.
Odile has spent roughly 250-300 years working to achieve fame and notoriety. I'm not convinced that her choice in the end is something she would actually want or do. She doesn't give any substantial indication that she's tired of living. It seemed completely out of character that she would just trust mere mortals to tell her story. She clearly wanted to see herself become known. Additionally, I don't understand why she would spare the life of the man who has been trying to destroy her for <i>seven years</i>. Maybe, in a way, her "gift" to him was a form of revenge. Either way, I wasn't in love with the ending on this one.
Also, I thought it was odd that Joseph was the only main character who wasn't a narrator. I had assumed that meant he was going to die, but then he didn't? But Odile did? So how is she telling the story if she's dead?
Despite the ending, there were parts of the book I enjoyed. I loved the concept that creative voices throughout the ages were only known because of a common muse. I sometimes wonder what I would do with my time if granted immortality, and this certainly sounds like an interesting option (though I would hate to kill anyone).So do we think Nicholas started killing people, or do we think he found a workaround for that?
Overall, I'd give it a 2.5. Good for a travel book or for a few pages before bed. Unfortunately, I don't think my smut- and horror-loving friends would be very impressed by it.
I first started reading this book in 2014 while sitting in my ex-boyfriend's apartment. He'd play guitar and sing along to Radiohead for hours at a time and I would just sit there and watch. Eventually, I started to get bored with this, so I downloaded the Kindle app and got about 40 pages into this book until I decided reading off a screen wasn't for me. Ten years later, I decided I either needed to finish reading it or take it off my Goodreads. I opted to buy a physical copy for some light reading on the plane to a friend's wedding.
Ok, nonsense over.
I think I probably would have liked this book better if I'd finished it in 2014. At 25, my standards for spicy content and horror were much lower. At 36, I felt like the spicy bits weren't all that spicy and the scary bits weren't all that horrific. I feel like I had several questions about the characters, but none of them were really answered:
- What is the extent of Joseph and Sophie's seemingly incestuous relationship?
- What happened to Nicholas's wife? Is he still technically married?
- Do Odile's servants know what she is? Or do they just not care?
- Does Odile eat actual food? Or just do succubus stuff?
I was disappointed to not get clear answers on any of these. And then there was the ending.
Also, I thought it was odd that Joseph was the only main character who wasn't a narrator. I had assumed that meant he was going to die, but then he didn't? But Odile did? So how is she telling the story if she's dead?
Despite the ending, there were parts of the book I enjoyed. I loved the concept that creative voices throughout the ages were only known because of a common muse. I sometimes wonder what I would do with my time if granted immortality, and this certainly sounds like an interesting option (though I would hate to kill anyone).
Overall, I'd give it a 2.5. Good for a travel book or for a few pages before bed. Unfortunately, I don't think my smut- and horror-loving friends would be very impressed by it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Incest, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Implied incest, but a lot of things are never clarified.
Fantastically dark, complex and honest.
I was amazed by finding in the last few pages a perfect summation of the story's theme:
"Some things even a fairy tail could not make beautiful."
This story is an incredible representation of that truth: even the most charmed of stories fall short of perfection in reality.
I was amazed by finding in the last few pages a perfect summation of the story's theme:
"Some things even a fairy tail could not make beautiful."
This story is an incredible representation of that truth: even the most charmed of stories fall short of perfection in reality.
Inamorata by Megan Chance was an amazing book. I couldn't put it down and now after finishing it, I can’t stop thinking about it. Told from the perspectives of four main characters, the conflict is revealed bit by bit, just enough to keep me wondering and wanting more. The story is dark, suspenseful, and the characters well defined. So well, I could see them and feel what they felt. I cared about them, even the antagonist. The fantastical aspect was a surprise and had I known, I may not have selected the book, but by the time I realized, I was hooked. The book was a complex and very satisfying read. I recommend.
The story really drew me in and made me feel like I had been transported somewhere else entirely. Loved every moment.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An uncomfortable and fascinating relationship is tested. I was impressed most by the way all four main characters were so thoroughly fleshed out. It’s not often one can be turned with such sympathy to a villain and yet have her remain so villainous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault