What do you think?
Rate this book
The Quick and the Dead
It is 1597 and Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin have just robbed the wrong grave.
They are young criminals in the pocket of a gang Lord named Will Twentyman, the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Mariner is the best cutpurse around, a strange Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy and is partner in crime to Kit Skevy, Southwark's best brawler who carries a he cannot feel pain.
When caught out in their unfortunate larceny, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing alchemist Lord Isherwood (a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his hopes for the Red Lion elixir) and his studious son, Lazarus Isherwood, with whom Kit develops a complicated intrigue. When Mariner enlists the help of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, Mariner and Kit are thrust into the shadowed, political world of Tudor alchemy, testing both their friendship and their lives.
It matters not who you are born to... but where you are made!
They are young criminals in the pocket of a gang Lord named Will Twentyman, the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Mariner is the best cutpurse around, a strange Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy and is partner in crime to Kit Skevy, Southwark's best brawler who carries a he cannot feel pain.
When caught out in their unfortunate larceny, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing alchemist Lord Isherwood (a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his hopes for the Red Lion elixir) and his studious son, Lazarus Isherwood, with whom Kit develops a complicated intrigue. When Mariner enlists the help of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, Mariner and Kit are thrust into the shadowed, political world of Tudor alchemy, testing both their friendship and their lives.
It matters not who you are born to... but where you are made!
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2025
19 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Emma Hinds
5 books101 followersEmma is a fiction writer and playwright living and working in the North of England. She graduated from St. Andrews University with an MLitt. in Creative Writing in 2014. She focuses on historical narratives, female voices, and Queer stories. She was longlisted for BBC Writersroom, and has been part of the Write Now Penguin and Random House project. In 2020, she was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel competition. Emma identifies as Queer and uses She/Her pronouns.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 27, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the publishers.
The Quick and the Dead is another intriguing, insightful, and atmospheric books by Emma Hinds. Set in 1597 in London, we follow two main POV: Kit Skevy - the best brawler of gang leader Will Twentyman who can not feel pain and has no idea where he came from. And Mariner - a strange olive skinned girl part Portuguese and part Scottish who dresses like a boy and lived her life before meeting Kit as a sailor until she was discovered to be female. The pair are as close as siblings and all the family each other has. When the pair are sent to open a grave of a recently deceased alchemist and are attacked; Kit finds himself burning fire from his bare hands and kidnapped and held in the cellar of Lord Isherwood Mariner, helpless to stop the taking of Kit, finds herself taken in by Lady Elody Blackwater after Kit is rescued. Mariner and Kit are again torn apart by their new 'employers' (so-to-speak), and their lives, friendship, and beliefs are tested to the limit.
This was so interesting to read about in regards to alchemy during tudor times and was mixed with villains, politics, scheming, murder, magic, and more. I flew through this book and couldn't pull away from the quirky and interesting unique characters and visual, atmospheric settings that came to life around me.
The Quick and the Dead is another intriguing, insightful, and atmospheric books by Emma Hinds. Set in 1597 in London, we follow two main POV: Kit Skevy - the best brawler of gang leader Will Twentyman who can not feel pain and has no idea where he came from. And Mariner - a strange olive skinned girl part Portuguese and part Scottish who dresses like a boy and lived her life before meeting Kit as a sailor until she was discovered to be female. The pair are as close as siblings and all the family each other has. When the pair are sent to open a grave of a recently deceased alchemist and are attacked; Kit finds himself burning fire from his bare hands and kidnapped and held in the cellar of Lord Isherwood Mariner, helpless to stop the taking of Kit, finds herself taken in by Lady Elody Blackwater after Kit is rescued. Mariner and Kit are again torn apart by their new 'employers' (so-to-speak), and their lives, friendship, and beliefs are tested to the limit.
This was so interesting to read about in regards to alchemy during tudor times and was mixed with villains, politics, scheming, murder, magic, and more. I flew through this book and couldn't pull away from the quirky and interesting unique characters and visual, atmospheric settings that came to life around me.
January 26, 2025
The Quick and the Dead is a wild ride through Tudor London. The book follows two characters: Kit Skevy, a gang member who can't feel pain and has no clue about his past, and Mariner, a tough sailor who dresses like a boy and has a mixed Portuguese-Scottish background.
These two are basically as close as siblings, totally inseparable. Things get crazy when they're sent to dig up an alchemist's grave and Kit suddenly starts shooting fire from his hands. He gets kidnapped by Lord Isherwood, and Mariner ends up working for Lady Elody Blackwater after rescuing him.
The book dives deep into gender, sexuality, and identity during a super turbulent time. While the characters didn't totally grab me, the historical details about Tudor England were pretty awesome. The alchemy angle was super interesting, mixing magic, politics, and some seriously dark scheming.
I would have perhaps rated this a bit higher, but in my opinion the writing felt a bit detached. I wanted to be more emotionally invested, but the characters just didn't click for me. Kit's gender exploration was also pretty unique.
Overall, great historical setting and cool magical elements, but the characters and pacing left me wanting a bit more. Might be worth a read if you're into Tudor-era magical mysteries, but don't expect to be blown away.
These two are basically as close as siblings, totally inseparable. Things get crazy when they're sent to dig up an alchemist's grave and Kit suddenly starts shooting fire from his hands. He gets kidnapped by Lord Isherwood, and Mariner ends up working for Lady Elody Blackwater after rescuing him.
The book dives deep into gender, sexuality, and identity during a super turbulent time. While the characters didn't totally grab me, the historical details about Tudor England were pretty awesome. The alchemy angle was super interesting, mixing magic, politics, and some seriously dark scheming.
I would have perhaps rated this a bit higher, but in my opinion the writing felt a bit detached. I wanted to be more emotionally invested, but the characters just didn't click for me. Kit's gender exploration was also pretty unique.
Overall, great historical setting and cool magical elements, but the characters and pacing left me wanting a bit more. Might be worth a read if you're into Tudor-era magical mysteries, but don't expect to be blown away.
October 4, 2025
This was a dark, atmospheric and twisted historical read that explores identity, power and relationships in Tudor England.
Hinds dives into the dark underbelly and alchemical world of Tudor England through her characters and plot. The story takes us to graveyards, alchemical labs, the court and the criminal underworld. There is also a touch of drama added with a step inside the playhouses. The world created is a broad but detailed snapshot of the period that gives us a sweeping sense of scope.
The plot is twisty and memorable, blending historical authenticity with a touch of magic and the dichotomy of magic and science that is alchemy.
The story focuses on two characters, Kit and Marina, both of whom defy what is ‘normal’ in Tudor England. Both have their own secrets and backstories, and both whose gender non-conformity and sexuality are powerfully explored throughout the novel. Through these characters, Hinds creates diverse protagonists that represent marginalised voices. They are surrounded by equally interesting characters like an untrustworthy family of alchemists and chosen family. This makes the novel feel quite modern in its approach to acceptance and depicts the challenges of living with this in past societies.
The writing is dark, not shying away from grimness and goriness and a touch of magic. It also is lyrical and powerfully descriptive in places, creating an engaging prose.
This was a really creative novel that also is a memorable one. This is due to its slightly abstract plot and the focus on non-conformity and being true to oneself, as well as its unique characters who go on a journey of self-discovery. However, although this theme was effective and important to discuss, it did feel like it dominated the story at times and perhaps could have been a little more subtle while still delivering the same impact.
Overall, this is a riveting story, notable for its depth in exploring contemporary themes of non-conformity and queer identity against the rigid, challenging backdrop of Tudor England.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Hinds dives into the dark underbelly and alchemical world of Tudor England through her characters and plot. The story takes us to graveyards, alchemical labs, the court and the criminal underworld. There is also a touch of drama added with a step inside the playhouses. The world created is a broad but detailed snapshot of the period that gives us a sweeping sense of scope.
The plot is twisty and memorable, blending historical authenticity with a touch of magic and the dichotomy of magic and science that is alchemy.
The story focuses on two characters, Kit and Marina, both of whom defy what is ‘normal’ in Tudor England. Both have their own secrets and backstories, and both whose gender non-conformity and sexuality are powerfully explored throughout the novel. Through these characters, Hinds creates diverse protagonists that represent marginalised voices. They are surrounded by equally interesting characters like an untrustworthy family of alchemists and chosen family. This makes the novel feel quite modern in its approach to acceptance and depicts the challenges of living with this in past societies.
The writing is dark, not shying away from grimness and goriness and a touch of magic. It also is lyrical and powerfully descriptive in places, creating an engaging prose.
This was a really creative novel that also is a memorable one. This is due to its slightly abstract plot and the focus on non-conformity and being true to oneself, as well as its unique characters who go on a journey of self-discovery. However, although this theme was effective and important to discuss, it did feel like it dominated the story at times and perhaps could have been a little more subtle while still delivering the same impact.
Overall, this is a riveting story, notable for its depth in exploring contemporary themes of non-conformity and queer identity against the rigid, challenging backdrop of Tudor England.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 1, 2025
Well, this I guess is mostly just a case of mismatched expectations and a writing style not fitting this particular reader. The Quick and the Dead is historical fiction with a magical, alchemical twist. It tells the story of two young people in 16th century England, Mariner and Kit, that are working for a lowlife gangster to earn a living but get thrown into the world of alchemy when a bodysnatching gig goes wrong. Sounds pretty awesome, no?
In the end, based on the description, I was simply expecting a different kind of story than what we got in the end. This is, more than anything, an exploration of gender and sexuality during a time of great turmoil. And that can be intriguing to read, I just really wasn't in the mood for it I fear. Mariner's story is honestly nothing new, but Kit's gender exploration was rather unique (and made a lot of sense narratively because of its connection to alchemy, Rebis and all) and could have been interesting. But sadly, I simply felt nothing for either of the characters in this book. Which, I think, is mostly due to the writing style. It's rather detached and didn't manage to emotionally engage me in any way.
I did like the descriptions of Tudor era england and the conflicts broiling in the background of the story, which is why this is a two star and not a one star read. Maybe I would've enjoyed this book more had I known what it was really about, but the lacklustre characters (both the two protagonists and the side characters), the disappointing attempts at romance, the very predictable twists mixed with a slow pacing and a writing style that I simply did not vibe with turned this into an almost-dnf for me.
I do hope the book works better for other readers.
Many thanks to Bedford Square Publishers and Netgalley for the arc.
In the end, based on the description, I was simply expecting a different kind of story than what we got in the end. This is, more than anything, an exploration of gender and sexuality during a time of great turmoil. And that can be intriguing to read, I just really wasn't in the mood for it I fear. Mariner's story is honestly nothing new, but Kit's gender exploration was rather unique (and made a lot of sense narratively because of its connection to alchemy, Rebis and all) and could have been interesting. But sadly, I simply felt nothing for either of the characters in this book. Which, I think, is mostly due to the writing style. It's rather detached and didn't manage to emotionally engage me in any way.
I did like the descriptions of Tudor era england and the conflicts broiling in the background of the story, which is why this is a two star and not a one star read. Maybe I would've enjoyed this book more had I known what it was really about, but the lacklustre characters (both the two protagonists and the side characters), the disappointing attempts at romance, the very predictable twists mixed with a slow pacing and a writing style that I simply did not vibe with turned this into an almost-dnf for me.
I do hope the book works better for other readers.
Many thanks to Bedford Square Publishers and Netgalley for the arc.
December 15, 2024
This book was definitely interesting and it is my most current read which has delved in to a Tudor background. It is definitely a heavy book to read as there are some dark themes to it. I liked the mix of historical writing with some alchemy written in to it. The book flowed nicely and I found the authors writing style easy to read and follow.
I feel like kit was a strong main character and had a lot of depth to them. They are the first character I have read who is of the nature they are, which was very interesting. I also enjoyed the relationship between Kit and Mariner.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I feel like kit was a strong main character and had a lot of depth to them. They are the first character I have read who is of the nature they are, which was very interesting. I also enjoyed the relationship between Kit and Mariner.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 10, 2025
Despite my love for historical fiction, I haven’t read many books from the Tudor era, the author has definitely piqued my interest.
I really liked the characters and felt that I was able to get to know them, especially Kit’s character development. This book has a lot going on, at times I found it hard to keep up with (which may be due to it being different to my usual eras’) so I will be reading this again in the future.
Whilst I found the alchemy plot interesting, my favourite parts were Kit and Mariner friendship.
I really liked the characters and felt that I was able to get to know them, especially Kit’s character development. This book has a lot going on, at times I found it hard to keep up with (which may be due to it being different to my usual eras’) so I will be reading this again in the future.
Whilst I found the alchemy plot interesting, my favourite parts were Kit and Mariner friendship.
November 25, 2024
Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin are young criminals in the pocket of the savage gang lord Grave Erol.
While on a job, Kit and Mariner are caught in the act of grave robbing. Mariner runs, but Kit is kidnapped by a sadistic Alchemist Lord Isherwood.
This is a dark, atmospheric historical fiction set in 1597 London. This story is full of intrigue, magic, and Tudor alchemy.
It's a story of friendship, with great characters and a writing style that flows well.
I loved this.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
While on a job, Kit and Mariner are caught in the act of grave robbing. Mariner runs, but Kit is kidnapped by a sadistic Alchemist Lord Isherwood.
This is a dark, atmospheric historical fiction set in 1597 London. This story is full of intrigue, magic, and Tudor alchemy.
It's a story of friendship, with great characters and a writing style that flows well.
I loved this.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
December 14, 2024
London, 1597, and Queen Elizabeth Tudor is on the English throne.
Kit Skevy is an orphan, he works for Twentyman, a gang Lord, known as the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Kit works as a cutpurse and prize fighter. He has a secret, he cannot feel pain.
Mariner Elgin is a female pickpocket, she prefers to wear the clothes of a young boy, she and Kit work together for Twentyman.
The Spanish are threatening to send another Armada to English waters, and the Navy is on standby. There is talk of Dark Fire, Everlasting Fire, that was known to the Ancient Greeks, a weapon of terror that could completely destroy ships, but has been completely lost to the modern world.
Many Alchemists have been recruited , some by the Royal Court, to try and make this concoction, black arts and magical spells are used to attempt this impossible task.
Kit and others are ordered by Twentyman, a seller of corpses, to exhume a grave of interest which could help in these endeavours , and no one is more shocked and surprised than Kit, than finding that a certain phial of black liquid, hidden on the corpse, breaks and sets his hands on fire.
Suddenly everyone wants a piece of Kit in order to experiment upon. Kit and Mariner hide, helped by friends and duplicitous acquaintances, this is when Kit and Mariner find out their hidden talents, and their future lifestyles.
An unusual look at Tudor London, but Magic and Alchemy was so very popular, along with horoscope readings. Queen Elizabeth had her own personal
alchemist, Dr John Dee, he used to give advice upon court matters and personal horoscope reading’s for the Queen. He also experimented in trying to find the Philosopher’s Stone, in order to turn base metals into Gold.
A fascinating, atmospheric, and very dark piece of historical fiction. I loved the characters of Kit and Mariner, the sexual themes of the times and the loyalty of these two young people. Throughly deserving of five stars, a really engaging and challenging read.
There is a Glossary at the end of this book, detailed and necessary.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bedford Square Publishers for my eARC, freely given in return for my honest review.
I will leave copies of this to Goodreads and Amazon UK, upon publication.
Kit Skevy is an orphan, he works for Twentyman, a gang Lord, known as the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Kit works as a cutpurse and prize fighter. He has a secret, he cannot feel pain.
Mariner Elgin is a female pickpocket, she prefers to wear the clothes of a young boy, she and Kit work together for Twentyman.
The Spanish are threatening to send another Armada to English waters, and the Navy is on standby. There is talk of Dark Fire, Everlasting Fire, that was known to the Ancient Greeks, a weapon of terror that could completely destroy ships, but has been completely lost to the modern world.
Many Alchemists have been recruited , some by the Royal Court, to try and make this concoction, black arts and magical spells are used to attempt this impossible task.
Kit and others are ordered by Twentyman, a seller of corpses, to exhume a grave of interest which could help in these endeavours , and no one is more shocked and surprised than Kit, than finding that a certain phial of black liquid, hidden on the corpse, breaks and sets his hands on fire.
Suddenly everyone wants a piece of Kit in order to experiment upon. Kit and Mariner hide, helped by friends and duplicitous acquaintances, this is when Kit and Mariner find out their hidden talents, and their future lifestyles.
An unusual look at Tudor London, but Magic and Alchemy was so very popular, along with horoscope readings. Queen Elizabeth had her own personal
alchemist, Dr John Dee, he used to give advice upon court matters and personal horoscope reading’s for the Queen. He also experimented in trying to find the Philosopher’s Stone, in order to turn base metals into Gold.
A fascinating, atmospheric, and very dark piece of historical fiction. I loved the characters of Kit and Mariner, the sexual themes of the times and the loyalty of these two young people. Throughly deserving of five stars, a really engaging and challenging read.
There is a Glossary at the end of this book, detailed and necessary.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bedford Square Publishers for my eARC, freely given in return for my honest review.
I will leave copies of this to Goodreads and Amazon UK, upon publication.
April 22, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.7 ⭐️ I thought this was an interesting read but also felt like it’s not well advertised which left me with some mixed emotions.
The writing style and the fantasy aspects are great, and I love that there is so much broad LGBT+ rep in this.
With the advertising: First of all, one of the main characters is intersex (he/him). This really should be a huge selling point for the book but I’m not hearing much about that. It’s also far more fantasy/magic/alchemy leaning than I expected (which I liked.)
Second of all, this is a pretty bleak fantasy with a whole lot of very heavy themes; I’ll list in the TWs and most happens on page. The intersex character especially faces a lot of on-page trauma- including medical SA/rape which did catch me off guard and I likely would have picked the book up at a different time if I knew about that.
The story itself I found intriguing and is greatly centred around magic and alchemy and the lengths monarchies wish to go to, to attain such power. I appreciated Hind’s pacing and how fleshed out all the characters are.
Rep// MLM MC’s, WLW MCs, Intersex MC, androgynous/butch sapphic character, femme sapphic character.
Set// UK.
TW// whipping, branding, on page rape/SA under unwanted ‘medical’ inspection (on page), homophobia, poisoning, transphobia, death, painful abortions (on page), poisoning, misogyny, sexual harassment, fire/burns, use of a stillborn for alchemy (on page), abortion complications leading to death, graphic dissection (on page), gore.
3.7 ⭐️ I thought this was an interesting read but also felt like it’s not well advertised which left me with some mixed emotions.
The writing style and the fantasy aspects are great, and I love that there is so much broad LGBT+ rep in this.
With the advertising: First of all, one of the main characters is intersex (he/him). This really should be a huge selling point for the book but I’m not hearing much about that. It’s also far more fantasy/magic/alchemy leaning than I expected (which I liked.)
Second of all, this is a pretty bleak fantasy with a whole lot of very heavy themes; I’ll list in the TWs and most happens on page. The intersex character especially faces a lot of on-page trauma- including medical SA/rape which did catch me off guard and I likely would have picked the book up at a different time if I knew about that.
The story itself I found intriguing and is greatly centred around magic and alchemy and the lengths monarchies wish to go to, to attain such power. I appreciated Hind’s pacing and how fleshed out all the characters are.
Rep// MLM MC’s, WLW MCs, Intersex MC, androgynous/butch sapphic character, femme sapphic character.
Set// UK.
TW// whipping, branding, on page rape/SA under unwanted ‘medical’ inspection (on page), homophobia, poisoning, transphobia, death, painful abortions (on page), poisoning, misogyny, sexual harassment, fire/burns, use of a stillborn for alchemy (on page), abortion complications leading to death, graphic dissection (on page), gore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
"It matters not who you are born to but where you are made"
Kit Skevy is the best brawler in Southwark but he carries a secret he feels no pain. Mariner Elgin the best-cut purse around they both work for Will Twentyman the Grave Eorl of Southwark and they've just robbed the wrong grave.
I liked the main character's Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin and following their path to discovering who they were. I did find I connected with Mariner more. I enjoyed the Alchemy side of the book at times I was a little lost but I still found it fascinating.
I loved The Knowing by Emma and had a feeling I would enjoy this and I did I found it an engaging read filled with rich detail!
4.5 stars ⭐️
Kit Skevy is the best brawler in Southwark but he carries a secret he feels no pain. Mariner Elgin the best-cut purse around they both work for Will Twentyman the Grave Eorl of Southwark and they've just robbed the wrong grave.
I liked the main character's Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin and following their path to discovering who they were. I did find I connected with Mariner more. I enjoyed the Alchemy side of the book at times I was a little lost but I still found it fascinating.
I loved The Knowing by Emma and had a feeling I would enjoy this and I did I found it an engaging read filled with rich detail!
4.5 stars ⭐️
June 6, 2025
The Quick and The Dead is a twisty tale with strong themes of gender and sexual identity, and the book took me by surprise a lot. I do think the blurb could include more information about the genre and style of the book, or include some comparisons to similar books, because I didn't get what I expected based on the blurb. The book has a very formal style to it, and combined with the betrayals from the characters, it made it hard for me to really connect with the characters.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 16, 2025
London, the year 1597.
Kit Skevy and his closest friend Mariner Elgin, both tragically orphaned as children, have washed up on the more unforgiving and dangerous side of the unrelenting, harsh Thames, and find themselves in the debt of the much-feared and loathsome Will Twentyman who need only glance at you to make you regret having come face to face with such a villain, left with nothing but each other to trust and confide in.
Mariner is at the top of her game when it comes to taking from others, as all great Cutpurses should be, a Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy to stay hidden in plain sight, whereas Kit, Southwark’s best brawler hides something much more important: he feels no pain. Ever.
When they rob the wrong grave, Kit is taken by alchemist Lord Isherwood, an individual drunk on ambition, driven to craft the ever-elusive Red Lion Elixir, along with his son Lazarus, and he becomes the centre of their fascination…
Meanwhile Mariner comes to call upon, and be at the mercy of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, who seems only too willing to help her formulate a plot to perhaps save her oldest and closest friend from becoming nothing more than another failed experiment, and slowly Mariner begins to trust this shadowy figure even when it’s best not to lean too heavily on those who appear to want to help despite the fact it may not be in the most meaningful way…
Navigating a shadowy and mysterious political world, Kit and Mariner will have to learn to play the game, before others can make them nothing more than pawns on a much larger board….
Atmospheric, thrilling, and intriguing, The Quick and the Dead will keep your pulse racing until the very last page!
Kit Skevy and his closest friend Mariner Elgin, both tragically orphaned as children, have washed up on the more unforgiving and dangerous side of the unrelenting, harsh Thames, and find themselves in the debt of the much-feared and loathsome Will Twentyman who need only glance at you to make you regret having come face to face with such a villain, left with nothing but each other to trust and confide in.
Mariner is at the top of her game when it comes to taking from others, as all great Cutpurses should be, a Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy to stay hidden in plain sight, whereas Kit, Southwark’s best brawler hides something much more important: he feels no pain. Ever.
When they rob the wrong grave, Kit is taken by alchemist Lord Isherwood, an individual drunk on ambition, driven to craft the ever-elusive Red Lion Elixir, along with his son Lazarus, and he becomes the centre of their fascination…
Meanwhile Mariner comes to call upon, and be at the mercy of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, who seems only too willing to help her formulate a plot to perhaps save her oldest and closest friend from becoming nothing more than another failed experiment, and slowly Mariner begins to trust this shadowy figure even when it’s best not to lean too heavily on those who appear to want to help despite the fact it may not be in the most meaningful way…
Navigating a shadowy and mysterious political world, Kit and Mariner will have to learn to play the game, before others can make them nothing more than pawns on a much larger board….
Atmospheric, thrilling, and intriguing, The Quick and the Dead will keep your pulse racing until the very last page!
January 21, 2025
(3.5/5)*
May 13, 2025
2,5*
The idea was good, the execution was bad. It lacked depth and drew on way to long.
The idea was good, the execution was bad. It lacked depth and drew on way to long.
July 14, 2025
10/10 this was written excellently. I underlined so many passages.
May 20, 2025
I found this book extremely hard going. I felt the prose overly long and convoluted generally. In retrospect it may have been partly to do with one of the main themes, ie alchemy which for me seemed a bit niche to make into historical fiction; I guess that’s alchemy of sorts!I Neither did I feel much connection or empathy with the characters, they were all a bit too modern day in their designations and although I’m sure hermaphrodites born out of alchemical processes were aplenty along with gay women dressing as sailors I thought the author had strayed a little bit too far from the ‘historical’ and into the ‘fiction’.Not for me.
February 9, 2025
I was a big fan of Emma’s previous book The Knowing and this one had the same mysterious and atmospheric vibes to it which I always crave for in a book.
This is set in late Elizabethan London in 1597 and is told from two POV’s, Mariner a girl who dresses like a boy and is tough but fiercely loyal to those she cares for such as Kit, a young man whose point of view we read from who is part of a gang that they both work for but are desperate to escape. The book takes a major magical kind of twist when they both dig up an alchemist’s grave.
With the magical realism elements the exploration of living in that period of history I really liked alongside the politics and how dark the whole story was. There are themes such as gender, race, sexuality and identity that are well represented and also the alchemy side of the story was really interesting. However, I also found the alchemy parts at times a bit confusing especially with some procedures that occur and the pacing sometimes slowed down a bit but it soon picked up again.
Overall it was a richly told tale with murder, gangs, magic and unique characters that creates it into a story like no other I have read before.
This is set in late Elizabethan London in 1597 and is told from two POV’s, Mariner a girl who dresses like a boy and is tough but fiercely loyal to those she cares for such as Kit, a young man whose point of view we read from who is part of a gang that they both work for but are desperate to escape. The book takes a major magical kind of twist when they both dig up an alchemist’s grave.
With the magical realism elements the exploration of living in that period of history I really liked alongside the politics and how dark the whole story was. There are themes such as gender, race, sexuality and identity that are well represented and also the alchemy side of the story was really interesting. However, I also found the alchemy parts at times a bit confusing especially with some procedures that occur and the pacing sometimes slowed down a bit but it soon picked up again.
Overall it was a richly told tale with murder, gangs, magic and unique characters that creates it into a story like no other I have read before.
January 27, 2025
This book !!! OMG !!! One of the best books I read !!!
A chef's kiss 🤌
The more I think about this book, the more I fell in love. The it is written is haunting and beautiful. Book was tragic and fool of hope (honestly,I was weeping and praying for happy ending). My dark heart absolutely devoured it.
As you already understood, I loved this book (I loved everything about it) so you have to read it. Period
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ +⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
" Moths are like sinners, Elgin used to say. They are lured by the warmth and do not realise until it is too late that they are damned. I will burn my wings for this, Mariner thinks. To feel this wanted and this alive."
A chef's kiss 🤌
The more I think about this book, the more I fell in love. The it is written is haunting and beautiful. Book was tragic and fool of hope (honestly,I was weeping and praying for happy ending). My dark heart absolutely devoured it.
As you already understood, I loved this book (I loved everything about it) so you have to read it. Period
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ +⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
" Moths are like sinners, Elgin used to say. They are lured by the warmth and do not realise until it is too late that they are damned. I will burn my wings for this, Mariner thinks. To feel this wanted and this alive."
February 21, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Grave Mistake… Literally.
Let’s be real: robbing graves is already a questionable career choice, but robbing the wrong grave? That’s just asking for trouble.
In The Quick and the Dead, we follow Kit Skevy, a brawler with a suspiciously high pain tolerance, and Mariner Elgin, a Calvinist, cross-dressing cutpurse, as they navigate the seedy underbelly of 1597 Southwark under the thumb of Will Twentyman, aka the Grave Eorl.
Their usual brand of crime takes a sharp turn from pickpocketing to alchemical chaos when they accidentally steal something very valuable from very dangerous people. Next thing you know, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing Lord Isherwood, a ruthless alchemist obsessed with creating the Red Lion elixir (which, knowing alchemists, probably does something horrifying).
Meanwhile, Mariner teams up with a rival French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, because nothing says “solid plan” like running straight into the arms of an enemy in hopes of getting Kit back.
With secretive alchemists, back-alley gang lords, and enough intrigue to make even Shakespeare go “damn”, this story is a thrilling mix of crime, politics, and medieval science gone horribly wrong.
Characters: Morally Grey & Deliciously Chaotic
One of the biggest wins of this book is the fantastic cast of characters.
Kit Skevy – He can’t feel pain (which sounds cool until you realise how horrifying that actually is). He’s a brute, a thief, and somehow still the kind of disaster you root for.
Mariner Elgin – A cutpurse, a master of disguises, and arguably the smartest person in the room at all times. She’s resourceful, sharp, and basically Kit’s survival instinct personified.
Lazarus Isherwood – The brooding, scholarly son of the terrifying Lord Isherwood. He and Kit have some serious tension, and by tension, I mean this is either going to end in betrayal or a romance subplot. Maybe both.
Lord Isherwood – Peak villain energy. A ruthless alchemist with zero morals and even fewer limits when it comes to his research. He wants power, immortality, or something worse—and Kit might just be his next experiment.
Lady Elody Blackwater – A French alchemist with her own agenda. She might help Mariner save Kit… or she might just be using them for her own political and scientific gains.
What Works: The Good, The Bloody, and The Brilliant
-Unique Setting & Time Period – 1597 Southwark feels gritty, alive, and dangerous—from the gang-infested streets to the dark secrets of alchemical labs.
-Alchemy as a Political Weapon – This isn’t your fun, potion-brewing, “turn lead into gold” kind of alchemy, this is about power, deception, and playing God. And it’s fascinating.
-Fast-Paced Plot with High Stakes – The moment Kit and Mariner steal the wrong thing, it’s full throttle, kidnappings, betrayals, rival alchemists, and high-stakes heists keep the story moving fast.
-Fantastic Character Dynamics – Whether it’s Kit and Mariner’s ride-or-die friendship, Kit and Lazarus’s slow-burning intrigue, or the constant tension between everyone in this story, the relationships are fire.
What Misses the Mark: A Few Cracks in the Potion Bottle
-A Bit Too Much Juggling – Between alchemy, gang rivalries, political intrigue, and Kit’s whole can’t-feel-pain thing, the book sometimes feels a little overstuffed.
-Pacing Stumbles in the Middle – The start is fast and gripping, and the ending is explosive, but the middle drags slightly when it leans a little too much into alchemical theory (less talking, more scheming and stabbing, please).
-The Villain Could Have Been Even More Terrifying – Lord Isherwood is great, but he sometimes feels more methodical than truly terrifying. A little more unhinged energy would have made him even stronger as an antagonist.
Read or Rob This From a Bookstore?
READ. If you love: ✔ Gritty historical crime fiction ✔ Morally grey characters making terrible life choices ✔ Alchemy, betrayal, and backstabbing ✔ High-stakes action with actual consequences
Then The Quick and the Dead is absolutely worth the read. It’s dark, thrilling, and just the right amount of chaotic.
A Grave Mistake… Literally.
Let’s be real: robbing graves is already a questionable career choice, but robbing the wrong grave? That’s just asking for trouble.
In The Quick and the Dead, we follow Kit Skevy, a brawler with a suspiciously high pain tolerance, and Mariner Elgin, a Calvinist, cross-dressing cutpurse, as they navigate the seedy underbelly of 1597 Southwark under the thumb of Will Twentyman, aka the Grave Eorl.
Their usual brand of crime takes a sharp turn from pickpocketing to alchemical chaos when they accidentally steal something very valuable from very dangerous people. Next thing you know, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing Lord Isherwood, a ruthless alchemist obsessed with creating the Red Lion elixir (which, knowing alchemists, probably does something horrifying).
Meanwhile, Mariner teams up with a rival French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, because nothing says “solid plan” like running straight into the arms of an enemy in hopes of getting Kit back.
With secretive alchemists, back-alley gang lords, and enough intrigue to make even Shakespeare go “damn”, this story is a thrilling mix of crime, politics, and medieval science gone horribly wrong.
Characters: Morally Grey & Deliciously Chaotic
One of the biggest wins of this book is the fantastic cast of characters.
Kit Skevy – He can’t feel pain (which sounds cool until you realise how horrifying that actually is). He’s a brute, a thief, and somehow still the kind of disaster you root for.
Mariner Elgin – A cutpurse, a master of disguises, and arguably the smartest person in the room at all times. She’s resourceful, sharp, and basically Kit’s survival instinct personified.
Lazarus Isherwood – The brooding, scholarly son of the terrifying Lord Isherwood. He and Kit have some serious tension, and by tension, I mean this is either going to end in betrayal or a romance subplot. Maybe both.
Lord Isherwood – Peak villain energy. A ruthless alchemist with zero morals and even fewer limits when it comes to his research. He wants power, immortality, or something worse—and Kit might just be his next experiment.
Lady Elody Blackwater – A French alchemist with her own agenda. She might help Mariner save Kit… or she might just be using them for her own political and scientific gains.
What Works: The Good, The Bloody, and The Brilliant
-Unique Setting & Time Period – 1597 Southwark feels gritty, alive, and dangerous—from the gang-infested streets to the dark secrets of alchemical labs.
-Alchemy as a Political Weapon – This isn’t your fun, potion-brewing, “turn lead into gold” kind of alchemy, this is about power, deception, and playing God. And it’s fascinating.
-Fast-Paced Plot with High Stakes – The moment Kit and Mariner steal the wrong thing, it’s full throttle, kidnappings, betrayals, rival alchemists, and high-stakes heists keep the story moving fast.
-Fantastic Character Dynamics – Whether it’s Kit and Mariner’s ride-or-die friendship, Kit and Lazarus’s slow-burning intrigue, or the constant tension between everyone in this story, the relationships are fire.
What Misses the Mark: A Few Cracks in the Potion Bottle
-A Bit Too Much Juggling – Between alchemy, gang rivalries, political intrigue, and Kit’s whole can’t-feel-pain thing, the book sometimes feels a little overstuffed.
-Pacing Stumbles in the Middle – The start is fast and gripping, and the ending is explosive, but the middle drags slightly when it leans a little too much into alchemical theory (less talking, more scheming and stabbing, please).
-The Villain Could Have Been Even More Terrifying – Lord Isherwood is great, but he sometimes feels more methodical than truly terrifying. A little more unhinged energy would have made him even stronger as an antagonist.
Read or Rob This From a Bookstore?
READ. If you love: ✔ Gritty historical crime fiction ✔ Morally grey characters making terrible life choices ✔ Alchemy, betrayal, and backstabbing ✔ High-stakes action with actual consequences
Then The Quick and the Dead is absolutely worth the read. It’s dark, thrilling, and just the right amount of chaotic.
January 21, 2025
London, 1597. In the slums of south of the river Thames, Mariner Elgin and Kit Skevy make a living as part of the criminal fraternity of the brutal gang lord, Will Twentyman, known as the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Former sailor, Mariner, who masquerades as a boy, is Twentyman's best cutpurse - a skill which (barely) keeps her out of his infamous brothels. Kit is Twentyman's finest brawler, aided by his ability to feel no pain - a secret he has been closely guarding for as long as he can remember.
Mariner and Kit make an unlikely pair, but they have forged a close friendship that has so far kept them about as safe as they can be in their perilous careers. Until one night they are sent by Twentyman to steal the recently interred body of a reputedly famous alchemist from its grave...
This misadventure leads to Kit being kidnapped, and tortured, by ruthless alchemist Lord Isherwood, and his son Lazarus, who are searching for an elixir which promises eternal life. Meanwhile, hoping to free Kit, Mariner makes a bargain with rival French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater. Their turn in fortune plunges them into a world of undercover plots and political machinations that threatens to expose their secrets and lead them into terrible danger.
This novel brings Elizabethan England alive, and throws you headlong into a tale which nicely combines elements of historical mystery, political intrigue, swash-buckling adventure, and queer love stories. The action unfurls from the points of view of close-friends Mariner and Kit, in parallel plot-lines that weave together - dragging Mariner into the games of power within the court of Elizabeth I, at the side of Lady Elody Blackwater, who becomes her lover; and taking Kit on a voyage of discovery about the mystical world of alchemy (and passion), beside the complicated Lazarus Isherwood.
Not surprisingly, it turns out that being used by vying parties as pawns to gain political (and religious) advantage in the future succession of England is a dangerous business, not to mention when personal rivalries are involved. Any means are open to those who are willing to risk all, which allows Hinds to delve into the blurred edges between magic and science in 16th Century Europe, despite the increasing risks of being associated with the dark arts of witchcraft. There are very enjoyable scenes about the brewing of potions with supposedly mythical properties, covert dissections supplied by a lucrative side-line in grave-robbing, and scrying into the future - and they are all based on historical fact, which is fascinating.
But this is not just about Dumas-esque escapades, and Dr Faustus level dark deeds (lovely references to Christopher Marlowe throughout), because the story is equally driven by the character development that feeds into a host interesting themes about sex and sexuality, and the role of women in Elizabethan England. I particularly enjoyed how Hinds examines these through the way Kit and Mariner's hopes, dreams, and secrets are revealed, and in the twisting course of their romantic lives (although do think Kit's issues could have been less complicated without detracting from the story). There is a lovely thread about theatre and performance in this era too, which leads to a very entertaining ending to the novel.
I was not sure what to expect from this book, but I found myself hanging on Hinds' every word as the story developed. There is scope for a sequel here, should Hinds choose to return to these characters... perhaps some tales about (my favourite character) Mariner's life on the high-seas? I would definitely be up for that!
Mariner and Kit make an unlikely pair, but they have forged a close friendship that has so far kept them about as safe as they can be in their perilous careers. Until one night they are sent by Twentyman to steal the recently interred body of a reputedly famous alchemist from its grave...
This misadventure leads to Kit being kidnapped, and tortured, by ruthless alchemist Lord Isherwood, and his son Lazarus, who are searching for an elixir which promises eternal life. Meanwhile, hoping to free Kit, Mariner makes a bargain with rival French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater. Their turn in fortune plunges them into a world of undercover plots and political machinations that threatens to expose their secrets and lead them into terrible danger.
This novel brings Elizabethan England alive, and throws you headlong into a tale which nicely combines elements of historical mystery, political intrigue, swash-buckling adventure, and queer love stories. The action unfurls from the points of view of close-friends Mariner and Kit, in parallel plot-lines that weave together - dragging Mariner into the games of power within the court of Elizabeth I, at the side of Lady Elody Blackwater, who becomes her lover; and taking Kit on a voyage of discovery about the mystical world of alchemy (and passion), beside the complicated Lazarus Isherwood.
Not surprisingly, it turns out that being used by vying parties as pawns to gain political (and religious) advantage in the future succession of England is a dangerous business, not to mention when personal rivalries are involved. Any means are open to those who are willing to risk all, which allows Hinds to delve into the blurred edges between magic and science in 16th Century Europe, despite the increasing risks of being associated with the dark arts of witchcraft. There are very enjoyable scenes about the brewing of potions with supposedly mythical properties, covert dissections supplied by a lucrative side-line in grave-robbing, and scrying into the future - and they are all based on historical fact, which is fascinating.
But this is not just about Dumas-esque escapades, and Dr Faustus level dark deeds (lovely references to Christopher Marlowe throughout), because the story is equally driven by the character development that feeds into a host interesting themes about sex and sexuality, and the role of women in Elizabethan England. I particularly enjoyed how Hinds examines these through the way Kit and Mariner's hopes, dreams, and secrets are revealed, and in the twisting course of their romantic lives (although do think Kit's issues could have been less complicated without detracting from the story). There is a lovely thread about theatre and performance in this era too, which leads to a very entertaining ending to the novel.
I was not sure what to expect from this book, but I found myself hanging on Hinds' every word as the story developed. There is scope for a sequel here, should Hinds choose to return to these characters... perhaps some tales about (my favourite character) Mariner's life on the high-seas? I would definitely be up for that!
July 16, 2025
I was introduced to Emma Hind’s work through The Knowing, a queer historical story set in the 19th century, and was keen to make time for The Quick and the Dead. #gifted to me by #harlequinbooksaus. This story mixes history of the 1590s, magic and fantasy, crime, and queer love. So much happens in such a small story, and with a backdrop of the dirty streets of London: a bustling, cramped city, full of mud, grime, waste and unsavoury characters.
Kit and Mariner work for Twentyman, a local criminal, and are made to undertake very grubby transgressions. Kit is not what he seems, and this is explored more in the story; the only takeaway to offer is that he cannot feel pain, and this is used in some of the more insalubrious acts Twentyman has him partake in. Mariner was a young woman in disguise dressed as boy and raised one by her sailor uncle. Their main alchemist adventure stated when they were instructed to dig up a corpse where Kit fell on and crushed a secret vial of everlasting fire, resulting in his kidnapping.
From here begins the quest to rescue Kit: Mariner forged ahead and tried to bargain her way through rescuing him, only to find they both fell deeper into dark political and magical tensions that would cost them in different ways. Kit would wrestle with the secrets uncovered during his capture and potential interests of lust and love, and Mariner constantly challenged her own beliefs and desires and attraction to several women in her company and not being attractive enough for the men that crossed her path. All of this against a backdrop of a dark and sinister gothic city, dripping in detail and layers.
It's important to read this slowly and carefully – for a shortish book, there is a lot that happens, and it could be possible to lose your way down the darkened and dirty streets of London with any of the characters. You will lose Kit and Mariner, find them again, be frustrated with them and share in their bond until the very end.
Kit and Mariner work for Twentyman, a local criminal, and are made to undertake very grubby transgressions. Kit is not what he seems, and this is explored more in the story; the only takeaway to offer is that he cannot feel pain, and this is used in some of the more insalubrious acts Twentyman has him partake in. Mariner was a young woman in disguise dressed as boy and raised one by her sailor uncle. Their main alchemist adventure stated when they were instructed to dig up a corpse where Kit fell on and crushed a secret vial of everlasting fire, resulting in his kidnapping.
From here begins the quest to rescue Kit: Mariner forged ahead and tried to bargain her way through rescuing him, only to find they both fell deeper into dark political and magical tensions that would cost them in different ways. Kit would wrestle with the secrets uncovered during his capture and potential interests of lust and love, and Mariner constantly challenged her own beliefs and desires and attraction to several women in her company and not being attractive enough for the men that crossed her path. All of this against a backdrop of a dark and sinister gothic city, dripping in detail and layers.
It's important to read this slowly and carefully – for a shortish book, there is a lot that happens, and it could be possible to lose your way down the darkened and dirty streets of London with any of the characters. You will lose Kit and Mariner, find them again, be frustrated with them and share in their bond until the very end.
January 25, 2025
The story is set in 1597, and follows Kit Skevy, a champion brawler who is hiding the secret that he never feels any pain, and cutpurse Mariner, a Calvinist girl in boys clothing who dreams of being a sailor. They are both orphans trying to survive life working for a notorious gang leader in Southwark, but things take a complicated turn when a grave robbing job goes wrong and Kit’s hands seem to produce fire after a chemical is poured over them. He’s kidnapped by alchemists, and a twisting, dark tale ensues.
I thought the exploration of alchemy, science and magic was fascinating and made for a plot that raced along - you felt the urgency of the alchemists as they strove for what they thought were world-changing discoveries. Their ambitions also belied the lengths they would go to - political machinations, kidnapping and torture. There were some really dark themes in the book and so a warning to those who are squeamish - and a trigger warning for a sexual abuse scene as well.
Faith and sexuality were big themes running through the book. Mariner was raised a Calvinist, and struggles with the “sin” of being attracted to women, while also wrangling with her identity as she assumes a male character to survive. Kit has no faith - something that was heretical in itself, and is hiding more secrets about himself that are ripe to be exploited.
Both characters get into troubling relationships, and in general a great sense of tension and unease carries throughout the story. This culminates in dramatic twists and high action - not for the faint of heart but so atmospheric and gothic, and the Elizabethan world building is brilliant.
Thank you to the author and @bedfordsq.publishers for an advanced copy of the book for review, and @randomthingstours for a spot promoting the book. The Quick and the Dead is out now!
I thought the exploration of alchemy, science and magic was fascinating and made for a plot that raced along - you felt the urgency of the alchemists as they strove for what they thought were world-changing discoveries. Their ambitions also belied the lengths they would go to - political machinations, kidnapping and torture. There were some really dark themes in the book and so a warning to those who are squeamish - and a trigger warning for a sexual abuse scene as well.
Faith and sexuality were big themes running through the book. Mariner was raised a Calvinist, and struggles with the “sin” of being attracted to women, while also wrangling with her identity as she assumes a male character to survive. Kit has no faith - something that was heretical in itself, and is hiding more secrets about himself that are ripe to be exploited.
Both characters get into troubling relationships, and in general a great sense of tension and unease carries throughout the story. This culminates in dramatic twists and high action - not for the faint of heart but so atmospheric and gothic, and the Elizabethan world building is brilliant.
Thank you to the author and @bedfordsq.publishers for an advanced copy of the book for review, and @randomthingstours for a spot promoting the book. The Quick and the Dead is out now!
July 14, 2025
Emma Hinds’ The Quick and the Dead is a heady, smoke-swirled plunge into the underbelly of 16th-century Southwark—a place where bones are currency, secrets are blood-deep, and danger comes laced with tincture and fire. With whip-smart prose, unforgettable anti-heroes, and enough cutthroat chemistry (alchemical and otherwise) to light up a plague-ridden tavern, this novel dazzles from the first stolen grave to the last breathless betrayal.
At its heart is the thorny, tender bond between Mariner Elgin—razor-edged, gender-subversive, and relentlessly clever—and Kit Skevy, all fists, scars and haunting vulnerability beneath a pain-proof exterior. Hinds builds their dynamic with nuance and bite, never slipping into cliché even as emotions tangle with ambition, betrayal, and complicated affection. Throw in an eerie alchemical race led by two rival factions—each more morally murky than the other—and you’ve got a plot brimming with philosophical grit, queer yearning, and gothic intrigue. Lazarus Isherwood, especially, is a slow-burn enigma who both complicates and elevates Kit’s arc, and the entire story hums with questions of identity, transformation, and worth.
If I had one gripe, it would be that the world—while intoxicatingly grimy and sharp—at times overwhelms with its intellectual weight and density. Some of the alchemical theory and Tudor politicking might leave a few readers slightly lost amid the lye and Latin. But even when the details darken, Hinds never lets the emotional stakes slip.
A richly woven tale of queer identity, loyalty, and metamorphosis wrapped in grave dust and golden elixir. The Quick and the Dead isn’t just a historical fantasy—it’s a knife between your ribs, a prayer to the stars, and a love letter to all the broken boys and sharp-tongued girls who refuse to stay buried.
At its heart is the thorny, tender bond between Mariner Elgin—razor-edged, gender-subversive, and relentlessly clever—and Kit Skevy, all fists, scars and haunting vulnerability beneath a pain-proof exterior. Hinds builds their dynamic with nuance and bite, never slipping into cliché even as emotions tangle with ambition, betrayal, and complicated affection. Throw in an eerie alchemical race led by two rival factions—each more morally murky than the other—and you’ve got a plot brimming with philosophical grit, queer yearning, and gothic intrigue. Lazarus Isherwood, especially, is a slow-burn enigma who both complicates and elevates Kit’s arc, and the entire story hums with questions of identity, transformation, and worth.
If I had one gripe, it would be that the world—while intoxicatingly grimy and sharp—at times overwhelms with its intellectual weight and density. Some of the alchemical theory and Tudor politicking might leave a few readers slightly lost amid the lye and Latin. But even when the details darken, Hinds never lets the emotional stakes slip.
A richly woven tale of queer identity, loyalty, and metamorphosis wrapped in grave dust and golden elixir. The Quick and the Dead isn’t just a historical fantasy—it’s a knife between your ribs, a prayer to the stars, and a love letter to all the broken boys and sharp-tongued girls who refuse to stay buried.
July 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of The Quick and the Dead. I'm rating it 4.5 stars.
The Quick and the Dead is character-driven queer historical fiction with a dash of magic. It's set in the Tudor period, but the Tudor period we tend to ignore or forget about: that of queer people, trans and intersex people, immigrants, alchemists, thieves, women, theatre workers...
This novel is dark and unsettling, and I cannot stress enough the importance of checking the content warnings before reading. Just like Emma Hinds' other adult books, the novel explores abusive relationships, power imbalances, and class and gendered violence. And there really is a lot of violence. But the ending is satisfyingly comforting and hopeful. Emma Hinds' adult books tend to leave me thinking that they're too dark for me, until we get to the ending and we see the characters recovering and rebuilding their lives, and suddenly I'm glad I put myself through the experience of reading them.
The POV characters Kit and Mariner are truly wonderful. I fell in love with them completely, and I spent the majority of the novel feeling anguish over their experiences. But they were also such a delightful example of queer friendship, and at the end of the novel, happy queer working-class people in the 1500s.
The prose was also a plus point. I particularly enjoyed the dialogue, which felt period-appropriate but still natural.
However, I will say that some fantasy readers might find this book a bit too light on the fantasy and heavy on the historical elements. At times the writing reminded me of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy, and the pacing definitely slowed down in the middle of the book.
The Quick and the Dead is character-driven queer historical fiction with a dash of magic. It's set in the Tudor period, but the Tudor period we tend to ignore or forget about: that of queer people, trans and intersex people, immigrants, alchemists, thieves, women, theatre workers...
This novel is dark and unsettling, and I cannot stress enough the importance of checking the content warnings before reading. Just like Emma Hinds' other adult books, the novel explores abusive relationships, power imbalances, and class and gendered violence. And there really is a lot of violence. But the ending is satisfyingly comforting and hopeful. Emma Hinds' adult books tend to leave me thinking that they're too dark for me, until we get to the ending and we see the characters recovering and rebuilding their lives, and suddenly I'm glad I put myself through the experience of reading them.
The POV characters Kit and Mariner are truly wonderful. I fell in love with them completely, and I spent the majority of the novel feeling anguish over their experiences. But they were also such a delightful example of queer friendship, and at the end of the novel, happy queer working-class people in the 1500s.
The prose was also a plus point. I particularly enjoyed the dialogue, which felt period-appropriate but still natural.
However, I will say that some fantasy readers might find this book a bit too light on the fantasy and heavy on the historical elements. At times the writing reminded me of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy, and the pacing definitely slowed down in the middle of the book.
November 30, 2024
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for gifting me an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh. This book seeped into my body, filled my heart and settled into my bones. It is so very well researched and written with such poetry that every line demands your fully committed attention -much like each of the main character’s new connection pulls them in and refuses to let go. The story is interesting too, with just a hint of magical realism which further adds to the fantastical in the story. Kit and Mariner are flawed and dysfunctional, and yet; and yet -so very loveable. Their relationship is so special and despite spending a significant amount of time apart, the reader is never left doubting for a moment their love for one another.
I loved this story so much I found myself slowing down about half way through because I really didn’t want it to end. I am desperate for more - a movie adaptation would be utterly gorgeous and please, please Emma Honda may we have a sequel?!
Five stars. Perfect in every way -it gave me the same feels as Bridget Collins’ The Binding and those who know me know that I am still banging on about it all these years later. Adding this book to my all-time favourites!
PS. I will say I don’t think the cover does this book justice at all. I think the typography is quite anachronistic and the imagery is chaotic to say the least. In my view, it doesn’t reflect the type of book at all. It needs more of a Deb Harkness or Bridget Collins type look and I hope it will be changed before publication!
Oh. This book seeped into my body, filled my heart and settled into my bones. It is so very well researched and written with such poetry that every line demands your fully committed attention -much like each of the main character’s new connection pulls them in and refuses to let go. The story is interesting too, with just a hint of magical realism which further adds to the fantastical in the story. Kit and Mariner are flawed and dysfunctional, and yet; and yet -so very loveable. Their relationship is so special and despite spending a significant amount of time apart, the reader is never left doubting for a moment their love for one another.
I loved this story so much I found myself slowing down about half way through because I really didn’t want it to end. I am desperate for more - a movie adaptation would be utterly gorgeous and please, please Emma Honda may we have a sequel?!
Five stars. Perfect in every way -it gave me the same feels as Bridget Collins’ The Binding and those who know me know that I am still banging on about it all these years later. Adding this book to my all-time favourites!
PS. I will say I don’t think the cover does this book justice at all. I think the typography is quite anachronistic and the imagery is chaotic to say the least. In my view, it doesn’t reflect the type of book at all. It needs more of a Deb Harkness or Bridget Collins type look and I hope it will be changed before publication!
November 25, 2024
2.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Emma's previous book, The Knowing, and so had high hopes for this one. But sadly it didn't live up to my expectations.
I struggled with it. There's not a huge cast of characters, and yet it feels like there was, and so I was getting confused as to who was whom, who they were to each other, and what was actually going on. There also felt like there was too much going on, too many subplots that I couldn't find and focus on the main story.
It is very explicit - I don't mean that in an overly sexual way, although there is some, but in its violence and description of things, so some bits take a strong stomach.
It was slow and just didn't grab me. I didn't particularly care for any of the characters - I'd rather really hate a character than feel a bit meh about them. Therefore I had no real connection to any of them and just didn't care.
I love a historical novel but this just didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. Historical, fantasy, magic, romance, thriller, crime - it was all over the place.
Like I say, I loved her book The Knowing, and I recommended it to many others, but this just lost its way for me. But I will still look out for her work, as her first book proved that she is an author I enjoy. Just this story wasn't for me, sadly.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Emma's previous book, The Knowing, and so had high hopes for this one. But sadly it didn't live up to my expectations.
I struggled with it. There's not a huge cast of characters, and yet it feels like there was, and so I was getting confused as to who was whom, who they were to each other, and what was actually going on. There also felt like there was too much going on, too many subplots that I couldn't find and focus on the main story.
It is very explicit - I don't mean that in an overly sexual way, although there is some, but in its violence and description of things, so some bits take a strong stomach.
It was slow and just didn't grab me. I didn't particularly care for any of the characters - I'd rather really hate a character than feel a bit meh about them. Therefore I had no real connection to any of them and just didn't care.
I love a historical novel but this just didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. Historical, fantasy, magic, romance, thriller, crime - it was all over the place.
Like I say, I loved her book The Knowing, and I recommended it to many others, but this just lost its way for me. But I will still look out for her work, as her first book proved that she is an author I enjoy. Just this story wasn't for me, sadly.
December 9, 2024
This is a fascinating piece of historical fiction. I thought I was getting a bit bored with historical novels set during the Tudor period but this was such an interesting tale that it has reinvigorated it for me!
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This takes place in the last years of Elizabeth I’s reign. We’re seeing a threat from Spain and anti-Spanish sentiment is prevalent. This affects one of our main characters Mariner who is in fact, Portuguese. Mariner is a thief who dresses as a male but lives in fear of being sent to work in a brothel by the crime boss she works for. We also have Kit who is impervious to pain. We meet him as he’s being punished and having to fake being in pain.
Our story starts in earnest after Kit and Mariner are sent to rob a grave and this goes horrible wrong leading to Kit being kidnapped by a Scottish noble with a passion for alchemy and nefarious intentions. Mariner and Kit becomes embroiled in a world of alchemists and political intrigue. We also have a particularly interesting exploration of gender and sexuality and how our characters navigate this in the late Tudor period.
Outside of Mariner and Kit, it’s hard to know who to trust in this book. Every character has their own agenda and many seek to treat Kit and Mariner as pawns. The way they are treated as property is disturbing and many of the choices they have to make are just to get a modicum of freedom or to escape exploitation. There’s so much intrigue and conflict.
This was a really interesting book and the exploration of alchemy was done so well. The book never feels like it veers into fantasy. It is integrated so seamlessly into the historical narrative that it felt completely natural.
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This takes place in the last years of Elizabeth I’s reign. We’re seeing a threat from Spain and anti-Spanish sentiment is prevalent. This affects one of our main characters Mariner who is in fact, Portuguese. Mariner is a thief who dresses as a male but lives in fear of being sent to work in a brothel by the crime boss she works for. We also have Kit who is impervious to pain. We meet him as he’s being punished and having to fake being in pain.
Our story starts in earnest after Kit and Mariner are sent to rob a grave and this goes horrible wrong leading to Kit being kidnapped by a Scottish noble with a passion for alchemy and nefarious intentions. Mariner and Kit becomes embroiled in a world of alchemists and political intrigue. We also have a particularly interesting exploration of gender and sexuality and how our characters navigate this in the late Tudor period.
Outside of Mariner and Kit, it’s hard to know who to trust in this book. Every character has their own agenda and many seek to treat Kit and Mariner as pawns. The way they are treated as property is disturbing and many of the choices they have to make are just to get a modicum of freedom or to escape exploitation. There’s so much intrigue and conflict.
This was a really interesting book and the exploration of alchemy was done so well. The book never feels like it veers into fantasy. It is integrated so seamlessly into the historical narrative that it felt completely natural.
November 26, 2024
I have to admit this book was not quite what I was expecting from the blurb. This book is less about criminal gangs and heists- it is more about alchemy, class and the difficulties of being a woman who is not womanly enough in Tudor society.
While there is plenty of magical alchemy, vivid descriptions of Tudor England with historical detail and intrigue, the book had more romance and angst then I was expecting. The ups and downs in the relationships between Mariner and Elody as well Lazarus and Kit are interesting and do push the story forward but while it wasn’t for me, this will appeal to many readers who like a little romance in their fantasy.
Mariner had the best arc and loved her development through the book, and I would have loved to have read more about the woman pirate who pops up at the end of the book.
Perfect for Fans
Who love historical fantasy with vivid descriptions and plenty of romance
While there is plenty of magical alchemy, vivid descriptions of Tudor England with historical detail and intrigue, the book had more romance and angst then I was expecting. The ups and downs in the relationships between Mariner and Elody as well Lazarus and Kit are interesting and do push the story forward but while it wasn’t for me, this will appeal to many readers who like a little romance in their fantasy.
Mariner had the best arc and loved her development through the book, and I would have loved to have read more about the woman pirate who pops up at the end of the book.
Perfect for Fans
Who love historical fantasy with vivid descriptions and plenty of romance
January 18, 2025
This is the first book by Emma Hinds I have read and I feel like it won’t be my last. Set in 1597 London, one of my favourite time periods, it follows two main characters, Kit and Mariner. I really enjoyed the dual POV of this book and the friendship they form. Being a bit of a Renaissance geek I loved the elements of intrigue, politics, ‘magic’ and alchemy that Hinds weaves into the tale and how the world really comes alive.
The writing is fantastic and I adored we get two sides or points of the same story as it were via Mariner and Kit. For someone who loves the time period and a bit of magic and alchemy it was a hit. There were a few bits that I didn’t really feel needed to be there, mostly the romance aspects, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment that much at all. A solid 4 star read.
As always thank you to Random Things Tours the copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.
The writing is fantastic and I adored we get two sides or points of the same story as it were via Mariner and Kit. For someone who loves the time period and a bit of magic and alchemy it was a hit. There were a few bits that I didn’t really feel needed to be there, mostly the romance aspects, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment that much at all. A solid 4 star read.
As always thank you to Random Things Tours the copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.
February 4, 2025
Nine parts historical, one part alchemical—one part spice?
In a deeply plotted and atmospheric (mostly) historical novel set in 1597, Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin, two friends as close as siblings, are part of the London demimonde. Tasked by their gang leader to steal a body, the pair find themselves caught in the cross-hairs of international royal intrigue, religious division and alchemy. Surrounded by secretive agents of temporal and mystic powers, Kit and Mariner have secrets of their own, which might prove their salvation or their doom.
I absolutely loved this book, its mix of history and a tiny bit of fantasy spiced up further with well-handled gender diversity and heartbreaking romantic storylines. The world is plausible and the characters are intriguing, even the seemingly worst ruffians, and the seeming allies, well, let’s not go there.
Loved it, loved it, loved it: five stars.
In a deeply plotted and atmospheric (mostly) historical novel set in 1597, Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin, two friends as close as siblings, are part of the London demimonde. Tasked by their gang leader to steal a body, the pair find themselves caught in the cross-hairs of international royal intrigue, religious division and alchemy. Surrounded by secretive agents of temporal and mystic powers, Kit and Mariner have secrets of their own, which might prove their salvation or their doom.
I absolutely loved this book, its mix of history and a tiny bit of fantasy spiced up further with well-handled gender diversity and heartbreaking romantic storylines. The world is plausible and the characters are intriguing, even the seemingly worst ruffians, and the seeming allies, well, let’s not go there.
Loved it, loved it, loved it: five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews