The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner Review

The London Seance Society, by Sarah Penner, promises a captivating journey into the world of the supernatural, within the backdrop of Victorian London, but unfortunately falls short of its potential. While the premise is intriguing and holds promise for a thrilling narrative, the execution falls short, resulting in a lackluster reading experience.

One of the major drawbacks of this novel is its pacing. The narrative moves at a sluggish pace, making it difficult for readers to maintain interest. Scenes drag on, and the story fails to build momentum, leaving readers feeling disengaged and frustrated.

However, amidst the sluggish pacing, there is a glimmer of intrigue towards the end of the book. The final chapters offer a glimpse of the excitement and suspense that one might expect from a tale centered around a seance society. It's a shame that this level of engagement wasn't sustained throughout the entirety of the novel.

Additionally, the characters lack depth and fail to evoke empathy or interest. They feel one-dimensional and underdeveloped, making it challenging for readers to become emotionally invested in their journeys. As a result, the story lacks the emotional resonance needed to truly captivate the audience.

Furthermore, while the novel touches on intriguing themes such as the intersection of faith and skepticism, it fails to explore them in a meaningful or thought-provoking way. Instead, these themes feel superficially addressed, leaving much to be desired in terms of depth and complexity.

Overall Satisfaction: 2/5 Stars

Spiciness: 2/5 Stars - when there's rare chemistry, there's a tiny bit of spice

Writing Quality: 2/5 Stars

Overall, The London Seance Society falls short of expectations. Despite its intriguing premise, the sluggish pacing, underdeveloped characters, and shallow exploration of themes prevent it from reaching its full potential. While some readers may find moments of interest towards the end of the novel, they are few and far between, ultimately leaving this book feeling lackluster and forgettable.

Finished reading on December 31, 2023