Pacing was fabulous but it made this already short book feel like it went by too fast! Perfect for spooky/cozy season

Short but has a lot to it. The writing is very atmospheric and perfect for the spooky season. The main character in this is a midwife who is involved in the mystery of children being born with monstruous features. As the novella unfolds you find more about the mystery of her past and why the children are being born this way.

The main drawback for me was how short this was, there is so much to the world that it would I would have liked to seen it as a full novel.

Lina Rather’s A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is a darkly atmospheric historical fantasy novella set in 17th-century England. It masterfully blends elements of history, folklore, and mysticism with feminist themes. The story revolves around two women, both struggling with societal expectations of motherhood and womanhood, as they navigate a world where monstrous births and mysterious forces are at play.

Rather’s writing is lyrical and immersive, with a slow-building tension that keeps readers intrigued. The novella tackles complex issues like bodily autonomy, power dynamics, and the ways in which society demonizes women for stepping outside prescribed roles. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the historical setting, adding an eerie, almost gothic quality to the narrative.

Overall, A Season of Monstrous Conceptions offers a thoughtful and haunting exploration of womanhood and control, without ever losing the emotional depth of its characters. Its vivid setting and poignant themes make it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and dark fantasy alike.

This was super dark, super creepy and super gay. What more do you need? I really enjoyed it and loved the cosmic aspect. A good time all round.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.25/5✨

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions (by: Lina Rather) follows Sarah Davis, a midwife’s apprentice in an alternate historical London where a series of strange births has overtaken the city. When Sarah is approached by famous architect, Christopher Wren, because of her own strange birth and subsequent abilities, things take a turn for the monstrous.

This book had such a unique premise, beautifully descriptive writing, and a morally dubious MC! It had all the makings of something special. While, I did enjoy it, there was just a little something missing for me that I can’t quite put my hands on. I think part of it was that I wanted to be more scared while I was reading this. It was more reminiscent than anything else, which is good for people who like that, but for me left me feeling slightly distanced from the MC. That beings said, I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those who love historical/fantasy/horror genre blend. I also think this had great themes of embracing your differences as well as some pretty good queer rep.

This was unfortunately not an impactful read. It could possibly be the length since everything felt a bit rushed and could've been a bit more fleshed out.

I rather enjoyed this book. I thought that the story line was interesting and easy to get sucked into. I enjoyed the characters and the creatures that bring the plot to life. As with most novellas i got to the end and wanted so much more. I think that this could make an amazing full length novel and will be watching to see if the author does anything else with this world.

**I was provided with a free copy of this book for an honest review**

Is there anything more potentially fraught with peril and/or horror than childbirth?

This book takes place in an alternate London, and children are being born with strange appendages and uncanny natures. Is it the devil? Is it just nature asserting itself? The people of London are scared to know the truth. For one individual, uncanny herself, the stakes are even higher. As she attempts to find her place in the city as a midwife, she begins to draw the unwelcome attention of a Lord and Lady who seem to need a midwife but might actually be looking for something much more sinister...

This book is like Call the Midwife meets Lovecraft. I am always happy to read any sort of thriller or paranormal tale that involves the supernatural and pregnancy or children. There's just this built-in dread and high stakes that make them even more exciting to read.

This one doesn't quite make it to 4 stars because it's a little thin on plot and some characterization. There are hints that more is going on than is revealed even by the end of the book, and I would happily read an entire novel-length tale in this universe.

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**TL;DR:** A dark novella about strange births and a woman caught between worlds. Not my favorite novella but nothing offensive or upsetting? Just okay.

It’s hard to drum up much of any feeling on this one - I can’t tell you why. It was okay? Nothing too wildly fun or wildly bothersome. It follows Sarah, a young midwife’s apprentice, in London during the 17th century. A spat of strange births, children born strange with gills, tails, horns, etc has plagued the city. Sarah herself was born strange, a tail that marked her out. As such she seems to have a connection to the Other Plane, which seems to be looming closer and closer to mankind’s Realm.

The story has some very familiar beats. A young woman, heady and full of herself trapped in a bad position, a man willing to take advantage of her and a vast well of power she holds and must use to save everyone. By no means was this bad, but the story was fairly predictable in it’s steps and I’m going to be honest, midwifery and childbirth is not a topic I enjoy reading about.

Again, this one is simply not one up my alley, but if those things sound appealing this is something well written and interesting and could be right up someone else’s alley! I gave this one 3 out of 5 and I will definitely continue to pick up Lina Rather.

3 out of 5 strange babes

Short, creepy, novella about a midwife-in-training who encounters "strange" births. I hope there are more stories to come in this world!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

definitely a book that should’ve been longer! but i loved what we did get from it. it was as slow as a short novella could be. very atmospheric and lyrical and i Loved the queer representation!!

In 17th century London, babies are being born a tad bit monstrous. Some survive to be hidden away by their parents, but some, such as the ones with webbed feet and gills die before anyone can get them to water. Sarah Davies is a midwife’s apprentice with a few abilities of her own. When Lady Wren hires her, the woman’s husband takes an intellectual interest in Sarah. She appreciates the interest, but there are many who would use Sarah’s abilities for their own ends, and soon she’s caught up in a web of the supernatural and power where she could be the key to everything.

This was a short read, and it held my full attention from start to finish. I’m a fan of alt historical fiction, particularly when it involves bits of horror and magic. I loved Sarah and identified with her desire to be free while wanting to be appreciated for her intellect. There’s a touch of a queer storyline here, which I’m always a fan of, but it’s not the main focus, and I appreciated that it was maintpy about Sarah’s journey and making tough decisions in a world that wasn’t built for you (and likely never will be).

Two thumbs up.

This one did not hold my attention like I hoped it would. I believe it was a matter of a good book at the wrong time.

Love Lina Rather’s writing. The world built here was very interesting, but I wanted a little more. & for a world filled with creatures from different dimensions, would’ve loved less gender binary.

I loved this author's space nun series and will happily read more by them, but this one just didn't do it for me.

There is a lot going on. In the time of the English Civil War, people had to take care with what they said about religion, science and politics. In this particular alternate history, babies are being born with unearthly defects which many people think is the work of the Devil. Sarah, the main character, has some unusual traits to conceal herself. These traits make her useful to the midwife with whom she is apprenticing but also make her life dangerous and Sarah always feels like an outsider.

Sarah meets a girl who seems to have some unusual traits of her own and the two are drawn to each other. Then the wife of the famous architect Christopher Wren crosses her path and the patronage of this power couple could set Sarah up well for herself. But there are a lot of underlying motives here and Sarah is in a very dangerous position.

This is a combination of English history and eldritch extradimensional horror and the two don't go together badly. But the end of this novella, as often happens, flew to a close too quickly and easily. After all the darkness of the book, the power of love solved things and I was disappointed in that.

With its alluring title and intriguing premise, A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather dives into the unsettling world of 17th-century London, where midwives grapple with births that blur the lines between human and… something else. Buckle up for a review that explores the book's strengths and weaknesses, leaving you with a sense of whether this uncanny tale is worth adding to your reading list.

Stepping into the Uncanny:

The story unfolds through the eyes of Sarah, a midwife's apprentice burdened by a secret – she herself is touched by the "Other," possessing an uncanny ability to sense the hidden magic woven into the world. As an unnatural tide of monstrous births washes over London, Sarah finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue, confronting both the fear and fascination surrounding these extraordinary occurrences.

A Tapestry of Gripping Threads:

Rather masterfully weaves together historical fiction, dark fantasy, and cosmic horror, creating a richly atmospheric setting. The grimy streets of London, the hushed whispers of midwives, and the chilling presence of the "Other" all come alive in vivid detail. The plot is tightly paced, keeping you guessing with its blend of mystery, suspense, and unsettling revelations.

Characters that Captivate and Challenge:

Sarah is a compelling protagonist, her internal struggles mirroring the societal tensions surrounding women and the "monstrous." Her journey of self-discovery is fraught with danger and moral ambiguity, making her a character you can't help but root for, even as she makes questionable choices. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, from the wise and enigmatic midwife Agnes to the enigmatic architect Sir Christopher Wren, each adding their own layer of complexity to the narrative.

A World Both Familiar and Strange:

Rather's historical setting feels authentic, with meticulous attention to detail that immerses you in the sights, sounds, and smells of 17th-century London. However, the infusion of fantastical elements never feels jarring, instead adding a layer of unsettling wonder to the familiar world.

A Flickering Flame in the Darkness:

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is not for the faint of heart. It delves into themes of societal ostracization, the fear of the unknown, and the ethical complexities of confronting the boundaries of nature. However, it also offers a glimmer of hope, exploring themes of resilience, acceptance, and the power of human connection in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Final Verdict:

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is a captivating and thought-provoking read, perfect for fans of historical fantasy, dark fiction, and anyone who enjoys a story that pushes the boundaries of genre. While its brevity may leave you wanting more, the lingering questions and unsettling atmosphere will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Recommendation:

If you're looking for a unique and unsettling read that will stay with you, A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared to enter a world where the line between human and monster is far from clear.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Lina Rather's writing style. It's atmospheric and tense without being heavy or bogged down by too much description or unnecessary prose. The book itself is a quick read, and good for if you're looking for a little eldritch horror fantasy without having to slog through 400 some pages.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!

I was so pleasantly surprised by this. Lately I have not been having much luck with novellas, and simply thought that they weren’t for me. With that being said, I am so happy that I decided to give this one a chance. I felt like it was the perfect length for the plot and character development; I loved Sarah and Margaret. In such a short span I feel like I really got to know them and care for them. This book was restored my faith in novellas! I would love to read from this author again, especially since so much emotion was able to be brought on in a few short pages. I am thoroughly impressed.

I looooooved A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather.

A few months ago, I read "The Once and Future Sex" by Eleanor Janega, an amazing book about women's roles in medieval society. I learned about the humors, the wandering womb, and many more ~fun~ medieval ideas about women. It was the perfect blend of women & gender studies and history. It started a resurgence of my love for literature about women and learning about obscure parts of history. So when I received A Season of Monstrous Conceptions, which is a medieval tale about a midwife and monstrous babies, I immediately fell in love.

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is an atmospheric and dark short tale. If you like learning about the underside of medieval society but also love fantasy, this will be perfect for you. It is a novella, so if you want a full-fledged fantasy novel, this may not be for you. I could see this being a full novel because bits were a bit fast, but it was perfect for me.

I removed one star because, although it was amazing, it wasn't life-shattering. Thank you Lina Rather, Tordotcom, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.