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The Eythin Legacy #1
Gorse
The Bear and the Nightingale meets Poldark in this stunning historical fantasy debut where folklore battles faith in 18th century Cornwall.
Cornwall, 1786.
For years, the villagers of Mirecoombe have turned to their Keeper, the old and battle-scarred Lord Pelagius Hunt, mediator between the worlds of men and fey, for help. But this is a time of change. Belief in the old ways, in the piskies and spriggans, has dimmed, kindled instead in the Reverend Cleaver's fiery pulpit. His church stands proud above the mire; God's name is whispered, hushed, loved. And now, death stalks Mirecoombe on the moor. There are corpses in the heather. There is blood in the gorse.
Nancy Bligh is determined to do what Pel will not: maintain the balance between the fey and the human world, be the Keeper that he refuses to be. Blessed with natural sight, friend to spriggans, piskies and human locals of Mirecoombe, Nancy has power that Pel never had and never lets her use. But as Mirecoombe falls into darkness, perhaps her time has come.
A poignant and lyrical examination of faith, love and grief, Gorse asks: what do we choose to believe in, and how does that shape who we are?
Cornwall, 1786.
For years, the villagers of Mirecoombe have turned to their Keeper, the old and battle-scarred Lord Pelagius Hunt, mediator between the worlds of men and fey, for help. But this is a time of change. Belief in the old ways, in the piskies and spriggans, has dimmed, kindled instead in the Reverend Cleaver's fiery pulpit. His church stands proud above the mire; God's name is whispered, hushed, loved. And now, death stalks Mirecoombe on the moor. There are corpses in the heather. There is blood in the gorse.
Nancy Bligh is determined to do what Pel will not: maintain the balance between the fey and the human world, be the Keeper that he refuses to be. Blessed with natural sight, friend to spriggans, piskies and human locals of Mirecoombe, Nancy has power that Pel never had and never lets her use. But as Mirecoombe falls into darkness, perhaps her time has come.
A poignant and lyrical examination of faith, love and grief, Gorse asks: what do we choose to believe in, and how does that shape who we are?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2024
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1,918 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 26, 2025
The more I read the more I realize I love when fantasy x murder mystery or when lore/mythology x slow-build horror.
(And this book checked both of these smaller niches.)
I tend to shy away from high ratings to books with religious zealots, but this was an interesting take born out of grief. Throw a dash of Frankenstein vibes in & you have my attention.
This book surprised me in the best way- it’s an atmospheric gem that I could visualize perfectly in my head. I’m delighted it’s a series (book 2 due out October 2025).
3 more reasons to read:
- The best “good boy” is in it. 🐶
- Small town, magical moor vibes will be perfect in any Fall-TBR.
- Some excellent character relationships work at play- it’s easy to get emotionally invested in them.
To my #PatriciaAMcKillip friends or fans of #TheHexologists by #JosiahBancroft - this is a must read.
4.5? 4.75/5 Rounded up, because I think Horton’s voice is worth space in your TBR.
(And this book checked both of these smaller niches.)
I tend to shy away from high ratings to books with religious zealots, but this was an interesting take born out of grief. Throw a dash of Frankenstein vibes in & you have my attention.
This book surprised me in the best way- it’s an atmospheric gem that I could visualize perfectly in my head. I’m delighted it’s a series (book 2 due out October 2025).
3 more reasons to read:
- The best “good boy” is in it. 🐶
- Small town, magical moor vibes will be perfect in any Fall-TBR.
- Some excellent character relationships work at play- it’s easy to get emotionally invested in them.
To my #PatriciaAMcKillip friends or fans of #TheHexologists by #JosiahBancroft - this is a must read.
4.5? 4.75/5 Rounded up, because I think Horton’s voice is worth space in your TBR.
July 9, 2024
Set in 18th century Cornwall this speculative (and spectacular) fiction was the dark decadent folk story of my dreams, small town politics of a traditional rural village battle with their beliefs, described as The Bear and the Nightingale meets Poldark I'd say that's pretty much spot on but also add in a sprinkling of Midnight Mass and my nans favourite, Midsomer Murders, infused with unease and tension this kept me captivated throughout, the old versus new faith was fascinating and well written, this is definitely not a light read, it demands you slow down and really absorb the prose, which is rich and beautiful and oozes atmosphere onto every page, conflict between religion and superstition were the backbone of this book, this was ultimately about how our beliefs shape not only our lives but the very essence of who we are, if you enjoy books that challenge and like to slowly digest and linger in sumptuous prose then this is for you!
July 3, 2024
This is the best story of the Little Folk I have ever read! It was quite dark. Absolutely nothing like Holly Black and closer to Juliet Marillier. The conflict between religion and superstition comes to a head for the villagers. I can’t wait to see how the story continues. Many thanks to NetGalley for an ark of this book.
August 28, 2024
A book about fairies and fair folk that’s NOT romantic? Oh yes.
Thank you to Solaris Books for the advance copy exchange for my honest opinion!
In GORSE by Sam K Horton, we follow Pel, the High Keeper of the Moor, and Nancy, his full-sighted assistant/protégé as they try to solve a series of unexplained deaths on the moors in 18th century Cornwall. There’s brownies and ancient gods, grief and clashes between paganism and Christianity. What I loved most was how atmospheric this was, helped by Horton’s lyrical prose. It was like reading a fable!
Dark, compelling, and not a castle-dwelling smirking fae in sight, it’s exactly what I wanted.
I loved how Horton captured the atmosphere of the Cornish moors, they were beautiful but unsettling, wild and untamed and full of creatures you weren’t too sure you wanted to meet. Each sense was evoked with Horton’s sweeping prose, and I was drawn in by his narrative style, the overpunctuation which meant that each sentence was either an emphasis or repetition, a new sense or a new imagery angle that instead of confusing or jarring the story made this into a multifaceted fable. It was gothic in the truest sense of the word.
Plot wise, I thought that GORSE really delivered. Though my suspicions were confirmed about halfway through thanks to the breadcrumbs that Horton was leaving - and the prologue - it was delightfully tense witnessing the inhabitants of Mirecoombe realise who exactly was stalking their number, picking them off like flies. Thematically, this hits some tough points, where the dark whimsy of the story could easily be overshadowed by the clash of paganism and Christianity, the commonly explored intrusion of one god into another’s realm. However this was handled in a way that was not condoning one or the other, representing this clash as something that could in fact be balance when the right pieces - the right people - were in power. I thought that for such a complex topic this was well handled and engaging and certainly lends a more historical element to the plot. (I am glad that certain perpetrators got what they deserved though)
Nancy, as a main character, was a joy. I loved her complexity, her belief in Pel as a father figure, their tenuous relationship, and the strength of her own convictions which she believed in more and more. (There was also a moment with the Tattooist which read as deliciously queer subtext which, hello? I want more?? In the sequel yes thank you) Nancy was compassionate, which was her strength, not a weakness, and I loved that about her characterisation.
Overall, this was a compelling and dark fairytale-esque read with dreamy prose and NO ROMANTICISED FAE. Truly, thank goodness.
Thank you to Solaris Books for the advance copy exchange for my honest opinion!
In GORSE by Sam K Horton, we follow Pel, the High Keeper of the Moor, and Nancy, his full-sighted assistant/protégé as they try to solve a series of unexplained deaths on the moors in 18th century Cornwall. There’s brownies and ancient gods, grief and clashes between paganism and Christianity. What I loved most was how atmospheric this was, helped by Horton’s lyrical prose. It was like reading a fable!
Dark, compelling, and not a castle-dwelling smirking fae in sight, it’s exactly what I wanted.
I loved how Horton captured the atmosphere of the Cornish moors, they were beautiful but unsettling, wild and untamed and full of creatures you weren’t too sure you wanted to meet. Each sense was evoked with Horton’s sweeping prose, and I was drawn in by his narrative style, the overpunctuation which meant that each sentence was either an emphasis or repetition, a new sense or a new imagery angle that instead of confusing or jarring the story made this into a multifaceted fable. It was gothic in the truest sense of the word.
Plot wise, I thought that GORSE really delivered. Though my suspicions were confirmed about halfway through thanks to the breadcrumbs that Horton was leaving - and the prologue - it was delightfully tense witnessing the inhabitants of Mirecoombe realise who exactly was stalking their number, picking them off like flies. Thematically, this hits some tough points, where the dark whimsy of the story could easily be overshadowed by the clash of paganism and Christianity, the commonly explored intrusion of one god into another’s realm. However this was handled in a way that was not condoning one or the other, representing this clash as something that could in fact be balance when the right pieces - the right people - were in power. I thought that for such a complex topic this was well handled and engaging and certainly lends a more historical element to the plot. (I am glad that certain perpetrators got what they deserved though)
Nancy, as a main character, was a joy. I loved her complexity, her belief in Pel as a father figure, their tenuous relationship, and the strength of her own convictions which she believed in more and more. (There was also a moment with the Tattooist which read as deliciously queer subtext which, hello? I want more?? In the sequel yes thank you) Nancy was compassionate, which was her strength, not a weakness, and I loved that about her characterisation.
Overall, this was a compelling and dark fairytale-esque read with dreamy prose and NO ROMANTICISED FAE. Truly, thank goodness.
September 19, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Gorse is the first book in the historical dark fantasy series The Eythin Legacy, written by Sam K. Horton, and published by Solaris Books. A lyrical and atmospherical story that portrays the conflict between religion and folklore, small town politics and the own fair folk, all to create a highly immersive novel.
Pelagius Hunt, the Keeper, and his foster daughter, Nancy, take care of the moors and the creatures of the Other World while also helping the people from Mirecoombe, a small rural village. However, when a series of deadly murders happen in the moors, most of the villagers, influenced by the Christian priest, Cleaver, agree that the cause is the belief of many people in the Other People; spoiled by Cleaver, they decide to prove their Christianity by purifying the moor with fire.
This action not only affects the Other People, but also puts the delicate equilibrium maintained by the Keeper in doubt, threatening the own survival of Morecoombe. Our two characters will have to find the truth behind the murders and restore the deal with the creatures of the moor, even traveling to the Other World for it.
A novel that draws into the mentor-student relationship between Pelagius and Nancy: the old and grumpy Keeper and the young and powerful Nancy; Pelagius took some decisions in the past that are coming back to bite his hand. However, when the danger arises for the moor, we will see a Pelagius that will risk himself to restore the difficult peace of the place, even if the village is now rejecting him. In comparison, Nancy's arc is one more centered about self-discovery and trust, about getting the hang of her power and finally become part of the village as an outside.
As the main antagonist, Cleaver is an interesting character. He had a friendship with Pelagius in the past, but after a traumatic event, he became more fanatical, and broke the ties with his friend. You can see there's still a bit of fondness from Pelagius to his old friend; but Cleaver is basically acting as a result of pain and fanaticism, putting the focus on how religion can manipulate you in your lowest moments.
Horton's writing is a bit dense, but it pairs well with this kind of dark and atmospheric story; the historical aspect of the novel is well researched and transmitted through the use of certain terms. While the resolution of the mystery can be a bit predictable, the worldbuilding and the blend of Celtic and Cornish mythology work well, capturing also the sensation of being in a small isolated rural village.
Gorse is, by all terms, an excellent dark historical novel, perfect if you are looking for a story that revolves around the conflict between folklore and religion sprinkled with the presence of the Fair Folk. I'm really curious to see how this series will continue, but definitely Sam Horton has picked my interest!
Gorse is the first book in the historical dark fantasy series The Eythin Legacy, written by Sam K. Horton, and published by Solaris Books. A lyrical and atmospherical story that portrays the conflict between religion and folklore, small town politics and the own fair folk, all to create a highly immersive novel.
Pelagius Hunt, the Keeper, and his foster daughter, Nancy, take care of the moors and the creatures of the Other World while also helping the people from Mirecoombe, a small rural village. However, when a series of deadly murders happen in the moors, most of the villagers, influenced by the Christian priest, Cleaver, agree that the cause is the belief of many people in the Other People; spoiled by Cleaver, they decide to prove their Christianity by purifying the moor with fire.
This action not only affects the Other People, but also puts the delicate equilibrium maintained by the Keeper in doubt, threatening the own survival of Morecoombe. Our two characters will have to find the truth behind the murders and restore the deal with the creatures of the moor, even traveling to the Other World for it.
A novel that draws into the mentor-student relationship between Pelagius and Nancy: the old and grumpy Keeper and the young and powerful Nancy; Pelagius took some decisions in the past that are coming back to bite his hand. However, when the danger arises for the moor, we will see a Pelagius that will risk himself to restore the difficult peace of the place, even if the village is now rejecting him. In comparison, Nancy's arc is one more centered about self-discovery and trust, about getting the hang of her power and finally become part of the village as an outside.
As the main antagonist, Cleaver is an interesting character. He had a friendship with Pelagius in the past, but after a traumatic event, he became more fanatical, and broke the ties with his friend. You can see there's still a bit of fondness from Pelagius to his old friend; but Cleaver is basically acting as a result of pain and fanaticism, putting the focus on how religion can manipulate you in your lowest moments.
Horton's writing is a bit dense, but it pairs well with this kind of dark and atmospheric story; the historical aspect of the novel is well researched and transmitted through the use of certain terms. While the resolution of the mystery can be a bit predictable, the worldbuilding and the blend of Celtic and Cornish mythology work well, capturing also the sensation of being in a small isolated rural village.
Gorse is, by all terms, an excellent dark historical novel, perfect if you are looking for a story that revolves around the conflict between folklore and religion sprinkled with the presence of the Fair Folk. I'm really curious to see how this series will continue, but definitely Sam Horton has picked my interest!
September 11, 2024
Gorse. Gorse, a type of shrub that thrives in marshy areas on the Atlantic coast, e.g. in Cornwall. Here lies the sleepy village of Mirecoombe; a few farms, a chapel, a tavern and the house of the Keeper of this enchanted landscape - and far below the moor, the Other World, the world of gods, spirits and fairies who occasionally stray into the gorse.
Pelagius Hunt, the Keeper, together with his foster daughter Nancy Bligh cares for this land. In recent years though, unusual, deadly incidents have been occurring on the moors. Most of the villagers, under the influence of the Christian village priest, agree that the murders are the result of the fact that so many people here still believe in the Other People. But what do Piskys, Spriggans and the gods of the Other World really have to do with the murders? And why is the Wild Hunt appearing on the edge of the horizon?
🌼🌼🌼
You can tell from my description of this historical dark fantasy with a murder mystery element that I can't stop raving about it. For me, everything here was just right and interlocked perfectly:
🌿 The writing style was dense, atmospheric and incredibly immersive. It can be a bit unwieldy at times when the detailed setting is described using ‘old’ words; the eReader's ‘translate’ function was helpful for me as a non-native English reader. Horton often starts scene changes by ‘zooming in’ from far away, so that you are really sucked into the setting.
🌿 The characters - I reckon if you like the mentor-student trope, you'll be well served here. It doesn't rewrite the page, but the dynamic between the old, grumpy druid Pel and the young, ambitious and magic-wielding Nancy was lovely to read. Nancy in particular grew on me. As a changeling, she is an outsider in the village; little by little, she learns to trust herself and her powers. There is also a queer and neurodivergent subtext through her character 🫶🏻
🌿 In the world building, you can expect rich Celtic and Cornish folklore, monsters and gods and the belief in these beings in competition with the Christian faith - however, nothing in Gorse is all good or evil, black or white. It is darker in the atmosphere rather than in gruesome scenes - but there are still a few explicit parts. This is definitely not a cosy romantic fairy tale. A few references to gothic literature round off this well researched folk horror.
🌼🌼🌼
What could have been better? Probably the plot itself - it was a little predictable, and there will probably be no surprises here for savvy murder mystery fans. A tighter story would have benefited to that. Also, I would have liked a glossary at the end (although idk if there is a glossary in the finished copy).
🌼🌼🌼
To be honest, that doesn't detract from my rating. It's the dark historical folk fantasy of my dreams - 6/5 and a favourite of the year ⭐
If you liked these books, you might also like GORSE:
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski - deep world building inspired by folk and folklore
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden - Coming-of-Age and finding your own destiny in a world full of mythical creatures
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - this one is definitely more on the cozy side of things and GORSE is DARK, but if you want to read more about changeling lore, try this dark fantasy!
Fast verschwundene Fabelwesen: Die sagenhafte Expedition des Konstantin O. Boldt by Florian Schäfer - well researched folklore!
Pelagius Hunt, the Keeper, together with his foster daughter Nancy Bligh cares for this land. In recent years though, unusual, deadly incidents have been occurring on the moors. Most of the villagers, under the influence of the Christian village priest, agree that the murders are the result of the fact that so many people here still believe in the Other People. But what do Piskys, Spriggans and the gods of the Other World really have to do with the murders? And why is the Wild Hunt appearing on the edge of the horizon?
🌼🌼🌼
You can tell from my description of this historical dark fantasy with a murder mystery element that I can't stop raving about it. For me, everything here was just right and interlocked perfectly:
🌿 The writing style was dense, atmospheric and incredibly immersive. It can be a bit unwieldy at times when the detailed setting is described using ‘old’ words; the eReader's ‘translate’ function was helpful for me as a non-native English reader. Horton often starts scene changes by ‘zooming in’ from far away, so that you are really sucked into the setting.
🌿 The characters - I reckon if you like the mentor-student trope, you'll be well served here. It doesn't rewrite the page, but the dynamic between the old, grumpy druid Pel and the young, ambitious and magic-wielding Nancy was lovely to read. Nancy in particular grew on me. As a changeling, she is an outsider in the village; little by little, she learns to trust herself and her powers. There is also a queer and neurodivergent subtext through her character 🫶🏻
🌿 In the world building, you can expect rich Celtic and Cornish folklore, monsters and gods and the belief in these beings in competition with the Christian faith - however, nothing in Gorse is all good or evil, black or white. It is darker in the atmosphere rather than in gruesome scenes - but there are still a few explicit parts. This is definitely not a cosy romantic fairy tale. A few references to gothic literature round off this well researched folk horror.
🌼🌼🌼
What could have been better? Probably the plot itself - it was a little predictable, and there will probably be no surprises here for savvy murder mystery fans. A tighter story would have benefited to that. Also, I would have liked a glossary at the end (although idk if there is a glossary in the finished copy).
🌼🌼🌼
To be honest, that doesn't detract from my rating. It's the dark historical folk fantasy of my dreams - 6/5 and a favourite of the year ⭐
If you liked these books, you might also like GORSE:
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski - deep world building inspired by folk and folklore
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden - Coming-of-Age and finding your own destiny in a world full of mythical creatures
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - this one is definitely more on the cozy side of things and GORSE is DARK, but if you want to read more about changeling lore, try this dark fantasy!
Fast verschwundene Fabelwesen: Die sagenhafte Expedition des Konstantin O. Boldt by Florian Schäfer - well researched folklore!
May 7, 2024
I received the ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
British folklore is my catnip, both personally and academically, so when I spotted this cover on Netgalley, I snatched it so fast!
The blurb and the cover promised something like Zoe Gilbert's Folk - a remote village with old customs and beliefs and its own logic and law. And it delivered in this regard but where Gilbert needs a few words to paint the atmosphere, Horton needs pages and pages.
The book drags, there is no other word for it. The plot picks up at about 50 %, the point when I was thoroughly fed up with the writing style. Horton seems to think that to make the writing interesting/poetic/atmospheric, he has to make it disjointed. Like this. Forming sentences without a a proper verb. Adding several to each page. Making readers weep and tear their hair.
I did like the story and the characters are fascinating (especially Nancy and the tattooist - I would love to read more about them together as there was a hint of feelings and that part was very well written) but the style is hindering both. It seems to get better as the book progresses, as if Horton himself got bored by the artificiality of it.
All in all, this book needs more merciless editor's help. This reads like a pretentious self-edited draft of someone who loves their words too much to cut them.
British folklore is my catnip, both personally and academically, so when I spotted this cover on Netgalley, I snatched it so fast!
The blurb and the cover promised something like Zoe Gilbert's Folk - a remote village with old customs and beliefs and its own logic and law. And it delivered in this regard but where Gilbert needs a few words to paint the atmosphere, Horton needs pages and pages.
The book drags, there is no other word for it. The plot picks up at about 50 %, the point when I was thoroughly fed up with the writing style. Horton seems to think that to make the writing interesting/poetic/atmospheric, he has to make it disjointed. Like this. Forming sentences without a a proper verb. Adding several to each page. Making readers weep and tear their hair.
I did like the story and the characters are fascinating (especially Nancy and the tattooist - I would love to read more about them together as there was a hint of feelings and that part was very well written) but the style is hindering both. It seems to get better as the book progresses, as if Horton himself got bored by the artificiality of it.
All in all, this book needs more merciless editor's help. This reads like a pretentious self-edited draft of someone who loves their words too much to cut them.
October 26, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This story blends myth and mystery against a backdrop of 1700s Cornwall and warring religions. There's a very poetic, folkloric writing style that absolutely adds to the atmosphere, but which I struggled with at times. This is very slow-paced, and although I enjoyed this at times, at other times I felt like there needed to be a bit more going on. It's a very dark tale, of faith versus folklore, which was really interesting and devastating, at times, to read. I think it's a mistake to market this book as 'The Bear and the Nightingale' meets 'Poldark' - it's definitely more 'The Bear and the Nightingale' vibes; the only 'Poldark' thing about it is that it's set in Cornwall, so I think my expectations were different to what they should have been. I also think this book would have functioned much better simply as a standalone - it doesn't need to be a series. I got really emotional at a couple of scenes in here, particularly those between Nancy and Pel, and I'm excited to see what the author does next, as I think there's a lot of potential here!
This story blends myth and mystery against a backdrop of 1700s Cornwall and warring religions. There's a very poetic, folkloric writing style that absolutely adds to the atmosphere, but which I struggled with at times. This is very slow-paced, and although I enjoyed this at times, at other times I felt like there needed to be a bit more going on. It's a very dark tale, of faith versus folklore, which was really interesting and devastating, at times, to read. I think it's a mistake to market this book as 'The Bear and the Nightingale' meets 'Poldark' - it's definitely more 'The Bear and the Nightingale' vibes; the only 'Poldark' thing about it is that it's set in Cornwall, so I think my expectations were different to what they should have been. I also think this book would have functioned much better simply as a standalone - it doesn't need to be a series. I got really emotional at a couple of scenes in here, particularly those between Nancy and Pel, and I'm excited to see what the author does next, as I think there's a lot of potential here!
January 26, 2025
A beautifully written book, sometimes a little bit of a tricky read, but visual and as many parts exciting and spooky and sad. I really loved how the creatures were depicted, how you learned more from the characters as the world seemed to fall to pieces. I would fully reccomend this book!
May 3, 2024
Gorse is the dark folk fantasy of my dreams. I loved it. It hit so many of my favourite beats--folklore, small town nonsense, complicated platonic relationships--and felt folkloric itself in being a familiar story-shape richly executed with the very satisfying 'oh yes I know this story, it's a good one, can't wait to see how this storyteller tells it to me'. In particular the web of mirroring and influence between the four leads was delicious, and so narratively and thematically satisfying, and oh, the ATMOSPHERE. I could roll around in it forever.
Overall this is a lush, gorgeous debut from an author I'm so excited to keep following. Thank you very much to Solaris and NetGalley for the eARC!
Overall this is a lush, gorgeous debut from an author I'm so excited to keep following. Thank you very much to Solaris and NetGalley for the eARC!
September 5, 2024
This dark and dreamy novel was the perfect mix of historical fantasy, speculative fiction and folklore. This is a story for the lovers of dark fairytales, atmosphere and beautiful prose. The words of Gorse need to be taken in slowly and savoured like a good quality bottle of wine. It had me mesmerised from the first page to the last.
There’s so much attention to detail within, from the vivid descriptions of the wild and unruly landscapes to the chapter titles based around herbal medicines.
Religion and superstition intersect and ultimately come to a head as the villagers are forced to question their beliefs as we follow Pel (keeper of the Moor) and Nancy (his assistant) as they attempt to solve a number of unexplained deaths that take place along the moors in Cornwall, during the 18th century.
Gorse will keep readers captivated with its gorgeous writing and its unique take on the fae.
I took a chance on Gorse and I’m glad I did because it was well worth it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris Books for my ARC!
January 26, 2025
Gorse by Sam K Horton. 4 ⭐
This book was an absolute treat. Cosy, spooky, whimsical folklore and magic centered around the moors of Cornwall and the village of "Mirecombe." Sprites and spriggans and brownies are real and will help out around the house and farm if you keep them sweet, but when people start disappearing a battle of faiths begins between the old gods and the new.
Murder mystery vibes, intriguing magic system based on wild flowers, platonic relationships. Oh, and there's going to be a second book at some point which I didn't know until I finished it! Highly recommend.
This book was an absolute treat. Cosy, spooky, whimsical folklore and magic centered around the moors of Cornwall and the village of "Mirecombe." Sprites and spriggans and brownies are real and will help out around the house and farm if you keep them sweet, but when people start disappearing a battle of faiths begins between the old gods and the new.
Murder mystery vibes, intriguing magic system based on wild flowers, platonic relationships. Oh, and there's going to be a second book at some point which I didn't know until I finished it! Highly recommend.
May 28, 2024
A dark, folksy, historical fantasy with a touch of murder mystery set in late 18th century Cornwall.
I loved this from the very beginning. It's quite slow and descriptive, so maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I absolutely loved all of the descriptions of the landscape and the environment, the little folk and the villagers.
This is described as Poldark meets the Bear and the Nightingale. The Poldark comparison is mostly just the time period and the location - although this is moody moors rather than coast and mines. The Bear and the Nightingale comparison is much closer in terms of themes - there's conflict between the local church and the old ways and a there's a young woman who can see the folk and tries to help them survive when others are losing faith in them.
It's quite a dark story, laced with grief and superstition. The folk aren't all friendly and there's a real primal wildness and edge of danger to encounters with them.
I loved the complex relationship between Pel, the Keeper of the Moor, and his sort-of adopted daughter Nancy. I also enjoyed the reflection of their relationship with that of the rector Cleaver and his son - the difficulty of their relationship and the twisting effect of grief.
Thoroughly enjoyed this moody, atmospheric folklore fantasy and I can't wait for the sequel!
Thank you to Solaris for providing me with a netgalley copy for review
I loved this from the very beginning. It's quite slow and descriptive, so maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I absolutely loved all of the descriptions of the landscape and the environment, the little folk and the villagers.
This is described as Poldark meets the Bear and the Nightingale. The Poldark comparison is mostly just the time period and the location - although this is moody moors rather than coast and mines. The Bear and the Nightingale comparison is much closer in terms of themes - there's conflict between the local church and the old ways and a there's a young woman who can see the folk and tries to help them survive when others are losing faith in them.
It's quite a dark story, laced with grief and superstition. The folk aren't all friendly and there's a real primal wildness and edge of danger to encounters with them.
I loved the complex relationship between Pel, the Keeper of the Moor, and his sort-of adopted daughter Nancy. I also enjoyed the reflection of their relationship with that of the rector Cleaver and his son - the difficulty of their relationship and the twisting effect of grief.
Thoroughly enjoyed this moody, atmospheric folklore fantasy and I can't wait for the sequel!
Thank you to Solaris for providing me with a netgalley copy for review
July 5, 2024
Thank you to Solaris for my review copy.
4.5 stars
When I say I want more books about faeries, this is what I mean. Give me piskies, brownies, boggarts, I want all of them.
Horton weaves a tale that feels like a folklore tale we already know, but imparts his own spin (like all good folk horror should be!) The moors were so vivid that I could be running wild on them with Nancy.
I loved Nancy as a character so much. She was so headstrong and I loved seeing how she overcame what the plot threw her way. And I adored her relationship with Pel (he's really such a grumpy old man.)
The themes of folklore vs faith were so interesting to read and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
4.5 stars
When I say I want more books about faeries, this is what I mean. Give me piskies, brownies, boggarts, I want all of them.
Horton weaves a tale that feels like a folklore tale we already know, but imparts his own spin (like all good folk horror should be!) The moors were so vivid that I could be running wild on them with Nancy.
I loved Nancy as a character so much. She was so headstrong and I loved seeing how she overcame what the plot threw her way. And I adored her relationship with Pel (he's really such a grumpy old man.)
The themes of folklore vs faith were so interesting to read and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
May 12, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
I absolutely loved Gorse by Sam K Horton. It is a magical tale, which tells of Nancy and Pell, from the old ways and Cleaver who is the rector and the discord between the two and what this then opens up.
I don't want to give and spoilers, which is very hard.
Nancy grows up learning from Pel who is the Keeper of the Moor, responsible for keeping harmony between the Underfolk creatures and the folk who live in Mirecoombe, loosely based around Cornwall and its moors. Pel I'd the old keeper who is struggling with his responsibilities and is not doing as much as he could to keep harmony.
There have been some deaths, which Pel and Nancy have been quietly looking into but the village is starting to fall under the spell of the church, meaning disharmony finds its way through the cracks.
This is a tale of flawed individuals, good v evil and what happens when fear takes hold.
I absolutely loved it and am keeping everything crossed for a follow on book.
A great read for anyone who likes strong characters who develop as the story unfolds and don't mind fantasy and magic.
I absolutely loved Gorse by Sam K Horton. It is a magical tale, which tells of Nancy and Pell, from the old ways and Cleaver who is the rector and the discord between the two and what this then opens up.
I don't want to give and spoilers, which is very hard.
Nancy grows up learning from Pel who is the Keeper of the Moor, responsible for keeping harmony between the Underfolk creatures and the folk who live in Mirecoombe, loosely based around Cornwall and its moors. Pel I'd the old keeper who is struggling with his responsibilities and is not doing as much as he could to keep harmony.
There have been some deaths, which Pel and Nancy have been quietly looking into but the village is starting to fall under the spell of the church, meaning disharmony finds its way through the cracks.
This is a tale of flawed individuals, good v evil and what happens when fear takes hold.
I absolutely loved it and am keeping everything crossed for a follow on book.
A great read for anyone who likes strong characters who develop as the story unfolds and don't mind fantasy and magic.
August 26, 2024
Absolutely lived up to all my expectations. A darkly compelling novel threaded throughout with myth and magic based in 18th century Cornwall. Set in a time of shifting beliefs and battles for spiritual supremacy this tells a very human story of love, loss and madness unfolding in a darkly magical and mysterious world. I was drawn in and engaged from the first chapter, fascinated by the characters, both human and other, and intrigued to see how the story would unfold. Small town politics, evangelical religion, and earthy animism are combined in wonderful prose which will keep you hooked and hoping for more. This isn't an author I have read before but I will definitely be picking them up again.
August 31, 2024
Myth, magic, mystery, menace, momentum – a gallop of an adventure blending folklore, faith, fantasy and fascinating characters. The clash between The Keeper and the Underworld is splendidly drawn with the potential horror should the new Keeper fail to keep the worlds apart. I look forward to the sequels.
September 6, 2024
Gorse is a truly magical book. The language is romantic, and yet, there is no romance in this folklore drenched murder mystery
Set in Mirecoombe; Brownies, Spriggans, and Piskies work alongside The Keeper to share the land with the villagers. Both giving and receiving a little in return. Unfortunately, the balance is off. The villagers are being murdered, giving less and insurrection threatens.
The Keeper and his ward must find the murderer and restore balance.
Gorse is a peaceful and yet haunting story of fundamental change, both personal and societal. A grown-up story of the faeries at the bottom of the garden and magical helpers inhomely shadows. The perfect book to read snuggled under a blanket with a cup of tea as the rain hits the window this autumn.
This book is for you if you enjoyed "A Study in Drowning" but wanted more. More umph to the imagery and more folklore without the romance.
Set in Mirecoombe; Brownies, Spriggans, and Piskies work alongside The Keeper to share the land with the villagers. Both giving and receiving a little in return. Unfortunately, the balance is off. The villagers are being murdered, giving less and insurrection threatens.
The Keeper and his ward must find the murderer and restore balance.
Gorse is a peaceful and yet haunting story of fundamental change, both personal and societal. A grown-up story of the faeries at the bottom of the garden and magical helpers inhomely shadows. The perfect book to read snuggled under a blanket with a cup of tea as the rain hits the window this autumn.
This book is for you if you enjoyed "A Study in Drowning" but wanted more. More umph to the imagery and more folklore without the romance.
February 26, 2025
Really earthy and grounded folk horror. I enjoyed this a lot having not being sure if i would bother accepting a couple of friends recommendation to give it a try.
August 28, 2024
Honestly I couldnt have picked a better book to read. I LOVED this book!
This really is what fiction is about.
Wrapping you in magic and wonder and tales of the old ways. When Piskies and Brownies roamed the Moors and villages, and darker creatures roamed Underhill. Transporting you to other magickal worlds with the authors beautifully crafted language and world building.
How is this a debut!!
Talk about captivating, atmospheric magic folk vibes (but not the cute, friendly kind.)
More the way they used to be portrayed. Dark, creepy, atmospheric, Brothers Grimm kinda vibes. Tales of an Underhill King, of a fearsome Hunt and creatures that you most certainly did NOT want to meet at night.
And some cute helpful ones too!
This was a magickal story, following Pel and Nancy, Keepers of the balance between realms, as the seek to restore that balance following a string of brutal murders on the Moor.
Described as 'The Bear and the Nightingale meets Poldark in this stunning historical fantasy debut where folklore battles faith in 18th century Cornwall' this is a book and author to have on your radar for sure!
Hints of a follow up at the end, and I for one can not wait to see this out in the world!
I was gifted a copy of this by the publishers but all thoughts are my own.
This really is what fiction is about.
Wrapping you in magic and wonder and tales of the old ways. When Piskies and Brownies roamed the Moors and villages, and darker creatures roamed Underhill. Transporting you to other magickal worlds with the authors beautifully crafted language and world building.
How is this a debut!!
Talk about captivating, atmospheric magic folk vibes (but not the cute, friendly kind.)
More the way they used to be portrayed. Dark, creepy, atmospheric, Brothers Grimm kinda vibes. Tales of an Underhill King, of a fearsome Hunt and creatures that you most certainly did NOT want to meet at night.
And some cute helpful ones too!
This was a magickal story, following Pel and Nancy, Keepers of the balance between realms, as the seek to restore that balance following a string of brutal murders on the Moor.
Described as 'The Bear and the Nightingale meets Poldark in this stunning historical fantasy debut where folklore battles faith in 18th century Cornwall' this is a book and author to have on your radar for sure!
Hints of a follow up at the end, and I for one can not wait to see this out in the world!
I was gifted a copy of this by the publishers but all thoughts are my own.
August 27, 2024
Cornwall, the year is 1786.
For many, many years, the villagers of Mirecoombe have turned to their Keeper - Lord Pelagius Hunt who is wise, battle-scarred, and one not to be crossed, for he is the mediator between the worlds of mortals and fey - for help should they need it, as he ensures that lines are not crossed, bargains are promised and delivered.
But a time of change and apparent enlightenment is upon this land, which sees the belief of piskies and spriggens begin to dim, as a new flame starts to rise in the Reverend Cleaver’s fiery pulpit within his mighty church which stands proud above the mire, God’s name is upon peoples lips once more as death stalks Mirecoombe on the moor. There are corpses in the heather. There’s blood in the gorse. Someone, or indeed something is reminding the villagers of their own fragile mortality.
Nancy Bligh will do whatever is needed to maintain the balance of the humans and fey, even if Pel thinks otherwise as the Keeper refuses to involve himself in the rising rancour building around them, determined that surely the old ways will win in the end.
Blessed with natural sight, a friend to spriggans. Piskies, and humans, Nancy has a power Pel never had and is quick to remind her to keep dormant but as the flame dies around them, Nancy may have no choice but to listen to that voice inside telling her to free what power she has. Yet when Pel travels far from home, it falls to Nancy to guide those lost in the dark and keep not only wolves from their door, but something much darker and blood-thirsty. Even if God himself is watching. And readying his judgement…
A shining gem of a novel that hums with atmosphere and lore, Gorse will make you question what do you truly believe in?
For many, many years, the villagers of Mirecoombe have turned to their Keeper - Lord Pelagius Hunt who is wise, battle-scarred, and one not to be crossed, for he is the mediator between the worlds of mortals and fey - for help should they need it, as he ensures that lines are not crossed, bargains are promised and delivered.
But a time of change and apparent enlightenment is upon this land, which sees the belief of piskies and spriggens begin to dim, as a new flame starts to rise in the Reverend Cleaver’s fiery pulpit within his mighty church which stands proud above the mire, God’s name is upon peoples lips once more as death stalks Mirecoombe on the moor. There are corpses in the heather. There’s blood in the gorse. Someone, or indeed something is reminding the villagers of their own fragile mortality.
Nancy Bligh will do whatever is needed to maintain the balance of the humans and fey, even if Pel thinks otherwise as the Keeper refuses to involve himself in the rising rancour building around them, determined that surely the old ways will win in the end.
Blessed with natural sight, a friend to spriggans. Piskies, and humans, Nancy has a power Pel never had and is quick to remind her to keep dormant but as the flame dies around them, Nancy may have no choice but to listen to that voice inside telling her to free what power she has. Yet when Pel travels far from home, it falls to Nancy to guide those lost in the dark and keep not only wolves from their door, but something much darker and blood-thirsty. Even if God himself is watching. And readying his judgement…
A shining gem of a novel that hums with atmosphere and lore, Gorse will make you question what do you truly believe in?
May 7, 2024
With thanks to NetGalley and partners for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first 5-star book of the year!
What a deliciously decadent novel; I am both incredibly excited that this is a first in a series, and beside myself with grief at how long I might have to wait for a sequel. Please, please Sam K. Horton will you give us more of C (x) and perhaps a little romance with Nance?
Anyway, I digress. I only give five stars to novels that have BOTH a fantastic plot as well as the most beautiful writing, and Gorse certainly succeeds in both. I read this book over the course of two days (neglecting all other everyday responsibilities). The world building is very well set up and clearly well researched, and the descriptive language (some might call over-indulgent but I am all here for it!) means it is literally dripping with atmosphere. I’m sure I could feel the rain on my skin more than once. I will borrow a quote from the novel itself: “These are not the sort of books that can be flicked through idly, they require an active read.” Every single word, every sentence demanded you slow down and really consider its meanings… the metaphors were so clever. Oh, and that’s not even taking into account the stunning cover!
A real treasure.
Did I mention I can’t wait for the sequel?
If you loved this -do make sure you read You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce, another 5-star read of mine with very similar vibes!
Ps. I will forgive you for using “okay” in an 18th century novel, but only because it’s an ARC… I hope it’s removed by the time it’s published!
This is my first 5-star book of the year!
What a deliciously decadent novel; I am both incredibly excited that this is a first in a series, and beside myself with grief at how long I might have to wait for a sequel. Please, please Sam K. Horton will you give us more of C (x) and perhaps a little romance with Nance?
Anyway, I digress. I only give five stars to novels that have BOTH a fantastic plot as well as the most beautiful writing, and Gorse certainly succeeds in both. I read this book over the course of two days (neglecting all other everyday responsibilities). The world building is very well set up and clearly well researched, and the descriptive language (some might call over-indulgent but I am all here for it!) means it is literally dripping with atmosphere. I’m sure I could feel the rain on my skin more than once. I will borrow a quote from the novel itself: “These are not the sort of books that can be flicked through idly, they require an active read.” Every single word, every sentence demanded you slow down and really consider its meanings… the metaphors were so clever. Oh, and that’s not even taking into account the stunning cover!
A real treasure.
Did I mention I can’t wait for the sequel?
If you loved this -do make sure you read You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce, another 5-star read of mine with very similar vibes!
Ps. I will forgive you for using “okay” in an 18th century novel, but only because it’s an ARC… I hope it’s removed by the time it’s published!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2024
A unique and atmospheric dark fantasy with wonderfully enchanting writing. I haven't read anything like it before. Thick with folklore and riddled with the difficulties of village life, Gorse sucks you into its world from page one.
The pace is slow, meaning it may be hard for some readers to get into. It does feel like it drags slightly in some places but, overall, I found it to be a beautiful and engaging novel. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.
The pace is slow, meaning it may be hard for some readers to get into. It does feel like it drags slightly in some places but, overall, I found it to be a beautiful and engaging novel. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.
October 12, 2024
Forget Poldark! I can’t believe the blurb goes there. ‘Gorse’ is Cornish, yes, but it’s a novel of spells, of fairyfolk and lore, of clan. It’s dark, it’s involved, and - for me - ‘Gorse’ boasts of just the thing I want to be reading for autumn/Samhain. So… even though I normally avoid male-authored fiction, I bent the rule for this one because it sounded so enthralling:
At first, I thought Sam K. Horton’s writing showy and smug. But overall, ‘Gorse’ is worth sticking with, if – like me – you’re drawn to the subject matter. Verbosity persists throughout the novel, but some of the author’s overwritten style (reviewers are using the word ‘decadent’) wears off around the halfway point and, as the passage above shows, there are moments when he manages to pull back on this indulgent tone to write some really entrancing prose.
The novel’s subtitle could very well be ‘Faith Versus Folklore’. The cast of characters includes many of what we in Ireland, sister Celtic Nation of Cornwall, would call the Sidhe; the fae:
As contrast then, we have the intrusion of Christianity upon the scene, which did catch like wildfire throughout Cornwall during that century. The figure of Cleaver (what a great euonym!), our religious radical, raging and severe in his beliefs, counters the sway of the fae folk upon the populace:
In terms of the two main parts, though, Pel and Nancy, I found Pel – the male character in this split narrative – to be dug-into deeply, handled with emotion and depth by Horton, a lot of time given over to establishing character through descriptions of his home, his history, his motivations and inner conflicts. Conversely, I found Nancy all superficial – Horton overdwells on her appearance and her surface actions. This disparity between the gendered dual protagonists vexed me. Nancy seemed to me naturally the more compelling character.
I found the Pel’s-point-of-view parts of ‘Gorse’ to be full of self-aggrandisement, (which is that character’s hubris, to be fair), but I found the parts with Nancy totally engrossing. Though she lacks the level of development given Pel by the author, Nancy is accorded the most opportunities for compelling action; she gets the complex situations, the tension, the rising action. But she’s stymied by this male character, who’s overdone, inflated, who obstructs her over and again for the sake of his own pomposity. The author simply failed to convince me with these two characters; they’re too easy to pluck apart like this under scrutiny. I could almost see written under Nancy’s half of the narrative, a traceable version of her story where she’s tendered a full and flourishing character-driven narrative. It’s in there, just begging to be unbound and released from the text that we’ve got. My only placation is that, I guess all this is the very reasoning behind Horton’s surprise ending to ‘Gorse’.
I’m being sanctimonious here, amn’t I? But my last earnest response is that I hate the ending, and I hate that this is going to be made into a series. I don’t think the characters have enough puff left in them to make this a series! At the end, it seemed to me as though the author just resorted to a rapid fire of facts thrust at the conclusion, effectively saying “I tie up this loose end like this, and this one like that…” I found everything after Nancy’s big scene in the chapel to be anticlimactic, and honestly, this probably lost my rating a star.
However! As usual, all hail that divine cover (this seems to be the main feature/quality upon which I make NetGalley requests!). I’ve been trying to find out who the artist is, because I think it’ll be a notable standout cover art amongst 2024 fiction.
My thanks to Rebellion Publishing for an ARC of this title through NetGalley.
‘Miles deep, where the bletting landscape of the Undermoor rots under its puddle moon, rain falls. Nancy’s magic easing the return of the dead. As hoof and limb and claw pass through the rippling sky they transmute into the glittering stardust they came from in drifts against the trunks of trees, settle between blades of grass until needed again.'
At first, I thought Sam K. Horton’s writing showy and smug. But overall, ‘Gorse’ is worth sticking with, if – like me – you’re drawn to the subject matter. Verbosity persists throughout the novel, but some of the author’s overwritten style (reviewers are using the word ‘decadent’) wears off around the halfway point and, as the passage above shows, there are moments when he manages to pull back on this indulgent tone to write some really entrancing prose.
The novel’s subtitle could very well be ‘Faith Versus Folklore’. The cast of characters includes many of what we in Ireland, sister Celtic Nation of Cornwall, would call the Sidhe; the fae:
‘First come the smallest of them, the piskies. Lace wings fluttering at their backs. It’ll be them Pel’s keenest to speak to with their lights out in the bogs. They’re the ones that lead men astray in the night-time, keep a husband from a wife. No more reason to it than that they can, no morality here, no motive. It was they who swapped out Nancy as she lay mewling in her crib. […] Next are the spriggans, small and rocky fronted with quartz running across their backs in veins. Moss growing damp on their shoulders and a diamond in each eye. Creatures to watch closely. As troublesome as the piskies, but with a mean streak to boot.’
As contrast then, we have the intrusion of Christianity upon the scene, which did catch like wildfire throughout Cornwall during that century. The figure of Cleaver (what a great euonym!), our religious radical, raging and severe in his beliefs, counters the sway of the fae folk upon the populace:
'“It is the Lord’s own [hand]. Vengeful and old. God had seen my strife, seen my effort to repair this place […]. Seen how I had been thwarted by a godless man. […] It is as Milton promised. 'Should intermitted vengeance arm against his red right hand.'”
In terms of the two main parts, though, Pel and Nancy, I found Pel – the male character in this split narrative – to be dug-into deeply, handled with emotion and depth by Horton, a lot of time given over to establishing character through descriptions of his home, his history, his motivations and inner conflicts. Conversely, I found Nancy all superficial – Horton overdwells on her appearance and her surface actions. This disparity between the gendered dual protagonists vexed me. Nancy seemed to me naturally the more compelling character.
I found the Pel’s-point-of-view parts of ‘Gorse’ to be full of self-aggrandisement, (which is that character’s hubris, to be fair), but I found the parts with Nancy totally engrossing. Though she lacks the level of development given Pel by the author, Nancy is accorded the most opportunities for compelling action; she gets the complex situations, the tension, the rising action. But she’s stymied by this male character, who’s overdone, inflated, who obstructs her over and again for the sake of his own pomposity. The author simply failed to convince me with these two characters; they’re too easy to pluck apart like this under scrutiny. I could almost see written under Nancy’s half of the narrative, a traceable version of her story where she’s tendered a full and flourishing character-driven narrative. It’s in there, just begging to be unbound and released from the text that we’ve got. My only placation is that, I guess all this is the very reasoning behind Horton’s surprise ending to ‘Gorse’.
I’m being sanctimonious here, amn’t I? But my last earnest response is that I hate the ending, and I hate that this is going to be made into a series. I don’t think the characters have enough puff left in them to make this a series! At the end, it seemed to me as though the author just resorted to a rapid fire of facts thrust at the conclusion, effectively saying “I tie up this loose end like this, and this one like that…” I found everything after Nancy’s big scene in the chapel to be anticlimactic, and honestly, this probably lost my rating a star.
However! As usual, all hail that divine cover (this seems to be the main feature/quality upon which I make NetGalley requests!). I’ve been trying to find out who the artist is, because I think it’ll be a notable standout cover art amongst 2024 fiction.
My thanks to Rebellion Publishing for an ARC of this title through NetGalley.
December 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Solaris/Rebellion for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.
TW: death, corpses, religion, fire, grief, self-harm, injury, child death, animal injury
In Cornwall, 1786, the world of fairies and the other folk is being crushed under the spreading of the Christian religion. This is most true in the village of Mirecoombe, a place where fairies, brownies and pixies have lived in peace and understanding with humanity for centuries. Lord Pelagius Hunt, a Keeper, is in charge of keeping this balance and is required to aid humans and fey as part of his job. However Pel is old, one eye given willingly for the gift of sight to see the fairies, and belief in the old ways is fading. This isn’t helped by Reverend Cleaver, once an ally of Pel’s and now his biggest enemy, who calls on the village people to turn away from their heathen ways and towards the Lord. A series of violent deaths, bodies found with the imprint of a palm on their throats, in the moor drives the villagers away from Pel’s weary protection and towards Cleaver’s promises of redemption. Nancy Bligh was stolen by the fairies as a child and brought home by Pel, who raised her to embrace her natural gifts with the fey but never to use the incredible power she carries called the Murmur. Now twenty-one, she is determined to do the job he won’t as Keeper: to bring the two worlds together and remain friends with humans, fairies and everything in between. As the murders escalate and Pel’s actions over the years are found to be the reason why, Nancy is forced to step up and take over his role before Miercoombe can fall even further into a darkness that nothing can save them from, not even the prayers of Cleaver.
I raced through this book so quickly, caught up in the gorgeous use of language and setting of ‘Gorse’ and finding myself incredibly invested in the father/daughter relationship between aged and exhausted Pel and young, brilliant Nancy (along with their old dog Patroclus, who is the most loyal friend) as they try to keep some semblance of a balance between the old ways of the moor and the growing influence of Christianity (spearheaded by a vengeful, passionate priest). As I was reading through this I was reminded of ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’, one of my favourite books, but there’s something completely original here as well- the fairies and other folk are cruel and violent but also protective and reliable as long as you are fair to them. There is nothing romanticised about this world, it’s made very clear that to function the two worlds need careful balance. One of the best parts of the book is when Pel travels to the Undermoor, the land where the souls of fairies go upon death, and communicates with their King. I loved Nancy immediately, she has so much life inside of her and is determined to be better than Pel, even if it means a huge risk to herself. The village of Miercoombe is a character all of itself, filled with wildflowers and ancient stones and I never wanted to leave. The entire world feels untamed and wild, fraught with risk and incredibly real. ‘Gorse’ is a beautiful, dark book which balances many themes- that of parents and their children, religion and tradition, passing on the torch, grief, love and loss- inside of a gorgeously written narrative. I don’t know if there’s going to be more books in this world but I know that this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.
TW: death, corpses, religion, fire, grief, self-harm, injury, child death, animal injury
In Cornwall, 1786, the world of fairies and the other folk is being crushed under the spreading of the Christian religion. This is most true in the village of Mirecoombe, a place where fairies, brownies and pixies have lived in peace and understanding with humanity for centuries. Lord Pelagius Hunt, a Keeper, is in charge of keeping this balance and is required to aid humans and fey as part of his job. However Pel is old, one eye given willingly for the gift of sight to see the fairies, and belief in the old ways is fading. This isn’t helped by Reverend Cleaver, once an ally of Pel’s and now his biggest enemy, who calls on the village people to turn away from their heathen ways and towards the Lord. A series of violent deaths, bodies found with the imprint of a palm on their throats, in the moor drives the villagers away from Pel’s weary protection and towards Cleaver’s promises of redemption. Nancy Bligh was stolen by the fairies as a child and brought home by Pel, who raised her to embrace her natural gifts with the fey but never to use the incredible power she carries called the Murmur. Now twenty-one, she is determined to do the job he won’t as Keeper: to bring the two worlds together and remain friends with humans, fairies and everything in between. As the murders escalate and Pel’s actions over the years are found to be the reason why, Nancy is forced to step up and take over his role before Miercoombe can fall even further into a darkness that nothing can save them from, not even the prayers of Cleaver.
I raced through this book so quickly, caught up in the gorgeous use of language and setting of ‘Gorse’ and finding myself incredibly invested in the father/daughter relationship between aged and exhausted Pel and young, brilliant Nancy (along with their old dog Patroclus, who is the most loyal friend) as they try to keep some semblance of a balance between the old ways of the moor and the growing influence of Christianity (spearheaded by a vengeful, passionate priest). As I was reading through this I was reminded of ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell’, one of my favourite books, but there’s something completely original here as well- the fairies and other folk are cruel and violent but also protective and reliable as long as you are fair to them. There is nothing romanticised about this world, it’s made very clear that to function the two worlds need careful balance. One of the best parts of the book is when Pel travels to the Undermoor, the land where the souls of fairies go upon death, and communicates with their King. I loved Nancy immediately, she has so much life inside of her and is determined to be better than Pel, even if it means a huge risk to herself. The village of Miercoombe is a character all of itself, filled with wildflowers and ancient stones and I never wanted to leave. The entire world feels untamed and wild, fraught with risk and incredibly real. ‘Gorse’ is a beautiful, dark book which balances many themes- that of parents and their children, religion and tradition, passing on the torch, grief, love and loss- inside of a gorgeously written narrative. I don’t know if there’s going to be more books in this world but I know that this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.
September 23, 2024
“You had one job, the only job a Keeper has. And you failed. Balance, Pel. What happened to balance?”
As soon as I heard about Gorse I really wanted to read it. The story, set in 1786 about the tension in the Cornish village of Mirecoombe between the growing Christian faith and the pagan folk beliefs is ripe with tension. The villagers often find themselves embracing the new ways whilst trying to keep the old, leaving neither God satisfied.
In Gorse, the creatures of the Undermoor are real - there’s the headless hunt, brownies, picsies and spriggans as well as many other creatures from myth and folklore. A lack of offerings in more recent times has led to resentment, and it’s the Keeper Pel’s job to maintain the fine balance of power between the old God, the world above the peat and the new wave of Christianity. He’s supported in his endeavours by Nancy, a girl he helped who was stolen by fairies as a baby and therefore can see the usually invisible Undermoor creatures too.
The tension becomes unbearable when the villagers realise a killer is in their midsts, as more and more people are found on the moor with strange markings on them. Pel and Nancy must find out who stalks Mirecoombe and stop them (or it?).
The book is so rich in its imagery, and you can feel Horton’s passion for the North Cornish landscape in every chapter he writes. The visceral depictions of the power of nature and his interpretation of myths and legends of pagan folklore are brilliant and really contributed to the world building that took up a good first section of the book. Sometimes with fantasy I can cringe with disbelief at some characters or storylines, but everything Horton writes is so fully grounded in the beliefs and the landscape I could perfectly suspend reality and was gripped throughout.
At times the depictions of harm are understandably unpleasant- so content warning if that would affect you. There was a satisfying ending but also a fabulous cliff hanger and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you to @solarisbooks and @granite_and_glitter for an advanced copy of the book. Gorse is out now!
As soon as I heard about Gorse I really wanted to read it. The story, set in 1786 about the tension in the Cornish village of Mirecoombe between the growing Christian faith and the pagan folk beliefs is ripe with tension. The villagers often find themselves embracing the new ways whilst trying to keep the old, leaving neither God satisfied.
In Gorse, the creatures of the Undermoor are real - there’s the headless hunt, brownies, picsies and spriggans as well as many other creatures from myth and folklore. A lack of offerings in more recent times has led to resentment, and it’s the Keeper Pel’s job to maintain the fine balance of power between the old God, the world above the peat and the new wave of Christianity. He’s supported in his endeavours by Nancy, a girl he helped who was stolen by fairies as a baby and therefore can see the usually invisible Undermoor creatures too.
The tension becomes unbearable when the villagers realise a killer is in their midsts, as more and more people are found on the moor with strange markings on them. Pel and Nancy must find out who stalks Mirecoombe and stop them (or it?).
The book is so rich in its imagery, and you can feel Horton’s passion for the North Cornish landscape in every chapter he writes. The visceral depictions of the power of nature and his interpretation of myths and legends of pagan folklore are brilliant and really contributed to the world building that took up a good first section of the book. Sometimes with fantasy I can cringe with disbelief at some characters or storylines, but everything Horton writes is so fully grounded in the beliefs and the landscape I could perfectly suspend reality and was gripped throughout.
At times the depictions of harm are understandably unpleasant- so content warning if that would affect you. There was a satisfying ending but also a fabulous cliff hanger and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you to @solarisbooks and @granite_and_glitter for an advanced copy of the book. Gorse is out now!
June 30, 2024
The moor is a place of magic; of spriggans and piskies and fey creatures of the earth. They shelter the crops from storms and, just as readily, lead wanderers out into the peat bogs with song and whispering lights. When the folk of Mirecoombe start turning up dead in the marshes, face down in the water, the townspeople turn to the Reverend’s Church of fire and brimstone, and turn their backs on the creatures of the moor. Nancy and Pel, Keepers of the moor and liaisons between humans and the fey, are faced with the task of solving the murders and proving their own innocence as accusations of witchcraft and trickery fly. The Undermoor stirs. Something foul is afoot in the grasses. Something cursed walks the moor.
Gorgeously dark and whimsical and lyrical, this story is the gothic sister to Emily Wilde. The physical structuring of the story, sentence by sentence, was a wonderful experiment in punctuation and dramatisation which I absolutely adored, and I thought the extremely distant third person perspective worked so so well. The descriptions of the moor, of the hilltops, of Mirecoombe, of the sky, and absolutely stunning and it felt like actually being in England oh my gosh. I also really enjoyed the toying with religion and tradition, the old gods versus the new, and found the underlying tensions of faith and belief really well done without taking over the vibes of the story. I thought the ending wrapped up a bit fast, and wasn’t necessarily satisfied with it, but I still really really enjoyed this and overall would 100% recommend it!
Gorgeously dark and whimsical and lyrical, this story is the gothic sister to Emily Wilde. The physical structuring of the story, sentence by sentence, was a wonderful experiment in punctuation and dramatisation which I absolutely adored, and I thought the extremely distant third person perspective worked so so well. The descriptions of the moor, of the hilltops, of Mirecoombe, of the sky, and absolutely stunning and it felt like actually being in England oh my gosh. I also really enjoyed the toying with religion and tradition, the old gods versus the new, and found the underlying tensions of faith and belief really well done without taking over the vibes of the story. I thought the ending wrapped up a bit fast, and wasn’t necessarily satisfied with it, but I still really really enjoyed this and overall would 100% recommend it!
September 18, 2024
A dark, atmospheric folkloric fantasy set in the 1780’s on the moors of Cornwall, among the bogs and mires. “Gorse” explores themes of grief, faith and love through the lens of the village of Mirecoombe where the upheaval of Methodism vs the Old Ways causes rifts both personal and on a much grander scale (which is hinted at being explored in the next books).
Villagers are being discovered murdered, and the tug of war between the Keeper (mediator between humans & fey) and the Reverend, grows taut as this mystery unfolds. Nancy Bligh is the standout main character in my view, her resilience and resourcefulness the glue of this story. She deeply cares about everyone (including the spriggans, piskies and folk of the moor that only she can see), and seeks a balance to benefit all.
Clever name choices such as Pelagius for the Keeper and Cleaver for the reverend didn’t go amiss.
I appreciated the distant, liminal writing that carried the eerie sense of the moor through every stylistic sentence and cleverly unspoken observation, and the perfectly structured revealing of events before the window of the plot we’re witnessing. It’s also refreshing to find a modern-written folkloric book that does not paint the faeries overly lightly, romantically, or kind, but with a darkness reminiscent of the older tales.
5🌟 and I’m amazed this is a debut novel!
For fans of:
The Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden, Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, Pan’s Labyrinth, Slewfoot by Brom.
Marketed as “The Bear & the Nightingale” meets “Poldark,” I disagree with the latter comparison. The only commonality with Poldark is the Cornish setting 😅
Villagers are being discovered murdered, and the tug of war between the Keeper (mediator between humans & fey) and the Reverend, grows taut as this mystery unfolds. Nancy Bligh is the standout main character in my view, her resilience and resourcefulness the glue of this story. She deeply cares about everyone (including the spriggans, piskies and folk of the moor that only she can see), and seeks a balance to benefit all.
Clever name choices such as Pelagius for the Keeper and Cleaver for the reverend didn’t go amiss.
I appreciated the distant, liminal writing that carried the eerie sense of the moor through every stylistic sentence and cleverly unspoken observation, and the perfectly structured revealing of events before the window of the plot we’re witnessing. It’s also refreshing to find a modern-written folkloric book that does not paint the faeries overly lightly, romantically, or kind, but with a darkness reminiscent of the older tales.
5🌟 and I’m amazed this is a debut novel!
For fans of:
The Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden, Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, Pan’s Labyrinth, Slewfoot by Brom.
Marketed as “The Bear & the Nightingale” meets “Poldark,” I disagree with the latter comparison. The only commonality with Poldark is the Cornish setting 😅
March 1, 2025
Having now both listened to the audio and read the physical copy, I can honestly say that this book is utter magic. It had me immediately and I was completely enraptured by both the rural gothic setting and the folk magic underpinning this story.
I am also 1000% here for the themes of the old gods/beings of the land being at odds with the rise of Christianity in an 18th century village. Denounce the piskies at your peril!!
It is clear that the writer lives and breathes the Cornish moorlands, and it was the vivid descriptions of this, along with the reverence he shows for the plants and their symbolism, that really immersed me in the story. This moor was truly alive in my head.
The folk magic and folk horror elements (it does get rather descriptively gory in a couple of parts) then sealed the deal for me. Give me bones and trinkets and herbs and I am a VERY happy girl.
Add in some strong-but-flawed characters that were extremely relatable despite the fantasy elements of the story, and this book (for me) is a new all-time favourite and I am so so looking forward to Ragwort so I can find out what Nancy has to face next.
I am also 1000% here for the themes of the old gods/beings of the land being at odds with the rise of Christianity in an 18th century village. Denounce the piskies at your peril!!
It is clear that the writer lives and breathes the Cornish moorlands, and it was the vivid descriptions of this, along with the reverence he shows for the plants and their symbolism, that really immersed me in the story. This moor was truly alive in my head.
The folk magic and folk horror elements (it does get rather descriptively gory in a couple of parts) then sealed the deal for me. Give me bones and trinkets and herbs and I am a VERY happy girl.
Add in some strong-but-flawed characters that were extremely relatable despite the fantasy elements of the story, and this book (for me) is a new all-time favourite and I am so so looking forward to Ragwort so I can find out what Nancy has to face next.
March 28, 2024
"Gorse" is a speculative fiction novel set in the 18th century, marketed as "Poldark" meets "The Bear and the Nightingale". While I had anticipated a story akin to "Poldark" but with magic, "Gorse" offers a unique narrative that sets it apart from this comparison.
The book delves into the transition of societies from magic traditional beliefs to Christianity and explores the relationship between the two systems. While it took some time to immerse myself in the plot and understand its rules, the two main characters, Pel and his student Nancy, are intriguing. The novel unfolds slowly with heavy descriptions, making it less suitable for light reading. Despite its beautiful language, it may not appeal to everyone, and its marketing should not oversell its resemblance to "Poldark." Overall, I enjoyed the book for its well-written prose, thorough research, and exploration of thought-provoking issues, even though it wasn't exactly what I had anticipated.
Thank you NetGalley and Rebellion for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book delves into the transition of societies from magic traditional beliefs to Christianity and explores the relationship between the two systems. While it took some time to immerse myself in the plot and understand its rules, the two main characters, Pel and his student Nancy, are intriguing. The novel unfolds slowly with heavy descriptions, making it less suitable for light reading. Despite its beautiful language, it may not appeal to everyone, and its marketing should not oversell its resemblance to "Poldark." Overall, I enjoyed the book for its well-written prose, thorough research, and exploration of thought-provoking issues, even though it wasn't exactly what I had anticipated.
Thank you NetGalley and Rebellion for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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