Death has followed Charlotte Markham her entire life. First her mother dies when Charlotte's young, then her father, and even her husband shortly after their marriage. With no family to call her own, she takes a job as the governess for two young boys who've also lost their mother recently. Here she feels confident that she can help the boys through their loss. When an outing into the woods reunites the boys with their dead mother Lily Darrow, Charlotte doesn't know what to think or how to handle this situation. Somehow Lily Darrow has found a way to get a little more time with her children. Lily invites the boys and Charlotte to spend time with her in the Ending, 'the place for the Things Above Death' and where things and people are not what they appear. Everything is telling Charlotte that there's something wrong with the situation and Charlotte vows that she'll protect the children, even if it means protecting them from their mother.
This is an amazing story with magnificently creative worlds, remarkable characters, and with a universal question; what if you could have a little more time with someone you loved and lost? Would you take it no matter the cost? That lingering doubt haunts this story from beginning to end and driving Charlotte and Lily to accept truths about themselves neither want to face.
In true Gothic fashion, Charlotte is a respectable, young woman who's fallen on hard times and just happens to be employed by a charming, handsome widower and this is where Mr. Boccacino takes a step back and avoids the pit of clichΓ©s. Charlotte is more self-aware than many Gothic heroines. I particularly enjoyed her questioning her own motives over her budding relationship with Mr. Darrow. It's that frank and critical logic that makes Charlotte an intriguing character. She's a good study in contradictions. She feels deeply and passionately but she's reserved and calm. She's suspicious and curious but trusts implicitly when she does. Her interaction with the children were some of my favorite scenes of the story.
Michael Boccacino's paints worlds of staggering beauty and horror in the best Gothic fashion. His writing is beautiful, evocative and creepy. Seriously creepy and I mean that in the best possible way. The words flow smoothly, creating images so real I didn't need to close my eyes to see them and he does this with every one of the senses. I cannot say enough how lovely his writing is. The story is wonderful but to have such beautiful writing makes CHARLOTTE MARKHAM AND THE HOUSE OF DARKLING a joy to read. This is Michael Boccacino's first novel and I can't wait to see more from him and the stunning world of The Ending.
When the nanny to the young Darrow boys is found murdered
on the outskirts of Blackfield, Charlotte Markham, the
recently hired governess, steps in to take over their care.
During an outing in the forest, they find themselves
crossing over into The Ending, the place for the Things That
Cannot Die, where Lily Darrow, the late mistress of Everton,
has been waiting. She invites them into the ominous House of
Darkling, a wondrous, dangerous place filled with
enchantment, mystery and strange creatures that appear to
be, but are not quite, human.
However, everything comes with a price, and as Charlotte
begins to understand the unspeakable bargain Mrs. Darrow has
made for a second chance at motherhood, she uncovers a
connection to the sinister occurrences in Blackfield and
enters into a deadly game with the master of Darkling, one
whose outcome will determine not just the fate of the
Darrows, but of the world itself.
Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling is a Victorian
gothic tale about family ties, the realm beyond the living,
and the price you pay to save those you love.
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