Leanne Olson

by Lina Rather

releasing October 31, 2023 from Tordotcom

This horror-fantasy novella is set in 17th Century London, England, where babies are suddenly being born with creepy mutations: gills, horns, extra eyes, or fur. 

Sarah Davis is a young queer woman training to be a midwife who is hired by a wealthy family to deliver the wife’s baby.

I loved the atmosphere in this novella. The world of 17th century London and the paranoia about women’s magic is vividly rendered.  I loved Sarah’s murderous backstory and her plucky drive to make more of her life.

I found the magical elements a bit hazy and I was a bit disappointed there wasn’t more focus on the mysterious children by the end, but overall I really enjoyed this novella.  

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions comes out on Hallowe’en and is a wonderful quick, creepy read to close out a spooky fall night.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Tordotcom for my review copy of this novella.