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Diabolist's Library #3
Creatures of Charm and Hunger
Two young witches, once inseparable, are set at odds by secrets and wildly dangerous magic.
In the waning days of World War II, with Allied victory all but certain, desperate Nazi diabolists search for a demonic superweapon to turn the tide. A secluded castle somewhere in the south of Germany serves as a laboratory for experiments conducted upon human prisoners, experiments as vile as they are deadly.
Across the English Channel, tucked into the sleepy Cumbrian countryside, lies the Library, the repository of occult knowledge for the Société des Éclairées, an international organization of diabolists. There, best friends Jane Blackwood and Miriam Cantor, tutored by the Société’s Librarian—and Jane’s mother—Nancy, prepare to undergo the Test that will determine their future as diabolists.
When Miriam learns her missing parents are suspected of betraying the Société to the Nazis, she embarks on a quest to clear their names, a quest involving dangerous diabolic practices that will demand more of her than she can imagine. Meanwhile Jane, struggling with dark obsessions of her own, embraces a forbidden use of the Art that could put everyone she loves in danger.
As their friendship buckles under the the stress of too many secrets, Jane and Miriam will come face to face with unexpected truths that change everything they know about the war, the world, and most of all themselves. After all, some choices cannot be unmade--and a sacrifice made with the most noble intention might end up creating a monster.
In the waning days of World War II, with Allied victory all but certain, desperate Nazi diabolists search for a demonic superweapon to turn the tide. A secluded castle somewhere in the south of Germany serves as a laboratory for experiments conducted upon human prisoners, experiments as vile as they are deadly.
Across the English Channel, tucked into the sleepy Cumbrian countryside, lies the Library, the repository of occult knowledge for the Société des Éclairées, an international organization of diabolists. There, best friends Jane Blackwood and Miriam Cantor, tutored by the Société’s Librarian—and Jane’s mother—Nancy, prepare to undergo the Test that will determine their future as diabolists.
When Miriam learns her missing parents are suspected of betraying the Société to the Nazis, she embarks on a quest to clear their names, a quest involving dangerous diabolic practices that will demand more of her than she can imagine. Meanwhile Jane, struggling with dark obsessions of her own, embraces a forbidden use of the Art that could put everyone she loves in danger.
As their friendship buckles under the the stress of too many secrets, Jane and Miriam will come face to face with unexpected truths that change everything they know about the war, the world, and most of all themselves. After all, some choices cannot be unmade--and a sacrifice made with the most noble intention might end up creating a monster.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 17, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley, Molly Tanzer, and John Joseph Adams/Mariner Books for a chance to review this book. I was given this book for free in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. I have not felt compelled, in any way, by the author, the publisher, or NetGalley to alter my sincerest thoughts on this book. Every word of this review is solely and completely mine.
This is the third book in a series. I don’t know that I missed anything in reading this book without having the proper context that I might have had if I would have read the previous books. Still and all this is a book about two young women: Jane Blackwood and Miriam Cantor -- who have been raised as sisters on the precipice of becoming full-fledged diabolists.
World War II England is the setting of this story. Consequently, I got the sense that there would be a direct involvement with the war. Tanzer weaves a story that is both horrific and whimsical with characters that are memorable and believable. Suspense is built with feelings of dread prevalent throughout the latter third of the book.
If there is a complaint, I would say that it would be the first third of the book. It seemed a little slow, especially for a book that is the last of a trilogy. Maybe had I read the previous books I would have understood contextually if she were tying up loose ends from the previous books. All in all, I liked what I read, felt that the story merited my time and attention, and I would read this author again.
This is the third book in a series. I don’t know that I missed anything in reading this book without having the proper context that I might have had if I would have read the previous books. Still and all this is a book about two young women: Jane Blackwood and Miriam Cantor -- who have been raised as sisters on the precipice of becoming full-fledged diabolists.
World War II England is the setting of this story. Consequently, I got the sense that there would be a direct involvement with the war. Tanzer weaves a story that is both horrific and whimsical with characters that are memorable and believable. Suspense is built with feelings of dread prevalent throughout the latter third of the book.
If there is a complaint, I would say that it would be the first third of the book. It seemed a little slow, especially for a book that is the last of a trilogy. Maybe had I read the previous books I would have understood contextually if she were tying up loose ends from the previous books. All in all, I liked what I read, felt that the story merited my time and attention, and I would read this author again.
April 20, 2020
Molly Tanzer is a delightful writer with a penchant for historical settings and certain Lovecraftian elements and it's been great to see her developing her talents since she started writing short stories. She has now a whole bunch of novels under her wings, including this volume which closes her Diabolist series.
May 7, 2020
The end of WWII is rapidly approaching with an Allied victory in sight.
Tucked in the Cumbrian countryside is the library that houses occult knowledge for the Société des Éclairées, a secret organization of diabolists. It’s here that Miriam Cantor has lived since the beginning of the war with her best friend Jane Blackwood and Jane’s mother Nancy, who is the Société’s librarian.
Together Miriam and Jane are preparing for the test that will determine their futures as diabolists but a series of secrets will set the girls on very different and dangerous paths.
Miriam learns there are rumors within the Société that her parents have betrayed them to the Nazis. She begins a complicated and illegal practice to discover what happened to her family and to clear their names.
Jane has always longed to know her father though Nancy has kept all information closely guarded for reasons she doesn’t understand. When her father reaches out to her, Jane is thrilled. He’s a powerful man within the Société, which makes her determined to prove herself as a diabolist. Using a forbidden practice, Jane unleashes a powerful demon that puts everyone she loves in serious danger.
Jane and Miriam have always been as close as sisters but the secrets they keep from each other are slowly dividing them. Together they must make sacrifices for the greater good: to stop the Nazis last stand and to salvage their family.
Creatures of Charm and Hunger is a unique tale of demons and secret societies set in the WWII era English countryside. I loved the atmosphere and the storyline but it was a bit slow for me. I appreciated the detailed explanations of diabolism and the inner workings of the Société but the time spent on that suppressed a lot of action that would’ve made the events feel as urgent as they were explained to be.
While the tale lacked action, it was still an intriguing read set in a fascinating world.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and paranormal/fantasy.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Creatures of Charm and Hunger is scheduled for release on April 21, 2020.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Tucked in the Cumbrian countryside is the library that houses occult knowledge for the Société des Éclairées, a secret organization of diabolists. It’s here that Miriam Cantor has lived since the beginning of the war with her best friend Jane Blackwood and Jane’s mother Nancy, who is the Société’s librarian.
Together Miriam and Jane are preparing for the test that will determine their futures as diabolists but a series of secrets will set the girls on very different and dangerous paths.
Miriam learns there are rumors within the Société that her parents have betrayed them to the Nazis. She begins a complicated and illegal practice to discover what happened to her family and to clear their names.
Jane has always longed to know her father though Nancy has kept all information closely guarded for reasons she doesn’t understand. When her father reaches out to her, Jane is thrilled. He’s a powerful man within the Société, which makes her determined to prove herself as a diabolist. Using a forbidden practice, Jane unleashes a powerful demon that puts everyone she loves in serious danger.
Jane and Miriam have always been as close as sisters but the secrets they keep from each other are slowly dividing them. Together they must make sacrifices for the greater good: to stop the Nazis last stand and to salvage their family.
Creatures of Charm and Hunger is a unique tale of demons and secret societies set in the WWII era English countryside. I loved the atmosphere and the storyline but it was a bit slow for me. I appreciated the detailed explanations of diabolism and the inner workings of the Société but the time spent on that suppressed a lot of action that would’ve made the events feel as urgent as they were explained to be.
While the tale lacked action, it was still an intriguing read set in a fascinating world.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and paranormal/fantasy.
Thanks to Mariner Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Creatures of Charm and Hunger is scheduled for release on April 21, 2020.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
May 16, 2023
Secret societies, spies and libraries! Oh my! All stuff that I love! Not to mention that I really enjoy Molly Tanzer’s work, so I was excited to pick up the last volume of her “Diabolist’s Library” series (which, it must be said, are a series because they are set in the same universe, but can be read as stand-alone stories).
The end of World War II is almost in sight. Two young apprentice diabolists are given the Test, which determines if they will keep going on their chosen path. But on the day of the test, they also learn difficult truths about their families: Miriam learns that there are many in the Société des Éclairées (the organization of diabolists she belongs to) who believe that her parents have betrayed them to the Nazis, and Jane learns her father’s true identity, and that she might be able to leverage this connection to secure her ambition to prove herself as a diabolist. Meanwhile, the Nazis are pushing their own diabolist to create a demonic weapon that could turn the tides of the war in their favor.
This was a fun read, very well paced, and that gave newer insight into Tanzer’s Diabolist universe: the other two stories were very localized, as where this one looks at a broader scope, which defines the magic system we get little glimpses of in the previous novels.
As fun as it was, I find I keep coming back to Tanzer’s earlier work, like “The Pleasure Merchant” and “A Pretty Mouth” more than I do to her more recent work. This is still a great little witchy read, feminist as Hell and bonus points for creating a sibling bond between two women that reads very realistically: Miriam and Jane couldn’t be more different, but their love for each other is real, and they want to be there for each other even when they don’t understand the other’s motivation, and Tanzer wrote them beautifully. I just happen to enjoy Tanzer’s older work a bit more.
The end of World War II is almost in sight. Two young apprentice diabolists are given the Test, which determines if they will keep going on their chosen path. But on the day of the test, they also learn difficult truths about their families: Miriam learns that there are many in the Société des Éclairées (the organization of diabolists she belongs to) who believe that her parents have betrayed them to the Nazis, and Jane learns her father’s true identity, and that she might be able to leverage this connection to secure her ambition to prove herself as a diabolist. Meanwhile, the Nazis are pushing their own diabolist to create a demonic weapon that could turn the tides of the war in their favor.
This was a fun read, very well paced, and that gave newer insight into Tanzer’s Diabolist universe: the other two stories were very localized, as where this one looks at a broader scope, which defines the magic system we get little glimpses of in the previous novels.
As fun as it was, I find I keep coming back to Tanzer’s earlier work, like “The Pleasure Merchant” and “A Pretty Mouth” more than I do to her more recent work. This is still a great little witchy read, feminist as Hell and bonus points for creating a sibling bond between two women that reads very realistically: Miriam and Jane couldn’t be more different, but their love for each other is real, and they want to be there for each other even when they don’t understand the other’s motivation, and Tanzer wrote them beautifully. I just happen to enjoy Tanzer’s older work a bit more.
July 21, 2024
There’s a trope about how the Nazis might have won the war if they’d been able to create the atomic bomb or another similar weapon, but I’ve never seen it deployed the way Molly Tanzer uses it in Creatures of Charm and Hunger. This novel inhabits the world Tanzer created in Creatures of Will and Temper, then expanded in Creatures of Want and Ruin. The magic continues in what I think might be the best book of the trilogy. Tanzer takes that trope, blends it with the stories of two teenaged girls who are desperate to grow up—only to realize that the price is higher than they want to pay...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
April 17, 2020
I love these books so much, historical dramas focused on demons—or more accurately—extradimensional beings who are called demons, and the summoners who invite them in.
CHARM AND HUNGER takes place at the tail end of WW2, and like all of Tanzer’s work, doesn’t go where you expect. Are there Nazi magic users doing evil things with their demons to try and conquer the world? YUP. And they are suitably horrible. But the story is far more. Found family and the challenges of friendship and the horrors of ambition.
Anyway, I love these books, and you should read all of them, but especially this one. And hey, don’t take my word for it, Publisher’s Weekly thinks it’s pretty great, too: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
CHARM AND HUNGER takes place at the tail end of WW2, and like all of Tanzer’s work, doesn’t go where you expect. Are there Nazi magic users doing evil things with their demons to try and conquer the world? YUP. And they are suitably horrible. But the story is far more. Found family and the challenges of friendship and the horrors of ambition.
Anyway, I love these books, and you should read all of them, but especially this one. And hey, don’t take my word for it, Publisher’s Weekly thinks it’s pretty great, too: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
May 2, 2020
Plucky young witches fight Nazis through astral projection! Not only does this book have impressive fantasy world building - but also fully realized complex characters. We get to see much more of the world of diablerie - the act of summoning extra-dimensional creatures into oneself for the fantastic powers they grant. The characters are diabolists - and despite my short description they are "definitely not witches" a tongue in cheek refrain that is put to the test by one characters becoming as witchy as humanly possible. This book has one of the all time great literary cats - Smudge - who is somehow more cat-like when being possessed by a demon (perhaps all cats are possessed by demons at all times). There is some highly satisfying Nazi punching, some extremely tense action scenes, while still having a ton of emotional complexity.
May 6, 2020
Witches Fighting Fascism?! 100% Right For Me
A great continuation of this series and I didn't want it to end. Tanzer developed amazing and tragic characters once again. The story captured the mood and power of growing out of adolescence, and explored the personal responsibility in the fight against fascism. Perfect read for a late night. Just one more, please?
A great continuation of this series and I didn't want it to end. Tanzer developed amazing and tragic characters once again. The story captured the mood and power of growing out of adolescence, and explored the personal responsibility in the fight against fascism. Perfect read for a late night. Just one more, please?
April 17, 2020
The premise is simple enough: Jane Blackwood and Miriam Cantor have been raised together for the past several years after Miriam's family sent her to stay with Jane's mother, Nancy, in England. Both Jane and Miriam's families are diabolists, and the young women are eager to become diabolists themselves. So much can go wrong when summoning and consorting with demons, and it does. But, to my delight, not quite as I expected.
Tanzer does an excellent job of building dread and suspense, sprinkling so many hints of what could be going wrong without being too heavy-handed. Enough ambiguity to keep things interesting, but enough answers to keep the story from being frustrating. I also enjoyed the dramatic irony enabled by the book's multiple perspectives. The characters aren't stupid: they know when they're doing something dangerous - but exactly *how* dangerous often isn't clear until too late.
I found the beginning a little slow, but the story keeps picking up and by the last third I could not put the book down. I had to stop myself more than once from putting my hand over my mouth at some of the more horrifying revelations, and at one point actually reread the same passage half a dozen times before I could move on because I was so dreading what would come next.
This book is not for the faint-hearted, between the terrible glimpses of Nazi experiments, the violence in some action scenes, and the horrifying consequences, both physically and spiritually, of certain magical decisions. If you enjoy a heaping dose of horror along with your magic, this is a book for you.
My biggest complaint about Creatures of Charm and Hunger is that it is the final book in this series. I enjoyed the previous two novels as well, and not only would I read a dozen more books set in this world, I would have loved to see an abridged version of The Book of Known Demons. Alas!
Tanzer does an excellent job of building dread and suspense, sprinkling so many hints of what could be going wrong without being too heavy-handed. Enough ambiguity to keep things interesting, but enough answers to keep the story from being frustrating. I also enjoyed the dramatic irony enabled by the book's multiple perspectives. The characters aren't stupid: they know when they're doing something dangerous - but exactly *how* dangerous often isn't clear until too late.
I found the beginning a little slow, but the story keeps picking up and by the last third I could not put the book down. I had to stop myself more than once from putting my hand over my mouth at some of the more horrifying revelations, and at one point actually reread the same passage half a dozen times before I could move on because I was so dreading what would come next.
This book is not for the faint-hearted, between the terrible glimpses of Nazi experiments, the violence in some action scenes, and the horrifying consequences, both physically and spiritually, of certain magical decisions. If you enjoy a heaping dose of horror along with your magic, this is a book for you.
My biggest complaint about Creatures of Charm and Hunger is that it is the final book in this series. I enjoyed the previous two novels as well, and not only would I read a dozen more books set in this world, I would have loved to see an abridged version of The Book of Known Demons. Alas!
June 7, 2020
Easily among the best books I've read this year, and probably quite a bit longer than that. Characters, especially Miriam and Jane, are treated with a refreshing respect and granted well-rounded personalities where it would have been so easy to simplify them. There's no shortage of high stakes action and ethical dilemmas, and the world is obviously well researched and well understood. Tanzer has a rare and rewarding ability to resolve situations in a way that's neither too convenient nor too punishing.
October 18, 2021
Review in the April 2020 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2020/03...
Three Words That Describe This Book: atmospheric, strong world building, character centered
Three Words That Describe This Book: atmospheric, strong world building, character centered
August 5, 2020
Quick confession- I did not realize this was Book # 3 of the Diabolist’s Library series when I requested it however I do not think the story was heavily reliant on its predecessors so we can just chalk it up to me having a slight “blonde” moment in my arc- requesting.
That being said, Creatures of Charm and Hunger was definitely different. Two young girls, envious of each other, forced apart by the deviously dangerous secrets they keep in their journey towards becoming a Diabolist in the renowned societe.
The relationship of Jane and Miriam was brilliantly written by Molly Tanzer as she gave us everything- the good, the bad, the ugly and I love when writers bring new dynamics to the writing game. Sure any writer can give us two jealous girls, but Molly gave us envy mixed with love, fear mixed with bravado, lust vs. love, narcissism vs. humility and the harsh realities of religious and cultural segregation.
While I loved these characters, creatures of charm and hunger was a LOT to digest. The world of Societe was intricate and descriptive to the point of confusion. I appreciate a well built bookverse as much as the next bookist but this was a plot within a plot within a plot within a plot and oh mama, it was a lot to keep track of. I also found certain areas were exaggerated such as the issue of diabolist vs witchcraft and the decisions made by the girls but other pinnacle areas were given a quick rush through. I know we are setting the stage for the next book in the series but leaving some issues flat without justification isn’t really that great either.
Creatures of charm and hunger was definitely different from other paranormal stories out there and would appeal to those looking for new paranormal worlds, secret societies and historical fiction from WWII era.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Mariner Books and Molly Tanzer for a providing me with an arc for review.
Check out my review here: https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/...
That being said, Creatures of Charm and Hunger was definitely different. Two young girls, envious of each other, forced apart by the deviously dangerous secrets they keep in their journey towards becoming a Diabolist in the renowned societe.
The relationship of Jane and Miriam was brilliantly written by Molly Tanzer as she gave us everything- the good, the bad, the ugly and I love when writers bring new dynamics to the writing game. Sure any writer can give us two jealous girls, but Molly gave us envy mixed with love, fear mixed with bravado, lust vs. love, narcissism vs. humility and the harsh realities of religious and cultural segregation.
While I loved these characters, creatures of charm and hunger was a LOT to digest. The world of Societe was intricate and descriptive to the point of confusion. I appreciate a well built bookverse as much as the next bookist but this was a plot within a plot within a plot within a plot and oh mama, it was a lot to keep track of. I also found certain areas were exaggerated such as the issue of diabolist vs witchcraft and the decisions made by the girls but other pinnacle areas were given a quick rush through. I know we are setting the stage for the next book in the series but leaving some issues flat without justification isn’t really that great either.
Creatures of charm and hunger was definitely different from other paranormal stories out there and would appeal to those looking for new paranormal worlds, secret societies and historical fiction from WWII era.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Mariner Books and Molly Tanzer for a providing me with an arc for review.
Check out my review here: https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/...
August 6, 2020
The third book in a distantly related series—each of which differ in period and setting and should be fully explored on their own—this Diabolist Library story unfolds in the latter days of WWII. Occult practices are not so fledgling or hidden in this world, as both sides use possession and spells in their war efforts. But this novel focuses on more personal secrets, as two teenage best friends Miriam and Jane seek answers about missing parents. They are both intricate characters, each struggling with their own dangerous self-selected journey, and still remain envious, rash, and intrepid; a haunting test of their bond and their mortality.
As with Tanzer’s other works, the writing itself is captivating, moving flawlessly from intimate to sinister to joyful to profound; with a sense of detail and design that manifests place, character, and story in one’s mind. None will forget the freedom and disorientation of astral projection, the reticent inner whisper of a demon, the baleful cat’s shadow.
Walk with these creatures, human and otherwise. Then go back and read the first two novels in the Diabolist Library.
As with Tanzer’s other works, the writing itself is captivating, moving flawlessly from intimate to sinister to joyful to profound; with a sense of detail and design that manifests place, character, and story in one’s mind. None will forget the freedom and disorientation of astral projection, the reticent inner whisper of a demon, the baleful cat’s shadow.
Walk with these creatures, human and otherwise. Then go back and read the first two novels in the Diabolist Library.
May 9, 2020
DNF@ Chapter 13.
Miriam and Jane, two young witches who were once as tight as woven wool, are taunted by secrets and new challenges that not only endanger those they love, but the very essence of their souls.
——————————————————————————
Nazi diabolists are searching for a new weapon to try to regain control of an already lost war, including the use of experimentation on prisoners that often end in death. Miles away, in a country-side setting, the library sits and protects centuries of occult knowledge. Miriam, Jane, and Jane’s mother, Nancy, guard the secrets of the Société des Éclairées and soon execute the test that will decide if Miriam and Jane are able to become Master Diabolists.
Throughout the turmoil of the world, Miriam soon finds out that her parents are suspected of treason throughout the society and she determines she must prove their innocence. She begins to expand her practices in ways that not only test her determination, but test her abilities as well. Jane, at the same time as Miriam, finds out the information she needs about her long lost father, who is the judge for all those who fail the Test of the Society. Jane resolves in practicing darker and darker magic in order to prove herself worthy of the Master title, despite the amount of danger it puts her and everyone she loves in.
———————————————————————————
I had such high expectations for this novel; I mean who wouldn’t want to read a book that centered around witches, magic, demons and Nazi Germany?
Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
Throughout the first few chapters, I did think the novel was moving rather slowly. Normally, I try to keep pushing through because usually about halfway the plot line starts making sense and taking a definite direction. I felt this book, at chapter thirteen was nothing but a repeat of the same information over and over about the girls’ education.
Jane also was not the most endearing character I’ve ever met due to her often bratty, self-centered attitude complex. While her mother does dote on Miriam a bit more, I don’t feel like the attitude she is continually met with is merited. Miriam, however, in the small amount I did complete, seemed more well-rounded and better suited for the role of a Master.
I do think the wording of the environment descriptions was well done throughout the thirteen chapters and they are a solid basis for a truly magical, but realistic world. The realism of the lack of acceptance of Miriam is also a staggering portrayal, but leaves much to be desired. It was unrealistic that Miriam could be in plain sight in such a way due to the war, which often bothered me as I read.
This book, while endearing for many readers it seems, just wasn’t for me.
Miriam and Jane, two young witches who were once as tight as woven wool, are taunted by secrets and new challenges that not only endanger those they love, but the very essence of their souls.
——————————————————————————
Nazi diabolists are searching for a new weapon to try to regain control of an already lost war, including the use of experimentation on prisoners that often end in death. Miles away, in a country-side setting, the library sits and protects centuries of occult knowledge. Miriam, Jane, and Jane’s mother, Nancy, guard the secrets of the Société des Éclairées and soon execute the test that will decide if Miriam and Jane are able to become Master Diabolists.
Throughout the turmoil of the world, Miriam soon finds out that her parents are suspected of treason throughout the society and she determines she must prove their innocence. She begins to expand her practices in ways that not only test her determination, but test her abilities as well. Jane, at the same time as Miriam, finds out the information she needs about her long lost father, who is the judge for all those who fail the Test of the Society. Jane resolves in practicing darker and darker magic in order to prove herself worthy of the Master title, despite the amount of danger it puts her and everyone she loves in.
———————————————————————————
I had such high expectations for this novel; I mean who wouldn’t want to read a book that centered around witches, magic, demons and Nazi Germany?
Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
Throughout the first few chapters, I did think the novel was moving rather slowly. Normally, I try to keep pushing through because usually about halfway the plot line starts making sense and taking a definite direction. I felt this book, at chapter thirteen was nothing but a repeat of the same information over and over about the girls’ education.
Jane also was not the most endearing character I’ve ever met due to her often bratty, self-centered attitude complex. While her mother does dote on Miriam a bit more, I don’t feel like the attitude she is continually met with is merited. Miriam, however, in the small amount I did complete, seemed more well-rounded and better suited for the role of a Master.
I do think the wording of the environment descriptions was well done throughout the thirteen chapters and they are a solid basis for a truly magical, but realistic world. The realism of the lack of acceptance of Miriam is also a staggering portrayal, but leaves much to be desired. It was unrealistic that Miriam could be in plain sight in such a way due to the war, which often bothered me as I read.
This book, while endearing for many readers it seems, just wasn’t for me.
May 10, 2020
Sometimes, often in the first book of a series, it seems like there's a definite temptation for an author to stick in just a little more plot than that book can handle - if there's one thing to say about Creatures of Charm and Hunger, it's that it's one of those books.
The basic premise is that our main characters, Jane and Miriam, are teenage girls who are both studying to become diabolists - to use a form of magic that involves binding demons and then using their essence to support a pact made between demon and diabolist. There's also something going on here about plants being involved but that kind of didn't quite stick in my mind while I was reading this, so I'm not 100% clear how it works. Anyway, both are about to take their Test (hey, you know it's serious when random capital letters are involved), to see if they're good enough to be allowed to make a Pact with a demon or not. At one point, they happen to discover that if they don't pass, they might be used as materia themselves, so better pass I guess?
This is all going on with a backdrop of the later stages of World War 2, which is where the slight overload of stuff going on starts to happen. There's a raid spearheaded by Jane's aunt Edith, which goes spectacularly wrong and doesn't seem to have all that clear a reasoning behind it in the first place, and also Miriam uses forbidden magic to try and discover the fate of her parents. Meanwhile, Jane has failed her Test and is also dabbling with powers beyond her control and sets off a disastrous chain of events in the family home.
There's also quite a lot of exposition, which means the pace of Creatures of Charm and Hunger drags at times. There's a lot going on here that's interesting, especially the stuff around Jane's choice of very stereotypical witch behaviour (enchanting a broomstick, cackling etc.) but the denouement around what happens to Jane's mother falls quite flat. Jane herself seems to just shrug and walk away, which is convenient for the continuation of the series but didn't ring true. So, all in all, an interesting enough book but not one where I'll be looking that hard to read any further.
On an unrelated note, I wish the author would stop giving her books very similar titles - this is the third book with 'Creatures of [something] and [something]' and they're not really a series as such as far as I can tell.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
The basic premise is that our main characters, Jane and Miriam, are teenage girls who are both studying to become diabolists - to use a form of magic that involves binding demons and then using their essence to support a pact made between demon and diabolist. There's also something going on here about plants being involved but that kind of didn't quite stick in my mind while I was reading this, so I'm not 100% clear how it works. Anyway, both are about to take their Test (hey, you know it's serious when random capital letters are involved), to see if they're good enough to be allowed to make a Pact with a demon or not. At one point, they happen to discover that if they don't pass, they might be used as materia themselves, so better pass I guess?
This is all going on with a backdrop of the later stages of World War 2, which is where the slight overload of stuff going on starts to happen. There's a raid spearheaded by Jane's aunt Edith, which goes spectacularly wrong and doesn't seem to have all that clear a reasoning behind it in the first place, and also Miriam uses forbidden magic to try and discover the fate of her parents. Meanwhile, Jane has failed her Test and is also dabbling with powers beyond her control and sets off a disastrous chain of events in the family home.
There's also quite a lot of exposition, which means the pace of Creatures of Charm and Hunger drags at times. There's a lot going on here that's interesting, especially the stuff around Jane's choice of very stereotypical witch behaviour (enchanting a broomstick, cackling etc.) but the denouement around what happens to Jane's mother falls quite flat. Jane herself seems to just shrug and walk away, which is convenient for the continuation of the series but didn't ring true. So, all in all, an interesting enough book but not one where I'll be looking that hard to read any further.
On an unrelated note, I wish the author would stop giving her books very similar titles - this is the third book with 'Creatures of [something] and [something]' and they're not really a series as such as far as I can tell.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2020
The third and final volume of Molly Tanzer's Diabolist series.
Once again, whilst being based upon the same theme as the previous books, it takes place in a different time and place with different characters. There are a couple of minor references to things we may recall from previous titles, but this is an all-new story.
This time we look at what happens when Diabolists get organised and start forming the inevitable societies, with all of their rules and regulations. This makes it a very different thing from the dabbling individuals in the previous books; here we have organisation and serious study. And this is shown to be both a useful system for properly training apprentices and (hopefully) containing wild cards, and yet also somehow stifling and frustrating to creative spirits.
Set during the Second World War, and with Diabolists on both sides, there are several events with very high stakes and lethal outcomes going on in this story. And the anguish and shock is not spared when these things happen. I'll spoil nothing here, but some chapters are strong meat.
But the two main characters are Miriam and Jane, two girls just coming of age and looking to shortly become fully-fledged Diabolists. And the bulk of the novel's activity takes place in a remote farmhouse in Northern England where these girls live with Nancy, Jane's mother. Miriam's parents are currently missing, their fate unknown, behind enemy lines.
In spite of the large things happening in the world, it is the events in the farmhouse that hold our attention throughout, as both girls individually confront the question of their own identity, and each in their own way reach beyond the restriction of the Societe of Diabolists in order to be true to themselves and do what they believe needs to be done, each of them in their own very different way.
The ending is both surprising and very, very satisfying. A magnificent read and a fine conclusion.
Once again, whilst being based upon the same theme as the previous books, it takes place in a different time and place with different characters. There are a couple of minor references to things we may recall from previous titles, but this is an all-new story.
This time we look at what happens when Diabolists get organised and start forming the inevitable societies, with all of their rules and regulations. This makes it a very different thing from the dabbling individuals in the previous books; here we have organisation and serious study. And this is shown to be both a useful system for properly training apprentices and (hopefully) containing wild cards, and yet also somehow stifling and frustrating to creative spirits.
Set during the Second World War, and with Diabolists on both sides, there are several events with very high stakes and lethal outcomes going on in this story. And the anguish and shock is not spared when these things happen. I'll spoil nothing here, but some chapters are strong meat.
But the two main characters are Miriam and Jane, two girls just coming of age and looking to shortly become fully-fledged Diabolists. And the bulk of the novel's activity takes place in a remote farmhouse in Northern England where these girls live with Nancy, Jane's mother. Miriam's parents are currently missing, their fate unknown, behind enemy lines.
In spite of the large things happening in the world, it is the events in the farmhouse that hold our attention throughout, as both girls individually confront the question of their own identity, and each in their own way reach beyond the restriction of the Societe of Diabolists in order to be true to themselves and do what they believe needs to be done, each of them in their own very different way.
The ending is both surprising and very, very satisfying. A magnificent read and a fine conclusion.
September 25, 2020
This third volume in the “Diabolist” series focuses on a family of diabolists – magic workers who draw their power from pact-bound demons. There is, of course, always a catch and always a price. To minimize the danger, diabloists through the centuries have kept meticulous notes on the names, temperaments, and histories of the known demons. Nancy Blackwood is one of a lineage of librarians guarding these and other critical documents. While her sister, Edith, engages in the larger world (in this case, the end of World War II), Nancy lives in a remote British village, along with her Hollywood-obsessed daughter, Jane, and her ward, Jewish refugee Miriam, both student diabolists about to embark upon the “Test” that will lead to full privileges and their own demons. After passing their Tests, each embarks upon perilous paths in violation of the rules: Jane, eager to hide that she has in reality failed her Test, creates a familiar by placing a demonic spirit into her pet cat, but lacks the experience to truly bind it to obedience; and Miriam goes searching for her parents, captives of the Nazis, by taking over the bodies of animals and then people, at a terrible cost to her own spiritual self. What could possibly go wrong?
Tanzer perfectly captures life in a secluded, rambling house in a small British village toward the end of the Second World War, weaving in a story of brash youth, tested friendships, treacherous demons, and consequences. If this is truly the last of the series, I will be sad to see it end.
Tanzer perfectly captures life in a secluded, rambling house in a small British village toward the end of the Second World War, weaving in a story of brash youth, tested friendships, treacherous demons, and consequences. If this is truly the last of the series, I will be sad to see it end.
Read
May 23, 2023Ok, I might come back to this later. It's not bad. I don't love the treatment of the black character. From her POV, describing "her black skin," I'm not black but I don't think I've literally ever thought about my skin in terms of colour, "my yellow skin" is something I have never thought. It has a little bit of American Dirt "my sister's brown neck" vibes. Also the black character uses magic to pass for white, but beyond a mention of doing it, there's not much exploration of being an adopted black British diabolist who basically has to pass as white to live.
The reason I might come back to this later even though of the above thing I don't love is that
and my beloved cat just suddently died not even two weeks ago. We tried really hard and so did he. Sooooo, I'm just not up for seeing a person be so cavalier about the love of a cat right now. That's definitely a me thing, and I might revisit this book when I am not thinking so much about how I would contract a deal with a demon if I could have him back with me again. It's not fair to judge a book for an unfortunate resonance with my life, but I am going to take a big break.
The reason I might come back to this later even though of the above thing I don't love is that
and my beloved cat just suddently died not even two weeks ago. We tried really hard and so did he. Sooooo, I'm just not up for seeing a person be so cavalier about the love of a cat right now. That's definitely a me thing, and I might revisit this book when I am not thinking so much about how I would contract a deal with a demon if I could have him back with me again. It's not fair to judge a book for an unfortunate resonance with my life, but I am going to take a big break.
August 3, 2025
I like this ambitious story. Albeit I have mixed feelings about the end because there wasn’t a conclusion so much as a cliffhanger which defies the trilogy label. Both of the main characters have l unfinished business - The Hunter sisters, the murders, Jane’s father. I also struggled with the lack of concern for Nancy. The story is engaging and complex however the perspective switches make the book repetitive at times as they recount the same events. It’s odd Nancy’s perspective wasn’t included while Edith’s was - Nancy was just as important to the plot before Cornelia came to be.
Miriam’s identity is crucial to the plot and is heavily elaborated on in a way but the other characters are neglected in that regard - okay Nancy and Edith are black but is Patrice white because Jane is described as having pale skin and a big nose? So is Miriam then supposed to be passing for biracial. And given the era wouldn’t Jane, Nancy and Edith known prejudice, and discrimination in a similar if not more nuanced way than Miriam. Edith is literally called an African savage. But only Miriam is expressive and misplaces her anger at Jane. I’ll chock this up to a an author trying to write black or POC characters and failing due to their narrative bias.
Miriam’s identity is crucial to the plot and is heavily elaborated on in a way but the other characters are neglected in that regard - okay Nancy and Edith are black but is Patrice white because Jane is described as having pale skin and a big nose? So is Miriam then supposed to be passing for biracial. And given the era wouldn’t Jane, Nancy and Edith known prejudice, and discrimination in a similar if not more nuanced way than Miriam. Edith is literally called an African savage. But only Miriam is expressive and misplaces her anger at Jane. I’ll chock this up to a an author trying to write black or POC characters and failing due to their narrative bias.
May 12, 2020
Creatures of Charm and Hunger is about two young diabolists, Jane and Miriam, raised like sisters, whose paths veer away from each other, set during World War II. I didn't realize this is the last book in a trilogy, but as a story it stands apart. I like the concept, and really enjoyed Miriam's story in particular. As half-Jewish German refugee Miriam seeks to learn what happened to her parents and in her own rogue way assist the war effort, her methods, emotions, and the WWII backdrop all tie together neatly, and the side story of Jane's aunt Edith complements it. All of this is so high stakes, that it makes it almost impossible to care about Jane, who occasionally seems immature and selfish even for a 16-year-old. Her relationship with her mother and Miriam are challenging, and these tensions are central to the book, but I also found them to be the most mundane sections, and least specific to the time in history. The story leaves far too many questions unanswered for the final book in a trilogy. It has its moments, but could have been so much better.
November 4, 2020
My dear friend recommended this series to me last year for Halloween and overall I have really enjoyed them. So far Creatures of Want and Ruin is my favorite, but this one is a close second. I really enjoyed the concepts in this one; very reminiscent of Egyptian Mythology/the Egyptian Magicians. Is it the most amazing writing? No, and I was also a little sad that the cover art had a smaller black cat when the cat in the story is large and grey; Smokey would be a great cover cat. But it’s certainly enjoyable, easy/fast reading, and just creepy enough for the spooky season! I’ll definitely check more from Molly Tanzer out and look forward to more from this series!
June 29, 2020
Not quite what I expected, but good nonetheless! The third book in a series of urban/historical fantasies about magic, this novel follows two teens (and a Nazi hunter) as they use their satanist powers to discover more about their families and themselves. Because there were so many perspectives, it took a little while to find the narrative thrust here and one POV disappeared somewhat jarringly in the middle. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the difference between the two teen perspectives and the ways magic was portrayed. I loved the magic world, and the undercurrents of world events.
Read
August 17, 2022liked this one fairly well but thought it dragged in the middle a bit. generally i think the characters were good and i liked how they were all being kind of dicks to each other and none of them are really In The Right. interesting to come in at #3 in a series and be like 'this is the magic government and the school system' where the first books skipped over it. think that maybe that might be a little of where it lost me though since a lot of the problems are very Teen Problems which i need to be in a very specific mood to enjoy.
May 15, 2020
I liked this mix of fantasy and historical fiction as it's gripping and entertaining.
The world building is interesting and I liked how it mixes historical elements with fantasy, the characters are well thought and I liked them.
The plot is enthralling and well crafted and it kept me hooked till the end.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The world building is interesting and I liked how it mixes historical elements with fantasy, the characters are well thought and I liked them.
The plot is enthralling and well crafted and it kept me hooked till the end.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
June 12, 2020
It's been a long time since I rationed out a book in order to prolong my enjoyment of it, but that's exactly what I did in this final installment of The Diabolist's Library trilogy.
I laughed. I cried. I shook my fist at the bad guys. Every page held a new delight and emotion. The depth of story-telling at the level of the line was exquisite, as was character development. There is nothing not to love about this book.
Go get it immediately!
I laughed. I cried. I shook my fist at the bad guys. Every page held a new delight and emotion. The depth of story-telling at the level of the line was exquisite, as was character development. There is nothing not to love about this book.
Go get it immediately!
June 21, 2020
I must admit to feeling a little disappointed in the third of the Diabolist series. The character development was not as "rounded" as her last two novels.However this is still a good read, and somewhat compelling. I did read this in two sittings so I cannot have been that disappointed. If you have read the other two in The Diabolist's Library series then you must read this.Note I have still given Charm and Hunger 4 stars.
May 29, 2020
This book was about a group of diabolists. Jane and Miriam are about to take their Tests. They need to see if they are suited to summon a personal demon. Miriam has been living with Jane and her mother to hide from Nazis. Apparently, there are diabolists working with the Nazis and some against. Each girl has a problem that can't be solved without doing something forbidden by the diabolical society. They use magic they are not ready for. I really enjoyed this book! Would recommend!
September 7, 2021
That went...darker than I thought it would. On the other hand, when getting revenge on the Nazis who tortured your parents, all bets are off.
Tagged "lgbtqa" because Jane thinks explicitly to herself twice that she has absolutely no sexual or romantic interest in anyone and never has, which counts as aro-ace representation in my book.
Tagged "lgbtqa" because Jane thinks explicitly to herself twice that she has absolutely no sexual or romantic interest in anyone and never has, which counts as aro-ace representation in my book.
May 6, 2025
Holy sh*t. This is witchy horror dialed up to 11. Horror is not really my cup of tea, hence the lower rating, but it IS well executed. It takes a little bit to get going but then it definitely does. I WILL say, the ending is unsatisfying... I wondered if there was another book to be expected, but Tanzer says this is the last in the series. 🤷
May 15, 2020
Unfortunately, although I really wanted to, I just couldn't get into this book. I felt the pacing was very, very slow. I finished about 75% thinking that it would get better but it did not. I would read another book by this author, because I did feel like her writing was very good.
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