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elderwoodreads's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a great little novella! I loved the characters and the story. I did feel like the beginning was a little confusing because you are dropped right in and sort of have to make connections along the way. I also feel like the ending was a little over foreshadowed especially with the reference to his eyes doing the same thing as her girlfriend's in the photo . Overall I enjoyed it and think it's a fun and fast read, especially if you're looking for a unique sapphic story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia and Car accident
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, Grief, Lesbophobia, Death, Blood, Car accident, and Gun violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death, Violence, Murder, Gore, and Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Confinement, Mental illness, and Car accident
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
This little novella is one that was an ALC (thanks Libro.fm) that I got a few months ago, and I put myself on hold for the physical book at the library (I am really getting into having access to both reading options these days) after seeing a glowing review from @booksnblazers.
Helen is a (magical) private investigator in 1940s Chicago, working within the darker side of the city. Almost exactly 10 years ago, she made a deal with a demon, trading her soul to save her brother's (Teddy) life. The end date on her deal, when her life is forfeit, is looming...and Helen is dreading leaving behind the women she's fallen in love with, Edith, and their dreams of a future together in San Francisco. When she is offered one final job, to find the White City Vampire (a notorious serial killer), with the payout of winning her soul back if she succeeds, she takes it. But things are more than what they seem, including Edith, and a number of divine powers have a vested interest in the outcome of her investigation.
My goodness, the noir vibes in this book were great. Between the time period and writing, it was like reading in sepia toned melancholy. The seedy, underbelly descriptions of the settings (including the underground gay bar, since that was the only option for them), and the grisly aspects of the murders, and the short time we spent in a women's asylum institution (for mental health "treatment," but with a horrifying glimpse at conversion therapy realities of the time as well), contributed to this vibe as well. Otherwise, do find reading this time period hard, and so I do it sparingly, because the misogyny and patronization of women is something I find infuriating and difficult to read too much of. Anyways, I am always a fan of a "sell your soul" and "deal with the devil" storyline, it's a favorite supernatural trope of mine. And while I do not always love the personification of angels and demons in paranormal stories, I thought it was well done here. I actually specifically thought the importance, in faith, of continuing to believe without evidence (and how hard that actually is) was explored in a way that I don't see often and I commend the author for.
The theme of not accepting fate is also always a classic, and is explored with deep personal emotion here. Polk explores what people will sacrifice/exchange in order to change fate, to save someone they love. But they also do a nice job introducing the complicating factor of, even if it hurts you (cause love does hurt), is it not worth considering that a person may not want or make the same choice as you about their fate? And what is selfish, or not, and how do you know, and is that just part of the weakness of humanity? However, in the end, I LOVED the message that love is love, it’s about a generous and open heart, and anything past that is irrelevant.
Speaking of love, let me talk about the relationships between Helen and Edith. For such a short novella, and being introduced to them already comfortably together, I was quickly deeply emotionally invested in them; they really warmed by soul and I was cheering hard for their *happy* ending right from the start. And as I read, their relationship got better and better. The understanding of secrets and separate lives and communicating through and accepting that is a level of emotional maturity that is usually skipped in favor of drama-by-miscommunication in romance situations, and I’m thrilled by the way it’s done here; so refreshing. On the other hand, the other major relationship (between Helen and Teddy), felt nowhere near as well done to me. It seemed shallow and the choices that each made, as well as their emotional reactions and connections, just felt too easy and just plot-device-y, after so many years apart.
I love the way the title works, the recognizable feeling of the building of hope for the ending every time you hear/see/read a familiar story, even though you already know what it will be. And the ending, oh it hit the heartstrings, that choice for at least some time, because some time is better than no time. It's a knowledge we all have, in choosing love, that there will be an ending, and it will hurt, but we choose love in the time we have anyways, because that pain is worth it.
This was a great, quick read. Emotional and entertaining and full of time period, magical, noir-ish vibes. Anyone who enjoyed Addie LaRue and/or fans of Supernatural, would like this book a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Violence
emlen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Violence, Child death, Car accident, Stalking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Misogyny, Confinement, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This novella reads like a sapphic Supernatural fanfic and I'm here for it! Not going to spoil anything, but if you're at all a fan of SPN before things took a turn, this is the novella for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Gore
Minor: Car accident, Violence, Torture, and Murder
libragazette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Homophobia
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Death and Murder
cascannotread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’m always a little wary of novellas because they tend to feel like just snippets of a story or worse, an incomplete piece. I am pleased to say Even Though I Knew the End by C. L. Polk does not suffer this fate.
I did not have much expectations for this book nor was I really sure what it was even about. I do, however, trust C. L. Polk as an author to write something worthwhile so I read this book on a whim during a long flight and it proved to be the perfect choice. I could hardly put it down and I managed to finish it in one sitting. The story and pacing were well done, especially considering the short length. The novella throws you into the story headfirst but holds off on long info dumps and expositions, instead peppering the story with little bits of info here and there. This works well to drive the story along and only presents the reader with information that is relevant in that moment.
*Side note: I am a big fan of books that use their title within the actual book and this was perhaps the most delightfully heart wrenching use of it. It was so satisfying but with the context made me want to burst into to tears in the middle of my flight. 10/10
I do feel like most of novellas are best read knowing as little as possible. I also don’t feel like confident in my ability to accurately describe the plot in a way that would not be a disservice to the novella, so I highly recommend you just read it; I promise you won’t regret it.
Big thanks to Netgalley and Tor for granting me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
I did not have much expectations for this book nor was I really sure what it was even about. I do, however, trust C. L. Polk as an author to write something worthwhile so I read this book on a whim during a long flight and it proved to be the perfect choice. I could hardly put it down and I managed to finish it in one sitting. The story and pacing were well done, especially considering the short length. The novella throws you into the story headfirst but holds off on long info dumps and expositions, instead peppering the story with little bits of info here and there. This works well to drive the story along and only presents the reader with information that is relevant in that moment.
*Side note: I am a big fan of books that use their title within the actual book and this was perhaps the most delightfully heart wrenching use of it. It was so satisfying but with the context made me want to burst into to tears in the middle of my flight. 10/10
I do feel like most of novellas are best read knowing as little as possible. I also don’t feel like confident in my ability to accurately describe the plot in a way that would not be a disservice to the novella, so I highly recommend you just read it; I promise you won’t regret it.
Big thanks to Netgalley and Tor for granting me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Death of parent and Gun violence
modernmatilda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was queer, it had emotional damage, and it was a new to me genre that I loved (noir)!
However, there is a giant plot point and a scene at an "asylum". The book is set in the 1930s and there is pushback conversations from the characters on topics of queer people and conversion therapy and wives not needing permission from husbands to do things. BUT it still doesn't sit right with me that it was a plot point at all. I don't know.
Overall, I had fun riding the ride of this book and could recommend it, but I'd like to hear more about the topic above from the author.
However, there is a giant plot point and a scene at an "asylum". The book is set in the 1930s and there is pushback conversations from the characters on topics of queer people and conversion therapy and wives not needing permission from husbands to do things. BUT it still doesn't sit right with me that it was a plot point at all. I don't know.
Overall, I had fun riding the ride of this book and could recommend it, but I'd like to hear more about the topic above from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Grief, Death, Blood, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
grimdark_dad's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Death, Car accident, Violence, and Gun violence