Troth

Wisconsin Gothic #3

by E.H. Lupton

Sam and Ulysses have finally moved in together. Unfortunately, the new apartment is not quite the safe haven they'd hoped for--their neighbors have a ghost problem, and the building has a spider infestation. To make matters more complicated, Ulysses's brother Laz is back from Vietnam, and he's not happy about Sam's presence in Ulysses's life.

Laz's anger isn't their only challenge. When their magical bond starts acting up, Ulysses's increasing discomfort and attempts to fix it drive a wedge between him and Sam just when it becomes apparent that the spiders are no accident and a shadowy cult may mean them harm. Maybe they're not done with Sam's grandfather, Julius Sterling, after all.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Mythology, Mystery, Fiction, Queer

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2024

About the author

E. H. Lupton (she/they) lives in Wisconsin. She is a writer, playwright, artist, runner, and experimental baker. She is the producer/co-host of the hit podcast, Ask a Medievalist. Visit her website at ehlupton.com.

Reviews

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 5 out of 5]

goddamned shame that this book has under 50 reviews on GR while bad RR-knockoff hockroms with names like Stick It In My Goalhole have 1,000 ratings pre-release. don't come at me, you know I love my goalholes, but c'mon, friends!! stop sleeping on this incredibly clever, beautifully written, fully realized, evocative, dryly funny, and emotionally rich series! the puckporn will still be there when you're done!

[Smutty Sully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily five stars. This one was my favorite of the three, even if Sam was getting on my nerves a bit with how he dealt with Laz.

And the next book is about Laz, so off I go!

It is really a spectacular series, don't let the covers fool you into thinking...I'm not sure what, exactly?

All four books are free on Kobo+, and the best place (for the author) to buy them is itch, here.

I will circle back and properly review and tag these, after I read #4!

Also, big thanks to ancientreader, who originally put the first book on my radar during a Smashwords sale!

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

"your father tells me you're..." she hesitated and glanced at cass. "comment est-ce qu'on dit qu'il emménage avec le petit..."

cass wrinkled her nose. "we'd say 'shacking up,' I think."

mariah nodded. "your father tells me you are shacking up with that young man now."

tough not to have fun with a...romdramcomfantmystery...that uses words like "perforce" & "phatic," or romantically quotes the lion in fucking winter at me, come on.

I think established relationship is so hard to pull off in a multi-book romance series, and I continue to be impressed by how well lupton manages that without any of the usual issues. I think this one in particular is a book about how to fast your life with someone else's without becoming codependent, as it were. intertwined but not enmeshed? braided but not bound? at any rate, [vague to remain spoiler-free], in my own personal experience, I am as prone to allusion as these dudes!!!! not to mention as likely to learn a language for hell of it or the love of your partner.

he'd started learning russian from a book, as though russian were something you picked up rather than had foisted on you.

I do think I am pretty precisely among the right audience for this book—I am nothing if not equal parts pedantry and pretension papered over by a certain shrugemoji-je-ne-sais-quoithefuck, so obviously I'm having a good time—

"how did you know this was here?" sam asked.

"curiosity and snooping, mostly."

[...] "if you had a coat of arms, that would be your motto: curiositas et exploratio."

"that's a very medieval way to translate that, but I like it."

—and yet this remains solidly in 4-star territory for me rather than 5. that's honestly fine, though, and I LOVE having more 4-star series to love!!!!!

🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️

miscellaneous other notes:

- u kno, I love 2 learn.......idt I'd previously been exposed to the phrasing of 'fellow traveler' for, well, pinko commie (said without intent to derogate [obsolete] or disparage!!!!!)

- so, minus the magic (natch), this is to all evidence set in the real world, our world, right down to the last carefully researched minutiae (lupton's background as an degree-collector and semi-professional wanttoknower is always inescapably clear)—but with, like, slightly less homophobia? I bring this up because it seems, for example, that gay people can get legally married in 1960s-70s (or even earlier) wisconsin in this universe; for example, a publication refers to a woman's wife, which indicates to me that this isn't just, like, common-law marriage being accepted informally or whatever. at another point, some acquaintances casually ask ulysses and sam if and when they plan to get married. and I think it should be apparent that I'm not saying no to less homophobia lol—but then, at other points, ulysses and sam seem careful not to touch too much or demonstrate too much in the way of obviously romantic affection for one another in public? I don't know. it kind of seems like it goes back and forth. and of course the existence of apparently legal gay marriage does not mean there is no homophobia (lol hello), but I'm having a bit of trouble squaring the various rules and values of this society as pertains to queer people in a way that makes sense. idk, though, I could be trippin (not to mention that I just plain wasn't, you know, alive back then, at any rate) and I'd honestly love to hear other readers' thoughts on this. I have a mild fear that the......brainfoggy issues I've been having have caused me to miss picking up on something really obvious that will embarrassing when it's pointed out to me, but I'd rather know than not haha.

- ulysses' knuckle-cracking.......tragically relatable......RIP 2 me (reading about or watching characters who share other of my even worse bad habits—the ol' derm + trich, etc.—is PAINFUL for me, but with the knuckles, I'm just like.....[nod] I see u my brother)

🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️🕷️

anyway! rly good series, always a good time, I am just as shocked as everyone else that more people haven't read these! get 'em while they're hot, y'all!!!!!

most of it felt like received victorian spiritualism to ulysses, but it was what babushka had done.

bonus:
+ reminder to self to read "dous" on e.h. lupton's website!!!!
+ (I still don't fully understand why mariah's name is mariah, though.)

[Hannah Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your honor, let them be codependent

[Taylor Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I both love and hate this book. I mostly hate it because the fourth installment isn’t out yet, and I’m desperate to read it. This series is so interesting, and yes, the romantic relationship is so beautifully done. But I’m equally as invested in the magical plot and the things that plague Sam and Ulysses, magical or otherwise. I suppose I will just continue to wait impatiently for book four.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series continues! Gosh I love these lads. Now including the delightful disaster Laz, Ulysses's older brother!

[Bruce Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed the first three books in this series. Love the characters, the time they’re set in (1969/1970) and the location (Madison, Wisconsin). Interesting take on Magic, Gods, and librarians!

[Talya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sometimes feel like this series was written specifically for me tbh

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one - maybe even a little more than book 2. There are a couple of plots that kind of tie in together, with Sam and Ulysses moving in together after dating for about a year. The next door neighbors have a ghost and things go on from there. I finally had a look at the author's website and looks like there will be more books in the series, and they rotate in which character they are about. Book four is about Laz, Ulysses' younger brother. My library doesn't have it yet!

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going through GR and realised I hadn't reviewed this great book and it's my favourite of the Ulysses and Sam books so far! Although the plot is knotty and the stakes are high, there's just something smooth and relaxing about this book and all the others in the series - even their magic is kind of understated and workaday! I also feel like this was the most romantic of the 4 books in this series, the ending is perfect! 5 easy stars!

[tillie hellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

another delightful book in this series! maybe my fav one yet, tho i missed henry and more ellen. but vikram and sita were great additions and i rlly liked the relationship conflict! man oh man i wish my library had the next one

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Ulysses Lenkov has officially moved in with Sam Sterling, after the tragedy at the physics building. Even though the building was named Sterling Hall, it was like an omen. It wasn’t named for Sam’s, evil grandfather and biology professor. The explosion caused great damage and it’s hard for all to put behind them.

Now at the Baskerville Building, Sam and Ulysses have the help of Obe. Obe is married to Celeste, Ulysses pregnant sister. Before they have even gotten settled in
there’s a knock at the door. Ulysses meets Vikram Taganathan of Indian decent and
the only neighbor living right across the hall on the top floor. Not recognizing Vikram, he informs Ulysses he has met his sister Celeste at her shop. She advised him to speak with Ulysses. It seems Vikram has a ghost and his wife will leave him if he doesn’t get rid of it. Dr. Parvati Ranganathan is Vikram’s late mother who passed a few months ago and now she’s haunting their apartment. After a long drawn out discussion Ulysses agrees to take care of the ghostly problem. Dr. Parvati Ranganthan is not an easy ghost to dispose of and Ulysses has to use the banishment spell. Ulysses hates dealing with ghosts and spirits. All Ulysses wanted is to go back to Sam while they move in together. Both Ulysses is an Assistant Professor at UW Magic in spells and sigils, Ulysses is often called on for odd events. He also saved Sam.

A dinner at the grandmother’s, Obe advises that Lazarus, Ulysses brother is coming home after being gone for a long time. He always wanted to fly and went to the Academy at the age of seventeen. Then college for four years and pilot training for one year. Not too long after he went to the Viet Nam war for five years. Now he’s twenty-seven. Sam still has some doubtful feelings about Ulysses family and there are not many he gets along with. In fact, he often thinks he doesn’t know most of Ulysses relatives.

Sam is the Librarian at the Memorial Library and works with Dr. Edith Pearlman, the head of Rare Books. She stops to tell Sam she has nominated him for a committee. But the important things is she warns Sam that two suits were looking for him. At one time Sam had powers but with Ulysses help he came out of a very dangerous predicament.

But things seems to not have changed. Now, they have a ghost that seems to have secrets. They have to fight off spiders. There’s more than two suits looking for Sam, DCI, FBI, or someone bringing danger to Sam and Ulysses. Ellen is back and Sam is involved in another production. Ulysses magic using family always finds a way to get involved. Then there’s Lazarus, he may be trying to adjust but he seems to not like Sam. Just the adjustment and trying to live together is a strain on Sam and Ulysses. On top of all that the magical bond between Ulysses and Sam brings worry of a possible break-up. How much more can Ulysses and Sam deal with?

E. H. Lupton brings a powerful story in “Troth” the third installment of the “Wisconsin Gothic” series. Lupton really pull’s out all the stops, with spells, sigils and magic. How many more issues can Ulysses and Sam deal with? There are a couple of moments when it’s really heart-rending when the thoughts and discussion of Sam leaving comes up. The story is definitely suspenseful and filled with danger with every corner Sam turns. With all the chaos there’s still those romantic moments between Sam and Ulysses.

There’s an entire line-up of characters, some new and some old: Uylsses magical family: Babushka Ekaterina, Aunt Cass, Mariah, Celeste and Obe, and Lazarus. Good friends to Sam: Ellen and Harry, Dr. Edith Pearlman and two new friends Galadriel and Buttercup. Then there’s the not so happy part of Sam’s family: Howard Sterling and stepmother Francine, and the bad memories of Julius Sterling, Alfred Barth and the creation of the demigod and god children.

The “Wisconsin Gothic” series starts with “Dionysus In Wisconsin” and then “Old Time Religion” and every book is fantastic and worth reading. I highly recommend “Troth” as E.H. Lupton brings so many new and chaotic situations for Sam and Ulysses to deal with. The “Acknowledgement” is also an interesting read, as it addresses the bombing of Sterling Hall and the Red Gym that occurred in the 70’s. I’m excited for the next book, “Lazarus, Home from the War” coming in 2025. Outstanding, E.H. Lupton!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just goes from strength to strength. I love the way the MCs’ relationship is developing, and the questions about what it means to be human are interesting. Curious to see what happens with Lazarus…

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't be so bourgeois, darling. You're a powerful magician and your lover is a retired god. Of course things are going to be a bit unusual." "It's terrifying." "Eh, bien?" Mariah made a dismissive French noise. "It's love. It's supposed to be terrifying."

THESE BOOKS NEED TO BE BIGGER I HAVE BIG FEELINGS ABOUT ALL OF THIS. This book stressed me out the whole way through until, ironically, we got to the climax and Sam was drugged up. I was genuinely like, "ah yes. Everything is fine now." God. This book was MESSY. And LOVELY. I adore this world.

[ancientreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just so underappreciated.

So: Ulysses and Sam have moved in together; Ulysses's beloved brother Laz is back from somewhere in Southeast Asia (Thailand), where he's been doing -- something? as a member of the US Air Force; Laz has PTSD and is also hurt and angry that Ulysses hasn't kept him up-to-date with Sam's existence either as romantic partner or as experimental subject/ex-deity (well, sort of ex); some shady people are pursuing Sam, and their pursuit has something to do with the deity business; oh, and the psychic bond between Ulysses and Sam has gone terrifyingly haywire.

Also, we're in Madison, Wisconsin, in around 1971, and someone recently blew up the UW physics building. And Vikram and Sita, the new neighbors, are alarming to Sam, each in their own way.

That's! a lot! of ingredients! But -- having read eaten up the first two in the series, I was well placed to keep track of them, and anyway Sam and Ulysses are so smart, so thoughtful, so funny, and so in love, that I would happily read about them just having a relationship and working through difficulties as they arise (see "haywire bond," above) even if nothing else was going on. The closing scene between them is better than any real-life event in that category (being cryptic on purpose here) I've ever attended. I'm a little jealous, TBH.

I had nits to pick in the previous books concerning plot points; this time I've really only got one, which is that I don't understand why Ulysses doesn't summon Dr. Ranganathan's ghost the minute his grandmother mentions her name in connection with the deity-making experiments that produced Sam, rather than waiting till it comes up again later. But for all the space that spoiler took up, it wasn't such a big deal; just, we nitpickers gotta pick nits.

Laz's book is due out later this year, with a fourth Sam/Ulysses installment after that. I can't wait to find out what happened to Laz in Thailand, and how the lurking menace around Sam & U will be dispelled.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Don’t be so bourgeois, darling. You’re a powerful magician and your lover is a retired god. Of course things are going to be a bit unusual.”
“It’s terrifying.”
“Eh, bien?” Mariah made a dismissive French noise. “It’s love. It’s supposed to be terrifying.” [p. 191]

Third in the series, and the last (for now) of the novels that focus on Ulysses and Sam. It begins with the two moving into a new apartment together, and meeting the neighbours (Vikram and Sita) who have a ghost problem -- and, it turns out, a connection to Sam's family.

Both Ulysses and Sam are growing up. Ulysses has finally left the family home, has won a prestigious prize, and is a professor: Sam has a real job, and is slowly rebuilding his relationship with his father. The magical bond between the two is intensifying and starting to cause problems, as is the return of Ulysses' brother Lazarus, home from Vietnam / Thailand and not sure how to fit himself back into his former life. And there are government officials literally chasing Sam; mutant spiders; and, in the mundane world, the university being bombed by anti-war protesters.

The building tension in this novel does make for some repetitive scenes, but it's interesting to see Ulysses somewhat less breezily competent than usual, and Sam more comfortable with the fact that he's an ex-god. There's a hint of past homophobia, and an apology for it: and discussions of marriage, and whether it's just a government mechanism for deciding which relationships are important. I found Mariah, Ulysses' mother, delightful and formidable (you may read that with a French accent if you wish) and the finale wholly satisfying. I did feel, though, that the spiders and the tentacles were insufficiently addressed.

This would probably have been a good place to stop, at least for now. But I was intrigued by damaged, prescient Lazarus, and his difficult relationship with his brother...

[Alexandra Almond]

Hmmm, I’m less of a fan of this one than the previous two. Disclaimer, I read the first 3 books in under 3 days (I’m sick, don’t @ me) and it’s probably doing them a disservice because the plots are running into each other a bit. The pivotal moment in each of them is when one of our heroes is kidnapped, tied down to a sacrificial table, and rescued just as he’s about to be murdered.

Also, the whole gay marriage thing is weird in this context. The series is set in the US around 1970, in a real place, with real historical references scattered throughout. Apart from the existence of magic as a recognised thing, the only difference is that same sex marriage is legal and people can be quite open about their sexuality. I know, it’s fiction, but making a book historical then ignoring facts that don’t suit, feels wrong. When Ulysses announced to his next-door neighbour that his roommate was his boyfriend, it took me right out of the story. And it really bugged me that the solution to their bond problem was to get married, when Sam really didn’t want to.

Take this all with a grain of salt. I still read it in under a day, I still love both Ulysses and Sam, and I’m definitely going to finish the series. Apart from anything else, Laz was a great newcomer in this book and it looks like he’s a feature of the next one.

[Beneli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Troth might be Lupton’s best book yet, and that’s saying something. It’s the third in a series, and I have enjoyed all three. One of the things that I really appreciate about this series is how much care was taken to make the setting authentic for the time period (other than the magic, of course). It’s fun to read about what Madison was like back then, and to see the similarities and differences between then and now.

Another great thing about this series is that even though it’s set in the Vietnam era, there is no homophobia. My feeling is that there’s enough of that in the real world, and I enjoy when fiction show romance between queer characters without that negativity. There was plenty of other excitement to keep the book interesting.

The relationship between Sam and Ulysses continues to be delightful, and it was fun to meet new characters in addition to revisiting the familiar ones from previous books. The only thing I would caution potential readers of is that Troth will make a lot more sense if you read the Wisconsin Gothic series in order. It’s a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it.

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s as witty, bookish, swift moving and delightfully set in an alternate 1970 Madison WI as the other books in the series are. I still adore the main characters. I wish, though, that we’d had a bit more time to get to know the secondary characters who seemed interesting.

Also, it’s been awhile since I read the last book in the series, and this author writes as though the reader remembers who everyone is. So, there were a jumble of names and people I didn’t quite recall, and she gives no hints or backstory to remind you. Instead of enjoying the new characters or getting lost in the story, I kept tripping over things like who is Ellen again?

Most authors in a series either remind you in the text or in a character list at the start of the book. Hopefully this one will begin that, especially with more volumes to go.

P.S. The cover as always is remarkably bad at conveying the genre, characters or time period this takes place in. But nearly unmarketable covers are this author’s hallmark so now it’s whimsy I guess.

[Sarah Hoodlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much.

Sam and Ulysses. Ulysses and Sam. These two men always captivate the reader in a story of magic, ghosts, romance, mystery, and no shortage of danger that makes us fear for their lives. And, of course, they do it again in Troth.

But this time, they’ve moved in together. Not only are they dealing with all of the usual stuff, but also trying to figure out how things will look for their future. Oh, and they’re navigating the return of Ulysses' brother, Laz, who I was unsure about at first, but definitely grows on you.

The romance is sweet and sexy, with just the right amount of angst. The magic is well-written, and slightly more advanced than previous books. The character growth is excellent, and sometimes downright heartbreaking. Basically, it’s perfect. Except that it’s over.

Can’t wait for book four!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific new continuation of Sam and Ulysses' story- so well written, so romantic, so sexy, so authentically scary (I never really know for sure if these lads are going to be okay from book to book). Normally pining in a romance takes place when the characters are apart- here we have pining when they are in the same room as they try to work their way through the bond and the feelings it engenders. Each of them is so turned on by the other, and yet unaware of their own hotness.
You really feel like you are in the 1960s in Madison; this series has been a treat and Lupton is truly deserving of the praise and could use more hype.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Dionysus in Wisconsin and loved Old Time Religion, so I was really looking forward to book 3 in the series. However, I couldn't will myself to overlook the giant flaws in this book. The story was all build-up with too much meandering and too many plot-device coincidences that felt like lazy writing. They just happened to move next door to one of the other demi-god children? Please. The govt happens to approach Sam, of all people, to translate the docs related to the cult they've been looking for? Come on. Nothing happened until the end (and it was a really boring ride getting there), and the final climactic scene made no sense. The cult drugs a demi-god to release their powers and then just leaves them unattended to escape? Really??? The pacing felt off throughout, I was even finding it difficult to care about S and U, who I adore. I can't say I'm looking forward to Laz' story based on what I've seen of him so far. After the first two incredibly strong books, this one was such a letdown. I'm really hoping the author turns it around with future books.

Edit: I read Lazarus, Home from the War and enjoyed it quite a bit more.

[Rebekah Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the third book of the Wisconsin Gothic series. The mysterious agents continue to plague Sam and Ulysses, and they befriend new neighbors with an interesting (developing) connection to the past. The personality and history of the city of Madison in the 70s is interwoven into the story, making the city, the UW campus, with its buildings and inhabitants, fascinating characters that influence the path of Sam and Ulysses.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with book 2, an overall excellent read. I find Ulysses a little frustrating, but in a way I find many actual people frustrating (I wouldn't date him, good thing Sam is more (too) patient) so I'll call that realistic character development rather than a flaw. Again, not delighted with the ending, but it wasn't as annoying as the ending of book 2 so, improvement.

Not sure what to make of Lazarus. Looking forward to book 4.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part three of a really good ongoing series featuring Ulysses and Sam (Dionysus). They are now living together and are joined by a ghost - and some particularly creepy spiders. The magical bond between them is causing a lot of complications, as are some of the people in their lives (especially Laz). The ending was lovely and tied everything up nicely.

[E.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. It's got:
- trying to figure out how to live together
- magical bond shenanigans
- new neighbors
- Laz, who is having a whole time readjusting to civilian life
- a backdrop of domestic terrorism events

I'm so excited for everyone to read it. I hope you love it.

[thefourthvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is such a rich delight. The worldbuilding, the characters, the concepts -- I adore them all. This book is for sure not the place to start, but fantasy fans and romance fans can both find a lot to love here.

[Lani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one!!! Fantastic series overall so far. I desperately need more of Sam and Ulysses, but I’m excited to read more about Laz in the next one! Recommended for jaded academic types and bookish queers looking for adventure.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reallly couldn’t get into and skimmed the last third of the book.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book in the series has been enjoyable and this was no exception. Looking forward to more books in the series.