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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I love gothic historical fiction so I knew this would appeal to me and boy I wasn't wrong! This is a book that is packed with tension, dark storylines, brilliant characters and an overriding sense of hope.
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly are identical in every way apart from that Tilly stopped growing when she was 5. They are forced to parade around fairs in southern England, whilst promoting their fathers quack elixir. Then when they are aged 15 they are sold to a mysterious Italian known as the ‘Captain’. Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has an obsession with anatomical freaks and other curiosities. When he remarries and produces a new heir he throws Theo out of his home without a penny to his name. Theo finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London. It is here that he is introduced to the Captain and his performers. Theo’s fascinated by the twins and this starts off a deadly chain of events…
I loved Theo as a character, there was an air of innocence and goodness that radiates from him right from the start to the end. I was so pleased that this didn’t change dispute the events which took place. Basically, an orphan but under the care of his grandfather, he grew up with a lack of compassion and love apart from those employed to look after him. He grows up to be a steady young man but with a fascination of what is different and imagines what could be through inspiration from the classics and myths he learnt as a schoolboy.
We also learn about the lives of the twins Keziah and Tilly Lovell. They like Theo are brought up in a less than loving household after their mother died when they were young. They have a father who would rather exploit their differences for material gain by making them tour local fairs and selling an expensive tonic that apparently allowed Tilly to grow strong whilst Keziah stopped growing at the age of 5. Tilly is shown as the girl who never grew up, but is blessed with talents that Keziah wished she had. Keziah is fiercely protective of Tilly though and will do anything for her.
Essie Fox has a way of creating characters that will stay in your heart for years to come. For me in this book it was Theo and Keziah who were the stars but even the supporting characters were fully drawn and vibrant. Each had a ‘difference’ or a traumatic backstory. The way Essie created villains though was outstanding. The writing manages to express the creepiness and downright evilness of some, where you can feel the hair on your arm definitely not liking what you are reading!
This book isn’t just about the suspense and mystery aspects it also tacked the theme of injustices of society, how one cope with being labelled as ‘different’ and how people have an inner strength to them.
This is the first book which I have read by this author but it is certainly not going to be the last. I’m excited to see what they do next!
Let me know if you pick this book up!
Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly are identical in every way apart from that Tilly stopped growing when she was 5. They are forced to parade around fairs in southern England, whilst promoting their fathers quack elixir. Then when they are aged 15 they are sold to a mysterious Italian known as the ‘Captain’. Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has an obsession with anatomical freaks and other curiosities. When he remarries and produces a new heir he throws Theo out of his home without a penny to his name. Theo finds employment in Dr Summerwell’s Museum of Anatomy in London. It is here that he is introduced to the Captain and his performers. Theo’s fascinated by the twins and this starts off a deadly chain of events…
I loved Theo as a character, there was an air of innocence and goodness that radiates from him right from the start to the end. I was so pleased that this didn’t change dispute the events which took place. Basically, an orphan but under the care of his grandfather, he grew up with a lack of compassion and love apart from those employed to look after him. He grows up to be a steady young man but with a fascination of what is different and imagines what could be through inspiration from the classics and myths he learnt as a schoolboy.
We also learn about the lives of the twins Keziah and Tilly Lovell. They like Theo are brought up in a less than loving household after their mother died when they were young. They have a father who would rather exploit their differences for material gain by making them tour local fairs and selling an expensive tonic that apparently allowed Tilly to grow strong whilst Keziah stopped growing at the age of 5. Tilly is shown as the girl who never grew up, but is blessed with talents that Keziah wished she had. Keziah is fiercely protective of Tilly though and will do anything for her.
Essie Fox has a way of creating characters that will stay in your heart for years to come. For me in this book it was Theo and Keziah who were the stars but even the supporting characters were fully drawn and vibrant. Each had a ‘difference’ or a traumatic backstory. The way Essie created villains though was outstanding. The writing manages to express the creepiness and downright evilness of some, where you can feel the hair on your arm definitely not liking what you are reading!
This book isn’t just about the suspense and mystery aspects it also tacked the theme of injustices of society, how one cope with being labelled as ‘different’ and how people have an inner strength to them.
This is the first book which I have read by this author but it is certainly not going to be the last. I’m excited to see what they do next!
Let me know if you pick this book up!
Truth be told, the blurb had me at the first two words: Victorian England. As much as I have come to enjoy exploring various eras, and as much as I have been actively seeking out historical fiction set in time periods I’m not familiar with, I will always have a major weak spot for the Victorian era.
Knowing a novel is set in Victorian England raises certain expectations, and I can safely say The Fascination meets them all, and then some. It is a glorious piece of slow-burning Gothic fiction, addressing themes, issues and prejudices from the time through characters you come to care about as you read.
The Fascination is told from two alternating POVs: Theo’s and Keziah’s. Theo has never felt like he fits in anywhere and Keziah’s twin sister Tilly stopped growing at five years old. If you’re at all familiar with the Victorian era, you’ll know that it’s the era of freak shows and exhibitions, and the author really does an amazing job not only portraying this fascination that turns into unhealthy obsession in a heartbeat, but also giving the so-called freaks a voice.
The Fascination has some truly pitch-black elements and did make me want to strangle a few characters in a few instances, and simultaneously hug a few others. However, it was also a joy to see the “misfits” gain confidence and come into their own.
The Fascination is not one to race through, you need to take your time and savour it. Which did require some effort at times, for instance because I wanted to know when and how the characters would figure out something I had figured out because I was dying for them to realise it too. This is definitely one of those books I need to revisit with hindsight, so I can focus on the details and not be spurred on by the need to know certain outcomes.
I had a great time with The Fascination. Also, since finishing it, I have noticed just how much it got under my skin. I find myself still thinking about the characters and all that happened, it does linger. If you enjoy gothic literature and historical fiction set in the Victorian era, this is one you should definitely check out. And while you do that, I’ll be checking out Essie Fox’s backlist.
Massive thanks to Orenda Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Knowing a novel is set in Victorian England raises certain expectations, and I can safely say The Fascination meets them all, and then some. It is a glorious piece of slow-burning Gothic fiction, addressing themes, issues and prejudices from the time through characters you come to care about as you read.
The Fascination is told from two alternating POVs: Theo’s and Keziah’s. Theo has never felt like he fits in anywhere and Keziah’s twin sister Tilly stopped growing at five years old. If you’re at all familiar with the Victorian era, you’ll know that it’s the era of freak shows and exhibitions, and the author really does an amazing job not only portraying this fascination that turns into unhealthy obsession in a heartbeat, but also giving the so-called freaks a voice.
The Fascination has some truly pitch-black elements and did make me want to strangle a few characters in a few instances, and simultaneously hug a few others. However, it was also a joy to see the “misfits” gain confidence and come into their own.
The Fascination is not one to race through, you need to take your time and savour it. Which did require some effort at times, for instance because I wanted to know when and how the characters would figure out something I had figured out because I was dying for them to realise it too. This is definitely one of those books I need to revisit with hindsight, so I can focus on the details and not be spurred on by the need to know certain outcomes.
I had a great time with The Fascination. Also, since finishing it, I have noticed just how much it got under my skin. I find myself still thinking about the characters and all that happened, it does linger. If you enjoy gothic literature and historical fiction set in the Victorian era, this is one you should definitely check out. And while you do that, I’ll be checking out Essie Fox’s backlist.
Massive thanks to Orenda Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I'm going back and forth on how to rate this. I definitely enjoyed it, especially in the beginning, and appreciated the touches of macabre and the mysteries interlacing throughout the novel. But the speech could feel unnatural and exposition-y. Likewise, the writing of the Keziah sections felt like this too and I wonder if there's a version of this book where it was only written in third person. But on the whole a fascinating book that I'm very glad to have read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was getting a five from me until the last paragraph, which I felt was unnecessary. Thrown in there as a final twist, it should either have gone unremarked upon, or stated sooner - revealing it in the way she did felt like a bit of a cheap trick at the end of what was otherwise an excellent book.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced