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A review by rorikae
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
'Even Though I Knew the End' by C.L. Polk is a heartfilled novella about one woman trying to save her soul so that she can share more time with her beloved.
Helen is coming up on the 10 year deadline of the deal that brought her brother back to life. But before a devil comes to reclaim her, she has one final case to solve, the White City Vampire. The payout will be significant, even more that she can squirrel away for her love, Edith, to use after she is gone. But when her client floats the possibility of returning her soul as part of the payment for solving the case, Helen will do anything to see the murderer brought to justice.
Polk knows exactly how to set up characters that make you care for them even with the limited length of a novella. Helen's predicament appears straightforward toward the beginning but as the story progresses, the case turns out to be far different than what it originally seemed. Polk builds off of relatively well known Christian mythology to build out the world and the supernatural elements, which does a lot to make the world feel lived in. Polk is one of my favorite authors for a reason and I think this book demonstrates why. I do think this story had the potential for a longer work but I think Polk does a good job of fitting it to the novella length.
Helen is coming up on the 10 year deadline of the deal that brought her brother back to life. But before a devil comes to reclaim her, she has one final case to solve, the White City Vampire. The payout will be significant, even more that she can squirrel away for her love, Edith, to use after she is gone. But when her client floats the possibility of returning her soul as part of the payment for solving the case, Helen will do anything to see the murderer brought to justice.
Polk knows exactly how to set up characters that make you care for them even with the limited length of a novella. Helen's predicament appears straightforward toward the beginning but as the story progresses, the case turns out to be far different than what it originally seemed. Polk builds off of relatively well known Christian mythology to build out the world and the supernatural elements, which does a lot to make the world feel lived in. Polk is one of my favorite authors for a reason and I think this book demonstrates why. I do think this story had the potential for a longer work but I think Polk does a good job of fitting it to the novella length.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia