I liked the concept and the well evoked setting but the characters weren’t as well drawn and the dialogue fell a bit flat for me.

An unusual story set in the theatres and on the rooftops of sixteenth century England. It is a story of how a bird-worshipping girl who has divine visions becomes part of the theatrical community and is drawn into a plot to overthrow Elizabeth's rule by her jealous and deceitful lover Nonesuch. This was an interesting idea and I thought the story would take more time to explore the magical Aviscultan culture but it was an entertaining story of love, betrayal and treason.

"Today she would swap this sky and marsh for a wooden box in front of a stage and a world unfolding from a painted mouth."

The Ghost Theatre is a tale of wonder and tragedy. It follows a bird worshiper and a theatre boy as their story unfolds against the backdrop of Elizabethan London.
The author paints a vivid picture of the city during this era but the storyline is let down by a convulated plot and one-dimensional characters. I loved the concept and felt the atmosphere of the book but overall I felt it was lacking in depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect to this story It just wasn’t for me . ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mat Osman’s second novel sets the bar for 2023 very high. I enjoyed his debut a great deal, with the cavil that it was a rock star writing about a rock star. Here he gives his imagination free reign (although if I was being reeeeaaaallly pedantic, I’d note that he’s still concerned with entertainers and performances), moving us four hundred years back in time ands vividly evoking an Elizabeth England that is stuffed with cruel predators and misery but also with mystery and wonder. It’s not a full-blown alternate history fantasy novel by any stretch, but there’s enough delicious occult strangeness here to give it a twist of the weird that most historical novels lack. It’s rich, hallucinatory and engrossing, and I loved it.

Full of vivid descriptions and rich imagery hich sometimes did gfeel a bit weighty but still didn't stop me enjoying it.

Rounding up to three stars

Unfortunately this book didn't live up to my own expectations.
I'd find myself a bit lost as to what was going on.
There are some lovely scenes, brought to life with words, but just not often enough.
It was a book I never rushed back to.

Loved the concept of this, but the way the novel was written just didn't work for me. Graphic language and so descriptive, it lost the sense of action for me.

Glorious, delectable novel so full of rich imagery & imagination I could cry. Magical as Fowles, heartbreaking as Dickens I was shivering with anticipation from the first page. I have fallen so in love with this book. I’d likely marry it. You absolutely must read. Bravo. & thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.