Book Adventure #5: Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr

{Warning! Definitely contains a few spoilers}

Deep in a secluded valley lies the ruins of an abbey. What one might find may bring more danger than I can imagine, but I tip-toe into the shelter of the half left standing. I pause to tentatively peer around each stone grey archway, and glance up at the single round window letting in murky light. I step around bushes that have sprouted cracks in the tiled floor, my pulse beating faster... What lurks in the shadows, behind every crumbling wall? What might be behind every grey stone alcove waiting and watching.

Of one thing I have no doubt... here be Dragons!

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I normally never read gothic novels (actually this is my first 😅), but I love this one. Technically, I would only class the dark abbey plus a creepy villain in this book as gothic which is refreshing because I would not read many others in the same genre because they are so dark.

Ah, I just love this book. It had all I ever wanted- a dash of romance, friendship, and yes, dragons! It is such a Perfect Writerly Fantasy based in real places & the Victorian Era. I love all the little allusions to Pride & Prejudice and varying other books of the time, and my favorite metaphor/simile was when they entered the hidden valley- "like a book opening like a book on its spine."

Ha-Ha😅, The humor is outrageously funny- Edith has such a dry wit! The frequent Bible verse references especially the one about helping to bear one another's burdens help weave a depth into the story, and I love that Edith never gives up on her cousin despite so many rebuffs.

CW: Man (he is the villian) dies, human sacrifice was mentioned (not graphically, and not in the current time)

My Rating/ Age Recommendation:

5 out of 5 ⭐'s/ 16+

So, to end this little review, just let me say, I loved this book, and you must read it! I can't wait to read the next book in the series Drake's Hall (if this whole post hasn't been enough of a recommendation, I don't know what is 😂.)!

Good-bye for now, my fellow dragon-hunters, until our next adventure!

God Bless.

Ellie