I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather Published by Tordotcom on October 31 2023
Genres: Adult, historical, Horror
Pages: 160
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Lina Rather combines cosmic horror and a fascinating historical time period in this engaging and uplifting tale.
A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is an immersive story set in 1675 London with some wonderfully creepy cosmic horror elements. I loved Lina Rather’s Our Lady of Endless Worlds series, so I was curious to see what she would do with a different genre. This novella is completely different from her science fiction series, but just as beautifully written.
Sarah is a midwife’s apprentice, having been rescued from a dire domestic situation by Mrs. June, who took her under her wing and is teaching her everything about midwifery. But strange things are happening in London. Babies are being born with monstrous features, like extra eyes and appendages, gills, horns or fur. Most die as soon as they are born, but some survive and are eeking out a life among humans in secret. Sarah calls these babies “uncanny,” and in fact she has a touch of the uncanny herself. She was born with a tail, which her grandmother promptly chopped off, and now she bears not only a scar, but the ability to reach into the Other Place (where these uncanny babies come from) and pull power from it. Others like her have banned together to form a guild of sorts, although murmurings of witchcraft keep them from divulging these powers to others.
When Sarah helps a pregnant woman on the street, she is whisked into the strange life of the famous Sir Christopher Wren, an architect and scientist who senses that Sarah might be able to help him with a project. The world is out of balance, and Wren believes he can set it to rights. As Wren’s wife Faith gets closer to giving birth, Sarah must decide whether giving up the secrets of the guild will save the world, or put everyone in danger.
I was not expecting to love the historical parts of the book so much, but I was fascinated by Rather’s descriptions of the gritty, harsh lives of Londoners in 1675, especially women. I loved that midwifery is truly women’s work and is not meant to be interfered with by men. Sarah is shocked when Christopher Wren demands that he be in the room when his wife is giving birth, something that just wasn’t done in that time period. The author makes a connection between midwifery and witchcraft, which I’ve seen done before, but in this case that connection is literal. All the midwifes in the guild have a touch of the uncanny and can use the power of the Other Place in small ways.
I also liked the idea of using a real life historical figure—Sir Christopher Wren—in the story. It gives a nice heft to the time period Rather has chosen, and I found the relationship between Wren and Sarah fascinating. Wren opens up a new world for Sarah, by showing her the mysteries of science, but later he threatens everything she believes in.
As the for horror, the monstrous births are presented as anomalies, something that will go away once the worlds are aligned again, and Rather gives these creatures an otherworldly, cosmic twist by suggesting they come from another world. Sarah, having uncanny blood herself, has a connection to each creature she comes across and is almost a mother figure to them. The horror elements in this story are subtle, and I ended up mostly feeling sorry for the poor babies who will never be able to fit into society, even if they survive.
There’s also a sweet romance between Sarah and another uncanny named Margaret, who was born with horns and keeps them covered with a head wrap. Their relationship is more in the background, but it was nice that Sarah had a soft place to land with Margaret outside of her hard life as a midwife.
The final climax was very weird, but that’s cosmic horror for you. The story ends on a hopeful note, and I was happy for once to read a horror story that doesn’t end in, well, horror. I would recommend A Season of Monstrous Conceptions to readers who love historical fiction with a touch of otherworldly horror.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
It certainly looks miles (and ages) distant from the stories of space-faring nuns, but it sounds like a very intriguing story nonetheless. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…IN THE GARDEN OF SPITE (a.k.a. Triflers Need Not Apply) by Camilla Bruce
It’s very different, and it was nice to see she’s such a solid writer, she can probably write in any genre:-)
I don’t know why but I gasped when I read it’s set in 1675. I think I just really like the era, even though the times could be pretty awful. And when you mentioned Christopher Wren being a real life historical figure I was like oh that’s why that name sounds familiar. I’ve definitely heard about him before. The horror parts of the story also sound really creepy but fascinating. Great review, Tammy!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: Strange Unearthly Things by Kelly Creagh
I thought of you since you’re such a history lover! Thanks Stephanie:-)
You definitely piqued my interest of this one. It does sound good. Mr. Barb has asked for the obligatory Christmas list so maybe this one will land on it!
Good choice, it’s very unique, and I hope more people read it.
Given how much I enjoyed both books in the Our Lady of Endless Worlds series, I’m certainly interested in try this one. I like her choice of titles.
I think you’d enjoy this one:-)
Ha we posted our reviews on the same day…nice! I wondered if Wren was a real historical figure, but was too lazy to look it up. Now I know!
I looked him up, although the name was familiar, I didn’t know much about him.
Oh heck yes! This sounds amazing!
It was so good!
Sounds fascinating. I love reading books that give me the flavor of another time period, and I haven’t read many set in 1675.
Lark@LarkWrites recently posted…The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert
I haven’t either, but I’d definitely tackle that time period again:-)
This sounds interesting. I like the historical setting and the inclusion of a real-life figure too mixed in with all the strangeness. Glad you enjoyed it 😀
She really did a good job with all the elements.
Sounds like it’s outside my normal reading. That makes me curious.
Laura Thomas recently posted…31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #21 ~ Last Case At A Baggage Auction by Eric J. Guignard
It was very different but so well done.
This is a book that has completely passed me by and I don’t know why that is – this sounds perfect for me. I’ll add it to the wishlist.
Lynn 😀
I got married in a chapel that was designed by Christopher Wren so this really intrigues me!
This sounds pretty interesting – thanks for the rec, Tammy, I might pick this up!
Yes I agree, I LOVED the history part! I meant to google Wren, and now you have reminded me so I have. I also agree about the ending being a little weird- I think it was the only thing I didn’t LOVE-love, really. But I figured that could just be a “me” thing, and like you said, I liked that it was hopeful! Great review!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Reviews in a Minute: Second Batch of October
This sounds very creepy and unique! I can see it as one of those newer Horror movies that comes out that I go and enjoy but am maybe left shaking my head a bit by how weird some parts were, lol. Great review!
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