This book has been ABSOLUTELY WOW and if we hang out, I’ve already told you countless times that you need to read it. If I haven’t? Well, YOU NEED TO READ IT. There. And now onto the reasons why!
5 Reasons To Read Creature of Will and Temper
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★★★★★ 5+++ stars
Essentially, it’s a retelling of Dorian Gray. But it’s also very different! First of all, the main characters are girls. Two sisters, Evadne and Dorina could not be more different from each other – Evadne is homely, but strong, loves fencing and is a simple person, while Dorina is a beauty, brimming with life and hoping to experience everything passionately. Over a disagreement, they both get marched off to London to visit their uncle, where they meed Lady Henry, who is quite progressive for her time, and… Well, is a diabolist (it means, summons demons). Things move on from there…
This story is about so many things! Love, passion of life, passion in general… Appreciation of beauty, and even just finding yourself. Also, with impeccable style and fabulousness!
The Sisters’ Clashing Characters Propel The Story
The story is told in the third person, but between two perspectives – Dorina and Evadne’s. What’s amazing is that they are basically polar opposites, and the author does a great job representing both of their points of view! Which means, it presents both of their hurts and complaints about the other, and does not defend either one. It’s very objective, doesn’t demonize or defend either of them either, does not judge. You can’t pick a side between Evadne and Dorina, and that’s the charm of it.
(Wrong story, I know! But the GIF totally works!)
Queer In The 19th Century And Not Bothered
Truly in Oscar Wilde’s tradition! Most of the characters are queer in this book, and very vibrantly and enjoyably so! It really works for them. I can’t tell you whether the quality of the rep was good or not cause it falls out of my realm of experience, but all I know is that these characters were a pleasure to read. There’s no pathos about characters being queer (“look! I’m being diverse just to be diverse!” – you know what I’m talking about, some books do this). They just are. In a very honest and natural way.
The Battle Between New And Old
The intersection of the 19th and 20th century: challenges ideas of class, dress and society, especially regarding women and sexual orientation, or just societal norms. Dorina and Evadne symbolize two generations – one is willing to embrace it, the other is unwittingly angered about it, and although she’d like to go with it, she can’t shake propriety. Lady Henry, meanwhile, challenges every belief that of those times by basically flat-out acting like a man. Of course, I find it hard to believe a woman wouldn’t be institutionalized for something like wearing men’s clothes back in that day, or consuming tobacco in public. No matter who she was, or how rich she was. So this calls for some suspension of disbelief, but all in good cause. And it certainly spiced up the story!
Demons And Swords! …And Vigilantes!
Come on. Do I have to elaborate? They summon demons and some of them fence. It’s brilliant! The demons here aren’t evildoers necessarily – they are not always interested in our affairs or meddling with the world. Some of them are pure consciousness that wants merely to appreciate, to enjoy through human eyes. I believe this fits SO well with the Oscar Wilde theme of Dorian Gray – embodies the hedonism so well. You will also read about Lady Henry’s society of appreciation of beauty. Would it be really corny to say I appreciated that a lot? (YES.) As for the swords? No, but seriously. It should just speak for itself!
It’s Just So Incredibly Epic
Just take my word on it! Alright, so you’ll have to suspend your disbelief at times, but hey, isn’t all urban fantasy kind of like that? I particularly like books like this though! It’s not just ever so slightly (and stylishly…) paranormal, it’s also a little bit steampunk through being based in Victorian times (I wouldn’t say full on steampunk, though), and it’s got just the right amount of darkness in it – a mere pinch, all it needs! It reads incredibly comfortably, the characters are great and it moves at just the right pace. What I also liked was all the art appreciation. I mean, it was about an appreciation society! And so much drama between the sisters, and you’re unable to take a single side! I absolutely loved this book and I believe you probably will too.
More Books Like This
I thank the publisher for giving me an early copy of this book in exchange to my honest opinion.
Have you read any books like this, and would you care to recommend? Have you heard about Creatures of Will and Temper yet? Are you going to read it?
I’m Evelina and I try to blog about books that matter, with a bit of fun there too! Disability and equality will be topics you see a lot, but there’s also a lot of scifi, fantasy and… GIFs. I’m also the proud founder of #ARCsAnonymous.
Ooo, this book sounds quite intriguing! I’m quite glad you enjoyed it, although I’m not sure whether I’ll pick it up. It’s not my typical genre, but we shall see! Fabulous review!
What are your typical genres? 🙂 I don’t even know what genre this is, actually… urban fantasy? I wish it had a more easily defineable genre! Because I want to read more books like that 😀
I like the challenge between the two centuries thing! Feels relatable And this sounds one crazy rollercoaster read!!
Indeed, I think you’d really like this book too 🙂
Added this to my to-read shelf as soon as I saw your recommendation on Goodreads! 🙂
Yay! I am so glad. 100% guarantee you’ll like it 🙂 hey, please link drop your review when you read it! I really want to know what you thought about it 🙂 I would hate to miss it. It’s such an amazing book 🙂
I definitely will! 🙂
UM YES I am so glad more people are screaming about this book. Like oh my goodness, it is absolutely fantastic! I want everyone to scream about it! I LOVED it
Me and you seriously have 100% THE SAME tastes xD please give me all the recommendations!!
LOL WE DO! I don’t have any off the top of my head like Creatures (because it was so darn good!) but have you read An Unkindness of Ghosts?
Yes I have xD xD that’s also one we both posted glowing reviews on 😀 I’ll make sure I just recommend you ANY five star read of mine on Goodreads. And please feel free to do the same for me xD
I haven’t read historical fictions often in general. But I am reading books taking place in the past because right now I’m reading Agatha Christie books. I will remember to check this out in the future!
I wouldn’t say this is a historical book 🙂 historical books are mostly about real people, this one’s more of a fantasy. Maybe urban fantasy. With magic 😀
Oh! Okay :D. Thanks for the correction.
I’ve never heard of this one, but it sounds truly epic! Thanks for the recommendation, I’m off to add it to Goodreads!
I’m glad 🙂 it’s a wonderful book!
This sounds like a pretty fun read, I like that it’s kind of a retelling of Dorian Gray (which I’ve tried to read a dozen times but never quite managed it oops). Wonderful review 🙂
Thank you! I haven’t tried reading the original yet, but it’s funny that you never quite managed it 😀 I wonder why? Was it boring, or..?
Lovely review! This book indeed sounds intriguing, though I have never heard of it before. Did you get it from NetGalley? I’ll definitely check where can I get this 😀 You are increasing my TBR pile, you know? 😀
Thank you Sim 🙂 yup, I got this from NetGalley, but I think I saw it on a few blogs before! There’s this blog you should really follow (actually, you might know Tammy from STS!), I think I might have seen it there 🙂
Yes, I have been accussed of fattening people’s TBR before ;D
Sounds like an amazing book, and quite fun! And it’s a great review; you’ve done a very good job of “selling” me on the book. I’ll keep it in mind if I decide to add any new authors to my already-overflowing want-to-read list. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 Glad you liked the review. Oh yeah, this one’s definitely worth the add. Plus that gorgeous cover! When it comes to cover love, this one really does stand up to its own looks in terms of content 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation on this one! It’s great to see your review and hear all about it. I loved reading Dorian Gray this past year.
My pleasure 🙂 one day I’ll read the original too! 😀
The sister part really grabs me. I like the gif comparison from Practical Magic. And that kitty cracks me up. Plus, I can’t resist a Dorian Gray plot.
Awww thanks 🙂 yeah, the sister part was really well done, I thought. Sisters don’t always get along, but they do often truly love each other 🙂 you should absolutely read this one! I think you would enjoy. Swords and demons! And smart ladies!
Oh my goodness I absolutely loved the gif you used in this post with the cat and the rainbow colours <3 Also, I am glad you were able to enjoy this book so much! I love a good retelling and can never read too many of them. I haven't read the original book The Picture of Dorian Grey yet for some reason although I really want to DD:
I haven’t read the original either, but that didn’t get in the way of me absolutely enjoying it 😀 I can truly recommend this one!
I was reading this post with my toddler daughter on my lap, and she too was quite taken in by the rainbow kitten.
Sounds like an interesting book. I really like The Picture of Dorian Gray. I don’t usually do historical settings–ironically, out of a love of history–but maybe I’ll make an exception for this one at some point.
Haha, I’m glad 😀 it seems as though my blog is balanced for a reader of any age 😀 when it comes to this one, I guess it’s a fantasy, so I’d say, don’t expect historical accuracy for sure 🙂 but it’s certainly a great book.
Great review! I definitely want to read this now. I do like steampunk and the Victorian era. I especially love Dorian Grey-ish novels.
Thank you! I’m sure you’d love this one 🙂
ok here is another reason to call me “a precious little oddity of 2017”.. first.. I had the worst instinct on books last year. I kept passing on great books like thi sone on NetGalley! Because very important reasons like you know.. a) I don’t like retellings? [until I read them and then I love them *roll my eyes waaaay back into my skull* b) Dorian Grey? When did I decide I don’t like that story? I DON’T KNOW. c) Steampunk. I’m crazy about EVERYTHING steampunk BUT books? no? why? who knows! I should be dissected and studied! WHY do… Read more »
XDD hahaha I love your comment xD but to be honest, you’ve hated stuff I loved before. Like Neil Gaiman! So now I’m not sure xD
Nice review! Adding to my list!
Thank you! I’m sure you’ll love it 🙂
This sounds absolutely fantastic. Funnily, I just recently got my hands on The Picture of Dorian Gray, although I have no clue when I’ll ever get around to it. 😛 I love how epic this one sounds though. Tackles so many different subjects and still delivers? Wow. Fantastic review as always, Evelina. 😀
I haven’t read the original either 🙂 but I’m sure you’d like the retelling, mostly because you enjoy graphic novels, and especially adventure graphic novels! This one had a similar vibe to me.
Well, this book sounds awesome, I love that it centres on two sisters who are very different and the story sounds really interesting. And there are queer characters too! Well, I don’t know why I’ve not heard about this book but it’s now one I want to read.
Yep, I loved the sisters bit too 🙂 it was quite natural. And it also didn’t take sides! That’s rare. Oh, please read this one 🙂 it’s so good!!
This book sounds so interesting! You have me convinced to put it on my TBR 🙂 I’ve never read Portrait of Dorian Grey but I know the basic idea. Even beyond that aspect of the story, the book sounds pretty cool.
The book was AMAAAAAZING 🙂 truly. I can only recommend it, and nothing less 🙂 I’m sure you’d enjoy it!!
I put it on my TBR in the right moment I saw it on Goodreads!!
😀 that’s wonderful! I really hope you’ll like this one 🙂
This book sounds awesome!! I love that you gave A section of books like it!
Thank you! This book was really something, I truly loved it and can only totally recommend it!! 🙂 I hope you are able to find it somewhere 🙂
I never read The Portrait of Dorian Gray– do you think I need to have read that book in order to appreciate this one? It sounds awesome. I love well-done steampunk novels. They all seem to have us suspend disbelief when it comes to modern ideals of feminism. I’m cool with that because it fits the world I WANT to explore. Sometimes, that’s all we want from literature, right? A new world to explore?
How did you find this book? I probably would have glossed right over it… Silly me!
Nope, I’ve never read it either 🙂 general knowledge of the story is definitely enough. Not even that is really needed. And this book is so unbelievably cool!!! I think you’d really, really love it. And I found this on booksbonesbuffy.com 🙂 she has some great books. And grabbed it on NetGalley! Plus, look at that cover 😀 I was doubtful about the blurb at first, but it worked out in the best way imaginable 🙂
[…] Evelina @ Avalinah’s Books. […]
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A fabulous review of a really intriguing book. I’m going to make a note of it and see if I can get hold of it at the library…
Thank you, SJ! This one’s definitely worth a read 🙂
[…] one, because it’s simply brilliant! You can find my review of Creatures of Will and Temper here and here’s the Goodreads info for the first […]