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The Worlds Behind #4
Behind the Curtain
The world Between is full of dangers, shadows, and reflections. Athelas knows the dangers, is one with the shadows—and has finally encountered a reflection could be just a bit too much like himself for comfort.
The house master has come back. Nobody will quite say who he is, or why he owns the house. And to Athelas’ growing irritation, no one will talk about the oddly powerful influence the house master seems to have over Camellia.
YeoWoo knows exactly who and what the house master is—and she knows exactly how much danger Camellia is in. The question she can’t quite seem to answer is: How much safer is it to put Camellia into Athelas’ power than it is to leave her in the house master’s power?
There are nightmares skulking in the corners. Pieces of curse lingering beneath the couch. And soon Camellia will have to make a choice between two evils.
To add insult to injury, the teapot has gone missing…
The house master has come back. Nobody will quite say who he is, or why he owns the house. And to Athelas’ growing irritation, no one will talk about the oddly powerful influence the house master seems to have over Camellia.
YeoWoo knows exactly who and what the house master is—and she knows exactly how much danger Camellia is in. The question she can’t quite seem to answer is: How much safer is it to put Camellia into Athelas’ power than it is to leave her in the house master’s power?
There are nightmares skulking in the corners. Pieces of curse lingering beneath the couch. And soon Camellia will have to make a choice between two evils.
To add insult to injury, the teapot has gone missing…
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2023
40 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
46 books1,092 followersW.R. Gingell is an Australian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn't seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
She lives in a refurbished 1970s Bedford Bus in the south of Tasmania, where she spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and raising spinach, strawberries, and one small, fluffy dog. Like Peter Pan, W.R. never really grew up, and despite the inconveniences of chronically ill life, is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
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She lives in a refurbished 1970s Bedford Bus in the south of Tasmania, where she spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and raising spinach, strawberries, and one small, fluffy dog. Like Peter Pan, W.R. never really grew up, and despite the inconveniences of chronically ill life, is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
You can sign up to the The WR(ite) Newsletter by following the link!
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
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November 17, 2023There is A Kiss!
A Confession!
A very great deal of Nightmare lingering around the house!
And of course there is one sneaky fae drinking a lot of tea and trying not to think about the housekeeper who is keeping out of sight these days...
A Confession!
A very great deal of Nightmare lingering around the house!
And of course there is one sneaky fae drinking a lot of tea and trying not to think about the housekeeper who is keeping out of sight these days...
December 31, 2023
The climactic scene of this one is SOMETHING ELSE.
I don’t want to say much because spoilers. I will say that Gingell is achieving exactly what she set out to achieve with this series. The motifs of victims and perpetrators and the startling, harsh beauty of grace and freedom are so elegantly orchestrated. It’s euphoric and poignant and so satisfying. 👏👏
And oh my goodness the “knife uncle” scene…!
I don’t want to say much because spoilers. I will say that Gingell is achieving exactly what she set out to achieve with this series. The motifs of victims and perpetrators and the startling, harsh beauty of grace and freedom are so elegantly orchestrated. It’s euphoric and poignant and so satisfying. 👏👏
And oh my goodness the “knife uncle” scene…!
December 21, 2023
me? reading this entire book in like 4 hours because my KU subscription was expiring and I was NOT about to leave it with the end of book 3?
it's more likely than you think
this series is meant to be consumed at a break-neck, reckless pace. this book is my favorite of the bunch so far. 5 stars!
it's more likely than you think
this series is meant to be consumed at a break-neck, reckless pace. this book is my favorite of the bunch so far. 5 stars!
December 16, 2023
That was one wild ride! Now where's the next one
January 2, 2024
There are no words for this masterpiece. This whole series has been dealing with trauma and redemption in such a nuanced way that I'm in AWE. And this one just hit even harder. All the Athelas and Harrow scenes were so good I had to go back and re-read them (especially the knife uncle scene. I was nearly choking up over that one). Then the ending...just brilliant. This book is brilliant. Just go read the series. Now.
December 26, 2024
3.5 stars.
Look, it might be because I listened to this while I did things (like fall asleep, take a shower, work on spreadsheets), but I found this to be somewhat confusing and opaque. So many twists and I felt like I didn't really get it.
Also, how can Camellia be falling in love with him? I don't completely understand this at all.
Zero was a punk... but that shouldn't surprise me since he did beat JinYeoung within an inch of his life in the first series.
I'll read the last book... but I haven't loved this series as much as the first. It doesn't satisfy me enough and I want to understand Athelas' redemption more than I do.
Look, it might be because I listened to this while I did things (like fall asleep, take a shower, work on spreadsheets), but I found this to be somewhat confusing and opaque. So many twists and I felt like I didn't really get it.
Also, how can Camellia be falling in love with him? I don't completely understand this at all.
Zero was a punk... but that shouldn't surprise me since he did beat JinYeoung within an inch of his life in the first series.
I'll read the last book... but I haven't loved this series as much as the first. It doesn't satisfy me enough and I want to understand Athelas' redemption more than I do.
January 4, 2024
In which Athelas is steadily pulled, kicking and screaming, towards redemption; YeoWoo is tossed into a Love Story (I noticed JinPet parallels between her and a certain character that has me hopeful they’ll pull thru despite the confession at the end of the story from Other Character); and Harrow, sweet, precious Harrow, learns there are more things to fear than nightmares.
Last but certainly not least…Camellia. I can’t say much for spoilers, but… *lets out a breath* For anyone who has ever felt trapped, Camellia’s story feels like it’s written for you. 💕
Also…KNIFE UNCLE. 😭😭😭😭😭
Last but certainly not least…Camellia. I can’t say much for spoilers, but… *lets out a breath* For anyone who has ever felt trapped, Camellia’s story feels like it’s written for you. 💕
Also…KNIFE UNCLE. 😭😭😭😭😭
January 4, 2024
Sheer perfection.
Feels = 10/10.
I must concur with what dear Beka said in her review: “KNIFE UNCLE.”
I don’t know what to do with myself until the next book comes out. 😭
Feels = 10/10.
I must concur with what dear Beka said in her review: “KNIFE UNCLE.”
I don’t know what to do with myself until the next book comes out. 😭
December 29, 2023
I mean I was CLOSE with the teapot.
I can’t believe we still have to get to the wedding LOL oh boy.
I can’t believe we still have to get to the wedding LOL oh boy.
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November 29, 2023oh this one is my favourite so far
many shrieks were shrought
beta read in an unfinished version!
many shrieks were shrought
beta read in an unfinished version!
October 31, 2025
"It's not weak to give forgiveness," Harrow said, with darkness in his eyes. "It's very, very hard."
I love how you can fly through these but how they also force you to slow down to read each word and sentence deliberately. W.R. doesn’t waste a syllable, and her use of vocabulary and foreshadowing alike is impeccable.
W.R. Gingell also excels at creating stories with obvious levels of Unhealth tinging the atmosphere and character dynamics, but she never even implies that they are healthy, steering well and truly clear of anything that would indicate she’s romanticizing what’s wrong. It’s such a delicate balance, to identify the wrong and use that to prove the wrong, and it’s something I admire deeply in her books. So crazy and great.
On another note, the feels. THE FEELS. After just having begun this series, I felt I’d be quite hard-pressed to grow as attached to this cast as I did to the people driving City Between. But oh, Camellia and Harrow and the prickly, toothy YeoWoo and an Athelas fighting elegantly but no less sharply against grace…they’ve determined to reside in my heart as well, and I’m not complaining in the least.
I still shock myself at how dearly I love the world of Between and its characters, but ah, how I do love them.
🫖 content: Peregrine drinks beer and gets a bit flushed from it. Magic. A not-terribly-descriptive kiss. Violence (though, out of all of the City Between and Worlds Behind books, this is decidedly the least violent). Discussions of what essentially equates to domestic abuse and slavery. 🫖
December 9, 2025
I was trying very hard not to grin concerningly while thinking about this book at work. I am very pleased, and also sad because there is only 1 more book to go and I don't want it to end. And will the things I really want to happen, happen before the end of the series?
*feelings explode*
*feelings explode*
January 13, 2024
All of these characters have my heart and the DEVELOPMENT and growth is so naturally written, too? Gingell's style works so well for the stories she tells, and I'm in awe of her ability to weave words and story/character arcs so seamlessly. The world she built in her last series continues to grow without undermining all the lore from the previous books, and I absolutely ADORE how this doesn't undermine the joy and relief of the previous series (it's like if the Hobbit was a sequel for LOTR, to explain it better).
And yeah. I'm just delighted by this series, the discourse on redemption, and all that stuff. Perhaps a part of me wants to be pick it apart a little more, but it's mostly to do with my desire to engage in discourse beyond what this book needs. Because honestly? Everything needed for the story, world, plot, and characters she build was in it. And more!
Content: Violence and gore of the usual CB/WB variety, which means gore and horror monsters and interesting anatomy lessons. No language. Mentions of (slight spoilers) abuse, gaslighting, all that horrible manipulation stuff. No sexual content beyond kissing, etc.
And yeah. I'm just delighted by this series, the discourse on redemption, and all that stuff. Perhaps a part of me wants to be pick it apart a little more, but it's mostly to do with my desire to engage in discourse beyond what this book needs. Because honestly? Everything needed for the story, world, plot, and characters she build was in it. And more!
Content: Violence and gore of the usual CB/WB variety, which means gore and horror monsters and interesting anatomy lessons. No language. Mentions of (slight spoilers) abuse, gaslighting, all that horrible manipulation stuff. No sexual content beyond kissing, etc.
December 13, 2025
dude, that was so good.
the who actually broke the vows thing
the…tangled vibes (it gave tangled, okay. it did.)
the ATHELAS MAKING A CHOICE I WAS SCARED UP TILL THE END HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE
also how actually extremely dark that was, also how YeoWoo is such a dear funny oblivious but loyal friend, also PETTTTT
the who actually broke the vows thing
the…tangled vibes (it gave tangled, okay. it did.)
the ATHELAS MAKING A CHOICE I WAS SCARED UP TILL THE END HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE
also how actually extremely dark that was, also how YeoWoo is such a dear funny oblivious but loyal friend, also PETTTTT
April 20, 2024
Coming out Dec. 15, 2023.
July 29, 2025
I did like this one more than the last book, but still... for some reason these just don't grip me like Pet's books did.
December 12, 2025
It's strangely quiet and comforting, yet after *that* you know things won't go downhill, they'll explode into knife-sharp confetti. Still, happy with my tea over here.
December 16, 2023
❤️CAMELLIA AND ATHELAS FOREVER ❤️
Also YeoWoo is hilariously unobservant and I’m here for it. And if March doesn’t hurry up and get here I may die from waiting for the last book. A+ for infinity, ten out of five stars, absolutely no notes, it was perfection.
Also YeoWoo is hilariously unobservant and I’m here for it. And if March doesn’t hurry up and get here I may die from waiting for the last book. A+ for infinity, ten out of five stars, absolutely no notes, it was perfection.
December 16, 2023
Delightful
I love this installment. Clean (mild kiss, little description), very little blood in this one, and delightful friends who get to be visited.
I love this installment. Clean (mild kiss, little description), very little blood in this one, and delightful friends who get to be visited.
March 27, 2024
Amazing
Another amazing entry in the series. I can't wait to find out what happens next, but I find that I'm much more interested in what happens to people in terms of their personal development than in terms of physical events.
Another amazing entry in the series. I can't wait to find out what happens next, but I find that I'm much more interested in what happens to people in terms of their personal development than in terms of physical events.
August 5, 2025
I am SO impressed with this book. I really loved when u think Athelas really is going to just become Camellia's next 'master' or whatever and then BOOM actually he's helping her FREE HERSELF 4ever. Beautiful. Also appreciate that we still got a kiss lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2024
This installment was clever and tense, and it's disturbingly enjoyable watching Athelas wriggle about trying to be helpful and even selfless and struggle with his own twisted soul and the mistrust engendered by his past lies. The vividly inventive world of Between is also back in all its delightful weirdness.
Unfortunately I read it over a fortnight and kept losing track of the plot. Gingell's dialogue tends to be multilayered and complex, with characters not trusting one another and rules of magic that are revealed or induced rather than expounded, so you have to pay quite close attention.
The most interesting new thing was the way this book explored divorce, especially the question of how much a wronged spouse can or should still feel bound to their vows, and under what circumstances, although the veneer of magic over those vows in the book obscures the theme for a while. This acts in a sort of dialectic with the series theme as a whole, which is about seeking redemption and second chances in relationships that seem permanently broken.
Unfortunately I read it over a fortnight and kept losing track of the plot. Gingell's dialogue tends to be multilayered and complex, with characters not trusting one another and rules of magic that are revealed or induced rather than expounded, so you have to pay quite close attention.
The most interesting new thing was the way this book explored divorce, especially the question of how much a wronged spouse can or should still feel bound to their vows, and under what circumstances, although the veneer of magic over those vows in the book obscures the theme for a while. This acts in a sort of dialectic with the series theme as a whole, which is about seeking redemption and second chances in relationships that seem permanently broken.
December 17, 2023
4 1/2 stars. Another great addition to this series. Finally we discover just what powers Camellia has and there is some advancement in the relationship between Camellia and Athelas. (A kiss! A kiss!)
Athelas is beginning to change; now if only other people could see that. YeoWoo has some interesting developments in the line herself, but she might not be happy about it.
Lots of humor, and things are beginning to get clearer as the series has only one more book to it. Gingell does a wonderful job in slowly doing the reveals through the series so you begin to understand the many layers to her writing, the story and of course the Worlds Behind. It is the type you can reread many times and still enjoy it because you catch things you didn't the first, second or third time. There isn't quite as much action in this book as in previous ones but that doesn't make one ounce less entertaining or satisfying.
Athelas is beginning to change; now if only other people could see that. YeoWoo has some interesting developments in the line herself, but she might not be happy about it.
Lots of humor, and things are beginning to get clearer as the series has only one more book to it. Gingell does a wonderful job in slowly doing the reveals through the series so you begin to understand the many layers to her writing, the story and of course the Worlds Behind. It is the type you can reread many times and still enjoy it because you catch things you didn't the first, second or third time. There isn't quite as much action in this book as in previous ones but that doesn't make one ounce less entertaining or satisfying.
December 20, 2023
Last year, The City Between took me by storm, and I binged the whole 10-book series. This year, I've been inching my way through the follow-up series, one book at a time, as they become available. It's torture. But I've loved watching Athelas, YeoWoo, Camellia, Harrow, and the crew become a family. Gingell has a way with soft, subtle reveals, and I am here for it.
I'll admit that there have been times that I wasn't entirely sure what the subtlety of language was hinting at, or a character would say something along the lines of "I see..." but I do not, in fact, see. These are rare moments, though, and hugely overshadowed by how much I love every one of these characters, especially now that Harrow speaks (and, oh, the things he observes).
I cannot wait for March and the next book. But for a binger like myself, this read, wait, repeat is hell.
I'll admit that there have been times that I wasn't entirely sure what the subtlety of language was hinting at, or a character would say something along the lines of "I see..." but I do not, in fact, see. These are rare moments, though, and hugely overshadowed by how much I love every one of these characters, especially now that Harrow speaks (and, oh, the things he observes).
I cannot wait for March and the next book. But for a binger like myself, this read, wait, repeat is hell.
January 16, 2024
4.5 stars
The previous book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I was extremely anxious to get back to these characters and see what would happen next. This ended up being an exciting, surprising, and unexpectedly emotional read. I really enjoyed it.
Camellia has been a bit of a mystery this whole series, and while we’ve gotten little nuggets of information here and there, I was excited that we learned so much about her here. I have a whole new respect for her. I don’t want to say too much, but it was awesome getting to see her true self.
I can’t say enough about how much I’ve loved watching Athelas’s journey to being a better person. It’s not been easy, or fast, but his redemption arc has been so satisfying!
This series has been so good; I can’t believe there’s only one book left to go! If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, you’ll love this weirdly wonderful series.
The previous book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I was extremely anxious to get back to these characters and see what would happen next. This ended up being an exciting, surprising, and unexpectedly emotional read. I really enjoyed it.
Camellia has been a bit of a mystery this whole series, and while we’ve gotten little nuggets of information here and there, I was excited that we learned so much about her here. I have a whole new respect for her. I don’t want to say too much, but it was awesome getting to see her true self.
I can’t say enough about how much I’ve loved watching Athelas’s journey to being a better person. It’s not been easy, or fast, but his redemption arc has been so satisfying!
This series has been so good; I can’t believe there’s only one book left to go! If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, you’ll love this weirdly wonderful series.
December 17, 2023
the problem (a man who does not like butterscotch) has been addressed and new problems have been created, perfectly logical and perfectly tension-building and just as deliciously satisfying as butterscotch anything
read this in one sitting during a car service appointment that took up almost half of my day off work so it was nice to have something I'd looked forward to so much to distract from something I was very much not looking forward to (wHY are brake pads so expensive someone please explain)
read this in one sitting during a car service appointment that took up almost half of my day off work so it was nice to have something I'd looked forward to so much to distract from something I was very much not looking forward to (wHY are brake pads so expensive someone please explain)
December 27, 2023
Behind the Curtain is book 4 of the Worlds Behind series which is a sequel to the City Between series. It was another excellent addition to the story and I very much enjoyed how the mystery resolved. It was also fun getting a glimpse of characters from the previous series. The dialogue is always a highlight of these books and the humor really works well for me.
“I’m a fool,” she said.
“You may perhaps think you have spared me the trouble of saying so, but I assure you that you have not,” he said.
I highly recommend starting with the first book in this world Between Jobs. I’m looking forward to the final book in this sequel which comes out in March!
“I’m a fool,” she said.
“You may perhaps think you have spared me the trouble of saying so, but I assure you that you have not,” he said.
I highly recommend starting with the first book in this world Between Jobs. I’m looking forward to the final book in this sequel which comes out in March!
January 15, 2024
I enjoyed discovering how the events of the previous book resolved (although the series isn't over yet and there are certainly still some loose threads). This story had some great character moments! Unfortunately, there were a LOT of scenes full of just talking or thinking without much action, so the pace moved slowly at times. This series is definitely not on a par with the author's City Between series, for that reason. Still worth the read for fans, though. I'm looking forward to the final book!
December 30, 2023
So much to love!
This is a great installment in The Worlds Behind series--maybe my favorite yet! There were so many questions answered, which is always a delight! And the romantic subplots were slightly more prominent in this one, which I enjoy. It's a pleasure especially to see Athelas's arc progress in an upward trajectory. If you've enjoyed the previous books in the series, you'll definitely enjoy this one!
This is a great installment in The Worlds Behind series--maybe my favorite yet! There were so many questions answered, which is always a delight! And the romantic subplots were slightly more prominent in this one, which I enjoy. It's a pleasure especially to see Athelas's arc progress in an upward trajectory. If you've enjoyed the previous books in the series, you'll definitely enjoy this one!
March 26, 2024
*muffled screaming*
*hugs book*
*Many tears... but good kinds*
The mystery was really amazing to follow... I did not figure it out before Athelas did. Camellia is the dearest. Just such a fun read. I can't wait to dive into book 5!!!! (But I also don't want it to be over)
*hugs book*
*Many tears... but good kinds*
The mystery was really amazing to follow... I did not figure it out before Athelas did. Camellia is the dearest. Just such a fun read. I can't wait to dive into book 5!!!! (But I also don't want it to be over)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews