I am not a fan of bugs. I am a screamer. If they fly near me, land on me, or threaten a five-foot radius around me, I am cut loose into unadulterated madness. It is not something I am proud of. It is not something I have the ability to control.
So why in the world did I dive into this book? Even stranger, why did I love it so much?
The novel opens with Sonia Willson. Sonia is a scientific illustrator who has spent her life working for her father. After his death, she is left unemployed and desperate. As a woman in 1899, she has limited choices, but a job offer from Dr. Halder grants her the opportunity to get back to the work she loves.
Sonia packs up all her insecurity and self-doubt and makes the long journey to Dr. Halder’s estate. That is where the Gothic goodness begins. Oh my, does it begin.
Dr. Halder lives deep in the forest, secluded and surrounded by the insects he loves. His once-beautiful home is crumbling… but what of the people inside?
Upon arrival at the estate, you meet characters that scream Gothic mystery. The characters are rich, layered with secrets piled on top of secrets. You know something big is coming, but who is the catalyst?
I loved sweet Sonia. Something about her was so genuine. Awkward and terribly insecure, she navigates as best she can but makes some choices that left me stuttering.
The atmosphere in this novel is thick and sweltering. Every creepy-crawly word of it embeds itself just under the skin and leaves you twitching.
T. Kingfisher is the master of the Gothic setting. There is little more I can say.
There were moments when I cringed away from the book and set it down just to run back and read the passage again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I will never look at fly larvae quite the same way again. (Shiver)