Review of The Undying of Obedience Wellrest by Nicholas Bowling

 

Chicken House Books - The Undying of Obedience Wellrest

I’m a fan of Micaela Alcaino’s covers, and her design for The Undying of Obedience Wellrest really sets the tone and genre for the story within.

I must admit that this is the first book of Nicholas Bowling’s that I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last!

From the first line I was absolutely hooked - ‘For my fifteenth birthday my Pa left me dig my own grave.’

Mosca is a scene stealer whenever he’s around, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a pet fly in a book before. And who wouldn’t want a ‘fly on the wall’ to keep an eye on things.

The writing has an almost lyrical, melodic quality to it, with a twisty and intriguing plot to go with it. Set in 1832 it really gives a window into the lives and limitations placed upon some people during this time, and some of the prejudices they would face.

It’s a dual narrative with Ned, a gravekeeper in training starting the story, and Obedience Wellrest (Bede) a young woman interested in science, but suppressed thanks to the patriarchy of the society in which she lives.

With Ned’s Pa growing increasingly frail, he has to take on more responsibility, and with graverobbers about this is no easy talk. Whilst Bede is desperate to make her mark in life and use her intellect for science, her father is determined to marry her off to Phineas Mordaunt, a charming man that is not quite what he seems.

There are some lovely scenes between all of the characters, I do think that Bede really steals the show. She is a fabulously complex and intelligent character with great wit, and I found myself desperate for her to succeed, especially as she is taken to greater and greater depths of despair.

The Undying of Obedience Wellrest is a gothic tale with echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’s Monster, and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, but for a YA audience. At times there are some quite uncomfortable scenes as the macabre mystery unfolds - it’s a thrilling tale that will keep you on your toes and bringing surprises right up until the end.

Thank you to Chicken House for the review copy of The Undying of Obedience Wellrest, and make sure to check out the rest of the tour this week, details of which can be found below.

You can also join me on Twitter on Wednesday 13^th December for #ukteenchat at 8pm GMT, when I’ll be chatting with Nicholas all about The Undying of Obedience Wellrest.

Emma Finlayson-Palmer 🏳️‍🌈 She/Her (@FinlaysonPalmer) / X (twitter.com)