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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin
⭐️5
Books telling the stories of London in the 1800s always appeal to me, it’s like there’s a pull towards that time for me. Part of me thought this was going to be a Jack The Ripper retelling but I was happily surprised to find it was a different sort of history retelling.
The stories that surround the grim and morbid money making schemes of this time period are horrific and haunting. You don’t think that’s the way this story is going to go but there are all sorts of hidden plot lines within this novel. The surprising plot line of all? The romance between the two female protagonists. I was glad to read about a love story not drenched in cliche and overly done back stories. This was a refreshing change of pace and I absolutely loved it. Guess it timed well with it being pride month too!!
If you too enjoy the historical stories of the grim 1800s then please....pick up this book....I urge you to read it and escape down the murky and cess filled back alleys of poverty stricken London. Drench yourself in the sickly demise of those dying or already passed over. Sink into the lives of the ‘upstairs’ and sympathise with the downtrodden ‘downstairs’. This book comes highly recommended from me, as are are books written about this time period. And it seems my next step on my Myth Taker is another 1800 story.....this time my morbid fascination of Jack the Ripper is forefront and I can’t wait to dive into the heart breaking and haunting lives of those 5 women murdered by an unknown.
⭐️5
Books telling the stories of London in the 1800s always appeal to me, it’s like there’s a pull towards that time for me. Part of me thought this was going to be a Jack The Ripper retelling but I was happily surprised to find it was a different sort of history retelling.
The stories that surround the grim and morbid money making schemes of this time period are horrific and haunting. You don’t think that’s the way this story is going to go but there are all sorts of hidden plot lines within this novel. The surprising plot line of all? The romance between the two female protagonists. I was glad to read about a love story not drenched in cliche and overly done back stories. This was a refreshing change of pace and I absolutely loved it. Guess it timed well with it being pride month too!!
If you too enjoy the historical stories of the grim 1800s then please....pick up this book....I urge you to read it and escape down the murky and cess filled back alleys of poverty stricken London. Drench yourself in the sickly demise of those dying or already passed over. Sink into the lives of the ‘upstairs’ and sympathise with the downtrodden ‘downstairs’. This book comes highly recommended from me, as are are books written about this time period. And it seems my next step on my Myth Taker is another 1800 story.....this time my morbid fascination of Jack the Ripper is forefront and I can’t wait to dive into the heart breaking and haunting lives of those 5 women murdered by an unknown.
15/05/2018
I really wanted to love this book and for the first 100 or so pages, I did. I thought this was going to a really fun and interesting historical mystery that I would be gushing about for days. But, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. I think that if you are a fan of the scenery and general vibe of Jane Eyre or Persuasion you might enjoy this and if you like a mystery with a prominent love story this will be for you. I wish I would have loved this more but, unfortunately, there was too much romance and not enough blood for me (yes, I am aware that I sound like a psychopath).
I really wanted to love this book and for the first 100 or so pages, I did. I thought this was going to a really fun and interesting historical mystery that I would be gushing about for days. But, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me. I think that if you are a fan of the scenery and general vibe of Jane Eyre or Persuasion you might enjoy this and if you like a mystery with a prominent love story this will be for you. I wish I would have loved this more but, unfortunately, there was too much romance and not enough blood for me (yes, I am aware that I sound like a psychopath).
A satisfyingly readable story with everything I could ever want: a Regency-era whodunnit, solved by lesbian amateur sleuths.
Crime fighting ladies? CHECK. Some super awesome LGBT stuff in a Victorian/Georgian setting? CHECK. A damn awesome book that keeps you hooked from start to finish? TRIPLE CHECK.
I didn't know whether I'd enjoy this book, but from the moment I started reading, there was something beautifully entrancing about the story. It pulls you right into the underbelly of the Victorian/Georgian era with beautiful imagery, lyrical prose and two main characters that make you wish they were the brand new Sherlock and Watson.
I really enjoyed this book- it's interesting, fast-paced and so jam-packed with tense, thriller-y moments that it actually devoids you of sleep (especially when you're listening to it while you're trying to sleep). It could genuinely read like an Agatha Christie or Conan Doyle novel, but with so much darker deliciousness. It's grim and gory and an absolute treat to gobble up.
At times, the writing and dialogue can be quite dense, which is why it didn't quite get the full five stars, but this was a fantastic book that I think has pulled me out of my reading slump.
I didn't know whether I'd enjoy this book, but from the moment I started reading, there was something beautifully entrancing about the story. It pulls you right into the underbelly of the Victorian/Georgian era with beautiful imagery, lyrical prose and two main characters that make you wish they were the brand new Sherlock and Watson.
I really enjoyed this book- it's interesting, fast-paced and so jam-packed with tense, thriller-y moments that it actually devoids you of sleep (especially when you're listening to it while you're trying to sleep). It could genuinely read like an Agatha Christie or Conan Doyle novel, but with so much darker deliciousness. It's grim and gory and an absolute treat to gobble up.
At times, the writing and dialogue can be quite dense, which is why it didn't quite get the full five stars, but this was a fantastic book that I think has pulled me out of my reading slump.
Ok. I will admit, once again, that I am a sucker for a beautiful cover. So when I saw the stunning print version of The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin I knew I wanted to read it. I hadn’t read the blurb nor did I know anything about the story. I was lucky in that the story is set in Victorian London which is a time period and place that I love reading about.
I couldn’t say that I loved The Wicked Cometh but it did keep me entertained. For me, the pacing was a bit slow but what cannot be argued is Carlin’s ability to paint a picture of the dirty, grimy underbelly of London’s streets. Her descriptions of the London ghettos is flawless.
The Wicked Cometh is a really good story that is long, languorous and atmospheric in its telling. If you are a fan of Victorian mysteries then you need to add it to your book list.
The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin is available now.
For more information regarding Hodder & Stoughton (@HodderBooks) please visit www.hodder.co.uk.
I couldn’t say that I loved The Wicked Cometh but it did keep me entertained. For me, the pacing was a bit slow but what cannot be argued is Carlin’s ability to paint a picture of the dirty, grimy underbelly of London’s streets. Her descriptions of the London ghettos is flawless.
The Wicked Cometh is a really good story that is long, languorous and atmospheric in its telling. If you are a fan of Victorian mysteries then you need to add it to your book list.
The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin is available now.
For more information regarding Hodder & Stoughton (@HodderBooks) please visit www.hodder.co.uk.
This was a difficult one to review. It has something of “Crimson Petal in the White” about it, although I felt that at times it became a bit lost. The last quarter of the book definitely saved it for me, but throughout I found that I just couldn’t quite get on board with the story/characters in the way I wanted to.
This was a mess - poorly written, with a plodding, nonsensical plot fuelled by coincidence and nick of time convenient turns, terrible characterization, insta-love (believe it or not), and just overall an utter lack of sense of time and place. The book offers a pretty facile approximation of "gothic Victorian London" - though the book is actually set before that (does the author realize?). Hanging setting on a few well-worn tropes, it's anachronistic and unconvincing. This feels like a very annoying trend - though it was far better written, I DNFed The Western Wind when tea popped up in 1491. Who's editing these?
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is an easy and intriguing read that places you in early 19th century London. It is essentially a mystery that the two main characters have to solve. I loved the Gothic imagery and the contrast between the dark underbelly of the city to the rich, aristocratic snapshots of the upper-class characters.
However, I felt some parts of the writing was telling rather than showing, especially in regards to emotions. Also, the plot could have been tweaked slightly for it to be better.
However, I felt some parts of the writing was telling rather than showing, especially in regards to emotions. Also, the plot could have been tweaked slightly for it to be better.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes