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.