The Shape of Water meets Mexican Gothic in this sapphic monster romance novella wrapped in gothic fantasy trappings
The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House—Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides.
Dália, the old keeper's protégée, must take up her duties, locking and unlocking the little drawers in which Anatema keeps her memories. And if she can unravel the crime that led to her predecessor's execution, Dália might just be able to survive long enough to grow into her new role.
But there's a gaping hole in Dália's plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
February 11, 2025 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781250910530
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781250910530
- File size: 5313 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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November 1, 2024
After publishing several short stories, including the collection A Study in Ugliness & Outras Hist�rias, Pueyo makes her novella debut with a gothic fantasy that features a sapphic monster romance. Anatema is an enormous humanoid spider who just ate the keeper of the keys. The keeper's prot�g�e, D�lia, must unravel the crime that led to her predecessor's death in order to survive. Prepub Alert.
Copyright 2024 Library Journal
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Starred review from October 28, 2024
Stylish, unnerving, and highly original, Pueyo’s debut novella (after the collection A Study in Ugliness) is a delightful genre mash-up combining gothic horror with monster romance. As one of the many servants of Capricious House, Dália spends her days taking care of the property and its mistress, Lady Anatema. An ancient, partially humanoid but mostly arachnid creature that seeks a bride, Lady Anatema has eaten every candidate after they see her true form because she does not like to be perceived. Dália inherits the prestigious but dangerous role of keeper of the keys after Lady Anatema suddenly eats her long-term predecessor. The Lady maintains that Dália’s predecessor stole some of her treasured belongings, but when that’s proven wrong, Dália must investigate which of the servants is the real thief and recover the stolen items. Along the way, she begins to unravel the secrets behind several of the servants’ lives and her relationship to Lady Anatema evolves past mere employer/employee. Despite their cautious closeness, Lady Anatema’s single-minded focus on retrieving her belongings could put Dália at risk of the fate that has befallen all brides before her. Dália’s personal growth and Anatema’s inventive monstrousness are highlights, and Pueyo makes their romantic tension palpable. Despite the limited page count, this packs an emotional wallop.
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