The Alignments

Wisconsin Gothic #4.5

by E.H. Lupton

Sam and Ulysses arrive in Carnac, France for their honeymoon. They're thousands of miles from Madison and hoping for a little rest and relaxation. But when an old academic rival of Ulysses's reveals herself during Sam's birthday dinner, they find themselves pulled into the investigation of an unexplained death that seems to be tied to the ancient, mysterious stones that litter the town.

The Alignments is part of the Wisconsin Gothic series. It is set after Lazarus, Home from the War and contains some spoilers for earlier books.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Romance, Historical, Romance

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2025

About the author

E. H. Lupton (she/they) lives in Wisconsin. She is a writer, playwright, artist, runner, and experimental baker. Her debut novel, Dionysus in Wisconsin, was shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award. She is the producer/co-host of the hit podcast, Ask a Medievalist. Visit her website at ehlupton.com.

Reviews

[Rhode PVD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious, especially the setting, in a gray, rainy French town by the sea in the off season, grumpy waiters and all. I also love seeing each of these two characters through the other’s eyes. It’s pleasant to spend time reading complex characters who like each other so much. Plus, loved the beautifully described elderly characters, Oreste and Titania Usignole.

My only quibble, and it’s not much of one, is I almost felt like the action part of the plot was a digression from the parts of the story I am more interested in. It felt like a book in a murder mystery series that you read for the characters, and the murder is there because required, but it’s not the most interesting part of the story and it’s not what you read the book for.

Note:This is not a book to read as your first intro to the series. Begin at the beginning instead.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another wonderful Wisconsin Gothic book. E.H. Lupton has became an author who I'll buy every book from, and this book is no exception. Although my favorite part of the series, the setting of Madison, as a former resident, changes here, this is still a wonderful Sam and Ulysses side story and a good time as always.

[Talya · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun novella with a mostly decent command of french but a few errors (« un promenad » should be « une promenade », « chimnées » should be « cheminées », « totalment » should be « totalement », plus there was a lack of adjectival agreement) but I adore these characters so I can overlook them

[ancientreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this is a short, which falls after the first four Wisconsin Gothic books and can't be read as a standalone; but then, it's not exactly a hardship to read the series. Do that, and then come back for the answer to a burning question: Can Sam and Ulysses enjoy a nice romantic honeymoon in Carnac sans supernatural threats?

You know they can't. (Incidentally, it's worth looking up some photos of Carnac -- what did Ulysses think was going to happen in a place like that? *Especially* when his mother keeps an apartment there?) And you must know, too, that whatever forces take a sinister interest in Sam's aspect as Dionysus (if that's the right way to put it) are not done with him; which is to say that if, like me, you start biting your nails every time you think about how the fourth Sam-and-U book (the fifth in the series) isn't coming out for a few months yet, "The Alignments" will leave you biting your nails even harder.

Last but not least, if you have ever had the faint hope that an academic detractor would come to a bad end, you may find this novella id-ly satisfying.

Thanks to E.H. Lupton for the ARC; it's always convenient to be both honest and enthusiastic in one's reviews.

[Sarah Hoodlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I will ever tire of reading about Ulysses and Sam. What another great installment of their story. This time in France. On their honeymoon. And with ghosts. Naturally.

The setting was wonderfully presented, all gray and posh and wholly French. The mystery was intriguing, with a dash of horror that you've come to expect from this series by now. And that romance scene... someone get a firehose. Seriously, hot damn.

This book was shorter than the others, which made me sad, if only because I love them so much. But the next book is coming out soon, so that's good news... even if it is planned to be the last Sam and Ulysses story.

[E.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alignments is out today! It started as a weird little fever dream, all bound up with my secret love of mystery novels, and ended as a bridge to get both readers and me from Lazarus, Home from the War back into the Sam/Ulysses plot and ready for the last book. There's so much going on, a new setting and new characters--I love it. I hope you all love it too.

[Deb Waterhouse-watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, snacc sized instalment in the Wisconsin Gothic series! So good to see Sam and Ulysses get their honeymoon, though if the ex-god and the ghost whisperer ever thought a trip to a sleepy French village would be uneventful, they have another think coming!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A honeymoon with Sam and Ulysses in France turns (not unexpectedly) mysterious and scary. The setting is terrific, the mystery is sinister, the romance is still lovely. The next book will apparently wrap up this story and I will miss them fiercely.

[lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute holiday novella!

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight! First 5 star read of 2025.

[Nrosenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet story about Ulysses and Sam’s honeymoon. Seems to set up Renaissance (the last in Ulysses and Sam’s arc) well. Though, I’m worried about how it’ll end. Molly, you in danger, girl. 😬