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A review by clairereviews
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
5.0
Book Review:
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Published 18 Jan 2024, Bedford Square Publishers
Synopsis:
In the slums of 19th-century New York, Flora, living canvas for her abusive tattoo artist boyfriend, meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers Flora refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead, and simultaneously trying to avoid Chester's clutches and also stay alive.
Review:
Inspired by historical figures, including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, characters from P.T. Barnum's circus and New York gang The Dead Rabbits, The Knowing is a powerful debut, full of breathtaking detail and suspense.
Flora's spellbinding story is richly told; you can almost smell the slums and feel the texture of the opulent gowns from Uptown. There are many fantastic supporting characters here, and all written with such flair that you feel you know them intimately.
This isn't a particularly long novel, but there is a lot contained within the 298 pages, so there's no need for any more. The Knowing kept me reading deep into the night, as I was gripped by Flora's story and had to know how it ended. It's hard to know where to place this as it's unlike anything else, but Amazon lists it as Historical Fantasy, Alternative History, and LGBTQ+ Romance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I received a proof copy from the publisher; this is my unbiased review.
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Published 18 Jan 2024, Bedford Square Publishers
Synopsis:
In the slums of 19th-century New York, Flora, living canvas for her abusive tattoo artist boyfriend, meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers Flora refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead, and simultaneously trying to avoid Chester's clutches and also stay alive.
Review:
Inspired by historical figures, including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, characters from P.T. Barnum's circus and New York gang The Dead Rabbits, The Knowing is a powerful debut, full of breathtaking detail and suspense.
Flora's spellbinding story is richly told; you can almost smell the slums and feel the texture of the opulent gowns from Uptown. There are many fantastic supporting characters here, and all written with such flair that you feel you know them intimately.
This isn't a particularly long novel, but there is a lot contained within the 298 pages, so there's no need for any more. The Knowing kept me reading deep into the night, as I was gripped by Flora's story and had to know how it ended. It's hard to know where to place this as it's unlike anything else, but Amazon lists it as Historical Fantasy, Alternative History, and LGBTQ+ Romance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I received a proof copy from the publisher; this is my unbiased review.