Early nineteenth-century witch Herculine leaves her violent life in France for an uncertain future in America, where she enters into an erotic and desperate relationship with a beautiful slave and searches for her missing teacher, Sebastiana.
James Reese Books
James Reese crafts compelling narratives, immersing readers in worlds rich with intrigue and unexpected turns. His writing is distinguished by keen observations of human nature and a masterful evocation of atmosphere. Reese delves into themes of moral complexity and the limits of endurance, prompting contemplation on fundamental aspects of life. His ability to build suspense and his insightful exploration of character psychology have earned him acclaim from readers seeking intelligent and captivating literary experiences.
Set against the backdrop of Victorian London, this novel intertwines historical figures like Bram Stoker, Walt Whitman, and Jack the Ripper within a thrilling narrative. The author skillfully blends fact and speculation, creating a gripping suspense story that captivates from the very first chapter. Renowned author Michael Connelly praises it as a mesmerizing thriller, highlighting its remarkable literary invention and relentless pace.
The Book of Shadows
- 623 pages
- 22 hours of reading
Alone among the young girls taught by nuns at a convent school in nineteenth-century France, orphaned Herculine has neither wealth nor social connections. When she's accused of being a witch, the shy student is locked up with no hope of escape ... until her rescue by a real witch, the beautiful, mysterious Sebastiana. Swept away to the witch's manor, Herculine will enter a fantastic, erotic world to discover her true nature -- and her destiny -- in this breathtaking, darkly sensual first novel.