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A review by lilyrooke
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
3.0
are you looking for a Sapphic magical detective solving angel vs demon crimes in 1940s Chicago?
read this if you enjoyed: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher; CW's Supernatural; Chicago dir. Rob Marshall; Marvel's Jessica Jones.
rep: Sapphic MC and LI.
cw: conversion/aversion therapy; forced hospitalisation due to same-sex attraction.
Determined to win back her soul and grow old happily with her partner, warlock Helen is given three days to track down a serial killer stalking the streets of Chicago. With a strong sense of time and place, and a rich atmosphere, Even Though I Knew the End is written in an engaging style and makes for a quick read. For me, though, the limited word count was unfortunately its major weakness, since it's a complex novella with interesting themes and fascinating ideas shooting off in all directions. Magical detectives. Heaven and hell. Angels and demons. A Sapphic romance. Family reconciliation. There's so much here to explore, and it disappointed me to discover the novella was over before it felt like the story kicked off. I would have liked to have seen all of these elements expanded and explored with the freedom of a longer novel. Taking it as it is, in my opinion, the story felt rushed and somewhat skimmed the surface layer of its full potential.
CAWPILE: 4.9 (3*)
favourite aspect: the atmosphere of Chicago.
a wish: For my personal preferences I think the ideas and concept would have been better served as a novel, so everything could have been explored in greater detail and depth, rather than feeling somewhat skin-deep and rushed.
disclaimer: none.
read this if you enjoyed: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher; CW's Supernatural; Chicago dir. Rob Marshall; Marvel's Jessica Jones.
rep: Sapphic MC and LI.
cw: conversion/aversion therapy; forced hospitalisation due to same-sex attraction.
Determined to win back her soul and grow old happily with her partner, warlock Helen is given three days to track down a serial killer stalking the streets of Chicago. With a strong sense of time and place, and a rich atmosphere, Even Though I Knew the End is written in an engaging style and makes for a quick read. For me, though, the limited word count was unfortunately its major weakness, since it's a complex novella with interesting themes and fascinating ideas shooting off in all directions. Magical detectives. Heaven and hell. Angels and demons. A Sapphic romance. Family reconciliation. There's so much here to explore, and it disappointed me to discover the novella was over before it felt like the story kicked off. I would have liked to have seen all of these elements expanded and explored with the freedom of a longer novel. Taking it as it is, in my opinion, the story felt rushed and somewhat skimmed the surface layer of its full potential.
CAWPILE: 4.9 (3*)
favourite aspect: the atmosphere of Chicago.
a wish: For my personal preferences I think the ideas and concept would have been better served as a novel, so everything could have been explored in greater detail and depth, rather than feeling somewhat skin-deep and rushed.
disclaimer: none.