Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Maddalena and the Dark is just that, dark. This story felt like a folklore tale that was meant to warm kids away from "bad behaviors." The backdrop of 18th-century Venice, and the prestigious music school was atmospheric and totally encaptivating.

While reading and after thinking about it for a few days, I can't help but have completely mixed feelings about it. While I would agree this story is literary and historical fiction, it also has key moments of magical realism. While these moments were hinted in the description, I think if it were more clear my expectations for the story would have been different.

Secondly, if you are looking for a Sapphic-Historical Fiction novel, this one really ain't it (or at least, wasn't for me). While there is likely a character who may define themselves as queer (if they had the words to define themselves in 18th-century Venice), and does have some experiences we can relate to today, <spoiler> the tension between "Oh, I love them," versus "OMG that is my BEST friend!" </spoiler>. While it is tagged as being LGBT here on Goodreads, and it is, it almost feels as if the vibe is lets write a LGBT book that won't be banned in Florida. <spoiler>It feels as if Fine only hints at Maddalena's and Luisa's relationship of being more, but then makes Luisa's and Maddalena's brother's relationship very clear. </spoiler>

Lastly, the ending -UGH- mainly because I need to talk about it, <spoiler>While reading I found myself really liking Luisa, and maybe the point was to fall under her spell like Maddalena. I think I would have liked this story/ending more if I found Maddalena to be more likeable as a character. I think a more defined/clear relationship between the two would have made Maddalena feel more in the right, and what she did justified/vindicated. Instead she just came off as a spoiled brat which made her seem a bit flat, in comparison to the depth I was searching for.</spoiler>

Clearly, I had a lot to say and a lot of thoughts/feelings about this book. While I can't say it is one of my favorites, I can say it's an interesting read.

Inb my opinion this wasn't anything like Mexican Gothic. It was better in some ways, in that I wasn't so brutally uncomfortable I almost had to stop listening. Mexican Gothic is one of my favorite books but it was disturbing in ways this book isn't.
It was absolutely beautiful and the narrator told the story perfectly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audio book in exchange for an honest review. This is narrated by Sophie Roberts who does a good job of reading and narrating the story.

Its always very hard to give a review like this, and I have thought a lot about this story. I wanted to read this as it is compared to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, which I absolutely love and have read multiple times. This is nothing like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. I had such a hard time getting drawn into this story and following it. Sometimes its the narrator and sometimes its the story when I listen to audio books. Here, its the story.

A family sends their daughter to an orphanage to protect her, from what I am unclear on, and to study music. There, Maddalena befriends Luisa and they become more than friends I think....their relationship is odd and its unclear why its important other than the scandal of a lesbian relationship at that time period. As to the "dark" element, it was lost on me. While the story is set in Venice, the setting was not well developed and honestly could have been anywhere in Europe during that time period.

The characters, setting and plot just fell flat for me. I gave up at 30% in. Not for me but I am in the minority as to the reviews. 1.5 stars rounded up.

'Maddalena and the Dark' is a luxuriously written, slow-paced, sapphic "dark academia", ripe with obsession, jealousy and something supernatural, beneath the surface. It features young women, Luisa and Maddalena, as they transition to womanhood, mastering orchestral music in 18th century Venice. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher (Macmillan Audio) for providing me with the audiobook ARC.

I found this to be the type of novel you allow to wash over you, lull you into the heady rhythms. It is so palpably atmospheric and with glorious descriptions of the city. A truly character-driven story, this immerses you in the introspection of both Maddalena and Luisa. Both girls are anxious and ambitious to secure their futures, up against scandal and financial instability, respectively. As the story progresses we watch as these qualities manifest in darker ways...

Julia Fine does a wonderful job of communicating the all-consuming nature of their desperation and passions. And, Sophie Roberts, the audiobook narrator, brings the story to life, expertly. I found all of it. The writing, setting, themes and the narrator to be cohesive and complimentary. In fact, I highly recommend the audiobook.

A dark and suspenseful tale of obsession and ambition focusing on two teenage girls at a prestigious music school in 18th century Venice, the love they share, and what they will do for the things they want. It's gothic and atmospheric, character-focused and heavy on the vibes. I would recommend the audiobook. This story is slow-paced, so the audio makes it more accessible of a read.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

Maddalena and the Dark tells the story of two students at the Pieta, a prestigious musical school for girls in 18th century Venice. I enjoyed the historical details of the school and the city, but I got lost in the mystical experiences and dreamlike descriptions. Although I admired the writing, I found it distracting. I felt compelled to finish the book, but i did not fully enjoy the experience.

Despite her noble lineage, Maddalena is sent by her family to the Pietà, a place usually reserved for orphans and foundlings. The convent is also a music school, and Maddalena plays violin with several other girls, all hoping to become the next protégé of the illustrious master Vivaldi. Maddalena befriends Luisa, an impressionable and lonely girl, and they quickly form a tight bond that will prove to be the ruin of them both. Venice swirls with dark magic, and the girls are seduced into schemes of love, jealousy, murder, and devastation.

This was such a unique read! It is positively vibrating with intensity and emotion, in spite of its unlikeable lead character (for me, anyway). I found the bits of dark magic to be intoxicating, though I wish there were more of them. Maddalena and Luisa have such a complicated relationship — watching it progress throughout the story is captivating, and the climactic scene was just perfectly executed. I did have to go back and re-read a few times because the scenes jump around a bit, so you'll have to pay close attention while reading.

I don't think this book will appeal to every reader, as its structure is sort of unconventional and diaphanous. But if you're into "different" reads with character-driven storylines, this one just may be for you. Thank you to Julia Fine, Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for my advance physical and audio copies.

A SAPPHIC HISTORICAL FICTION LOVE STORY?!?!? Just let these lesbians LIVE! Ugh, men suck.

How's that for an intro???

I am so thankful to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Julia Fine for granting me advanced audiobook access, digital access, and a physical ARC version before this baby hits shelves on June 13, 2023.

Maddelena and Luisa are two young girls looking to upgrade their musical abilities and strive to perform alongside the great Vivaldi, looking to be protégés in a field predominately dictated by men, but as they continue to pursue their studies, their joined love and lust also blooms.

Bound by marriages to ignorant men and obligations, this distanced love story is managed through stolen glances, secret getaways, and grazing hands.

The linguistic flare of Maddalena in the Dark had me wanting to book a flight to Venice and get lost in the ages-old art, music, and beauty that still likely encapsulates a town.