✨The Estate by Sarah Jost✨

Genre: Mystery/Magical Realism
Pages: 416
Pub date: Nov 19th

📚Art historian Camille Leray has spent her career surrounding herself with fineries and selling pieces worth millions. But she harbors a secret: she has the ability to enter the world of any piece of artwork, and she can take others with her. But tapping into history comes with great risks. And someone has been watching, someone who knows about her magic, and her mistakes...

After Camille ruins her career and reputation by misusing her powers, she vows to get her old life back. So when Maxime Foucault, an enigmatic aristocrat who owns a sprawling French estate, enlists her help in authenticating the statues of a mysterious artist, whose disappearance she has been trying to solve for years, she knows this could be her chance to turn her career around and get the man she’s always wanted.

But something isn’t right about the Foucault family and the grand chateau they inhabit, and as Camille gets sucked into its walls, she finds a world of luxury and greed that causes her to risk losing herself, and everything she has ever known, forever.

📝The magical realism of this story really appealed to me. I thought it was creative and a unique take on the relationship between art and its creator. The French gothic atmosphere was also something I enjoyed.

Although I liked the story overall, the plot was definitely slow and Maxime’s goal seemed a little over the top.

💫Thank you @netgalley @bookmarked for my egalley💫

thank you to netgalley for my e-arc. i really liked the character being an art historian but was less excited about the magical realism of the story. the slow burn of the mystery was great and kept me guessing until the reveal.

Unfortunately this was a case of the concept sounding really good but the book just not living up the my expectations. I spent too much of the book confused and not liking any of the characters. Camille was actually borderline insufferable.

The Estate has a lot going for it, the plot is unique, and a lot is going on with a historical/current-day mystery surrounding Constance, her art, and what happened to her. Camille has been using her unique ability to go into art to follow Constance's life and become the foremost expert in her works, so when her life implodes and an offer is made that will answer some questions about Constance's life and could include lost artworks by her Camille can't turn it down.

So this story is told in first person, and that is not one I really enjoy, so this made it hard for me to not only get sucked into the story but also connect with Camille. If you like first person, and this sounds interesting, you should try this book.

The Estate by Sarah Jost was an unusual but satisfying read.

Camille Leray is an art historian who has a special gift allowing her to immerse her subconscious into the art and the mind of the artist as they were creating the artwork. This is a gift that she keeps to herself as people would deem her crazy if they knew, but then she finds a lost artwork, a sculpture by artist Constance Sorel, and identifies it as an original artwork. The auction house she works for prepares to sell it off. Camille then changes her mind after trying to subsume herself in the artwork. She feels there is a darkness to the work and she fears that she has made a tragic mistake. She makes a scene at the presale for the auction, a client is injured and Camille loses her job and her confidence. Then she is contacted by Maxime Foucault a wealthy frenchman who is distanty related to Constance Sorel. He invites Camille to his estate to authenticate several sculptures that he states may be Constance’s work. Constance mysteriously disappeard from the history books and Camille has long wanted to solve the mystery of what happend to her. At the estate of the Foucaults she hopes to pick up the trail of Constance and her fate As they say, be careful what you wish for.

I enjoyed this book. The premise was interesting and novel, and I enjoyed the art history and Arthurian take on artwork.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Thank you source books for the review copy! The Estate from Sarah Jost is a pitch perfect read for fans of slow burn gothic reads, particularly ones that explore magical realism, weird families/art world and old Europe themes, and/or themes related to Lady of the Lake and related Arthurian Legends. This books is for you!

For me, these themes work but only to a degree, I at times found the writing to be a bit to slow and filled with detailed tangents that I don't know worked for me (a lot of character background, perhaps a bit too much focus on a male main character) but that's not fair to a well written, nuanced book, one that is captivating for the themes on being "drawn into art", seeing the mind set/life and feelings of an artist, and really thoughtful insights into the invisibility of women artists. I was reminded a bit of themes from Anita de Monte laughs last in terms of women artists, their silenced voices, and the efforts to uncover and reclaim their art and identity.

ARC REVIEW: The Estate by Sarah Jost ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Estate is an eerie mystery that explores how art blurs the lines of reality. Camille Leray is an expert at art appraisal and has devoted her life to studying the life’s work of a female artist with a tragic past. The secret to Camille’s success is her ability to step into the world that surrounds each piece of art and their artist. When Camille accidentally goes a step too far, her job and reputation are at risk. Promising an opportunity to get her back into the art world’s good graces, Camille accepts an invitation to stay at the grand French estate of the Foucault family, which holds an important key to her past. Camille immediately is both drawn into the mystery of the estate and afraid of what might happen if she loses her grip on reality.

I thought this story was fascinating! The vivid imagery Jost is able to convey as Camille travels between the worlds of reality and fantasy is intense and eerily stunning. I enjoyed the twists and turns but often found myself feeling frustrated at Camille’s naïveté. The ending didn’t have the payoff that I had hoped it would but I definitely enjoyed the journey! Jost touches on the idea of art being a symbol of power, while many feel that it should be accessible to people from all walks of life. Camille herself struggles to reconcile her love of art with the idea that many of the people who buy and sell art are only interested in money and power. The Estate by Sarah Jost will be released November 19th 2024!

I picked this one on the blurb. Camille can step into the world of paintings ? Yes please !! A little sci fi a little fantasy and a little magic and a good dose of mystery! I needed this as a palette cleanser and loved it. (Of course my imagination is that big too).

From page one I was invested in this and not just because of the adventure. There is an underlying story of self discovery and perseverance. Themes of not letting someone shape your future and how to let go of the past. 10/10 loved this.

A unique and speculative suspense novel. The fantastical elements might not be for everyone but the writing is imaginative and atmospheric, with twists and turns in the plot.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Estate by Sarah Jost was an amazing blend of art and magical realism.
Jost’s writing really captivated me. Full is suspense and magic I truly enjoyed this book.
The mystery and twists are wonderfully written and the detail was just amazing.

Have you ever wondered if art could tell you the story of its creation? The Estate by Sarah Jost explores this captivating premise, taking readers on a journey into the process of artistic creation and the opulent, high-stakes world of art collectors, where fame and reputation are everything.

Camille, a renowned art historian, has a rare gift: the ability to enter the dimension of art itself. However, one fateful night, she misuses her powers and loses everything. In her search for meaning—and a specific artist’s elusive work—she accepts a position with a distinguished family whose estate holds ties to this artist. But is this opportunity as perfect as it seems, or is there more lurking beneath the surface?

This story unfolds as a slow burn, gradually building its world and characters. The fantasy elements, particularly Camille’s abilities, were intriguing, and I found myself eagerly anticipating the unraveling of the artist’s story. However, the narrative’s complexity occasionally made it difficult to follow, and a more straightforward approach could have enhanced the experience.

Lila, a standout character, was my personal favorite, adding depth and intrigue to the story. While some aspects were challenging to grasp, the unique concept and richly imagined world kept me engaged.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with this book.

The Estate by Sarah Jost is a compelling family drama set in an isolated estate, where long-buried secrets begin to unravel when estranged relatives come together. The story focuses on the complex dynamics between family members, particularly the protagonist’s strained relationships, as they confront their pasts and dark truths.

It is a gripping, character-driven novel that will appeal to fans of psychological drama and family sagas. While the pacing can be slow at times, the rich atmosphere and emotional depth make it a highly enjoyable read.

Camille has a special gift - she can immerse herself into art to see the artist’s world, and what emotions went into their work. She can also take other people on this journey. As an art appraiser she’s surrounded by the most beautiful artworks around. When she’s called to a family estate in France to authenticate the recently found sculptures of Constance Sorel, someone Camille has been studying and admired for ages, she accepts the offer. Except as soon as she arrives, everything is off. The family is shady, the son Maxim who she’s met before is hot and cold and intense, and gets more erratic by the day. Camille gets lost in this world, and gets in over her head.

Alright, I liked the premise a lot. I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to touch an antique and glimpse its history. The story itself is bizarre. None of these characters feel real, especially the wealthy family. It’s as if they’re suspended in an alternate reality of self-importance. They kind of reminded me of that family from Saltburn. Where I initially found Camille interesting, I found her lacking in judgment later. It’s definitely a cautionary tale about ambition and taking it too far where it does your head in.

Highlights:
🖼️ Speculative suspense, fantasy, magical realism
🖼️ Art history, sculpture
🖼️ Set in France
🖼️ Old money, weird family
🖼️ Sticking to your principles, integrity

I thought Jost’s writing firmly entrenched me in that environment. I’d viscerally react to certain things. I felt a lot of push and pull with this story. I didn’t love it but I was enthralled throughout. I loved the ending. It felt like a nice, cleansing deep breath after the turmoil Camille went through. I’d say if you’re up for something a little different, you should check this out!

Thank you @bookmarked for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 is available November 19th.

Nicely gothic and just a little bit creepy. An interesting read for those who are intrigued by "gifts." Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

The Estate was unlike any book I had ever read. In this tale, Camille has worked hard to be the best expert on artist Constance Sorel. She has a unique ability to enter into the world of the painting, lending her a special talent as an art historian. When she starts to lose control, she is hired to inspect some art found in the home of her old crush. But the longer she works for the family, the most secrets she unfolds.

I felt like this book dragged on a little, but I was excited to see where the story was going. Camille was such a unique character, and I loved her drive to know more about the artist Constance and her time at this old home.

This was a weird one for me. I wanted to enjoy this, and it had the building blocks of something that I would like. But, I just couldn't sink into it. It was too slow, for me. The premise of the story is fantastic, and I thought that it was well written and the characters were good. But it was just so slow that I was just bored. I am screaming and crying that I didn't love this, though I can absolutely see where other people WILL love this and I believe this will be a popular book. Just wasn't for me!

This is a unique and fantastically written fantasy/ thriller type novel. The author's wording is beautiful and descriptive, going in depth to the thought process of the main character. The Estate is about an art evaluator with supernatural powers. Camille can enter the art pieces she is looking at and see the thought's and feelings of the artist when they painted or constructed the piece. This gift gains the attention of a handsome wealthy man that wants to use Camille's gift for personal gain. Will Camille fall for his manipulation or will she find a way to overcome him?

The Estate
by Sarah Jost
Pub Date: Nov 19 2024

Every estate has a secret...

Art historian Camille Leray has spent her career surrounding herself with fineries and selling pieces worth millions. But she harbors a secret: she has the ability to enter the world of the artworks, and she can take others with her. But tapping into history comes with great risks. And someone has been watching, someone who knows about her magic, and her mistakes...

After Camille ruins her career and reputation by misusing her powers, she vows to get her old life back. So when Maxime Foucault, an enigmatic aristocrat who owns a sprawling French estate, enlists her help in authenticating the statues of a mysterious artist, whose disappearance she has been trying to solve for years, she knows this could be her chance to turn her career around and get the man she's always wanted. But something isn't right about the Foucault family and the grand chateau they inhabit, and as Camille gets sucked into its walls, she finds a world of luxury and greed that causes her to risk losing herself, and everything she has ever known, forever.

I desperately wanted to love this- but I just could not get into it. It felt hard to follow in my opinion and just like the slowest burn ever. I absolutely know this will be amazing for others so I recommend for readers to try it out and see how they feel.. the premise of the story sounds so good! Again, just wasn’t for me!

""The world of art is blown wide open" (Jonathan Santlofer, national bestselling author of The Lost Van Gogh) in this novel for fans of The Cartographers, a simmering speculative suspense following art historian Camille Leray, whose secret ability lands her in the middle of the dangerous schemes of the most powerful players in the industry...

Art historian Camille Leray has spent her career surrounding herself with fineries and selling pieces worth millions. But she harbors a secret: she has the ability to enter the world of any piece of artwork, and she can take others with her. But tapping into history comes with great risks. And someone has been watching, someone who knows about her magic, and her mistakes...

After Camille ruins her career and reputation by misusing her powers, she vows to get her old life back. So when Maxime Foucault, an enigmatic aristocrat who owns a sprawling French estate, enlists her help in authenticating the statues of a mysterious artist, whose disappearance she has been trying to solve for years, she knows this could be her chance to turn her career around and get the man she's always wanted.

But something isn't right about the Foucault family and the grand chateau they inhabit, and as Camille gets sucked into its walls, she finds a world of luxury and greed that causes her to risk losing herself, and everything she has ever known, forever.

Filled with magic, suspense, the allure of Arthurian legend, and dark academia, The Estate unravels a mystery that spans generations. This captivating tale will leave readers pondering the fine lines between reality and imagination, creation and destruction, and being haunted or free."

A book that is hard to quantify and yet I just want to move into its pages.