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Erosabel
“The curse was a perpetual chill in my bones, an ever-present shadow by my side…”
Erosabel is haunted by what she calls a “curse.” Malicious voices within her head torment her day and night. They plague her childhood, adolescence and stalk her into her adult years. After escaping her childhood home in East London and joining a band of traveling Gypsies, Erosabel believes she has finally outrun the curse.
Marriage, four children and a traveling apothecary keep Erosabel busy and the curse at bay for some time. But the shadows of the past are never far behind. As one event leads to another, as the voices get louder and more persistent, Erosabel ends up doing the unthinkable.
Erosabel is haunted by what she calls a “curse.” Malicious voices within her head torment her day and night. They plague her childhood, adolescence and stalk her into her adult years. After escaping her childhood home in East London and joining a band of traveling Gypsies, Erosabel believes she has finally outrun the curse.
Marriage, four children and a traveling apothecary keep Erosabel busy and the curse at bay for some time. But the shadows of the past are never far behind. As one event leads to another, as the voices get louder and more persistent, Erosabel ends up doing the unthinkable.
359 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 26, 2022
“My fingers caressed the jutting scars as softly as a feather skimming on the surface of water. A strange calm settled somewhere deep within me. Perhaps this was the solution. Perhaps the demons would find their release this way, through the cuts in my arms.”
If you’re looking for a dark historical fiction book then look no further than Erosabel. This book follows the main character Erosabel as she tries to outrun what she believes to be a curse, to be fair most people in the 1800’s believed her to be cursed to. You see, Erosabel is hearing hateful voices in her head and that is known to be a sign that you are cursed so she flees her home and joins some travellers on their journey believing that she has outrun the curse. Marriage and four babies later, the voices are back and getting louder and more persistent, until one day Erosabel does the unthinkable.
This is an absolutely amazing book that really haunts you, it shows just how dark thing used to be before mental health issues could be diagnosed properly and care could be offered. Historically it was always a curse, or a behavioural issue, that was the cause of the “weirdness” in a person and that always led to those individuals being labelled as crazy.
This was a fantastic read! Thank you so much to instabooktours and the author for sending me a copy of the book.
If you’re looking for a dark historical fiction book then look no further than Erosabel. This book follows the main character Erosabel as she tries to outrun what she believes to be a curse, to be fair most people in the 1800’s believed her to be cursed to. You see, Erosabel is hearing hateful voices in her head and that is known to be a sign that you are cursed so she flees her home and joins some travellers on their journey believing that she has outrun the curse. Marriage and four babies later, the voices are back and getting louder and more persistent, until one day Erosabel does the unthinkable.
This is an absolutely amazing book that really haunts you, it shows just how dark thing used to be before mental health issues could be diagnosed properly and care could be offered. Historically it was always a curse, or a behavioural issue, that was the cause of the “weirdness” in a person and that always led to those individuals being labelled as crazy.
This was a fantastic read! Thank you so much to instabooktours and the author for sending me a copy of the book.
January 12, 2023
This is one beautiful book, the cover and the prose, despite its dark plot. I love how the author paints vivid pictures of the characters and scenes. The story begins with Erosabel in the dregs of London, fighting against her mother's monsters and her struggle for a living. As an ambitious healer she opens her Apothecary, where she is haunted by dark voices which capable of harming her and those around her follow her. In an attempt to escape the voices, she leaves behind her Apothecary and the people in her life she's ever known.
Throughout the novel we follow Erosabel, her
Throughout the novel we follow Erosabel, her relentless pursuit of peace away from the voices and the deep friendships she makes along the way while having the 'curse' engulf her. We got to meet divergent side characters, almost all of them very remarkable and very likable too. I love that the author built a whole dark tragic novel with pleasant characters and an atmosphere also so pure and pretty, until it turned cold, harsh, and unforgiving as required for the plot. The wayward man was my favourite of all!!
Nicole, has so brilliantly written a dark fantasy novel that speaks volumes on mental health, especially during the early 1930s where such could be easily brushed off as being sick or dark magic! Set during the grey depression, the novel also reflected the lifestyle of the poorest in London and the gypsies quite well, though at times certain phrases and slang felt contemporary, the book overall made a very compelling read!
Throughout the novel we follow Erosabel, her
Throughout the novel we follow Erosabel, her relentless pursuit of peace away from the voices and the deep friendships she makes along the way while having the 'curse' engulf her. We got to meet divergent side characters, almost all of them very remarkable and very likable too. I love that the author built a whole dark tragic novel with pleasant characters and an atmosphere also so pure and pretty, until it turned cold, harsh, and unforgiving as required for the plot. The wayward man was my favourite of all!!
Nicole, has so brilliantly written a dark fantasy novel that speaks volumes on mental health, especially during the early 1930s where such could be easily brushed off as being sick or dark magic! Set during the grey depression, the novel also reflected the lifestyle of the poorest in London and the gypsies quite well, though at times certain phrases and slang felt contemporary, the book overall made a very compelling read!
June 25, 2022
3.75 stars.
It’s the 19th Century and Erosabel of East London has been haunted by voices constantly in her head, for many years, from her to childhood straight though to her adulthood. When she runs away from home, she meets a gang of Gypsies and feels that she has finally escaped the curse that has riddled her for so manny years. But the voices eventually catch up to her and this time much worse.
I really felt Erosabel was a character who wanted to be taken seriously and that probably stems from her traumatic childhood. She was a character who had definitely been through a lot. We as the readers get an insight into just how much she went through not with just the curse but the trauma she also endured and how it has affected her in the present. I found myself easily able to connect to her character. It was heartbreaking to read all about her history.
Erosabel is such an absorbing and brilliant book! It deals a lot with how traumatic experiences can affect your life as well as your mental health. To me it was as though the curse was a metaphor for how she was dealing with her past.
A dark read filled with some touching moments, this one was a real page turner. I don’t want to spoil too much but I found myself gripped by the end which I found especially was completely nuts. It definitely had me riveted. I really felt for the gang and the circumstances they were now in. I’m looking forward to reading more from this world in the future with hopefully Erosabel and some of the other characters returning!
Erosabel is part of a soon to be collection of novels, each one will be linked together through different ways and set in the same world. The author has deliberately set it out so you will be able to read any of the books in any order. This is due to be the first of two in a duology in the series and there is already another book out which is a part of it. This is looking to be a fascinating series, without a doubt!
It’s the 19th Century and Erosabel of East London has been haunted by voices constantly in her head, for many years, from her to childhood straight though to her adulthood. When she runs away from home, she meets a gang of Gypsies and feels that she has finally escaped the curse that has riddled her for so manny years. But the voices eventually catch up to her and this time much worse.
I really felt Erosabel was a character who wanted to be taken seriously and that probably stems from her traumatic childhood. She was a character who had definitely been through a lot. We as the readers get an insight into just how much she went through not with just the curse but the trauma she also endured and how it has affected her in the present. I found myself easily able to connect to her character. It was heartbreaking to read all about her history.
Erosabel is such an absorbing and brilliant book! It deals a lot with how traumatic experiences can affect your life as well as your mental health. To me it was as though the curse was a metaphor for how she was dealing with her past.
A dark read filled with some touching moments, this one was a real page turner. I don’t want to spoil too much but I found myself gripped by the end which I found especially was completely nuts. It definitely had me riveted. I really felt for the gang and the circumstances they were now in. I’m looking forward to reading more from this world in the future with hopefully Erosabel and some of the other characters returning!
Erosabel is part of a soon to be collection of novels, each one will be linked together through different ways and set in the same world. The author has deliberately set it out so you will be able to read any of the books in any order. This is due to be the first of two in a duology in the series and there is already another book out which is a part of it. This is looking to be a fascinating series, without a doubt!
June 7, 2022
Firstly, I want to say how beautiful is that cover?
Secondly, I reached the end of this and literally just had to sit there for a few minutes - completely shocked. I still can't get my head around that ending.
This is a difficult read, but due to the subject matter, not the writing. Looking at how mental health, or rather "curses" as they would have been perceived in Victorian times, and how it may have been handled was just harrowing. Seeing the struggles Erosabel had to go through daily, all the highs and lows was completely engaging. I loved the added touch of her story book too, and seeing which tales seemed to fit her current situation.
I did find the start of the book slow and wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it - but that soon changed the further on I read. For fully getting into the story, I would have preferred it to start just before chapter 2 - straight into her past. I also feel there's a few "unfinished" arcs - but maybe they will be followed in the other books in the series.
Overall, a dark but moving story, which makes me want to read others in the Woodlock Curse series.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Secondly, I reached the end of this and literally just had to sit there for a few minutes - completely shocked. I still can't get my head around that ending.
This is a difficult read, but due to the subject matter, not the writing. Looking at how mental health, or rather "curses" as they would have been perceived in Victorian times, and how it may have been handled was just harrowing. Seeing the struggles Erosabel had to go through daily, all the highs and lows was completely engaging. I loved the added touch of her story book too, and seeing which tales seemed to fit her current situation.
I did find the start of the book slow and wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it - but that soon changed the further on I read. For fully getting into the story, I would have preferred it to start just before chapter 2 - straight into her past. I also feel there's a few "unfinished" arcs - but maybe they will be followed in the other books in the series.
Overall, a dark but moving story, which makes me want to read others in the Woodlock Curse series.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 5, 2022
Wow. This book was incredible. Plumridge tells a story so effortlessly whilst inducing such emotion and connection for the reader. Whilst this story is one of a dark nature, with many harrowing moments it is such a lovely book to read in the fact you are so drawn into the scenes and the characters. From the first page you are hooked and the need to know more only grows throughout! The subject of mental health is approached in such a unique way throughout the storyline and the trauma that can occur through mental health going untreated. In addition, the way issues are spoke about throughout with the novel with it being set in the 1800’s also create such an interesting read. I had not read Healing House (the first novel in the Woodlock Curse series), this did not impact reading this as a stand alone novel, I will however be going back to read it as I adore Plumridge’s writing.
May 27, 2022
Honestly at first I didn't know how I felt about this book. But the more I read the more I enjoyed it.
There is a big theme surrounding mental health and it can be a bit intense at times.
We follow Erosabel as she tries to outrun a curse that she inherited from her mother, who heard voices and would be the subject of whispers in the town.
Through her friendships we see how she navigates her life from a really young age right the way through to being a mother herself and it is a mixed bag of emotions.
This is historical fiction and shows how mental health might have been treated back in the mid 1800's.
How far will Erosabel go to rid herself of a curse, and could she do the unthinkable?
I'm still thinking about that ending too!
There is a big theme surrounding mental health and it can be a bit intense at times.
We follow Erosabel as she tries to outrun a curse that she inherited from her mother, who heard voices and would be the subject of whispers in the town.
Through her friendships we see how she navigates her life from a really young age right the way through to being a mother herself and it is a mixed bag of emotions.
This is historical fiction and shows how mental health might have been treated back in the mid 1800's.
How far will Erosabel go to rid herself of a curse, and could she do the unthinkable?
I'm still thinking about that ending too!
May 23, 2022
Erosabel is haunted by a curse. Malicious voices in her head torment her night and day. After fleeing her childhood home and joining a ban of travelling Gypsies, Erosabel believes she has finally outrun the curse. But as one event leads to another Erosabel ends up doing the unthinkable.
Thank you to @instabooktours and @authornicoleplumridge for allowing me to be part of this book tour!
Now, let me begin my review by saying this book is dark. The sinister side of this book oozes from the page and left me feeling uneasy. I love that despite this book coming across as sinister it is a historical story on mental illness - something that we can now treat and help with - but in the 1830s this was not something readily available and did carry the assumption of curses and witchcraft.
The story of Erosabel's life is heartbreaking and all the way through I felt myself willing her to keep going, to keep getting better - I really wanted her to find a way through her struggles. I love Willowen and Lucifer - they are such wonderful characters and were definitely the light this story needed.
I will say that this book makes you really think - mental health has a spotlight cast on it right now and we are lucky that we have medicines and therapies available to help with these struggles but back in the 1800s is was treated as a curse, with the stigma that the person was crazy. It's heartbreaking to think about but does make you realise that we are very fortunate.
Thank you to @instabooktours and @authornicoleplumridge for allowing me to be part of this book tour!
Now, let me begin my review by saying this book is dark. The sinister side of this book oozes from the page and left me feeling uneasy. I love that despite this book coming across as sinister it is a historical story on mental illness - something that we can now treat and help with - but in the 1830s this was not something readily available and did carry the assumption of curses and witchcraft.
The story of Erosabel's life is heartbreaking and all the way through I felt myself willing her to keep going, to keep getting better - I really wanted her to find a way through her struggles. I love Willowen and Lucifer - they are such wonderful characters and were definitely the light this story needed.
I will say that this book makes you really think - mental health has a spotlight cast on it right now and we are lucky that we have medicines and therapies available to help with these struggles but back in the 1800s is was treated as a curse, with the stigma that the person was crazy. It's heartbreaking to think about but does make you realise that we are very fortunate.
May 26, 2022
Erosabel is a historical fiction that is both heartbreaking and dark. I really liked that there were so many connections to the first book in the series Healing House. It really brings both books together! It's very well written and easy to get lost in! Following Erosabel story is both heartbreaking, delicate and at the same time you can't help but feel everything she does! It's an absolutely amazing story and I can't wait to see what the next book brings us!
June 17, 2022
3.5 stars
The Victorian era is known for being a dark, grim time. London especially is often depicted as a den of pickpockets, prostitutes and orphaned children. It’s a great period to read about.
I’m Erosabel we begin in London and end up in Kent, travelling the country as our heroine attempts to flee from her destiny.
It’s an interesting book, featuring a selection of stories that almost parallel elements in Erosabel’s life. The writing is vivid and descriptive, but quite slow, despite taking place over a number of years.
The first chapter – where Erosabel tells her story before she meets Willen – feels unnecessary as we could’ve just begun there… without it the book would grip readers much quicker and plunge them into a dark and magical tale.
Characters are rich and well-drawn with those she meets on her journey particularly fascinating. Sadly we don’t really get to know any of them well enough as they are all present for just a few pages. Even when Erosabel spends many months with people they don’t receive enough attention. Perhaps they will make another appearance in the next book, as surely Lucifer and Tommy must have another part to play…
It’s enjoyable and quite creepy in places, but something feels lacking. In some places there is too much detail; in others not enough. Hopefully the next book may answer some of the questions Erosabel throws up, but in its current state it doesn’t quite feel finished.
That said, with a few edits this could be a 4 star read.
The Victorian era is known for being a dark, grim time. London especially is often depicted as a den of pickpockets, prostitutes and orphaned children. It’s a great period to read about.
I’m Erosabel we begin in London and end up in Kent, travelling the country as our heroine attempts to flee from her destiny.
It’s an interesting book, featuring a selection of stories that almost parallel elements in Erosabel’s life. The writing is vivid and descriptive, but quite slow, despite taking place over a number of years.
The first chapter – where Erosabel tells her story before she meets Willen – feels unnecessary as we could’ve just begun there… without it the book would grip readers much quicker and plunge them into a dark and magical tale.
Characters are rich and well-drawn with those she meets on her journey particularly fascinating. Sadly we don’t really get to know any of them well enough as they are all present for just a few pages. Even when Erosabel spends many months with people they don’t receive enough attention. Perhaps they will make another appearance in the next book, as surely Lucifer and Tommy must have another part to play…
It’s enjoyable and quite creepy in places, but something feels lacking. In some places there is too much detail; in others not enough. Hopefully the next book may answer some of the questions Erosabel throws up, but in its current state it doesn’t quite feel finished.
That said, with a few edits this could be a 4 star read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews