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Who is Anna Stenberg?: A Gothic Tale of Secrets, Survival, and the Shadows of 19th-Century Paris
Victorian England...
When her murderous father escapes from an institution, a young girl is forced to flee to safety with secretive pickpocket Anna.
Disguised as a boy called Viktor, and drawn into Anna's mysterious activities, she is catapulted into a strange investigation, and learns that Anna may be able to help her uncover the mystery of her mother's disappearance.
As she and Anna find friendship, Viktor's disguise brings empowerment and safety, until a tragedy forces her to take on a new identity in order to survive a world full of supernatural threats.
When her murderous father escapes from an institution, a young girl is forced to flee to safety with secretive pickpocket Anna.
Disguised as a boy called Viktor, and drawn into Anna's mysterious activities, she is catapulted into a strange investigation, and learns that Anna may be able to help her uncover the mystery of her mother's disappearance.
As she and Anna find friendship, Viktor's disguise brings empowerment and safety, until a tragedy forces her to take on a new identity in order to survive a world full of supernatural threats.
575 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 9, 2023
This one totally took me by surprise for so many different reasons!
Firstly, it took me so much longer to read than I'd expected. Not having the print, and reading on kindle meant that I didn't notice it was a chunky one - around 500 pages!! But looking back now, I got through it pretty quickly for that size read!
It definitely didn't feel onorous at all and needed every one of those pages!
From looking at the cover and reading the blurb, I also hadn't expected this to be such a fantastic mix of genres.
I was thinking maybe a dark mystery, but when I started reading, but what I got was so much more.
Set in an alternative victorian England and small village in France, this took on a fantasy feel and although there were some recognisable areas, I loved this strange new world.
The characters were brilliantly presented and I instantly warmed to Viktor. As we read, we learn of her upbringing and it's easy to empathise and become gripped by their search for answers.
The writing style was so full of description that I was transported on this journey along with Viktor and Anna.
The atmosphere created was a great blend of gothic, creepy and supernatural which gave me Dracula and Woman in Black vibes - absolutely perfect for reading during this spooky season!
This was a chunky one so be prepared to not
race through it - but it was definitely worth it!
Firstly, it took me so much longer to read than I'd expected. Not having the print, and reading on kindle meant that I didn't notice it was a chunky one - around 500 pages!! But looking back now, I got through it pretty quickly for that size read!
It definitely didn't feel onorous at all and needed every one of those pages!
From looking at the cover and reading the blurb, I also hadn't expected this to be such a fantastic mix of genres.
I was thinking maybe a dark mystery, but when I started reading, but what I got was so much more.
Set in an alternative victorian England and small village in France, this took on a fantasy feel and although there were some recognisable areas, I loved this strange new world.
The characters were brilliantly presented and I instantly warmed to Viktor. As we read, we learn of her upbringing and it's easy to empathise and become gripped by their search for answers.
The writing style was so full of description that I was transported on this journey along with Viktor and Anna.
The atmosphere created was a great blend of gothic, creepy and supernatural which gave me Dracula and Woman in Black vibes - absolutely perfect for reading during this spooky season!
This was a chunky one so be prepared to not
race through it - but it was definitely worth it!
November 3, 2023
a fabulously gothic complicated novel
The perfect novel to read on a gloomy October weekend this is a spooky Gothic novel which blends magic and reality perfectly.
The novel had a very exciting, first chapter which really grabbed my attention right from the get go
Oooh the spooky fog is very brooding I wanted to know its significance immediately but was made to wait quite sometime by the author, who is skilled at drawing out anticipation
The author is also very skilled in writing cliffhangers at the end of chapters,I kept saying to myself I put the book down after this chapter and then there would be a cliffhanger and I had to read on.
The novel is set in Dover initially, and then France in the Victorian period both historical and geographical settings are atmospheric and interesting to read about. They are vital to the story.
There is some subtle, magical reality within the story as we discover that the eponymous heroine has special abilities, which mean that she is able to seek out and speak with vampires. The majority of the story however is naturalistic and the magic and reality interface is dealt with skilfully and with subtlety.
There is something rather old-fashioned about the authors writing style, we could easily have been reading and one of the original Dracula stories. This style of writing really suited the subject matter, I found her writing style, clear and flowing, and an enjoyable read.
This is a thick novel and took some commitment to read. However, I didn’t begrudge any of the time spent in this world. It is an extraordinary novel. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a suitable Halloween season read dare I say it if you enjoyed Brams Stoker’s Dracula you will probably find yourself enjoying this novel.
Without giving anything away, the ending of the novel lends itself to a potential sequel i for one want to know what’s next for Anna Stenberg
I was sent a copy of the novel to read, and as part of the book blog tour by Random things tours
The book is published in the UK on the 31st of October by Liminal books
This review will appear on Goodreads and my book blog Bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com
The perfect novel to read on a gloomy October weekend this is a spooky Gothic novel which blends magic and reality perfectly.
The novel had a very exciting, first chapter which really grabbed my attention right from the get go
Oooh the spooky fog is very brooding I wanted to know its significance immediately but was made to wait quite sometime by the author, who is skilled at drawing out anticipation
The author is also very skilled in writing cliffhangers at the end of chapters,I kept saying to myself I put the book down after this chapter and then there would be a cliffhanger and I had to read on.
The novel is set in Dover initially, and then France in the Victorian period both historical and geographical settings are atmospheric and interesting to read about. They are vital to the story.
There is some subtle, magical reality within the story as we discover that the eponymous heroine has special abilities, which mean that she is able to seek out and speak with vampires. The majority of the story however is naturalistic and the magic and reality interface is dealt with skilfully and with subtlety.
There is something rather old-fashioned about the authors writing style, we could easily have been reading and one of the original Dracula stories. This style of writing really suited the subject matter, I found her writing style, clear and flowing, and an enjoyable read.
This is a thick novel and took some commitment to read. However, I didn’t begrudge any of the time spent in this world. It is an extraordinary novel. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a suitable Halloween season read dare I say it if you enjoyed Brams Stoker’s Dracula you will probably find yourself enjoying this novel.
Without giving anything away, the ending of the novel lends itself to a potential sequel i for one want to know what’s next for Anna Stenberg
I was sent a copy of the novel to read, and as part of the book blog tour by Random things tours
The book is published in the UK on the 31st of October by Liminal books
This review will appear on Goodreads and my book blog Bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.com
February 21, 2025
This novel faced a handicap before I'd even started it as I don't normally read supernatural fiction. However, as a book from a local author whom I had heard present a a very good short story at a live session, I was intrigued to give it a go, with credibility implicitly suspended. From page one until the end it was a page turner. Set in Victorian England and in France, the story flowed well with a fascinating insight into the imaginary world of vampires. I felt it got a little bogged down in the numerous visits to a churchyard in Amiens but nevertheless gave an good opportunity to develop the characters. I never quite understood why Anna Stenberg was in England in the first place but it didn't detract from the story as it developed, sometimes in unexpected ways. I'm not sure I'll be a convert to tales of the supernatural. but overall I enjoyed reading this book
February 23, 2025
Tracey Norman’s ‘Who Is Anna Stenberg?’ is a Victorian-era supernatural mystery that intertwines themes of identity, survival, and the occult. The narrative follows a young girl who, after her murderous father escapes from an institution, seeks refuge with the enigmatic pickpocket Anna. Assuming the disguise of a boy named Viktor, she becomes entangled in Anna’s clandestine activities, leading to an investigation that may unravel the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. As their bond deepens, Viktor’s male persona offers both empowerment and protection, until unforeseen tragedy compels her to adopt yet another identity to navigate a world fraught with supernatural perils.
The novel’s rich, immersive prose effectively captures the eerie ambiance of a heightened Victorian era, making it the perfect read for all those who appreciate a fusion of historical fiction and the supernatural.
The novel’s rich, immersive prose effectively captures the eerie ambiance of a heightened Victorian era, making it the perfect read for all those who appreciate a fusion of historical fiction and the supernatural.
November 21, 2023
Highly recommended
Highlighting the challenges of independence for women in Victorian England, coupled with a most exciting adventure incorporating some of the mysteries of the occult and vampirism, this is a 'can't put down' read for sure, with scope for future episodes. I do hope so.
Highlighting the challenges of independence for women in Victorian England, coupled with a most exciting adventure incorporating some of the mysteries of the occult and vampirism, this is a 'can't put down' read for sure, with scope for future episodes. I do hope so.
November 9, 2023
Even at 500+ pages, I didn't want this book to end. I grew miserly as my remaining page count shrank, knowing that I would get to spend as much time as I wanted with each of these characters.
Norman has created a rich and nuanced world where we're asked to accept the existence of the supernatural and the structural supports for a universe that includes them. She cleverly feeds us information as we need to know it so we, like our protagonist, don't become bogged down in separating the new from the familiar. In doing so, we accept Norman's world as Truth much more easily.
This was a great, immersive read--historical supernatural fiction, well-researched and riveting, full of interesting, layered characters. Norman does a beautiful job of telling multiple stories at once, keeping all of her plates spinning, and has no qualms about making her characters' lives harder. Full of surprises that I didn't see coming, I strongly recommend to anyone who wants an immersive, fast-paced read.
Norman has created a rich and nuanced world where we're asked to accept the existence of the supernatural and the structural supports for a universe that includes them. She cleverly feeds us information as we need to know it so we, like our protagonist, don't become bogged down in separating the new from the familiar. In doing so, we accept Norman's world as Truth much more easily.
This was a great, immersive read--historical supernatural fiction, well-researched and riveting, full of interesting, layered characters. Norman does a beautiful job of telling multiple stories at once, keeping all of her plates spinning, and has no qualms about making her characters' lives harder. Full of surprises that I didn't see coming, I strongly recommend to anyone who wants an immersive, fast-paced read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews