Unfortunately, despite a really intriguing premise, this book was both immensely frustrating and disappointing. There's not even really one reason for this; it's kind of almost everything about this book. The one word that comes to mind is: messy. The pacing, the plotting, the characters, the relationships, the antagonists, the magic system - all of these things could have hit the mark, I think, but the way it was done just fell so flat for me.

I think there's just too much trying to be done in not a lot of space. As a result, the book both speeds past moments that would have made a big emotional impact and drags in a way that it really shouldn't. The same could be said for the plotting. While I can see the threads of what the author was trying to do, I don't think it all came together in a way that was narratively satisfying.

The main character, Lewis, is a very uneven protagonist. It felt like there was a bit of a wall that he struggled to breach past to emotionally connect with the reader fully. There's one particular instance that stands out to me that never got the emotional resonance it should have because Lewis speeds right past it. But later in the book, he claims to be grieving when there weren't really that many instances of that in the text, not even really implied. Plus, the implications of this plot point felt a little... off to me. I'm being intentionally vague because I don't want to give spoilers, even though in the grand scheme of things, what happens doesn't really seem to matter all that much? The only thing it really does is take the coolest part of the premise and negate it entirely.

As for the other characters, they oscillated between being very flat or being almost cartoonish, sometimes both at the same time. One of the antagonists particularly felt strange in the context of the story because the character's motivations didn't quite ring true. Especially because there wasn't a lot of build-up of the character to make that not-quite heel-turn feel like a shock or betrayal. Honestly, the same could be said of all the characters, including Lewis: there was plenty of build-up to what could have been good character moments, but fell very flat or just out-right didn't commit. This had the side effect of making the romance also feel flat. Lewis and Noah had zero chemistry. The reason Lewis liked Noah could boil down to "he pretty" while Noah's interest in Lewis outside of his ability didn't really come across. There were also things Noah said about Lewis's character (one that comes to mind is that Lewis is a "good agent") that really didn't come across and, in fact, parts of the story seemed to outright contradict?

I'm starting to almost rant again, so I'll wrap up a bit with: I really wish the author hadn't tried to genre hop. I think maybe it could have worked in a longer, more thought out novel, but in its current iteration, it just felt like a mess. The magic system, in particular, felt largely arbitrary, despite the attempts to explain it. I almost wish it had nixed it altogether and just had the things that happened in the book be a result of ambiguous horror stuff or just possession shenanigans. The urban fantasy elements, while sometimes cool, just bogged down the narrative, especially because there wasn't a lot of cohesion to everything.

Overall, I think the idea was there, but the execution left a lot to be desired.

DNF @ 45%

Setting: USA
Rep: gay Black protagonist & author

I requested this because I love books set in the art world, especially queer ones, but despite being an adult book this feels very YA. It has a juvenile writing style and I just don't buy the fantasy elements.

The Macabre is an intriguing blend of gothic suspense and art history, immersing readers in a dark, atmospheric world where the lines between magic and reality blur like paint on a canvas.

I initially found the prose challenging, but the pacing was intentional. This builds the tension gradually, creating a lingering sense of wonder that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kosoko Jackson, and I found his writing completely immersive. Even though this isn’t the book I usually go for, it’s a great reminder that trying something new can lead to great discoveries!

While there is a lot I liked about this book, the premise was so interesting and the writing was beyond incredible, I found it just wasn't for me.

Such an interesting premise. I loved the idea of the magic system, horror, and art, but I had a hard time being fully enveloped into the story. The pacing was very slow, and did not pick up in intensity as I thought it would. I know readers who would truly love this work, and I will be recommending it to them. If you love reading dark stories, enjoy a slower paced read, and art/art history this is the book for you.

Despite being a best-selling author already, Kosoko Jackson seems to have truly found his niche and voice with his debut fantasy novel, *The Macabre*. As a fan of Jackson's work, I was pleasantly surprised by how much more engaging, moving, and emotional this novel is compared to his previous writings.

The plot centers around ten cursed paintings and the extreme lengths to which people will go to collect, destroy, or be destroyed by them. The story blends elements of fantasy, art, adventure, history, and horror. It delves into themes like memory in a world where art, perception, magic, and reality intersect.

The protagonist, an artist named Lewis, is tasked with destroying his great-grandfather’s artworks. Alongside Noah, an agent from the British Museum, he embarks on a quest to locate the tenth and most perilous painting.

Readers who enjoyed Bridget Collins’ *The Binding*, Natasha Pulley’s *The Watchmaker of Filigree Street*, Freya Marske’s *A Marvellous Light*, and Oscar Wilde’s *The Picture of Dorian Gray* will likely find this tale captivating as it explores a destructive fusion of art and life.

I highly recommend this book and hope there is more to come. My thanks go to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this novel.

Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookseller to pick up The Macabre—especially if you’re someone who doesn’t often choose to pick up Sci-Fi/Fantasy books.

I received an advanced digital copy of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, for which I am incredibly grateful. This one had me hooked from the very start in a combination of compelling world-building, lovable characters, and a journey that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Quite honestly, this genre is never my first choice—but I finished this one the same day I picked it up. This book successfully fleshes out the magical elements and builds a world that draws you in. The explanation of the magic system here was simple enough that it didn’t frustrate me, and detailed enough that it felt real and compelling.

Magic elements aside, this book was a raw glimpse at the way grief, loss, and love can impact people in different ways. Despite them outlining these themes in the beginning with the introduction of the paintings—the deeper look at grief and love interwoven through the mystery and journey the main characters travel through hits you in the gut in the best way possible.

Perhaps the biggest strength of this novel is how real the characters feel. Lewis’ insight into the history and elements of art gives this tale a breathtaking perspective. The bond between him and Noah had me hooked from the start, and there was a very realistic progression to their relationship—which I appreciate. Even the characters we meet along the way that don’t become central to the story until later on are captivating to me, and leave me wanting to know more about them.

Oh, and I’m a sucker for a good (redeemable?) villain. So if a sequel is in the works, I’ll be here eagerly waiting to read it

This was such a unique and Suspenseful read, it had me guessing at every turn. I truthfully did not know what was going to happen next.