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A review by natlbugz
The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
TLDR: If you like your historical fiction dark, your romance layered, and your setting creepy as fck, this one’s for you. WHAT A GREAT DEBUT!!!
I’ll read just about anything with a dark, atmospheric vibe, and The Resurrectionist hit that sweet spot for me. Set in 19th-century Edinburgh, this story is steeped in gothic energy, medical history, and just the right amount of unsettling detail to make you feel unsettled (in a good way, obviously). And a debut?! I love to see it.
The plot follows James Willoughby and Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, two men from wildly different social backgrounds, who bond over their shared passion for medicine. But here’s the twist: they’re resurrectionists, aka body snatchers, providing cadavers to medical schools in the dead of night. Throw in a connection to the infamous real-life serial killers Burke and Hare, and you’ve got a story that’s equal parts fascinating and horrifying.
The medical details? Dark and gruesome in a way that felt authentic to the era. Think blood-soaked dissection scenes and the grim logistics of body snatching. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it adds a layer of realism that kept me hooked. Plus, the stakes feel so high throughout, both for their dangerous trade and their budding (and complicated) relationship.
Speaking of, James and Nye are magnetic. Their dynamic is the heart of the story, and their love feels so raw and genuine against this bleak backdrop. It’s gritty, it’s emotional, and it’s the kind of love story that sneaks up on you while you’re busy focusing on all the chaos around them.
Is it dark? Yes. Did I recoil more than once? Absolutely. But there’s something so compelling about this mix of gothic history, macabre medical practices, and forbidden love that I couldn’t put it down.
I’ll read just about anything with a dark, atmospheric vibe, and The Resurrectionist hit that sweet spot for me. Set in 19th-century Edinburgh, this story is steeped in gothic energy, medical history, and just the right amount of unsettling detail to make you feel unsettled (in a good way, obviously). And a debut?! I love to see it.
The plot follows James Willoughby and Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, two men from wildly different social backgrounds, who bond over their shared passion for medicine. But here’s the twist: they’re resurrectionists, aka body snatchers, providing cadavers to medical schools in the dead of night. Throw in a connection to the infamous real-life serial killers Burke and Hare, and you’ve got a story that’s equal parts fascinating and horrifying.
The medical details? Dark and gruesome in a way that felt authentic to the era. Think blood-soaked dissection scenes and the grim logistics of body snatching. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it adds a layer of realism that kept me hooked. Plus, the stakes feel so high throughout, both for their dangerous trade and their budding (and complicated) relationship.
Speaking of, James and Nye are magnetic. Their dynamic is the heart of the story, and their love feels so raw and genuine against this bleak backdrop. It’s gritty, it’s emotional, and it’s the kind of love story that sneaks up on you while you’re busy focusing on all the chaos around them.
Is it dark? Yes. Did I recoil more than once? Absolutely. But there’s something so compelling about this mix of gothic history, macabre medical practices, and forbidden love that I couldn’t put it down.