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Brimstone
"WAR IS HELL. AND ITS FIRES HAVE FOLLOWED TOMAS CORDERO HOME.... In the trenches of Europe during the Great War, Tomas Cordero operated a weapon more devastating than any gun: a flame projector that doused the enemy in liquid fire. Having left the battlefield a shattered man, he comes home to find yet more tragedy--for in his absence, his wife has died of the flu. Haunted by memories of the woman he loved and the atrocities he perpetrated, Tomas dreams of fire and finds himself setting match to flame when awake.... Alice Dartle is a talented clairvoyant living among others who share her gifts in the community of Cassadaga, Florida. She too dreams of fire, knowing her nightmares are connected to the shell-shocked war veteran and widower. And she believes she can bring peace to him and his wife's spirit. But the inferno that threatens to consume Tomas and Alice was set ablaze centuries ago by someone whose hatred transcended death itself..."--
372 pages, ebook
First published April 4, 2017
52 people are currently reading
2427 people want to read
About the author
Cherie Priest
72 books4,374 followersCherie Priest is the author of about thirty books and novellas, most recently the modern gothics It Was Her House First, The Drowning House, and Cinderwich. She's also the author of the Booking Agents mysteries, horror projects The Toll and The Family Plot – and the hit YA graphic novel mash-ups I Am Princess X and its follow up, The Agony House. But she is perhaps best known for the steampunk pulp adventures of the Clockwork Century, beginning with Boneshaker. She has been nominated for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, and the Locus award – which she won with Boneshaker.
Cherie has also written a number of urban fantasy titles, and composed pieces (large and small) for George R. R. Martin’s shared world universe, the Wild Cards. Her short stories and nonfiction articles have appeared in such fine publications as Weird Tales, Publishers Weekly, and numerous anthologies – and her books have been translated into nine languages in eleven countries.
Although she was born in Florida on the day Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, for the last twenty years Cherie has largely divided her time between Chattanooga, TN, and Seattle, WA – where she presently lives with her husband and a menagerie of exceedingly photogenic pets.
Cherie has also written a number of urban fantasy titles, and composed pieces (large and small) for George R. R. Martin’s shared world universe, the Wild Cards. Her short stories and nonfiction articles have appeared in such fine publications as Weird Tales, Publishers Weekly, and numerous anthologies – and her books have been translated into nine languages in eleven countries.
Although she was born in Florida on the day Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, for the last twenty years Cherie has largely divided her time between Chattanooga, TN, and Seattle, WA – where she presently lives with her husband and a menagerie of exceedingly photogenic pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
October 6, 2017
3.5ish stars.
Very understated for a horror novel. More supernatural fantasy with underlying horror elements that occasionally rise to the surface. :) The two main characters are likable, particularly Alice (and Felipe!) although their POVs are more interesting at some points than others. The tone of the novel is an inconsistent back-and-forth of light and dark and never gets quite as dark as I wanted/expected it to. Likewise, the pacing of the novel is inconsistent and never picks up quite as much as I wanted it to. It also probably could have been, and maybe should have been reduced to novella length.
Despite everything else, it's well-written with plenty of style and humor, especially evident in Alice's dialogue. The post-WWI setting is pretty cool, and it's a very enjoyable read, if never quite a spectacular one. Tentatively rounded up to four stars, but I'll see if it sticks after letting it sit a few days. I'm more than willing to read more of Priest's work in the future.
The audio was very well performed. And seriously, the cover art by Rovina Cai is gorgeous.
Post in Mr. Philip's Library
Very understated for a horror novel. More supernatural fantasy with underlying horror elements that occasionally rise to the surface. :) The two main characters are likable, particularly Alice (and Felipe!) although their POVs are more interesting at some points than others. The tone of the novel is an inconsistent back-and-forth of light and dark and never gets quite as dark as I wanted/expected it to. Likewise, the pacing of the novel is inconsistent and never picks up quite as much as I wanted it to. It also probably could have been, and maybe should have been reduced to novella length.
Despite everything else, it's well-written with plenty of style and humor, especially evident in Alice's dialogue. The post-WWI setting is pretty cool, and it's a very enjoyable read, if never quite a spectacular one. Tentatively rounded up to four stars, but I'll see if it sticks after letting it sit a few days. I'm more than willing to read more of Priest's work in the future.
The audio was very well performed. And seriously, the cover art by Rovina Cai is gorgeous.
Post in Mr. Philip's Library
September 10, 2017
This is my fourth novel by Cherie Priest and I'm pretty much blown away by it.
The ones I read before were all steampunk and while I really did like them, I grew out of interest in them. Luckily, Priest wrote another period piece taking place after the First World War.
The two main characters, Tomas and Alice, revolve around each other but for a very non-romantic reason. Tomas lost his wife to the Spanish Flu and he suffers shell-shock from his experiences with a flamethrower in the war, the horrific images of it. Alice is a clairvoyant moving to a town filled with clairvoyants gathering together for safety, but she, too, is haunted by flame.
What surprised me the most was that this was, at its core, a horror novel. All the build up and focus on trying to keep things together in the normal world was punctuated by flame, flame, flame. I loved it. I was thrilled by it.
The core, however, was always about love, loss, and hate. The story was pretty fantastic and universal and interesting. It's more window dressing, the fact that it's set in post-WWI. :)
I have nothing but good things to say about this novel. :) It left a very fine taste in my mouth. Delightful. :)
The ones I read before were all steampunk and while I really did like them, I grew out of interest in them. Luckily, Priest wrote another period piece taking place after the First World War.
The two main characters, Tomas and Alice, revolve around each other but for a very non-romantic reason. Tomas lost his wife to the Spanish Flu and he suffers shell-shock from his experiences with a flamethrower in the war, the horrific images of it. Alice is a clairvoyant moving to a town filled with clairvoyants gathering together for safety, but she, too, is haunted by flame.
What surprised me the most was that this was, at its core, a horror novel. All the build up and focus on trying to keep things together in the normal world was punctuated by flame, flame, flame. I loved it. I was thrilled by it.
The core, however, was always about love, loss, and hate. The story was pretty fantastic and universal and interesting. It's more window dressing, the fact that it's set in post-WWI. :)
I have nothing but good things to say about this novel. :) It left a very fine taste in my mouth. Delightful. :)
September 21, 2017
Recommended for those with an interest in turn-of-the-century Spiritualism.
The setting of this book, Cassadaga, FL, has a real-life reputation as being the place to go if you somehow can't get ripped off by a so-called psychic closer to home - but the history of the town being associated with the search for the paranormal dates back to 1875. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassada...)
In this novel, the 'spirits' are all-too-real - and not always benign.
Alice Dartle is a genuine medium. It runs in her family, but she doesn't quite know what to do with her abilities. She's terrified of being lynched as a witch, if anyone finds out about her powers. When she hears about the spiritualists at Cassadaga, she packs up and goes on a pilgrimage in the hopes of finding a community where she will truly belong.
Tomas Cordero has had a different kind of experience. A number of unexplained fires have been starting in his vicinity. He secretly hopes that these unexplained phenomena are a sign that his deceased wife is trying to contact him from beyond the grave. But as the events get more and more out of control, and tragedy strikes, he hopes to find help in Cassadaga.
I liked this book more than Priest's recent 'Lizzie Borden' books, but not as much as her earlier Clockwork Century or Eden Moore books. It was more slow-moving than the story seemed to demand; and I think a novella length might've suited it better.
Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read.
The setting of this book, Cassadaga, FL, has a real-life reputation as being the place to go if you somehow can't get ripped off by a so-called psychic closer to home - but the history of the town being associated with the search for the paranormal dates back to 1875. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassada...)
In this novel, the 'spirits' are all-too-real - and not always benign.
Alice Dartle is a genuine medium. It runs in her family, but she doesn't quite know what to do with her abilities. She's terrified of being lynched as a witch, if anyone finds out about her powers. When she hears about the spiritualists at Cassadaga, she packs up and goes on a pilgrimage in the hopes of finding a community where she will truly belong.
Tomas Cordero has had a different kind of experience. A number of unexplained fires have been starting in his vicinity. He secretly hopes that these unexplained phenomena are a sign that his deceased wife is trying to contact him from beyond the grave. But as the events get more and more out of control, and tragedy strikes, he hopes to find help in Cassadaga.
I liked this book more than Priest's recent 'Lizzie Borden' books, but not as much as her earlier Clockwork Century or Eden Moore books. It was more slow-moving than the story seemed to demand; and I think a novella length might've suited it better.
Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read.
April 20, 2017
*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Dark Historical Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Brimstone is a standalone novel set in the 1920's Florida. It is told in alternating POV's with Alice Dartle and Tomas Cordero as primary protagonists. 22-year old Alice is a clairvoyant from a long line of witches who has chosen to move away from her home, and travel to a place in Florida called Cassadaga. Tomas is a veteran of World War I and a tailor of some renown. He worked as a flame projector operator in the war, but is haunted by thoughts of his deceased wife who died of influenza, and untimely fires that target those closest to him.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews 04/20/2017
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Dark Historical Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Brimstone is a standalone novel set in the 1920's Florida. It is told in alternating POV's with Alice Dartle and Tomas Cordero as primary protagonists. 22-year old Alice is a clairvoyant from a long line of witches who has chosen to move away from her home, and travel to a place in Florida called Cassadaga. Tomas is a veteran of World War I and a tailor of some renown. He worked as a flame projector operator in the war, but is haunted by thoughts of his deceased wife who died of influenza, and untimely fires that target those closest to him.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews 04/20/2017
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
July 17, 2017
Unique love story of a shell-shocked, widowed veteran of the Great War and a clairvoyant in Florida who are being threatened by fire. I really liked it.
April 2, 2017
The Family Plot was my introduction to Cherie Priest, so when I got the chance to read this book was I pretty happy since The Family Plot is an awesome book.
Brimstone story follows two POV's one is Alice Dartle in Cassadaga, Florida. she is a clairvoyant. The second POV is Tomas Cordero a man who has lost his wife during the time he fought in the Great War. What they share is a connection, both dreams of fire. For Tomas is the fire a link to his dead wife, but Alice feels that the fire is bad, really really bad...
I found both storylines interesting to follow. However, the pacing was a bit off now and then and I did not think the story really took off and I did not really find the story as thrilling and interesting to read as The Family Plot. It was good, just not spectacular. The best part came towards the ending when the pacing steps up and finally, the answers started to come. Also, I did like Tomas and Alice, and I wouldn't mind reading more books with them since I liked the community of Cassadaga and the time period.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Brimstone story follows two POV's one is Alice Dartle in Cassadaga, Florida. she is a clairvoyant. The second POV is Tomas Cordero a man who has lost his wife during the time he fought in the Great War. What they share is a connection, both dreams of fire. For Tomas is the fire a link to his dead wife, but Alice feels that the fire is bad, really really bad...
I found both storylines interesting to follow. However, the pacing was a bit off now and then and I did not think the story really took off and I did not really find the story as thrilling and interesting to read as The Family Plot. It was good, just not spectacular. The best part came towards the ending when the pacing steps up and finally, the answers started to come. Also, I did like Tomas and Alice, and I wouldn't mind reading more books with them since I liked the community of Cassadaga and the time period.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
March 24, 2017
Thank you to Ace Books for providing a copy before the release date, in exchange for an honest review!
Full review on the blog!
Full review on the blog!
March 31, 2017
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I always appreciate a good novel by Cherie Priest and after having a good time with some of her previous ones, I was really curious to discover this new story! Yet I must admit that it was not necessarily what I expected.
We discover Alice and Tomas two characters who have never met and yet they are linked in dreams. Indeed, Alice has a quite exacerbated gift of clairvoyance that she tries to master by joining a group of people like her. On the other side, we follow Tomas Cordera, a man shattered by war and who tries to continue to live despite the death of his wife while he was away from home. But it seems that he has changed and as soon as he falls asleep he dreams of fire, which he also seems to ignite without desire. It started with small fires, until a disaster occurred and Tomas decides to do something. Yet, acting might well free an entity much more dangerous than he would have thought.
I was expecting a lot from this story but I finally did not manage to get into it. It was also complicated to connect with Alice or Tomas. This is not a bad book but I just did not succeed in joining or getting into the narrative perspective. Perhaps it will be different for you, but I will wait for my part with curiosity the next other novels of the author without keeping a memorable memory of this one.
My English review
I always appreciate a good novel by Cherie Priest and after having a good time with some of her previous ones, I was really curious to discover this new story! Yet I must admit that it was not necessarily what I expected.
We discover Alice and Tomas two characters who have never met and yet they are linked in dreams. Indeed, Alice has a quite exacerbated gift of clairvoyance that she tries to master by joining a group of people like her. On the other side, we follow Tomas Cordera, a man shattered by war and who tries to continue to live despite the death of his wife while he was away from home. But it seems that he has changed and as soon as he falls asleep he dreams of fire, which he also seems to ignite without desire. It started with small fires, until a disaster occurred and Tomas decides to do something. Yet, acting might well free an entity much more dangerous than he would have thought.
I was expecting a lot from this story but I finally did not manage to get into it. It was also complicated to connect with Alice or Tomas. This is not a bad book but I just did not succeed in joining or getting into the narrative perspective. Perhaps it will be different for you, but I will wait for my part with curiosity the next other novels of the author without keeping a memorable memory of this one.
August 21, 2017
I love Priest's work but on this one I wasn't as captivated as I am normally. The beginning of the book swept me in. I settled into the 1920's and snuggled in with the 2 main characters, Alice and Tomas. After awhile though, I started to get bored and the story just kind of dragged on. I preferred reading the chapters on Tomas more as Alice started to get on my nerves a bit. Luckily the end the story picks up with a whirlwind and settles down quite nicely.
August 16, 2018
Received to review via Netgalley
I’m always willing to try Cherie Priest’s books: I haven’t loved all of them, by any means, but there’s usually been something — an idea, a sense of atmosphere, a character — that just really makes it for me. So it was this time: I got really interested in gentle, tortured Tomas, in good-hearted and lively Alice, and I wanted them to triumph. I hated what was happening to Tomas, and to the community Alice finally found of people like her. I enjoyed Alice’s irreverence, her good intentions, her delight in things like food and drink and the fact that she didn’t care what people thought of that, for the most part.
The solution to the mystery of what’s haunting Tomas didn’t surprise me any, and the way things worked out was pretty much as I expected too. The strength of it was in how badly I wanted things to be okay for Tomas, how much I wanted them all to triumph, and the fact that I was actually afraid that one particular character would die before the end of the book.
The horror here is mostly, for me, in the way Tomas is manipulated which is really what darkened the book for me. Violent and demonic ghost/spirit/things, eh, but those things hiding themselves and using a (relatively) innocent man — that got to me.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
I’m always willing to try Cherie Priest’s books: I haven’t loved all of them, by any means, but there’s usually been something — an idea, a sense of atmosphere, a character — that just really makes it for me. So it was this time: I got really interested in gentle, tortured Tomas, in good-hearted and lively Alice, and I wanted them to triumph. I hated what was happening to Tomas, and to the community Alice finally found of people like her. I enjoyed Alice’s irreverence, her good intentions, her delight in things like food and drink and the fact that she didn’t care what people thought of that, for the most part.
The solution to the mystery of what’s haunting Tomas didn’t surprise me any, and the way things worked out was pretty much as I expected too. The strength of it was in how badly I wanted things to be okay for Tomas, how much I wanted them all to triumph, and the fact that I was actually afraid that one particular character would die before the end of the book.
The horror here is mostly, for me, in the way Tomas is manipulated which is really what darkened the book for me. Violent and demonic ghost/spirit/things, eh, but those things hiding themselves and using a (relatively) innocent man — that got to me.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
February 22, 2017
I've enjoyed the other books by Priest but it's been a while since I've wanted to hang out with any fictional protagonist as much as I think I'd enjoy palling around with the openhearted, bourbon-quaffing Alice Dartle, nervously zooming back and forth between giving no fucks and being the most endearing kind of flibbertigibbet possible. Tomas Cordero is lovely too, and the low-key bond they form (not the psychic powers one, the other one) is a real highlight of this novel. Another highlight, albeit a significantly less pleasant one, is how keenly Priest is able to evoke the very real dangers of fire and the natural fear at least most of us possess as a result. It feels slightly wrong to call any book where multiple people are burned to death a fun little romp, but the combination of those two things is the weird sweet spot that Brimstone successfully hits. I'd love to read more of Alice and Tomas, especially if they stick around the wonderfully fleshed out environs of Cassadaga.
June 20, 2017
My first book by Cherie Priest, I will definitely read more by this author! I originally picked this book up as it dealt with a World War I vet, combined with a spiritualist community in south Florida. And I am very glad I did!
This book is told from two POVs - one the aforementioned vet, a Cuban immigrant who returns home to discover that his wife has died from the influenza and, unknown to him, something has followed him home from Germany. The second is a young girl who has psychic abilities and is dreaming about this man, despite living over 100 miles apart!
What happens next is thrilling and fascinating. I loved it.
This book is told from two POVs - one the aforementioned vet, a Cuban immigrant who returns home to discover that his wife has died from the influenza and, unknown to him, something has followed him home from Germany. The second is a young girl who has psychic abilities and is dreaming about this man, despite living over 100 miles apart!
What happens next is thrilling and fascinating. I loved it.
June 28, 2017
This story was really pretty excellent, and I sort-of laughed twice and cried three times, but for whatever reason, it's not hitting "that was amazing!" levels for me.
(Though I suspect that one reason is because I can't see myself ever wanting to reread this story.)
But I am very glad to have taken a chance on it. (This was a book that I saw displayed cover-facing-out on my library's New Fiction Books display and checked out solely because I thought the cover looked interesting, especially when combined with the title and author's name.) :-)
I didn't know what this story was about at the time I checked it out, and I didn't read the description or anything about it before I read it. So I am very pleased with how enjoyable this story was. :-)
This is the story of Alice Dartle, a 22-year-old medium and clairvoyant, and Tomás Cordero, a 30-32-year-old tailor haunted by an evil spirit. It is set in Florida (Cassadaga and Ybor City), mostly during the month of January 1920 (the final chapter took place on February 1, 1920).
I am pleased to report that I always knew that this was an historical story. Unlike another book I read recently that was set in the 1930s, this one was always very clear that it was 1920.
(Though I found it a little confusing how accepting everyone was of the "colored" concierge. No overt racism was ever expressed, which seemed slightly incongruous to me. Especially seeing as how yesterday's book was set in the 1920s through to the 1960s and racism was alive in the U.S. - realistically, unfortunately - in that story.)
So that was one thing that "sounded off" for me. :-(
But the story as told by our two protagonists, Alice and Tomás, was otherwise pretty great. I was a little concerned at one point, as it seemed kind of slow in parts of the first 75 (give or take 15) pages. I was afraid my lack of sleep these past few days would overtake me and I'd have to pause for a nap. Thankfully, though, the action picked up and, when combined with the fact that I started doing reading sprints with friends in one of my groups, I never needed to pause for sleep. :-)
So this was a fun story. I enjoyed how in the end. Though it sort of took me aback that I think I was expecting archangels or someone...just someone more.
So that also seemed slightly "off" to me. (I'm thinking that maybe four stars IS the right rating from me, after all.)
But I mentioned humor and tears? Humorous lines - for me - were on pages 4 and 74. And I found myself crying after reading lines or scenes on pages 67-70, 144, and 316. I'll share. . .
First, on page 4 in Chapter 1 (an Alice chapter), Alice had this thought:
Next up, on page 74 in Chapter 7 (another Alice chapter; she was lead in all of the odd-numbered chapters), Alice shared this thought with us:
And I cried three times. Three! With tears falling down my face each time!
The first time I cried was on pages 67-70 in Chapter 7, when Alice was giving her first open reading. All I'll say about that is that the spirits she communed with really tore at my heartstrings. :-)
Next was on page 144 in Chapter 12 (a Tomás chapter; he had the lead in all of the even-numbered chapters): Tomás was in his kitchen That scene, which closed out Chapter 12, put me in tears.
And lastly, I cried on page 316, at the close of Chapter 26, when Tomás shared And I sobbed. I think the blame for those tears can be placed on the dog collar. :'(
In sum, this was an excellent story that was slightly diminished by the three complaints I made above. So four stars, meaning "a very good story that I really enjoyed," is the right rating from me. :-)
Oh! One more thing: I was slightly disappointed that Alice and Tomás (!!!) And even though those latter two seem to be closer in age. . . That really seemed to come out of left field. :-(
So again, four-very-good-stars is the right rating from me.
(Though I suspect that one reason is because I can't see myself ever wanting to reread this story.)
But I am very glad to have taken a chance on it. (This was a book that I saw displayed cover-facing-out on my library's New Fiction Books display and checked out solely because I thought the cover looked interesting, especially when combined with the title and author's name.) :-)
I didn't know what this story was about at the time I checked it out, and I didn't read the description or anything about it before I read it. So I am very pleased with how enjoyable this story was. :-)
This is the story of Alice Dartle, a 22-year-old medium and clairvoyant, and Tomás Cordero, a 30-32-year-old tailor haunted by an evil spirit. It is set in Florida (Cassadaga and Ybor City), mostly during the month of January 1920 (the final chapter took place on February 1, 1920).
I am pleased to report that I always knew that this was an historical story. Unlike another book I read recently that was set in the 1930s, this one was always very clear that it was 1920.
(Though I found it a little confusing how accepting everyone was of the "colored" concierge. No overt racism was ever expressed, which seemed slightly incongruous to me. Especially seeing as how yesterday's book was set in the 1920s through to the 1960s and racism was alive in the U.S. - realistically, unfortunately - in that story.)
So that was one thing that "sounded off" for me. :-(
But the story as told by our two protagonists, Alice and Tomás, was otherwise pretty great. I was a little concerned at one point, as it seemed kind of slow in parts of the first 75 (give or take 15) pages. I was afraid my lack of sleep these past few days would overtake me and I'd have to pause for a nap. Thankfully, though, the action picked up and, when combined with the fact that I started doing reading sprints with friends in one of my groups, I never needed to pause for sleep. :-)
So this was a fun story. I enjoyed how in the end. Though it sort of took me aback that I think I was expecting archangels or someone...just someone more.
So that also seemed slightly "off" to me. (I'm thinking that maybe four stars IS the right rating from me, after all.)
But I mentioned humor and tears? Humorous lines - for me - were on pages 4 and 74. And I found myself crying after reading lines or scenes on pages 67-70, 144, and 316. I'll share. . .
First, on page 4 in Chapter 1 (an Alice chapter), Alice had this thought:
. . . Mother said it was proof enough right there that I was crazy, if I'd turn down a good-looking boy with a fortune and a fondness for a girl with some meat on her bones, but Daddy shrugged and told me there's a lid for every pot, so if Harvey isn't mine, I ought to look elsewhere. The world is full of lids.:-)
Next up, on page 74 in Chapter 7 (another Alice chapter; she was lead in all of the odd-numbered chapters), Alice shared this thought with us:
. . . Mabel frowned sternly at me, as if this were no time to be noshing on sandwiches and tea---but she was wrong about that. There's no greater time to eat then when one has freshly awakened from a sudden faint at the hands of peculiar spirits. That's what I always say. Or that's what I'm going to say, from this day forward.*snicker, snicker* :-)
And I cried three times. Three! With tears falling down my face each time!
The first time I cried was on pages 67-70 in Chapter 7, when Alice was giving her first open reading. All I'll say about that is that the spirits she communed with really tore at my heartstrings. :-)
Next was on page 144 in Chapter 12 (a Tomás chapter; he had the lead in all of the even-numbered chapters): Tomás was in his kitchen That scene, which closed out Chapter 12, put me in tears.
And lastly, I cried on page 316, at the close of Chapter 26, when Tomás shared And I sobbed. I think the blame for those tears can be placed on the dog collar. :'(
In sum, this was an excellent story that was slightly diminished by the three complaints I made above. So four stars, meaning "a very good story that I really enjoyed," is the right rating from me. :-)
Oh! One more thing: I was slightly disappointed that Alice and Tomás (!!!) And even though those latter two seem to be closer in age. . . That really seemed to come out of left field. :-(
So again, four-very-good-stars is the right rating from me.
January 13, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. It was told in third person POV of two characters, Alice and Tobas. The setting is a spiritualist camp set in Cassadaga, Florida post WWI. I had never heard of Cassadaga prior to reading this book, but I plan on making a trip over to check it out. Some parts of the story take place in Ybor City. The historical and cultural aspects given in this part of the book are accuarte. The setting, characters, and paranormal story combine to create several hours of entertainment.
March 20, 2017
I’ve been following Cherie Priest’s work for years, so it was with not a little anticipation I picked up this newest outing from her. Unfortunately, I was expecting and desiring a historical fantasy story, but I found Brimstone to be more horror with a Southern Gothic twist.
Alice Dartle is descended from a long line of witches, but she has no idea how to use her clairvoyant abilities. The town of Cassadaga, Florida, a community of similarly gifted people seems to hold the answer. But as she draws closer to the town, she keeps having dreams of fire and trenches. She knows that these are not her own dreams, and she believes that she can help the dreamer.
Tomas Cordero came back from World War I to find his wife dead of influenza. He continues to operate his tailoring business, but he’s haunted by the memories of his wife. Since his return, inexplicable fires have hounded him. Could they be messages from the beyond?
For whatever reason, Brimstone left me cold. A few scenes did manage to effectively convey the skin crawling tension of horror novels, but most of the novel crawled by. By the last ten percent, I was rushing through it so I could start a different book instead.
Brimstone seemed competently executed, but none of its elements interested me. It didn’t have the brilliant world building or use of magic that I come to the fantasy genre for. I remained luke warm on both Alice and Tomas. And I never found myself getting invested in the plot.
I think Brimstone could have better developed both it’s lead and supporting characters. I found myself mixing up even the more important of the supporting characters. Tomas was probably the best of the entire cast. His desperation and grief shone through, and he had some of the best scenes. However, Alice felt like she lacked motivation. Outside of helping Tomas, she didn’t have her own goals, and it hurt her character.
Overall, Brimstone was both disappointing and forgettable. It’s a stand alone, but if it wasn’t, I would not be picking up the sequel. This one is not recommended, although I hope other readers can find more enjoyment in it than I did.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received an ARC of Brimstone from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
Alice Dartle is descended from a long line of witches, but she has no idea how to use her clairvoyant abilities. The town of Cassadaga, Florida, a community of similarly gifted people seems to hold the answer. But as she draws closer to the town, she keeps having dreams of fire and trenches. She knows that these are not her own dreams, and she believes that she can help the dreamer.
Tomas Cordero came back from World War I to find his wife dead of influenza. He continues to operate his tailoring business, but he’s haunted by the memories of his wife. Since his return, inexplicable fires have hounded him. Could they be messages from the beyond?
For whatever reason, Brimstone left me cold. A few scenes did manage to effectively convey the skin crawling tension of horror novels, but most of the novel crawled by. By the last ten percent, I was rushing through it so I could start a different book instead.
Brimstone seemed competently executed, but none of its elements interested me. It didn’t have the brilliant world building or use of magic that I come to the fantasy genre for. I remained luke warm on both Alice and Tomas. And I never found myself getting invested in the plot.
I think Brimstone could have better developed both it’s lead and supporting characters. I found myself mixing up even the more important of the supporting characters. Tomas was probably the best of the entire cast. His desperation and grief shone through, and he had some of the best scenes. However, Alice felt like she lacked motivation. Outside of helping Tomas, she didn’t have her own goals, and it hurt her character.
Overall, Brimstone was both disappointing and forgettable. It’s a stand alone, but if it wasn’t, I would not be picking up the sequel. This one is not recommended, although I hope other readers can find more enjoyment in it than I did.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received an ARC of Brimstone from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
April 27, 2017
I have to say, this book really didn't work for me. Like many of Priest's book, it has a slow burn start that eventually builds to an exciting conclusion -- but I felt like it was TOO slow, with too rushed and unsatisfactory of a pay-off.
It doesn't help that I didn't particularly gel with the female narrator. While I appreciated her love of food and her unapologetic embrace of her curvy figure and her opinions, she otherwise didn't quite work for me. Part of it was that honestly, I think spiritualists are a bunch of charlatans and it's hard for me to identify with one of them as a narrator (even though this is a world where there clearly are spirits to communicate with). The other part is that we learn early on that she turned down a marriage proposal because the boy didn't appreciate her love of books... but we don't ever really see her demonstrating that love.
This book wasn't bad, it was fairly well-written and it was set in a time and place (FL after WWI) that we don't see very often in the fantasy genre, so it's a nice change of pace. It just failed to draw me in. Other readers may have a different experience if they more strongly identify with one or both of the narrators than I did.
It doesn't help that I didn't particularly gel with the female narrator. While I appreciated her love of food and her unapologetic embrace of her curvy figure and her opinions, she otherwise didn't quite work for me. Part of it was that honestly, I think spiritualists are a bunch of charlatans and it's hard for me to identify with one of them as a narrator (even though this is a world where there clearly are spirits to communicate with). The other part is that we learn early on that she turned down a marriage proposal because the boy didn't appreciate her love of books... but we don't ever really see her demonstrating that love.
This book wasn't bad, it was fairly well-written and it was set in a time and place (FL after WWI) that we don't see very often in the fantasy genre, so it's a nice change of pace. It just failed to draw me in. Other readers may have a different experience if they more strongly identify with one or both of the narrators than I did.
June 17, 2017
This was a hard book to finish, the characters felt a bit flat and there was too much readily available magic for something somewhat historical based. Also missing was the humor, dark as it can be sometimes of her other novels, the author has better works in print.
Cassadaga is a real place, though it may have seen better days based on my google drive-by.
Cassadaga is a real place, though it may have seen better days based on my google drive-by.
June 24, 2022
This would have been a 5 star read if it wasn't so slooooooow. The two main characters were wonderful & I loved the lack of romance between them, as I was worried that's where the plot was going to go.
Alice is an amazing character; she is funny and lighthearted, her personality really shines in this book - her outlook is progressive and inspiring while still being accurate for the time period. And FINALLY some body positivity in a book that is realistic and not thrown in the readers face every other page.
The blend of horror, fantasy, and historical fiction was absolute perfection and I enjoyed this portrayal of witches. I do wish it was a bit darker as it's light on the horror. All in all it was a really enjoyable read, it just took forever for anything to happen.
Alice is an amazing character; she is funny and lighthearted, her personality really shines in this book - her outlook is progressive and inspiring while still being accurate for the time period. And FINALLY some body positivity in a book that is realistic and not thrown in the readers face every other page.
The blend of horror, fantasy, and historical fiction was absolute perfection and I enjoyed this portrayal of witches. I do wish it was a bit darker as it's light on the horror. All in all it was a really enjoyable read, it just took forever for anything to happen.
June 23, 2017
Cherie Priest is amazing. Another brilliant book. Alice and Tomas don't know each other but are drawn together in order to work out what is haunting Tomas, causing dangerous fires and invading Alice's new home. The tension is ramped up as the community of clairvoyants try to help Tomas before they are destroyed.
September 27, 2017
I loved this! I really loved this.
June 16, 2017
I had a week-long vacation coming and I was looking for something "light" to bring along with me. Cherie Priest's Brimstone appeared to be exactly what I needed, so I took the book with me to Rimouski.
And in the end, though it's nothing truly special, this quirky love story made for a satisfying vacation read.
Here's the blurb:
In the trenches of Europe during the Great War, Tomas Cordero operated a weapon more devastating than any gun: a flame projector that doused the enemy in liquid fire. Having left the battlefield a shattered man, he comes home to find yet more tragedy for in his absence, his wife has died of the flu. Haunted by memories of the woman he loved and the atrocities he perpetrated, Tomas dreams of fire and finds himself setting match to flame when awake....
Alice Dartle is a talented clairvoyant living among others who share her gifts in the community of Cassadaga, Florida. She too dreams of fire, knowing her nightmares are connected to the shell-shocked war veteran and widower. And she believes she can bring peace to him and his wife's spirit.
But the inferno that threatens to consume Tomas and Alice was set ablaze centuries ago by someone whose hatred transcended death itself...
This tale occurs during the winter of 1920, in the state of Florida. Most of the action takes place in the town of Cassadaga, where a community of clairvoyants and other individuals sharing paranormal gifts make their home. The Great War in Europe is now over and physically, psychologically, and emotionally scarred soldiers have returned to the USA and attempt as best they can to resume normal lives. There is very little worldbuilding to speak off in this novel. For the most part, it doesn't take anything away from the story. And yet, I would have loved to get more background information on Cassadaga and its residents. To provide more meat around the bone, so to speak. But I understand that this is a character-driven tale, which is probably why what worldbuilding there is doesn't intrude much on the plotlines.
Brimstone features the perspectives of two main protagonists. Alice Dartle shares her family's gift of clairvoyance and she leaves her home and life in Virginia behind to travel to Cassadaga in search of answers and training. Profoundly scarred by the war, Tomás Cordero returned home a broken man. Even more so due to the fact that his wife passed away during his absence. Tomás now dreams of fire and somehow sets fire to his own home. Soon, he becomes a danger to himself and everyone around him. Unexpectedly, Alice touches his dreams of fire, which will set him on the path toward Cassadaga, where he hopes to find his own answers with Alice's help. The gender role reversal was nice but ultimately a little overdone, what with Alice being the bourbon-quaffing old maid go-getter and Tomás being the weaker, more vulnerable shell of a man, with only the chihuahua Felipe as a friend. The dog breed was what overdid it, I'm afraid. As a matter of course, these two take center stage throughout the book. The supporting cast was a little lackluster, with the sole exception being Dr. Floyd, and would have benefited from more depth.
I enjoyed how Tomás' dreams were connected to his life-changing experiences during the Great War and other historical events related to witch hunts. The endgame was particularly well-done and touching, bringing the story to a compelling ending.
Brimstone is a relatively short novel, weighing in at 324 pages. One would think that the pace would never be an issue in such a slim work of fiction, yet there are a few rough spots here and there. Cherie Priest took her own sweet time getting this story off the ground and some portions can be a bit boring. Still, the author truly delivered the closer we get to the end and she closed the show with an emotional finale that is quite fitting.
All in all, Brimstone is a quirky love story featuring two endearing and disparate protagonists sharing a special bond. For anyone looking for a good, if light, vacation read, Priest's Brimstone perfectly fits the bill!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com.
And in the end, though it's nothing truly special, this quirky love story made for a satisfying vacation read.
Here's the blurb:
In the trenches of Europe during the Great War, Tomas Cordero operated a weapon more devastating than any gun: a flame projector that doused the enemy in liquid fire. Having left the battlefield a shattered man, he comes home to find yet more tragedy for in his absence, his wife has died of the flu. Haunted by memories of the woman he loved and the atrocities he perpetrated, Tomas dreams of fire and finds himself setting match to flame when awake....
Alice Dartle is a talented clairvoyant living among others who share her gifts in the community of Cassadaga, Florida. She too dreams of fire, knowing her nightmares are connected to the shell-shocked war veteran and widower. And she believes she can bring peace to him and his wife's spirit.
But the inferno that threatens to consume Tomas and Alice was set ablaze centuries ago by someone whose hatred transcended death itself...
This tale occurs during the winter of 1920, in the state of Florida. Most of the action takes place in the town of Cassadaga, where a community of clairvoyants and other individuals sharing paranormal gifts make their home. The Great War in Europe is now over and physically, psychologically, and emotionally scarred soldiers have returned to the USA and attempt as best they can to resume normal lives. There is very little worldbuilding to speak off in this novel. For the most part, it doesn't take anything away from the story. And yet, I would have loved to get more background information on Cassadaga and its residents. To provide more meat around the bone, so to speak. But I understand that this is a character-driven tale, which is probably why what worldbuilding there is doesn't intrude much on the plotlines.
Brimstone features the perspectives of two main protagonists. Alice Dartle shares her family's gift of clairvoyance and she leaves her home and life in Virginia behind to travel to Cassadaga in search of answers and training. Profoundly scarred by the war, Tomás Cordero returned home a broken man. Even more so due to the fact that his wife passed away during his absence. Tomás now dreams of fire and somehow sets fire to his own home. Soon, he becomes a danger to himself and everyone around him. Unexpectedly, Alice touches his dreams of fire, which will set him on the path toward Cassadaga, where he hopes to find his own answers with Alice's help. The gender role reversal was nice but ultimately a little overdone, what with Alice being the bourbon-quaffing old maid go-getter and Tomás being the weaker, more vulnerable shell of a man, with only the chihuahua Felipe as a friend. The dog breed was what overdid it, I'm afraid. As a matter of course, these two take center stage throughout the book. The supporting cast was a little lackluster, with the sole exception being Dr. Floyd, and would have benefited from more depth.
I enjoyed how Tomás' dreams were connected to his life-changing experiences during the Great War and other historical events related to witch hunts. The endgame was particularly well-done and touching, bringing the story to a compelling ending.
Brimstone is a relatively short novel, weighing in at 324 pages. One would think that the pace would never be an issue in such a slim work of fiction, yet there are a few rough spots here and there. Cherie Priest took her own sweet time getting this story off the ground and some portions can be a bit boring. Still, the author truly delivered the closer we get to the end and she closed the show with an emotional finale that is quite fitting.
All in all, Brimstone is a quirky love story featuring two endearing and disparate protagonists sharing a special bond. For anyone looking for a good, if light, vacation read, Priest's Brimstone perfectly fits the bill!
For more reviews, check out www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com.
March 18, 2017
I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Ace Books!
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, and once the plot got rolling, I really devoured it. The novel was truly spellbinding, and I would myself sucked into the pages, feeling the heavy Florida heat and smelling fire all around me.
We're in 1920s Florida. It's hot. The radio doesn't spread everywhere yet. Electricity in homes is relatively new. Prohibition is on, but this is Florida, and Rum overfloweth. The Great War is over, taking many in its wake; Spanish Influenza has scoured the country, taking even more. It's here that our story takes place: in the small town of Cassadaga, a home for Spirtalists that still exists to this day.
The novel alternates viewpoints between Alice Dartle, a seventeen year old girl from Virginia, and Tomàs Cordero, a cuban-american who's just returned from war. At first, I thought I wasn't going to like Alice: she breaks into tears too easily, sometimes acting more like an impetuous twelve year old than a smart young woman. But soon, I realized that her sensitive side didn't stop her from being strong and brilliant all the same. Her insatiable love for bourbon, her huge heart, her adorable nervousness; she's a fun character whom I would love to hang out with. Not to mention that she's got some interesting skills she wants to develop: talking to spirits, predicting the outcomes of bets, her need to learn has brought her to Cassadaga, in hopes of honing her abilities.
And then, there's Tomàs. A bit of a tragic character: he returned from the war, but it was his wife who stayed home who passed away. His dear Evelyn died of Influenza. He's getting his tailoring business up and running again, trying to get things back in order, but for some reason, small fires seem to be following him around. Well, they were small at first. Now, they're growing. They're taking more in their wake, but they're leaving things behind. Things, signs maybe, that make Tomàs think it could be Evelyn, trying to reach to him from beyond, trapped as a spirit. Could it be so? As the novel progresses, he seems more determined than ever, while the reader... less so.
Alice and Tomàs's lives are connected through her talents. She sees his dreams, sees the man who's always surrounded by fire. She knows there's a presence there. When the fires devour more than they should dare, Tomàs makes his way to Cassadaga to beg for help. This isn't going to be easy.
There was so much to love about this book: the style the author uses flows almost effortlessly, beautifully. The city of Cassadaga which is so beautifully evoked, with the small town feel or Turn of the Century USA while at the same time being a spiritualist camp. I ended up googling Cassadaga, and it still exists! The added sense of realism that comes from an author doing an insane amount of research was very much worth it.
I have to say, my favorite character was Felipe, the chihuahua. Good doggy. But there are so many other great people to meet.
Priest also managed to make a fantastic study of the brutality of war. So many soldiers came back from the front with PTSD, while here Tomàs comes back with something a little more... physical. The horror of the new technology of death used - the invention of the flamethrower, for example - takes a real shape here. Pure evil walks the battlefields.
I have never read a book like this before. It's very different from what I expected, but I really loved it. The ending was beautiful, touching in a way I didn't see coming. All in all, we have fantasic characters, fascinating setting, and a talented author to craft this all together. Well worth the read, I highly recommend it.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, and once the plot got rolling, I really devoured it. The novel was truly spellbinding, and I would myself sucked into the pages, feeling the heavy Florida heat and smelling fire all around me.
We're in 1920s Florida. It's hot. The radio doesn't spread everywhere yet. Electricity in homes is relatively new. Prohibition is on, but this is Florida, and Rum overfloweth. The Great War is over, taking many in its wake; Spanish Influenza has scoured the country, taking even more. It's here that our story takes place: in the small town of Cassadaga, a home for Spirtalists that still exists to this day.
The novel alternates viewpoints between Alice Dartle, a seventeen year old girl from Virginia, and Tomàs Cordero, a cuban-american who's just returned from war. At first, I thought I wasn't going to like Alice: she breaks into tears too easily, sometimes acting more like an impetuous twelve year old than a smart young woman. But soon, I realized that her sensitive side didn't stop her from being strong and brilliant all the same. Her insatiable love for bourbon, her huge heart, her adorable nervousness; she's a fun character whom I would love to hang out with. Not to mention that she's got some interesting skills she wants to develop: talking to spirits, predicting the outcomes of bets, her need to learn has brought her to Cassadaga, in hopes of honing her abilities.
And then, there's Tomàs. A bit of a tragic character: he returned from the war, but it was his wife who stayed home who passed away. His dear Evelyn died of Influenza. He's getting his tailoring business up and running again, trying to get things back in order, but for some reason, small fires seem to be following him around. Well, they were small at first. Now, they're growing. They're taking more in their wake, but they're leaving things behind. Things, signs maybe, that make Tomàs think it could be Evelyn, trying to reach to him from beyond, trapped as a spirit. Could it be so? As the novel progresses, he seems more determined than ever, while the reader... less so.
Alice and Tomàs's lives are connected through her talents. She sees his dreams, sees the man who's always surrounded by fire. She knows there's a presence there. When the fires devour more than they should dare, Tomàs makes his way to Cassadaga to beg for help. This isn't going to be easy.
There was so much to love about this book: the style the author uses flows almost effortlessly, beautifully. The city of Cassadaga which is so beautifully evoked, with the small town feel or Turn of the Century USA while at the same time being a spiritualist camp. I ended up googling Cassadaga, and it still exists! The added sense of realism that comes from an author doing an insane amount of research was very much worth it.
I have to say, my favorite character was Felipe, the chihuahua. Good doggy. But there are so many other great people to meet.
Priest also managed to make a fantastic study of the brutality of war. So many soldiers came back from the front with PTSD, while here Tomàs comes back with something a little more... physical. The horror of the new technology of death used - the invention of the flamethrower, for example - takes a real shape here. Pure evil walks the battlefields.
I have never read a book like this before. It's very different from what I expected, but I really loved it. The ending was beautiful, touching in a way I didn't see coming. All in all, we have fantasic characters, fascinating setting, and a talented author to craft this all together. Well worth the read, I highly recommend it.
August 25, 2017
In “Brimstone”, we follow the severe changes in the lives of Tomás Cordero, a shattered veteran of WW1, and Alice Dartle, a young clairvoyant who begins to discover and control her psychic powers. Tomás’ nightmares of fire are picked up by Alice, creating a connection with the man before she’s ever met him.
Believing that she can bring comfort and peace to the life of the ex-soldier, she reaches out to him. But the thing which connects Alice and Tomás goes back a lot farther than each of them expect – and doesn’t want to be put to rest.
At face-value, “Brimstone” is a supernatural story about witches, spirits and evil forces. It’s fairly straightforward, its mechanics are explained early on in the story and there’s very little which is groundbreaking or genre-bending.
But below the surface, what the book really deals with is trauma – be it physical, psychological or emotional. Really, in a way, “Brimstone” is a book about PTSD. Tomás’ pain, and the love and care which Alice provides for him, are unfortunately known throughout the ages by soldiers returning from the hardships of the battlefield, and those close to them. The fact that Priest manages to cleverly package those experiences in such a way that doesn’t necessarily need to be about this subject, is worthy of a lot of credit.
So theme-wise, “Brimstone” is a very solid entry in Priest’s oeuvre.
In terms of plotting and pacing, the novel is a bit less successful. The story comes to a standstill every few chapters; rather than a building suspension, there are great peaks and dips in the narrative. Whenever the treat of fire rises, the story races along. Whenever people talk, it’s to explain the mechanics behind the plot, which also brings the story’s pacing down.
This jolting rhythm, and the repetition of fire-scenes, might make “Brimstone” not the most elegant of works. But that doesn’t take away the fact that Priest has managed to craft a fine bit of escapism, set against a very poignant and important theme.
Believing that she can bring comfort and peace to the life of the ex-soldier, she reaches out to him. But the thing which connects Alice and Tomás goes back a lot farther than each of them expect – and doesn’t want to be put to rest.
At face-value, “Brimstone” is a supernatural story about witches, spirits and evil forces. It’s fairly straightforward, its mechanics are explained early on in the story and there’s very little which is groundbreaking or genre-bending.
But below the surface, what the book really deals with is trauma – be it physical, psychological or emotional. Really, in a way, “Brimstone” is a book about PTSD. Tomás’ pain, and the love and care which Alice provides for him, are unfortunately known throughout the ages by soldiers returning from the hardships of the battlefield, and those close to them. The fact that Priest manages to cleverly package those experiences in such a way that doesn’t necessarily need to be about this subject, is worthy of a lot of credit.
So theme-wise, “Brimstone” is a very solid entry in Priest’s oeuvre.
In terms of plotting and pacing, the novel is a bit less successful. The story comes to a standstill every few chapters; rather than a building suspension, there are great peaks and dips in the narrative. Whenever the treat of fire rises, the story races along. Whenever people talk, it’s to explain the mechanics behind the plot, which also brings the story’s pacing down.
This jolting rhythm, and the repetition of fire-scenes, might make “Brimstone” not the most elegant of works. But that doesn’t take away the fact that Priest has managed to craft a fine bit of escapism, set against a very poignant and important theme.
June 30, 2017
Review posted on Apr 20 2017 at Butterfly-o-Meter Books.
In a Flutter: Lovely writing, but more-than-one-POV strikes again…
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: The ’20s Florida setting was interesting to experience through our two main characters. It was a world full of wonder and hope via Alice’s eyes, and a somewhat desolate, hopeless one via Tomas’s. I liked the contrast.
Characters: Both Alice and Tomas were interesting characters. It was a nice parallel, with young Alice going on an adventure in order to live more independently and use her gifts as she desired; and Tomas, a man with a lot of heavy personal history, living a sad and lonely life, seeing everything through the lenses of loss. I personally enjoyed Alice a lot more, because I kind of tend to have issues with PTSD stories, more so when they’re war-related. I hoped it would be less focused on in Tomas’s POV, but it was very present, and it just makes me get emotionally detached by reflex. So while I enjoyed Tomas as concept, I sort of got to not be able to stand being in his story. 🙁
Plot: The two stories that entwined were interesting, though somewhat slow for my personal liking. While I enjoyed that in Alice’s side of the story, because I enjoyed spending time with her – when it came to Tomas the tempo felt always wrong. I’m aware it wasn’t a difference in the actual tempo, but in my perception of it as a result of my reaction to the characters. Be that as it way, it still felt slow, regardless of the reason.
Writing: First person, past tense narrative, dual POV. While I really enjoyed the style, I don’t seem to enjoy POV switches lately – even less so in 1st person. I liked each of the character’s voices, but switching between them just served to annoy me, somehow.
Curb Appeal: Cool cover, hooking blurb – impulsive buy material for my historical paranormal craving.
This was my second Cherie Priest read, and while it went better than the first (that was MG, and I don’t really go with that flow), I still didn’t enjoy the ride as much as I was sure I would. It’s really weird, because I like the writing, the story ideas, and character concepts, and yet all in all I didn’t enjoy the ride as much as I thought I would. I was sure it was an issue with the head-space I was in, but I read another right after and had a lot of fun with that, so it wasn’t my head-space as much as a matter of chemistry.
I recommend Brimstone to ’20s Florida (or not) enthusiasts who embrace paranormal elements in their historical reading, to fans of psychics and those of recovering-from-trauma stories too. It’s well-written, has interesting characters, and an entertaining story. It didn’t really work out between us, but I’m sure it can and will work like a charm for many others :)
In a Flutter: Lovely writing, but more-than-one-POV strikes again…
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: The ’20s Florida setting was interesting to experience through our two main characters. It was a world full of wonder and hope via Alice’s eyes, and a somewhat desolate, hopeless one via Tomas’s. I liked the contrast.
Characters: Both Alice and Tomas were interesting characters. It was a nice parallel, with young Alice going on an adventure in order to live more independently and use her gifts as she desired; and Tomas, a man with a lot of heavy personal history, living a sad and lonely life, seeing everything through the lenses of loss. I personally enjoyed Alice a lot more, because I kind of tend to have issues with PTSD stories, more so when they’re war-related. I hoped it would be less focused on in Tomas’s POV, but it was very present, and it just makes me get emotionally detached by reflex. So while I enjoyed Tomas as concept, I sort of got to not be able to stand being in his story. 🙁
Plot: The two stories that entwined were interesting, though somewhat slow for my personal liking. While I enjoyed that in Alice’s side of the story, because I enjoyed spending time with her – when it came to Tomas the tempo felt always wrong. I’m aware it wasn’t a difference in the actual tempo, but in my perception of it as a result of my reaction to the characters. Be that as it way, it still felt slow, regardless of the reason.
Writing: First person, past tense narrative, dual POV. While I really enjoyed the style, I don’t seem to enjoy POV switches lately – even less so in 1st person. I liked each of the character’s voices, but switching between them just served to annoy me, somehow.
Curb Appeal: Cool cover, hooking blurb – impulsive buy material for my historical paranormal craving.
This was my second Cherie Priest read, and while it went better than the first (that was MG, and I don’t really go with that flow), I still didn’t enjoy the ride as much as I was sure I would. It’s really weird, because I like the writing, the story ideas, and character concepts, and yet all in all I didn’t enjoy the ride as much as I thought I would. I was sure it was an issue with the head-space I was in, but I read another right after and had a lot of fun with that, so it wasn’t my head-space as much as a matter of chemistry.
I recommend Brimstone to ’20s Florida (or not) enthusiasts who embrace paranormal elements in their historical reading, to fans of psychics and those of recovering-from-trauma stories too. It’s well-written, has interesting characters, and an entertaining story. It didn’t really work out between us, but I’m sure it can and will work like a charm for many others :)
May 20, 2017
An enjoyable story of love, loss, and acceptance with a little witchiness thrown in.
Tomas has recently returned form The Great War (where he operated one of the new flame throwers) only to find that his wife, the love of his life has died of the flu. A series of small unexplainable fires leave some intriguing clues about the continued presence of his wife. Alice has traveled to Cassadega, Florida to join the community of pyschics and clairvoyants to explore her own gift of the supernatural. After the fires increase in intensity with tragic results, Tomas decides to travel to Cassadega to meet with Alice hoping she can provide answers.
8/10
Tomas has recently returned form The Great War (where he operated one of the new flame throwers) only to find that his wife, the love of his life has died of the flu. A series of small unexplainable fires leave some intriguing clues about the continued presence of his wife. Alice has traveled to Cassadega, Florida to join the community of pyschics and clairvoyants to explore her own gift of the supernatural. After the fires increase in intensity with tragic results, Tomas decides to travel to Cassadega to meet with Alice hoping she can provide answers.
8/10
June 6, 2017
This follows two alternating protagonists, spiritualist-in-training Alice and WW I veteran Tomas. Tomas is convinced his wife is trapped in Hell, communicating with him through fire. When he goes to meet Alice and get her guidance on freeing said wife, turns out he might be a little wrong about the who the ghost is.
Tomas, a Cuban-born tailor, is an interesting character. Alice is bland, and most of her scenes seem little more than world-building — explaining spiritualism, showing her magic gifts, showing the Florida town she's visiting. Things pick up as Tomas' plight gets worse, but this is more "readable" than "good."
Tomas, a Cuban-born tailor, is an interesting character. Alice is bland, and most of her scenes seem little more than world-building — explaining spiritualism, showing her magic gifts, showing the Florida town she's visiting. Things pick up as Tomas' plight gets worse, but this is more "readable" than "good."
April 18, 2017
I love period fiction (Jane Eyre is on my speed dial of re-reads) but find non-genre fiction generally hella dull.
This let's you get that awesome historic fix with lashings of delicious supernatural sauce.
He responded in a voice that was made of a forest on fire, in a voice that was made of everyone on earth who ever lived, screaming and dying.
This let's you get that awesome historic fix with lashings of delicious supernatural sauce.
He responded in a voice that was made of a forest on fire, in a voice that was made of everyone on earth who ever lived, screaming and dying.
January 3, 2018
Pros--very inventive plot. I've never read a story like this and I had no idea where it was going. It put a lot of new interesting ideas in my head.
Excellent descriptions of melting flesh. Very visceral.
Cons--the writing style was short and abrupt, reflecting the ADD of our generation. The stream of consciousness style was less a stream and more a sputter.
Ghastly descriptions of melting flesh. Too visceral.
It was in Florida. There was no need for this. I hate Florida.
The characters were fairly wooden, the female medium in particular. All I know is that she's an alcoholic. Kewl.
Overall, 3 stars. I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't read it again.
Excellent descriptions of melting flesh. Very visceral.
Cons--the writing style was short and abrupt, reflecting the ADD of our generation. The stream of consciousness style was less a stream and more a sputter.
Ghastly descriptions of melting flesh. Too visceral.
It was in Florida. There was no need for this. I hate Florida.
The characters were fairly wooden, the female medium in particular. All I know is that she's an alcoholic. Kewl.
Overall, 3 stars. I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't read it again.
November 27, 2024
I had to think about this one.
My first major issue was there was no sense of urgency. Not at least until right towards the end. I couldn't tell if Alice and Tomas came together to slowly or too quickly. In fact the whole book seemed to fly by....not necessarily in a hang-on-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of way.
I still wonder what linked them together in the first place. And how the 'hammer' (as the spirit is often referred to as) managed to start a fire in Cassadaga without even being anywhere near, and if he didn't, why did it need Tomas?
Characters were well fleshed out. And I like that the doggo didn't die.
My first major issue was there was no sense of urgency. Not at least until right towards the end. I couldn't tell if Alice and Tomas came together to slowly or too quickly. In fact the whole book seemed to fly by....not necessarily in a hang-on-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of way.
I still wonder what linked them together in the first place. And how the 'hammer' (as the spirit is often referred to as) managed to start a fire in Cassadaga without even being anywhere near, and if he didn't, why did it need Tomas?
Characters were well fleshed out. And I like that the doggo didn't die.
January 30, 2018
Interesting take on history. I'm kind of torn on this book. I liked the premise, background and characters but felt the story dragged on until it got to the conclusion. At least for me, it felt like it was dragging out the problem the main character Tomas was having until things started picking up when he moved. The little dog was a bonus, though!
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