Yellow Jessamine

I’m really loving Caitlin Starling’s visions of horror so when this got announced it was immediately on my most anticipated list.

I went into this book expecting the typical plague styled horror. People dying, the threat of infection. As well as uncertainty of what kind of story it’d fully be as it’s around only 130 pages total.

30 pages in and I got so excited to see it was something much more. With particular scenes catching so much of my interest. Even with my longing for it to be much longer. Evelyn’s grief and panics stirred memories of my own, which made this small novel a bit of a undertaking for me.

This said, I do with we could have seen a bit more with the soldier’s end. He seemed like an after thought till the last 20 pages or so. He was my only gripe.

I want to preface my review by stating that I received an ARC through Netgalley, however the copy I received was very flawed. Luckily enough Starling saw a comment I had posted on Twitter stating the file was messed up and reached out and sent me another file. Super thankful that she took the time to reach out to me and send the second copy! Yellow Jessamine was my first Starling book but it will not be my last. I already have her first book on my radar and you should too ( The Luminous Dead).

Yellow Jessamine is not only a beautifully written book it is STUNNING ( gold foil!). I have nothing against E-books but this is a book worth splurging on a physical copy!
There is a lot going on in such a short book and the twists keep me flipping pages like a mad woman trying to figure it all out. Is there a plague?? Possession?? Is this woman just bonkers? I am not going to tell you! GO READ IT!

Overall I loved the creepy and gothic vibes prevalent throughout the book. I loved the main character Evelyn Perdanu although I probably shouldn’t. Starling developed Evelyn and the other characters phenomenally. If I am honest, I cant point out a single thing I disliked about this book. One of my favorites of the year for sure!

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Neon Hemlock sent me this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

This is an atmospheric story with a touch of the fantastical/paranormal that had me wishing for more.

The story follows Evelyn and as it progresses, we learn more about how she grew up and came into the power shes managed to hold on to in her dying city. The setting has a Victorian or Regency vibe, which adds to the mystery of Evelyns backstory and her skills with plants and poisons.

Like I say for most novellas I review, I dont want to say much about the plot because the book is so short. The end really threw me for a loop though, and I found myself pleasantly puzzled by the conclusion. If youre looking for a quick, atmospheric (with just a hint of female/female romance) historical fantasy, check this one out.

Also, the cover and chapter header designs are so lovely!

This novella was dripping in the gothic tone you expect from classic tales of macabre, which happen to be some of my favorite. I absolutely loved the tone and pace. Dread starts to wind its shadowy fingers around you right from the start as the dance of questioning begins. Is it imagination, paranoia, guilt, or something supernatural?

Evelyn was depicted perfectly, embodying the strong vulnerability of a woman who did what was needed even under the strain of her haunted past. Violetta contrasts her in a lovely clash of personalities that fit together in unexpected, yet natural ways as things begin to unravel.

The atmosphere, like Evelyn herself, serves the story, adding to the dread that gripped me so tightly that I was unable to put book the book down. I highly recommend this hauntingly beautiful horror novella.

Ever since I finished The Luminous Dead, I have been impatiently waiting for Caitlin Starling’s next book to drop. Even though Yellow Jessamine is a novella, it still boasts that creepy and atmospheric writing that Starling is now known for.

In this novella, we have an incredibly wealthy shipping magnate who is watching her city crumble as a strange plague is ravishing the city.

I am always a bit wary when it comes to people writing about plagues since some people down play the gory details, which are honestly half the fun. Don’t worry, Starling absolutely nails the horrifying disease as well as tops it with a truly gothic style cherry on top.

If you’re looking for a quick read for spooky season, look no further.

Thank you to Neon Hemlock Press for providing a review copy through NetGalley. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

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