DNF

I am afraid I did not manage to finish the book in time.
I read the first few chapters and I actually liked the plot and structure with the different points of view.
I will definitely finish it in the future!

i tend to love books like this!! strange, elastic, nicely written, a little gay stuff going on???? YES. but this doesn’t hold together as a whole book particularly well. disappointing because it was so compelling!

Sparks of Bright Matter is a novel combining descriptions of 18th century London with rural Ireland, the search for a missing object of importance and some unusual characters.

Sparks of Bright Matter  is a book that quickly gets down to business. At the start of the novel, Peter Woulfe is a young apprentice chemist working in Georgian London, earning a basic wage and getting by. However, in his spare time he is obsessed with alchemy which he works on in his room.

Peter is given the task of delivering a book – the Mutus Liber – to a customer. He sets off with good intentions but upon meeting Sukie, a prostitute and a thief, he loses the book. The consequences of this are dramatic, for the book has secrets that others are willing to kill for. Whilst the book’s main plot is about the hunt for the book, until about halfway through the novel, the plot mainly focuses on things around this plot device.

We also spend time discovering details about Sukie, perhaps the most likeable character in the book.  She finds the book and keeps it hoping to sell it for profit but realising that it may be worth more than she is willing to give.

On the first page we find that Peter is not a particularly nice young man. Obsessed with his studies and not someone who gets on well with others, his first action in the book is to throw something at Mal, his assistant, for disturbing his train of thought and seemingly killing him.

This unfortunate accident leaves Peter abandoning Mal’s body on the city streets – dead bodies on the streets are not too uncommon in London at this time, it seems. The author fills the book with grim descriptions of squalor and unpleasantness, with prostitution and gin palaces all over the poorer parts of London.

As the book progresses we are told much of how Peter got to where he is now through backstory – his upbringing in rural Ireland, in a village where the mysterious witch Bridie lives, his apprenticeship in France and Europe and then in London, where he sees events related to the Jacobite rebellion. This Irish element of the story by comparison with urban London is also not easy, but seems somewhat gentler.

Much of the work is readable and makes the pages turn. However, there were elements I had issues with. Firstly, although the main characters are detailed, I couldn’t help but dislike some elements of them, The biggest issue here was Peter, who I felt I was meant to get to like by the end of the novel, but whom actually I really disliked. Sukie is more likable, yet even so would not be a person I wanted to meet, never mind want to find out more about. Other (admittedly minor) characters are used and then discarded without preamble, or at best a signing off sentence, their work in servicing the plot done.

Talking of plot, I finished the book feeling that it was imbalanced. There are elements of Peter and Sukie’s journeys that seem unnecessary – whether it be Peter’s sojourns to Europe as part of his apprenticeship or Sukie’s random relationship with a married woman. Whilst they give pleasant enough general background, they felt rather like filler.

In addition, there’s an abrupt about-turn in the latter part of the novel’s plot where what began as a search for knowledge becomes a rumination on personal history, This leads to an ending which can perhaps be best described as enigmatic – a damp squib of a conclusion that understandable but was clearly meant to mean more than it did to me.

This all sounds rather negative, but there is a lot to like here. This is because Sparks of Bright Matter  is an ambitious book, if not totally successful. Whilst some of its details are engaging and exciting, the unevenness of the plot and the unlikability of some of its main characters tempered this one a little for me. Nevertheless, a novel from a debut author with potential, even if the book for me was not entirely triumphant.

Thanks Black and white publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

Sparks of Bright Matter by Leanne o Donnell is a beautiful, whimsical novel set in a time and an era where people believed in magic, and when you put Ambition and fantasy in the setting of love and magic you get this wonderfully written novel set in 18the century London about a cast of characters who are so well written, they feel real. I had to read this book in one sitting. The world building and characters not to mention myriad sub plots somehow all come together cohesively. I loved this book. And especially Peter our protagonist .

Sparks of Bright Matter is a wonderful story set in the eighteenth century when people believed that alchemy was almost within reach. It is set in Cork and London, where apprentice Peter Woulfe is asked by his employer to deliver an unusual book to a Baron. Peter doesn't manage to complete the delivery which leads to a considerable amount of trouble.

This book is full of fantastic characters, a healthy dose of mysterious goings-on with a very serious sub-plot.

I really enjoyed reading this unpredictable,imaginative tale.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read this ARC, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Sparks of Bright Matter is a captivating historical mystery with a magical edge. It is fantastic.

4-4.5*
We move from Ireland to England and back, briefly to Paris during the eighteenth century. Life is hard and for those who don’t inherit or marry it can mean separation from their family and travel to find a better life. Sadly, for many, life is little more than existence. In Sparks of Bright Matter by Leeanne O’Donnell the settings, especially of London, are written so well that you can picture them, smell them, feel the cold, the tension and hear the noise and sounds. You are with the characters living their lives.

In Sparks of Bright Matter Leeanne O’Donnell brings to life Peter Woulfe, (al)chemist; Sukie Bulmer, a young woman who earns her living in various occupations; Bridey Leary a teller of tales and more; Shapsel ‘Nico’ Nicodemus Stein pawn broker and his wife Katia; Danby Scott and his cousin Robert Perle; Mal Burkiss and many others. We come to know each to some degree and love or dislike them sometimes both but are always eager to follow their stories. Stories that are wonderfully written within the overarching and connective story of Peter.

This is partly a book about a book, the Mutus Liber, which becomes valuable to Peter when apprenticed to Sweetman, alchemist and bookbinder, one summer in London. It is a valuable book not only because of its content but because of what is hidden in it. For that it is valuable to Sweetman and to the Jacobite supporters of the 18th century. He entrusts Peter to deliver the book to Baron Swedenborg but due to a strange incident involving the Baron and his first meeting with Sukie not only does he fail to deliver it to the Baron he loses it. The consequences of which are far reaching. There is a reckoning that Peter didn’t see coming in quite the way it does.

The story however begins in London when an older Peter deals badly with his assistant Mal Burkiss when he lets the fire go out. Bringing in Robert Perle to help sort things out is a mistake Peter will surely regret.

From here we go back and forth between time and place as we learn about Peter and how he got to this situation. How his path crosses with the enigmatic Sukie when they are both younger. Of his childhood in the shadow of Mount Gabriel near Cork where he befriends Bridey Leary. How he comes to Paris and to London.

As characters appear and interact, as we move from childhood to youth and adulthood, from one place and back again Leeanne O’Donnell weaves a complicated, magical story that takes the reader into their worlds. She has taken Peter, a real person of that time, his world, some actual events and has given us a wonderful, immersive story of her own.

With scenes of minute detail, did you know there was such a thing as someone who collected dog faeces, which used it as a siccative for bookbinding leather, for sale to tanneries? To sweeping scenes of riots in London. From the beautiful Irish landscape to the putrid streets of London. Here is a story of life changing moments, of love, lust and obsession with a dose of political intrigue and with a smattering of madness and magic.

It is a terrific read for anyone interested in historical fiction/faction, alchemy, magic, books about books, who enjoy wonderful characters and books set in Ireland and/or London.

I found this a fascinating book, a wonderful story, enjoyable and well worth reading.

This was really not what I expected but I absolutely loved it and thought the way it was written was so unique and clever. I enjoyed this novel so much and can’t wait to read more from this author

Sparks of Bright Matter by Leeanne O’Donnell is a beautifully written, character driven historical novel that tells the story of secret alchemist Peter Woulfe who has been tasked with caring for a mysterious illustrated book called the Mutus Liber.

When the book is stolen by lightfingered Sukie, Peter finds himself pursued by men who are prepared to do anything to get the book back. Peter can’t understand what makes the Mutus Liber so special and, with the search for the book becoming a game of cat and mouse, half remembered events from his past begin to come back and haunt him…

Full of intrigue and suspense, this debut novel is beautifully descriptive as the story moves backwards and forwards in time, bringing to life a mystical and atmospheric tale full of myths and magic.

I love a historical tale told via multiple timelines and I must say this one did not disappoint. Leeanne O’Donnell has written a unique and suspense filled debut novel that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

This is a story about a book, the Mutus Liber. It’s also a story about a student of alchemy called Peter Woulfe. It’s not his book, he is supposed to be delivering it to Baron Swedenborg. And all the while he is trying to make gold out of lead, or something similar. It’s also a story about a prostitute called Sukie, with whom Peter is obsessed. But she has stolen the book and he must get it back at all costs.

But then again it’s about the Jacobite Rebellion and the men who will stop at nothing to put the rightful King on the throne. As an aside, when I was at school, I had a classmate who believed in the same thing. During assembly she would refuse to sing the National Anthem, instead, toasting the ‘King over the water’.

It’s also a story about the myths and magic of Peter’s birthplace and spiritual home in Ireland. Even though he travels extensively, he is always drawn back there, and to the strange woman called Bridey Leary who told him fantastical stories when he was a child.

The book moves back and forth through time, Peter as a child in Ireland in the early 1700s, as a young adult in 1744 when he discovers other pleasures with Sukie, then later in 1780 when he is older, and obsessed with his study of alchemy, to the exclusion of all else including having a wife and family. We also jump ahead some years later, when he is in his fifties.

Unlike a couple of other reviewers, I was far more interested in Peter than in Sukie. He’s an interesting character. He is fascinated by Sukie and the smell of her neck, but for me I can only imagine how everyone stank, especially a prostitute.

Sparks of Bright Matter is beautifully written, almost lyrical, with a style slightly reminiscent of The Night Circus. It’s got that whimsical feel about it, with a lightness of touch to the text. It won’t be for everyone and I accept that there are some loose ends that didn’t get tied up like Nico and Katia, but it’s a work of art and needs to savoured for its sheer beauty.

Many thanks to @Tr4cyF3nt0n for inviting me to be part of the #CompulsiveReaders #blogtour and to NetGalley for an ARC.

Genre bending mix of historical fiction, myth and fantasy.
This book took me a while to get into. Some parts of it I loved and found fascinating others not so.
There were too many sub plots which left stories untold and the lack of opportunity for more in depth character development.

A historical fiction set in an intriguing historical time frame: the first half of XVIII century. The main character, Peter Woulfe, is one of the last alchemists and is tasked with an illustrated book, the Mutus Liber. It seems an easy task but if you go intro the Georgian London underground something will happen, like being robbed of your book.
It’s the start of an adventure that involves Peter, a man divided between magical and rational thinking, into the search for the book and an intriguing woman. There’s myth, there’re historical facts and the re’s a lot going on.
It’s a bit slow at the beginning introducing Peter and his world and it becomes fast paced after some chapters.
I’m fascinated by books about alchemists and the illustrated book is an added bonus.
I enjoyed it and appreciated the well-rounded characters and the vivid historical background. There’s twist and there’s a lot of surprises.
4.5 upped to 5
Many thanks to Eriu Books and Compulsive Readers for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.

A spell-binding and unputdownable tale about spirit and matter, love and lust, and reality and magic. Thank you for granting me early access to this fantastic book!

I struggled to get into this one. I was sold on the premise. In 18th century London, a young apprentice chemist is tasked with looking after the Mutus Liber, a mysterious book which turns out to be an illustrated guide to alchemy. It's stolen from him within a few hours, and what follows is ostensibly a quest to recover it. But it feels like the novel barely tells us about the book/alchemy.

I'm not opposed to multiple character perspectives or overly descriptive prose, but ultimately I just didn't feel invested in anything that was happening. Without giving any spoilers, there were quite a few side characters with interesting stories, but they never seemed that relevant to the main narrative. Peter, Sukie, and Bridey's sections felt like they belonged to completely different novels, and there wasn't really a pay-off at the end where the strands came together in a satisfying way. I could see what O'Donnell was trying to do and I don't think it was bad, it just wasn't for me.

This is a very busy book and it did take me quite a while to get into it as there are a lot of characters to get your head around. Set largely in London starting in 1780 and Paris and Ireland. With some flashbacks to 1744, London and early 1700’s Ireland. It is centred around Peter Woulfe and a strange illustrated book, the Mutus Liber, which a number of people are desperate to get their hands on. The book opens with Peter loosing his temper and killing his assistant, Mal, then selling his body to a body dealer. The writing is very descriptive, which I liked, and quite slow paced for the first half but it definitely ramped up in the second half.

Briefly, when Peter is tasked with delivering the Mutus Liber to its owner, on behalf of his master, he meets Sukie and has a brief sexual encounter with her and in his rapture he forgets to pick up the book and Sukie takes it. Unexplainably Peter is completely obsessed with Sukie after their brief meeting but he needs to finds the book, and quickly…

There are a number of different threads in the book all woven together; alchemy (turning lead into gold), Jacobite rebels, Irish legends and that magical book that seems to put a spell on anyone who comes into contact with it, and that’s just for starters. The book is very loosely based on a real character in Peter Woulfe who is believed to have been the last true alchemist. In the book this obsession ruled his life to the exclusion of everything. I didn’t find this an easy read but it was an interesting one and very atmospheric, quite compelling. A mix of historical fiction, fantasy and myth this is a transfixing and fascinating read. 3.5 rounded up

I don't really think that this book quite manages to do what it sets out to. I think there're good ideas but it doesn't come to a coherent whole for me.

This book has three loosely connected threads . The first concerns the hunt for the Philosopher’s Stone, turning base metals into Gold and the quest for eternal life- these secrets are contained in a rare book, the Mutus Liber.
The second thread concerns a list of Jacobite supporters hidden in this book and the hunt to retrieve this dangerous piece of parchment.
The third thread concerns an Irish Woman, who is probably a mystic or seer, and her fate is linked to both the young scientist of the first and the list and book of spells.
This was a difficult read to get into. The Chemistry aspect was good, intriguing and vividly portrayed, we explored the darker side of how cheap human life was in the Eighteenth century.
The list of Jacobite names didn’t really appear relevant to me, it neither asked or answered any questions of why it was included. It just seemed to run out of steam.
I couldn’t really see why there was so much emphasis upon the Irish woman, yes she was connected, but there was so much hocus-pocus involved , the book could have managed with less detail.
The ending felt rushed and left so many questions unanswered, I was left feeling puzzled and frustrated, I thought there were too many threads in this book, it had a tendency to wander. I gave two stars.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Black and White publishing for my advanced digital copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave a copy to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

This book was a mixed bag for me. I was genuinely intrigued by the premise, but something about the writing style didn't quite fit with me as a reader. The writing is incredibly descriptive and vivid, but I felt very disconnected from it. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say that the beginning is both compelling and interesting. Especially in the beginning, there were a lot of characters introduced quickly, and I kept confusing them. This book has an excellent style, it just wasn't for me.

: He woke earlier with a start, his heart thundering in his chest, to a particularly clear visions of the dead lad's face gazing at him. A bad start. He rose and dressed. He prayed. He threw himself into his work. He would brook no distractions. Not from the living, not from the dead. ::

Peter Woulfe is such a interesting man. He hails from Ireland originally but has found his way into the groins of London's finest, first starting off in a chemists thanks to the investment from his uncle into his near (and what he hopes will be a very bright future!)

But handing out remedy's to people is not in Peter's future, no he is looking for something outworldly.. something you can't capture the essence off until it is within your grasp. Something.. that first starts off with a book.
A book that fell into his hands by accident.. then consequently.. left him.

Anyone who encounters this book is enamoured and has a spell put on them, images, words and feelings begin to bombard them and then they end up more than they want, less than they deserve.. outworldly.
It could simply be .. angelic.

But is the years of Peter's life taken up by the echo of something he simply could have found by returning home?

I loved everything about this book. It tipped me into the folklore-dreamland I remember being in as a child. I couldn't put it down and I'm so thankful to Netgalley, the publishers and to Leeanne for allowing me to read it and review it.

I really struggled with "Sparks of Bright Matter" by Leeanne O'Donnell. It didn't deliver what I was hoping for, an insight and scenes of alchemy. It didn't hold my interest and although things picked up at points, enough to keep me to plough on through, I don't think it is the book for me.