What Wakes the Bells: A Tale of Beauty and Confusion
Oh boy, where do I even begin with What Wakes the Bells by Kieran M. H. McGowan? I think it was the promise of a gothic fantasy infused with the hauntingly beautiful vibes of The Hunchback of Notre Dame that initially drew me in. As a lover of atmospheric settings, I was eager to plunge into the intricate world of Vaiwyn—a living city steeped in secrets and lore. Yet, as I turned the pages, a familiar frustration crept in. Allow me to unpack my rollercoaster reading experience.
The premise starts with a bang: the city of Vaiwyn, protected by the Vesper Bells crafted by the Saints, holds a dark secret—ring those bells thirteen times, and an evil entity reawakens. Mina Strauss, designated Bell Keeper, is tasked with ensuring the bells never toll that dreaded thirteenth time. The stakes were high, and I was ready for an epic showdown. However, it quickly became apparent that while the potential for deep, rich lore was tangible, the execution left much to be desired.
The atmospheric elements of this novel are undeniably its greatest strength. Imagine wandering through Lyndell Hall, a gothic dream filled with iron chandeliers and long staircases. It evokes the charm of Edinburgh and Prague, wrapped in an intoxicating air of mystery. Yet, amidst this haunting beauty, I found myself lost, grappling with an overload of characters and magic systems that felt insufficiently explained. This lack of clarity is particularly jarring in fantasy, where well-defined worlds and coherent systems of magic are essential to fully immerse oneself.
The dialogue at times felt like a jumble of interpretations, leaving me scratching my head. For instance, the concept of immortals who die yet return in altered forms contrasts awkwardly with claims that an immortal saint could be “not tethered” to this world. I found myself rereading passages, both frustrated and confused, yearning for a clearer understanding of the very fabric of this world. When a book raises more questions than it answers, it can dampen the magic of the narrative.
The villain, Bane, could have been a multi-dimensional character with an engaging backstory, yet his motivations felt undercooked—almost cartoonish in their simplicity. This superficiality in character development made it hard to invest in the conflict, and I longed for richer interactions and more profound emotional stakes.
Despite my grievances, I cannot deny that McGowan has created something imaginative. The gothic atmosphere pulls you in, and the unique magic system holds promise. For readers who relish intricate lore and don’t mind pieces of the puzzle being obscured, this book may still be a delightful venture.
In conclusion, while What Wakes the Bells dazzled me with its enchanting setting and vivid imagery, I found myself yearning for more clarity and depth in its storytelling. If you’re a reader who craves polished worldbuilding and character-driven plots, this may leave you feeling frustrated—much like I was. However, those open to a more ethereal and atmospheric experience might find this a worthwhile read.
If you appreciate beautiful prose and haunting settings, this book may resonate with you. It’s a story just waiting for its potential to unfold; all it needs is some editing. Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
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