Rarely have I read a novel so transparently stylized and so poorly paced. I read and read and read, and somehow the story never ends. The book seemed so promising, and the concept is kind of interesting, but the execution definitely needs some tweeking.

I really struggled with the authors writing. It was structurally sound so it was very rigid and proper and had really really long sentences. It gave it a pompous and aristocratic tone. Perhaps that was what the author was going for, but it made for boring reading for me. At the 10% point, the story still hadn't grabbed me, so it is now destined for the DNF pile.

Not for me. I suspect this book is good at what it white pts. However it proved to e something that fell outside of my interests and likes.

This book was well written and very fun to read. The characters were great and I enjoyed the world building. The author does a great job at introducing the characters and moving the plot along. There were a few things that I didn't like, but it wasn't enough to really sway me one way or the other. It's definitely a story that I can get lost in and both feel for the characters. It is definitely a go-to novel that I highly recommend to anyone who loves a great read. Definitely a highly recommended read that I think everyone will enjoy.

A Viennese inspector, Alexander Von Purzeus, is a liberally minded fellow who likes to express and experience his innermost desires. His life-long and deap-seated obsession with bedding the opposite sex lead him to start infamous Vienna soirees where excited participants can take advantage of others and be taken advantage of. Among the guests were Cardinal, royal niece, police Captain and others. It seems his beloved sister was one of his suprasensual parties' victims. She was cryogenically frozen for the time being.

I had been banging my way through the classes of Viennese society until the Cardinal, quite absurdly and out of envy, became worried about my cock being in the presence of one duchess or another (who had paid for the privilege, might I add), calling this ‘sacrilege’ and the like (you know how ministers tend to invent these terms as they go along).


Alexander's presence in Vienna became undesirable and he was sent to Kutna Hora to investigate a series of frenzied killings. A rash of murders in this small, country town is off the charts. It seems Kutna Hora brings utter savagery out of people. But are they people any longer? Upon arriving at the city he discovers that his visage has changed and now he bears the head of the sub-Saharan lion. He joined the ranks of so-called Lowenkopfen, sort of human-animal hybrids.

Savage world of Kutna Hora is detailed and terrifying. Violence is ubiquitous and it seems no one can leave the city. Exceptional world-building is rich and finely presented through the eyes of a carefree and narcissistic inspector. At times it becomes quite heavy and very detailed. While there's a convoluted plot to follow, the focus is more literal. Finely crafted sentences and savage imagery are impressive. That said, I have an impression the plot isn't well thought off. Oftentimes I felt like it served mainly as a device to show author's skills.

European women tend to pay most of their attention to either their faces or the front of the body, but much less to the derriere. Therefore, the rear of a female is the truth and if honesty is a gentleman’s concern, then surely he must look at his partner’s buttocks.


As you see in the quote above Alexander has plenty of interesting insights to offer :) Don't misread it, though. His voice is narcissistic, at times misogynistic but also charming. The sense of humor is omnipresent but it's a specific type of dry, abstract and dark humor.

The pacing of the book is uneven. I guess it shouldn't be approached as a regular action-packed book, as the ride here is mostly intellectual, but, well, at times it was dragging.

Overall, it's an interesting book with unique ideas and rich imagery. I appreciate author's imagination and skills, but at times I felt disconnected. Additionally, I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with the story's resolution and the way it was done. Probably not.

I received the book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review

A Preamble to Depravity is a steampunk murder mystery set in a world of 1890’s Eastern Europe filled with Viennese inspectors, people with lion’s heads, sexual sadism, and all manner of things. It, however, was not for me and will remain unfinished on my bookshelf henceforth.

An absolutely brilliant book. If it's not a bestseller then I want to know why!!!

Quite a difficult read, however, and definitely not for the faint of heart. I can imagine it being the sort of book that students would study at A-Level.

DNF

Couldn't get into the story, wasn't too fond of the writing.
Though the plot seems very interesting.
I also didn't realize this was the second volume in a series. So I think that's part of it.