Atmospheric & Gothic, A Must-Read Dark Fantasy Romance
“There are monsters in the world. There are monsters in the woods. They slip inside at night. Crawl through the walls of our cottage. They find their way into my brother’s dreams.”
Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone is a dark gothic fantasy romance full of monster boys who gift you pretty dresses, secret gardens and bramble thorns, death gods who whisper your name in the dark, honey-scented altar candles, and almost-kisses at midnight. I was automatically intrigued by this book upon reading the synopsis (I mean, a haunted estate? Monster boys? Sinister death gods? Plus, a focus on sibling relationships? Sign me up!) and the book itself pulled me in from the very first line, making it impossible to put down and me eager to get my hands on book two.
The Plot
Found alone in the woods when they were both children, Violeta Graceling and her younger brother, Arien, have spent their lives in a small village residing with a religious woman who took them in. When Arien started to exhibit signs of dark magic—masses of shadow that erupt from him while he dreams—the woman’s previous kindness turned to cruelty, punishing both Arien and Violeta for Arien’s abilities, leaving Violeta with the desire to do anything to keep her brother safe.
After Arien’s powers manifest themselves on the village’s tithe day, Arien and Violeta are approached by the lord of the valley, Rowan Sylvanan, who desires Arien to come to his estate, Lakesedge, where he has need of his abilities. Wishing to keep Arien safe, Violeta convinces Rowan to take her to Lakesedge as well, even if it means living with a monster rumored to have drowned his entire family.
But Rowan and Lakesedge are not what they seem.
As Violeta becomes closer to Rowan, she learns that he is tied to the death god, the Lord Under, to whom Violeta is also drawn. Now in order to save Rowan, Arien, and Lakesedge itself from the darkness and corruption of the lake and the Lord Under himself, Violeta must confront her own past and her eerie connection to the Lord Under before it is too late as she may be the key to saving them all.
The World, the Atmosphere & the Magic
Lakesedge promised a gothic atmosphere and it sure delivers. Full of dark hallways, abandoned rooms, whispering gods, blood sacrifices, and a sinister lake, this entire book screams “gothic.” While I have read quite a few gothic novels (that comes from taking a course in college literally titled “The Gothic”), I have not read a lot of young adult books that fall into this genre, although after Lakesedge I might have to change that. Lakesedge is the perfect balance of dark and paranormal with just the right amount of horror to make it mysterious and eerie without being overpowering.
The world and setting of the novel definitely help with this gothic atmosphere. Much of the book is set at Lakesedge, a practically abandoned estate owned by a supposed “monster” and nestled at the edge of a dark, corrupted lake where three people have supposedly drowned at the hands of the “monster,” Rowan. Combined with the dark, candle-lit rooms, locked doors, and voices in the night (paranormal and otherwise), the entire setting really adds to the mood and atmosphere of the novel and despite what Violeta and the other characters experience throughout the book, the estate and the lake constantly lurk in the background. I only wish that we got to see more of the estate, both inside and outside, as, despite the vastness of Lakesedge, very few rooms/locations (and their history) were explored, especially in the case of a gothic (or horror) novel like this one where the estate itself becomes its own sort of character. Likewise, I also wish that we learned a bit more about the world outside of Lakesedge or even Greymere (the village where Violeta and Arien lived), particularly the Maylands and how the people there use and view magic just to have more context for the world in which all of the events of the story are taking place.
In terms of the magic in the book, I really liked the dichotomy created between the “light” (tied to the Lady) and the “dark” (tied to the Lord Under) as well as the merging between the two (you cannot have the light without the dark, after all). I also really liked how the idea of magic being dark or light had no impact on the type of character who possessed it (Arien has dark magic, for instance, and he is such a soft bean). Additionally, I enjoyed how, unlike in traditional fantasy where magic just “is” (in that a character possesses magic and can just simply control it), the magic in Lakesedge is strengthened and better controlled through the use of sigils drawn on the skin, which I found really interesting.
The Characters
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times – if a book contains found family, then I am automatically obsessed! I really loved all of the characters in Lakesedge and their various dynamics with each other.
Violeta: I really enjoyed Violeta’s character. She is simply so fierce, brave, loyal, and protective of those around her that she was a character who you cannot help but root for, despite her proclivity for making foolish and reckless decisions (and bargains). Leta is simply willing to do anything to keep her brother, Arien, safe and I loved the bond that the two shared (as an older sister myself, I found Clipstone’s depiction of Leta in that regard to be very realistic). I also really enjoyed her relationship with Rowan (so much (sexual) tension!) and how she becomes sort of the only person who he was ever willing to confide in about his past (thereby changing both her perception and my perception as the reader of him as the narrative unfolded) and they both truly bring out the best in each other. She did annoy me a bit at times with regards to the information that she was withholding from the others, namely Arien, but I could understand why she was doing so (it definitely goes back to her desire to keep Arien safe).
Rowan: I was originally unsure of how much I would like Rowan when Lakesedge began, but overall, I ended up loving his character. I enjoyed watching pieces of his character and his past slowly unravel, beginning with his position as the sort of mysterious and cruel monster of Lakesedge and moving towards the reveal of his true inner self—a lonely boy nursing secrets and a tragic past and attempting to remain strong despite all of it. Rowan is definitely a troubled character both inside and out, dealing with his supposed reputation for drowning his entire family as well as carrying the burden of the truth (you know the Taylor Swift song “Sad Beautiful Tragic?” That is Rowan in a nutshell). I enjoyed learning more about Rowan’s past throughout the book and I could not help but sympathize with him over his past and the decisions that he made as a boy that ultimately cursed him (both literally and physically). He just needs a hug, okay?
Arien: Ah Arien, my favorite soft dark alchemist boi. Arien is such a sweet little bean and I just want to give him a hug. As previously stated, I really liked his relationship with Violeta and how he kind of forces her (in a good way) to do the “right” thing, even if it means putting him in danger. With this in mind, Arien is the type of person to throw himself into danger no matter the consequences, if it means keeping others safe (much to Violeta’s dismay). Sometimes it was hard to remember that he was only thirteen because he definitely acts older and, like Violeta, makes difficult decisions that no thirteen-year-old should ever have to make. I enjoyed watching him transform throughout the novel from a scared boy frightened by his abilities into someone who learns to control his magic and use it to help others (namely Rowan).
Clover: Speaking of characters I enjoyed, I also really liked Clover’s character. She is just so sweet and bubbly I could not help but love her as soon as she stepped onto the page. I appreciated how she served as a sort of contrast to Violeta and Rowan, always attempting to see the best in the situation and think positively despite the situation sometimes warranting otherwise. I liked her role in the story as the sort of “teacher” to Arien as well as a friend and confidant for Violeta, which she definitely needed. I really liked how she became sort of a mom/sister figure for Arien as well as Rowan and I enjoyed her various dynamics with the other characters throughout the story. I also loved the little jokes she made throughout the book about Violeta and Rowan’s relationship, they had me dying!
Florence: While she does not have as much page time as the other characters, I really liked Florence’s character and her role in the story. While she does not have magic or magical abilities like most of the other characters, Florence is with them every step of the way. I really enjoyed her relationship with Rowan and how she was friends with his mom and has stuck by his side despite what he has gone through and the dark events (and accusations) surrounding him. I also liked the relationship she developed with Arien, becoming the sort of real mom that he never had growing up (except for Violeta). She is totally the mom of the group, always prepared with food, tea, blankets, and bandages to reinvigorate and comfort Violeta, Rowan, Arien, and Clover. Plus, she stress bakes, so that is always a plus in my book!
The Lord Under: The Lord Under serves as the villain of Lakesedge, haunting Violeta, Rowan, and the rest of the characters’ lives to some degree (although his connection is really strong with regards to Violeta and Rowan). The Lord Under’s presence cloaked the entire book like a shadow, always there to some degree even if he was not seen. He is very dark, mysterious, and manipulative in addition to being the ruler of the world below, which made him an intriguing character to read about (although I did not necessarily like him). I was really interested in his connection to Violeta and hope that it is explored more in the next book as well as the sort of bargains that he strikes with mortals (Can anyone strike a bargain with him? What draws him to people like Rowan and Violeta? I need to know more!).
The Pacing – Twists & Turns
My only real complaint when it comes to Lakesedge was the pacing. There were some major jumps between chapters in which I wish that more information/scenes were provided, especially when it came to the dynamics between characters. For instance, I wanted more Violeta and Rowan scenes and scenes between Violeta and Arien between certain situations where there were jumps just to further see these relationships evolve. I also wish that we got more scenes of the “magic learning” sessions, which I found really interesting, including how the sigils work and the elements that are “combined” to form spells.
However, what I did really enjoy with regards to the pacing of the book was how the various twists and turns were handled. There was a slow unraveling of information through the book that I quite enjoyed which culminated into secrets revealed, mysteries solved, and bombshells dropped. Secrets and mysteries were scattered like breadcrumbs, working slowly towards shifting and changing the perceptions of the characters, particularly Rowan and even Violeta, through what information was revealed and withheld as the novel progressed.
Conclusion
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the second one, because that ending! I need to see what happens next!
Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone is a dark gothic fantasy romance full of monster boys who gift you pretty dresses, secret gardens and bramble thorns, death gods who whisper your name in the dark, honey-scented altar candles, and almost-kisses at midnight. I was automatically intrigued by this book upon reading the synopsis (I mean, a haunted estate? Monster boys? Sinister death gods? Plus, a focus on sibling relationships? Sign me up!) and the book itself pulled me in from the very first line, making it impossible to put down and me eager to get my hands on book two.
The Plot
Found alone in the woods when they were both children, Violeta Graceling and her younger brother, Arien, have spent their lives in a small village residing with a religious woman who took them in. When Arien started to exhibit signs of dark magic—masses of shadow that erupt from him while he dreams—the woman’s previous kindness turned to cruelty, punishing both Arien and Violeta for Arien’s abilities, leaving Violeta with the desire to do anything to keep her brother safe.
After Arien’s powers manifest themselves on the village’s tithe day, Arien and Violeta are approached by the lord of the valley, Rowan Sylvanan, who desires Arien to come to his estate, Lakesedge, where he has need of his abilities. Wishing to keep Arien safe, Violeta convinces Rowan to take her to Lakesedge as well, even if it means living with a monster rumored to have drowned his entire family.
But Rowan and Lakesedge are not what they seem.
As Violeta becomes closer to Rowan, she learns that he is tied to the death god, the Lord Under, to whom Violeta is also drawn. Now in order to save Rowan, Arien, and Lakesedge itself from the darkness and corruption of the lake and the Lord Under himself, Violeta must confront her own past and her eerie connection to the Lord Under before it is too late as she may be the key to saving them all.
The World, the Atmosphere & the Magic
Lakesedge promised a gothic atmosphere and it sure delivers. Full of dark hallways, abandoned rooms, whispering gods, blood sacrifices, and a sinister lake, this entire book screams “gothic.” While I have read quite a few gothic novels (that comes from taking a course in college literally titled “The Gothic”), I have not read a lot of young adult books that fall into this genre, although after Lakesedge I might have to change that. Lakesedge is the perfect balance of dark and paranormal with just the right amount of horror to make it mysterious and eerie without being overpowering.
The world and setting of the novel definitely help with this gothic atmosphere. Much of the book is set at Lakesedge, a practically abandoned estate owned by a supposed “monster” and nestled at the edge of a dark, corrupted lake where three people have supposedly drowned at the hands of the “monster,” Rowan. Combined with the dark, candle-lit rooms, locked doors, and voices in the night (paranormal and otherwise), the entire setting really adds to the mood and atmosphere of the novel and despite what Violeta and the other characters experience throughout the book, the estate and the lake constantly lurk in the background. I only wish that we got to see more of the estate, both inside and outside, as, despite the vastness of Lakesedge, very few rooms/locations (and their history) were explored, especially in the case of a gothic (or horror) novel like this one where the estate itself becomes its own sort of character. Likewise, I also wish that we learned a bit more about the world outside of Lakesedge or even Greymere (the village where Violeta and Arien lived), particularly the Maylands and how the people there use and view magic just to have more context for the world in which all of the events of the story are taking place.
In terms of the magic in the book, I really liked the dichotomy created between the “light” (tied to the Lady) and the “dark” (tied to the Lord Under) as well as the merging between the two (you cannot have the light without the dark, after all). I also really liked how the idea of magic being dark or light had no impact on the type of character who possessed it (Arien has dark magic, for instance, and he is such a soft bean). Additionally, I enjoyed how, unlike in traditional fantasy where magic just “is” (in that a character possesses magic and can just simply control it), the magic in Lakesedge is strengthened and better controlled through the use of sigils drawn on the skin, which I found really interesting.
The Characters
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times – if a book contains found family, then I am automatically obsessed! I really loved all of the characters in Lakesedge and their various dynamics with each other.
Violeta: I really enjoyed Violeta’s character. She is simply so fierce, brave, loyal, and protective of those around her that she was a character who you cannot help but root for, despite her proclivity for making foolish and reckless decisions (and bargains). Leta is simply willing to do anything to keep her brother, Arien, safe and I loved the bond that the two shared (as an older sister myself, I found Clipstone’s depiction of Leta in that regard to be very realistic). I also really enjoyed her relationship with Rowan (so much (sexual) tension!) and how she becomes sort of the only person who he was ever willing to confide in about his past (thereby changing both her perception and my perception as the reader of him as the narrative unfolded) and they both truly bring out the best in each other. She did annoy me a bit at times with regards to the information that she was withholding from the others, namely Arien, but I could understand why she was doing so (it definitely goes back to her desire to keep Arien safe).
Rowan: I was originally unsure of how much I would like Rowan when Lakesedge began, but overall, I ended up loving his character. I enjoyed watching pieces of his character and his past slowly unravel, beginning with his position as the sort of mysterious and cruel monster of Lakesedge and moving towards the reveal of his true inner self—a lonely boy nursing secrets and a tragic past and attempting to remain strong despite all of it. Rowan is definitely a troubled character both inside and out, dealing with his supposed reputation for drowning his entire family as well as carrying the burden of the truth (you know the Taylor Swift song “Sad Beautiful Tragic?” That is Rowan in a nutshell). I enjoyed learning more about Rowan’s past throughout the book and I could not help but sympathize with him over his past and the decisions that he made as a boy that ultimately cursed him (both literally and physically). He just needs a hug, okay?
Arien: Ah Arien, my favorite soft dark alchemist boi. Arien is such a sweet little bean and I just want to give him a hug. As previously stated, I really liked his relationship with Violeta and how he kind of forces her (in a good way) to do the “right” thing, even if it means putting him in danger. With this in mind, Arien is the type of person to throw himself into danger no matter the consequences, if it means keeping others safe (much to Violeta’s dismay). Sometimes it was hard to remember that he was only thirteen because he definitely acts older and, like Violeta, makes difficult decisions that no thirteen-year-old should ever have to make. I enjoyed watching him transform throughout the novel from a scared boy frightened by his abilities into someone who learns to control his magic and use it to help others (namely Rowan).
Clover: Speaking of characters I enjoyed, I also really liked Clover’s character. She is just so sweet and bubbly I could not help but love her as soon as she stepped onto the page. I appreciated how she served as a sort of contrast to Violeta and Rowan, always attempting to see the best in the situation and think positively despite the situation sometimes warranting otherwise. I liked her role in the story as the sort of “teacher” to Arien as well as a friend and confidant for Violeta, which she definitely needed. I really liked how she became sort of a mom/sister figure for Arien as well as Rowan and I enjoyed her various dynamics with the other characters throughout the story. I also loved the little jokes she made throughout the book about Violeta and Rowan’s relationship, they had me dying!
Florence: While she does not have as much page time as the other characters, I really liked Florence’s character and her role in the story. While she does not have magic or magical abilities like most of the other characters, Florence is with them every step of the way. I really enjoyed her relationship with Rowan and how she was friends with his mom and has stuck by his side despite what he has gone through and the dark events (and accusations) surrounding him. I also liked the relationship she developed with Arien, becoming the sort of real mom that he never had growing up (except for Violeta). She is totally the mom of the group, always prepared with food, tea, blankets, and bandages to reinvigorate and comfort Violeta, Rowan, Arien, and Clover. Plus, she stress bakes, so that is always a plus in my book!
The Lord Under: The Lord Under serves as the villain of Lakesedge, haunting Violeta, Rowan, and the rest of the characters’ lives to some degree (although his connection is really strong with regards to Violeta and Rowan). The Lord Under’s presence cloaked the entire book like a shadow, always there to some degree even if he was not seen. He is very dark, mysterious, and manipulative in addition to being the ruler of the world below, which made him an intriguing character to read about (although I did not necessarily like him). I was really interested in his connection to Violeta and hope that it is explored more in the next book as well as the sort of bargains that he strikes with mortals (Can anyone strike a bargain with him? What draws him to people like Rowan and Violeta? I need to know more!).
The Pacing – Twists & Turns
My only real complaint when it comes to Lakesedge was the pacing. There were some major jumps between chapters in which I wish that more information/scenes were provided, especially when it came to the dynamics between characters. For instance, I wanted more Violeta and Rowan scenes and scenes between Violeta and Arien between certain situations where there were jumps just to further see these relationships evolve. I also wish that we got more scenes of the “magic learning” sessions, which I found really interesting, including how the sigils work and the elements that are “combined” to form spells.
However, what I did really enjoy with regards to the pacing of the book was how the various twists and turns were handled. There was a slow unraveling of information through the book that I quite enjoyed which culminated into secrets revealed, mysteries solved, and bombshells dropped. Secrets and mysteries were scattered like breadcrumbs, working slowly towards shifting and changing the perceptions of the characters, particularly Rowan and even Violeta, through what information was revealed and withheld as the novel progressed.
Conclusion
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the second one, because that ending! I need to see what happens next!