Such a stunning cover!
I enjoyed this book-first 2/3 was a little slower than the last part of it but at that point, I couldn't put the book down. A unique take on historical fantasy-wonderful characters.

Would recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh take on historical fantasy with urban fantasy and paranormal elements tossed in.




I have since bought a copy of this book for my own library.
I received an arc of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, William Morrow Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this book on NetGalley I had to request it, simple as that. An Oscar Wilde pastiche with female characters? Hell yes! So maybe I had way too great expectations for this one, or maybe this book just wasn’t for me but… I found it disappointing. It’s not a bad book per se. I can’t say that the plot isn’t functioning or the characters were bidimensional, because it would be lying. But, to me, this book was just plain and, because of this, quite a boring read.
The spark didn’t ignite and I couldn’t find a thing that made me care. I didn’t care for the characters and I couldn’t care less for the story, because I wasn’t engaged with it, even if I loved the idea. So, in the end, I couldn’t care for a thing in this book and I found the reading plain and boring. This just wasn’t for me.

Although they are sisters, Evadne and Dorina Gray couldn't be more dissimilar. Dorina is the perfect Victorian lady; petite, fashionable, beautiful in all the accepted ways except for her dalliances with other women. Evadne is a very different matter. She is short, stocky and could care less for fashion and beauty. Her passion is fencing and she devotes her time and energy to make herself a master at it.

When Dorina wants to visit their uncle in London and write a biography of his work as a painter, it isn't something she would normally be allowed to do. Young ladies who haven't even come out don't go gallivanting off by themselves. However, their parents decide it is permissible as long as Evadne goes along as her chaperone.

Their differences are magnified in London. Evadne cares nothing about the museums and the art circles that have Dorina in ecstasy. However, Evadne finds a fencing academy which has the promise of taking her skills to a new level. Each of the girls also finds a mentor. Dorina is entranced with Lady Henrietta 'Henry' Wooten, a rich, fashionable lady who cares nothing for what society thinks. Evadne finds her teacher, George Cantrell, a firm yet gentle instructor who soon has her fencing moved up several levels in skill. Although the sisters are at odds with each other, each has found a new joy in living.

Yet all is not well. Evadne discovers that George has dedicated his life to a mission, one that he wants her to join. He is sure that demons are around and that they take up residence in those who are willing to barter their souls in exchange for gifts like beauty, riches or some other skill. He is determined to find and kill all of them and he wants Evadne to join his group of demon-hunters. Evadne is especially sensitive to traces of demons. Her greatest fear is that Henry is one of those who have made a bargain with a demon and that Dorina will do the same under her guidance. Will Evadne commit to eradicating demons no matter the cost, even if it is her sister's life?

Molly Tanzer has written a fascinating look at a Victorian England that most never consider. Her depiction of the slow seduction of Dorina by the demons and of Evadne by her faith in her fencing skills is masterful. The pace is brisk enough to be a page turner while the descriptions of the people and the surroundings recreate England in another time period. Her work has been nominated for several literary prizes and she moves between genres effortlessly. This book is recommended for readers of fantasy.

I really wanted to enjoy this, and on paper it ticks all the boxes. Historical high adventure with demons, multiple gay lovers and drama? Yes please. For those reasons alone I can't rate this less than three, because in its own way it's enjoyable and unique. But...

I found I really couldn't get past the writing style for this. The story itself and the characters are great, especially the sisters, but the style just put me off. It was overly flowery and not to my taste. I also found the pacing a little bit too slow with an opening chapter that feels very disjointed to the rest of the novel as it doesn't even include our main sisters. And the supernatural elements were very subtle compared to what I was expecting.

An enjoyable 'romp', but I just wish the writing style was more to my tastes.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bitter after learning her longtime friend has proposed to another woman, Evadne hopes to ruin her spoiled sister’s trip to London by exposing her scandalous relationship with another girl. Instead, Evadne is sent along with young Dorina to keep an eye on her as they visit their Uncle Basil, a painter. The girls meet Basil’s friend Lady Henry and while Dorina is immediately smitten, Evadne remains skeptical. As Dorina moves deeper into Henry’s world both sisters discover a link to the supernatural that could put both their lives at risk.

While I DNF’d The Picture of Dorian Gray in high school, I was very much interested in a sort of gender-swapped reimagining.

This is a slow burning story and one that I found highly immersive. Tanzer gives us a look at two sisters: Evadne, who is 29, strong-willed, judgmental and a stickler for the rules, but loves (and is excellent at) fencing, despite it being a very unladylike sport. Her much younger sister, Dorina, is 16 (er, or maybe 19, now I can’t remember, sorry), an unrestrained flirt, impetuous and spoiled, but dreams of being an art critic. The two sisters fail to find anything in common between the two and often fight. Neither can seem to understand the other’s motivations or actions.

When Evadne catches Dorina being intimate with a female friend, her first thought is to wreck her sister’s London trip by revealing the relationship to their mother. Dorina is sly, however, and passes the incident off as an experimental phase. She still gets her trip to London, but now Evadne is forced to accompany her. Recently spurned by the man she admired and hoped to marry, Evadne is furious that her sister’s happiness was not wrecked too, though she tells herself that really she’s trying to look after her sister.

I found both sisters realistic, as they were so flawed and their constant misunderstanding of each other is understandable due to their age gap and opposite personalities. There were moments when I sided with Evadne and others with Dorina and then times where I thought they were both acting the fool. Lady Henry is also a compelling character, but one I think best revealed through reading the book. I will say I pictured her as Cate Blanchett!

The demons in this novel were presented in a way I’d never seen before. Rather than creatures evoked by performing some strange sacrifice, or ones that lurk in the shadows waiting to possess the innocent, these demons have to be cultivated by way of plants. I’m not 100% clear on how it works, actually, but it seems like certain plants have to be grown (ginger, for example) and then consumed, in order to create a connection with a demon. The demon then sort of inhabits a person’s mind, though without constant consumption of whatever the special food/plant/herb, the person would lose their connection. If this was a strong or long-term connection, losing it could prove to be fatal. In return, the demon grants something to whoever they inhabit (in addition to their constant mental presence) such as strength or enhanced senses.

I thought this was wonderfully done and it made it very easy to understand why there would be societies dedicated to deepening their bonds with the demons and also why so many “normal” people might turn out to be diabolists (the book’s word for those who commune with the demons). I should also add that the demons aren’t necessarily good or evil – they seek different things from the human world and they’re almost relatable.

If you enjoy Victorian novels with a touch of the paranormal (are demons paranormal? If not, then whatever genre they are. Is demonic a genre?) then I highly recommend this. I haven’t successfully read The Picture of Dorian Gray and while I do see some connection, I don’t think you have to be a fan of, or even know anything about, the original to enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more of Tanzer’s work and realized that I have two of her other books on my wishlist!

Part Victorian Gothic, part sword-swashing adventure, part witchcraft and part romance, this is a thoroughly delightful tale. With a nod here and there to Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the story concerns two sisters on a visit with their uncle in London. The older sister, Evadne Gray, loves fencing and the neighbor youth, but the latter has left her heart-broken by announcing his engagement to another. She’s in London as a diversion from her sorrow and also as chaperone for her vivacious, rebellious, artistic younger sister, Dorina Gray. Soon they’ve gone their own ways, Dorina to the salon of Lady Henrietta Wotton and Evadne to study at a fencing academy. But matters are not all they seem, for in this world of Victorian high society, demons bargain with their human hosts in pacts ranging from benign to bloody.

This was my introduction to the work of Molly Tanzer but it won’t be my last. Besides the supernatural and mysterious, the depiction of a world of privilege and heartache, the story delves with sensitivity and insight into human relationships, thus setting it apart.

Thank you to NetGalley, Molly Tanzer, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me to read and review Creatures of Will and Temper.

Described on NetGalley as follows:
"Victorian London is a place of fluid social roles, vibrant arts culture, fin-de-siècle wonders . . . and dangerous underground diabolic cults. Fencer Evadne Gray cares for none of the former and knows nothing of the latter when she’s sent to London to chaperone her younger sister, aspiring art critic Dorina.
At loose ends after Dorina becomes enamored with their uncle’s friend, Lady Henrietta “Henry” Wotton, a local aristocrat and aesthete, Evadne enrolls in a fencing school. There, she meets George Cantrell, an experienced fencing master like she’s always dreamed of studying under. But soon, George shows her something more than fancy footwork—he reveals to Evadne a secret, hidden world of devilish demons and their obedient servants. George has dedicated himself to eradicating demons and diabolists alike, and now he needs Evadne’s help. But as she learns more, Evadne begins to believe that Lady Henry might actually be a diabolist . . . and even worse, she suspects Dorina might have become one too.

Combining swordplay, the supernatural, and Victorian high society, Creatures of Will and Temper reveals a familiar but strange London in a riff on Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray that readers won't soon forget."

I thought that this book was well-written and quite enjoyable. As someone that didn't enjoy The Picture of Dorian Gray (sorry!) I actually found this book to be more interesting. 4/5

his is a book that I not only received an egalley from netgalley but I also took it out of the library. Clearly, I need to organize my netgalley books better.

It was an interesting novel about a 19th century England in which various subsects of society were playing with demon powers for a number of reasons. I found the book unsettling and I am not sure why. Possibly because, for some reason, I want a clearer good vs. evil dichotomy if there are going to be demons in your worl.

[Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.]

A lot of blurbs and reviews touted this as reminiscent of Jeff VanderMeer. Originally, that really put me off requesting it on NG, because I am not a fan. City of Saints and Madmen was an interesting book, but not my reading preference. I thought it was confusing and a little gross for my taste. I never picked up another one of his books because I didn't like his writing style.

But then I read a review by an author I have been following for a while. I feel that we often like the same books, and dislike the same books. So when she said that it really wasn't anything like VanderMeer's work, and that it was really quite good, I figured what the heck. A little apprehensive, I began.

What started out as a normal classical (Victorian? Edwardian? Wasn't quite sure on the time period and I don't feel like going back to check if it was mentioned somewhere) family story with a little adventure thrown in, quickly devolved into demons and blood. Now I'm always one for a classic, so reading this was like being back in familiar territory. But when things went south, and boy do they go south, holy cow what a ride.

Admittedly, it was predictable. I called several of the major "twists" before they were explained, because the foreshadowing was a bit obvious. Nonetheless, the ride was enjoyable and the writing was fantastic. Even when blood comes, it's graphic but not chainsaw-massacre-horror-movie-style graphic. I could manage it, and I'm not one for gore. So to any typical fantasy reader, I don't think it would be too horrible. I've read a lot worse.

The statement that it's based on The Picture of Dorian Gray was pretty obvious. For someone who has degrees in English Literature, I'm not exactly the most well-read in the "big names." I preferred a lot of lesser-knowns. So I have never read Dorian Gray, but after reading this it may show up on my to-read list. Who knows, maybe eventually I'll get around to it. I know the basic idea of the story but not how it unfolds, and not exactly how the painting works. I think that even not knowing that, you can still make the connection with this book. The way the painting was used in this one was quite interesting, and I'm curious to see how it aligns with the original.

For not being in my normal wheelhouse, this book was great. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. The only reason I gave four stars is for the predictability, although to be fair, I don't really know how the author could have been more subtle.

My first impression upon starting this book, even merely reading the author's forward at the beginning, was that it was going to be a book that I would enjoy and it certainly did not disappoint!

Creatures of Will and Temper is a loose retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. However, Tanzer has definitely cast her own very unique and intriguing spin on the book, making it more than just a normal classical retelling. The book centers around the two sisters, Dorina and Evadne, as they head to Victorian London to stay with their uncle Basil and experience London society. Dorina, the precocious and adventurous younger sister, is enthusiastically looking forward to her London debut, while Evadne, her older sister, has been sent along (albeit unwillingly) as her chaperone. Evadne is distinctly different from her sister Dorina, and where Dorina only wishes to explore and learn, Evadne would rather stay home and work on her fencing and avoid potentially improper situations. Once the sisters make it to London, they are introduced to their uncle's friend, Lady Henrietta "Henry" Wotten, which almost instantly puts the girls at odds. Lady Henry is a self-ascribed aesthete and makes no apologies for her brashness or her (in Evadne's opinion) improper behavior. Dorina is of course instantly charmed by her and becomes involved in Lady Henry's social circle as Evadne looks on disapprovingly. However, the girls soon learn that there is something more sinister going on in London's underground society, where diabolists and demons lurk, than either of them could have imagined.

This book shines in it's character development and it's descriptions of the character's relationships. I liked the accurate way that Tanzer portrayed a sisterly relationship between Dorina and Evadne who are, personality-wise, two very opposing characters. While the sisters are often at odds with each other, throughout the book the reader gets a strong sense of familial protection and love from the two of them. I also really enjoyed how unabashedly honest each sister was about their own passions; Dorina for art and aesthetics and Evadne with her fencing. All the female characters in this book were strong and independent in their own ways, and I loved that. I enjoyed the portrayal of Dorina's sexuality and how the author dealt with this throughout the story.

The element of supernatural is also done well in this book, though I would have loved to learn more about this side of their world. The diabolist societies and demon elements, rather than being overtly supernatural, evoke a subtle nod to the Spiritualist elements of Victorian England and fit in very well with the rest of the story. I really enjoyed the idea of demons having different ideals that they gravitated towards or represented.

Overall, the only qualms that I had about this story were that it was a bit slow in parts and that I would have liked to learn more about the supernatural side of this world. The well done setting and character building made up for the slowness in the middle of the book. I really enjoyed this book and the world the author created in this story. Would definitely recommend to readers who love historical fiction and fantasy alike!

“Creatures of Will and Grace” by Molly Tanzer is a wonderful homage to the late, great Oscar Wilde and the only novel he published, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. Readers concerned that they need to be intimately familiar with Wilde’s original need not worry. Tanzer has created a novel that stands on its own, while paying all due respect.

Set in Victorian London, sisters Evadne and Dorina find themselves being introduced to society through Lady Henrietta “Henry” Wotten. Henry wears tailored pants (gasp), speaks her mind, and lives her life often in conflict with what is deemed acceptable. She is everything a rebellious woman of this era should be, while never quite crossing into the anachronistic of the modern. Naturally, Dorina is immediately and completely enamored of the older, wiser, and wholly engaging woman. While Evadne, athletic to the last, finds Henry's lack of conformity uncomfortable to say the least. Leaving her sister to her own devices, she evades the rule-breaking Henry with the lesser evil of finding a fencing master—her own, personal will. Almost in parallel, the sisters are introduced to an underground London, where magic and demon summoning are the rule of the day, and darker forces are at work.

The pacing will be slow for some readers, especially those unfamiliar with Victorian era storytelling. However, the way in which Tanzer develops her characters and world is in keeping with the plot and the source material. Once all the pieces are in place, the pace picks up, almost too quickly.

“Creatures of Will and Grace” is a delicious glimpse into an alternate history, with all the trappings of Victorian England and its “proper” society. Between Dorina, Henry and Evadne, readers will be able to peer through the shop windows and see a brilliant reflection of our own world.

Creatures of Will & Temper is a fleshed out story covering the bare bones of Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray. The author, Molly Tanzer, freely adds to and twists the Wilde icon into something that is different and original and wholly itself.

This book ticked a lot of boxes for me; among other things it has Victoriana, demons, an impressively built and well thought out magic system, dastardly antagonists, some mystery subplots and fencing! *swoon*.

It takes a lot of chutzpah to stand up and rewrite, however well intentioned, Wilde. Wilde. Ms. Tanzer is very competent, the writing is very well done (and not overdone). The plotting is tight and for an almost 400 page book, the story arc moves along at a brisk pace. I didn't find the story dragging at all. There were a few moments of internal eye rolling from me for the anachronistic dialogue and sarcastic sibling squabbling (say that five times fast :). It's much more a function of it being a YA modern light romance urban fantasy and that I'm a grumpy old fart than sloppy writing however. This is a surprisingly deftly written book.

Must read for fans of YA urban fantasy, especially Victoriana. It's not extremely graphic except for one particular brutal passage, which does set up a plot element but felt out of proportion compared to the rest of the book.

Four stars, deftly written prose, fencing demonists, strong (and imperfect) female protagonists.

This book has been ABSOLUTELY WOW and if we hang out, I’ve already told you countless times that you need to read it. If I haven’t? Well, YOU NEED TO READ IT. There. And now onto the reasons why!

5 Reasons To Read Creature of Will and Temper

It's about...

Essentially, it’s a retelling of Dorian Gray. But it’s also very different! First of all, the main characters are girls. Two sisters, Evadne and Dorina could not be more different from each other – Evadne is homely, but strong, loves fencing and is a simple person, while Dorina is a beauty, brimming with life and hoping to experience everything passionately. Over a disagreement, they both get marched off to London to visit their uncle, where they meed Lady Henry, who is quite progressive for her time, and… Well, is a diabolist (it means, summons demons). Things move on from there…

This story is about so many things! Love, passion of life, passion in general… Appreciation of beauty, and even just finding yourself. Also, with impeccable style and fabulousness!

Reason #1.

The Sisters’ Clashing Characters Propel The Story
The story is told in the third person, but between two perspectives – Dorina and Evadne’s. What’s amazing is that they are basically polar opposites, and the author does a great job representing both of their points of view! Which means, it presents both of their hurts and complaints about the other, and does not defend either one. It’s very objective, doesn’t demonize or defend either of them either, does not judge. You can’t pick a side between Evadne and Dorina, and that’s the charm of it.

Reason #2.

Queer In The 19th Century And Not Bothered

Truly in Oscar Wilde’s tradition! Most of the characters are queer in this book, and very vibrantly and enjoyably so! It really works for them. I can’t tell you whether the quality of the rep was good or not cause it falls out of my realm of experience, but all I know is that these characters were a pleasure to read. There’s no pathos about characters being queer (“look! I’m being diverse just to be diverse!” – you know what I’m talking about, some books do this). They just are. In a very honest and natural way.

Reason #3.

The Battle Between New And Old
The intersection of the 19th and 20th century: challenges ideas of class, dress and society, especially regarding women and sexual orientation, or just societal norms. Dorina and Evadne symbolize two generations – one is willing to embrace it, the other is unwittingly angered about it, and although she’d like to go with it, she can’t shake propriety. Lady Henry, meanwhile, challenges every belief that of those times by basically flat-out acting like a man. Of course, I find it hard to believe a woman wouldn’t be institutionalized for something like wearing men’s clothes back in that day, or consuming tobacco in public. No matter who she was, or how rich she was. So this calls for some suspension of disbelief, but all in good cause. And it certainly spiced up the story!

Reason #4.
Demons And Swords! …And Vigilantes!
Come on. Do I have to elaborate? They summon demons and some of them fence. It’s brilliant! The demons here aren’t evildoers necessarily – they are not always interested in our affairs or meddling with the world. Some of them are pure consciousness that wants merely to appreciate, to enjoy through human eyes. I believe this fits SO well with the Oscar Wilde theme of Dorian Gray – embodies the hedonism so well. You will also read about Lady Henry’s society of appreciation of beauty. Would it be really corny to say I appreciated that a lot? (YES.) As for the swords? No, but seriously. It should just speak for itself!

Reason #5.

It’s Just So Incredibly Epic
Just take my word on it! Alright, so you’ll have to suspend your disbelief at times, but hey, isn’t all urban fantasy kind of like that? I particularly like books like this though! It’s not just ever so slightly (and stylishly…)paranormal, it’s also a little bit steampunk through being based in Victorian times (I wouldn’t say full on steampunk, though), and it’s got just the right amount of darkness in it – a mere pinch, all it needs! It reads incredibly comfortably, the characters are great and it moves at just the right pace. What I also liked was all the art appreciation. I mean, it was about an appreciation society! And so much drama between the sisters, and you’re unable to take a single side! I absolutely loved this book and I believe you probably will too.

A great book for fans of penny dreadful! I loved how this book was set in the Victorian era.

In Creatures of Will and Temper, Molly Tanzer gives us an urban fantasy. As long as you don’t mind defining urban as Victorian era London. Alternately, it’s historical fiction with a distinct supernatural twist. Either way, it’s a romp on the wild side of an oh-so-cultured time.

At first I thought the titular creatures were the main characters, Evadne and Dorina. Dorina, a 17-year old art critic wannabe, is headed to her uncle’s London home for a few months. The older of the sisters, Evadne, catches her in an indiscretion and is included somewhat unwillingly in the trip as chaperone. In London, Uncle Basil introduces them straightaway to Lady Henrietta Wooton (Henry for short). Lady Henry becomes their connection to a circle of aesthetes that Dorina gobbles up, and Evadne immediately rejects.

Sister-related melodrama ensues, with neither one feeling entirely comfortable in this new environment. Soon enough, though, Dorina settles into a close relationship with Lady Henry and Evadne finds her place as a fencing student.

Tanzer takes this setting and injects demons in a very cultured way, indicative of the time and place. The demons aren’t running rampant in an overt way. They have subtle power and control over humans who allow them into their minds. And, truthfully, the connection isn’t always subtle. But don’t expect actual creatures on the streets of London.

However, in Tanzer’s imagined world, their are multiple demons each with its own goals and desires. Hence, the simple sister-sister conflict ramps up considerably. This is the part where I tell you very little because I’m a non-spoiler reviewer. But, trust me, there’s plenty of mystery and action once the fantasy clicks into the story.

Tanzer’s writing style is easy to read. She combines modern and Victorian sensibilities well in the world building and character development. I found the sisters to be fairly annoying and unsympathetic at first. But they grew on me. Just like demons in my own mind, I’d catch myself wondering what would come next while I was living other parts of my life. And in that regard, Tanzer pulls some cracking good plot twists that I hadn’t envisioned.

I’d give this 3.5/5 stars, and will look out for Tanzer’s earlier writing as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and John Joseph Adams/Mariner Books for the opportunity to read the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think how you feel about this book will depend on how much you like historical fiction and also how important it is to you that everything is 'accurate'. I don't read a lot of historical fiction but I do enjoy it on occasion, although really I prefer the writing style to be a bit more modern even on things set in the past. I know I saw a few reviews floating around here complaining that the style was too modern and the characters said and mentioned a lot of things that weren't accurate to the time period. However for me it was almost TOO 'old fashioned' in the writing style, at least at first, and although I noticed a few slips up with phrases that were probably not in use at the time, overall I didn't think it was anything that took away from my enjoyment of the story. As for the writing style, the prologue seemed to start out very stiff and formal like the author was trying to mimic the Victorian style, but it very quickly loosened up and [to me] started to flow better.

Although the plot really took a long time to get off the ground [I feel like not very much 'happens' for the first ...3/4ths of the book], I still found it very enjoyable to read and I liked that there were elements here from Dorian Gray but it wasn't just a straightforward gender-swapped retelling and managed to weave a very interesting and unique story. Also I really enjoyed all of the characters - even though I didn't necessarily always like them. I think one of the strong points of this book is that the characters are all very real and have their own flaws and weaknesses and there are a lot of shades of gray surrounding who is the 'bad guy' etc. It was definitely an interesting read, even though the technical plot was a long time coming.

This book seemed to drag on. It did nothing to hold my interest nevermind to keep my interest. Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

I finished CREATURES OF WILL AND TEMPER in one day. I must confess I have a particular weakness for Victorian settings, courting, and excessive blushing. Combine that with fencing, demons, and queer characters and you have my very devoted attention. Finishing this novel had me desperately searching for more of Molly Tanzer's work.

Each of the point of view characters in CREATURES OF WILL AND TEMPER is relatable and fleshed out. I felt so deeply for Evadne, the protective elder sister and fencer who believes she’s a joke in comparison to Dorina. But I also felt for Dorina, who was so certain of herself despite her youth, but still capable of being hurt. And let’s not forget my favorite, Henry, an instantly admirable character that is also flawed.

Readers intrigued because of the promise of a riff on The Picture of Dorian Gray should be warned that the connection is thin. If it weren't for a few scenes involving a painting and the use of the name Dorina, I may have completely forgotten that claim in the novel's blurb.

I only have two complaints, which largely did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel. The title initially turned me off, as I found it completely nonsensical. Secondly, I dislike one-year later epilogues. I'd almost prefer to end on a cliffhanger, rather than to miss an entire year of development and experiences, only to be provided a quick summation. CREATURES OF WILL AND TEMPER'S last chapter does not end on a cliffhanger, but rather on an earned and emotional climax. However, I suspect that many readers will appreciate the inclusion of the epilogue.

The nitty-gritty: A delicious tale of manners, trysts, fencing and demons, although a little too heavy on the romance for my taste.

Creatures of Will & Temper is a retelling of Oscar Wilde's The Portrait of Dorian Gray, a book I read before I started blogging and then promptly forgot about. (I'll admit I had to look up the summary on Wikipedia to jog my memory!) In Molly Tanzer's version, she's done some gender swapping to make this a much more interesting story. Dorian Gray is now Dorina Gray, a young, beautiful and flighty girl who enjoys the company of other women, who loves art and is determined to become an art critic. Her older sister Evadne is the proverbial spinster, a woman who loves the sport of fencing more than finding a future husband. One summer, the girls are invited to stay at their Uncle Basil's home in London. Dorina's goal is to observe and interview her uncle, who is an artist, but the real reason she wants to go to London is to have fun, meet new people and explore the city. Evadne is forced to go with her sister as a chaperone, but all she really wants to do is stay home and practice her fencing maneuvers.

Once in London, the girls meet the worldly and intimidating Lady Henrietta Wotton, or "Henry" as she calls herself, and Dorina is immediately smitten with the much older woman. Evadne, on the other hand, dislikes Lady Henry immediately, and suspects that her sister will try to seduce her. As Henry takes Dorina under her wing and begins to introduce her to her friends, Evadne discovers a fencing club in the neighborhood and boldly starts taking fencing lessons (not a normal activity for women at that time). As the girls drift further and further apart, both begin to notice odd characteristics about their new acquaintances. Dorina observes Henry's obsession with ginger: she smokes ginger infused cigarettes, sucks on ginger flavored candy, and even grows ginger in her garden. Meanwhile, Evadne notices the strange behavior of her uncle Basil, who is obsessed with a portrait of his dead lover Oliver. Evadne herself seems drawn to the painting, which seems to have a mesmerizing effect on whoever looks at it.

But soon enough, both girls are drawn into the secret world of demons, unbeknownst to each other. Dorina begs to join Henry's secret "aesthete club," where members explore their five senses in tantalizing ways, while Evadne meets a demon hunter at the fencing academy named George. They don't realize it, but both girls are on a collision course that is sure to end badly, and maybe even in death.

This is a tough story to summarize, because there isn't really a quick "elevator pitch" that I can use to describe it. Maybe that's one reason that I ended up with mixed feelings about this story. On one hand, I enjoyed the Jane Austen-esque story about manners, romance and family bonds, but I went into this thinking it was going to be much more focused on the speculative aspects than it was. Because of this, the first half of the story was extremely slow for me. By itself, it worked well as a story about the complex relationship between Dorina and Evadne and their introduction into the sophisticated world of Victorian London. But I kept waiting for something to happen, and although the author drops hints about the supernatural events to come—the world of diabolists (people who coexist with demons)—it wasn't until the last 20% of the story that the reader really gets to see the demons in action.

But I want to talk about what I really enjoyed. First of all, I loved the queer relationships, and I especially loved that Dorina is so open about her sexuality. For a girl of seventeen, it seemed very unusual, and even more so because of the strict and proper time period that the story takes place in. Romance lovers will really enjoy this book, because there is plenty of "shipping" going on. Dorina falls in love with Henry, a man named Jonas falls for Evadne, Evadne falls for George, and so on. It was quite entertaining, although not quite what I was expecting.

I also loved the fencing scenes! Evadne's passion is fencing (again, highly unusual for a woman at that time) and when she finds her tribe at the fencing club in London, I was so happy for her. Tanzer has clearly done lots of research on the subject and gives plenty of details about the sport, the equipment, and the sheer physical strength required to fence correctly.

The story's downfall, at least for me, was the supernatural element. To briefly sum up the relationship between humans and demons, in Tanzer's world, a demon's essence can be absorbed by humans by eating plants or other food that has been infused with the spirit of the demon. Confused yet? Well, I'm not surprised. If a human makes a deal with a demon to enter his or her body, the demon can provide wonderful benefits, like staying young forever (and that's where the similarities to The Picture of Dorian Gray come in) or giving someone superhuman strength. As long as the human keeps eating that particular substance, the demon can pass on those gifts. But as in all dealings with the devil, there is always a price to pay. It's a pretty cool concept, but unfortunately the demons involved were barely even characters in the story. A demon can only communicate with impressions or dreams, so you can't even talk to it directly.

But when the story hits about the 80% mark, I started flying through the rest of the pages. Tanzer's final showdown had several twists that I didn't see coming and she brought everything together beautifully. My only wish is that the pace had been consistent from the beginning, but I can't deny that Molly Tanzer is a talented writer, and I'm eager to read more of her work.

Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.