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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: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism
Moderate: Homophobia
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, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent
This was so nasty. I loved it.
The atmosphere was so, so beautifully written. So very gothic and moody. Even when everything crumbled and hell broke loose. Ah, sisterly love.
For those who need to know what happens to the dog (a minor character but who is so prominent on the cover):
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Pregnancy
The writing style was really immersive. Johanna van Veen is an incredibly strong world builder, each setting, from the manor house to the bog itself, was so vividly drawn that they felt like characters in their own right. This book is dark, gruesome, disturbing at times in the best way, explicit in moments but never overly so.
Lucy was a highly engaging protagonist. She isn't the innocent maiden, and she isn't the manipulative siren, she's a complicated character with flaws, but underneath it all is a loving sister and a woman navigating how to survive in the 19th century with all the oppression that entails. We will never know how we would deal with something so unfathomable, but Lucy reads like one of the most realistic examples.
I recommend this to anyone who likes horror, Gothic or dark stories, but the main draw for me was the exploration of sisterly bonds, feminine rage, and finding humanity in every being.
Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books/Poisoned pen Press for the advanced copy!
Graphic: Body horror, Gore
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Cannibalism
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Cannibalism
Moderate: Child death, Self harm, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty
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