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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What if Jane Austen wrote Clue?
And made it gay.
And made it gay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence
Minor: Confinement, Acephobia/Arophobia
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A reading group overwhelmingly recommended The Gentleman and His Vowsmith to me (while the varied reviews here made me wonder what I would think) almost immediately the story had me by the throat, and I couldn’t put it down. This year has been a stressful one, but it’s also given me now two excellent queer gothic murder mysteries (KJ Charles’
upcoming ‘All of Us Murderers’ being the other) so I’m quite grateful for having found Vowsmith—which absolutely deserves to live right next to KJC’s new gothic novel on my bookshelf, with the books I really love.
Vowsmith’s setting is an old moldering estate where Nicholas, our male main character with a preference for men, has spent his life largely imprisoned by a distant, cruel, disapproving father whose guiding purpose is keeping their noble family line intact. At the start of the novel Nic’s father suddenly upsets his son’s quasi-hermitage, deciding to let his only son be betrothed to the daughter of a prominent family, and by the way, Nic’s first love & childhood best friend will be arriving with his fiancée’s party to manage the magical documents binding it all. In a possible second-chance-romance situation I was curious what these other unknown individuals would bring to the story, and if I would like Nic’s betrothed—yet happily Lady Leaf is a breath of fresh air. She’s a confidently asexual young woman with goals outside marriage she’s still trying to pursue, yet happy to make a possible friend in Nic. Lady Leaf adores murder mysteries and gothic novels, so when the chance comes to explore the old mansion and estate, she’s quite excited—and when bodies begin to accumulate, she’s ready to roll up her sleeves to help solve the mysteries they’re being embroiled in. Soon potential suspects abound—and as Nic and Leaf’s fathers unite to insist the marriage go forward, Nic and Leaf are left to puzzle out who is trying to stop their union (and why). Throughout this adventure Nic grows ever closer to the titular Vowsmith who once broke his heart and tries to uncover what secrets his father and mother are keeping from him, hoping to keep the murderer away from those he’s beginning to love.
‘The Gentleman and His Vowsmith’ is a Regency Gothic novel in the best way—using society rules, polite tea, dinner conversations and valets to navigate new relationships and uncover old scandals and secrets—with the addition of a queer-normative society that also has magic. The mysteries are layered here: past traumas, secrets and grudges driving the present, new generations are fighting for their future and happiness. I loved the whole thing, and can’t wait to read more set in this world, and hopefully more of the main characters’ future adventures. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys queer romance, murder mysteries, historical fiction or fantasy, or the works of Sebastian Nothwell, KJ Charles, Cat Sebastian, or Freya Marske.
upcoming ‘All of Us Murderers’ being the other) so I’m quite grateful for having found Vowsmith—which absolutely deserves to live right next to KJC’s new gothic novel on my bookshelf, with the books I really love.
Vowsmith’s setting is an old moldering estate where Nicholas, our male main character with a preference for men, has spent his life largely imprisoned by a distant, cruel, disapproving father whose guiding purpose is keeping their noble family line intact. At the start of the novel Nic’s father suddenly upsets his son’s quasi-hermitage, deciding to let his only son be betrothed to the daughter of a prominent family, and by the way, Nic’s first love & childhood best friend will be arriving with his fiancée’s party to manage the magical documents binding it all. In a possible second-chance-romance situation I was curious what these other unknown individuals would bring to the story, and if I would like Nic’s betrothed—yet happily Lady Leaf is a breath of fresh air. She’s a confidently asexual young woman with goals outside marriage she’s still trying to pursue, yet happy to make a possible friend in Nic. Lady Leaf adores murder mysteries and gothic novels, so when the chance comes to explore the old mansion and estate, she’s quite excited—and when bodies begin to accumulate, she’s ready to roll up her sleeves to help solve the mysteries they’re being embroiled in. Soon potential suspects abound—and as Nic and Leaf’s fathers unite to insist the marriage go forward, Nic and Leaf are left to puzzle out who is trying to stop their union (and why). Throughout this adventure Nic grows ever closer to the titular Vowsmith who once broke his heart and tries to uncover what secrets his father and mother are keeping from him, hoping to keep the murderer away from those he’s beginning to love.
‘The Gentleman and His Vowsmith’ is a Regency Gothic novel in the best way—using society rules, polite tea, dinner conversations and valets to navigate new relationships and uncover old scandals and secrets—with the addition of a queer-normative society that also has magic. The mysteries are layered here: past traumas, secrets and grudges driving the present, new generations are fighting for their future and happiness. I loved the whole thing, and can’t wait to read more set in this world, and hopefully more of the main characters’ future adventures. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys queer romance, murder mysteries, historical fiction or fantasy, or the works of Sebastian Nothwell, KJ Charles, Cat Sebastian, or Freya Marske.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Death, Suicide
Minor: Confinement, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
One death appears to be a suicide by hanging
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I was so ready to suspend disbelief about how even bored nobles with nothing better to do could spend WEEKS negotiating one marriage contract , but when everyone, even our heroes who KNOW there’s a scary murderous robot, are still walking around alone all the time as though three people haven’t died???? And then a fourth person is murdered and everyone’s like “my god! We must take action! By remaining in the Murder Palace for 5-6 days instead of just getting in our carriages and going home!!”??????? No. No way. Disbelief not suspended. I’m out.
emotional
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A murder mystery with a dash of classism, forbidden romance, generational trauma, a combative relationship between Nic and his father, a mother disassociating from reality, a forced marriage, a long-lost love, a second chance romance, an interesting magic system all set in a crumbling, gothic manner where the doors are locked and no one can leave.
This book had a great deal going for it. The plot, the betrayals, the secrets were all very nicely strung together into a complex tangle; the magic system isn’t explained, just there in the background but given just enough depth to hint at a greater complexity, and the vaguely Victorian society where rank, class, money and power keep the rich rich and the poor … not so rich. However, it also has a few areas that, I felt, were a bit lacking.
The world building, like the magic, is very soft. Instead the book relies on vibes and the reader’s familiarity — however small or great — with the idea of a queer normative world of English manors and manners and waistcoats and carriages to fill in the gaps. Personally, I think with a little more attention paid to the societal issues, one scene in particular at the end would have had a greater punch. As it is that moment when one of the reasons behind so many events is suddenly revealed, it was a little confusing and a bit anti-climactic, especially since it came on the heels of several other reveals, most of which were done with greater pageantry.
Nic, as a character, is fine for a “poor little rich boy” vibe, locked away in the country where he by turns ignores his father and dances attendance on his mother who is suffering from the emotional neglect and betrayal of her husband. However, he doesn’t exactly have that much character growth. He has some, don't get me wrong, but personally — and this is just my nitpick, not a comment on the book — I wanted either more emotion in the first half, or more in the second. He felt rather … whelming as a character, as if he didn’t really care about anything or anyone beyond getting back with and back at Dashiell, his first love who abandoned him.
Dashiell is a little unformed; he reacts to Nic as appropriately as any love interest would; hurt when Nic rebuffs him (this after Dashiell’s asshole moment where he fucks Nic, and calls it “closure” before walking away), angry when Nic insults him, protective when Nic is threatened, and amorous when Nic wants to sleep with him. If Dash had been stronger, and if Nic had shown a less passive personality, I think I might have given this book five stars. Instead, it’s a paltry four.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, and do recommend it. It’s just, as someone who reads more for characters than plot, I think this book could have done more to please me. (I’m sure the author will get right on that, haha.) Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC of this book!
This book had a great deal going for it. The plot, the betrayals, the secrets were all very nicely strung together into a complex tangle; the magic system isn’t explained, just there in the background but given just enough depth to hint at a greater complexity, and the vaguely Victorian society where rank, class, money and power keep the rich rich and the poor … not so rich. However, it also has a few areas that, I felt, were a bit lacking.
The world building, like the magic, is very soft. Instead the book relies on vibes and the reader’s familiarity — however small or great — with the idea of a queer normative world of English manors and manners and waistcoats and carriages to fill in the gaps. Personally, I think with a little more attention paid to the societal issues, one scene in particular at the end would have had a greater punch. As it is that moment when one of the reasons behind so many events is suddenly revealed, it was a little confusing and a bit anti-climactic, especially since it came on the heels of several other reveals, most of which were done with greater pageantry.
Nic, as a character, is fine for a “poor little rich boy” vibe, locked away in the country where he by turns ignores his father and dances attendance on his mother who is suffering from the emotional neglect and betrayal of her husband. However, he doesn’t exactly have that much character growth. He has some, don't get me wrong, but personally — and this is just my nitpick, not a comment on the book — I wanted either more emotion in the first half, or more in the second. He felt rather … whelming as a character, as if he didn’t really care about anything or anyone beyond getting back with and back at Dashiell, his first love who abandoned him.
Dashiell is a little unformed; he reacts to Nic as appropriately as any love interest would; hurt when Nic rebuffs him (this after Dashiell’s asshole moment where he fucks Nic, and calls it “closure” before walking away), angry when Nic insults him, protective when Nic is threatened, and amorous when Nic wants to sleep with him. If Dash had been stronger, and if Nic had shown a less passive personality, I think I might have given this book five stars. Instead, it’s a paltry four.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, and do recommend it. It’s just, as someone who reads more for characters than plot, I think this book could have done more to please me. (I’m sure the author will get right on that, haha.) Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC of this book!
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes