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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
“You don’t do the unthinkable to get get something you want. You do it to get back what you lost.”
this is my second title by c.l. polk and i just continue to adore their writing. for a novella, this packs a lot of worldbuilding and emotional stakes into 130-odd pages. i would read 8 books about helen brandt solving supernatural mysteries, or about her and edith getting to live happily in san francisco.
this story makes especially good use of the time and place to weave in magical elements. celestial and demonic forces in noir age chicago is such a perfect combination, and the queer love story at the heart of it allows the very real social issues of the time to be brought into question. the scenes in the dunning asylum were especially heartbreaking.
the reveals and twists were both well plotted and totally out of nowhere. i love being surprised in a way where i go “OHH THAT makes sense actually.” the bittersweet ending fits the tone perfectly. i only wish i got to spend more time in this world.
this is my second title by c.l. polk and i just continue to adore their writing. for a novella, this packs a lot of worldbuilding and emotional stakes into 130-odd pages. i would read 8 books about helen brandt solving supernatural mysteries, or about her and edith getting to live happily in san francisco.
this story makes especially good use of the time and place to weave in magical elements. celestial and demonic forces in noir age chicago is such a perfect combination, and the queer love story at the heart of it allows the very real social issues of the time to be brought into question. the scenes in the dunning asylum were especially heartbreaking.
the reveals and twists were both well plotted and totally out of nowhere. i love being surprised in a way where i go “OHH THAT makes sense actually.” the bittersweet ending fits the tone perfectly. i only wish i got to spend more time in this world.
This book relies heavily on stock film noir tropes—the veteran down-and-out private (paranormal) investigator (here a lesbian, Helen, our protagonist) who drinks too much and is haunted by past mistakes, a mysterious and sexy female client with a unique case, and "just one last" job before the PI plans to quit and retire with a beloved romantic partner. I didn't find them overused—and seeing them reworked to queer and female characters was fun—but other readers may find them too worn out even here.
Because the book is so short, it moves along at a very rapid pace. The whole thing takes place over the course of two days—the final two days before Helen's soul debt is called due and she finally has to pay the price of her warlock bargain. In this way, any rush felt appropriate, since it fit both the size of the novel and the context of Helen's urgency to get this last job done before she has to pay up.
The characters weren't super developed, but again—4-hour runtime. They're a little stock character-y, but not total cardboard cut-outs. It was disappointing for me to see Helen make the same mistake at the end of the book that she did prior to the start, as if she hadn't really learned anything, but since the novel ends promptly after that, the story never has to reckon much with it.
I was relieved that Edith, Helen's girlfriend, wasn't just the damsel in distress/goal object for Helen, which I was a bit worried about in the beginning. Edith has secrets and goals of her own.
I was relieved that Edith, Helen's girlfriend, wasn't just the damsel in distress/goal object for Helen, which I was a bit worried about in the beginning. Edith has secrets and goals of her own.
Overall, the book was fine, and it entertained me well enough for a few days. Nothing extraordinary here, but nothing objectionable either. I will say I think keeping it short worked best for this book—I think drawing it out might have only weakened it. A fun little twist on a typical noir novel.
Was this gender swapped Supernatural fanfiction or maybe bible fanfiction either way it was fun! Kinda crazy that everyone is saying it subverts the bury your gays trope but it might be worse to send your gays to hell
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only thing that could’ve made this book better was if it was longer. I adored every moment of this story.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The was a great fantasy/noir novella with LGBTQ representation. It is too short to really talk about. It makes me want to read more from this author. I read this on Hoopla.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A quick, adventerous read about lesbian supernatural detectives. Despite being an overall short read, the pacing felt perfect for the story and had it been longer, I don’t think it would have been such a captivating read.
Overall very fun and sweet.
Overall very fun and sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia
What a unique novella! This quick fun read was entertaining but still had some unique layering. I found the fantastical mixed with noir mystery very well balanced. It just seemed a bit rushed and lacked a little depth which I am assuming is due to the size. Overall I really enjoyed this book!
3.5
A kind of tonally fun noir mystery with demons, angels, magic, and a sapphic romance—lots to love!
I enjoyed the characters and the writing was a good time.
I think that the world building was a bit underbaked, especially since it tries to cram in so many fantastical elements in such a short story; sometimes it feels like these additions aren’t a part of a natural world but simply something that existed for the sake of the story, it doesn’t feel entirely lived in. That being said, there was a lot of cool shit going on and I did enjoy most of what was being presented. I also think that the love interest was a bit one dimensional but they were cute regardless and I liked how sweet they were with each other. Worth the read if you’re looking for something quick and light (but with a dark setting and crime scenes drenched in blood).
A kind of tonally fun noir mystery with demons, angels, magic, and a sapphic romance—lots to love!
I enjoyed the characters and the writing was a good time.
I think that the world building was a bit underbaked, especially since it tries to cram in so many fantastical elements in such a short story; sometimes it feels like these additions aren’t a part of a natural world but simply something that existed for the sake of the story, it doesn’t feel entirely lived in. That being said, there was a lot of cool shit going on and I did enjoy most of what was being presented. I also think that the love interest was a bit one dimensional but they were cute regardless and I liked how sweet they were with each other. Worth the read if you’re looking for something quick and light (but with a dark setting and crime scenes drenched in blood).