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fdallachy's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I found this a really powerful and gripping novel. It took me a little while to get into it, and when I first began I wasn't in the right mood, put it down for a couple of months or more, but got quickly caught up in it when I did come back to it later. It manages to really effectively create a medieval worldview, with a feeling that the supernatural is a real force in the world even though very little that is undoubtedly supernatural happens.
The book thoroughly and effectively explores the tensions between a female religious community and the more traditional male-dominated hierarchies of the medieval Church and older rural pagan beliefs, with the latter developing into a folk-horror-style subplot. It never truly crosses into horror, however, and I think is stronger for that as it remains (mostly) quite grounded whilst still ramping up tension - something which particularly works because many of the main characters are so well developed and sympathetic, especially the members of the 'beguinage' religious community.
I have a couple of reservations, mainly to do with elements which could do with a whole slew of content warnings. Most of these subjects are treated with compassion, but occasionally the pseudo-supernatural story can feel like a frivolous and disrespectful way of exploring very sensitive issues, although the intensity of the storytelling helps to balance this out. I think it is very definitely worth reading if you like tense, slow-burning drama.
The book thoroughly and effectively explores the tensions between a female religious community and the more traditional male-dominated hierarchies of the medieval Church and older rural pagan beliefs, with the latter developing into a folk-horror-style subplot. It never truly crosses into horror, however, and I think is stronger for that as it remains (mostly) quite grounded whilst still ramping up tension - something which particularly works because many of the main characters are so well developed and sympathetic, especially the members of the 'beguinage' religious community.
I have a couple of reservations, mainly to do with elements which could do with a whole slew of content warnings. Most of these subjects are treated with compassion, but occasionally the pseudo-supernatural story can feel like a frivolous and disrespectful way of exploring very sensitive issues, although the intensity of the storytelling helps to balance this out. I think it is very definitely worth reading if you like tense, slow-burning drama.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, Abortion, Homophobia, and Child death
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