66 reviews for:

Inamorata

Megan Chance

3.45 AVERAGE

mostlyromancereading's review

3.0

I got this as a Kindle First read. It was ok. The story was very engaging, but I didn't care for the quasi-incestuous relationship between brother and sister. The supernatural characters were interesting, although rather flat. In fact, most of the characters were rather static -- they were very pretty pictures, but there was little depth to them.

ricottae's review

5.0

I started off not sure about this book but after the first few chapters I couldn't put it down. The writing and descriptions of the characters and places are beautiful and tastefully done, not at all cloying or flowery as poetic descriptions can sometimes be. I loved all of the characters and thought they developed well. The story was perfectly paced for me and connected the players and revealed the parts just late enough in the story to keep you anticipating what would happen. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
snowbenton's profile picture

snowbenton's review

1.0

Boring boring boring
Gross twincest
No thank you

This has to be acknowledged as a well written book but for me the storyline did not grab me. The author really does create the scene and evoke venice in the 19th century but i wasn't really drawn to the characters. Odile leon as the succubus and any living breathing male as her potential muse. This had more in it than the author eventually created out of it


*This was read thanks to the Kindle First program, though that does not influence the rating or following review. *

I have to admit, the cover was what really hooked me on giving this book a chance. I don’t usually read historical fiction, but it looked too beautiful for me to pass up. My goodness, am I ever happy that I did choose it! This was such a great, surprising book! I must say, however, I think their decision to classify it as “Historical Fiction” does it a great disservice. I think a good deal of negative reviews are from readers that went into the book expecting it to be historical fiction, and finding that it’s actually more geared towards the supernatural genre, disappointed them. I think if this were listed as supernatural/paranormal fiction, the right audience would be reached and the reviews would be amazing.

**SLIGHT SPOILERS***
Inamorata takes place in Venice in 1879 and revolves around the flourishing arts scene Featuring four main characters and corresponding viewpoint chapters, the novel investigates just how much an artist is willing to give for greatness, and whether the price is justified. Odilé is the sympathetic villainess. She is gorgeous and irresistible and she knows it too well. She raised herself up from the daughter of a common whore, to a famed courtesan surrounded by riches. That was near three hundred years ago. You see, as a woman who made her living through her looks, she began to desperately fear aging and even more so, being forgotten. It was in this state of desperation that she met the woman who would grant Odilé her wish and change her life forever. Odilé is offered eternal life and youth, and the possibility of enduring fame through art, but here is one small catch – she would become an artist’s greatest muse, but would also become a succubus, feeding off of their creativity until they are mere husks of their former selves. Odilé readily accepts.

Nicholas is a surviving victim of Odilé, and once he has discovered what she truly was, has made it his life’s mission to not only destroy her, but to also warn off all other potential victims. You see, being with Odilé will inspire you to create the greatest piece of art or writing that you are capable of, but once she leaves you, so does your talent. Nicholas, a once promising poet, is now living with his inability to write, and blames Odilé for this tragic occurrence. So he hunts her throughout Europe, hoping to hinder her feeding process to the point of starvation and death.

Twins Joseph and Sophie are Americans who have left New York City, arrive in Venice looking to find a patron in hopes of securing a comfortable future. Joseph is a painter, Sophie is his muse. They unknowingly become pawns in the tug-of-war struggle between Nicholas and Odilé.

The first half of the book is interesting, but slow paced as it introduces the reader to the world of 19th Century Venice. The description is fantastic and thorough. The build-up is slow, but necessary to the plot. Once you start the second half of the book, the action is nonstop and I found myself unable to put the book down, but also unable to keep reading for fear of what would happen. The climax was amazing and the ending truly justified and well done. This is definitely a book I can recommend to others, and will be ordering a physical copy for my own personal library.

What starts as a pretty straight forward romantic historical fiction story makes some terrific twists and turns into the worlds of the supernatural, fantasy, and darkness, and the ending is a perfect blend of good vs evil with a bit of nuance and compassion for all involved as there are sacrifices made that change everything.

To sum it all up, Inamorata delivers an enjoyably dark story that delves into the supernatural within the vehicle of a more traditional romantic, historical fiction novel. It serves up mystery and danger and explores the darkness inside all of us as Chance tackles the big question about the true costs of attaining fame.

Yes, the brother/sister dynamic is a bit off-putting, however by the end of the story we’re offered an explanation that goes beyond the surface level and makes sense in the realm of the story. In short, their “bond” has a purpose and it comes from a shared experience that forged it into place.

Full review is at:
https://aicpod.com/2022/03/02/megan-chance-inamorata-review/

Just Wow. One of the most strangley beautiful books I have read in a very long time. The story takes some time to build but once it takes hold it becomes so horrifically lovely I had a hard time putting it down. I thought I had an idea of where the ending would go but the author managed to surprise me with a twist that about broke my heart.

Word of warning to anyone who doesn't like Taboo subjects in their books, this book deals with child abuse forced incest between the twins when they are young. It's not added for shock value, the book doesn't work without it and it's not graphic, but just a warning to anyone that might have issues with difficult subject matters.

I went into this book not expecting much. I received it for free through Amazon and usually end up rating these books poorly.

This book was different. You jump between a few characters perspective. All of the characters are in some way involved in the art scene in historical Venice. This is a world I've never imagined before and it was fun being forced to think about it because of this book.

Book is really a fantasy book around artists finding muses. What inspires them? How come some have one masterful work and then never produce anything close to as good again? I enjoyed reading a fantasy explanation of why this happens.

I was taken by this book more than I expected to be. It isn't incredible writing but I was sucked in and wanted to finish. It was a bit trashy at points and not always surprising but I enjoyed it way more than I expected and am glad I took the time to read it.

A twist on a good old fashioned vampire tale set in Venice 1860's. I enjoyed it. Easy to visualize and be in the room with the characters, and some sizzling Victorian flirting with a simple gesture or stolen touch. It was at times a little slow and I thought it did more telling than showing. Would recommend, but not life changing literature.

jesswoodward's review

5.0

Engaging

This book kept me turning the page to reveal more and more of the history as I watched the present unfold through each of the five main character's eyes. With each chapter told from a specific character's point of view, each character colored the story with their own motives, desires, and fears. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories with a bit of mystery and fantasy.