As much as I love the Brits, I’m always looking for historical fantasy set in countries other than Britain, so I was very excited to receive an ARC of The Lights of Prague. The atmosphere in this book definitely lived up to the hype, which was full of haunted castles and sinister underground tunnels, and the author used the trappings of the time period (the 1860s) to her advantage, as the reliance on gaslamps made the streets Prague feel appropriately spooky and an unwise place to be after dark. Jarvis definitely nailed the gothic feel.

The plot starts off slow, but it gets more compelling as it progresses, and we learn more about who is really behind the pijavice (vampire) scheme to take over the city.

All that said, I wasn’t a huge fan of the character arcs in this book and the relationships – especially the romance between Domek and Ora – felt forced. Ora is the more interesting of the two characters; as a vampire, she’s had a long time to come to terms the challenges of being immortal and living among humans, and we get some interesting snippets of her life in prior centuries (also: a bisexual vampire, we love to see it). She also has a strong sense of justice in comparison to other vampires, which I found compelling. Domek, on the other hand, has no similar backstory and I found it hard to connect with him or understand his compulsion to hunt vampires beyond the superficial; this made the conflict between vampire and vampire hunter less compelling than it could have been.

It doesn’t help that the relationship between Domek and Ora starts in a weird place, plot wise – we’re told they already know each other and are good friends at the start of the story, but there was no immediate chemistry between them, and their closeness wasn’t backed up by the content of their conversations and their interactions with each other. It didn’t help that dialogue isn’t really a strength of this book; it’s often stilted at best and cliche at worst. (That goes for all the characters, not just our main duo).

Overall, I have fairly mixed feelings about The Lights of Prague. I loved the atmosphere but really wish more time had been dedicated to character development and fleshing out the relationship between Ora and Domek into a more passionate romance. Still, it’s definitely worth a read if you want gothic fantasy not set in England.

Absolutely love this tale of vampires in Prague and I need more now! This historical fantasy draws you right in with atmospheric descriptions of Prague, characters full of layers and events that build and build to an ending full of twists. The story begins in 1868 Prague with Domek, who is a lamplighter out on his shift, but lighting the gas lamps is only a cover for his true purpose. The lamplighters are the city's force for fighting the monsters that come out at night for Prague's human citizens. They are trained and supplied with the tools to fight their main enemy, the pijavica, or vampires. Ora is a pijavica, who had been married to a human but is now widowed and living as far from any other vampires as possible. She no longer feeds on humans and only wishes to be able to walk in the sunshine again. Strange things are starting to happen with the vampires, and a new family is coming to power and both Ora and Domek are drawn into the events that will prove deadly.
This book is so delightful to read, I love all the lush and beautiful descriptions of the city, its buildings, society and most especially the underground tunnels and passages. The atmosphere that Nicole brings to the story is marvelous and the characters are real, flawed and it's so easy to fall in love with them. The city is also full of other creatures and I especially loved Kaja, the wisp, who has so much personality and such a tragic story!! The myths and folktales of the region are woven in and fills out the story so well. Domek and Ora together are something I really want just more and more of!! I know this is a standalone, but I so hope that we get to be with these two wonderful characters again. This is a wonderful debut novel and anyone who enjoys stories about vampires, history and a mystery woven in will love this book. So good!!!

Thank you NetGalley, Titan Books and the author Nicole Jarvis for letting me receive an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A strong 4 Star read!

The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis originally intrigued me for superficial reasons. Like come on, look at the cover! It is gorgeous. Then I dug a little deeper and was enthralled by the paranormal and Gothic elements... and then there is a romance! Basically count me in. I highly recommend anyone who is curious about this read to pick it up when its out on May 25th!

The Lights of Prague is an atmospheric read that follows Domek Myska who works as a lamplighter. His job includes prowling the streets at night and hunting down pijavice(vampires) and other dangers creatures in the streets of Prague. He is accompanied by a world filled with a vast array of characters all with their own secrets and motivations. Though no one seems to hold as many secrets as the beautiful widow Lady Ora Fischerová who Domek has a very flirtatious relationship with.

This novel is incredibly atmospheric. The city is all encompassing within this story that as the reader I found myself even getting lost in the streets of Prague. The is suspense, mystery, action, and romance and battles wrapped into one. Domek was an excellent protagonist. The situations he found himself truly tested who he thought he was as a person. He's someone who genuinely wants to be good and this has led him to follow a strict code of honour. But that doesn't mean he is without his faults. If anything it ends up being something that he needs to face and at times relearn what he believes.

All the characters are extremely multifaceted. Lady Ora is definitely one of my favourite characters in a long time. She is a bisexual queen! She knows what she wants and is willing to go for it but also has lots of struggles on her own. Despite being surrounded by 'friends' she is incredibly lonely and is prone to temper and melancholy.

What I really liked about The Lights of Prague is that though there were a wide array of characters within the story it was easy to distinguish them from each other. They truly all were their own character. I honestly would love to see more stories either within this world or just other novels written by Nicole Jarvis that take this slightly darker tone.

'The Lights of Prague’ is a lovely historical fantasy novel about a Prague filled with a secret monster underworld, only protected by the Lamplighters – men responsible for lighting the gaslamps around the city, and for fighting off the monsters no citizens would believe were there. The ending is a tad rushed and predictable, but other than this it’s an excellent, creative novel with insight into a beautiful city rarely portrayed in urban fantasy.

Domek Myska is a Lamplighter – a man who roams the streets at night tasked with protecting the city from the monsters who dwell in the dark. He’d rather be a mechanic, but his uncle can’t afford to give him a full-time job, and his family has long known about Prague’s monstrous secret. One night, Domek saves a woman from a Pijavica – a bloodthirsty vampire – and suddenly finds himself the target of multiple brutal attacks. They all seem to centre around a mysterious jar he took from the creature. Now, Domek must figure out what’s in the jar – and what the Pijavice are planning with it – before they seize the power to unleash terror on Prague and all its inhabitants.

The story is told from two perspectives – Domek’s, and a wealthy widow called Ora Fischerova, a woman fascinated by Domek – but also secretly a Pijavica herself. Domek is a solid main character – kind-hearted, strong, and determined – but he’s also infuriatingly stubborn, with a set of incredibly black and white morals. He’s a talented mechanic and fighter, but otherwise not the brightest, and his inability to compromise or see other sides of the argument regularly leaves him in trouble. Domek always wants to do the right thing – but he’s convinced that his way is the only right way. Domek’s growth across the novel is good, but his stubbornness in the middle would be hard to deal with without Ora as a counterpoint.

Ora is a far more multifaceted character. As a Pijavica vampire, she’s been alive – or undead – for hundreds of years, seeing Prague change from the height of an empire’s power to a smaller, somewhat forgotten city. Previously part of an exclusive vampire family, she escaped decades ago, hiding herself amongst the humans. She even found love and married one – but has now been left a widow torn apart by loss. Ora is a very damaged character who struggles with the loss and death associated with vampire life. She’s a glamorous lady, enjoying the trappings of high society – but also one with a great deal of guilt. At first, she sees Domek as a bit of a diversion – a plaything to seduce and then discard – but she finds herself more and more enraptured by his heart and unshakeable moral code. However, she has no idea that he hunts those like her – and that makes her conquest dangerous. Ora makes an excellent protagonist, with a surprisingly good sense of humour, and an interesting perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of immortal life.

The plot is clever, with multiple layers of mystery that are hard to parse out. Its reasonably fast-paced, with constant action and developments, but not so fast it leads to confusion. It also heavily features creatures seen less often in fantasy, like will-o-the-wisps – a form of sprite or ghost in European folklore. The ending does feel a little rushed – Domek, in particular, seems to change without enough time or explanation – but it’s satisfying, coming to a strong conclusion whilst leaving room for a potential sequel.

The setting of Prague works brilliantly. Prague is a beautiful city, and elements of its history and culture are evident throughout. There are references to the decline of empire, the uneasy coexistence of new Germans with old Czechs, and the resident Jewish population who have only just been permitted citizenship and still aren’t seen as on par with their Christian neighbours. Jarvis creates a real sense of time and place, with an insight into a fascinating and turbulent piece of history that works perfectly with her fantasy additions. For those who have spent time in Prague, there are also recognisable landmarks. I don’t know enough about Central European history to know how accurate the historical elements are, but they feel authentic.

Overall, ‘The Lights of Prague’ is an enjoyable slice of historical fiction with a brilliant setting and clever use of European folklore. The ending is rushed, but otherwise its a solid read. Recommended for fans of historical, urban, and paranormal fantasy and books with an exceptional sense of place.

I can only describe "The Lights of Prague" as a historical fantasy horror - and I absolutely loved it! I adored some of the characters (no spoilers, but feel free to guess which ones!), the setting was faultless, and the writing is absolutely perfect for this story. A few chapters in, I was hoping this was going to be the start of a series. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. I guess I will just have to reread this book - over and over!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis
Length: 416 Pages
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

"There was a dark ocean in Ora's chest. It teemed with sharp teeth and gaping maws and spiked tentacles. Most days, she floated on top in a small rowboat, parasol on her shoulder, refusing to look into the abyss. If she fell in, she was quite sure she would drown."

A special thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for giving me an ARC of this book!

All my life I've loved vampires. From the soft, glittering type, to the snarling, dangerous and black-eyed kind, I love them all, and consume vampire media like it's an addiction. So of course, I've run into some bad ones, though I have to admit, I have a fondness and nostalgia for a good cheesy vamp flick. While I would never say I'm growing bored of vampires, I do admit the genre needs some new blood (😉) injected into it. That is why I was so excited for Nicole Jarvis's The Lights of Prague and even made it one of my most anticipated books of the year! And boy, did it deliver.

Set in the historic and darkly beautiful city of Prague during the early 19th-century, an era of innovation, science, and gas street lamps that illuminate the shadowed streets. We follow two characters: the brooding yet gentle Domek Myska who belongs to the guild of Lamplighters, men who go out and light the lamps dotting the streets and stalk in search of creatures of the night; and Lady Ora Fischerová, a redhaired, hundreds of years old bisexual widow who keeps quite a distance between herself and other pijavice (The vampires in this setting. The word translates to "leeches"). Both are drawn to each other again and again, neither knowing the truth about one another. Their stories run parallel to one another as they investigate a strange claim that pijavice have found a "cure", leaving them immune to the usual killers of their kind: hawthorn and sunlight.

Featuring wonderfully interesting creatures, like the shadowy bubák, the water-dwelling vodník, a fascinating take on a will-o'-the-wisp, and the more common poltergeist, The Lights of Prague is an entrancing fantasy novel, set in the utterly Romantic and Gothic city of Prague, that seamlessly blends in aspects of historical fiction and horror. A new favorite, and a must-read for any fellow vamp lovers!

I requested this from Netgalley because just look at that cover! Also, The Husband and I went on our honeymoon to Prague, so the city has a special place in my heart. And I am happy to report that this read was a lot of fun.

We follow two characters, Domek and Ora, both on their own hunt to find the truth (and of course their paths collide). Domek is a lamplighter, an organization that keeps the streets safe at night. From monsters that is (also, he does light the gaslamps on the steet). And most of these monsters find their origin in Slavic mythology and lore. Which is a thing I for some reason absolutely love. Domek is a big and kind bear of a man, but also very set in his ways. Monsters are bad and need to be killed.

Which brings us to Ora… a pijavice (a kind of vampire), who has given up on drinking human blood (and yes she has been to an AA meeting). She married a human, and is now sadly a widow. She is also very rich, a flirt, bi, and loves to host dinner parties for her human friends, as well as visit museums and science fairs. Basically, she tries to love life even though she is (un)dead.

These were two great characters to follow. They both have to face their prejudices and change their minds to get to the bottom of the mystery… which is that pijavice have somehow created a cure for their weaknesses, making them impossible to kill. Because we have two POVs we get to approach this case from two very different sides, and therefore can piece things together ourselves a bit (lot) quicker than Domek and Ora do. Although nice, this did also lead to some moments of frustration… I just wanted them to stop their miscommunications and work together already.

As I stated earlier, I do have a soft spot for Prague. And the city has certainly been done justice here. Maybe someone who actually lives there may disagree with me, but as a once tourist I definitely felt transported back. Yes we pass by some of the very well known buildings, but also some lesser ones. And the atmosphere is just spot on. It served for a great stage of this till full of monsters.

The ending sketches the possibility for this becoming a series, and I really hope it does. I want to see more of these characters, the monsters and the city. This was a great read for me, and certainly one I would recommend.

Ohhhhh have I got a really great historical fantasy for you today with all the vampires (pijavica) and dark creatures your heart desires.

If you’re craving, a choice word, something darkly atmospheric with genuinely terrifying creatures, then let me take you on a journey to 1868 Prague.

“Like a giant sated after a hearty meal Prague after a storm was content and slow.”

In gaslight-era Prague, our strong and silent protagonist Domek is a lamplighter. Secretly protecting citizens from terrors in the darkness, against more than just thieves who prowl in the night. But against dark and terrifying creatures that are beyond imagination.

We also follow the life of Lady Ora, an aristocratic widow who has seemingly never aged before and after the passing of her husband. As her storyline intertwines with Domek’s, we are privy to their relationship and how they will come to affect the lives of Prague.

With lush descriptions of 1800’s Prague, talk of landmarks and notable historical sites, the scene is slowly yet atmospherically set, knitting together the story until we come to less play and more action.

The pièce de résistance however is Kája. A mischievous will-o’-the-wisp found by Domek in the night, though to say he befriended it would be a stretch. With a fleshed out personality and backstory, this is a great addition of a creature not included often enough in fiction for my liking.

Thank you as always to the wonderful Titan Books for granting me this eARC on NetGalley!

The Lights of Prague takes readers to the beautiful city of Prague during the 1800's, where we discover that not only are vampires and other creatures of the night are real, but that there is a secret group who patrol the streets of the city keeping its people safe; the lamplighters.

Domek is a lamplighter, a man who has made it his duty to protect the citizens of Prague from the monsters they don't even know live amongst them. He, and the other lamplighters, walk the streets of the city at night, tending the gas lights, but also hunting any of the pijavice (vampires) that try to feed. It's during one of these nightly shifts that Domek kills a pijavice and discovers something strange in the belongings it leaves behind; a small ceramic jar with an inscription on on the surface.

The jar burns the markings into Domeks hand, and he finds himself in control of the entity within the jar, a powerful Will-o-the-wisp. This entity is now bound to Domek, putting its powers at his control. But Domek is not only afraid of the duplicitous nature of this demonic entity, but what would happen if he tried to set it free. With no choice but to keep the creature bound to him he tries to discover why the pijavice would have had it.

At the same time we're introduced to Lady Ora Fischerova, a young widow living in Prague. Ora, despite her outward appearance, is actually centuries old pijavice, and lives a life of peace amongst the people of Prague. However, when she's approached by some of the city officials to help look into the worrying rumours that a cure for the pijavice might exist she finds herself drawn back into a world she left behind years ago.

Both Domek and Ora are forced into a scheme that could not only put an end to Prague, but aso find themselves on a course to discover the secrets each are hiding as their relationship draws the closer together.

One of the things that immediately jumps out about The Lights of Prague is how different is feels from other vampire books, whilst still being very true to the themes and stories that have surrounded the creatures for decades. Perhaps it's the slight variation of having pijavice vampires, ones whose mythology is subtly different from what people normally think of when they hear vampires, but Nicole Jarvis manages to make the vampires in this book feel so unique.

The main plot of the book, the investigation into the vampires and their supposed cure, is something that has been done before, yes, but the method they use, the politics behind it, and how our two protagonists go about discovering it make it feel like a brand new idea. The book has a level or originality that is often missing from vampire fiction, and it makes the book an absolute delight to read.

But it's not just the way Jarvis writes her vampires that makes the book such a joy; its two central characters are a big part of what makes this such a good book too. Domek could have easily been a macho alpha-male type character, he has the physical build for it and the job fighting monsters, but he has surprising depth and gentleness to him that make him so much more than just a vampire hunter. He turns out to be a kind man, one who checks in on his mother, who works with his uncle for free just to help him out, one who's moved to wonder and tears at watching opera for the first time. There's a level of earnestness and almost childlike innocence to him that makes him so easy to love and care for.

In a contrast to him there's Ora, a woman who to look at her you'd expect a demure and physically weak widow, yet has not just an incredible physical strength but an outgoing character too. She's a woman who rejects some of the trappings of the time, who goes to talks and debates with men because she's passionate on subjects and learning. She's not afraid to make friends with people outside of her social strata, and she's been around and done so much that she's incredibly open minded. I loved that on the outside you'd expect one thing from these characters, but you get something completely different from them; and two characters that compliment each other so well too.

The love story between Ora and Domek isn't the focus of the book, so people who don't just want a romance don't have to worry that it will overtake things, and the relationship between the two of them works its way through the story in a believable way. It becomes a part of the story, one that shapes some of their choices and the plot yes, but never becomes the focus of it. Instead, it's the fight against the pijavice that is front and centre the most important part of the book.

With that in mind, I have to talk about who might be the best character in the novel, Kaja, the Will-o-the-wisp. When first introduced to this sentient ball of fire we're presented with a very clear picture of it, that it's a creature that cannot be trusted, that only exists to show mischief and pain. But over the course of the boo Domek, and the reader, get to know Kaja and discover that he's so much more than this. His story becomes one of the most affecting parts of the book, and some of the most moving moments come from him. If you'd had told me going into this that I'd come to care for a fiery ball of energy I wouldn't have believed you, but by the end I not only adored him, but wanted him to be safe and happy. Nicole Jarvis got me emotionally invested in a ball of fire, that's definitely some damn good writing.

The Lights of Prague is a book that attracted me for the setting, I was interested in seeing Prague during the 1800's, but it very quickly became a book that got me hooked on the mythology and the mystery, before ending up a book where I cared for the characters and wanted to see them all get a happy ending. I wasn't expecting the journey this book would take me on, and I'm kind of sad that it's over. But for the short time it existed I loved every moment of it.

Domek Myska is a lamplighter in Prague, but his job is more than ensuring the people of Prague have light to guide their way. In a world with pijavica, vampiric creatures stalking the streets, his job is to hunt them down and kill them, ensuring the streets are safe for humans in more ways than one. Domek finds himself drawn to the mysterious Lady Ora Fischer, a widow with her own dark past. Told in dual POVs between Domek and Ora, we learn more about this city, the pijavica, and a strange conspiracy taking place right under their noses.

This book is full of beautiful descriptions and really dives deep into the setting. We see various parts of the city through the eyes of both Domek and Ora, who in more ways than one come from very different worlds. But Ora is a pijavica, who doesn’t know about Domek’s ‘real job’, putting them at odds even as they grow closer. The relationship between them is well formed, and the contrasts are handled well, as Domek discovers a captured will-o’-the-wisp, giving him more secrets to hide.

The interactions between Domek and the wisp show there’s more to the wisp than any of the characters think, and the wisp holds the key to so much more than they realise. The setup of the lamplighters is conveyed well, through the meetings Domek attends and the interactions he has with his fellow lighters. However, some of this could have been used more – for a large part of the book, it’s easy to forget there even are lamplighters, or that some of them are his friends. Domek has to keep secrets, but there’s a definite lack of allies throughout, and that’s something it felt like the story lacked. We meet Domek’s mother and uncle, and they feel really underused, too.

Although the descriptions are wonderful, some of that could have been traded for more characterisation with the people around Domek. Instead, it felt like various characters moved in and out too quickly, meaning they felt flat and had little impact on the story. Other elements dragged on too long, but at least in Ora’s story we see more use of the people around her, as Ora works with others whereas Domek really doesn’t.

I’m glad I got to read this – Historical Fantasy is a genre I really enjoy yet don’t get to read much of, so it’s always great to find something else that uses the past in a fantastical way. It takes a lot of skill to balance the historical with the fantasy, and Jarvis achieves it really well here, combining elements of Historical Fiction, Horror, and Urban Fantasy with paranormal elements and a dash of romance. However sometimes the balance of world-building and characterisation isn’t quite there. Still, overall this is a really good book, completely enveloping you in this world and leaving you with the feeling you want to spend more time there. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Jarvis’ work in the future.

I was provided with a copy of this ebook from Titan Books, via NetGalley. All opinions remain my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-arc to me. I requested this book because I was very interested in the synopsis. I have been to Prague and was excited to revisit the city through this story. Unfortunately, I could not connect with the writing style and kept getting pulled out of the story. While the setting was intriguing and the characters had potential, my inability to stay connected in the story resulted in me not being able to finish it. I am sure there are people who will enjoy this, but sadly it did not work for me. I will not be posting a review for this on my social media or Goodreads.

It’s only May, but I’ve been in a spOoOky mood. Lucky for me, The Lights of Prague makes its debut at the most perfect time to pander to my weird spring vibes. Nicole Jarvis promised me monsters, ghosts, and magic - and this book definitely delivers. I was eager to get lost in the dark streets of Prague but found myself removed from the story and forced to watch the events unfold. If you follow our reviews regularly, The Lights of Prague is also one of our Dark Horses of the first half of 2021.

Vampiric monsters known as pijavica stalk humans in the streets of Prague. Most of these creatures are uncivilized and live in the city’s underground tunnels. Others find themselves hiding in plain sight amongst Prague’s upper class. Domek Myska is fighting against the darkness as he lights lamps across the city while hunting creatures of the night. After one of his rounds, Domek comes into possession of a will-o'-the-wisp whose untapped power is now his to command. This removes him from his previously unassuming life and thrusts him into the spotlight as dangerous people start to take notice of his existence. On the other hand, we have Lady Ora Fischerová, a recent widow who simply wants to quietly mourn her late husband and indulge in her lavish lifestyle. However, her government friends have other plans and pull her into an undercover operation to investigate rumors of a pijavica cure. Domek and Ora’s paths begin to cross as they fight unknown forces in the shadows.

The Lights of Prague takes a shallow approach with its monsters, schemes, and violence. Each scene was described matter-of-factly and didn’t dive into the heart of the situation. All the emotion was pushed aside, so I failed to make the deep connections that are needed for the darker side of this story to hit home. The book is very plot-driven and doesn’t create a lot of depth around the characters or their relationships. This makes for a super easy read as Jarvis pushes us along quickly through the events. And while the pacing makes it easy to digest, the story doesn’t pull you into the world. It left me feeling like an outsider because I wasn’t invested in the people or the outcome.

While the majority of the story was a smooth, adventurous ride through the streets of Prague, I constantly tripped over the awkward dialogue. I found the conversations and moments between characters stilted. Their dialogue seemed robotic, and it was missing an emotional element to make it feel real. My missed connection with the characters really reared its head during these moments. Jarvis does a nice job pacing the plot, but things would get bumpy when people interacted.

The characters in Prague are very uneven. Ora steals the show, while Domek and the supporting cast fade into the night. She is the strongest character by far and has a defined backstory that informs us of her thoughts and actions in the present day. She’s stuck in her grief, and I like how Jarvis puts her in uncomfortable situations to confront her demons. I found Ora’s story to be more compelling as Domek seemed to bumble through his situation. He does jump into the action without a second thought but there is a lot of worrying that takes place in between. You can’t help but like the guy because he’s unbelievably good and honorable, but Ora brought the fire to light this story up.

While I would say The Lights of Prague is not the strongest debut of 2021, it is still an interesting enough read especially if you want a plot that doesn’t stop. I’m definitely more of a character reader, so while I missed that particular element, this book can certainly entertain anyone looking for an effortless read.

The Lights of Prague follows Domek Myska, a lamplighter, whose job secretly involves keeping the city of Prague safe from pijavice (vampires) and Lady Ora Fischerová, an aristocratic, bisexual widow, who just happens to also be a pijavica. It follows their relationship, and their intertwining storylines as they both attempt to save Prague, before the pijavice, who have recently discovered a cure, take over the city.

I love these characters and the dual perspective the story followed. Domek is such an unlikely gentlemen, which was refreshing considering the majority of modern male love interests seem to be the alpha male type, and Domek was quite the opposite. Whilst, Ora was definitely a badass (with an emotional side). The romance between them is definitely not the focus of the book, but it was still great.

“He was tearing down her walls, taking her apart - and would piece her back together. She let herself shatter.” -oop

I will say, if you’re looking to read this book for a female-female relationship at the centre of this story, you won’t find it. However, I did think the normalisation and casual reference to Ora’s previous sapphic relationships was wonderful.

The highlight of the book for me was Kája, the mischievous will-o'-the-wisp. Not only was their personality so well fleshed out (for a sentient being), the whole concept of the will-o'-the-wisps was so unique? I’ve never quite seen a new creature be executed so well, it was so well integrated into the storyline, they just fit perfectly.

The first 50% of the book were fairly slow paced, and if it wasn’t for the detailed, atmospherical descriptions of Prague, it perhaps would have been too slow paced. But as I absolutely love Prague (it’s one of my favourite European cities), it felt like the perfect setting for this story, especially within the 1800’s timeframe. It was wonderful to be able to relive the stunning city and recognise certain landmarks, such as the Charles Bridge, picturing them as if I never left.

“Like a giant sated after a hearty meal, Prague after a storm was content and slow.” I’m sorry but these descriptions are stunning - not sure I’ll ever get over them!

Overall I adored this and I would 100% recommend this to fans of urban fantasy, especially those in a historical setting (think ‘These Violet Delights’ by Chloe Gong)

I really enjoyed this. I was immediately drawn to and loved both Dominic and Ora, so watching them go from seemingly on opposite sides of an eternal conflict to being thrown together was lots of fun.

The story isn't as convoluted and complex as some fantasy novels, and I liked that about it. Dominic hunts pijavice (like vampires, but creepier) that stalk the nights of Prague: Ora is a pijavice who has rejected the violent trappings of her kind.

The mystery was fun and I enjoyed the side characters - especially Cord and Kaja. I can definitely see the potential for a sequel, even though the epilogue ties things up nicely. I would be interested in seeing more of Cord and Darina as well.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing an e-arc for review.

A mini-review of The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis.⁠⁠
⁠⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⁠[non-spoiler]⁠⁠ Please note: The physical & e-copy were gifted by Titan books for review as I am joining the Instagram tour.
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This is Nicole's Debut novel, it is released on the 18th of May!
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⁠"In the quiet streets of Prague, all manner of otherworldly creatures lurk in the shadows. Unbeknownst to its citizens, their only hope against the tide of predators are the dauntless lamplighters - a secret elite of monster hunters whose light staves off the darkness each night." ⁠⁠
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I have to say this was a great adult fantasy debut, especially for those for love;⁠⁠
1) Period setting... hello the mid-1800s! ⁠⁠
2) Vampires!! ⁠⁠🧛🏽‍♀️
3) A strong female POV.
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I don’t want to give too much away as want to make this a non-spoiler review. The main POV are from Domek, a lamplight who protects the city of Prague from evil like the pijavice (vampires), and Lady Ora Fischerová, a rich widower with a hidden secret. Normally, I find myself enjoying one POV over another but that wasn't the case with this book, I loved reading both!

Ora and Domek have a long-standing flirtation, which I just loved, even more so with Ora and Domek coming from very different class backgrounds. Both of their storylines are strong and end up becoming intertwined; Ora is convinced by a friend to investigate the rumors of a pijavice cure, having to visit some painful past memories and old foes, whilst Domek has trouble of his own when he finds himself in possession of a magical creature call a will-o'-the-wisp, who is a mischievous spirit.

I found the side characters really strong as well and looking forward to exploring the different relationships IF we get a sequel (which I hope we do!).
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Overall, it was a good reading experience, I am dying to visit Prague and this book did not help! There was tons of history and landmarks mentioned throughout the book which you can go look up and made it even more interesting to read!
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I would definitely give it a go and let me know what you think!! ⁠⁠

If you are looking for a book without any character depth nor development, a plot that is so basic that literally nothing happens, a world building that is so plain I couldn’t even imagine myself in that city. The only thing that kept me from dnf is the writing style. It’s good, but unfortunately all the rest was not and in the end, this book was just bad for me.
Thanks to netgalley for the ecopy.

I finally found one, I finally found a book where vampires ARE SCARY!

I have received this book in exchange of an honest review, thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity.

I have my own blog now, so please do give it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)

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I'm a fan of historical fiction with a fantasy twist, although I will admit that I'm not very big on vampires as I was not very confident that they can be "scary", but Nicole Jarvis may have changed that misconception (bias?) with this book.

The plot of the book revolves around the darker entities on the streets of Prague (specifically the pijavice/vampires), the lamplighters who hunt them, a seemingly unrelated individual with their own secrets and a mysterious rumour that threatens to destroy everything. In the bigger scheme of things, it's not going to be something completely different than what I've read before given the similar elements, but in books like these especially, it's where I believe the author's ability shines best in my humble opinion.

Nicole Jarvis has a beautiful way of writing, I wouldn't go so far as to call it flowery as I don't think it's accurate, but she painted a beautiful picture of Prague for this story to take place in which is not a feeling I got from the majority of my reads this year. The landscapes, the buildings, the food and the people made it feel very vivid to me and got me even more interested to see what she has in store for me moving forward. Which is why I was ecstatic that she added interlinked dual point of views and didn't only rely on Domek's.

I enjoyed both point of views, as both characters were interesting, they have lessons to learn and they brought different things to the story. Domek on one hand is a lamplighter, someone who kills pijavice that are dangerous to humans and through him I got to learn more about the organization, the way they actually kills these vampires and a little bit more about the society around him. I will admit that I felt at times, that he was a little too nice, a little perfect and a little too noble which made me really enjoy the situations he got put into after finding the wisp because he was called out on a lot of things that he felt were "right" or "just" that other characters didn't agree with and I got to see an interesting internal struggle alongside his paranoia.

Ora on the other hand, also had her struggles which were more about confronting the past, moving on and fighting against herself. She provided a closer look to the pijavice from their habits, their abilities, their secrets and also provided a look into the government in a way. I did feel somewhat bad for her in certain scenes, but she's kind of like a force of nature so the feelings never stayed for long when she was more than capable of handling herself. I also enjoyed the different feel of her point of view in comparison to Domek's more mellow one, and it falls down to how they offset each other as characters, not on the events themselves.

While the book may start out on a slower pace until the bigger plot points are established, I wouldn't call a single instance in it boring and it's not just because I got to read fun battle scenes here and there. I was actually more drawn to the eerie and scary feel of the pijavice as they honestly felt like monsters, and I was even more interested when more information about them started appearing the more I got into the book like what happens after they get turned into one which was both intriguing and horrifying. The will of the wisp as well, once he came into being, the story got even more gripping because there is now an extra source of information that could provide the details I craved and providing a look at a different type of magic in this world while the characters went about solving the mysteries in Prague.

The book deals with several of them, and I wouldn't necessarily call them hard to solve as I got two of the supposed big ones quite easily. Even then however, I wouldn't say any of them were bad, I enjoyed myself a lot and it was wrapped up neatly even when I thought that one of them might slip away.

Final thing I want to comment on is the romance as I'm hater of that genre, and its inclusion in any of the books I read with the exception of like two at the top of my head. I found it to be tolerable in this book, and I think I'll go as far as to say that while I didn't care much for it, I didn't mind that it existed in it like I would in any other series and the main reason for that is simply because Nicole Jarvis gave the concerned characters a purpose and a sense of being outside of that relationship. There is nothing more I hate in included romances than when having a significant other seems to become more important than the plot like a certain on-hold book series that I can't bring myself to come back to, which makes me really glad of the way she handled it.

I believe it's pretty clear that I enjoyed myself reading this book, and I believe that the author has a strong foundation in her craft which makes me even more excited for any upcoming books by her after this brilliant debut.

The last few years have seen vampires beginning to return after their post-TWILIGHT oversaturation leading to a crash and burn. The ones I've enjoyed tend to have a few key elements:

Less emphasis on romance and more on a mystery threatening discovery/some big altering change (no surprise there with me, given I'm not a big romance fan)

Book leans into the darker and wider mythology the vampires are set in

Atmospheric and/or voice-y

THE LIGHTS OF PRAGUE has all these three elements. From the get go, it's set in a misty, gas-lamp Prague where monster crawl in the dark, and science and alchemy are intertwined. It's an 1800s aesthetic (not sure when exactly, mainly because my knowledge of that period of European history is shoddy, so I can't figure out from the various wars mentioned but I'm sure others could!)

There are far more than just vampires (called pijavice) - there are all sorts of other creatures out of Czech legend. It makes the pijavice feel part of something much greater than themselves, integrated into the world. Particularly with historical fantasy, the magical elements need to feel deeply part of the world, otherwise than can feel awkwardly lumped on. More creatures with the same vibe really helps there!

The mystery is a lot of fun - the exactly who and how element, and how the affair drags both Domek and Ora in from very different walks of life and for different reasons. There is a bit of romance, but it's very much not the focus. Plus, as he's a monster hunter and she's a pijavica, you just know it's all going to go badly at some point, and that was a pretty intense scene...

Quite enjoyed this gaslamp fantasy/mystery about vampires. Set in my favorite city Prague. The vampire heroine is bi sexual which initially caught my interest. The writing is really good and drew me in from the very beginning.

The Lights of Prague tells the story of Domek and Ora, a vampire hunter (known as a lamplighter) and a vampire (known as a pijavica) respectively as their lives start to intertwine in a dark, dangerous and seductive version of Prague.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book, I thought the atmosphere the author managed to create was fantastic - the perfect blend of gothic, paranormal and historical. Prague as a setting is also amazing, I love the city and having visited in the past reading about some of the landmarks made me nostalgic for my trip!! I just feel like its the perfect place to set a vampire book, the whole city is just a ~vibe~

I loved Ora as a character (give me a powerful bisexual older lady any day of the week), she was a great balance of a jaded old immortal whilst also being quite a kind and gentle soul who has suffered due to her circumstances. I also really enjoyed the storyline of her grieving for her old husband, it was interestig to get the perspective of an immortal for whom one life has come to an end and they are now trying to move on. The depiction of grief was excellent in my opinion and very subtly woven in but packing an emotional punch.

Domek was also a little sweetie, if sometimes a little oblivous. Domek befriends a spirit Kaja near the start of the book, who I really loved (I love spririts uwu). Kaja has certain goals in mind for Domek and I loved the realtionship and banter between the two of them and how it developed through the book, and how it challenged Domek's world view.

Although I wasn't absolutely obssessed with the relationship between Ora and Domek, I did think it was cute but I think the strengths in the book for me were the lush descriptive writing, excellent characters and a really interesting plot exploring some of the shadier characters of the Prague underworld. I don't want to sya too much about the plot because I feel like this is a great book to just discover as you go along but I will say it kept me really engaged and wanting to figure out the next mystery to be revealed!!

In conclusion I'm very happy vampires are making a resurgence in fiction and if you are as excited as me about this, this is a very worthy book to have on your tbr!!