Monstrous Heart

This book too me by surprise. While initially I did find it difficult to get to grips with the story and language used, it soon passed and the rest of the book flew by.

Arden is the main character of this story and she comes from a long family line of lighthouse keepers, the Beacons family. They are all imbued with a blood talent which allows them to create flame with their blood. When Arden herself was tested, she failed to show any talent until her last test. Her blood is malorum which is bad, meaning she doesn’t have a pure talent but enough to get her by. Since she showed talent, her future and relationships are dictated by the Eugenics council who seek to ensure that the bloodlines at kept pure to keep the talents alive.

Arden is desperate to prove herself and an opportunity arrives for her to do that. She heads to a small town called Vigil to man the lighthouse formally run by her uncle, who has since passed away. If she completes her job there and they find someone with a blood talent in Vigil to work the lighthouse, she can leave and become a full member of the council, allowing her to marry whomever she wishes.

Upon arriving in Vigil she is told constantly about how bad her neighbour, Mr Riven. He supposedly murderer his wife and calls up the creatures of the depths. He keeps to himself and is described as being a monster but Arden takes it upon herself to make acquaintance with him.

This is a strange town where it seems women are subservient to men and a request to the eugenics council can put a couple together. The coast master wants Arden and often tells her as well as nye on trying to rape her. He seems like a slimy character and has no redeeming qualities.

I loved Ardens assistant Chalice, she brought a bit of life to Arden as well as Mr Rivens, despite what the people of the town want us to believe.

It’s clear that there are secrets hidden beneath the faces of the people in Vigil and Arden has unwittingly been used as a pawn to find someone with a power they don’t want to let go.

Aside from that, there is SPICE, let me tell you! Saucy sea folk and romantic trysts amongst the waves of this small fishing town. Things heat up from about page 200 if I recall and you won’t want to put it down.

Honesty, the last few chapters had me hooked, I couldn’t stop reading it! I’d love to see where the ending leads, without spoiling it for anyone yet to read it. I think it was towards the end that Arden really came into her own and now she has this strength, I want to see her own it.

I don’t think this will be a book for everyone and it is a slow burner, but once you get into it - it has some heat!! I really enjoyed it. It’s a wonderful dark, gothic, romantic fantasy and I’m hooked.

This one isn’t easy to review or describe - a fantastical, steam-punky version of Jane Eyre, it throws you in at the deep end without a live safer. There are no explanations, no gentle world building in back-flashes or gradual info dumps, no family trees or maps. You have to work out for yourself what’s going on.
Up until a third in I wasn’t sure if I loved it for it’s beautiful writing or hated it because it left so much hard work to the reader.
Half way in I was completely enchanted.
This really is a book that only works if you suspend any expectation of wanting to understand everything right away. You just have to allow yourself to drift on the waves and let it slowly but surely unfold around you.
The world it is set in is weird and wonderful, the tale as old as time - the writing is incredibly atmospheric and, if you allow it, will slip under your skin and leave you with a deep sense of ‘Sehnsucht’, or ‘Saudade’ - a melancholic longing for far-off places and unknown adventures. No small coincidence they are the names of boats in this story.
Unique and ‘deliciously strange’ with a cracking ending - I do hope there’s a sequel soon.