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Graveyard Sparrow
Tumblr's own Kayla Bashe serves up a "thrillingly irreverent" explosion of the beautiful dead girl mystique in Graveyard Sparrow, her new Regency romance starring a neuroatypical lady detective and a well-traveled professional witch.
Katriona Sparrow, dubbed the Mad Heiress by most of London's upper class, is the deceptively fragile ward of a foreign nobleman. She can't stand making small talk with strangers, but she's unparalleled when it comes to deciphering the dead. On a routine investigation, though, something goes horribly wrong, leaving Katriona catatonic in an upscale hospital and a serial killer with an artistic bent stalking London's most vulnerable.
Enter Anthea Garlant, a young witch and academic ostracized from polite society for traveling the world without a chaperone.
She devises magical accommodations to protect Katriona from the side effects of her abilities — but as she grows more and more attached to the other woman, her professional façade begins to slip. Will they be able to stop the man who turns beautiful dead women into works of art — the man who is closer to Katriona than anyone suspects?
Katriona Sparrow, dubbed the Mad Heiress by most of London's upper class, is the deceptively fragile ward of a foreign nobleman. She can't stand making small talk with strangers, but she's unparalleled when it comes to deciphering the dead. On a routine investigation, though, something goes horribly wrong, leaving Katriona catatonic in an upscale hospital and a serial killer with an artistic bent stalking London's most vulnerable.
Enter Anthea Garlant, a young witch and academic ostracized from polite society for traveling the world without a chaperone.
She devises magical accommodations to protect Katriona from the side effects of her abilities — but as she grows more and more attached to the other woman, her professional façade begins to slip. Will they be able to stop the man who turns beautiful dead women into works of art — the man who is closer to Katriona than anyone suspects?
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2014
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700 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 5, 2017
I liked this novella. To get a feel for it, the story is a paranormal historical crime thriller with a PG depicted f/f romance and takes place in London, presumably during an era that mimics Victorian times. I don't exactly label this a mystery because, as the reader, we're privy to the murderer.
Katriona Sparrow is an isolated and socially awkward woman with overwhelming sensitivities, one of which is to hear the thoughts of a person just before and after their death. With how she's described I'd assume she may be on the Autism Spectrum. Despite her social limitations and sometimes fragile spirit, Katriona is good-hearted and has a strong will to assist Scotland Yard in seeking justice for the victims of violent crime.
Anthea Garlant is the witch sent to aid Katriona when a particularly gruesome crime short circuits Katriona, putting her in a catatonic state.
Both of the leads are really likable.
It's clear the author can write and I give Kayla Bashe bonus points right out of the gate for making one of her leads a little plump and neither leads beautiful, though they find each other to be.
If anyone is familiar with it, the story had a similar feel to me as a historical and paranormal version of "Julie Enfield Investigates" BBC radio crime drama (starring Imelda Staunton). This is mainly because it seems like the story will be a cozy mystery when, in fact, the crime scenes and serial killer are really grisly and sinister, making it pretty dark.
Overall, a good read. 4.3 stars.
Katriona Sparrow is an isolated and socially awkward woman with overwhelming sensitivities, one of which is to hear the thoughts of a person just before and after their death. With how she's described I'd assume she may be on the Autism Spectrum. Despite her social limitations and sometimes fragile spirit, Katriona is good-hearted and has a strong will to assist Scotland Yard in seeking justice for the victims of violent crime.
Anthea Garlant is the witch sent to aid Katriona when a particularly gruesome crime short circuits Katriona, putting her in a catatonic state.
Both of the leads are really likable.
It's clear the author can write and I give Kayla Bashe bonus points right out of the gate for making one of her leads a little plump and neither leads beautiful, though they find each other to be.
If anyone is familiar with it, the story had a similar feel to me as a historical and paranormal version of "Julie Enfield Investigates" BBC radio crime drama (starring Imelda Staunton). This is mainly because it seems like the story will be a cozy mystery when, in fact, the crime scenes and serial killer are really grisly and sinister, making it pretty dark.
Overall, a good read. 4.3 stars.
November 4, 2017
So this was different. Not in a bad way, mind you. Okay, the language wasn't strictly period and I didn't get much Regency flavor (it felt more like a Gothic Victorian noir to be honest) but other than that Graveyard Sparrow has a lot going for it.
Katriona Sparrow - belonging to London's upper crust - can speak for the dead. This peculiar talent combined with her odd behaviour towards the living has given her the nickname The Mad Heiress. The fragile ward of a foreign nobleman (doctor Fuellore), she lives in solitude at Sparrow Manor, her giant dog Sentinel and maid Helena her only company.
Katriona aids Chief Inspector Claybrook in his investigation when a young woman gets brutally murdered and 'arranged' as an art piece. While connecting with the dead woman something goes wrong and Katriona gets pulled into a catatonic state.
Anthea Garlant is a professional witch on the fast track to high academic status. She gets called in by Inspector Claybrook to help get Katriona out of her own head. She manages to do so and agrees to stay with Katriona to help her cope with the negative side-effects her talent seems to bring. Katriona is fascinated by the worldly, bold witch. Anthea makes her feel safe and less lonely, even a bit more courageous. Doctor Fuellore however, is not so happy with the growing attachment of his ward towards the witch.
Kayla Bashe has a lovely writing style and I wouldn't mind reading more of her work in future. This short novel has lots of dark themes but the two heroines of the story shine brightly. I also liked that we get in on who is committing these brutal murders early in the story, so we can squirm in our seats with that knowledge Columbo style ;-)
f/f
Themes: some dark shit, the beautiful dead girl mystique, didn't really get the flavour of the period, so don't expect Georgette Hayer, there was some beautiful language however so the author is forgiven, I like it when main characters have flaws, there was no sex, wouldn't mind a second novel to see where these lovely characters could go.
4.5 stars
Katriona Sparrow - belonging to London's upper crust - can speak for the dead. This peculiar talent combined with her odd behaviour towards the living has given her the nickname The Mad Heiress. The fragile ward of a foreign nobleman (doctor Fuellore), she lives in solitude at Sparrow Manor, her giant dog Sentinel and maid Helena her only company.
Katriona aids Chief Inspector Claybrook in his investigation when a young woman gets brutally murdered and 'arranged' as an art piece. While connecting with the dead woman something goes wrong and Katriona gets pulled into a catatonic state.
Anthea Garlant is a professional witch on the fast track to high academic status. She gets called in by Inspector Claybrook to help get Katriona out of her own head. She manages to do so and agrees to stay with Katriona to help her cope with the negative side-effects her talent seems to bring. Katriona is fascinated by the worldly, bold witch. Anthea makes her feel safe and less lonely, even a bit more courageous. Doctor Fuellore however, is not so happy with the growing attachment of his ward towards the witch.
Kayla Bashe has a lovely writing style and I wouldn't mind reading more of her work in future. This short novel has lots of dark themes but the two heroines of the story shine brightly. I also liked that we get in on who is committing these brutal murders early in the story, so we can squirm in our seats with that knowledge Columbo style ;-)
f/f
Themes: some dark shit, the beautiful dead girl mystique, didn't really get the flavour of the period, so don't expect Georgette Hayer, there was some beautiful language however so the author is forgiven, I like it when main characters have flaws, there was no sex, wouldn't mind a second novel to see where these lovely characters could go.
4.5 stars
September 5, 2021
A unique story (2 hours) set in somewhat Edwardian/Victorian times (the actual time isn't stated.)
Katriona is a unique empath who can touch the dead and sense their final moments. She can also sense things from others around her, thoughts, details about their lives etc. She is seen as an oddity in society, even before her gift was pronounced, because of her inability to connect to people, sensitivity to touch and feelings of overwhelm in groups. She much prefers books and pets. (I can't disagree, and related to her immensely.)
For a long time she had locked herself away, until she convince a police constable friend that she could be useful for solving murders. But she is struggling with her abilities, headaches and tiredness, and the inability to block out thoughts of others and control this strange gift. Magician and Witch, Anthea is hired by the police to assist in alleviating these symptoms for Katriona, using her herbs, crystals and magics.
A bond is quickly made between the two young women. The vulnerability and loneliness in Katriona is so heartbreaking, and seeing Anthea fall for her, yet still trying to maintain those fickle societal bounds, to maintain her status, is frustrating.
There is a series of sickening artistic murders afoot. Whereby women are being arranged to look like classical paintings. All to get a certain someone's attention, getting close to a selfish and controlling goal.
I really felt for our characters, and enjoyed the macabre storyline that also dealt with people of difference who were trying to live outside the expect moulds of society in that time.
Katriona is a unique empath who can touch the dead and sense their final moments. She can also sense things from others around her, thoughts, details about their lives etc. She is seen as an oddity in society, even before her gift was pronounced, because of her inability to connect to people, sensitivity to touch and feelings of overwhelm in groups. She much prefers books and pets. (I can't disagree, and related to her immensely.)
For a long time she had locked herself away, until she convince a police constable friend that she could be useful for solving murders. But she is struggling with her abilities, headaches and tiredness, and the inability to block out thoughts of others and control this strange gift. Magician and Witch, Anthea is hired by the police to assist in alleviating these symptoms for Katriona, using her herbs, crystals and magics.
A bond is quickly made between the two young women. The vulnerability and loneliness in Katriona is so heartbreaking, and seeing Anthea fall for her, yet still trying to maintain those fickle societal bounds, to maintain her status, is frustrating.
There is a series of sickening artistic murders afoot. Whereby women are being arranged to look like classical paintings. All to get a certain someone's attention, getting close to a selfish and controlling goal.
I really felt for our characters, and enjoyed the macabre storyline that also dealt with people of difference who were trying to live outside the expect moulds of society in that time.
December 21, 2014
I am so glad I still have more Kayla Bashe stories to read. She is an amazing author and I love the way her characters care about each other and touch readers' hearts.
Graveyard Sparrow offers intriguing mystery, but it is the love that blossoms between Katriona and Anthea that pulls you into the story, head over heels. Whether they are about loneliness or love, so many of the passages get it just right:
--It was hard enough to interact with people in the first place. But when you weren't sure what they wanted to share and what they were hiding, interaction became nearly impossible.
--She thought she wanted Anthea around for the rest of her life. If she holds onto me any longer, people will think we’re betrothed, Anthea thought.
Also a huge plus is that Graveyard Sparrow takes place during the Regency era and, for all its dark side, has a charm and character well-suited to its time. This is a must-read for anyone who likes their romance chaste and their plots compelling. :)
Graveyard Sparrow offers intriguing mystery, but it is the love that blossoms between Katriona and Anthea that pulls you into the story, head over heels. Whether they are about loneliness or love, so many of the passages get it just right:
--It was hard enough to interact with people in the first place. But when you weren't sure what they wanted to share and what they were hiding, interaction became nearly impossible.
--She thought she wanted Anthea around for the rest of her life. If she holds onto me any longer, people will think we’re betrothed, Anthea thought.
Also a huge plus is that Graveyard Sparrow takes place during the Regency era and, for all its dark side, has a charm and character well-suited to its time. This is a must-read for anyone who likes their romance chaste and their plots compelling. :)
November 17, 2017
Very grim paranormal. But also very enjoyable. If you enjoy Watasin's author voice I'll bet you like this quite well. Old English witchary. Katriona is hard to describe, she reads people's thoughts as well as the dead and it kinda gets her in trouble. Anthea the witch however joins up to help solve a serial killer mystery. Good times.. Lol.
July 28, 2016
A dark, yet sweet and happily resolved, piece of lesbian paranormal with a Victorian Gothic setting. This is a world where magical powers are somewhat normal, if not common, but women with magical abilities are still at risk from all the patriarchal dangers that women face in the real world. The main characters both have magic, and they fall in love while one is trying to help the other cope with the dangers of her powers.
Meanwhile, a serial killer is leaving behind a trail of corpses. The women try to use their paranormal abilities to solve the crime but they're being manipulated by the men around them and will have to break free of what they thought was safety if they are to be together or even *safe*.
I liked the romance, growing from friendship and from feeling safe. One quibble I had was that if Miss Sparrow is truly so telepathic that she's in physical pain from the amount of other people's thoughts she hears, that she instantly knows when the policeman's wife is pregnant, why doesn't she know immediately that her feelings for Miss Garlant are reciprocated? "Because Kayla Bashe likes to write about people who are in love but think their love isn't reciprocated," lol. (Meant affectionately.) Or maybe there was a detail in there that I missed, because I read too quickly--this is very possible.
The adventure of this isn't the mystery, because the audience knows who the villain is from pretty early on. The adventure is in watching the women grow together as friends and partners, and in women rescuing each other, and using magic and bravery to do so.
Meanwhile, a serial killer is leaving behind a trail of corpses. The women try to use their paranormal abilities to solve the crime but they're being manipulated by the men around them and will have to break free of what they thought was safety if they are to be together or even *safe*.
I liked the romance, growing from friendship and from feeling safe. One quibble I had was that if Miss Sparrow is truly so telepathic that she's in physical pain from the amount of other people's thoughts she hears, that she instantly knows when the policeman's wife is pregnant, why doesn't she know immediately that her feelings for Miss Garlant are reciprocated? "Because Kayla Bashe likes to write about people who are in love but think their love isn't reciprocated," lol. (Meant affectionately.) Or maybe there was a detail in there that I missed, because I read too quickly--this is very possible.
The adventure of this isn't the mystery, because the audience knows who the villain is from pretty early on. The adventure is in watching the women grow together as friends and partners, and in women rescuing each other, and using magic and bravery to do so.
April 28, 2017
"Someone once said that there's nothing more poetic than the death of a beautiful woman, but I think that's only true until the women get revenge. And I'm done with spending my days hidden away behind heavy curtains and wrought-iron gates. I want to burst forth into the sun and unfold and blossom there, like a waterfall cutting through rock. No more beautiful dead girls. No more sculptures made of women's bones. Never again."
* * *
And another review where I can't pick a single sentence to start out with, because the entire section I want is just so good and illustrative of the book's major themes.
We're familiar with the deaths of women in fiction. Fridged love interests and female family members' pain - so common that the term 'fridged' was actually coined for an expendable woman being killed to drive forward the narrative's often-male POV (their bodies discovered, often for shock value, discarded in a humiliating way, like being stuffed into a fridge).
Women do die in Graveyard Sparrow, and due to its Jack-The-Ripper Re-imagining feel, it's not glossed-over. The book is a rather dark one, with its Gothic thriller tone and setting, an alternate 19th-century London, if I'm right. Here, magic and its studies are woven into the culture, and things like talking to the dead are rare but by no means impossible. And atrocities happen. (If you're put off by this kind of violence, I'd go into it with your eyes open, at least.)
But women also fight back, take charge of their own lives, refuse to be silenced - even by death! - and fall in love. And yes, get revenge.
There are two antagonistic forces at work here: the literal serial killer, and the pressure of restrictive cultural misogyny. The murderer here is very much a 'product of his time,' not that his brutality isn't his fault, but meaning he is the natural and chillingly believable manifestation of a society that devalues and actively abuses women, while at the same time elevating a privileged few to the throne of sainthood - an always-slient, always-'pliable', always-demure and deferential goddess. And the killer himself should be a very familiar figure in today's media, fiction and news alike. He's all around. You might have even escaped him once, or more. I certainly recognize him. But I'm not as familiar with his failure, or defeat at the hands of his would-be victims.
That needs to change. And here, it does.
Graveyard Sparrow can be brutal, but is ultimately cathartic. For anyone who's reached the state of Frustrated, Disappointed but Not Surprised at another dead/silent/expendable woman in a story, who's thought the leading lady had much more chemistry with her female friends than the male romantic lead (really, so many things seem to do this, stick the main man and woman together for no other reason aside from... they are a man and woman). That is not this. No more sculptures made of women's bones. Never again.
Also, the entire thing runs on dramatic irony - the reader knowing more than the characters, in this case the actual identity of the murderer, and his motive, very early on - and I just love this. It's one of my favorite literary devices, but I've never read anything where it's structured in so effectively.
Lastly, Katriona and Anthea are delightful themselves. I'll eat my nonexistent hat if Katriona wasn't written as autistic and/or some other kind of neurodivergent - aside from the inevitable trauma that comes from being able to speak to dead people. And her handling is sympathetic and respectful (and in cases of meltdowns/panic/ableist abuse, painfully accurate). And Anthea's determination, individuality and warmth are just lovely. The fact that she's described as a gorgeous chubby girl whose shape is only portrayed as beautiful and desirable doesn't hurt either - a refreshing and encouraging element I've literally only seen with indie/ownvoice books.
A f/f paranormal thiller/romance where the ND girl is the sympathetic and multidimensional star instead of a pathetic figure meant for tragic pity, who falls in love with a brave, resourceful, fat witch, in a story where they not only defeat the villain and SURVIVE, both of them, but end up happily together? This is why I've been reading indies/ownvoices pretty exclusively lately. The books we want are out there (or soon will be). This is one of mine, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
* * *
And another review where I can't pick a single sentence to start out with, because the entire section I want is just so good and illustrative of the book's major themes.
We're familiar with the deaths of women in fiction. Fridged love interests and female family members' pain - so common that the term 'fridged' was actually coined for an expendable woman being killed to drive forward the narrative's often-male POV (their bodies discovered, often for shock value, discarded in a humiliating way, like being stuffed into a fridge).
Women do die in Graveyard Sparrow, and due to its Jack-The-Ripper Re-imagining feel, it's not glossed-over. The book is a rather dark one, with its Gothic thriller tone and setting, an alternate 19th-century London, if I'm right. Here, magic and its studies are woven into the culture, and things like talking to the dead are rare but by no means impossible. And atrocities happen. (If you're put off by this kind of violence, I'd go into it with your eyes open, at least.)
But women also fight back, take charge of their own lives, refuse to be silenced - even by death! - and fall in love. And yes, get revenge.
There are two antagonistic forces at work here: the literal serial killer, and the pressure of restrictive cultural misogyny. The murderer here is very much a 'product of his time,' not that his brutality isn't his fault, but meaning he is the natural and chillingly believable manifestation of a society that devalues and actively abuses women, while at the same time elevating a privileged few to the throne of sainthood - an always-slient, always-'pliable', always-demure and deferential goddess. And the killer himself should be a very familiar figure in today's media, fiction and news alike. He's all around. You might have even escaped him once, or more. I certainly recognize him. But I'm not as familiar with his failure, or defeat at the hands of his would-be victims.
That needs to change. And here, it does.
Graveyard Sparrow can be brutal, but is ultimately cathartic. For anyone who's reached the state of Frustrated, Disappointed but Not Surprised at another dead/silent/expendable woman in a story, who's thought the leading lady had much more chemistry with her female friends than the male romantic lead (really, so many things seem to do this, stick the main man and woman together for no other reason aside from... they are a man and woman). That is not this. No more sculptures made of women's bones. Never again.
Also, the entire thing runs on dramatic irony - the reader knowing more than the characters, in this case the actual identity of the murderer, and his motive, very early on - and I just love this. It's one of my favorite literary devices, but I've never read anything where it's structured in so effectively.
Lastly, Katriona and Anthea are delightful themselves. I'll eat my nonexistent hat if Katriona wasn't written as autistic and/or some other kind of neurodivergent - aside from the inevitable trauma that comes from being able to speak to dead people. And her handling is sympathetic and respectful (and in cases of meltdowns/panic/ableist abuse, painfully accurate). And Anthea's determination, individuality and warmth are just lovely. The fact that she's described as a gorgeous chubby girl whose shape is only portrayed as beautiful and desirable doesn't hurt either - a refreshing and encouraging element I've literally only seen with indie/ownvoice books.
A f/f paranormal thiller/romance where the ND girl is the sympathetic and multidimensional star instead of a pathetic figure meant for tragic pity, who falls in love with a brave, resourceful, fat witch, in a story where they not only defeat the villain and SURVIVE, both of them, but end up happily together? This is why I've been reading indies/ownvoices pretty exclusively lately. The books we want are out there (or soon will be). This is one of mine, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2014
I really enjoyed Bluebell Hall, so I was excited to see another book by Kayla Bashe. Graveyard Sparrow, as you might guess from a story centering around serial murders, is decidedly less lighthearted. It features a fiercely competent professional witch Anthea, holding her own in a sphere largely occupied by men, and Katriona, the steel under silk, ostracized heiress who deals in psychic forensics, solving crimes by reading the memories of the recently dead. Together, they investigate the grisly serial murders of a killer who sees his victims as works of art, all leading up to creating his final masterpiece, Katriona. This isn't a typical murder mystery, more of a suspense thriller than a whodunnit, and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat. The villain is cold, cunning, and manipulative enough to make you shiver, as will the twisted, misogynistic inspiration behind his works of “art.” Although it's dark, it still has a sweetly developed, slow-burn romance between Katriona and Anthea, including some lighthearted scenes where they take a wild carriage ride, or rescue worms in the rain. Refreshingly, their romance is allowed to take center stage without having to stop and bemoan how difficult and upsetting it is to realize that she, a woman, has feelings for another woman. The focus is on their growing closer, and the tension comes from Anthea's determination to keep her professional distance and not fall into a relationship with her client. It's also an excellent of a bisexual heroine who doesn't fall prey to any of the ugly, and tiringly all too common, tropes of being predatory, wildly unfaithful, or just waiting for a man to straighten her out. Their sexualities are casually mentioned without having to become a big point of contention, which let's the story focus on their relationship, and their determination to solve the murders. Although the story climaxes with a dramatic rescue. neither of these girls are damsels in distress. At the crucial moment, they both take strength from each other and defeat the killer who planned to destroy them both and then, of course, live happily and adventurously ever after.
And for those of you who were worried, yes, the dog does survive.
And for those of you who were worried, yes, the dog does survive.
September 12, 2015
A historic time period is the setting for this book with two talented psychic witches, where one eventually teeter-totters on mental/emotional instability. Oh my! Additionally, the more grounded witch feels possibly a solid sexual desire and love for her compatriot and this equates to delicious heat and intrigue! I disengaged my personal discomfort with certain levels of scary that may have initially distorted my overall assessment of 'Graveyard Sparrow'. I rose above my deficiencies to be quite enchanted. Delectably detailed!
Katriona Sparrow is a most curious, susceptible, and somewhat spooky woman whose health appears to be adversely impacted by her highly proficient ability to read the essence of someone recently deceased. Her expertise is not limited to the dead as she often practically babbles at those in her proximity with observations and knowledge that she could only have obtained in an otherworldly fashion. Oh yes! That puts my stomach into knots, but my curiosity into a soaring elevation. Katriona is apparently, initially, under the protection of a foreign gentleman. Furthermore, she genuinely impresses Chief Inspector Claybrook and he has enlisted her assistance on several occasions to speak for the deceased and provide valuable clues and insight into despicable atrocities. Moreover, she is one of the richest people in England. Katriona looks in some ways to be a victim of her incredible skills and yet she willingly helps the chief inspector. Her perceptive nature puts her at risk, but I sense her mastery helps her to survive and prevail. Remarkably riveting!
Anthea Garlant lectures across the European continent and her native England. The Garlant name has been interchangeable with the finest traditions within one of the oldest magical establishments. Chief Inspector Claybrook contacts Anthea as he knew and was very much influenced by her now deceased father and the chief feels that Anthea may be the only appropriately gifted person able to participate in Katriona's restoration from a paranormal overload that threatens her already delicate physical being. Besides, Anthea feels a strong attraction to Katriona and senses it may be reciprocal. Anthea seems to be subsumed by Katriona on more than one level, yet she is capable of helping Katriona physically and possibly aiding her mental recovery as well. Anthea is really, really taken with Katriona and she feels her whole life is about to change. She knows she loves her. Plus she feels incredibly protective and kind of like Katriona's knight in shining armor. Eventually, Anthea takes an amazing trip as she hunts for where Katriona is currently residing as at one point Katriona seems to disappear off the face of the Earth. Anthea hopes for the most promising of all outcomes, but since she is drawn by the need to correct things even if that is all she can accomplish she knows she still will be pleased. The developing connection between Anthea and Katriona is certifiably beautiful, overcoming tension-filled confrontations influencing more folks than just Katriona or Anthea. Exquisitely engaging!
An amazing number of events unfold and I did initially find them confusing, but the flow eventually became clear to me. Therefore, I am going to recommend this book as it has so many peerless subtleties and countless thought-provoking richness. Extraordinarily enticing!
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Katriona Sparrow is a most curious, susceptible, and somewhat spooky woman whose health appears to be adversely impacted by her highly proficient ability to read the essence of someone recently deceased. Her expertise is not limited to the dead as she often practically babbles at those in her proximity with observations and knowledge that she could only have obtained in an otherworldly fashion. Oh yes! That puts my stomach into knots, but my curiosity into a soaring elevation. Katriona is apparently, initially, under the protection of a foreign gentleman. Furthermore, she genuinely impresses Chief Inspector Claybrook and he has enlisted her assistance on several occasions to speak for the deceased and provide valuable clues and insight into despicable atrocities. Moreover, she is one of the richest people in England. Katriona looks in some ways to be a victim of her incredible skills and yet she willingly helps the chief inspector. Her perceptive nature puts her at risk, but I sense her mastery helps her to survive and prevail. Remarkably riveting!
Anthea Garlant lectures across the European continent and her native England. The Garlant name has been interchangeable with the finest traditions within one of the oldest magical establishments. Chief Inspector Claybrook contacts Anthea as he knew and was very much influenced by her now deceased father and the chief feels that Anthea may be the only appropriately gifted person able to participate in Katriona's restoration from a paranormal overload that threatens her already delicate physical being. Besides, Anthea feels a strong attraction to Katriona and senses it may be reciprocal. Anthea seems to be subsumed by Katriona on more than one level, yet she is capable of helping Katriona physically and possibly aiding her mental recovery as well. Anthea is really, really taken with Katriona and she feels her whole life is about to change. She knows she loves her. Plus she feels incredibly protective and kind of like Katriona's knight in shining armor. Eventually, Anthea takes an amazing trip as she hunts for where Katriona is currently residing as at one point Katriona seems to disappear off the face of the Earth. Anthea hopes for the most promising of all outcomes, but since she is drawn by the need to correct things even if that is all she can accomplish she knows she still will be pleased. The developing connection between Anthea and Katriona is certifiably beautiful, overcoming tension-filled confrontations influencing more folks than just Katriona or Anthea. Exquisitely engaging!
An amazing number of events unfold and I did initially find them confusing, but the flow eventually became clear to me. Therefore, I am going to recommend this book as it has so many peerless subtleties and countless thought-provoking richness. Extraordinarily enticing!
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
July 21, 2018
I already knew I loved Kayla's writing when I started this book, but I'm in love with Graveyard Sparrow. Katriona and Anthea are so real (and Anthea so awesome, please, I couldn't get enough XD), and their relationship kind of just falls into place naturally, and the story goes from incredibly sweet when we're with them, to disturbingly creepy when the murdered get on the scene. I swear, by the end I had chills.
What I am saying, in short, is that this is an absolutely lovely book, well worth every second of my time, and I'm going to get a paper copy just to PHYSICALLY shove it in everyone's hands.
What I am saying, in short, is that this is an absolutely lovely book, well worth every second of my time, and I'm going to get a paper copy just to PHYSICALLY shove it in everyone's hands.
September 28, 2016
i knew the backdrop of this book was a crime mystery about a serial killer, but there was waaay too much graphic violence against women for my taste--plus you get the internal thoughts of the killer at times, which are just streams of thoughts about how women are only good when they're dead and butchered. the two main characters have promise, but that and the small bit of romance (which was not a slow-burn, and had no real chemistry) don't make up for the average writing and numerous decapitated women.
September 28, 2022
The Good: the autism rep (not explicitly named, but Katriona's empathy is a pretty obvious and, imo, successful analogy for it), the spooky atmosphere, some of the writing on a line-by-line level.
The Bad: everything else, honestly. Primarily the complete lack of any historical research and a very poor grasp of narrative structure.
Such a disappointing read. None of the world building makes any sense, there's a Scotland Yard police force which everyone calls 'Peelers', despite this being ostensibly a Regency novella and Scotland Yard only opening in 1890, and everything either happens at breakneck speed or at the exact pace of treacle being poured at a 181 degree angle in slow motion. The writing isn't particularly good, the decision to reveal the antagonist right at the start makes no sense whatsoever because it destroys any tension that might have been created by the initial murder mystery, and there's no chemistry between the leads whatsoever. I really, really wish this had worked, but it just didn't.
It's doubly disappointing because the concept is so good. A sapphic Regency novella about a witch and a woman who can feel the thoughts of the dead? Sign me the heck up! Pour that shit directly into my gullet! But alas, the execution was just so poor that my thirst for this divine idea has only dehydrated me further.
I know this is one of the author's older works, and I'd be interested to see how their voice has developed since, and if they're able to do their great ideas more justice. I've read some of their poetry and I much prefer it. Their use of language is often great. I just think that sustained plot and narrative structure aren't their strong points.
The Bad: everything else, honestly. Primarily the complete lack of any historical research and a very poor grasp of narrative structure.
Such a disappointing read. None of the world building makes any sense, there's a Scotland Yard police force which everyone calls 'Peelers', despite this being ostensibly a Regency novella and Scotland Yard only opening in 1890, and everything either happens at breakneck speed or at the exact pace of treacle being poured at a 181 degree angle in slow motion. The writing isn't particularly good, the decision to reveal the antagonist right at the start makes no sense whatsoever because it destroys any tension that might have been created by the initial murder mystery, and there's no chemistry between the leads whatsoever. I really, really wish this had worked, but it just didn't.
It's doubly disappointing because the concept is so good. A sapphic Regency novella about a witch and a woman who can feel the thoughts of the dead? Sign me the heck up! Pour that shit directly into my gullet! But alas, the execution was just so poor that my thirst for this divine idea has only dehydrated me further.
I know this is one of the author's older works, and I'd be interested to see how their voice has developed since, and if they're able to do their great ideas more justice. I've read some of their poetry and I much prefer it. Their use of language is often great. I just think that sustained plot and narrative structure aren't their strong points.
June 29, 2019
I really liked the two main characters. What a gift to have women who are not one dimensional and a writer who doesn't think it's necessary to bash other women's lifestyles. I enjoyed the beginning more than the end, I found it more developed and neat. However, I got kinda lost when the more poetic or abstract narration started, it wasn't what I had expected, and I wasn't not in the mood for it sadly. There were however so many great setting elements, and the world's mythology sounded so interesting, I wished it had been a full length novel.
Finally even if the aim was to denounce the "beautiful dead girl" trope, there was too much aesthecizing of that before the denouncing part. I don't like gory details, even if they serve a purpose, and I particularly dislike reading the thoughts of sexist serial killers, it doesn't really help to go to sleep.
Finally even if the aim was to denounce the "beautiful dead girl" trope, there was too much aesthecizing of that before the denouncing part. I don't like gory details, even if they serve a purpose, and I particularly dislike reading the thoughts of sexist serial killers, it doesn't really help to go to sleep.
March 27, 2016
I've been following Kayla Bashe on Tumblr for some time, and she's always been a refreshing voice in the queer lit community. She's just as sick of the treatment of queer ladies in fiction as the rest of us, and because she's a goddess, she's doing something about it! I have a few of her books on my Kindle, but this is the first I've read. I'm definitely excited to read the rest!
This book is heavily inspired by Hannibal, which is very apparent in the grisly crime scenes that the young protagonist, Katriona Sparrow, works to investigate. Katriona is an empath, much like Hannibal's Will Graham, but because Bashe isn't afraid of actual representation, she's explicitly neurodivergent. Her stimming and info-dumping isn't seen as some cute quirk or weird flaw that is sort of apologized for in the narrative (which is the norm)--this is just Katriona, and if anyone has an issue with it, well...they're not important in this book. She has recently discovered she can not only sense the thoughts of living people and animals; she can now read the dead as well, making her an important asset to the London police.
Unfortunately, her devotion to finding justice for the victims of a recent grisly serial killer who mutilates women to look like paintings is taking a toll on her health. One of her police friends recommends she be seen by Anthea Garlant, a well-traveled witch who is struggling with life outside of the bubble of academia. Anthea is the type of love interest you fall for right away--she's kind, sharp, clever, and can literally show Katriona the world. She and Katriona instantly connect with one another, though Katriona's suspicious caretaker wants to make it so Katriona is his and his alone.
I enjoyed Katriona as a protagonist. The way she sees the world is written beautifully, and Bashe's writing style matches her characterization so well. The prose is beautiful and vivid without being flowery, and the Victorian setting feels so real. While I enjoyed the story and characters, I feel the book was a bit rushed towards the final act, especially for a tentative protagonist like Katriona. I wish the book was a bit better paced towards the end--I feel that the first half is much more memorable.
I'd recommend this story to anyone looking for a quick queer romance with a chilling, supernatural-infused plot--and don't worry. You won't have to dodge any bullets with this one.
This book is heavily inspired by Hannibal, which is very apparent in the grisly crime scenes that the young protagonist, Katriona Sparrow, works to investigate. Katriona is an empath, much like Hannibal's Will Graham, but because Bashe isn't afraid of actual representation, she's explicitly neurodivergent. Her stimming and info-dumping isn't seen as some cute quirk or weird flaw that is sort of apologized for in the narrative (which is the norm)--this is just Katriona, and if anyone has an issue with it, well...they're not important in this book. She has recently discovered she can not only sense the thoughts of living people and animals; she can now read the dead as well, making her an important asset to the London police.
Unfortunately, her devotion to finding justice for the victims of a recent grisly serial killer who mutilates women to look like paintings is taking a toll on her health. One of her police friends recommends she be seen by Anthea Garlant, a well-traveled witch who is struggling with life outside of the bubble of academia. Anthea is the type of love interest you fall for right away--she's kind, sharp, clever, and can literally show Katriona the world. She and Katriona instantly connect with one another, though Katriona's suspicious caretaker wants to make it so Katriona is his and his alone.
I enjoyed Katriona as a protagonist. The way she sees the world is written beautifully, and Bashe's writing style matches her characterization so well. The prose is beautiful and vivid without being flowery, and the Victorian setting feels so real. While I enjoyed the story and characters, I feel the book was a bit rushed towards the final act, especially for a tentative protagonist like Katriona. I wish the book was a bit better paced towards the end--I feel that the first half is much more memorable.
I'd recommend this story to anyone looking for a quick queer romance with a chilling, supernatural-infused plot--and don't worry. You won't have to dodge any bullets with this one.
May 4, 2016
And the promised review of Kayla Bashe's debut novella, Graveyard Sparrow! Disclaimer: I know the author IRL.
This novella is a feminist parable, a same-sex romance, and a genuinely tense thriller. Its theme can be summed up in the words of Katriona, one of the two protagonists: "Someone once said that there's nothing more poetic than the death of a beautiful woman, but I think that's only true until the women get revenge." While dealing with professional and health issues, Katriona and Anthea fight a misogynistic serial killer with an artistic bent and fall in love along the way.
The strongest part of the book is the final third, as the women realize the identity of the villain, whose identity the reader has known from the beginning, and find themselves in grave danger-- the threat is not just to their lives, but to the integrity of their minds. The villain is incredibly creepy in his megalomania, total confidence, and twisted sense of beauty and values. Needless to say (this is both a genre romance with a happy ending, and a feminist tale) the women rescue themselves and each other.
The weakest part of the book is the narrative voice, which is overly keen to tell us how wonderful and brave our heroines are and see each other as, rather than trusting the readers to figure this out from their actions and using more subtle means to show their increasing attraction to each other. However, the writing is beautiful in places; I particularly liked this bit of description:
"He smelled of old books and incense, the scent of the Society's hall. Soon it would cling to her skin as well, a cloak of authority in the form of perfume."
I really liked the characterization of Anthea, the professional witch with her sights set on an academic career, and the way her desire to be taken seriously in her field and adhere to its ethical codes is used to manipulate her. She rethinks her priorities without abandoning her passion.
If you're intrigued by the mix of light-hearted romance and a nightmare-inducing serial killer investigation (and oh, did I mention that Bashe writes really scary nightmares for her characters), this might be right up your alley. Hopefully the problems with the narrative voice will be ironed out in future works.
This novella is a feminist parable, a same-sex romance, and a genuinely tense thriller. Its theme can be summed up in the words of Katriona, one of the two protagonists: "Someone once said that there's nothing more poetic than the death of a beautiful woman, but I think that's only true until the women get revenge." While dealing with professional and health issues, Katriona and Anthea fight a misogynistic serial killer with an artistic bent and fall in love along the way.
The strongest part of the book is the final third, as the women realize the identity of the villain, whose identity the reader has known from the beginning, and find themselves in grave danger-- the threat is not just to their lives, but to the integrity of their minds. The villain is incredibly creepy in his megalomania, total confidence, and twisted sense of beauty and values. Needless to say (this is both a genre romance with a happy ending, and a feminist tale) the women rescue themselves and each other.
The weakest part of the book is the narrative voice, which is overly keen to tell us how wonderful and brave our heroines are and see each other as, rather than trusting the readers to figure this out from their actions and using more subtle means to show their increasing attraction to each other. However, the writing is beautiful in places; I particularly liked this bit of description:
"He smelled of old books and incense, the scent of the Society's hall. Soon it would cling to her skin as well, a cloak of authority in the form of perfume."
I really liked the characterization of Anthea, the professional witch with her sights set on an academic career, and the way her desire to be taken seriously in her field and adhere to its ethical codes is used to manipulate her. She rethinks her priorities without abandoning her passion.
If you're intrigued by the mix of light-hearted romance and a nightmare-inducing serial killer investigation (and oh, did I mention that Bashe writes really scary nightmares for her characters), this might be right up your alley. Hopefully the problems with the narrative voice will be ironed out in future works.
July 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this suspenseful, intriguing story. It's incredibly well-written, and I couldn't put it down.
I thought the way the clues were presented was great. I was able to piece together who the killer was fairly easily, but I didn't get the impression the author was trying to string us along to draw out the mystery. There was still a lot of suspense after the reveal.
Both Katriona and Anthea are likable characters. There were things I could relate to in both of them, even though I don't have their magical abilities. Their relationship was a tender part of the story, but it was by no means the main focus. I really enjoyed their interactions.
I'm glad I picked this up, and I would definitely read more of the author's work.
I received a free copy via Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the way the clues were presented was great. I was able to piece together who the killer was fairly easily, but I didn't get the impression the author was trying to string us along to draw out the mystery. There was still a lot of suspense after the reveal.
Both Katriona and Anthea are likable characters. There were things I could relate to in both of them, even though I don't have their magical abilities. Their relationship was a tender part of the story, but it was by no means the main focus. I really enjoyed their interactions.
I'm glad I picked this up, and I would definitely read more of the author's work.
I received a free copy via Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2014
This book was a somewhat gothic romance mixed with the elements of a suspense or thriller. Although the villain committing the crimes is left unambiguous due to being revealed towards the beginning, his crimes were still chilling in their macabre nature. The best part of Graveyard Sparrow was its slow burning romance. The characters Anthea and Katriona worked well together and had some adorable scenes to justify some of the other flaws of this book. One of my main problems reading this was that it felt a tad rushed and there was a large amount of typos that could have been fixed with more editing.
July 29, 2015
Four Stars
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
A beautifully written period novel. The use of language transports you back into Regency London. A delightfully written tale about a blossoming love affair between a witch and an empath.
What made this such an enjoyable book was the insights it gave to life and society in this period. The rigid class society, dubious moral values, lack of women's rights all gave the novel a credible air of believability. The author has obviously researched her novel well.
The only problem I had was the editing.
A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable novel.
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
A beautifully written period novel. The use of language transports you back into Regency London. A delightfully written tale about a blossoming love affair between a witch and an empath.
What made this such an enjoyable book was the insights it gave to life and society in this period. The rigid class society, dubious moral values, lack of women's rights all gave the novel a credible air of believability. The author has obviously researched her novel well.
The only problem I had was the editing.
A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable novel.
May 21, 2016
This book wasn’t super well written (as I was expecting from various reviews) but I liked it quite a bit anyway. The plot was a little speedy and simplistic and the villain was REALLY over the top but the relationship between the two heroines was SO sweet and cute and mutually supportive!! It was kind of a nice surprise that it was a historical novel where there wasn’t any homophobia (or biphobia! one of the leads is bisexual) and only mild sexism (although certain aspects of how that works could have been fleshed out a little more). But, like, antiestablishmentarianism and witches! A non-neurotypical lead! It was great!
November 14, 2021
2.5 stars
Weak execution on what could've been a strong story. The autism rep was nice, but overall the story was just a little predictable as to who the murderer was and just overall not written well.
You can tell this is Bashe's earlier works so I'm not holding this book against the possibility of reading more recent books of theirs
Weak execution on what could've been a strong story. The autism rep was nice, but overall the story was just a little predictable as to who the murderer was and just overall not written well.
You can tell this is Bashe's earlier works so I'm not holding this book against the possibility of reading more recent books of theirs
January 7, 2015
A very refreshing genre of literature, breaking out of the stereotypical LGBT themes and presenting a thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters were well presented and relatable, the storyline exciting and the romance was amazing! Would definitely recommend!
January 8, 2015
Loved it
I very much adore this book. I truly appreciate the writer's use of descriptions. Very uniquely written. I especially appreciate the use of relevant issues tucked throughout the main story, as well at the short story. I am happy to discover a new favorite author
I very much adore this book. I truly appreciate the writer's use of descriptions. Very uniquely written. I especially appreciate the use of relevant issues tucked throughout the main story, as well at the short story. I am happy to discover a new favorite author
Read
March 9, 2020DNF for now. Too many povs (4 in one chapter!!), too much confused switching between them and too much telling not showing. Premise is interesting so I might come back to it when I have more patience
April 28, 2018
Simply, this is a completely awesome book for any lover of romance and peril, particularly for those who prefer the two lovers to be women. It is set in a world where magic exists - where some practitioners are acknowledged as academics, while others - no more that snake oil peddlers. Additionally, this story is set in some Victorian-like time where women are expected to behave in accordance with the patriarch. Curiosity is not becoming for a woman.
Anthea is a young witch who is vastly talented and desperately struggling to attain the respectability of an academic in this male dominated society. She is summoned to help a troubled young heiress, Katriona Sparrow. Katriona is plagued by a uncontrolled empathy in which she can read the minds of all people in close proximity. In crowds, she is overwhelmed by the utter chaos of thoughts and judgements. One of her skills is the ability to feel or see the final thoughts of the recently murdered.
Someone is murdering young women and leaving their corpses arrayed in scenes from classic pieces of art. The police are hopeful that Katriona (who is completely willing) will help them find the killer, but the exposure to the crowds is overwhelming her physically. Luckily, Anthea, the witch, has the skills and insight to insulate Katriona from the empathy which liberates the young heiress to truly live, and she does so with great gusto - something Anthea (and I, the reader) finds extremely attractive, though she denies her feelings as they would be certain academic suicide!
Still, the killer is out and about, and his sights are set on Katriona.
I loved everything about this story - Anthea's competence combined with Katriona's compassion and desire to experience the wonders of adventure and their mutual attraction simply made my heart swell with longing. Additionally, the bad guy is truly evil and smart and refuses to be deterred in his nefarious plans. I could not put the book down!
Highly, highly recommended! I'll be looking for more books by this author! I'll be lobbying for more stories about these characters! I'm just sad it was so short!!
Anthea is a young witch who is vastly talented and desperately struggling to attain the respectability of an academic in this male dominated society. She is summoned to help a troubled young heiress, Katriona Sparrow. Katriona is plagued by a uncontrolled empathy in which she can read the minds of all people in close proximity. In crowds, she is overwhelmed by the utter chaos of thoughts and judgements. One of her skills is the ability to feel or see the final thoughts of the recently murdered.
Someone is murdering young women and leaving their corpses arrayed in scenes from classic pieces of art. The police are hopeful that Katriona (who is completely willing) will help them find the killer, but the exposure to the crowds is overwhelming her physically. Luckily, Anthea, the witch, has the skills and insight to insulate Katriona from the empathy which liberates the young heiress to truly live, and she does so with great gusto - something Anthea (and I, the reader) finds extremely attractive, though she denies her feelings as they would be certain academic suicide!
Still, the killer is out and about, and his sights are set on Katriona.
I loved everything about this story - Anthea's competence combined with Katriona's compassion and desire to experience the wonders of adventure and their mutual attraction simply made my heart swell with longing. Additionally, the bad guy is truly evil and smart and refuses to be deterred in his nefarious plans. I could not put the book down!
Highly, highly recommended! I'll be looking for more books by this author! I'll be lobbying for more stories about these characters! I'm just sad it was so short!!
July 27, 2020
Graveyard Sparrow definitely felt like a rainy-day story. Managed to be comfy while simultaneously presenting a seriously creepy murder investigation. "Mystery, but with women instead of Sherlock or Poirot," is one of my favorite genres to read, and in this novella, the Creep Factor and the F/F Romance Factor were fantastic. I really appreciate that the author wrote both aspects without getting into sexual territory, focusing more on the psychological and emotional experiences of the cast.
Having never really read a "novella" before, I wasn't fully prepared for how short this would be. It definitely felt like a story that could've been spun out to twice its length if the author had been so inclined. I could see both the romantic tension and the murder investigation spinning out in an agonizingly slow burn... But I really appreciate a concise beginning, middle, end. And. I definitely liked being able to spend my Sunday reading a couple chapters in the morning, a couple at midday, and a couple in the evening, and reaching the end.
Overall: 4/5. There were a couple parts in the first half of the book that I got confused about and had to re-read to figure out exactly what was happening, and I think this was a side effect of the length of the story. Otherwise, it's a wonderful read. Now that I know of this author, I'll probably be reading more of Bashe's novellas in-between longer novels.
Having never really read a "novella" before, I wasn't fully prepared for how short this would be. It definitely felt like a story that could've been spun out to twice its length if the author had been so inclined. I could see both the romantic tension and the murder investigation spinning out in an agonizingly slow burn... But I really appreciate a concise beginning, middle, end. And. I definitely liked being able to spend my Sunday reading a couple chapters in the morning, a couple at midday, and a couple in the evening, and reaching the end.
Overall: 4/5. There were a couple parts in the first half of the book that I got confused about and had to re-read to figure out exactly what was happening, and I think this was a side effect of the length of the story. Otherwise, it's a wonderful read. Now that I know of this author, I'll probably be reading more of Bashe's novellas in-between longer novels.
January 4, 2018
This only took me as long as it did because real life distracted me and kept me busy. If it weren't for that reason, I would've finished this story so fast, because it was so good! I really liked the Gothic elements mixed with the magical elements. I have a soft spot for girls who are so soft and gentle with one another: Anthea and Katriona are well developed as a couple and are sweet with one another. I enjoyed reading this kind of commentary of academia and of the Victorian mindset of female bodies/female worth as well. 4 🌟!
December 14, 2023
I really wanted to like this as a lover of historical romances and all things sapphic. The premise sounded very interesting. However, the writing itself was a mess. I finished the first chapter but knew I couldn't do a full story of that, even for a book so short. There's about 4 or 5 different perspectives in the first chapter alone and it jumps. A lot. Which led to some confusion over who was speaking, what was going on. It was just too much and felt very rushed.
January 3, 2017
Cute idea but amateurish execution. Bashe is 21, so it's not like she would automatically have a developed/mature author voice, but in particular Graveyard Sparrow came off as immature (I did not find this true of Bluebell Hall, her other book that I've read). The plot seemed rushed and character development struck me as cliche. No shade to Bashe re: my review of this book. I think the style was not for me. I love the idea that's at the core of the story, I love Bashe's general aesthetic, it's just that this particular book is not one that I personally would recommend if the style of writing isn't your thing.
June 10, 2016
Katriona Sparrow is known by Victorian society as "the mad heiress" for her odd and debilitating talent for psychic empathy. One of the few reasons she ventures out of her empty mansion is to lend her talents to the police, for in addition to being able to read the lives of any living person she touches, she is able to take impressions from the dead of their last moments. Her guardian, Doctor Fuellore allows this, despite seeing the effects on his ward's health and sanity.
Anthea Garlant has a tenuous place in society, but hopes that her magical talents will win her membership among the academic ranks of the Magician's Society, as her father did. She hasn't encountered Miss Sparrow since they were children together, but now the police have--informally--requested that she see what assistance she can lend to their prized empath to regain her health and equilibrium. A Ripper-like serial murderer is haunting London, and Katriona's attempts to solve the mystery may destroy both her mind and body.
Needless to say, this is an alternate Victorian England where magical talents are taken for granted. Bashe's worldbuilding in this regard is spare and deft, bringing the reader into her fantasy quickly while grounding the setting and events in familiar themes and tropes: the harried constabulary, the reclusive heiress, the violent murder of working girls. As they work together, the two protagonists develop a growing attraction and mutual desire, driving both elements of the conflict and the urgency of the final climax. The setting is enough like our own history that outside awareness of that desire is sufficient to threaten social ruin, though not complete personal disaster.
Although this is a thriller, it is not a mystery. We are introduced to the killer's point of view directly enough to be quite aware of his identity and his threat to Katriona. Indeed, the continued suspense depends on her inability to "read" him, alone among the people she encounters. There is more than a little of a gothic feel, as abductions and twisted desire turn our protagonist into a classic damsel in distress. There is just enough peril to be riveted to the page, but not so much that the reader expects tragedy.
Two elements pull this novella back from top marks for me. The writing style involves a bit too much "telling" of things that could as easily have been conveyed by more integrated exposition. And a number of aspects of this historic setting are a thin window-dressing that dissolves on closer examination. Just as one example, Katriona Sparrow evidently lives in a large ancestral mansion alone except for a single lady's maid. (This isn't simply a matter of a staff that goes unmentioned in the narrative. It's a plot element that when the maid is absent she is completely alone in the house.) Enjoy it as a delightful piece of historic fluff, but avoid looking too closely behind the curtains.
Anthea Garlant has a tenuous place in society, but hopes that her magical talents will win her membership among the academic ranks of the Magician's Society, as her father did. She hasn't encountered Miss Sparrow since they were children together, but now the police have--informally--requested that she see what assistance she can lend to their prized empath to regain her health and equilibrium. A Ripper-like serial murderer is haunting London, and Katriona's attempts to solve the mystery may destroy both her mind and body.
Needless to say, this is an alternate Victorian England where magical talents are taken for granted. Bashe's worldbuilding in this regard is spare and deft, bringing the reader into her fantasy quickly while grounding the setting and events in familiar themes and tropes: the harried constabulary, the reclusive heiress, the violent murder of working girls. As they work together, the two protagonists develop a growing attraction and mutual desire, driving both elements of the conflict and the urgency of the final climax. The setting is enough like our own history that outside awareness of that desire is sufficient to threaten social ruin, though not complete personal disaster.
Although this is a thriller, it is not a mystery. We are introduced to the killer's point of view directly enough to be quite aware of his identity and his threat to Katriona. Indeed, the continued suspense depends on her inability to "read" him, alone among the people she encounters. There is more than a little of a gothic feel, as abductions and twisted desire turn our protagonist into a classic damsel in distress. There is just enough peril to be riveted to the page, but not so much that the reader expects tragedy.
Two elements pull this novella back from top marks for me. The writing style involves a bit too much "telling" of things that could as easily have been conveyed by more integrated exposition. And a number of aspects of this historic setting are a thin window-dressing that dissolves on closer examination. Just as one example, Katriona Sparrow evidently lives in a large ancestral mansion alone except for a single lady's maid. (This isn't simply a matter of a staff that goes unmentioned in the narrative. It's a plot element that when the maid is absent she is completely alone in the house.) Enjoy it as a delightful piece of historic fluff, but avoid looking too closely behind the curtains.
August 22, 2015
The writing style of this book was very flawed, but it was a charming little story nonetheless.
There were moments when I admired a turn of phrase or how well written and simple a sentence was (the title is a great example of that). Bashe definitely has the ability to write well. However, the scenes were written in a very choppy way (switching from one character's POV to another's very rapidly, quickly moving through important plot points); characters reacted to plot twists with very unrealistic behavior (e.g., ); and important world-building and character-building bits were quickly skipped over.
One question that kept bothering me: are lesbians socially acceptable in this world? Everyone seemed to accept lesbian attraction as par for the course, and the main objections seemed to be around class and reputation...I think? I'd have loved to understand more about the social mores and norms of the world these two women lived in. Part of the reason I love reading 1800s romance is that there are so many rules that the main characters have to carefully navigate around in order to make their love legitimate, and while there was a little of that in this story, it was rather glossed over.
The thing that made me cringe the most was when anachronistic things popped into the story, when our heroines acted as if they were 21st century feminists, or an idiom from today was used. For example, early on, Katriona is taken to the hospital when she collapses. Instead, she would have been taken home, and a doctor would have been brought to her. Hospitals weren't the most common way to receive medical care in the 1800s.
All that being said...I did enjoy the story. It was charming and sweet, and I liked our heroines, especially the lady adventuress, Anthea. A girl after my own heart. :)
I would love to see what Kayla Bashe could produce when she's got an astute editor to fine-tune her writing. I am so down for some lesbian Victorian romance mixed with magic and lady adventurers. Bring it on!
There were moments when I admired a turn of phrase or how well written and simple a sentence was (the title is a great example of that). Bashe definitely has the ability to write well. However, the scenes were written in a very choppy way (switching from one character's POV to another's very rapidly, quickly moving through important plot points); characters reacted to plot twists with very unrealistic behavior (e.g., ); and important world-building and character-building bits were quickly skipped over.
One question that kept bothering me: are lesbians socially acceptable in this world? Everyone seemed to accept lesbian attraction as par for the course, and the main objections seemed to be around class and reputation...I think? I'd have loved to understand more about the social mores and norms of the world these two women lived in. Part of the reason I love reading 1800s romance is that there are so many rules that the main characters have to carefully navigate around in order to make their love legitimate, and while there was a little of that in this story, it was rather glossed over.
The thing that made me cringe the most was when anachronistic things popped into the story, when our heroines acted as if they were 21st century feminists, or an idiom from today was used. For example, early on, Katriona is taken to the hospital when she collapses. Instead, she would have been taken home, and a doctor would have been brought to her. Hospitals weren't the most common way to receive medical care in the 1800s.
All that being said...I did enjoy the story. It was charming and sweet, and I liked our heroines, especially the lady adventuress, Anthea. A girl after my own heart. :)
I would love to see what Kayla Bashe could produce when she's got an astute editor to fine-tune her writing. I am so down for some lesbian Victorian romance mixed with magic and lady adventurers. Bring it on!
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