Penniless, shunned by society, and marked forever by her mother’s descent into madness, Lucy makes a desperate choice. She slips uninvited into London’s most lavish masquerade ball, hiding behind a mask of desperation to secure the one thing she cannot survive without—marriage.
Champagne loosens her fear. Music blurs her judgment. And then she sees him. The masked stranger that sends her heart racing. Seductive, watchful, and unsettlingly familiar, he draws Lucy into a dangerous dance that ends in public ruin… and a forced marriage neither of them can escape.
When the masks come off, the man who broke her heart years ago stands before her.
Sylum Deveroux, Duke of Blackthorn, vanished into scandal after a forced engagement to a woman who would never walk down the aisle. Tarnished by accusations of murder, he was never supposed to be in London…
Now she must risk it all to be with the man she never stopped loving. But once Lucy arrives at Blackthorn Manor, the true nightmare begins.
Footsteps echo outside her door. The servants watch her too closely. Sylum appears where he should not, says things he swears he never said, and a raven named Poe croons riddles about shadows, bones, and divided minds.
Is her new husband plotting her destruction? Is the manor haunted by the ghost of his dead fiancée? Or is Lucy unraveling exactly as everyone always feared she would?
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, Once Upon A Midnight Dreary is a dark gothic psychological horror blended with classic gothic romance. It’s a torturously slow descent into madness, steeped in obsession, and macabre desire. A fever-dream of a novel where truth fractures, love becomes dangerous, and the mind may be the most treacherous monster of all.
Oh, what a journey! The story is enticing and eerie. The poems laced with riddles and the diary entries where she tried to make sense of what had happened made me question what was real and what wasn't.
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary is a psychological Gothic romance filled with mystery and hauntings. It's dark, poetic and full of twists and turns. Every theory I formed collapsed almost immediately. I questioned every character again and again; trusting them, doubting them, condemning them only to realize I had it all wrong. I absolutely loved it! It didn't feel rushed, and though unexpected, the ending left me gasping!
A true gothic psychological horror. I've seen it described as a gothic romance, but I don't agree. And perhaps others will disagree with me, but I guess that depends on the ending you choose...
So grateful to have received yet another arc from the author. This book is an amazing gothic fever dream that will have you begging for answers and then questioning them when you get them. My favorite read of the year so far and another 5 star from Cora, who has fully cemented a place as one of my all time favorite authors.
Vraiment pas mal, franchement ! Je voulais un roman gothique très classique, et c’est ce que j’ai eu. Dès les premières pages j’ai ressenti quelques vibes à la Rebecca et aussi Crimson Peak.
L’ambiance est d’ailleurs l’un des plus gros points forts du roman. Elle est parfaitement retranscrite et le côté gothique est particulièrement réussi même si l'histoire reste classique comme je le souhaitais au départ. L’écriture y contribue énormément je trouve. Elle est à la fois très fluide et en adéquation avec le genre, très page-turner dans le genre.
Cet effet page-turner se retrouve aussi dans l’intrigue. Plus j’avançais, plus j’avais envie d’en connaître le fin mot. J’avais fini par deviner une partie de la résolution avant la fin, mais ca ne m’a pas empêchée d’être surprise par certains éléments et par la manière dont tout s’imbrique et les révélations.
Le côté psychologique pur et dur n’est habituellement pas ce que je préfère dans les romans gothiques, mais ici il fonctionne bien sans nous perdre totalement. En gros, ca reste compréhensible. J’ai trouvé l’équilibre plutôt réussi.
Mention spéciale à Poe le corbeau, qui est sans aucun doute mon personnage préféré de ce roman ! Il apporte une petite touche de légèreté bienvenue au milieu de toute cette noirceur et de cette tension permanente.
J’ai tout de même quelques réserves sur certains points mais rien de bien méchant. Les péripéties ont parfois tendance à se répéter, ce qui donne une impression de redondance à certains passages. Quant à l’héroïne, elle est assez passive et parfois un peu molassonne... mais vu l’intrigue et sa situation, ce comportement reste cohérent et ne m’a pas sortie du récit pour autant.
Un bel hommage à Edgar Allan Poe que je recommande si vous recherchez un roman gothique avec tous les codes du genre et aussi un gros psychologique.
🇬🇧 :
Honestly, this was really good! I was looking for a very classic Gothic novel, and that's exactly what I got. From the very first pages, I got strong Rebecca and Crimson Peak vibes.
The atmosphere is undoubtedly one of the book's greatest strengths. It's beautifully conveyed, and the Gothic elements are particularly well executed, even though the story itself remains fairly traditional, which was exactly what I was hoping for. The writing plays a huge role in that. It's both fluid and perfectly suited to the genre, making the book incredibly easy to binge.
That page-turning quality also extends to the plot. The further I got, the more I wanted to uncover the truth behind everything. I eventually figured out part of the resolution before the ending, but that didn't stop me from being surprised by certain revelations and by the way everything ultimately came together.
Psychological Gothic fiction isn't usually my favorite aspect of the genre, but here it works well without becoming overly confusing or inaccessible. In short, it's complex enough to be engaging while still remaining easy to follow. I thought the balance was handled very well.
Special mention goes to Poe the raven, who was without a doubt my favorite character in the novel! He brings a welcome touch of lightness amidst all the darkness and tension.
I do have a few minor reservations, though nothing major. Some events tend to feel a bit repetitive, which occasionally creates a sense of redundancy. As for the heroine, she's rather passive and sometimes a little sluggish... but given the nature of the story and her circumstances, her behavior remains believable and never pulled me out of the narrative.
Overall, it's a wonderful tribute to Edgar Allan Poe that I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for a Gothic novel packed with all the classic genre conventions, along with a strong psychological component.
First of all, thank you so much to Cora Raven for the early copy, this book was an experience. I had an incredible time reading Once Upon A Midnight Dreary, and I’m pretty sure I’ve found a new favourite author.
Dreams could resurrect the dead. Dreams could make monsters look like lovers.
The writing style is absolutely beautiful. Lyrical, immersive, and dripping with atmosphere, it pulls you in from the very first page and never lets go. The gothic tone is perfectly executed. Eerie, unsettling, and dreamlike in a way that constantly keeps you questioning what is real and what is not. Even now, I’m still wondering… who was the true villain in the end? Dear reader, I truly don’t know.
Lucy is such a compelling heroine. Watching her slowly unravel within the walls of Blackthorn Manor was haunting. The setting itself felt alive. The echoing halls, the cries, the watching servants, the unsettling “teas,” the constant sense of being observed. The tension and suspicion were palpable, and I genuinely felt Lucy’s fear, confusion, and gradual loss of certainty. Her descent was written with such care and nuance that it felt painfully real.
And Sylum… what a character. Seductive, mysterious, and impossible to fully trust. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the romance was woven beautifully into the psychological horror. The spice deserves a special mention! Tender, emotional, and deeply passionate. Not once did it feel awkward or cringey; it fit the story perfectly and heightened their connection.
The secrets, though. The secrets. I loved the twisted, unsettling ending and how it re-framed everything that came before it. By the final page, I was left questioning every truth I thought I understood, and I loved that. Part of me hopes Lucy simply woke from a nightmare with Sylum by her side… but another part of me suspects the nightmare version might be the truer one.
Once Upon A Midnight Dreary is a gorgeously written gothic psychological romance. Obsessive, macabre, and emotionally gripping. A true fever dream of a novel.
Well done, Cora Raven. Whatever you write next, I’m there. You officially have me. 🖤📖
This book started out interesting, with a very gothic feel but it felt just a bit too long. I love Poe but I felt the author was sometimes trying too hard to make that fit. I had the first "twist" pegged very quickly when Sylum is talking to his aunt so that kind of felt like a letdown because it's been done so many times in other Gothic novels. However, there were a few twists to the ending that I didn't see coming although I'm not sure how I feel about it.
The author basically gives a few possible endings and leaves you to kind of decide which one is real. Ok, that's fine. But the "final" ending was very intriguing and then the book is over. I just wish that had been more of the actual narrative.
And I guess that's the key to why I didn't give this 4 stars. Wishing. I found myself wishing for more from this book. Wishing Lucy would be smarter and have more agency - she's constantly passing out and just kind of stumbling upon things. Wishing that Sylum would have told her the truth (it really didn't make sense that he didn't. As one of the characters said, how could she not understand? Wishing for more from the motivations of the characters and their "plan."
The moment I had this book in my hands, I started reading, and I genuinely struggled to put it down. Cora Raven has a way of writing that completely pulls me in. Every page feels intentional, and her words flow so beautifully that I found myself slowing down just to savor them before racing to the next chapter.
The atmosphere is what really captivated me. It feels dark, haunting, and beautifully unsettling in the best way. I could picture every hallway, every shadow, every quiet moment as if I were standing there myself. There was this constant feeling that something wasn't quite right, and I loved never knowing what was waiting around the corner.
I also appreciated that the mystery unfolded naturally. Instead of handing you all the answers, the story lets you piece things together alongside the characters. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something happened that made me question everything again.
This isn't just a gothic story—it's an experience. It's eerie, emotional, and completely immersive. If you enjoy stories that leave you thinking long after you've finished the last page, this one absolutely delivers.
Cora Raven has quickly become one of those authors I'll happily buy without even reading the synopsis. Her writing has a unique magic to it that keeps me coming back for more, and **Once Upon a Midnight Dreary** is another reminder of why.
🖤 A beautifully haunting read that I'll be thinking about for a long time.
First of all, thank you so so so much to Cora Raven for this ARC. You've become one of my favorite authors and I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity to read your work.
"Madness is an easy verdict and society has always found it convenient-particularly when a woman speaks too much, remembers too well, or dares to insist upon her own version of events."
Dear reader, WHAT DID I JUST READ. We follow Lucy, our unreliable and haunted heroine. She's shunned by society following her mother's fall into madness. She falls back into the arms of the man that broke her heart and before she knows it, she's forced into marrying him. Sylum is the Duke of Blackthorn. He's mysterious, seductive, and untrustworthy. The yearning spills off of the pages. But Lucy is questioning her sanity. She starts hearing and seeing things that aren't there. She's scared that she's following in her mother's footsteps.
The story is beautifully written. You're enamoured from the first page. It's gothic, eerie, unsettling. You're questioning your sanity for the entirety of the book. It's mysterious and psychological; influenced by the one and only Edgar Allan Poe. Its tragic and romantic and has a sweet little Raven friend.
The synopsis describes this book as a fever dream and that’s exactly what it is. Nothing is what it seems and when you think you have it all figured out, you don’t. My favorite types of books have an unreliable narrator and Lucy is just that. She is so likable and I wanted the best for her… even though I couldn’t fully trust her. Throughout the story, you’re never sure if she’s mentally ill, if someone is conspiring against her or if she’s experiencing the supernatural. Even the ending doesn’t fully clear things up and it’s more of a “choose your own adventure.”
I loved everything about this book. The Edgar Allan Poe references were fantastic and of course, the raven, named Poe, was one of my favorites. I loved the spooky mansion setting and just the overall creepy vibes. I’m also a sucker for a good romance and Lucy and Sylum were tragically perfect together. It’s rare that I say this, but I can’t think of anything to complain about and that’s why this is a five star read.
If you love historical Gothic romance that’s spooky and mysterious, I can’t recommend this book enough!
I read this in one sitting, i’m literally supposed to be asleep for work right now but could not put it down. this is literally top tier. the writing, the twists, turns. i was starting to think I was insane! my mind was all over the place and i felt like i was a fly in the wall, absolutely immersed in the story. absolutely well done!! please write more books im begging you
One of the BEST books I’ve ever read. Beautifully seductive with a gorgeous gothic atmosphere. Twins and turns that truly made me feel as though I was losing my mind. I will now be forever chasing the high of this book <3
What the heck was that! This book was written beautifully which brought to life haunting and captivating imagery. I had no idea that that was where the book was headed. Im not really sure how to explain what happened to my brain reading that. I guess you’ll just have to read it to find out just what I mean. Thank you Cora Raven for the ARC of this book!
I had such a good time reading it. The dark, moody vibes were completely my thing and I was invested the whole time. I wasn’t super convinced about the romance, but the eerie mystery and overall atmosphere more than made up for it.
Crazy ending! Never could have predicted this ending! Kept you guessing for sure. Felt a little confusing and choppy writing. Do not have the book. Read on my kindle.
Our main character is basically living in ruin. her mother went mad and tried to kill her as a child and now her father has passed. She has no money and must find herself a husband. And then Sylum enters, an old love who once spurned her because of her family’s past. He was engaged to another woman who died at his manor. They become entangled again, they marry and she moves into that same manor. And that’s when things start to get a little weird and spooky. Strange things start happening, and it leads to the question - what really happened to his previous betrothed? It’s told partly through diary entries, and it’s really left up to you to decide is this a haunting or a woman descending into madness? I love Edgar Allan Poe, so all the mentions to his poetry just add such an extra layer. This was a wild ride. One minute I thought I knew what was going on and the next, I was completely thrown. The eerie, dreamlike quality had me hooked from the beginning. I thought I had guessed the ending. I was so wrong. An absolute masterpiece. I love an ending like that. And I’ve definitely found a new favourite author because I’m about to read everything she’s written.
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think I have ever read anything like this book! It was so good!
I don’t even know if I can put into words the details without spoiling an absolute delicious plot! This book has romance (it’s dark & tragic yet somehow really sweet). The overall plot is so much deeper though as we are told the story of the FMC’s life through her eyes with letters from her as well.
This is twisty, spicy, and full of Edgar Allan Poe-esque imagery, vibes, and scenes!
This is gothic, mysterious, and there is truly no way to understand how incredible this book is without reading it.
Just trust me because I don’t want to spoil any of it! You want to read this if you like gothic atmospheres, a twisty Poe-ish mystery, beautiful/tragic romance, and omg a TALKING RAVEN that is the FMC’s macabre little friend!!
I loved this and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it!! The more I think about it, the more I love it!