Nine parts historical, one part alchemical—one part spice?

In a deeply plotted and atmospheric (mostly) historical novel set in 1597, Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin, two friends as close as siblings, are part of the London demimonde. Tasked by their gang leader to steal a body, the pair find themselves caught in the cross-hairs of international royal intrigue, religious division and alchemy. Surrounded by secretive agents of temporal and mystic powers, Kit and Mariner have secrets of their own, which might prove their salvation or their doom.

I absolutely loved this book, its mix of history and a tiny bit of fantasy spiced up further with well-handled gender diversity and heartbreaking romantic storylines. The world is plausible and the characters are intriguing, even the seemingly worst ruffians, and the seeming allies, well, let’s not go there.

Loved it, loved it, loved it: five stars.

This book sounded way more interesting in it's description then it ended up being. I expected a lot more alchemy, yet while it was centre of the plot, we rarely saw any. I also didn't expect any lust, yet a lot of book was about it.

I found pacing to be odd too, first half was fine though it felt like the book will be much longer. Then second part felt very rushed.

I find it to be historically accurate and it was interesting to learn more about late 16th century England. I also like that author included explanation in the end of how they got their information.

The book is a good book, just not what I expected and not what I would likely read at the moment. Book description gave no hint that it will focus on sexuality of main characters. It was well done, just not what I was in a mood for.

The Quick and the Dead is a stunning book that is filled with dark magical realism, gender exploration and queerness in a historical setting. Emma Hinds captured the Elizabethan era of Tudor England with fascinating ease.

“‘The planets, moon and stars cannot change their courses, not whilst the sun burns. They will follow.’ Lazarus turns to look at him. ‘I will follow.’”; “Forgive me for being the sun in your universe, holding you in my thrall.“

The prose is poetic and lush and so descriptive. I highlighted so much of this book, but especially all of the declarations between Kit and Mariner, and Kit and Lazarus. I absolutely adored having my heart ripped out and put back together by these characters.

I will say the torture scenes with Kit and the physician were genuinely distressing and harrowing. The pain of that abuse was visceral, even without it being particularly graphic.

“I am, I am, I am…”

I can’t recommend this highly enough, what an absolute triumph this book is.

This was a DNF for me, but I always encourage people to try books I DNF’d anyway because you never know — what wasn’t for me might just be for you!

I found the writing style a bit too rigid for me to be able to comfortably get into the flow of the story. That being said, the plot still intrigues me.

𝗜'𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Fans of historical fantasy, magical realism, darker themes, and messy relationships.

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Unfortunately this wasn't quite to my taste - I was intrigued by the alchemy and Tudor setting, but the cover and blurb both gave me almost "YA" vibes, and this book ended up being a lot darker than I anticipated.

This is an extremely atmospheric, slow burn character driven novel set in Elizabethan England. It really transports you to the world of alchemy and scientific exploration at this time. I loved the way the fictional characters met real characters from history like the alchemist John Dee.
Both Kit and Mariner were fascinating characters and I enjoyed watching their relationships develop with Elody and Lazarus as they go on their own journeys of self discovery.
If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with strong character development I would recommend this book.

A gothic mystery set during the Tudor era. The cross over of genres, multiple characters and narrative confused me. However, the atmospheric period setting was well written but the novel was not to my taste.

Well, this I guess is mostly just a case of mismatched expectations and a writing style not fitting this particular reader. <i>The Quick and the Dead</i> is historical fiction with a magical, alchemical twist. It tells the story of two young people in 16th century England, Marimer and Kit, that are working for a lowlife gangster to earn a living but get thrown into the world of alchemy when a bodysnatching gig goes wrong. Sounds pretty awesome, no?
In the end, based on the description, I was simply expecting a different kind of story than what we got in the end. This is, more than anything, an exploration of gender and sexuality during a time of great turmoil. And that can be intriguing to read, I just really wasn't in the mood for it I fear. Marimer's story is honestly nothing new, but Kit's gender exploration was rather unique (and made a lot of sense narratively because of its connection to alchemy, Rebis and all) and could have been interesting. But sadly, I simply felt nothing for either of the characters in this book. Which, I think, is mostly due to the writing style. It's rather detached and didn't manage to emotionally engage me in any way.

I did like the descriptions of Tudor era england and the conflicts broiling in the background of the story, which is why this is a two star and not a one star read. Maybe I would've enjoyed this book more had I known what it was really about, but the lacklustre characters (both the two protagonists and the side characters), the disappointing attempts at romance, the very predictable twists mixed with a slow pacing and a writing style that I simply did not vibe with turned this into an almost-dnf for me.
I do hope the book works better for other readers.

The Quick and the Dead is a captivating historical book set in 1597, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, offering a gripping and atmospheric portrayal of Tudor London. The story follows Kit Skevy, a young orphan working for the notorious gang lord Will Twentyman, and his partner in crime, Mariner Elgin, a fierce and resourceful pickpocket. Together, they navigate a treacherous world of crime, alchemy, and intrigue.

The plot begins with a grave robbery gone wrong, which propels Kit and Mariner into a dangerous conspiracy involving Lord Isherwood, a menacing alchemist with ambitious plans for the mythical Red Lion elixir, and his son, Lazarus. Kit’s involvement in the mysterious alchemical world intensifies when a phial of black liquid sets his hands on fire, drawing the attention of powerful and dangerous individuals. As they are thrust into the perilous world of Tudor alchemy, the bond between Kit and Mariner is tested, forcing them to confront not only external threats but also their own hidden talents and desires.

What makes this book so engaging is the unique blend of historical fiction and dark magic. The author expertly weaves the historical context of Tudor London with the intrigue of alchemy, a subject that was deeply intertwined with both scientific discovery and mystical practices during the time. The book draws inspiration from the real-life figures such as Dr John Dee, Queen Elizabeth’s personal alchemist, whose experiments and influence provide a fascinating backdrop to the story.

The characters of Kit and Mariner are richly developed, their complex relationship and loyalty to each other adding depth to the narrative. Kit’s inability to feel pain, combined with Mariner’s defiance of gender norms, creates an intriguing dynamic between the two, and their shared journey of survival and self-discovery is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

The Quick and the Dead stands out for its atmospheric world-building, complex characters, and a compelling mix of historical detail and supernatural elements. The book delves into themes of loyalty, identity, and the dangers of unchecked ambition, all set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in English history. It is a dark and challenging read that offers a fresh perspective on the alchemical pursuits of the Tudor era, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction and magical realism.

Overall, this book is a fascinating, thought-provoking piece of historical fiction, deserving of five stars for its originality, depth, and the gripping journey of its two main characters.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

An enjoyable book! I enjoyed the historical setting of London and all of the theatric references to The Rose. The characters of Kit and Mariner were interesting and I enjoyed their relationship and the process of character development. It felt like their conflicts were realistic. I liked the addition of Kit was intersex and male presenting as it’s not something I had read about in books before.
Warning for readers though, there are scenes of torture and sexual assault - not explicit but very obvious and a part of the story.

An unusual but interesting read.
Kit is forced to rob for his underworld boss in Elizabethan London. He has to survive on his wits and seeks to protect his friend Mariner a Potugese women sailer who disguises her gender by dressing as a man.
Kit is kidnapped by an alchemist after robbing a grave.
In a world where the sciintific is sometimes confused as witchcraft and heresey is only a step away, both Kit and Mariner have to learn who to trust where alchemists are promised fortunes by monarchs looking to cement their powers by using their discoveries against their enemies.

This book was definitely interesting and it is my most current read for a while which has delved in to a Tudor background. It is definitely a heavy book to read as there are some dark themes to it. I liked the mix of historical writing with some alchemy written in to it. The book flowed nicely and I found the authors writing style easy to read and follow.

I feel like kit was a strong main character and had a lot of depth to them. They are the first character I have read who is of the nature they are, which was very interesting. I also enjoyed the friendship between Kit and Mariner.

London, 1597, and Queen Elizabeth Tudor is on the English throne.
Kit Skevy is an orphan, he works for Twentyman, a gang Lord, known as the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Kit works as a cutpurse and prize fighter. He has a secret, he cannot feel pain.
Mariner Elgin is a female pickpocket, she prefers to wear the clothes of a young boy, she and Kit work together for Twentyman.
The Spanish are threatening to send another Armada to English waters, and the Navy is on standby. There is talk of Dark Fire, Everlasting Fire, that was known to the Ancient Greeks, a weapon of terror that could completely destroy ships, but has been completely lost to the modern world.
Many Alchemists have been recruited , some by the Royal Court, to try and make this concoction, black arts and magical spells are used to attempt this impossible task.
Kit and others are ordered by Twentyman, a seller of corpses, to exhume a grave of interest which could help in these endeavours , and no one is more shocked and surprised than Kit, than finding that a certain phial of black liquid, hidden on the corpse, breaks and sets his hands on fire.
Suddenly everyone wants a piece of Kit in order to experiment upon. Kit and Mariner hide, helped by friends and duplicitous acquaintances, this is when Kit and Mariner find out their hidden talents, and their future lifestyles.
An unusual look at Tudor London, but Magic and Alchemy was so very popular, along with horoscope readings. Queen Elizabeth had her own personal
alchemist, Dr John Dee, he used to give advice upon court matters and personal horoscope reading’s for the Queen. He also experimented in trying to find the Philosopher’s Stone, in order to turn base metals into Gold.
A fascinating, atmospheric, and very dark piece of historical fiction. I loved the characters of Kit and Mariner, the sexual themes of the times and the loyalty of these two young people. Throughly deserving of five stars, a really engaging and challenging read.
There is a Glossary at the end of this book, detailed and necessary.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bedford Square Publishers for my eARC, freely given in return for my honest review.
I will leave copies of this to Goodreads and Amazon UK, upon publication.

This is a fascinating piece of historical fiction. I thought I was getting a bit bored with historical novels set during the Tudor period but this was such an interesting tale that it has reinvigorated it for me!

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This takes place in the last years of Elizabeth I’s reign. We’re seeing a threat from Spain and anti-Spanish sentiment is prevalent. This affects one of our main characters Mariner who is in fact, Portuguese. Mariner is a thief who dresses as a male but lives in fear of being sent to work in a brothel by the crime boss she works for. We also have Kit who is impervious to pain. We meet him as he’s being punished and having to fake being in pain.

Our story starts in earnest after Kit and Mariner are sent to rob a grave and this goes horrible wrong leading to Kit being kidnapped by a Scottish noble with a passion for alchemy and nefarious intentions. Mariner and Kit becomes embroiled in a world of alchemists and political intrigue. We also have a particularly interesting exploration of gender and sexuality and how our characters navigate this in the late Tudor period.

Outside of Mariner and Kit, it’s hard to know who to trust in this book. Every character has their own agenda and many seek to treat Kit and Mariner as pawns. The way they are treated as property is disturbing and many of the choices they have to make are just to get a modicum of freedom or to escape exploitation. There’s so much intrigue and conflict.

This was a really interesting book and the exploration of alchemy was done so well. The book never feels like it veers into fantasy. It is integrated so seamlessly into the historical narrative that it felt completely natural.

Vivid and immersive, this brought Tudor England alive with fascinating details about alchemy woven through a compelling coming-of-age story. The characterisation was rich and the plot darkly disturbing, but always with a ray of light shining through.

As much as I tried I really struggled with this book it just wasn't for me as I could not make out exactly what it was meant to be.
However my thanks to NetGally and Bradford Square for this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book and although the main protagonists are not really good guys, they were quite lovable. The Tudor setting was well imagined and researched, it was really well conveyed and written. There were a few graphic parts that I enjoyed less but we must remember that this is set in Tudor times. I think that the cover does little to support the book and I probably would not have chosen this book because of the cover.

Oh. This book seeped into my body, filled my heart and settled into my bones. It is so very well researched and written with such poetry that every line demands your fully committed attention -much like each of the main character’s new connection pulls them in and refuses to let go. The story is interesting too, with just a hint of magical realism which further adds to the fantastical in the story. Kit and Mariner are flawed and dysfunctional, and yet; and yet -so very loveable. Their relationship is so special and despite spending a significant amount of time apart, the reader is never left doubting for a moment their love for one another.

I loved this story so much I found myself slowing down about half way through because I really didn’t want it to end. I am desperate for more - a movie adaptation would be utterly gorgeous and please, please Emma Honda may we have a sequel?!

Five stars. Perfect in every way -it gave me the same feels as Bridget Collins’ The Binding and those who know me know that I am still banging on about it all these years later. Adding this book to my all-time favourites!

PS. I will say I don’t think the cover does this book justice at all. I think the typography is quite anachronistic and the imagery is chaotic to say the least. In my view, it doesn’t reflect the type of book at all. It needs more of a Deb Harkness or Bridget Collins type look and I hope it will be changed before publication!

I’d like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for granting me the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release in exchange for an honest review.

This gripping tale introduces us to Kit Skevy, an orphan navigating the gritty underbelly of Tudor England. Raised in London’s shadowy, dangerous streets, Kit’s life as a young adult revolves around being an underground brawler for a ruthless gang lord. But Kit harbors a dark secret—he cannot feel pain. Mariner Elgin, another cog in the gang’s machine, is a cutpurse and a Spanish outcast. Fierce, sharp-witted, and drawn to powerful women, she acts as a protective, albeit sharp-tongued, older sister to Kit. Together, they embark on a perilous journey in search of freedom, a journey that is as harrowing as it is transformative.

Found-family tropes like this one always resonate with me, and this story was no exception. There’s something deeply satisfying about strangers becoming as close as family through shared struggles and mutual care. Kit and Mariner’s sibling-like bond is beautifully crafted. Hinds captures the messy, raw reality of sibling relationships—the fights that sting, the unkind words that linger, and ultimately, the reconciliation that underscores their deep connection. Their journey back to each other after a particularly bitter conflict felt both genuine and heartfelt.

What really stood out was the depth of the characterisation. By delving into Kit and Mariner’s inner thoughts, Hinds made their decisions—flawed as they sometimes were—completely understandable. Knowing their backstories, I found it impossible to hate them for their mistakes. In fact, their imperfections made them even more compelling.

Although the novel takes some liberties with historical accuracy, it paints a vivid picture of Tudor England. For readers unfamiliar with the era, it offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of life under the Tudor monarchs’ rule, with enough grit to keep the setting believable and engaging.

The diversity in this story was a welcome surprise. The characters’ queerness felt authentic and well-integrated into the narrative, and Kit being intersex was a refreshing addition. It’s rare to find such representation in historical fiction, and it added an extra layer of complexity to the story that I greatly appreciated.

However, the villains were a letdown. Without spoiling anything, their motivations felt flat and predictable—little more than the stereotypical “I’m evil because I’m the bad guy” trope. This lack of depth created some frustrating plot holes that were patched over with flimsy resolutions, the narrative equivalent of using a bandage to seal a crack in a dam. Their convenient appearances and exaggerated personas detracted from the otherwise nuanced storytelling.

Despite its flaws, this book offered an engaging, heartfelt journey, rich in character development and layered relationships. Fans of found-family dynamics, diverse representation, and historical fiction will find much to enjoy here.

There were a lot of things I liked about this book - namely the characters and the storyline but I struggled with the writing style. It's written in third person present tense and I think the dialogue aims to emulate the language of 16th century England but I found it quite jarring. I didn't especially buy the chemistry between the characters despite the fact, on paper, it was right up my street.

That being said I really liked the book having an intersex main character as this is really rare and should be something that is represented more on page.

I do think this book has an audience I'm just not sure it was for me, which is largely due to the writing style.