The Estate

Loved this gothic story that has a spectacular theme - Art historian Camille Leray can enter the "world" of the art she sells. She can be part of the time that the art was created and even view the artists. It's an exciting secret that she has a hard time controlling and has only used sparingly. When a newly found famous work of her absolute favorite artist is unveiled, she is sure that it is incorrectly identified. Due to her secret power, it is easy for her to gain this knowledge, but impossible for her to share and thus she is fired from her coveted job.

Maxime Foucault, is a wealthy young man whose path she has crossed in Europe. When he requests her presence on his estate to authenticate art she has little choice but to go. From there, the story speeds up and the gothic components create a delicious tension. #sourcebookslandmark #theestate #sarahjost

The Estate by Sarah Jost is a magical realism story glistening with glamour and Arthurian legends...

Camille Leray has a magic power. She can enter art, transporting herself into the inspirational landscape of artists creations. As an art historian with an obsession with a famous artist, Constance Sorel, whose life was mired in mystery, an offer from a wealthy French family with connections to Constance invites Camille to their gorgeous estate where the mystery deepens. With Camille's magical ability interacting with the estate, Constance's sculptures, and the French family in strange ways, Camille will be forced to confront the past, its illusions, and her own connection to art.

This book left me breathless, enchanted, and spellbound. The beguiling nature of the story with its abstract concepts juxtaposed with old world elegance captured my attention. The unique take on the lady in the lake mythology was fascinating as were the Arthurian legends. Combining medieval aspects in a modern day setting brought a time slip element into the story which created an even more immersive feeling for me. The story was a complex mystery layered with themes involving art, reflection, feminism, and choice that will submerge the reader into its watery depths. I loved the plot and its examinations of the art world, toxic relationships, and self empowerment amidst a landscape of powerful men and ancient love stories. There is a lot of metaphor about art and what it means to create and destroy, but it was told with mystique, water, crystal, and clay. I love it when good writing gives me visceral feelings, and this story and dark glamorous atmosphere did just that.

I hope I have been able to review this story in a way that makes sense, otherwise perhaps I have found myself lost in Camille's world, where it can only be felt in order to be believed.

The Estate is a seductive speculative fiction piece of art that I will remember for a long time.

This was somewhat of a new genre for me but it was so good. I read it in one sitting! If you love art, this is it!

As someone who loves art history, I really enjoyed this book. I don't give out many 5 stars but it was so worth it. I've read a lot of books but this is probably in my top 10 and I don't say that lightly! The twist and turns just *chef's kiss*.

I was drawn to The Estate based on the comparison to The Cartographers, which meant my bar was very high, because I loved The Cartographers. I'm happy to report that this book checked all the boxes for me.

It was a fantastic blend of art-world intrigue and magical realism (my two genres of choice) that asks the reader to question what is real and what is made up while exploring the (quite literally) transportive power of art. I found the characters captivating and found myself rooting for different characters at different times throughout.

I'd highly recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.