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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
3.5 Stars
So essentially this book is a bit of Mary Barton, a pinch of Sherlock Holmes, featuring a
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lesbian romanceI have to start with the writing. It's not often that the writing style of a novel is what makes me go "wow", but the descriptions in The Wicked Cometh are exquisite. The writing also feels authentically Victorian (or Georgian), with a realist edge (probably more Dickensian than Gaskell-esque, but something about the story really reminds me of the aforementioned Mary Barton). There are, for example, long stretches of expositional dialogue (often given by characters in dialect) which would feel like instances of bad writing technique in a novel that wasn't trying to mimic this style. The style also works particularly well with regard to
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the romance between Hester and Rebekah. Because it feels so authentically Georgian/Victorian, it is easy to believe you are actually reading a classic that happens to feature a lesbian romance.Because the writing is so beautiful, and atmospheric, the world-building is also sublime - for the most part. I could never quite get as clear an image of Waterford in my head as I did Georgian London. The description of the exterior of The Fortune of War is particularly stunning.
Now onto what didn't work so well, in my opinion. Though I liked the characters, and thought they felt like they had jumped straight out of a Georgian/Victorian novel, they weren't as well-developed as I would have liked. Some of the side characters were interestingly flawed (like Meg and Mrs Cohen), but Hester and Rebekah lacked something for me unfortunately, as did the villains. I think Hester's lack of care for anyone but Rebekah was partly the reason I struggled with her
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I'm thinking in particular of the time she grieves more for the living Rebekah than Meg and the twinsSpoiler
The romance is sweet thoughSpoiler
I'm looking at you, Mr BlisterSpoiler
As for Calder, I suspected him from the beginning. He is too obviously painted as a "good" character, and provides a link between London, Waterford, Blister etc.The mystery unfortunately was the weakest part of the novel. I didn't mind that some aspects were a bit OTT, I just personally found it predictable.
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There's a main character who's an obsessed doctor, who has put himself in a position where he has easy access to the poor, and people keep going missing, but it's clearly not their belongings that the kidnappers are after. I wonder what use a doctor could make of dead bodies?Spoiler
Calder - and many others - see more value in poor people when they're deadOn the whole though, I really did enjoy this book. While I ultimately wasn't fond of the mystery, the atmosphere and writing were wonderful and immersive, and I did care for the characters even though they weren't particularly remarkable. I wouldn't have picked this book out for myself, as I don't tend to gravitate towards this kind of historical fiction, but this made for a nice change after all the fantasy and sci-fi.
This cover is absolutely AMAZING, it feels lovely and looks great.
Really interesting story and great cover design.
Really interesting story and great cover design.
There are elements of great writing here, some of the descriptions are outstanding but ultimately it is let down by the slow to develop mystery and the ending is way too sappy for my liking.
This is a fantastic gothic historical novel. We follow Hester White, a young woman keen to get out of the slums of London at any cost, from the capital out to mysterious mansions and back again. A novel brimming with atmosphere. A twisting tale of secrets, whispers and passions. A modern sensation novel indeed.
Difficult book to get into - I felt it overwritten and very slow. I felt the premise to be fine, it just hadn't got any pace. The characters were fairly likeable, but it was just... it wasn't for me.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
This book had a pretty slow start, and for the first third of it I was just waiting for the action to begin. I was even worried that the beginning would become redundant later on; luckily it was basically just set up for the rest of the 2/3s of the book. I do therefore think the beginning could have been shorter, but…
…wow. The rest of the book: just, wow. I don’t want to give too much away but I bloody loved it. It was crimey and mysterious with a speckle of romance and some angst to pull on my heart strings. I thought the plot was paced and accelerated really well and the plot twists! Ah.
I really enjoyed the main character, Hester, and how spunky she was. She did sort of go-with-the-flow sometimes, but she knew who she was and what she wanted. Not only that, but she developed the whole way through. She was a little underhand at times, but that just made me love her more!
Overall, despite not being 5/5, this book is a new favourite of mine, and I definitely recommend it.
…wow. The rest of the book: just, wow. I don’t want to give too much away but I bloody loved it. It was crimey and mysterious with a speckle of romance and some angst to pull on my heart strings. I thought the plot was paced and accelerated really well and the plot twists! Ah.
I really enjoyed the main character, Hester, and how spunky she was. She did sort of go-with-the-flow sometimes, but she knew who she was and what she wanted. Not only that, but she developed the whole way through. She was a little underhand at times, but that just made me love her more!
Overall, despite not being 5/5, this book is a new favourite of mine, and I definitely recommend it.
I have very mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand it’s beautifully written; a dark, detailed and twisted tale with a streak of love shining right through the centre. Hester & Rebekah’s love for each other was built up subtly & realistically, the suspense of the narrative was drawn out just enough to keep me guessing but not so much I got bored waiting for the plot to thicken.
But on the other hand the ending felt a little rushed; even though it was a happy ending I would have preferred to see more of the two reuniting. Also as it does have a high level of detail whether it’s the sky, a room or a gross medical situation (and also dead bodies) I did feel very icky reading some parts which altered my position on the rest of the book.
Overall it was readable but I’m not going to re-read it
On the one hand it’s beautifully written; a dark, detailed and twisted tale with a streak of love shining right through the centre. Hester & Rebekah’s love for each other was built up subtly & realistically, the suspense of the narrative was drawn out just enough to keep me guessing but not so much I got bored waiting for the plot to thicken.
But on the other hand the ending felt a little rushed; even though it was a happy ending I would have preferred to see more of the two reuniting. Also as it does have a high level of detail whether it’s the sky, a room or a gross medical situation (and also dead bodies) I did feel very icky reading some parts which altered my position on the rest of the book.
Overall it was readable but I’m not going to re-read it
I absolutely loved this book! The story of the two women was beautifully written and had me struggling to put the book down to get on with daily life! I highly recommend it!
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated