Full Disclosure: This book was read as an e-ARC Audiobook (Advance Reader Copy) obtained via Netgalley from the publisher in advance of the book's release on November 8, 2022 in exchange for a potential review. I give my word that this did not affect my review in any way - if I felt conflicted in any way, I would simply have declined to review the book.
Even Though I Knew the End by CL Polk.
Even Though I Knew the End is a Lesbian/Queer Fantasy Noir by author CL Polk (Witchmark), in a story that takes place in an alternate version of 1920s Chicago in which magical orders, demons and angels are very real (although the public might not know too much about them). Demons/Angels-based Noir stories are not new to me - see Rebecca Roanhorse's Tread of Angels which is coming out the same month as this - but I've liked the few I've read and Polk is an excellent writer, so I was looking forward to this one, which I read in eAudiobook form over a week.*
*The audiobook reader is excellent by the way, so I definitely recommend this novella in that format.
And Even Though I Knew the End is really strong and very enjoyable noir - an excellent example of the form. The story follows a Lesbian Warlock who was cast out from her magic order - after making a deal with a devil/demon to save the life of her brother - as she begins a dangerous quest to solve a strange magic and possibly demon-influenced set of murders in her last days before her soul is forfeit, in hopes at first of helping her beloved who is ignorant of the whole thing....before everything goes to hell. It works really well with a strong voiced lead protagonist, a really well done world, and a satisfying short plot, and some strong themes of dealing with homophobia and sexism and what one would do and give up to be with the ones they love, so definitely recommended, even if I don't think it transcends the form.
Quick Plot Summary: Ten years ago, Elena "Helen" Brandt made a deal with the devil after an accident killed her entire family, sacrificing her soul and giving herself just ten years to live in exchange for bringing her brother Teddy back to life. But the act cost Helen everything, as Teddy repudiated her and her magical order cast her out to survive on her own.
Now, three days remain before Helen's time is up, and Helen just wants to spend those three remaining days with her beloved Edith, in their underground Chicago Lesbian bar and in Edith's own apartment...and perhaps to make a little extra cash to help Edith live on without her in peace and happiness. But when Helenis asked to discover the truth behind a number of supernaturally aided murders and told that the possible reward for such a job is to get back her own soul, she finds herself caught in a conflict with ties to her past, present, and future, and the lives of both the sainted and the damned of Chicago....
Thoughts: Even Though I Knew the End is a really atmospheric noir, whose main character is excellent at conveying this world, its themes, and its characters along the way through her first person narration. Helen is a woman who once cast everything away in order to get back the person she loved most even though that person is horrified at that fact (she took him away from Heaven), and would do it all again....even if she wishes that that person would still be willing to love her once again. And so with her current love, the woman Edith that society says she shouldn't love (this 1920s Chicago also condemns homosexuality and condemns such women to insane asylums and electroshock therapy, as we see in one horrifying scene), she is once again taking impulsive risks to try and ensure Edith's happiness, even if what Edith really wants is to live forever with Helen in a place where they don't need to live in the shadows and hide.
It makes her an excellent heroine as she gets involved with demons, angels, and magicians who have their own pointed views on society, humanity and everything else, and leads to a really strong plot, even if some elements are a little predictable. The themes here of what you would do to be with the one you love and whether they would want that are really well done, as is the themes of contrition and forgiveness, and Polk paints the world through Helen's narration incredibly well. Just a really enjoyable strong but short novella, and one I would expect to get some award consideration.
No comments:
Post a Comment