"They're just ordinary girls."
"Ordinary, yes," says Irene. "But what ordinary girl wouldn't be dangerous, holding all them memories of her last breath?"

The dark, swamp-like atmosphere instantly sucked me in. What initially drew me to the story was its focus on the role women—and particularly the water spirits, the panni raklies—play in this town. Their haunting presence felt both unsettling and yet intriguing at the same time.

As the story progressed, certain moments took on a fever-dream quality, which, while sometimes hard to follow, ultimately added character to the narrative. However, the story often felt haunting and eerie rather than genuinely scary, and I craved a deeper dive into the darker, creepier aspects hinted at throughout.

The short chapters made the story move quickly, and I ended up reading it all in one sitting.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable and fast-paced read, perfect for fans of literary fiction with a hint of horror.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the e-arc!

Origins of Desire in Orchid Fens by Lynn Hutchinson Lee was so so cool to read I couldn't put it down for a second. I rated it 5 stars because I really loved this story.

I have a new favorite author!

This book is so deep and personal. It is beautifully written. I consumed this in two days. A true masterpiece in my opinion.

The main character, Orchid, is so relatable with emotions and trying to understand life and all the trials that come with it. She is fallible and human. I fell in love with Orchid. Her secrets will always remain with me.

I learned of many new types of flowers and mushrooms, too.

I need more Lynn Hutchinson Lee.

#NetGalley #OriginsofDesireinOrchidFens

This started out really strong and I had such high hopes for a super eerie and unsettling horror read.

What I got fell flat in the horror department, it was certainly unsettling but I really wish that I was given more in the action horror sense.

I found myself extremely confused a lot of the time at what was going, I don’t know if this was intended but at the end of the book I really couldn’t even tell you what happened, I’m so confused.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this early.

"The fen belongs to itself. Like us, it protects its own. It is a force like no other. It has no mercy."

This is a gripping tale of a small community fighting against the corruption of a ruthless mining company and the brutality they inflict on the town's citizens. The story unfolds through the eyes of Orchid, a Romany woman navigating a complex relationship with her mother, the injustices faced by her people, and her involvement with the panni raklies' quest for revenge.

Told in haunting, bittersweet chapters, this story hooked me far more than I initially expected, though I did struggle to follow it at times. The writing is stunning and deeply atmospheric.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

There are many different types of horror throughout this novella. There is the Romani diaspora; the revenge of the panni raklies, a group of water spirits who have been murdered; and the climate horror of the attack of the mine on the wetland. The story is told through lyrical, descriptive mini-chapters that bring life to the fens. 5 stars.