Tag Archives: Queen Victoria's Book of Spells

The Unwanted Women of Surrey by Kaaron Warren

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: The Unwanted Women of Surrey
Author: Kaaron Warren
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5:  4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Death, Feminism, Gaslamp, Historical fiction
Dates read: 19th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: We went walking early in the evening.

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Synopsis

In a house of unwanted women, the Grey Ladies have decided to make their presence known. But these unwanted wives don’t really know what the cost is going to be… will it be too late when they find out the truth?

Thoughts

This is kind of a strong story. It intertwines death, feminism and the choices we make in life. And it truly asks the question: what is right and what is wrong? Where are the shades of grey? Or in the case of this story, where are the shades of the Grey Ladies? After all, they haunt through this story in an eerily familiar way with each flick of a page.

The mix of a tale about women attempting to find their power and place in the world. the five women in this story are all unwanted by their husbands for one reason or another. In some circumstances, I think that this unwantedness is completely understandable (there was a potential murderer among them). But in others it is just kind of tragic. At the beginning of the story, all of these women are kind of just gliding through life with no real aims or decisions as to where they want to go in the world. By the end, that has changed and there is a sense of purpose and desire in all of their actions.

The use of the cholera outbreak and a mass murder gave this tale an entirely haunting feeling. And one that made you feel a little less comfortable with the decisions that are being made by the unwanted women of surrey. Yet, it also provides a great placement in history as this was a moment that actually happened. And houses provided for married, yet unwanted women was also quite a common occurrence within this time period. The fantastic blend of historical fact, and the fantastical nature of the Grey Ladies completely swept me away.

 <- Smithfield ReviewCharged Review ->
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Smithfield by James P. Blaylock

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Smithfield
Author: James P. Blaylock
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Gaslamp
Dates read: 5th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The moon had climbed higher into the sky now and shone on the cobbles in the street.

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Synopsis

It’s the turn of the century and things are beginning to change. Will they be able to catch this through the lens of a camera?

Thoughts

This was a really fun, easy read. But it wasn’t one that I really got into. I very quickly skimmed through it, and although it was enjoyable, it wasn’t memorable. The writing was really good though which is probably why I did enjoy it as much as I did… it was well written, fun, but just not enough to keep my easily distractible self paying attention…

I really liked the turn of the century feel to this story. The use of cameras and gas lighting throughout was very atmospheric and helped to pull along the fantastical elements of the story. It left you with a feeling of mystery and wonder when you finally turned that last page – not quite sure what happened, but certain that you enjoyed it.

Smithfield is one of those short stories that I’ll probably read again in the future. Just because that lingering feeling of wonder and mystery is still hanging around over 24 hours after I turned that final page. It is the type of story that will keep on feeding on itself and I’m sure that I’ll find something new to love each and every time I read it…

 <- The Governess ReviewThe Unwanted Women of Surrey Review ->
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The Governess by Elizabeth Bear

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: The Governess
Author: Elizabeth Bear
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Family, Fantasy, Gaslamp
Dates read: 25th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: But she does, and there it is, and somehow she gets her mouth around it.

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Synopsis

Anabelle is the governess of three beautiful children. But not all is right in the manor, and it might take the strength of a woman to make it right again.

Thoughts

Not sure why, but at the beginning of this story, I was kind of expecting a much more cheerful and happier outlook in this story. Maybe a bit of a rags to riches story. I was so incredibly wrong. This is a little bit dark, a little bit uncomfortable and a really enjoyable read.

The Governess is a story that highlights the plight of women. Not only through Anabelle’s trials, but those of the mistress of the manor. Both are trapped by a man who is more than a little evil, and both are filled with their own hidden strength. The ending really drives home that although both women were brutalised and subject to horrors, they find a way to rise above and focus on a new future. The grasping of their own freedom and focus on what makes them strong, rather than what made them victims was the only really uplifting moment in an otherwise dark story.

This wasn’t a heavy fantasy story, it almost read a little like a historical fiction. But with just that hint of a fantastical element towards the very ending. Actually, it kind of made me want to watch Downton Abbey because it felt kind of like that era. Yet, the beauty of the fantastical hint at the end made me want to clutch this book to my chest, and find yet more stories written by Elizabeth Bear. A great introduction to a new author.

 <- For the Briar Rose ReviewSmithfield Review ->
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For the Briar Rose by Elizabeth E. Wein

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: For the Briar Rose
Author: Elizabeth E. Wein
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Family, Gaslamp
Dates read: 2nd August 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: And anyway, he’s decided he’s too old for country life.

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Synopsis

Her father just wants to paint his Briar Rose series, but he’s not quite sure of how. She just wants to start her new life. In this bittersweet story about growing up and moving on, father and daughter find a new, happy life.

Thoughts

This short story had a very dreamy, bittersweet feeling to it. Which makes sense, because it talks about an artist and is loosely based around Sleeping Beauty. Both topics and things which tend to bring up a quite melancholy feel. Or at least, that’s how I personally find these types of stories.

The imagery used throughout this story was incredibly beautiful. There is something special about the briar rose and a girl sleeping amongst them that just seems universal and unforgettable. The use of this to surround a young girl who is about to enter the world of adulthood through marriage was very beautiful. Not just in the painting of her sleeping figure, but also in her relationship with her soon to be husband. It not only highlights the innocence of youth, but also the fun and beauty of the moments in which we leave our youthful hope and wonder behind.

Unlike the other stories in this collection, For the Briar Rose isn’t filled with any kind of conflict. It doesn’t make you feel in awe of any specific talent or moment. It just makes you think. And for me, reflect on the innocence of being a young girl when everything was still beautiful, shiny and hopeful.

 <- La Reine d’Enfer ReviewThe Governess Review ->
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La Reine d’Enfer by Kathe Koja

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: La Reine d’Enfer
Author: Kathe Koja
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, LGBTQI
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I grabbed up whatever I could put my hand to, a silver spoon from the table, a bottle of gin; then threw it all down again, my head a-swim like being drunk.

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Synopsis

He’s been trapped in a life that isn’t one of his own making. Davey is hunting him, but all he wants to do is act on stage. Will he finally get what he wants?

Thoughts

When I sat down to write this review, I couldn’t quite remember what this short story was even about. There was a vague memory of enjoying the story and thinking it was very good, but I just couldn’t remember what happened in it. So I had to have a quick look at the pages again. And then it all came flooding back to me. And I’m really not sure why I didn’t remember this much clearer from the very beginning. There was a bit of an Oliver Twist feel to this story, with a great sense of darkness and brutality.

I like that there was a subtle feeling of magic to this story. It felt more about the magic of theatre than the casting of a spell. More about magics that we make others believe in (some might say manipulate) than that of the Fair Folk. It created a nice, dreary, mystical affect to the storyline that made you not want to put it down. Although, it’s this same shrouded mystery-effect which also made it quite difficult to remember exactly what it was that I had just read..

 <- The Memory Book ReviewFor the Briar Rose Review ->
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The Memory Book by Maureen McHugh

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: The Memory Book
Author: Maureen McHugh
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Gaslamp, Horror
Dates read: 7th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: But a man’s vanity could always be counted on, and even as the Finches frowned, he laughed.

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Synopsis

Laura Anne keeps a little scrapbook in a secret place. Whilst all the other books are just full of nice memories, this one is full of something much darker, and she’s about to use it to get her own way.

Thoughts

This short story seriously sent goose bumps up by back. It was kind of horrible and truly uncomfortable. Not at the very beginning, in the beginning I was more than ready to feel sympathy for and love Laura Anne. But that quickly changed. And now I’m glad that she doesn’t really exist. She was a creepy, evil girl child.

Recently I started getting a little bit more into my crafting… and one of those craft things that I’m thoroughly enjoying is scrapbooking. After reading about how Laura Anne uses her “memory book” / scrapbook to alter the course of peoples’ lives… I’m feeling a little uncomfortable about getting back into that. Although, the current project is all about happiness and love. So maybe I should just concentrate on that…

The open-endedness of this short story’s ending added an extra layer of horror and just nope to this story. You can imagine the havoc that Laura Anne is going to continue wreaking on the people in her life and imagine no way in which it could be stopped.

 <- From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) ReviewLa Reine d’Enfer Review ->
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From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) by Genevieve Valentine

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire)
Author: Genevieve Valentine
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Wordplay
Dates read: 4th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Even with the losses, however, the Exhibition turned enough profit to finance construction of the Victoria and Albert Museum itself.

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Synopsis

A collection of notes, letters and quotes that tell of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous.

Thoughts

This was a bit of a weird read. Not in a horrifying or negative manner, but in a, I’m going to read this again and again to see what pops out. It’s fascinating, fun and a perfect mix of reality and fantasy. The unique structure of this story is what I love the most about this story though. It is different, fun and gives an entirely different flow to the storyline than any other short story that I have read recently.

There aren’t many stories that I struggle to see the overarching storyline… a mass of exposure tends to make things more and more predictable. But, because this short story has such a unique and completely alien format to what I’m used to, I’m still not sure I’ve fully grasped what was happening. Which I loved. It not only means that this is a story I’ll enjoy reading again, it was also a challenge. And who doesn’t love a good challenge?

 <- The Fairy Enterprise ReviewThe Memory Book Review ->
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The Fairy Enterprise by Jeffrey Ford

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: The Fairy Enterprise
Author: Jeffrey Ford
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Fae, Gaslamp
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “Did you say fairies?”

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Synopsis

He wants to manufacture fairies and make a fortune. But when the wrong person hears about his plans, things will take a turn for the worse.

Thoughts

I really loved the industrialist spin of this story. The idea of taking the fae and mass producing them for some kind of gain. That in and of itself makes for an interesting story. The fact that someone with power finds out and seeks revenge on the perpetrator just makes it all that much better.

The story for this is a little convoluted and twisty, but I found that thoroughly enjoyable. Actually, the setting, the story-tale telling and the themes were all a little bit reminiscent of Jekyll & Hyde. There was an atmosphere of mystery, a sense of irony and a darkness about the tale that screamed Victorian England. Murders done in dark streets. And, eventually, wrongs being righted.

The Fairy Enterprise is a great short story that encompasses the needs and drives of industrialisation. It also helps to give a fantastical, fae spin to a story that is dark, twisty and more than a little fun.

 <- Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells Review From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) Review ->
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Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells by Delia Sherman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells
Author: Delia Sherman
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) & The Mammoth Book of Gaslit Romance (Ekatrina Sedia)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Magic
Dates read: 9th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Surely a mother’s duty is to comfort and protect her child, not stand by while a monster savages her.

Synopsis

She’s locked up in the dusty old archives trying to decipher the spells of a long-lost queen. But, when she finds out the secret behind the words, she’ll have to decide what to do with her knowledge.

Thoughts

As an introduction to Gaslamp fantasy, this was kind of fantastic. And the fact that it was a short story written by an author that I’ve already kind of fallen for… well, that was sort of perfect. After all, this story mixes magic, sexism and a healthy dose of pride and power. Actually, the voice which told the story was one that I immediately connected with and didn’t ever want to leave.

Queen Victoria is a fairly pinnacle character of Victorian tropes – as soon as I saw the title of the book and the story, I started to think about the time and reality in which this story was placed. But, reading a diary from a young girl who supposedly ended up marrying for love and who faced some very difficult hurdles to her crown. All before she fully grew into her own powers and strength, was a great adventure. It was a great theme and person to hang a story on.

One of the things that I struggle with in academia is the idea that one person’s opinions can seriously screw up your future (I’m very lucky with my academic supervisors). And that, in science and discovery, there are some things that might be a little too intense and dangerous to share. Again, not something that I actually tend to have to deal with, but it’s still a cloud that hovers over my thoughts. Sherman deals with these issues perfectly in a way that makes you really want to help the protagonist, and hope for the happy ending that is hinted in the final passages.

<- Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells CollectionThe Fairy Enterprise ->

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