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Tenebrae Manor
Within uncharted forest, where ancient magic keeps the night sky ever-present, stands Tenebrae Manor. Within its dusky walls dwell beings of macabre whimsy, headed by the pedant demon, Bordeaux, and the hedonistic gorgon, Lady Libra. These apparitions are content to live out their eternity in the half-lit gloom; that is until the arrival of a certain uninvited guest – a live human being – imperils the concealment of Tenebrae Manor and the livelihood of its residents. And in the forest surrounding a new threat emerges – a threat that is rattling the once still trees, and dooming the manor towards irreparable decay. But the characters are unmoored. While some seem desperate to maintain ascendancy over their ruinous home, others adopt a façade of mischievous indifference that could undo them all. And is Tenebrae Manor even worth saving? After all, eternity is a frightfully long time to spend alone...
540 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
997 people want to read
About the author
P.S. Clinen
8 books70 followersP.S. Clinen is a writer, musician and artist from New South Wales - author of four novels and several compilations of poetry and lyrics. More by this author, including poetry and short stories are available at www.psclinen.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 9, 2014
Tenebrae Manor is a novel that shows a lot of promise for a first-time author. Clinen has built a world with history and depth, and he writes with the confidence of a seasoned author. He’s taken a strong initial step in developing his reputation as a quality writer.
The novel largely takes place inside a sprawling, dark, gothic manor (as the title implies) populated with a diverse assortment of characters, ranging from noble and admirable, to morose and pitiable, to quirky and bizarre. The characters are drawn with a nuanced, loving hand, and feel surprisingly fresh despite borrowing from familiar conventions (the vampire, zombie, the Lurch-esque butler, the irascible jester, the busy chef). All in all, the setting and characters provide a great launching point for developing the plot of the novel, which was surprisingly unpredictable. There’s also a pleasant degree of whimsy to the entire book, which makes it feel more like a fable than a morality tale. In this vein, Clinen could easily tackle stories geared towards a younger audience (something I’d personally recommend).
Clinen’s greatest strength may be his unabashed love for poetic language, in which he clearly takes great joy. He constructs Tenebrae Manor’s rich world using a baroque aesthetic that feels largely effortless and natural. The pace is pleasant and doesn’t pressure the reader, and the scene-by-scene details are welcomed, not intrusive. Throughout the entire story, I had the strong sense of being spoken to face-to-face, as though Clinen was personally telling me a campfire tale.
There are minor structural issues with the final third of the story – related to a somewhat meandering turn of events and a few tangential plot points – which while deflating the tension a bit, shouldn’t serve to dissuade potential readers by any means. Clinen’s earnestness should build enough trust with the reader to carry them through any snags.
I wholeheartedly recommend Tenebrae Manor to readers in general, not only those who typically enjoy gothic-leaning language, but readers who enjoy myths, mysteries, and imaginative settings and characters.
The novel largely takes place inside a sprawling, dark, gothic manor (as the title implies) populated with a diverse assortment of characters, ranging from noble and admirable, to morose and pitiable, to quirky and bizarre. The characters are drawn with a nuanced, loving hand, and feel surprisingly fresh despite borrowing from familiar conventions (the vampire, zombie, the Lurch-esque butler, the irascible jester, the busy chef). All in all, the setting and characters provide a great launching point for developing the plot of the novel, which was surprisingly unpredictable. There’s also a pleasant degree of whimsy to the entire book, which makes it feel more like a fable than a morality tale. In this vein, Clinen could easily tackle stories geared towards a younger audience (something I’d personally recommend).
Clinen’s greatest strength may be his unabashed love for poetic language, in which he clearly takes great joy. He constructs Tenebrae Manor’s rich world using a baroque aesthetic that feels largely effortless and natural. The pace is pleasant and doesn’t pressure the reader, and the scene-by-scene details are welcomed, not intrusive. Throughout the entire story, I had the strong sense of being spoken to face-to-face, as though Clinen was personally telling me a campfire tale.
There are minor structural issues with the final third of the story – related to a somewhat meandering turn of events and a few tangential plot points – which while deflating the tension a bit, shouldn’t serve to dissuade potential readers by any means. Clinen’s earnestness should build enough trust with the reader to carry them through any snags.
I wholeheartedly recommend Tenebrae Manor to readers in general, not only those who typically enjoy gothic-leaning language, but readers who enjoy myths, mysteries, and imaginative settings and characters.
October 9, 2014
There is a great deal that is excellent about Tenebrae Manor, the writing itself being the main one. The prose is beautifully rendered in the gothic style and it quickly becomes clear that this author can write very well.
Tenebrae Manor has a delightful cast of bizarre characters, and the generic names vampire, mummy, demon, imp and so on do them little justice for they are unique. The book focuses on Bordeaux, a demon, but also follows several other characters, and each are intriguing and complex characters.
The descriptions are highly evocative and the eerie quality of the manor and its surroundings pervades everything, though sometimes I felt that the author had become so enamoured with the beauty of his or her prose that they forgot that the purpose of prose is to tell a story.
So why, when there is so much that is excellent, have I given it only three stars? Because it is extremely slow moving and far too little happens. I wanted this not to be a problem, and I immersed myself in the flavour of the book, enjoying that while I waited for something to happen. Trouble is, nothing much did. I found myself putting the book down and doing other things. After a while, I found myself not looking forward to picking it up again. Eventually, I had to admit that despite my desire for it to be otherwise, the book had lost me. But, don’t let that put you off. This author is worth supporting and I hope to see a stronger offering from them in the future.
This book needs the plot elements strengthened and the pace sped up considerably. Something needs to happen early on; the threat needs to be stronger and felt much earlier. A good prune would help, but it will also expose the structural problems and the author may find that they are left with little in the way of a novel. Quite simply, not enough happens.
If you are happy to immerse yourself in an eerie gothic manor in a dark and brooding forest and don’t need a strong story to hold you, you may well enjoy this more than I did, but as it is, it does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the Awesome Indies list.
I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
Tenebrae Manor has a delightful cast of bizarre characters, and the generic names vampire, mummy, demon, imp and so on do them little justice for they are unique. The book focuses on Bordeaux, a demon, but also follows several other characters, and each are intriguing and complex characters.
The descriptions are highly evocative and the eerie quality of the manor and its surroundings pervades everything, though sometimes I felt that the author had become so enamoured with the beauty of his or her prose that they forgot that the purpose of prose is to tell a story.
So why, when there is so much that is excellent, have I given it only three stars? Because it is extremely slow moving and far too little happens. I wanted this not to be a problem, and I immersed myself in the flavour of the book, enjoying that while I waited for something to happen. Trouble is, nothing much did. I found myself putting the book down and doing other things. After a while, I found myself not looking forward to picking it up again. Eventually, I had to admit that despite my desire for it to be otherwise, the book had lost me. But, don’t let that put you off. This author is worth supporting and I hope to see a stronger offering from them in the future.
This book needs the plot elements strengthened and the pace sped up considerably. Something needs to happen early on; the threat needs to be stronger and felt much earlier. A good prune would help, but it will also expose the structural problems and the author may find that they are left with little in the way of a novel. Quite simply, not enough happens.
If you are happy to immerse yourself in an eerie gothic manor in a dark and brooding forest and don’t need a strong story to hold you, you may well enjoy this more than I did, but as it is, it does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the Awesome Indies list.
I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
May 20, 2014
I read this after being invited by the author to download the book after I didn't win it. It was my first Kindle read, and I am so glad to be able to review it.
This book defies catagorization. Probably would fit easily into "dystopiam vampire chic" it could also be a theological journey or a word study....and a sense of humor to boot!
What drew me to this book was its title. Tenebrae is Latin for "darkness" and darkness of the soul[ess] is part of the timbre, as well as illumination, understanding, childlike faith in others, good vs evil(you decide which is actually which), "life" and "death", what is balance, when do we see being voiceless as being good or bad? All sorts of tidbits in here, which I look forward to re-visiting again and again.
I cannot say enough good things about this book or how much I look forward to his future books!
This book defies catagorization. Probably would fit easily into "dystopiam vampire chic" it could also be a theological journey or a word study....and a sense of humor to boot!
What drew me to this book was its title. Tenebrae is Latin for "darkness" and darkness of the soul[ess] is part of the timbre, as well as illumination, understanding, childlike faith in others, good vs evil(you decide which is actually which), "life" and "death", what is balance, when do we see being voiceless as being good or bad? All sorts of tidbits in here, which I look forward to re-visiting again and again.
I cannot say enough good things about this book or how much I look forward to his future books!
September 6, 2014
A Lyrical and poetic Gothic tale!
The author has woven a tale of mystery and the macabre in "Tenebrae Manor" that entices the reader into a dark Gothic world. The writing is almost stream of consciousness yet manages to beguile and fascinate in its old world charm. The plot is intricate and very atmospheric and those who love Poe, Peake and Lovecraft will quickly be immersed in Clinen's dark world. Populated by some strange and sinister characters, "Tennebrae Manor" does not fail to surprise the reader with an imaginative story. A sliver of horror, a touch of fantasy and a slice of Gormenghast!
The author has woven a tale of mystery and the macabre in "Tenebrae Manor" that entices the reader into a dark Gothic world. The writing is almost stream of consciousness yet manages to beguile and fascinate in its old world charm. The plot is intricate and very atmospheric and those who love Poe, Peake and Lovecraft will quickly be immersed in Clinen's dark world. Populated by some strange and sinister characters, "Tennebrae Manor" does not fail to surprise the reader with an imaginative story. A sliver of horror, a touch of fantasy and a slice of Gormenghast!
November 15, 2014
With masterfully crafted prose comparable to the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Clinen delivers a gripping debut unlike anything else currently on the market. “Tenebrae Manor” takes readers on a mystical rollercoaster so proficiently written that the world leaps right off the pages. Gothic, poetic, and highly imaginative, fans of classic dark fantasies will relish in this tour de force. I am undoubtedly a fan!
October 12, 2017
A Beautiful, Lyrical, and Haunting Debut
Around late September, I looked toward October and thought, "What would I like to read during the fall, when all has grown chilly and cold?" I then looked to my reading list, and remember Tenebrae Manor by P. S. Clinen, a novel with a back blurb that offers "ancient magic," "macabre whimsy," "apparitions," and a "hedonistic gorgon."
Aw, yeah, I thought. This is the one to get me in the mood for Halloween for sure.
But upon reading the first few pages, I found so much more than a dark and spooky fantasy. I found an incredible tribute to Victorian gothic literature; a cast of colorful characters; a lush descriptive world; a deft style that combines poetry and prose; and careful thematic dichotomies of light/dark, day/night, life/death, and comedy/tragedy. I highlighted my Kindle several times because of how beautiful or witty the language was.
Why the 4-star rating, you ask? Well, I agree a little bit with Richard Milner's review in regards to the third part. The first and second parts I had no trouble with, and the overall plot of the novel was not enough to make me dislike the entire novel. But at the very end of the novel, I felt like some of the loose ends were not tied up as neatly as they could have been. And that could also just be my personal pickiness, too.
By no means, however, does this diminish how much I truly enjoyed it. I hope that if I were to write a novel one day, my first would be half as good and carefully thought out as this one.
4.5 stars.
Around late September, I looked toward October and thought, "What would I like to read during the fall, when all has grown chilly and cold?" I then looked to my reading list, and remember Tenebrae Manor by P. S. Clinen, a novel with a back blurb that offers "ancient magic," "macabre whimsy," "apparitions," and a "hedonistic gorgon."
Aw, yeah, I thought. This is the one to get me in the mood for Halloween for sure.
But upon reading the first few pages, I found so much more than a dark and spooky fantasy. I found an incredible tribute to Victorian gothic literature; a cast of colorful characters; a lush descriptive world; a deft style that combines poetry and prose; and careful thematic dichotomies of light/dark, day/night, life/death, and comedy/tragedy. I highlighted my Kindle several times because of how beautiful or witty the language was.
Why the 4-star rating, you ask? Well, I agree a little bit with Richard Milner's review in regards to the third part. The first and second parts I had no trouble with, and the overall plot of the novel was not enough to make me dislike the entire novel. But at the very end of the novel, I felt like some of the loose ends were not tied up as neatly as they could have been. And that could also just be my personal pickiness, too.
By no means, however, does this diminish how much I truly enjoyed it. I hope that if I were to write a novel one day, my first would be half as good and carefully thought out as this one.
4.5 stars.
June 10, 2016
Imposing, sinister and infernal, Tenebrae Manor stands perched upon its hill, a beacon of darkness...
There is much to be said for the darkly gothic imagination. Some writers manage to evoke powerful images and lasting characters, but what’s even more interesting and exciting is when a writer decides to pay as much attention to atmosphere as to the story. I’m thinking Poe, and I’m thinking of course Lovecraft. Two fine writers who didn’t just scare, didn’t just write to tell a story, they wrote to douse the reader in lasting imagery and to be dunked in a literary tapestry so rich and so atmospheric, that the stories seem to take on a life of their own. And so much to my surprise, I was absolutely delighted to find, Tenebrae Manor, to be all such things.
Bordeaux is a friendly demon; dressed in a burgundy coat, pale faced, with two blood red branch-like twisted horns on his head, who is very particular about the way he looks, not that anyone will see him outside of Tenebrae’s considerably large grounds, sheltered by the surrounding dark woods. The manor itself is a thing of antiquity, a ruinous building that many strange and memorable beings call home. Among them there is, Usher, an oafish and ugly monster sewn together like Frankenstein, Edweena, a female vampire, Arpage, an ageing composer who lives in the attic, two rascals, Comets and Deadsol, a mute chef in the basement, and a young girl called Madlyn, who serves the head of the household, the lazy and ever-fattening Lady Libra. They all have their problems, but Tenebrae Manor is the only place in the world this strange set of characters call home, and something is happening to it. There is a sense of impending doom in the air, and Bordeaux is the first to be concerned by it.
While outside walking around the Manor, Bordeaux finds the remains of a dead wood golem and fears they are getting closer to their only sanctuary. The golems are slow moving but can be dangerous if not dealt with quickly, they can wrap their branches and vines around things, and in greater numbers could even spell the end of Tenebrae. Bordeaux raises his concerns with Lady Libra, but she appears disinterested and can only seem to turn her mind to food. Things get worse, there is a sweltering heat over the manor caused by a spell put on by Lady Libra, and Bordeaux is preoccupied by the demands she has for her birthday celebrations. As the story progresses many story strands unfold and the relationships between these oddball set of characters starts to get strained, adding to that the golems become more and more bothersome and we as reader start to feel the pressure brewing like a melting pot waiting to explode.
What is apparent from the start is the richness of the language used by Clinen throughout, for rarely does his prose and vivid description fail to be anything but beautiful. And talking of the description, he manages to soak his prose deep in atmosphere and render startling images with subtlety. He doesn’t bombard us with complex images, yet he has a penchant for easing the reader’s mind into a world steeped in darkness, where even the description of motes of dust in the hallway seem to bring this world alive with a vibrancy and weight akin to that of something you’d find in a tale by Lovecraft or Poe. I could also sense that Clinen perhaps drew some inspiration and style from Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast series.
By the end of the story I realised relatively little had happened over the course of this fairly long book, but I didn’t care. What did happen was this here reader was drawn into a world full of odd yet strangely likeable characters, and when I say drawn, I mean every part of me was put under Clinen’s spell, every fibre of my being seemed to find itself wrapped up in the thick and addictive nuances of his world. I urge you to seek out the riches of this world too, for I am glad to have found a writer of such depth and wonder, and I’m glad to have taken a trip to Tenebrae Manor, a place to which I shall certainly return.
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest and unbiased review according to FTC guidelines.
There is much to be said for the darkly gothic imagination. Some writers manage to evoke powerful images and lasting characters, but what’s even more interesting and exciting is when a writer decides to pay as much attention to atmosphere as to the story. I’m thinking Poe, and I’m thinking of course Lovecraft. Two fine writers who didn’t just scare, didn’t just write to tell a story, they wrote to douse the reader in lasting imagery and to be dunked in a literary tapestry so rich and so atmospheric, that the stories seem to take on a life of their own. And so much to my surprise, I was absolutely delighted to find, Tenebrae Manor, to be all such things.
Bordeaux is a friendly demon; dressed in a burgundy coat, pale faced, with two blood red branch-like twisted horns on his head, who is very particular about the way he looks, not that anyone will see him outside of Tenebrae’s considerably large grounds, sheltered by the surrounding dark woods. The manor itself is a thing of antiquity, a ruinous building that many strange and memorable beings call home. Among them there is, Usher, an oafish and ugly monster sewn together like Frankenstein, Edweena, a female vampire, Arpage, an ageing composer who lives in the attic, two rascals, Comets and Deadsol, a mute chef in the basement, and a young girl called Madlyn, who serves the head of the household, the lazy and ever-fattening Lady Libra. They all have their problems, but Tenebrae Manor is the only place in the world this strange set of characters call home, and something is happening to it. There is a sense of impending doom in the air, and Bordeaux is the first to be concerned by it.
While outside walking around the Manor, Bordeaux finds the remains of a dead wood golem and fears they are getting closer to their only sanctuary. The golems are slow moving but can be dangerous if not dealt with quickly, they can wrap their branches and vines around things, and in greater numbers could even spell the end of Tenebrae. Bordeaux raises his concerns with Lady Libra, but she appears disinterested and can only seem to turn her mind to food. Things get worse, there is a sweltering heat over the manor caused by a spell put on by Lady Libra, and Bordeaux is preoccupied by the demands she has for her birthday celebrations. As the story progresses many story strands unfold and the relationships between these oddball set of characters starts to get strained, adding to that the golems become more and more bothersome and we as reader start to feel the pressure brewing like a melting pot waiting to explode.
What is apparent from the start is the richness of the language used by Clinen throughout, for rarely does his prose and vivid description fail to be anything but beautiful. And talking of the description, he manages to soak his prose deep in atmosphere and render startling images with subtlety. He doesn’t bombard us with complex images, yet he has a penchant for easing the reader’s mind into a world steeped in darkness, where even the description of motes of dust in the hallway seem to bring this world alive with a vibrancy and weight akin to that of something you’d find in a tale by Lovecraft or Poe. I could also sense that Clinen perhaps drew some inspiration and style from Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast series.
By the end of the story I realised relatively little had happened over the course of this fairly long book, but I didn’t care. What did happen was this here reader was drawn into a world full of odd yet strangely likeable characters, and when I say drawn, I mean every part of me was put under Clinen’s spell, every fibre of my being seemed to find itself wrapped up in the thick and addictive nuances of his world. I urge you to seek out the riches of this world too, for I am glad to have found a writer of such depth and wonder, and I’m glad to have taken a trip to Tenebrae Manor, a place to which I shall certainly return.
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest and unbiased review according to FTC guidelines.
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January 14, 2021NOTE - This review came from Si Ning Yeoh at Reader's Favourite.
"This was one of the loveliest books I have read in a long time. My review cannot do it justice."
Deep within a twisted forest, far beyond the roads of man, there lies a mansion. It is an ancient, rotting edifice, pulsing with secrets and shrouded in the gloom of everlasting night. This is not a place for the fainthearted mortal; rather, it serves as a refuge for the insane, the malicious, the grotesque. But soon it may be a refuge no longer. The forest is encroaching. The wood golems are killing. The mansion’s ruler is ignoring her duties in favor of eating. Welcome to Patrick Clinen’s Tenebrae Manor.
The first thing which hits you about Patrick Clinen’s novel is how utterly, sweepingly beautiful his writing is. The story of Tenebrae Manor flows like a poetic, otherworldly song; macabre and mysterious, it is akin to Lovecraftian Gothic horror at its finest. And yet, it eschews the omnipotent, inhuman malignancy of true Lovecraftian monsters. Though the eldritch creatures which form its cast of characters are horrifying in mien, one cannot help but sympathize with and root for them as they struggle to cope with the torturous burden of immortality. Though Clinen deftly weaves in many a moment of comedy - the gluttonous Lady Libra, in particular, cuts a figure of tragic, pitiful hilarity - the overall tone of Tenebrae Manor is one of somber, wistful melancholia. The demon Bordeaux is a fine protagonist who embodies this tone; his world-weariness, his loyalty to the manor, and desperation to do right by his friends is touching. It is definitely a book which will have an impact upon you, and leave you thinking about it for days to come. I highly, really highly, recommend this to you.
- Si Ning Yeoh for Readers' Favorite
"This was one of the loveliest books I have read in a long time. My review cannot do it justice."
Deep within a twisted forest, far beyond the roads of man, there lies a mansion. It is an ancient, rotting edifice, pulsing with secrets and shrouded in the gloom of everlasting night. This is not a place for the fainthearted mortal; rather, it serves as a refuge for the insane, the malicious, the grotesque. But soon it may be a refuge no longer. The forest is encroaching. The wood golems are killing. The mansion’s ruler is ignoring her duties in favor of eating. Welcome to Patrick Clinen’s Tenebrae Manor.
The first thing which hits you about Patrick Clinen’s novel is how utterly, sweepingly beautiful his writing is. The story of Tenebrae Manor flows like a poetic, otherworldly song; macabre and mysterious, it is akin to Lovecraftian Gothic horror at its finest. And yet, it eschews the omnipotent, inhuman malignancy of true Lovecraftian monsters. Though the eldritch creatures which form its cast of characters are horrifying in mien, one cannot help but sympathize with and root for them as they struggle to cope with the torturous burden of immortality. Though Clinen deftly weaves in many a moment of comedy - the gluttonous Lady Libra, in particular, cuts a figure of tragic, pitiful hilarity - the overall tone of Tenebrae Manor is one of somber, wistful melancholia. The demon Bordeaux is a fine protagonist who embodies this tone; his world-weariness, his loyalty to the manor, and desperation to do right by his friends is touching. It is definitely a book which will have an impact upon you, and leave you thinking about it for days to come. I highly, really highly, recommend this to you.
- Si Ning Yeoh for Readers' Favorite
December 17, 2014
I really wanted to like this one, for a couple of reasons. For one, my interactions with the author have always been quite pleasant (even when I ambushed him with unsolicited advice) and secondly; the premise sounds really promising. In the end it wasn't that I disliked it, it was that there were too many things about it that frustrated me for me to be fully absorbed into the story.
My main issue was the use of adjectives, quite frankly there were TOO MANY and they were unnecessarily complex. I did have some sentences marked in my Kindle app but I'm writing this on my phone so I may have to add them later. It is not necessary to use three multi-syllable adjectives in one sentence to describe something of a character THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED. There were words included that I had never heard of before (which is normally okay because I like learning new words, but the amount of them and the indiscernible context made the entire thing bewildering) and the flowery prose essentially made it difficult to understand what was happening. The only reason it didn't come across as overly pretentious was because it clearly matched the intended tone of the novel as a whole.
There was some muddling of tenses, which irritated me (jumping back and forth from past to present specifically) and some instances where familiar words were used in strange contexts and their intended meaning had to be guessed.
I'm all for creative language but make it too creative or too artistic and suddenly you've alienated the reader and blocked them from enjoying the text. I would have enjoyed this more if it had been two thirds of the length at least, because the amount of plot (which I only really figured out was there at the halfway point) could have served more clearly without the fluffy prose surrounding it.
My main issue was the use of adjectives, quite frankly there were TOO MANY and they were unnecessarily complex. I did have some sentences marked in my Kindle app but I'm writing this on my phone so I may have to add them later. It is not necessary to use three multi-syllable adjectives in one sentence to describe something of a character THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED. There were words included that I had never heard of before (which is normally okay because I like learning new words, but the amount of them and the indiscernible context made the entire thing bewildering) and the flowery prose essentially made it difficult to understand what was happening. The only reason it didn't come across as overly pretentious was because it clearly matched the intended tone of the novel as a whole.
There was some muddling of tenses, which irritated me (jumping back and forth from past to present specifically) and some instances where familiar words were used in strange contexts and their intended meaning had to be guessed.
I'm all for creative language but make it too creative or too artistic and suddenly you've alienated the reader and blocked them from enjoying the text. I would have enjoyed this more if it had been two thirds of the length at least, because the amount of plot (which I only really figured out was there at the halfway point) could have served more clearly without the fluffy prose surrounding it.
November 15, 2014
Firstly, I won this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to all authors and readers who support this excellent scheme.
'Tenebrae Manor' is ostensibly a gothic novel in the vein of authors such as Poe and Lovecraft. It has all the tropes of the genre - an isolated location, continuous night, vampires and demons and nothing but madness or death for any human who stumbles across this nightmare. However, to describe this book in these terms would be to do it and its author a great disservice.
Primarily, it is a intense character play. Each character might have the physical traits of a genre type - vampire, gorgon, demon, etc. - but each is very real, crippled by their own histories, insecurities and doubts. The interplay between them is mesmerising and what makes the book.
What also comes across is Clinen's love for the English language. The prose is incredibly rich and beautifully drawn together, making a each chapter a delight to savour. It must also be said there is a sly and subtle sense of humour throughout which I enjoyed.
I note that some reviews have pointed out a possible lack of pace and perhaps a tendency to the verbose on occasion. In regards to this I would merely respond that this novel should be enjoyed like a great wine - slowly and with time to appreciate!
It's been a long time since I enjoyed as debut novel as much as this and I look forward to more from this author.
'Tenebrae Manor' is ostensibly a gothic novel in the vein of authors such as Poe and Lovecraft. It has all the tropes of the genre - an isolated location, continuous night, vampires and demons and nothing but madness or death for any human who stumbles across this nightmare. However, to describe this book in these terms would be to do it and its author a great disservice.
Primarily, it is a intense character play. Each character might have the physical traits of a genre type - vampire, gorgon, demon, etc. - but each is very real, crippled by their own histories, insecurities and doubts. The interplay between them is mesmerising and what makes the book.
What also comes across is Clinen's love for the English language. The prose is incredibly rich and beautifully drawn together, making a each chapter a delight to savour. It must also be said there is a sly and subtle sense of humour throughout which I enjoyed.
I note that some reviews have pointed out a possible lack of pace and perhaps a tendency to the verbose on occasion. In regards to this I would merely respond that this novel should be enjoyed like a great wine - slowly and with time to appreciate!
It's been a long time since I enjoyed as debut novel as much as this and I look forward to more from this author.
September 21, 2014
This is a book about a place that is in eternal darkness. There, no sun shines and the main characters are a gorgon, two demons, an imp and a vampire. There are also a couple of humans and a musician that is also undead.
Something is happening at Tenebrae Manor. It's Lady Libra's birthday (gorgon) and everyone has to make sure she has a great party. Especially Bordeaux (a red demon). It fails miserably and Lady Libra is on the warpath.
Soon, vines and wood golems start attacking the manor and no one knows why. Bordeaux tries to find out and thinks it has something to do with the Black Rose Tree. He does some research. The other demon, Deadsol and the imp, Comets make Libra angry--she imprisons Deadsol and then sends Bordeaux off to somewhere no one knows of.
The golems continue and everyone but Libra tries to stop them. Then Comets steals something from Libra that the golems want--a wooden heart that belongs to the Black Rose Tree. After a battle, the heart is almost returned. But suddenly the sun shines, destroying the tree, then darkness falls again. What becomes of everyone and everything?
This is a well written book, a bit long but I love how it was done. Not your usual humans but the undead and the eternal night. The story is riveting and keeps you reading. If anyone is into demons and gorgons, this is your book.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
Something is happening at Tenebrae Manor. It's Lady Libra's birthday (gorgon) and everyone has to make sure she has a great party. Especially Bordeaux (a red demon). It fails miserably and Lady Libra is on the warpath.
Soon, vines and wood golems start attacking the manor and no one knows why. Bordeaux tries to find out and thinks it has something to do with the Black Rose Tree. He does some research. The other demon, Deadsol and the imp, Comets make Libra angry--she imprisons Deadsol and then sends Bordeaux off to somewhere no one knows of.
The golems continue and everyone but Libra tries to stop them. Then Comets steals something from Libra that the golems want--a wooden heart that belongs to the Black Rose Tree. After a battle, the heart is almost returned. But suddenly the sun shines, destroying the tree, then darkness falls again. What becomes of everyone and everything?
This is a well written book, a bit long but I love how it was done. Not your usual humans but the undead and the eternal night. The story is riveting and keeps you reading. If anyone is into demons and gorgons, this is your book.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
November 10, 2015
First I would like to mention that I won the giveaway for this book and received it in the mail 2 days after having won. I really enjoy stories of this type, and I looked forward to receiving my copy.
I have to say I honestly enjoyed the book. I found some parallels with my own personal life, in the way Libra delegated work to everyone. As well I noticed similarities to Ray Bradbury's "From the Dust Returned", and Stephen King's Gunslinger Series. The author uses very descriptive language that engages the reader immediately and paints a very detailed story. The characters were well rounded and dynamic.
I did struggle with the physical layout of the novel itself, as well as a few infrequent grammar errors and spelling mistakes. The book was over 500 pages, but because of the large print, and the fact that the print didn't take up the entire page, I felt that the novel could have easily been 200 pages. It was rewarding however turning the pages so frequently.
Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel. I really enjoyed the world of Tenebrae Manor, and would definitely look forward to reading future books by Clinen. I shall be passing this novel on to another person who might enjoy it.
I have to say I honestly enjoyed the book. I found some parallels with my own personal life, in the way Libra delegated work to everyone. As well I noticed similarities to Ray Bradbury's "From the Dust Returned", and Stephen King's Gunslinger Series. The author uses very descriptive language that engages the reader immediately and paints a very detailed story. The characters were well rounded and dynamic.
I did struggle with the physical layout of the novel itself, as well as a few infrequent grammar errors and spelling mistakes. The book was over 500 pages, but because of the large print, and the fact that the print didn't take up the entire page, I felt that the novel could have easily been 200 pages. It was rewarding however turning the pages so frequently.
Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel. I really enjoyed the world of Tenebrae Manor, and would definitely look forward to reading future books by Clinen. I shall be passing this novel on to another person who might enjoy it.
September 8, 2014
It is always dark in the environs of Tenebrae manor, and it is populated by different kinds of night creatures, until one day their gloomy world becomes endangered.
This is a deeply thoughtful, atmospheric and lyrical fantasy. The inhabitants of the manor are many and varied, and yet it’s very easy to fall in love with all of them: from the restless Edweena to old Rune, who rarely sees the world beyond his library. Perhaps it’s because they are so strange that it is also easy to recognise their ‘humanity’. The writing is compelling and it would be impossible to capture the full scope of this novel in just a few sentences. P.S. Clinen does an excellent job of capturing a world out of time, which is suddenly faced with unexpected decay. The novel is in turns funny, and terrifying, touching and mystifying.
It will stay with you long after the final page has been read.
This is a deeply thoughtful, atmospheric and lyrical fantasy. The inhabitants of the manor are many and varied, and yet it’s very easy to fall in love with all of them: from the restless Edweena to old Rune, who rarely sees the world beyond his library. Perhaps it’s because they are so strange that it is also easy to recognise their ‘humanity’. The writing is compelling and it would be impossible to capture the full scope of this novel in just a few sentences. P.S. Clinen does an excellent job of capturing a world out of time, which is suddenly faced with unexpected decay. The novel is in turns funny, and terrifying, touching and mystifying.
It will stay with you long after the final page has been read.
April 21, 2014
usually I'm reluctant to read 1st novels, but this was a really solid debut. Couldnt stop reading it once i had started. Reads alot like a classic.. the writing was amazing, very deep and descriptive and really sucks you in. My only complaint(if i had to put it down anywhere)would be that it could be too wordy for some?? i had to reach for the dictionary a couple of times. but in all, very good, highly recommendable.
June 21, 2014
Fantasy/horror, I was in my element with Tenebrae Manor. Recommended on BV it's one of my favourite reads so far this year and I can't help thing P S Clinen is going to have a mega career. Now I appreciate good literature and there is no doubt the writing here is superb. Readers wanting a low brow read may find it a little slow going otherwise I would highly recommend it.
June 22, 2014
Recommended on one of the review sites Tenebrae Manor was compared to Gormenghast. There are similarities in terms of style and the quality of writing but I actually prefer Clinen over Peake because the writing is a bit more accessible. There is a brilliantly imaginative story here and one you can easily lose yourself in. I hope there is a new book in the offing soon!
November 21, 2014
Sadly, I didn't enjoy this book at all.
While the idea behind the story is good the plot line is plodding and dreary. The writing I found to be more than a little pretentious - with some words over-used, and others that my Kindle dictionary couldn't even find (and neither could Wikipedia).
Disappointing.
While the idea behind the story is good the plot line is plodding and dreary. The writing I found to be more than a little pretentious - with some words over-used, and others that my Kindle dictionary couldn't even find (and neither could Wikipedia).
Disappointing.
Want to read
June 26, 2016I found this book alternately confusing and interesting. It had a moody, Gothic undertone, but
had flashes of humor as well. I couldn't finish it, mainly because I was overwhelmed by the sheer detail involved! His characters were interesting, worth reading to see what happens to them!
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
had flashes of humor as well. I couldn't finish it, mainly because I was overwhelmed by the sheer detail involved! His characters were interesting, worth reading to see what happens to them!
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
November 10, 2014
I found this to be a cleverly written book that combines many genres. You have the horror and dark fantasy as you met the demon Bordeaux and Lady Libra and follow through a gothic adventure with enough of a touch of humor to make the reading fun and compelling. Combine in a little mystery and you end up with a great story that readers will fine compelling.
December 2, 2015
One of my absolute favourite books, dark and gloomy but with a witty sense of humour
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