Gorse

Gorse is the dark folk fantasy of my dreams. I loved it. It hit so many of my favourite beats--folklore, small town nonsense, complicated platonic relationships--and felt folkloric itself in being a familiar story-shape richly executed with the very satisfying 'oh yes I know this story, it's a good one, can't wait to see how this storyteller tells it to me'. In particular the web of mirroring and influence between the four leads was delicious, and so narratively and thematically satisfying, and oh, the ATMOSPHERE. I could roll around in it forever.

Overall this is a lush, gorgeous debut from an author I'm so excited to keep following. Thank you very much to Solaris and NetGalley for the eARC!

A really captivating dark fantasy, folklore murder mystery read. The writing is beautiful but really descriptive that said, it’s a truly engaging read. I’m looking forward to book 2 now!

If you take a good chunk of English folklore, mix it in with a hint of "The Bear and the Nightingale" and Ursula le Guin and you'll get Gorse - a dark, magical, fantasy and (hopefully) the first in a series from Sam Horton.

In a sleepy English village, a religious conflict is brewing between those who follow the old ways and those who believe in Christianity. The absence of the Keeper, the one who keeps the balance between the mirefolk and the villagers doesn't help the situation. So when a series of unexplained deaths occur, fingers begin to be pointed. We follow Pelagius Hunt, the Keeper, and his student Nancy as they attempt to solve the murders and bring balance back.

The story is beautifully written with incredibly descriptive language. I loved the differences between the aboveworld and the underworld and how the two main characters interact with both. It is a heavy book to read but once you get into it, you're hooked! A great first book and I can't wait for the next installment!

This is my first 5-star book of the year!
What a deliciously decadent novel; I am both incredibly excited that this is a first in a series, and beside myself with grief at how long I might have to wait for a sequel. Please, please Sam K. Horton will you give us more of C (x) and perhaps a little romance with Nance?

Anyway, I digress. I only give five stars to novels that have BOTH a fantastic plot as well as the most beautiful writing, and Gorse certainly succeeds in both. I read this book over the course of two days (neglecting all other everyday responsibilities). The world building is very well set up and clearly well researched, and the descriptive language (some might call over-indulgent but I am all here for it!) means it is literally dripping with atmosphere. I’m sure I could feel the rain on my skin more than once. I will borrow a quote from the novel itself: “These are not the sort of books that can be flicked through idly, they require an active read.” Every single word, every sentence demanded you slow down and really consider its meanings… the metaphors were so clever. Oh, and that’s not even taking into account the stunning cover!

A real treasure.

Did I mention I can’t wait for the sequel?

If you loved this -do make sure you read You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce, another 5-star read of mine with very similar vibes!

Ps. I will forgive you for using “okay” in an 18th century novel, but only because it’s an ARC… I hope it’s removed by the time it’s published!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

I absolutely loved Gorse by Sam K Horton. It is a magical tale, which tells of Nancy and Pell, from the old ways and Cleaver who is the rector and the discord between the two and what this then opens up.

I don't want to give and spoilers, which is very hard.

Nancy grows up learning from Pel who is the Keeper of the Moor, responsible for keeping harmony between the Underfolk creatures and the folk who live in Mirecoombe, loosely based around Cornwall and its moors. Pel I'd the old keeper who is struggling with his responsibilities and is not doing as much as he could to keep harmony.

There have been some deaths, which Pel and Nancy have been quietly looking into but the village is starting to fall under the spell of the church, meaning disharmony finds its way through the cracks.

This is a tale of flawed individuals, good v evil and what happens when fear takes hold.

I absolutely loved it and am keeping everything crossed for a follow on book.

A great read for anyone who likes strong characters who develop as the story unfolds and don't mind fantasy and magic.

A mysterious tale set in the English moors that blends a world of magic with the town politics of a traditional working village battling between the belief of whether help and guidance comes from the sky or the creatures that hide in the gorse. Both the church and the moors hold beings and creatures that provide help, protection, danger and a conflict of what is best to believe in for the villagers just trying to live an everyday working life. As an atheist and a fantasy reader the conflict of the two beliefs was a theme that stood out to me throughout reading, I found myself easily getting immersed in the magical world with creatures whilst understanding the importance and appeal of religious beliefs. The villagers blindly follow one or both with little evidence seen with their own eyes whilst Pel and Cleaver make right and wrong decisions through a strength of conviction and truth from their own world experiences. Interestingly it takes a threat made by both worlds to divide and bring together the opposing sides.

It is a slow paced read that, I thought I would get bored of eventually, but several elements of the story and writing made it a slow pace that I ended up savouring and taking my time to pay closer to the small details. The character development individually and within relationships was rich and in depth, individually the characters were well thought out each having their own growth and in relationships the similarities and differences highlighted how each character worked with and against each other within personal relationships. My favourites were Nancy and Pel, Cleaver and Pel with honourable mentions going to Madge and Pel/Nancy and the magical creatures and the villagers.

It was easy to keep an ongoing image of the worlds as I moved along the story through the various characters through the authors descriptions, yet they weren’t a distraction to the plot or finer details. It felt like I as a reader was being taken along and given full access to fully understand the experiences of the characters, they have a really enjoyable and immersive way of telling a story of emotions as well as actions and happenings.

Themes of friendship, conflict of belief, love, sacrifice, keeping the balance, magic, humanity, desperation, plot twist.

I will 100% recommend this book and be reading anymore from this series/author that are out or to come out.

A dark, folksy, historical fantasy with a touch of murder mystery set in late 18th century Cornwall.
I loved this from the very beginning. It's quite slow and descriptive, so maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I absolutely loved all of the descriptions of the landscape and the environment, the little folk and the villagers.
This is described as Poldark meets the Bear and the Nightingale. The Poldark comparison is mostly just the time period and the location - although this is moody moors rather than coast and mines. The Bear and the Nightingale comparison is much closer in terms of themes - there's conflict between the local church and the old ways and a there's a young woman who can see the folk and tries to help them survive when others are losing faith in them.
It's quite a dark story, laced with grief and superstition. The folk aren't all friendly and there's a real primal wildness and edge of danger to encounters with them.
I loved the complex relationship between Pel, the Keeper of the Moor, and his sort-of adopted daughter Nancy. I also enjoyed the reflection of their relationship with that of the rector Cleaver and his son - the difficulty of their relationship and the twisting effect of grief.

Thoroughly enjoyed this moody, atmospheric folklore fantasy and I can't wait for the sequel!

I can say with 100% certainty that I haven't read a narrator's voice as distinct as this one in ages. The story is promoted as folk fantasy, stressing the "folk", and the narrator's voice absolutely delivers on this. The atmosphere and setting are on point. The prose is on point. The characters feel real enough to touch. The battle between old and new religion is familiar, sure, but it takes a fresh (imo) angle by celebrating how the two can successfully merge rather than fight each other. If you love fast-paced books with plenty of plot twists, then this is not the book for you, but if you love a deliciously slow grind with great atmosphere and interiority and emotion, weaved around the themes of family and blood and legacy and history, then this is definitely a book for you.

This is the best story of the Little Folk I have ever read! It was quite dark. Absolutely nothing like Holly Black and closer to Juliet Marillier. The conflict between religion and superstition comes to a head for the villagers. I can’t wait to see how the story continues. Many thanks to NetGalley for an ark of this book.

Folklore batting faith in 18th century Cornwall. The setting is atmospheric and vivid, I was on those moors with these characters. The murders are brutal and there is gore in the gorse. The role of the keeper is intriguing and dangerous. The MMC is a cantankerous old man and his understudy has been held back. We watch her come into her own, absolutely loved her characters development. I loved how dark this book and all of the folk, especially the brownies! The themes explored throughout are just a perfect backdrop to the tale. I cannot recommend this dark folk tale enough. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

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

This was a wonderful, affectionate exploration of Cornish folklore. This dark, historical novel follows a community tormented by a killer. Where danger persists because of a war between church and ancient traditions.

This is a beautifully written book, celebrating heritage, nature and those who seem to protect the ancient bond with the spirits of the land.

We see humans being corrupted by their denial of the natural world and their attempt to master it. A severe lack of respect for non-human residents of the moors leads to harrowing consequences. Only a few brave individuals seek to protect the spirits of the moor.

Alongside this beautiful folklore story we also have a bond between teacher and student and father and adopted daughter and a coming of age story. This was a wonderful book.

A stunning debut.
Gorse is a dark and rich book about the old and the new. Faith and friends. I loved it.
Nancy was a brilliant protagonist and I cannot wait to read more about her in what I hope will be a sequel which arrives soon. I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Pel and found myself hoping for a return (IYKYK)
The language used to describe the moors was rich and detailed. Not hard to get through in anyway and of a definite style which I liked. Though it was clear who was responsible for the deaths in the village I still really enjoyed seeing the plot lay out and am really intrigued by Nancy’s murmur.
I look forward to reading more by this author. Hard recommend.

A fantastic beautifully written fantasy! I adored this book, Nancy and pat have firmly secured a place in my heart. I loved how dark this fantasy was and it genuinely made me a little scared at points,

I thought the main plot was a little predictiable but it was so gripping and had so many other twists and turns I wasnt bothered at all!

I really hope we get a book 2, I need more Nancy (and Pel, Pat, and Selkie too) in my life

I enjoyed this story (begin of a series? the cliffhanger was real) a lot. The style of writing is incredible mysterious and perfect for the story; it transports the reader straight into the harsh but magical moors. I love stories in which the magic is not floral, beautiful, and tame but wild, mischievious, and unpredictable. The main characters all had their flaws (Pel, you never learn) but I was rooting for them to solve the mystery in time. Thankfully, we've been set up for a continuation of Nancy and Pel's story, to which I very much look forward to.