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A review by kba76
Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Due for release in September 2023, Every Exquisite Thing is a sublime read. Thanks to Laura Steven, the publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it before publication.
With The Picture of Dorian Gray being one of my favourite reads, I’ll admit to being rather keen for this to go well. After a slowish start I found myself beguiled by this dark academia retelling that oozes menace and yet which also examines our modern obsession with appearance and what it offers.
Set in the Dorian Drama School our characters are obsessive, and used to making the sacrifices they deem necessary to get the success they crave. Our main character, Penny, is the daughter of a renowned actress. She is used to people admiring her beauty, just as they do her mother, and is hoping that her first year at this exclusive school will give her the chance to win the admiration of the woman she is desperate to impress. Her first battle is to blackmail one of her peers in order to play the part she wants.
Once awarded the role of Lady Macbeth, Penny is given the opportunity to be mentored by a well-respected actress. She soon learns that some within the walls of the school have paid a high price for their success…and it’s an opportunity Penny feels compelled to seize. Unfortunately, her portrait does nothing but emphasise the ugliness she recognises within herself.
When a number of those alumni whose portraits are hanging in the basement are found dead, Penny recognises that she needs help.
As the book draws to its conclusion the horror-element comes to the fore. At its heart, however, is a timely exploration of identity. A must-read!
With The Picture of Dorian Gray being one of my favourite reads, I’ll admit to being rather keen for this to go well. After a slowish start I found myself beguiled by this dark academia retelling that oozes menace and yet which also examines our modern obsession with appearance and what it offers.
Set in the Dorian Drama School our characters are obsessive, and used to making the sacrifices they deem necessary to get the success they crave. Our main character, Penny, is the daughter of a renowned actress. She is used to people admiring her beauty, just as they do her mother, and is hoping that her first year at this exclusive school will give her the chance to win the admiration of the woman she is desperate to impress. Her first battle is to blackmail one of her peers in order to play the part she wants.
Once awarded the role of Lady Macbeth, Penny is given the opportunity to be mentored by a well-respected actress. She soon learns that some within the walls of the school have paid a high price for their success…and it’s an opportunity Penny feels compelled to seize. Unfortunately, her portrait does nothing but emphasise the ugliness she recognises within herself.
When a number of those alumni whose portraits are hanging in the basement are found dead, Penny recognises that she needs help.
As the book draws to its conclusion the horror-element comes to the fore. At its heart, however, is a timely exploration of identity. A must-read!