Thank you NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Before reading this, I didn’t know whether or not I would like it, as it is not the usual genre I read. I weirdly liked this. It was very dark and gothic - which I do love in books. It deserved the 4 stars as the book is very unique and different, and was written very well. Whilst parts of it are quite disturbing, it kind of makes you laugh at the same time; it is just so ridiculous that it is funny. I thought this was quite clever. A lot of people were saying in other reviews that it was too short, but I thought it was the perfect length - I didn’t think it needed to be any longer. The plot just flows and isn’t detached (plot makes sense and events aren’t disconnected). I would recommend it to readers over the ages of 18. I also suggest you read the content warning before reading as there are some quite graphic parts.

This is a short story set in Paris that tells us about Cece and George. Cece Dulac is an exotic dancer, who agrees to become the main attraction at an erotic séance. George Dashwood, an aspiring artist, comes to Paris to study painting and make some new creations. But once he arrives his friend Bastian takes him to the theatre and introduces him to Cece. George falls in love with Cece and wants to save her from this life, but Cece is controlled by the spirit now.

This was a really short read, yet I was still bored while reading this. The atmosphere is amazing in this story, you can feel Paris. But everything else... There were not enough interactions between Cece and George. I felt like only George likes Cece and I'm not sure if that was the author's intention. Also, I don't really think that sex was mostly consensual in this book since women couldn't control their bodies once the spirits entered them. That was a huge no for me and that's why I literally forced myself to finish this short story.

Marionette by Antonia Rachel Ward.
On the run from a life of prostitution and poverty, exotic dancer Cece Dulac agrees to become the main attraction at an erotic séance hosted by an enigmatic mesmerist, Monsieur Rossignol. As the séance descends into depravity, Cece falls prey to Rossignol’s hypnotic power and becomes possessed by a malevolent spirit
Really good read. I l I very the cover. Different. 4*.

3.5 rounded to 4

What a sexy and spooky gem this is! First that cover… holy swoon! Second, beware of triggers. The story follows Cece an exotic dancer that is tricked into being possessed for a show. From there you go down the sexy and bloody path of Cece fighting to get back the control over her body. Overall this was a quick and vivid read.

This novella definitely has potential, but I also had some big issues with it.

The good- I loved the folklore of the story and the atmosphere. I really enjoyed the setting and even with the quick character development, I felt like I had a good feel for them. I also love the idea of combining horror and erotica with paranormal - the potential is there.

Where it lost me - the warnings say dubious consent and I have a problem with that. There was simply not consent. And while generally I am fine with that as a part of the story - that was basically the whole story. The number of times the MC is non-consensually penetrated is unnerving.

I struggled with this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brigid’s Gate Press for the advanced reader copy.

This week’s headline? Knock once for yes, twice for no.

Why this book? Needed another ARC for August.

Which book format? ARC

Primary reading environment? Being a zombie in various locations.

Any preconceived notions? The cover freaks me out a little.

Identify most with? Ugh, no one.

Three little words? “white sugar swan”

Goes well with? First trip to Paris, ruby chokers

Recommend this to? Not very many people.

Other cultural accompaniments: Moulin Rouge (2001)

Grade: 1.75/5

I leave you with this: “When you relied on men to help you make your way in the world, there was always a risk.”

📚📚📚

Marionette is an erotic horror novella that centers on Cece Dulac, an exotic dancer, as the star of erotic séances under the employ of mesmerist, Monsieur Rossignol. She falls under the thrall of Rossignol and becomes possessed by a malevolent spirit. Newly arrived in fin de siècle Paris, George Dashwood, an aspiring artist, witnesses the possession and fears for Cece’s wellbeing.

I didn’t like this at all. I know it’s a novella but it lacked a lot of substance that I think is needed for this to work. There are content warnings regarding consent, but it’s very dubious at best. I was happy when this was over.

Marionette is now available.

tw: references to suicide, violence, mutilation, extreme dubious consent (if at all)

Rating 3.5 *

First and foremost, please beware of content warnings:
- reference to suicide
- violence
- mutilation
- dubcon

Plot : Cecile (Cece) Dulac is the most sought-after exotic dancer in Paris, and is presented with an opportunity to perform at one of high society's most exclusive parties. At the party, Cece finds herself as the star of an erotic séance and falls prey to Monsieur Rossignol's hypnotism, which allows for maleovent spirits to enter Cece's body.

Opinion: I liked this Novella- it reminded me of Moulin Rouge meets Netflix's Hypnotic (with some added smut of course!) The writing was lovely, haunting and perfect for the gothic genre. The world building was fantastic, and the descriptions of Paris made me want to step back in time. The love story was where it draws short for me, I didn't get it - and I found the character developments lacking. That being said, it is a novella and I found all character arcs were complete by the end of the book. I must say, I loved the ending - I found it unexpected. I love a salty revenge story!

Thanls to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for an advanced reader copy of this novella - all opinions are my own.

The positives: I enjoyed the premise of the book and I thought that the storyline was unique, and it was an enjoyable read. I did like the revelation at the end, as it wasn't something I particularly saw coming.

However, I did feel that the world could have been built up more as the main thing I gathered was that it was set in Paris. I also wished that the book was slightly longer so that the ending didn't at all feel rushed and anticlimactic. The characters were certainly complex, especially the female characters, and the author did write compelling characters and a compelling storyline. There was just more scope for a better ending I think.

I also didn't believe George and Cecile to be in love, so maybe more could have been done on their relationship as Cecile, so that the ending was a harder fight to win.

That being said, I would 100% pick up another book by this author (3.5 stars!)

** Triggers in book** Dubious consent, suicide mention, gore, blood play (minor)

Spice level 3/5

This was a very interesting read.

George is an artist, new to the grand city of Paris and trying to make a name for himself. Cece is a young burlesque dancer trying to find a better life. They both get pulled into a macabre and lust fueled event of spirit summoning and end up fighting for both their lives.

I absolutely loved the dark romance aspect of this story, a tale of love continuing even after death, but the obsession leading to a worse fate. On top of this, the connection between George and Cece is very much the hero and damsel in distress trope, but Cece is also presented as a fighter who will do anything to survive.

Spice-wise, all scenes are of dubious consent, and each has its own unique style/setting exploring different erotic scenarios.

Overall an interesting twist on séance and gothic horror storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately it missed the mark for me. The premise seemed interesting. However, this is pitched as a horror story, but I didn’t get any of it.

I think the title and the cover are perfect. They encapsulate the story and are well done. I also thought for how short this novella is, the world building was well done.

Speaking of the length of the novella, I think this story would have been so much better as a novel. If there was more descriptive writing and dialogue between the main characters, the story could have been believable. Because of the length, there was not a lot of character development. We got a small glimpse at the characters, but it left something to be desired. I just wanted more from them. Also, the ending attempted to express a message regarding female empowerment, but I think it fell flat.

I unfortunately do not recommend this novella because there was too much confusion in the plot. Also, I found it weird that the trigger warnings were in the back of the book. I hope that was just on the ARC copy because they should be in the front and better described. Some of the actions in the book could be triggering to some, yet the warnings are too vague.

A dark and twisted tale of possession and passion this book could have been so much more. The bones were there and the overall story was strong but it felt so rushed. The relationship between Cece and George, as well as the climax leading into no falling action or resolution. The ending just…ended. A little anti climactic. It had so much potential and the writing itself was promising. It just needed more.

The author wrote very well, but the book wasn’t for me. But I would suggest this to other fantasy readers in hopes that this would hit the mark for them. It is a very good book.

** spoiler alert ** EROTIC HORROR NOVELLA ALERT
⭐⭐⭐.5
🔥🔥🔥

I can only say... LOOK AT THAT COVER, IT'S MAGNIFICENT, I MEAN...

Read the trigger Warnings

She: You'll die tonight...You'll die like all the rest of them
He: Perhaps I will. But I'll die loving you. Maybe that will be enough.
She: Enoug for what?
He: Enough to free you.🥺

It's a quick read, it's different, it has a nice ending and it's fair enough.

Enjoy it, but read carefully first to avoid triggers.❤️
The book is coming out very soon. This same month.
Thank you very much for the ARC

Well, this is quite an intense story! I have not read anything by Antonia Rachel Ward, but now I am interested in reading more of her stories!

I was drawn into an era of hidden debauchery in England. A time when prostitution was looked down upon but wanted by the general public none-the-less.

George is visiting his friend, Bastian, in Paris. George is there to work on his art and further his career. However, his friend Bastian, has other ideas. As soon as George arrives in Paris, the fun and games begin!

This story is pretty much about possession and sex. With a few twists and turns about.

Thank you #NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press, LLC. for sending me an ARC of #Marionette to read and give an honest review.

I really struggled with reviewing this book. I tried to look at it objectively and from the author's perspective... But I just am not a fan.
First off: I feel the need to provide the trigger warning that a large percentage of this book features nonconsensual sex. Not just "some sex scenes of dubious consent", like the book itself states. There's fully nonconsensual sex scenes in the book - a lot of them. It's not the "stranger attacks in an alleyway" portrayal that some people might think of, but it's definitely not consensual.
This fact, including the incredibly graphic nature of the scenes and the treatment of the situation by all characters in the book, made this a very uncomfortable read. The problem is that it didn't seem to stop there. These scenes (the sole part of the book that was truly horrific) were also the only "erotic" sections of the novel. Not a fan of that; disturbing the wrong kind of ways. I don't see anything "erotic" about the graphic descriptions of a woman getting repeatedly revictimized. Add in that this is almost always layered and shown through the perspective of misogyny/objectification from the other characters... I wasn't expecting this (especially not from a female author).
This also added confusion since the story was going "ooh sexy" while also going "these men are pretty horrible for finding this sexy". I had no idea was the goal was. Was the author trying to rope the audience in so that they could be called out too? Or am I giving it too much credit?
The characters were not developed enough for me to care about them, aside from hating a few. Stories don't always need many likeable characters, but this felt like their "likeable characters" were bad too. The characters were also "in love" after barely interacting (which was clearly just infatuation and lust, but we are told that it's love).
The ending was intriguing and I didn't see it coming. There was a lot of interesting topics brought up in this. Unfortunately, both became muddled by the rest of the book.
So my overall: This was a great idea for a story and had a lot of potential, but the end result was not something that I'd recommend to anyone.

Very well written book.
I love horror genre, this book gave me something new horror with erotica.
The writing was really good and easily understandable.

This was different...

A quick read
Ye old "dirty" France
Aristocrats and showgirls
Magic and ghosts
Love and revenge

I have not read anything like this before - but it worked for me.
It was trilling, surprising and a little bit romantic.

Clocking in at about 100 pages, Marionette is a quick but interesting read.
I loved the description of the settings and the idea of the clothes and outfits has me in awe. The story itself I found enjoyable though the ending felt quite rushed. I actually liked Selena towards the last parts and could tell an amazing more feminist ending coming… except it never came.
The relationship between Cecile and George felt underdeveloped due to the lack of pages so the ending didn’t quite sit right with me. That and it had such an abrupt end I would’ve loved to know how the cleanup of certain events went.
I admit I squealed a little when I found how the title of the little book fit in with the story (like watching a film and they say the name of the movie)
The cover is beautiful, and really fits the theme of the book, Daniella Batsheva’s work is gorgeous and I would love to have this in paperback format to have this cover displayed on my shelf.

Thanks to Netgalley, Brigids Gate Press, LLC., and Antonia Rachel Ward for the ARC

The story is really good, however I feel it could have been made better, it seemed a little rushed and all over the place at times. I also expected it to be a little darker then it actually was. The twist was good with it being her auntie however it’s a quick read.

Rating: 1 Star.

Let me just say this book pissed me off. I wanted to DNF it so many times but kept going because I was SURE that no way is the writer, who is a woman, was just gonna let this book keep going in the misogynistic tone that it kept going in but nope. It in fact didn't get better it got worse.

By the end of the book there was some hope that the tides were gonna turn but sigh, it was a disappointing mess. The funny part is that it is clear the writer intended this book to be a girlboss story with women reclaiming their bodies from the clutches of a misogynistic society but that flopped hard and the writer only ended up feeding into that misogynistic mindset even more.

Oh and there was A LOT, and I mean every few pages, scenes of lesbian sex, kissing, etc which were only ever done for male pleasure. Also scenes of a certain important character thinking of wlw kissing as demonic. I really hope no one classifies this book as LGBT. Canonically bi characters were there but as I said, for male pleasure.

If you told me this was written by a 1500's male writer who frequents brothels and illegally sells erotic novels for the violently misogynistic male society I would believe it.

Apart from all that, I do not understand why George even needed a POV? Also there were so many inconsistencies within the book including plot holes and a lot of things were just not explained and vague in the worst possible way which just gave off laziness.

The only good thing about the book was Selena.

I will not recommend this for anyone, don't even hateread it out of curiosity it is just not worth your time wasted.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.