A review by estefaniavelez
Lying With Lions by Annabel Fielding

3.0

Lying with Lions follows Agnes, an archivist with a tale of woe who finds herself wrapped up in a game of murder, desire, and lies that reach back through generations. This is easily the first and only lesbian novel I've ever seen set in Edwardian England and, for the most part, it is satisfying dark (sometimes even fleetingly gothic) and well written. The book suffers from some pacing - the plot is often episodic and the second half of the novel drags greatly before coming to a shocking conclusion. Though the book suffers some dry spells, Agnes' characterization and her slow climb to power was fascinating- so, too, was Helen Bryant, her employer and lover. These characters aren't likable, but they aren't met to be and I argue they really shouldn't be at all. In my mind, Helen was more of a Cersei Lannister than an Elizabeth Bennet. Similarly, Agnes transforms from an "innocent lamb" to a titular lion, revealing a hidden nature not unlike the ruthless Bryant family's own. Readers, beware of mentions of sexual assault and suicidality. Though the novel could've used some speeding up and was even a bit boring in some places, when Fielding shines, she shines. Her rich, compelling, and believable characterizations is what makes this novel work as well as it does, but the abundant research Fielding clearly must've done ahead of this project helps give this novel a real, organic setting that only contributes to the enormity of the plot's stakes, twists, and turns.