Skip to content

Shit Reviews of Books

Mediocre reviews at best

  • Home
  • About / Shout at Jen
  • The Story Graph
  • Genres
    • Fiction
      • Historical Fiction
      • Fantasy
      • Young Adult
      • Science Fiction
      • Thriller
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Novella
      • Crime
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Comic
      • Audiobooks
    • Non-fiction
  • Not a book review (but still shit)
  • Work with me
  • Home
  • About / Shout at Jen
  • The Story Graph
  • Genres
    • Fiction
      • Historical Fiction
      • Fantasy
      • Young Adult
      • Science Fiction
      • Thriller
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Novella
      • Crime
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Comic
      • Audiobooks
    • Non-fiction
  • Not a book review (but still shit)
  • Work with me
Fiction

Review: The Shape of Darkness – Laura Purcell

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 Jen Post a comment
Review: The Shape of Darkness – Laura Purcell

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Title: The Shape of Darkness
Author: Laura Purcell
Page Count: 416
Published: 
21st January 2021
Genre:
Fiction, Historical Fiction

I got this as a preview copy from the nice people at Netgalley. I will always be honest about a book no matter if I paid for it or not. There are also affiliate links in here, too 💜

If you’re after unnerving historical fiction that comes wrapped in a big ol’ bow, then let me introduce you to the Queen of Gothic Spooks, Laura Purcell.

Having read The Silent Companions, The Corset and Bone China I knew exactly what I was getting myself in for and this did NOT disappoint.
This is what you’re in for:

✨ Set in Victorian Bath (the era and the city, not a very old tub)
✨ Spiritual mediums who seem to _actually_ speak to the dead
✨ An artist losing the plot
✨ People dying left, right and centre

So if that’s caught your attention, lemmie introduce you to the characters. First up, the main gal Agnes Darken. A silhouette artist (legit had no idea this was a thing) and the breadwinner for her very small family. Only she has the slight issue of her clients dying after she’s done their portrait. Can confirm it ain’t good for business.

And then you’ve got wee Pearl. A wee 11-year-old spirit medium with the world riding on her shoulders. Essentially used by her half-sister to make them a chunk of cash for séances, she quickly finds herself tangled in Agnes’ mess when all she wanted to do was speak to her dead mum.

Yet there was just something lacking from this. And all I can think about are two things:
– I didn’t fall in love with any characters. Except maybe the dog.
– It took me a while to get sucked in which I’ve never had to deal with when it comes to the other books.

Throwing that aside though, this is a wonderful little book with a very clever story woven through it. Legit never seen the ending coming. Was 100% a pow, right in the kisser moment and I’m real glad my noggin didn’t work it out.

Grab The Shape of Darkness on the 21st January 2021.

fictionhistorical fictionlaura purcellshape of darknessthe shape of darkness
About Jen

About Jen

I write potentially shit and/or bad reviews of potentially excellent books.

Related Posts

Review: The Pharmacist by Rachelle Atalla
Review: The Pharmacist by Rachelle Atalla
Review: This Charming Man by C.K McDonnell
Review: This Charming Man by C.K McDonnell
Review: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
Review: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
Review: Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian
Review: Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian

Post navigation

Review: The Charmed Wife – Olga Grushin
Review: The Smallest Man – Frances Quinn



Currently reading

Get shit reviews in your inbox

Get shit reviews in your inbox

What more could you possible want 😘

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Top Posts & Pages

  • Review: Mrs England by Stacey Halls
    Review: Mrs England by Stacey Halls
  • Home
    Home
  • The Asylum by Karen Coles
    The Asylum by Karen Coles
  • Review: The Art of Death - David Fennell
    Review: The Art of Death - David Fennell
  • Review: The Cut by Chris Brookmyre
    Review: The Cut by Chris Brookmyre
  • Review: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
    Review: The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
  • Review: This Charming Man by C.K McDonnell
    Review: This Charming Man by C.K McDonnell
  • Review: The Pharmacist by Rachelle Atalla
    Review: The Pharmacist by Rachelle Atalla
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Shit Reviews of Books

Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | love you