Slashed Beauties: The Best Feminist Historical Fantasy Read of 2025, Perfect for Readers of Leigh Bardugo, Sarah Penner, Deborah Harkness and Lovers of Dark Fantasy | 
so-soThe story takes place in London, in the 1700s and present day. Told between two voices: Alys in the present and Eleanor one of the three Venuses – anatomical wax figures who are said to have come to life and murder the men who do them wrong. Now Alys is on a tight mission to dispose of and rid the world and herself of the hold the Venuses have over everyone—but the Venuses do not go silently into the cold, dark night.
pickA fun romp, replete with witches, mysterious evils, strange Italians, and Victorian vibes. The many tropes from the store of 19th-century supernatural kept me highly entertained.
A soft pick, not terribly blood-soaked, and altogether cozy for a horror story, with a perfectly bittersweet ending 💜
📸 from moi getting ready for a black tie wedding last night— the dress felt fitting with the storyline, although I went with another for the event ❤️
pickTLDR: This is very much a historical fiction novel with elements of horror towards the end. Overall, I thought it was nicely done with the dual timelines of present-day & London 1769 working well here & a fitting, if slightly rushed ending. 3.75🌟
My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, VERVE Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Full Review & TWs: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7463737218
Read 17th - 19th Sept 2025
pickThis is a really interesting story, It hooks you in with the talk of body horror and glamour and it just doesn't let you out. Its of course a very dark and quite twisted story but its so well written. It splits between the two timelines developing the story in past and present until it converges. The ending was so well written and although a part of me wanted a slightly different ending. This one worked and was right for the story and characters.
