“I was good for nothing but blood.”

In more than one way, this quote sums up Lenore’s whole existence. Borne of aristocratic blood but an orphan due to a tragic accident, her blood is what secures her an advantageous marriage. Her blood is also the source of all her pain, disappointment, and fear. For Lenore, being a woman is a horror show and her body is her nemesis. 

It’s 1888, and Lenore is heading to the countryside with her husband for the summer, back to the lands in the north where his steel foundries are located. He’s bought an estate named Nethershaw and means to have it restored in time to host a shooting party in two short weeks. Even though Lenore considers herself a master conductor of household matters, she doesn’t know if she can pull off such a feat. She feels set up to fail, even as she must also play hostess to the mysterious Carmilla, a strange woman they rescued from a crashed carriage on the road. 

This book feels slightly like An Education in Malice had a baby with My Darling, Dreadful Thing with a Bronte sister surrogate and I’m not mad about that. The prose is so lovely, flowing lyrically and evocatively with a strong sense of what it wants to be and what it wants to accomplish. Dunn has a strong narrative voice that comes across in everything: word choice, character voice, world building, and her obvious love for the source texts she drew inspiration from. It all just comes together so brilliantly into this rich, gothic, romantic horror tapestry. I found myself absolutely immersed in this story from beginning to end. 

🩶 What to Expect 🩶

🍒 Lots of Victorian etiquette

💣 The horrors of being a woman in Victorian England

🍒 Girl, I’d keep laudanum on me too

💣 Lots of yucky food

🍒 “Who we are is more than a series of dates and legalities.”

💣 Needing more from life than pain

🍒 Haven’t you ever done something naughty?

💣 Everyone has dark impulses

🍒 You are not responsible for your spouse’s behavior

💣 Suspicion vs. knowledge

🍒 Only showing a desired reflection

💣 “I am not buying what you are selling.”

🍒 The power of having the upper hand

💣 Wanting isn’t selfish

🍒 Life owes you nothing

💣 This place isn’t the same without you

🍒 Anger is easier than fear

💣 Primal want

🍒 Joyful vindication

💣 “Should I survive this?”

🍒 When all else fails, improvise

💣 I’m just a woman, after all

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Gothic Fiction/Historical Horror/Horromance/Horror/LGBTQ Horror/Literary Fiction/Sapphic Romance/Vampire Fiction