The Apothecary's Curse

August 22, 2016
Barnett’s debut drowns an intriguing premise in unrelenting pain and misery. Gaelan Erceldoune and Dr. Simon Bell have been rendered immune to death by powerful medicines. The plot centers on the disappearance of the eldritch book of medicine that explains the immortality potion; the book itself sounds fascinating, but its absence renders that interest moot. By intertwining multiple time periods, Barnett undermines any opportunity for tension or interest throughout the bulk of the narrative. No matter how horrifying or improbable the peril, the outcome has already been revealed. This removes the tension from scenes of bodily harm and torture, rendering them tedious and distasteful. The writing style is repetitive and derivative. The resolution is as unsatisfying as it is predictable. The author has taken pains to thoroughly research her ideas, but they are shallowly explored and hardly make an impact. Agent: Katherine Sands, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary.