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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
4 solid stars
A fantastic debut
I really enjoyed this book & it kept me guessing right until the end.
If you love historical fiction with mystery & romance added in you will be hooked.
Oh & the cover is a thing of beauty too!
A fantastic debut
I really enjoyed this book & it kept me guessing right until the end.
If you love historical fiction with mystery & romance added in you will be hooked.
Oh & the cover is a thing of beauty too!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I had such high hopes. I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment.
On its face, The Wicked Cometh has so many great things going for it:
1. One of the most gorgeous covers (and endpages) I've ever seen!
2. Victorian London!
3. Mysterious and gruesome murders in Victorian London!
4. Lesbians!!! In Victorian London!!!!
5. Dark family secrets!
Alas, none of that means anything in the face of the awful writing and characterization.
The writing is stilted, staccato, and melodramatic, as is the dialogue. These characters...may as well not even exist. Does Hester have a personality? Does Rebekah? Does anyone else exist for any reason other than to further the plot? Nope. Hester keeps bashing us over the head with how wonderful Rebekah is but like...why is she so wonderful? Who knows! We're just told - over and over again - that Rebekah is The Best but the narrative doesn't show us anything to prove this.
As for Hester, not only is she the blandest character imaginable, but she feels the need to explicitly narrate every single thing that is happening, as though she's explaining herself to a five-year-old. She consistently bashes the reader over the head with banal and completely unnecessary explanations of the current situation. This is consistent of the narrative as a whole: it's a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, which is frustrating to say the least, but also lends itself well to a narrative that engenders apathy from the reader.
The plot is convoluted and contrived, strung together by random coincidences and plot devices that I struggled to wrap my head around. It also meanders a lot; not a ton actually happens in this book but it's stretched out to a rather dull and boring 337 pages, made all the more difficult to get through because of the stiff writing and lack of characterization. Everything felt scripted; there was no suspense or excitement whatsoever. I just could not bring myself to care about anything at all that was happening, so even when the ~big reveals~ happened, I kinda just shrugged. I was just happy to be done.
And it's a shame, because the writing isn't always awful; in fact, there are occasionally really lovely descriptions and turns of phrases (such as the final sentence). The author also does a fantastic job bringing 19th-century London to life; it's clear that she is someone who knows London very, very well and did a great deal of research. The descriptions of London's slums were vivid and harrowing; there were moments when I felt like I was reading a novel actually published in the 19th-century.
But it was just so utterly soulless; I felt like I was reading an administrative report of a series of events rather than a novel. I found myself mourning this novel's potential and struggling to see the light at the end of the book.
On its face, The Wicked Cometh has so many great things going for it:
1. One of the most gorgeous covers (and endpages) I've ever seen!
2. Victorian London!
3. Mysterious and gruesome murders in Victorian London!
4. Lesbians!!! In Victorian London!!!!
5. Dark family secrets!
Alas, none of that means anything in the face of the awful writing and characterization.
The writing is stilted, staccato, and melodramatic, as is the dialogue. These characters...may as well not even exist. Does Hester have a personality? Does Rebekah? Does anyone else exist for any reason other than to further the plot? Nope. Hester keeps bashing us over the head with how wonderful Rebekah is but like...why is she so wonderful? Who knows! We're just told - over and over again - that Rebekah is The Best but the narrative doesn't show us anything to prove this.
As for Hester, not only is she the blandest character imaginable, but she feels the need to explicitly narrate every single thing that is happening, as though she's explaining herself to a five-year-old. She consistently bashes the reader over the head with banal and completely unnecessary explanations of the current situation. This is consistent of the narrative as a whole: it's a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, which is frustrating to say the least, but also lends itself well to a narrative that engenders apathy from the reader.
The plot is convoluted and contrived, strung together by random coincidences and plot devices that I struggled to wrap my head around. It also meanders a lot; not a ton actually happens in this book but it's stretched out to a rather dull and boring 337 pages, made all the more difficult to get through because of the stiff writing and lack of characterization. Everything felt scripted; there was no suspense or excitement whatsoever. I just could not bring myself to care about anything at all that was happening, so even when the ~big reveals~ happened, I kinda just shrugged. I was just happy to be done.
And it's a shame, because the writing isn't always awful; in fact, there are occasionally really lovely descriptions and turns of phrases (such as the final sentence). The author also does a fantastic job bringing 19th-century London to life; it's clear that she is someone who knows London very, very well and did a great deal of research. The descriptions of London's slums were vivid and harrowing; there were moments when I felt like I was reading a novel actually published in the 19th-century.
But it was just so utterly soulless; I felt like I was reading an administrative report of a series of events rather than a novel. I found myself mourning this novel's potential and struggling to see the light at the end of the book.
The Wicked Cometh could have been a perfectly adequate novel had it been written by someone with a modicum more talent for storytelling. It's unfortunate that a lesbian neo-Victorian thriller should be this devoid of passion and suspense, but as it stands, this was a rather dull and middling read.
From the very first page, everything about this book feels contrived. The premise is frankly absurd: a down on her luck young woman named Hester living in the slums of London gets into an accident one day and is rescued by a handsome and charismatic doctor who insists that she stay with his family to recuperate, and then be tutored by his sister so she has the opportunity to improve her station in life, and if that all sounds a little convenient, it's because this entire book is driven by coincidence and plot devices. Characters go through the motions as if in a pre-rehearsed pantomime; no one at any point feels present. The decisions they make seem to be solely in the interest of driving the plot forward; all rationality and logic is utterly abandoned to tell this story.
The writing itself is both stilted and melodramatic, a combination that lends itself beautifully to 337 pages (not that I was counting) of telling rather than showing. There isn't a single personality trait to be found in any one of these characters, but even so, we are simply bashed over the head with Hester's heavy-handed narration in which she extols the virtues of her tutor Rebekah. But even that is a bit misleading, because I'm not sure what these virtues are, exactly; only that Rebekah is the greatest person to ever have lived. Hester also likes to spell out exactly what is happening at any given time, in case we missed it: "With one faithless action I have changed the direction of both our destinies and unwittingly discarded my chance of future happiness." This isn't the kind of thing you should have to say; you should have faith as an author that this is being communicated by the narrative itself. You shouldn't need your characters to narrate the story to the reader as they're living it.
I really did want to love this, but frankly the whole thing felt silly and ridiculous, and not at all the sinister and atmospheric gothic novel I had been hoping for. Two stars for the novelty of seeing an LGBT romance in a historical fiction novel where homophobia isn't the main driving force in the narrative. Otherwise this was just stale and derivative.
From the very first page, everything about this book feels contrived. The premise is frankly absurd: a down on her luck young woman named Hester living in the slums of London gets into an accident one day and is rescued by a handsome and charismatic doctor who insists that she stay with his family to recuperate, and then be tutored by his sister so she has the opportunity to improve her station in life, and if that all sounds a little convenient, it's because this entire book is driven by coincidence and plot devices. Characters go through the motions as if in a pre-rehearsed pantomime; no one at any point feels present. The decisions they make seem to be solely in the interest of driving the plot forward; all rationality and logic is utterly abandoned to tell this story.
The writing itself is both stilted and melodramatic, a combination that lends itself beautifully to 337 pages (not that I was counting) of telling rather than showing. There isn't a single personality trait to be found in any one of these characters, but even so, we are simply bashed over the head with Hester's heavy-handed narration in which she extols the virtues of her tutor Rebekah. But even that is a bit misleading, because I'm not sure what these virtues are, exactly; only that Rebekah is the greatest person to ever have lived. Hester also likes to spell out exactly what is happening at any given time, in case we missed it: "With one faithless action I have changed the direction of both our destinies and unwittingly discarded my chance of future happiness." This isn't the kind of thing you should have to say; you should have faith as an author that this is being communicated by the narrative itself. You shouldn't need your characters to narrate the story to the reader as they're living it.
I really did want to love this, but frankly the whole thing felt silly and ridiculous, and not at all the sinister and atmospheric gothic novel I had been hoping for. Two stars for the novelty of seeing an LGBT romance in a historical fiction novel where homophobia isn't the main driving force in the narrative. Otherwise this was just stale and derivative.
As a graduate who studied History at university, I love historical fiction when it's done right and The Wicked Cometh is everything that I want historical fiction to be. The intriguing murder mystery plot gently unfolds through Carlin's authentic and beautifully descriptive London that completely immersed me as a reader. Reminiscent of Dickensian London streets - grimy, poverty-stricken, and full to the brim with nefarious criminals - I felt completely transported away to the same 19th century London streets that our main character, Hester White, traverses.
Although I find it a little slow to start, once Hester arrives at Waterford Hall after an accident while searching for her missing cousin and she meets the intimidating figure of Rebekah Brock I felt completely swept away. I watched with heightened anticipation as their relationship slowly unfurled in a way which always kept me wanting more but never giving me too much at once. When the wicked secrets begin to seep back into Hester's life and Rebekah involves Hester in her rapidly growing investigation into the disappearances of London's poor, the story really begins to accelerate and I could hardly put the book down.
Like the blossoming romance between Hester and Rebekah, Carlin only ever gives you just enough to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what on earth is going on. Who is behind all of these disappearances? Why does no one else seem to be investigating? And how much danger are our girls in as they sneak around the grimy streets, digging further into this wickedness? The twists and turns of the story literally had me guessing the entire way through and I love how historically contextualized the final discovery actually was.
Like many other readers, I felt that The Wicked Cometh was very reminiscent of [a:Sarah Waters|25334|Sarah Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1409248454p2/25334.jpg] f/f historical fiction [b:Fingersmith|8913370|Fingersmith|Sarah Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348622459s/8913370.jpg|1014113]. It would be hard to read an f/f historical fiction novel that's set in the grimy streets of London's underworld without making reference to Fingersmith but I feel that it in no way negatively impacts upon the experience of The Wicked Cometh. I never felt like The Wicked Cometh was too similar or that it wasn't adding anything new and interesting to the genre. And quite frankly, I am not going to turn down more historical fiction with a lesbian romance in it. Another book I would say The Wicked Cometh was similar to is also [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639], particularly when Hester goes off to Waterford Hall. So, if you appreciate Fingersmith and/or Jane Eyre then definitely pick up The Wicked Cometh too!
This e-ARC was given to me by Hodder and Stoughton through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way has effected my review.
Although I find it a little slow to start, once Hester arrives at Waterford Hall after an accident while searching for her missing cousin and she meets the intimidating figure of Rebekah Brock I felt completely swept away. I watched with heightened anticipation as their relationship slowly unfurled in a way which always kept me wanting more but never giving me too much at once. When the wicked secrets begin to seep back into Hester's life and Rebekah involves Hester in her rapidly growing investigation into the disappearances of London's poor, the story really begins to accelerate and I could hardly put the book down.
It seems that evil spreads readily from root to stock and from limb to leaf; and with so many tormentors, then how many victims?
Like the blossoming romance between Hester and Rebekah, Carlin only ever gives you just enough to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what on earth is going on. Who is behind all of these disappearances? Why does no one else seem to be investigating? And how much danger are our girls in as they sneak around the grimy streets, digging further into this wickedness? The twists and turns of the story literally had me guessing the entire way through and I love how historically contextualized the final discovery actually was.
Like many other readers, I felt that The Wicked Cometh was very reminiscent of [a:Sarah Waters|25334|Sarah Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1409248454p2/25334.jpg] f/f historical fiction [b:Fingersmith|8913370|Fingersmith|Sarah Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348622459s/8913370.jpg|1014113]. It would be hard to read an f/f historical fiction novel that's set in the grimy streets of London's underworld without making reference to Fingersmith but I feel that it in no way negatively impacts upon the experience of The Wicked Cometh. I never felt like The Wicked Cometh was too similar or that it wasn't adding anything new and interesting to the genre. And quite frankly, I am not going to turn down more historical fiction with a lesbian romance in it. Another book I would say The Wicked Cometh was similar to is also [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639], particularly when Hester goes off to Waterford Hall. So, if you appreciate Fingersmith and/or Jane Eyre then definitely pick up The Wicked Cometh too!
This e-ARC was given to me by Hodder and Stoughton through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way has effected my review.
↠ 3.5 stars
I actually didn’t know this was so dramatically gay until I read it and wow, my heart 😭 The heroine Hester is so passionate when expressing her love for Rebekah and it’s quite incredible. (There’s even a line that compares Rebekah to a sunset that gilds Hester’s day.)
The Wicked Cometh is a gritty Victorian novel that’s 50% romance and then 50% murder mystery, and I admit the fact the romance part wasn’t intertwined with the mystery part doesn’t sit all that well with me because ... they fall in love quickly then do the mystery but why not intertwine the plots by having them investigate murders and fall in love by being detective partners?? I love those novels. I did feel like they fell for each other quite quickly since the romance arc was the first part of the book, but they were really cute together so ok I guess.
Carlin builds an incredible picture of Victorian London - smoky, dirty and gritty, and really evocative. The book is also well-plotted, though it slows at parts, and I did get confused with a few characters and their roles here and there.
TL;DR: A beautifully-written debut with brilliant worldbuilding, and a really solidly enjoyable Victorian murder mystery
I actually didn’t know this was so dramatically gay until I read it and wow, my heart 😭 The heroine Hester is so passionate when expressing her love for Rebekah and it’s quite incredible. (There’s even a line that compares Rebekah to a sunset that gilds Hester’s day.)
The Wicked Cometh is a gritty Victorian novel that’s 50% romance and then 50% murder mystery, and I admit the fact the romance part wasn’t intertwined with the mystery part doesn’t sit all that well with me because ... they fall in love quickly then do the mystery but why not intertwine the plots by having them investigate murders and fall in love by being detective partners?? I love those novels. I did feel like they fell for each other quite quickly since the romance arc was the first part of the book, but they were really cute together so ok I guess.
Carlin builds an incredible picture of Victorian London - smoky, dirty and gritty, and really evocative. The book is also well-plotted, though it slows at parts, and I did get confused with a few characters and their roles here and there.
TL;DR: A beautifully-written debut with brilliant worldbuilding, and a really solidly enjoyable Victorian murder mystery
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review on blog - https://ashleighmeikle.com.au/2018/02/16/the-wicked-cometh-by-laura-carlin/
This is a book that isn't quite sure what it wants to be- gothic novel? Detective yarn? Rags to riches story?- and despite a strong start, it kind of folds into itself for a dissatisfying ending. There was too much going on, too many characters and too much in the way of bonkers coincidence for me to enjoy it too much.
this was a struggle for me. I found it difficult to really care. it felt too slow starting that I lost too much interest by the time it picked up pace.