Today I have a review of a book that
is part Gothic novel, part vampire horror novel-- The Quick by
Lauren Owen.
It’s Halloween
time and even though vampires are not as popular as other monsters in horror
these days, many readers still love the lore of the vampire. It is a go-to
character for many readers at this time of year, and what is perfect about Owen’s debut novel here is that it is truly half
Gothic, Victorian novel and half old fashioned vampire story. It is truly a
Halloween read with wide appeal.
Set in a Dickensonian, Victorian England [a setting well known to many
readers], The Quick is the story of a young poet who accidentally gets
wrapped up in the complicated world of the secret Aegolius
Club. The novel has the leisurely pace of the Gothic novels from the era in
which it is set, but readers who sit back and take in the well drawn
characters, intrigue, and intricate plot, are in for a great ride.
We begin the novel meeting a brother and sister who live in a falling down
estate. When their father dies, their Aunt takes them in. Then the two are
separated as James, goes to the city and Charlotte stays behind in the country.
What follows is a story of Victorian London’s underground vampire world and
James and Charlotte’s roles in it. It is important to note that James and
Charlotte and their sibling bond is what ultimately drives the story here. In
fact, the opening chapters are slower, but the reader reaps an excellent reward
for reading through them as they set up the final chapter perfectly. The end of
this novel is moving and satisfying because of the well crafted sibling bond
and those slower opening chapters.
This is an extremely detailed novel that unveils its story through multiple
points of view. We see life for different people on all of the vampire
battlefronts. This changing perspective enhances the moody, atmospheric, and
foreboding tone. It also allows the world of the vampires and those who fight
them to be carefully and intricately built. Overall this leads to the
satisfying nature of the novel as a whole.
However, this stylistic
choice also makes this dense and intricate story move at a leisurely but
compelling pace. One of the most striking things about this debut novel is how
perfectly it embodies the story telling
techniques of the era in which it is set. This Victorian style adds
authenticity to what is a fantasy story. But readers must remember that Gothic
novels unravelled at a much more methodical pace than today’s tales, even those
of today that invoke the Gothic storytelling style.
While the world building of the Victoria era is realistic, I loved the vampire
world building here too. It was all steeped in classic vampire lore, but the
specific details on how they survived in the real world and the other side of
the story, how the vampire hunters worked to track them and stop them, were
both extremely interesting and compelling.
But don’t get me wrong here. It’s not all about the Victorian setting, There is
some great vampire action here. These creatures are mean, nasty, and
vindictive. There is an epic battle between the warring vampire groups that
matches any vampire novel I have ever read. And again, it moves between points
of view which was very satisfying.
Overall this is an excellent literary, Gothic novel
that has enough about vampires to satisfy horror readers, but enough other
frame to attract those looking for a seasonal read. It has its gross and
violent moments, but it is nothing today’s average reader does not encounter
already in bestselling suspense stories.
Three Words That Describe This Book:
Gothic, Vampires,character
centered
Readalikes: The
Quick’s appeal is best described as Dickens
meets Dracula.
Both are excellent readalike options, and together they capture the novel’s
appeal perfectly.
This novel also reminded
me of The
Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, although The Quick is much better in
my opinion. I found the protagonist of The Historian whiny and weak.
Charlotte is the exact opposite. Also, the vampire parts in The Quick
are much better for horror fans.
