Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's Reviews > The Dark Queen's Apothecary
The Dark Queen's Apothecary (The Ancient Ones Trilogy)
by
Instagram || Threads || Facebook || Amazon || TikTok
I follow this author on Threads and quite like her posts. When I saw that she had a gothic erotic horror novella out about vampires, I knew I had to have it. I mean, just LOOK at that cover! THE DARK QUEEN'S APOTHECARY is set in medieval Eastern Europe. At first, it starts out feeling very much like an episode of Castlevania, with Andrei, an apothecary, being summoned to the queen to perform a task that defies the rules of life itself at the behest of a sinister Queen.
Viorica was such an interesting and dynamic character. She reminds me a lot of the heroines in Tanith Lee novels: she is a selfish creature of passion, flawed and a little sadistic, but very insecure and flawed, in a way that makes her fascinating rather than unlikable. Her sort of relationship with Andrei after he (SPOILER) becomes a vampire like her was really interesting to read. The way their roles warped and changed as they did was quite well done, and there are callbacks to numerous other gothic works in the storyline, whether it be Island of Doctor Moreau, Frankenstein, or the legend of Lizabet Bathory.
Fun read and quite dark but not overly so. Mind the TWs.
3.5 stars
by
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's review
bookshelves: doth-the-goth, medieval-renaissance, vampires, bonk-go-to-horny-jail, dark-and-twisted, horror
Dec 09, 2023
bookshelves: doth-the-goth, medieval-renaissance, vampires, bonk-go-to-horny-jail, dark-and-twisted, horror
Instagram || Threads || Facebook || Amazon || TikTok
I follow this author on Threads and quite like her posts. When I saw that she had a gothic erotic horror novella out about vampires, I knew I had to have it. I mean, just LOOK at that cover! THE DARK QUEEN'S APOTHECARY is set in medieval Eastern Europe. At first, it starts out feeling very much like an episode of Castlevania, with Andrei, an apothecary, being summoned to the queen to perform a task that defies the rules of life itself at the behest of a sinister Queen.
Viorica was such an interesting and dynamic character. She reminds me a lot of the heroines in Tanith Lee novels: she is a selfish creature of passion, flawed and a little sadistic, but very insecure and flawed, in a way that makes her fascinating rather than unlikable. Her sort of relationship with Andrei after he (SPOILER) becomes a vampire like her was really interesting to read. The way their roles warped and changed as they did was quite well done, and there are callbacks to numerous other gothic works in the storyline, whether it be Island of Doctor Moreau, Frankenstein, or the legend of Lizabet Bathory.
Fun read and quite dark but not overly so. Mind the TWs.
3.5 stars
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Reading Progress
December 9, 2023
– Shelved as:
wishlist
December 9, 2023
– Shelved
June 22, 2024
–
Started Reading
June 22, 2024
– Shelved as:
doth-the-goth
June 22, 2024
– Shelved as:
medieval-renaissance
June 22, 2024
– Shelved as:
vampires
June 22, 2024
–
10.0%
"He struggled not to betray his surprise upon seeing her, a glittering ruby of a woman poised amidst the stones and cobwebs."
June 25, 2024
–
67.0%
"“I’ve been trying to figure out why I feel so connected to you, beyond your beauty. It is because you are like me—a creature of science. You just keep your mind hidden behind all your sparkly silver walls.”"
June 25, 2024
–
77.0%
"“In life, you are my Queen, and I live to serve you. But in here, in these chambers, I am your King.”"
June 25, 2024
–
92.0%
"“I want to put your body in chains,” he murmured with a smile. “And torture you until you scream my name.”
“Fuck me in the dungeon, then,” she purred. “That is where torture is done.”"
“Fuck me in the dungeon, then,” she purred. “That is where torture is done.”"
June 25, 2024
– Shelved as:
bonk-go-to-horny-jail
June 25, 2024
– Shelved as:
dark-and-twisted
June 25, 2024
– Shelved as:
horror
June 25, 2024
–
Finished Reading