Book Review: The Witch of Painted Sorrows – A Dark and Atmospheric Tale
- May 17, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Drawn in by its hint of the paranormal, The Witch of Painted Sorrows gradually reveals itself as a richly atmospheric and emotionally complex story. With vivid historical detail, mystery, and a touch of romance, M.J. Rose creates a haunting novel that lingers.
At-a-Glance
Tone: Dark, atmospheric, and melancholic with touches of romance
Setting: Paris, early 20th century
Genre: Historical fiction with paranormal elements
Themes: Obsession, memory, art, love and loss, the lingering past
Best for readers of: Moody, evocative historical fiction; stories with a subtle paranormal thread; richly descriptive, character-focused novels
Book Review of The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose
This is the first book I've read by M.J. Rose. I was drawn to this book by the setting, the cover, and the hint of paranormal. I honestly didn't know what to make of the writing style at first, but without realizing it, the story pulled me in.
Beautifully written with vivid details of time and place, The Witch of Painted Sorrows draws the reader into its pages with mystery, melancholy, and, in the beginning, a touch of romance. I can't say I personally enjoy stories where the main characters are married or otherwise involved; I don't like the dishonesty, but it fits the story. In truth, the grandmother became my favorite character. I liked her color and passion for everything; in real life, she'd be a force to reckon with. M.J. Rose is a remarkable talent, and I plan to try more of her books.
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Book Information
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: March 17, 2015
Language: English
Print length: 386 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1476778082
Series: Book 1 of 3 - The Daughters of La Lune
Content Rating: 5 Hearts
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About the Book
The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose
Indie Next Choice for April 2015
Possession. Power. Passion. International bestselling novelist M.J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this erotic, gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris.
Sandrine Salome runs away to her grandmother’s Parisian mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires.
Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten – her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She’s become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse.
This is Sandrine’s “wild night of the soul,” her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love and witchery.
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