So beautifully written, utterly hypnotic, melancholy and mysterious. It isn't for everyone but it had me captivated. Still, I agree with most reviewerSo beautifully written, utterly hypnotic, melancholy and mysterious. It isn't for everyone but it had me captivated. Still, I agree with most reviewers; the first half is much stronger and more interesting than the second. I also have very many questions about the ending, but I guess it makes sense given how badly the MC was grieving. Loneliness makes you do strange, desperate things....more
I love sapphic Elizabeth Bathory retellings, and Unholy With Eyes Like Wolves might be my favorite iteration so far. This gorgeously written gothic taI love sapphic Elizabeth Bathory retellings, and Unholy With Eyes Like Wolves might be my favorite iteration so far. This gorgeously written gothic tale subverts and combines an Elizabeth Bathory and Carmilla retelling by featuring our protagonist Noemie, a widowed noblewoman’s daughter who is sent to become Countess Bathory’s handmaiden as a way to regain her honor after a shameful incident. The two women are heavily traumatized by their pasts — they share many similar sufferings as widows, mothers, and women suffering under the patriarchy of 17th century Hungary. They discuss religion and philosophy and keep each other company. As Noemie tends to her lady, she slowly falls in love…
But this is not your average historical romance, because a mysterious creature is killing young women on Bathory’s property. And when Noemie is eventually targeted, things take a sharp turn…
God, this novel was so beautiful. The prose was luscious, lovely and evocative. The romance was a sweet slowburn so full of yearning and pining. And most of all, I loved Noemie’s character arc. She goes from a frightened woman who thinks her only role in life is to be a docile wife and mother, to a real human being who accepts her own feelings and desires. This novel isn’t just a love story; it’s an exploration of womanhood and women’s companionship, of religion vs one’s personal morality, of learning to take control of your own female destiny, and of accepting and awakening sapphic desire. It’s dark, brutal and bloody but incredibly romantic. Quite frankly one of the best books I’ve read in 2024 so far. I’m looking forward to trying the author’s other works!...more
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book considering it isn't my usual read and I really disliked the author's other novel. My friend lent it to mI was very pleasantly surprised by this book considering it isn't my usual read and I really disliked the author's other novel. My friend lent it to me, and I get why she's such a huge fan.
This is an incredible slow-paced, deep dive into a hunt for a fictionalized Count Dracula's grave. If you liked The Da Vinci Code then you'll like this too, though it's less of a thriller and more of a sweeping historical. The Historian is so charming; it's got historian main characters (as you'd expect), a chase all around the world, countless references to medieval European history and literature, creepy supernatural aspects, secret societies and conspiracies everywhere, and triple timelines set in the 1930s, 50s, and 90s (or present day, I couldn't tell when)
It is delightfully gothic, clearly written by an author who loves old books and old worlds.
My only two real complaints are a) this book is 700 pages long. I was happily reading along until I reached page 500 or so, and by then I got semi-frustrated because there are times when it flags... it didn't have to be this long, honestly and b) the American-ness of the narration gets very frustrating, considering that the novel is set all over Europe and Istanbul. There were a bunch of Eastern European and communist stereotypes that were so brashly in your face
There were also a few plot holes... You're telling me that a giant university library only had one copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula and the MC couldn't buy it from a nearby bookstore instead? Plus the male main character is honestly dim at times which is sooo annoying... luckily all the female characters have twice the amount of brain cells lmao
So yeah, it scratched that autumn gothic itch for vampire legends and dusty libraries and ancient history. ...more
Okay, I had very different expectations coming in... I wish I could have liked it because chapter one had a really interesting lead buuut the rest of Okay, I had very different expectations coming in... I wish I could have liked it because chapter one had a really interesting lead buuut the rest of it didn't satisfy me. The book was a little too long. I don't think the main couple had much chemistry and I didn't care about seeing them fall in love. And lastly, it wasn't that funny...
It's not badly written. I just didn't enjoy the characters at all..
I got a free ARC from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review....more
The Knowing is an evocative, beautifully written historical fiction novel about two marginalized women (one is disabled and the other is Roma) trying The Knowing is an evocative, beautifully written historical fiction novel about two marginalized women (one is disabled and the other is Roma) trying to survive in a harsh man's world. Flora and Minnie seem like opposites in looks, personality, and upbringing, but really they're both victims who use their bodies to survive. Yes, there's a quirky gothic aspect: tattoos, tarot cards, ghosts, gangsters, and circus "freaks". Yes, there is a sapphic romance. But this is basically historical fiction at its core.
This book is also really, really dark. The female protagonists have been assaulted by men many times. In fact, none of their romantic relationships with men are truly consensual or loving; they're all abusive. Frankly, every male character in the book is awful and I hated them.
In comparison, the romance between the two women moves really, really fast. And it's not even a situation wherein they discover they're actually lesbians all along — they just fall in love immediately? I understand Minnie was the first person to show Flora kindness since she was a child, but Minnie herself shows a series of red flags and the power imbalance between them is pretty serious. I could analyze this book and say that in itself is sad; maybe it's proof that Flora is so used to abusive relationships that she falls for sketchy people. But Minnie too is a mystery... She's a confident, closed off, self-entrepreneurial woman who's been through A LOT... What did she see in Flora, when she herself admits the girl knows nothing? Really, Flora is beautiful and a tool for her to use...
But of course the novel plays their romance straightforwardly and doesn't explore this.
Anyway, I kept wanting more from this book. The author is clearly talented but maybe I wasn't the right audience. Regardless, if the summary interests you then give it a shot. It's a wonderful historical.
Thank you to the publicist for providing me with a free ARC....more
This lesbian noir novella features a female detective, a femme fatale who's really just a victim, a 1940s setting, and the complicated strin3.5 stars.
This lesbian noir novella features a female detective, a femme fatale who's really just a victim, a 1940s setting, and the complicated strings tying gay bars, the corrupt police force, and the mafia together. It's easily bingeable; I read it in one evening. It's also more plot heavy than romance focused (though there is a romance), and moves at a pretty good pace!
Sunburn is beautifully written. It's sapphic yearning and queer first love personified. It shows the obsession, the desire crackling throuEDIT: 2/4/24
Sunburn is beautifully written. It's sapphic yearning and queer first love personified. It shows the obsession, the desire crackling through a stolen glance, the heat of every subtle touch. MC Lucy worships her girlfriend Susannah like a god, and the pure poetry of the descriptions blew my breath away. Two girls grow up in 1990s rural Ireland, fall in love, and have to keep their relationship a secret. It actually starts out very dull — it's a dull town, with a dull MC — but Susannah shines. She's effortlessly cool, willing to stand out in this small community, living in genteel poverty, from a broken home, yet assertively herself. And once the MC Lucy falls in love, once the romance begins, then that's also when the story genuinely begins to shine. Finally, all these intense feelings, these gorgeous moments, this girl Lucy and the novel come to life.
I had been looking forward to this book because I heard it had lesbians and Catholicism, and that's true! MC Lucy is stifled by this small town. It's intensely insular, with no privacy. Everyone is homophobic. Lucy was raised to become nothing but a housewife and a mother, and everyone expects her to quietly marry her best friend Martin. Of course, things are complicated by the fact that Lucy is a lesbian and madly in love with Susannah.
Both girls have toxic, abusive mothers. Really, the toxic femininity around them was unbearable. Susannah's mother is flighty and neglectful; she leaves her daughter alone for days and weeks at a time. Lucy's mother seems more warm and caring, but the moment she learns her daughter is queer, her true colors reveal themselves — and frankly, I wanted to wring this woman's neck. At one point she stopped (view spoiler)[feeding her own daughter, choosing to ignore her existence ENTIRELY unless Lucy started dating Martin. (hide spoiler)]. Oh my god. So messed up. None of these women deserve to have children.
And so I understand why Lucy is like this: without any strong desires in life, without any dreams, without any conviction to stand up for herself. She goes along with the flow, and wants to live in idyllic childhood forever. Her mother raised her to be like this. But MC Lucy is why I couldn't give this book 5 stars, because she's SO frustrating. She refuses to make any difficult choices. She refuses to take control of her own life. She's so deathly afraid of rocking the boat that she would rather marry a man than live with the woman she loves. It's understandable when she's young, but not when she grows up into an adult. Look: her other friends have real aspirations (one wants to become a teacher, the other wants to go to college). Susannah's abusive mother abandons her, yet she travels the world and finds her own life. Even Martin tries to step out of their small town and attend college in Dublin, where he has a job and meets new people. Everyone grows EXCEPT Lucy — and despite the happy ending, it didn't feel entirely earned.
That said, I was relieved that Martin was actually a decent person and a good friend. Not only was Lucy dating him while actively also dating Susannah — she was still in love with Susannah, and even started sleeping with another woman. Lucy was outright cheating on Martin because she refused to admit that she wasn't in love with him. What does she want? Honestly, the only thing Lucy seemed to want was to please other people... She never had her own drive or desires.
That said, this is a genuinely great novel. I appreciated Lucy's slow, decades worth of realizations that she was a lesbian — the way she faked having crushes on boys, the way she thought she would just find the right man eventually, her disgust or discomfort at physical intimacy with Martin, versus the white heat of her burning desire for Susannah, the way one year with Susannah defined her forever (oh look, sapphic culture in a nutshell), the way the two girls wrote each other romantic letters before, during, and even after their relationship... It's a deeply emotional story, very beautifully written, but Susannah deserved better. I'm still glad I read this book. It was worth the wait.
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LESBIANS AND CATHOLICISM??? This book needs to be in my hands immediately....more
What I appreciated most about A Lady to Treasure was that we have two intelligent, accomplished, career-driven heroines (or rather, Regency era girlboWhat I appreciated most about A Lady to Treasure was that we have two intelligent, accomplished, career-driven heroines (or rather, Regency era girlbosses) for the time period. Louisa is an American heiress tasked to find a noble English husband, but she isn't some idealistic romantic; she knows marriage is a contract and she wants someone as shrewd of a businesswoman as her. Then we have Sarah, a stoic tomboy who wears men's trousers and riding breeches. Despite being the daughter, she's basically the one managing their estate because the men in her family are all useless. They are both very direct, very unlike the usual heroines of the time period. It was very refreshing.
This was an ultimate slowburn. Louise and Sarah don't even like each other at the beginning. It's not hate to love per se, more of bad first impressions a la Pride and Prejudice.
I wish I could have loved this but the very distant writing style made it hard for me to get into the heroines' heads. I wish we knew more about their thoughts and feelings along the way. It's well-written; the prose is like a true Classic novel but personally I prefer close POVs. The fact that the pacing was suuper slow didn't help...
Nevertheless, if you're looking for sapphic historical romances then I think you should give this a shot. They are so hard to find.
Thank you to the author Marianne Ratcliffe for approaching me and providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's so hard to find a historical romance that ISN'T set in the UK or US so thank you Nothwell!!
Fiorenzo is an m/m historical romance: -set i3.5 stars.
It's so hard to find a historical romance that ISN'T set in the UK or US so thank you Nothwell!!
Fiorenzo is an m/m historical romance: -set in a fantasy Venice -with an all vibes, little plot, slice-of-life feel -tons of hurt/comfort -tons of spicy scenes (the tall masc guy is the bottom and the shorter femme guy is the top) -rich x poor romance (a trademark!!) -interesting biology (iykyk) -basically a cozy romance with low stakes. Well. Some very Crazy Things Happen but in true Nothwell style, you know everything will sort itself out!
Actually, the cozy romance writing style reminded me of Cat Sebastian but... better imo.
Basically we have two protagonists: the shy and brooding Duke Enzo, who goes around wearing a mask because he's scarred and disgraced after a duel gone wrong; and the courtesan Fiore, who is fun and flirty and loves art but cannot afford to become an artist. Both of them are heavily traumatized from their tragic backstories, and if you're familiar with those AO3 fics wherein the characters basically reveal their traumas to each other and heal together, then that's this novel in a nutshell.
Very predictably, my favorite character was Enzo. He's awkward, intense, and quick to swing his sword around, but he is fiercely loyal and loves with utmost devotion. In Twitter terms... he's a little meow meow. I swear, he's the type of character that gets people drawing fanart of him lol.
Once again, Nothwell has written a delightful queernorm world that mixes fact and fantasy. He also doesn't shy away from the oppression and violence that occured in these historical time periods, even if it's an altogether happy, cozy book. That's what I appreciate about his work.
Unfortunately, I couldn't give the book a higher rating because it felt bloated at almost 700 pages, considering that there's little plot. I felt like there were a lot of unnecessary repetitive filler scenes (ex: two whole chapters of Enzo buying Fiore fancy clothes, or repeating the same scene but from another POV, etc) and I would've enjoyed the book more if it were shortened. Despite that, it's a fun romantasy and I will read literally anything Nothwell writes. If you're into lush, langurous historicals then check it out, because Fiorenzo is lovely.
Thank you to the author for reaching out to me and providing an e-ARC. Fiorenzo releases tomorrow, on Sept 30th!...more
Lee Mandelo has perfected the art of the novella. I genuinely wish more publishers would bring them back.
Spooky, atmospheric, cathartic, satisfying, aLee Mandelo has perfected the art of the novella. I genuinely wish more publishers would bring them back.
Spooky, atmospheric, cathartic, satisfying, and deliciously, deliciously queer. It's got a creepy rural town, the dangers of religious fundamentalism, a glimpse at historical queer life, a trans m/m romance, and as you've probably already heard, some no holds barred monsterfucking. Mr Mandelo is truly One of Us.
That said, I would have liked if the final act went a little longer. Medyo bitin. And I wanted more time with the supernatural spookiness. Would love to see this author write a full blown novel again....more
This book was an incredible fever dream and loads of fun! I don't know anything about this period of history, but even I could smell the tragic downfaThis book was an incredible fever dream and loads of fun! I don't know anything about this period of history, but even I could smell the tragic downfall from the very start. Francis Bacon's narration is incredibly hilarious, anachronistically modern, and yet so earnest that you can't help but feel for him even when he's being an arrogant asshole. The writing style is what MAKES this novel.
I don't know enough about the historical accuracy of the retelling, but as a historical fiction novel the plot is simple enough: in order to protect himself and prevent his head from being separated from his body, Francis Bacon teams up with the neglected queen and scouts England for a beautiful young boy to throw into the idiot king's bed. If the king's new favorite is a friend of Bacon, then he'll help Bacon rise to power and get rid of all of his enemies too. Except that Bacon falls in love with the boy he's chosen, and he's too self-obsessed to realize there is a price to all the downfalls he's plotted.
The anachronism and Bacon's unreliable narration are really interesting choices. We see the world through his eyes, which means he disregards historical figures that are very renowned to a modern reader (he was not a fan of Shakespeare at all). He is a gay man who lives in a time when sodomy is bounds for execution. He is so deathly afraid of being discovered that he refuses love--except maybe that's less because he's gay and more because he's just a plain manipulative asshole? He thinks of himself as an outcast because of his sexuality and his lack of a noble title, when in reality he's one of the most powerful men of England; he just happens to be greedy for more wealth, prestige, and power.
This book is so queer, so much fun, so wonderfully creative, and so criminally underrated. Definitely one of the most memorable historical fiction novels I've encountered. I literally flew through it in the span of one weekend....more
I actually preordered this book but kept putting it off because I knew it was going to be heartbreaking and I wasn't ready. I'm so glad I finally readI actually preordered this book but kept putting it off because I knew it was going to be heartbreaking and I wasn't ready. I'm so glad I finally read it before the year ended, because WOW. Yes, this definitely deserves the Waterstones Best Novel of the Year award. I'm in awe.
This book was such a tense, emotional ride. It broke me. I had to pause every five pages because of all the feelings, then I had to pick it up again because I needed to know what would happen next. In Memoriam is grief and yearning personified. It's about the horrors of war, about shattering that idyllic British school boyhood, and about living as a queer man in 1910s Britain. I've always loved stories like Maurice and Brideshead Revisited because they shed light on the queerness that was happening but was never named. Still, the book acknowledges the class barrier; our protagonists are wealthy, therefore they could get away with it when poorer queer men couldn't.
I've always been fascinated by the early 20th century. All wars are ugly, but WWI especially so. It feels relevant to read it during this time. The way Winn emphasized everyone's youth was so heartbreaking. Wars are waged by older men but fought by young men, ruining their lives even if they survive.
And the romance... OH MY GOD. It isn't easy. I felt for Gaunt; so clearly gay, but more traditionally masculine, and unable to express his feelings. He's so deathly afraid of being found out and being rejected. Then Ellwood, initially the idealistic poet who flounces his flamboyance and thinks of the war as a game of heroes and kings... They're so deeply in love it hurtsss
Again, Winn speaks the hidden truth: the fact that gay stuff was happening even back then but it was all hush hush and considered an adolescent phase to grow out of. However, there are characters who grow up and find love — even if the war cuts it all short. Our protagonists' friends and family are all actually very understanding and accepting, which I really appreciated, because the book is already so depressing otherwise.
Now spoiler alert: YES, there is a happy ending. You're going to go through hell first, but at least the couple lives HEA. So if you're scared to read the book just because of that, then let me persuade you. It's so worth the read.
This is a timeless book and feels like it's going to become a modern classic in the vein of The Song of Achilles or The Charioteer....more
Admittedly, I kept putting this off because I saw KJ Charles's review (she didn't like it). But now that I've read it... I enjoyed it! It was sweet, rAdmittedly, I kept putting this off because I saw KJ Charles's review (she didn't like it). But now that I've read it... I enjoyed it! It was sweet, romantic, and promised exactly what it summarized. Plus, it cheered me up during a really difficult week so I automatically approve. I don't know anything about this historical era, so I don't know what's historically accurate or not (besides the obvious), so it didn't bother me. That said, even I can tell it reads like heavily sanitized historical fanfic.
I do have some issues. Given that it takes place over several years, I wish the book felt more epic and detailed. In the author's note, Siegel said she originally envisioned this to be darker and edgier but as she aged she realized she wanted some happiness and hope in her story, so that explains why it's so... Fluffy. I also don't know what was the attitude towards queerness back then, but I kinda doubt everyone would just let their relationship slide...? I feel like such liberties were taken because it's a historical romance.
So all of those are excused by the author's intent. But I truly felt like that the ending was cut off and bitin. It's a happy for now, but it ends (view spoiler)[right before a major battle that will determine whether or not Richard becomes king (hide spoiler)] so I was like... WHERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY?? Yes, I know the outcome can be gleaned from a history book or a quick Google search, but I genuinely wished this book was a little longer.
That said, I've been wanting to read this book for a long time and it satisfied me. I'm interested to see what this author publishes next....more
Sad gay coming-of-age litfic about a tragic first love in 1980s rural France. It's very short and simple yet evoked many feelings in Wow I am WRECKED.
Sad gay coming-of-age litfic about a tragic first love in 1980s rural France. It's very short and simple yet evoked many feelings in me. All the quotes I tabbed!! All the ways I could empathize!! We have two gay men whose lives travel in completely opposite directions — and is it really living, when you are not true to yourself?
I preferred Lie With Me over Call Me By Your Name. I think this one is better written, though shorter. Sad gay canon, here we go....more
12th century lesbian nuns and an ambitious woman's quest for power and community given her historical context — this book had my name written on it.
I 12th century lesbian nuns and an ambitious woman's quest for power and community given her historical context — this book had my name written on it.
I felt as if I was reading this in a meditative state. It's no plot, just vibes. Gorgeous, lyrical prose that rambles on and on so it leaves you breathless. It isn't for everyone; in fact I don't think I would have enjoyed it if I was in the wrong mood. If you need historical accuracy, then look away, because the author made a lot of stuff up. Still, it's short and lovely, like a fever dream... And very Catholic....more
Belladonna is one of those queer coming-of-age stories featuring obsessive homoerotic friendships that I love so much. It's Well, that broke my heart.
Belladonna is one of those queer coming-of-age stories featuring obsessive homoerotic friendships that I love so much. It's set in an Italian convent, discusses 1950s upper class girlhood, toxic love, and biracial struggles.
I understand why so many reviewers find it boring. Not much happens in this book, and it's actually way less dark than others in this subgenre. But somehow this is the intersection of all my interests. I also went to a Catholic all girls school which had St. Teresa as its patron saint. I also know what it's like to love your best friend deeply and above all else — to not get what all the fuss is about in regards to boys. So yeah, I guess this book hit home.
MC Bridget has been obsessed with her classmate Isabella from the moment they met. Isabella is wealthy, aloof, and unbelievably cool — and when the two girls somehow become friends, Bridget becomes desperate to please Isabella in every possible way. Eventually, they graduate high school and both get accepted into a one year art history course in an Italian convent. Bridget is over the moon to have Isabella there, obviously, but soon enough each girl has their own life and Isabella slips from Bridget's grasp.
This novel is quiet and restrained. There is no murder, no awful crime. The tragedy is in the relationships between the girls, and how Bridget and Isabella are awful in their own way. I felt for Bridget empathetically, even as she got more manipulative, lying and forcing her way into Isabella's heart. While nothing is named in-text, the queerness is actually pretty overt. Bridget reads as a lesbian to me. She admits to loving Isabella (that much is obvious even if she didn't say it), but even more — the two kiss, repeatedly, and Bridget obviously feels desire for her. And yet they never talk about it. Bridget is happy to be Isabella's best friend, her closest female friend, the only person who truly knows her, before Isabella grows up and marries the man her family has chosen for her.
The ending... Wow. It was totally unexpected, but it made the story even more painful.
I have a few complaints. I wish Bridget had more closure in regards to her feelings, though I understand that her not talking about it and the forced nature of her and Isabella's friendship is the point. And I did get impatient enough to skip some parts, but thankfully the writing isn't super purple. Just evocative. I've read many mlm books like this but there are much less wlw equivalents, so I'm glad this exists.
I'm going to sit here and hope that someday in the future, Bridget finds happiness with a woman she loves — and nobody has to be manipulated into it....more
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