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I really felt like this was a greatest hits tour of Victorian Gothic lit; amateur scientists, mild doctor friends of the family, poor relations, manor houses, mad aunts, etc. The setting was a stunning backdrop for the mechanic of what’s unsettling this set of twins. If you’ve been drawn to these dark, historic stories of elegant families upset and brought to ruin by the supernatural, it’s a great choice.
The author also has a very interesting take on twins and sisterhood. This also mirrors a sometimes converging conversation on parasitism (both literal and figurative). I really thought the non-horror themes were well discussed and clearly had a lot of thought behind their inclusion.
For me, this is a very easy 5/5 recommendation for anyone who loves a gooey, gross body horror book (with carriages and signet rings as a bonus.)
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia
First, for the things I loved: The concept is so interesting! This book draws heavily on the vampire tradition but doesn't only limit itself to the obvious (Dracula, Carmilla). There's some cool revenant folk lore and science influences as well, all grounded in a pretty convincing historical setting. There's sapphics (so many sapphics, guys!!) and having just finished Hungerstone, a Carmilla retelling, I was so happy to get not one but two sapphic vampire stories within the same month! What a wonderful surprise.
For things that I didn't enjoy: the writing wasn't as evocative as I would have liked. For a gothic, I have pretty high expectations when it comes to atmosphere and the creeping sense of dread as the mystery unfolds but this book unfortunately fell on the weaker end of the spectrum. Also, there was a heavy dose of bigotry voiced through many side characters, and while I do believe that it was meant to make a point (about the times, womanhood, etc), I personally found it made the reading experience a little less enjoyable, since it was just too heavy-handed for my taste.
All in all, I do recommend this though. The story offers a fresh approach to a very old topic, the ending felt very well deserved and I am looking forward to whatever the author writes next.
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Cannibalism
Moderate: Child death, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Forced institutionalization
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Self harm, Blood, Cannibalism
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Gore, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting