Thank you, Netgalley and Ruxandra Tarca, for this ARC.

I instantly clicked request on Netgalley when it mentioned a Jack The Ripper retelling. So I had high hopes. And oh my gosh, it did not disappoint!

First time that I am reading a book where two men are the main characters. I loved the dual POV! The most handsome bachelors of England. One of them is an assassin who makes poisons to murder the 'unnaturals'. The other has a secret that no one can know about or it will cost his life (and others). Together, they are on the search for the person behind all those gruesome murders in London, The Ripper. Along the way, they get help from an emerald-eyed beauty and a brazen lady.

The writing is exquisite. You instantly get pulled into the story. The different backgrounds and the strong relationships between the characters in this book are beautiful. All is so well-thought! Never a dull moment throughout the story. I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time. The story was gripping and action-packed, and I loved the mystery. The romance was so enthralling. Even the two men made me swoon! There is no spice. The magic happens behind closed doors. ✨️

This book has an open ending, which made me scream cause the last pages were so suspenseful, and I still have so many questions. So, I hope the second book will soon be released. I want to know more about the characters, their relationships, and the murderer. It's just such an intriguing story!

I was hooked by the very first line:
"Death comes in many forms. I am one of them."

The Catcher Of Souls by Ruxandra Tarca is the first book in a series, where the story introduces best friends Viscount Sebastian Blackmore and Earl Abel Dunsmore.
Sebastian is a character right up my alley, eccentric and strange in a Victorian London setting where he hunts for so-called 'unnaturals', people who have strange powers. He has a darkness in him which he covers up with his eccentricity and can use to hunt perfectly.
His best friend Abel is a painter who's insanely talented but refuses to paint ever since an incident in his past. Soon a killer who's called Jack the Ripper appears and leaves behind a trail of bodies missing organs...

I fell in love with the atmosphere of an eerie Victorian London Ruxandra calls to life on page, the blending of historical fiction and mystery added with the supernatural gives a new turn on the story of Jack the Ripper and the characters are wonderfully complex and deliciously dark.

I adore Sebastian's own otherness and Abel's twisted talent. Both are charming in their own ways but getting to know them comes with a price.
The victorian setting is vivid, as a reader I could feel the grime and luxury, was furious for how women have to be due to society standards. The blackmailing, mystery and unaliving is written so well I'm sure I will devour the next books as well.

This is perfect for those who enjoy historical fantasy, dark vibes, and all things Jack the Ripper.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for choosing me for an eARC!

Rating 5/5 ⭐️

The Catcher Of Souls by Ruxandra Tarca is the first book in The Cursed Arts series. We follow an assassin who hunts those who have powers that go against the grain of natural and a painter whose talent goes beyond what is considered normal. When a killer with the moniker “Jack the Ripper” appears and starts a horrific crime spree it is up to both of them to find the killer!

I DEVOURED this!. Ruxandra does such an amazing job blending historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery. The characters were all complex even those who may not have seemed important to the story.

The plot was plotting. I absolutely loved this twist on real life events in history. It was a captivating and dark read luring you into the dark streets of London trying to solve these murders before the killer can take their next victim!

This is perfect for those who enjoy historical fantasy, dark gothic vibes, and a little romance.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Darkly Enchanting Masterpiece! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the moment I picked up The Catcher of Souls by Ruxandra Tarca, I was utterly spellbound! ✨📖 This book is an intoxicating blend of gothic horror, historical mystery, and dark fantasy, transporting readers into the eerie streets of Victorian London—a world teeming with shadowy secrets, supernatural abilities, and a touch of the macabre. 🌙🔮

👑 Meet the Mysterious Viscount 👑
At the heart of the novel is Sebastian Blackmore, Viscount Keswick—a man as dangerous as he is fascinating. 🖤⚗️ By day, he’s an aristocrat with an obsession for poisons; by night, he hunts down those who wield unnatural powers. 🕵️‍♂️☠️ His calculated demeanor and morally gray nature make him irresistibly compelling, keeping you constantly questioning his true motives.

🎨 The Artist Cursed by Fate 🎨
Enter Abel Dunsmore, an artist with a terrifying gift—or perhaps, a curse. 🖌️👁️ His paintings hold power beyond imagination, drawing him into a sinister conspiracy. His uneasy alliance (and deeply complex relationship) with Sebastian is one of the book’s strongest aspects. Friendship? Rivalry? Something more? The tension between them is deliciously palpable! 🔥⚡

🩸 Jack the Ripper Meets the Supernatural 🩸
The story intertwines real history with eerie fiction, thrusting Sebastian and Abel into the heart of the Whitechapel murders. 🚨🔪 The city is haunted by a brutal killer, but are these murders merely human crimes, or is something far darker at play? 😨 The suspense never lets up, making this a gripping page-turner!

💀 Dark, Atmospheric, and Devilishly Addictive 💀
Ruxandra Tarca’s prose is lush and evocative, painting a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. 🌫️🕯️ Every scene drips with Victorian elegance, from the gaslit alleys to the grandeur of high society—yet danger lurks in every shadow. If you love the haunting vibes of The Picture of Dorian Gray or the mystery of Sherlock Holmes, you NEED to read this! 📜🖤

✨ Final Verdict: An absolute must-read for fans of gothic thrillers, morally ambiguous characters, and immersive historical settings. The twists will leave you breathless, the characters will steal your heart, and the eerie atmosphere will linger long after you turn the last page. 📚💫

🔥 5/5 Stars – I’m OBSESSED! 🔥