Thank you Netgalley, Antonia Racheal Ward and Brigids Gate Press, LLC for the eArc of Marionette.

Marionette is a dark, fast paced, erotic novella set in the Victorian Era. This took me by surprise and I really enjoyed reading it. With fast paced thrillers, it's difficult to get a balance between the plot and character building. Antonia Ward did just that with this novella. The characters were all intriguing and I didn't expect the direction of the narrative. The erotism isn't over done and combined with the horror elements made for a quick read. Also loved the cover artwork.

4 stars

i really enjoyed this book. whilst it wasn’t my personal favourite, i do think a lot of people would enjoy this! the descriptive writing was engaging and interesting. it wasn’t what i initially expected so it surprised me! the plot was also intriguing and different from what i usually read and i was so glad to have found this book to broaden my horizons. while it wasn’t the best book i’ve ever read, i do recommend it still!

This was SUCH a good idea, but the execution left a lot to be desired.

Straight-up, I think this could have been a novel, bc it all needed a little time to breathe. It wasn’t really scary, because it didn’t have time to slowly amp up and get the reader going “oh Cece is FUCKED fucked”. You don’t feel the relationships between the characters bc there’s not time to. I would have loved to see more of Cece and Rosie, because I was a little confused as to exactly what their dynamic was, and I would have liked elaboration on that. Tbh I am canceling George tho, sorry king, I know you’re an upper class British man, but please stop being weird about this woman’s ‘purity’

Now, I might be a little insane for this, but the sex could have been weirder. I know this is turn of the century France so they didn’t have ao3, but like, idk, I feel like the blood play could have been more erotic or at least charged! I feel like half the fun with something like this is really digging into the eroticism of horror, but all of the sex felt vaguely uncomfortable and repressed. It’s not very pro-sex at all, despite being marketed as erotic horror, and I’ll be so honest, unless the weird sex is hot, I’m not that interested.

I’d be quite interested to see what Ward does with a full-length novel, as I think that would give their ideas time and space to shine.

This book was such a good read. I could not put it down at all. When I read a book, especially when it evolves.around spirits, I am lost to the book. Loved the.story. what's not to love.about this book? It has a little bit of love,little bit of killing and a little bit of witchcraft. All that together makes a great story..

I received a.free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book (although is it really an ARC if the book came out in 2022?) This book was not terrible, but it was just ok. The story was very interesting, and it held my attention, but it lacked substance. I felt like it needed more backstory as it took some liberties with assuming the audience would know what and why things were happening. 2.5 stars.

This novella was full of surprises. I mean how could it not be the most fun thing to read all year. I was completely drawn in immediately especially with the premise of having a hypnotized victim be possessed by a ghost! Wow what a cool concept.

Summary: A story about Cece, a young sex worker (term used: prostitute), in the 1800s who experiences a hypnosis gone wrong and becomes possessed by a spirit. George is a young man enamored with Cece and strives to save her from her possession.
Genre: horror, historical, suspense, thriller
Content Warnings: spirit possession, misogyny, sex work, non-consensual activities (hypnosis, possession), violence, murder, gore

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story was captivating! The writing was sophisticated and articulate. There were great descriptions of the characters and scenery; I could easily see the dirty, enchanting marvel that was Paris in the 1800s. For a novella, the writer did a fantastic job balancing character and location details with plot and dialogue.

It was easy to discern the contempt held for sex workers in that time period and yet how coveted they were. Cece was of a poor background but found fame and spotlight in Paris, and thus suffered from imposter syndrome. No matter her talent on stage, she is still just a tool used by powerful wealthy men for their own entertainment. This includes sex work, often being presented from one man to another as a sort of gift. It is a demeaning position to be in but Cece embraces the attention while she has it, knowing such favor can be extinguished from one moment to the next. To be cast aside was akin to being dead - no money, no gifts, no celebration. She fearfully remembered a girl who had suddenly disappeared, a girl who had previously held esteem in the eyes of the wealthy men. Cece wished to avoid this fate at all costs.

The reader experiences the same sense of thrill one feels when presented with the disturbed. This is craftily rendered in the scene where Cece first experiences the hypnosis. The audience in the room is enthralled, giddy in the knowledge that their presence in the dark was palpable and should be forbidden, but was lustily allowed. The girls on the stage were the only ones under the spotlight. It elevated the tension in the room, Cece's nervous hesitation stamped down by her desire to be needed. The author does an incredible job of suspending the reader in the midst of this greedy, taboo thrill: the horror of Cece's arrested mind. Desired by all, but no longer belonging to herself. Her anxiety was keenly felt on the page.

I could see, as the story unwinds in its crafted and controlled depravity, George's own grip on his morals slip. He fights his attraction to Cece as it is displayed on stage: gritty and rough, a drastic change from his own opinions of himself and his genteel upbringing. He believes himself in love with Cece and uses this affection to save her. While I thought the sentiment was rushed, I do appreciate how sincerely he felt for her and his wish to rescue her. I rooted for him to succeed.

The true horror of it all, when you bypass the nonconsensual spirit possession and sordid career, is the vulnerability of these girls, to be used on a whim by powerful men. The horror creeps in from the sides, the animal part of Cece's brain flaring with panic, with the remembrance of how the spirit who frequently possesses her died. It was clever of the author to use the symbolism of flooding water whenever Cece's body is overcome by the spirit. I also loved the detail of the ruby necklace and the prison it made for Cece. It was wonderful imagery.

The female rage is strong, the love element is strong, the sense of desperation and fear is terrifying. It made for an entertaining and suspenseful read. I had a great time reading this book and would read this author again.

4/5 stars

This was certainly an interesting read - I haven't read heterosexual erotica in quite some time, if ever. While I found some of the erotic scenes ... cringy, for lack of better word, I see a lot of spooky gothic potential in Marionette. Set in Paris, we have erotic dancer Cece and bohemian artist George. It's love at first sight for George, and he follows Cece's goings to a sexy magic show run by a mysterious Monsieur Rossignol. Cue the ghosts, cue the erotica, cue the ghostly possession tale.

There's promise here. Selena and Cece would both be interesting characters given more space to breathe. George is There. (in my opinion, he's given far too much 'screen time') The worldbuilding is quick and efficient, and I really would've loved to explore Cece's relationship with Rosie before and after Rossignol's party.

This is a novella, so there's not a lot of time to really explore. Antonia Rachel Ward is more drawn to depicting the erotic scenes, down to an almost mechanical detail. Given it's length, I can't say this would be a title that would do well on the shelves. However, I can see it working on ebook platforms like Hoopla.

This novella was everything I wanted it to be: an atmospheric, erotic exploration of a Parisian folk tale. I found the length of the novella to be perfect and it was a wonderful, short, concise story. The gothic, supernatural horror elements were well executed. The setting was very well done - I felt like I was inside a literary version of Moulin Rouge.

Because it's a folk tale retelling, I found the flatness of the characters to be appropriate for the type of storytelling. I do think some of the more erotic scenes were rushed, but again, I think it is okay given the context. Overall, this was an enjoyable, quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Cece hammered her ghostly fists on the glass, and screamed, and screamed, and screamed."

First, I'll say that this book didn't quite deliver what I was looking for. The premise—"On the run from a life of prostitution and poverty, exotic dancer Cece Dulac agrees to become the main attraction at an erotic séance hosted by an enigmatic mesmerist, Monsieur Rossignol"—set my expectations high for a darkly seductive tale of erotic horror. While the novella had its moments, it ultimately left me wanting more in terms of plot, character depth, and cohesion.

Let's start with the characters. While intriguing, Cece felt overshadowed by Selena, who would have made for a stronger protagonist. If Selena had been the focal point, the story might have felt more cohesive and even heightened the romance between Cece and George, which came off as confusing rather than compelling. A more romantic dynamic between Cece and George could have elevated their relationship and given the ending more weight. The romance was a bit too one-sided.

I struggled to care about George. He needed more flair, like Will from Pirates of the Caribbean. Rosie also felt underutilized. Her role could have added more intrigue and betrayal, but it didn't quite land for me.

What I liked: The callbacks to earlier moments in the story were clever, and I wish there had been more of them throughout to create a sense of foreshadowing or thematic resonance. Little tricks like that would have made the story feel more thoughtful and engaging—perhaps even more of a thriller. I also liked the idea of tying the story more firmly to feminist themes, but it didn't quite go far enough in that direction. Selena had so much potential to be either pure, witchy evil or a tragic figure we could pity. Instead, she occupied a murky middle ground that left me unsure how to feel about her.

That said, I'm obsessed with the cover—it's absolutely stunning and captures the tone I wanted the story to deliver.

While the novella had an interesting premise and a few striking moments, it didn't quite live up to its potential.

The idea of the book was very promising and unique. However the novella was very rushed. I think the plot would have been better suited for a full novel. I’d like to see the development of the characters and their relationships.

this is a dark and twisted horror novella with a dash of erotica and a heavy dose of insta-love.

the premise: George, a young artist fresh to Paris, is under strict orders from his dad to focus on his craft and steer clear of women. Naturally, he immediately falls for Cece, a beautiful dancer, and ends up in way over his head. Oh, George—maybe Dad had a point? the insta-love is strong here, and while it’s usually a tough sell, the horror angle makes it more palatable. still, George’s over-the-top declarations of love are enough to give anyone secondhand embarrassment. things take a darker turn when Rossignol, the mysterious and magnetic "Prince of Debauchery," sets his sights on Cece. at one of his decadent parties, something unspeakable happens to her—a moment i won’t spoil, but it involves disturbing, dub/non-con elements, so proceed with caution.

the novella’s short length means there’s not much time to really get into the characters or their relationships, but the fast-paced story delivers some solid creepy vibes and a few standout moments of violence. it's not perfect, but it’s compelling enough that I’d check out more from this author.

apparently this book came out like three years ago but i thought it was new so my b....

this was an okay little novella. the mystery elements were good but the romance wasn't my fave. i did like the setting, this victorian time period is fun to read about. i've loved it sense i read the infernal devices. this took place in paris not england but still the setting was nice. overall i may have liked the cover more than the overall story... sorry

Set within a decadent Paris this is a rich and sumptuous erotic horror novella.

The descriptive language that accompanies George’s arrival in the French capital wonderfully sets the scene. He is travel-worn after his long sea crossing from England but rendezvousing with his friend Bastian it is off to the Paris Theatre rather than cocoa and bed.

The delightful animated avenues and boulevards are exchanged for the stalls and stage of the music hall.

George who was warned by his father of the dangers of becoming distracted by the delightful women of the City is lost with the first glimpse of a dancer’s ankle. Sponsored by his father to further a career as an artist in Paris, poor George, just nineteen has fallen on his first night there. Besotted by the sexual charisma and physical attraction of lead performer, Cecile Dulac. The poor lad didn’t have a chance. “George began to find her somehow beguiling, with her caramel hair and forget-me-not blue eyes. It was the sensuous way she danced.”

But Cecile, (Cece) is being drawn into a darker world, chosen to become a puppet caught up in debauchery and sexual manipulation.
George seeing her as exploited and in danger, under some evil influence and mind control.
Can he save her and at what cost to himself?

I found the writing absorbing and immediate, placing you into the story. The language is rich and colourful, bringing to life the earlier liberated time in the late 19th century. The concept of malevolent spirits was credible, more so against the ideas of hypnosis and erotic exhibitionism.

This is quite an explicit story of carnal desire and sexual gratification; however, I felt this reflected the period and the message within the narrative well. Indeed it speaks to our own time regarding exploitation in the sex industry, modern day slavery and the control and role of men in society.

Aside from all that. This is a great short story full of action and excitement. An enjoyable read.