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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Resurrectionist follows James as he enters the world of surgical schools and body snatching in this dark academia/historical gothic novel (with a side of romance)! Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC š
Atmospheric in its depictions of 19th century Scotland! The writing style/language also adds to the story and makes the characters feel more realistic. This was an interesting look at the body snatching industry for the purposes of advancing medical/scientific knowledge, and the moral questions that come along with the industry!
It started off well but the last 50% was a total slog š The novelās pacing was all over the place, the first 30% or so was great and the last 15% exciting, but the middle slumped and the main action is at the beginning and end of the novel only.
The seriousness of the plot mixed with the funny, loveable moments between the characters was a great balance! But at times it felt like we were missing things as we got long slow burn depictions of the events throughout the book but then weād skip weeks at a time, coming into a new chapter at what felt like mid scene. While I loved the cast of characters and the main romance, I felt like I was missing pieces of the puzzle for their relationship.
The synopsis talks about Burke and Hare but we donāt see them until towards the end so it led to feeling rushed in that respect of the plot and I feel like the execution could have been better if the novel stuck to the body snatching industry and anatomy schoolsā rivalries as opposed to shoehorning in these serial killers into the mix.
Finally, the chapters were too long for my taste so despite how interesting the story was, I often times set it aside because I didnāt want to sit through another 30 minute chapter š Even if the previous chapter ended on a cliffhanger I was preferring to scroll on my phone than continue the book.
Overall it was entertaining and has made me want to research Burke and Hare, as well as 19th century body snatching further, but it fell flat in some areas as well making it a slower read than I anticipated.
Rep: achillean romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
the_rainydayreader's review against another edition
dark
informative
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? Yes
4.0
Have you ever wished for a story about Sherlock Holmes and Watson as overtly gay criminals? Then this is the book to pick up. The Resurrectionist by A. Rar Dunlap is a fantastically eerie gothic horror set in the body-snatching scene of 19th-century Scotland. Posh James Willoughby, the main character, moves to Edinburgh to begin his medical training at the University but then gets tangled up in the underground business of body-snatching- that is, stealing dead bodies from graveyards and selling them to the medical schools to be used as cadavers. Aneurin, or Nye, is the man to introduce James to this world, and to Jamesā own taboo proclivities.
One of this bookās strengths is how well it was researched. Dunlapās evocative descriptions of culture, clothing, and all five senses transport the reader to her setting, which range from gruesome dissection labs to raucous hole-in-the-walk pubs. In the authorās note, Dunlap states that the institutions in the book and many of her side characters, notably the serial killers Burke and Hare, were real people connected with body-snatching and the medical profession in 19th century Edinburgh.
Also, I was convinced by the attraction and ensuing ācompanionshipā between James and Nye, although I expected James to go through more of an internal struggle with his attraction to Nye. Even he does state that his family and profession would disown him for betting gay, he doesnāt really go through any denial about it or try to restrain himself. The relationship between him and Nye just happens naturally like any straight relationship would.
That being said, I liked them together. James and Nyeās relationship is filled with witty banter, longing stares, and steamy tension (although this is a closed-door romance. They are everything I wanted from the BBC Sherlock adaptation. And I wish that the spicy scenes did not immediately āfade to blackā and simply imply their sexual encounters- but that is just a personal preference.
Another thing to mention is that I thought that the book summary was a little misleading in its mention of Burk and Hares involvement- they only come into the story at around the 70% mark. More inclusion, or at least allusion/foreshadowing to Burke and Hareās activities would have made that part of the plot less ātacked onā to the end.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who likes gothic horror, gay historical novels, and/or is interested in the history of body-snatching.
One of this bookās strengths is how well it was researched. Dunlapās evocative descriptions of culture, clothing, and all five senses transport the reader to her setting, which range from gruesome dissection labs to raucous hole-in-the-walk pubs. In the authorās note, Dunlap states that the institutions in the book and many of her side characters, notably the serial killers Burke and Hare, were real people connected with body-snatching and the medical profession in 19th century Edinburgh.
Also, I was convinced by the attraction and ensuing ācompanionshipā between James and Nye, although I expected James to go through more of an internal struggle with his attraction to Nye. Even he does state that his family and profession would disown him for betting gay, he doesnāt really go through any denial about it or try to restrain himself. The relationship between him and Nye just happens naturally like any straight relationship would.
That being said, I liked them together. James and Nyeās relationship is filled with witty banter, longing stares, and steamy tension (although this is a closed-door romance. They are everything I wanted from the BBC Sherlock adaptation. And I wish that the spicy scenes did not immediately āfade to blackā and simply imply their sexual encounters- but that is just a personal preference.
Another thing to mention is that I thought that the book summary was a little misleading in its mention of Burk and Hares involvement- they only come into the story at around the 70% mark. More inclusion, or at least allusion/foreshadowing to Burke and Hareās activities would have made that part of the plot less ātacked onā to the end.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who likes gothic horror, gay historical novels, and/or is interested in the history of body-snatching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, and Classism
gothark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I received access to an ARC in exchange for a review
5 Stars
First of I really love the premise of this book. Like 19th century dark academia, body snatching and the corruption of a good boy through love and the thirst for knowledge? So up my alley. And I was not disappointed! Right from the beginning the mood is dark and a little detached in an almost medical kind of way. It frames how posh and proper James is in juxtaposition to the other people he meets right of the bat. And I really like the slightly surreal undertones that follow right after when James meets his first fellow Students and they are poking a severed ear with a fork at their table in a pub.
And once James meets Aneurin his inhibitions get slowly picked at by his unwavering hunger for knowledge. He wants to understand, to take apart, first of all bodies to understand anatomy, then Aneurin to look under his mask, to understand why he fascinates him so and why he makes him feel this way he does not want to recognize. Which is wonderfully mirrored by Aneurin being sure in himself and his morals, knowing exactly what he wants and not being afraid to go for it.
I'm also very happy about how delightfully fun the author manages to bring across the process of body snatching. The switching between tense and fun felt effortless and if they weren't... you know. Stealing corpses. I would be awfully tempted to join the fun.
And the relationship between James and Aneurin might be my favorite part. They tease, they bicker but it's all build on a solid foundation of affection, respect and trust. I think my favorite Scene is when Aneurin shows James his rooms for the first time. The easy affectionate intimacy of them makes my heart ache in the best way.
The plot really picks up steam towards the end and some parts left me genuinly astonished and emotionally destroyed. I did not expect some of the twist and the way they rip you out of the lighter tones we had in the middle of the book is so well done. Emotional whiplash in the best and worst way at the same time.
Overall I really loved this book, the characters are charming, the setting is super interesting and plot kept me in it's grip the whole way through. If you like questions about morality, a good mystery or a well done romance, you should read this book! I highly recommend.
Favorite Quote: "I crave no absolution but yours."
5 Stars
First of I really love the premise of this book. Like 19th century dark academia, body snatching and the corruption of a good boy through love and the thirst for knowledge? So up my alley. And I was not disappointed! Right from the beginning the mood is dark and a little detached in an almost medical kind of way. It frames how posh and proper James is in juxtaposition to the other people he meets right of the bat. And I really like the slightly surreal undertones that follow right after when James meets his first fellow Students and they are poking a severed ear with a fork at their table in a pub.
And once James meets Aneurin his inhibitions get slowly picked at by his unwavering hunger for knowledge. He wants to understand, to take apart, first of all bodies to understand anatomy, then Aneurin to look under his mask, to understand why he fascinates him so and why he makes him feel this way he does not want to recognize. Which is wonderfully mirrored by Aneurin being sure in himself and his morals, knowing exactly what he wants and not being afraid to go for it.
I'm also very happy about how delightfully fun the author manages to bring across the process of body snatching. The switching between tense and fun felt effortless and if they weren't... you know. Stealing corpses. I would be awfully tempted to join the fun.
And the relationship between James and Aneurin might be my favorite part. They tease, they bicker but it's all build on a solid foundation of affection, respect and trust. I think my favorite Scene is when Aneurin shows James his rooms for the first time. The easy affectionate intimacy of them makes my heart ache in the best way.
The plot really picks up steam towards the end and some parts left me genuinly astonished and emotionally destroyed. I did not expect some of the twist and the way they rip you out of the lighter tones we had in the middle of the book is so well done. Emotional whiplash in the best and worst way at the same time.
Overall I really loved this book, the characters are charming, the setting is super interesting and plot kept me in it's grip the whole way through. If you like questions about morality, a good mystery or a well done romance, you should read this book! I highly recommend.
Favorite Quote: "I crave no absolution but yours."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Homophobia