I do think the cover is a bit misleading, but it still caught my eye. Overall I loved the writing and the vibes of the book, the beautiful gothic tale with a mix of historical fiction and fantasy. The mix of beauty, sex, misogyny, and women's autonomy in relation to what "we" must do to hook a man in whatever act. Revenge in this nature is served hot. This a subject matter that I like many women find interesting. It was a very enjoyable read, I think the back third fell flat at times but I still was hooked. Thank you for this advanced copy.

I struggled with the first 3/4 of this book. Sluggish and almost boring it leaves out the horror in favor of way too much background building. The last 1/4 moves the plot along quickly and ties things together, finally bringing the horror we've all wanted.

I wouldn't recommend it as a read, but it's not badly written. Readers who love the Georgian era might appreciate the world building.

I couldn't sleep for days after learning about the Anatomical Venus figures in "Slashed Beauties." These haunting wax women, with their exposed organs and serene faces, lingered in my mind long after I closed the book.

Rushby masterfully weaves dual timelines that gradually reveal their sinister connections. In present-day Seoul, antiques dealer Alys acquires Elizabeth, the third and final Venus figure rumored to murder men who've wronged women. Meanwhile, in 1763 London, we witness Eleanor and Emily fall under the spell of Elizabeth, a captivating courtesan who isn't the savior she appears to be. The contrast between modern-day horror and historical survival creates an unsettling tension throughout.

The gothic elements shine brightest in the lore surrounding these anatomical models. Originally created for medical students using sex workers as models, Rushby transforms these historical artifacts into vessels of vengeance with a supernatural curse that spans centuries.

What surprised me most was the nuanced portrayal of women's relationships. The book explores both protective sisterhoods and cutthroat betrayals, showing how desperation forces impossible choices. The Georgian-era scenes broke my heart as women turned against each other for survival in a world designed for their exploitation.

The race against time as Alys works to gather and destroy all three Venuses before their curse consumes her adds genuine suspense to the supernatural elements. Her knowledge of her connection to these figures only heightens the stakes of her desperate mission.

The audiobook narration by Elizabeth Klett brings each character vividly to life, from Alys to Eleanor, Emily, and the detestable Elizabeth. Her performance enhances the emotional impact, making it impossible not to root for Eleanor against Elizabeth's manipulations.

For readers who appreciate gothic horror with historical depth and complex female characters, "Slashed Beauties" delivers a uniquely unsettling experience.

Special thanks to Berkley, Penguin Random House Audio, and NetGalley for my review copies. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.

Allison Rushby's adult horror debut, SLASHED BEAUTIES, was on my TBR the moment I saw the cover. Ten out of ten cover design, Berkley! Thank you @berkleypub for sending me this gorgeous gifted copy. I did not know what to expect when starting this book, but when I saw revenge (one of my favorite things), I knew that gorgeous cover + fun synopsis = Dennis will be reading ASAP!

We get a dual timeline, current day and in 1763, taking place in both London and Seoul (mainly London). In present-day Seoul, antiques dealer Alys has secured the third and final Anatomical Venus, an eerie eighteenth-century wax figure shrouded in dark legend, and travels to England to break her cursed connection to them. In 1763 London, abandoned and penniless Eleanor is drawn into the glittering but dangerous world of courtesan Elizabeth, whose intentions may be far from noble. As their timelines entwine, the truth emerges: to end the witchcraft binding them, all three Venuses must be destroyed—but these haunted, murderous figures may not go quietly.

SLASHED BEAUTIES is more of a historical gothic suspense, but I also think it's the perfect cocktail of Elizabeth Gilbert's City of Girls meets Annabelle. BONKERS, I know. This story doesn't have a lot of jump scares like a typical horror, but the dual timelines between Alys (current day) and the stories of Eleanor, Emily, and Elizabeth provided suspense-oozed intrigue throughout. Revenge, sisterhood, love, and the strength of women are major themes throughout this story. If you are picking up this book, give it until 40% so it sets the stage for what to expect—I promise you won't be disappointed. I enjoyed the mystery of the current day timeline and the darkness of the 1763 timeline. This book is utterly original and I could not pinpoint what was going to happen while reading at all. 5 stars for originality and suspense throughout. I want to read more stories like SLASHED BEAUTIES. STARS: 5, PUB: 9/23

I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, bewitched wax anatomy figures that come to life and murder men in revenge. This of course does happen in the book (eventually), but there is so much more to the story than that. This is a book of female suffering and rage.

The book is told in alternating timelines and POV's. In the past we learn about three beautiful women -- Elizabeth, Emily, and Eleanor. Elizabeth is trying to start a fancy brothel-like gentleman's club, and rescues first Emily and then Eleanor off the streets of London to work for her. But under the lavish exterior. working for Elizabeth isn't the glamourous fun life Eleanor had hoped for, and she and Emily soon become miserable but financially trapped. The present-day timeline follows Alys a merchant in weird objects. She is trying to obtain three wax anatomical models (The Venuses) who were modeled after Elizabeth, Emily, and Eleanor, and destroy them once and for all because they are dangerous.

Both stories are very good and engaging. I really enjoyed the character development for the 3 women (Venuses) and I think the setting and grotesqueries were appropriately described for the experience. I was honestly expecting a bit more of the killing spree portion of the plot versus the backstory, but I can see why it was important and necessary. I especially like the devolution of Elizabeth's character, with her true colors finally showing through her elegant exterior.

Eleanor (and Emily's) story in the past was truly tragic and heartbreaking. Being down on your luck and alone is a recipe for finding yourself in trouble; or trouble finding you. Alys' story in the present is also difficult due to her internal struggles and her duty and responsibilities to her ancestors and the coven. The writing in this book was so good, and while I would have liked more of the "slashing" and revenge on all of the sucky men, I still really enjoyed it.

I will definitely be recommending this one to my horror book club!

4.25 Thank you NetGalley, Berkeley, and A. Rushby for the ARC!
…
This book truly captivated me. It’s a wonderfully eerie historical horror novel told across two timelines. In the present day, we follow Alys, who is investigating the mysterious Venuses (aka “slashed beauties”)—realistic anatomical models of women. In the 18th century, we meet Eleanor, a jilted lover abandoned in London, who’s taken in by the enigmatic Elizabeth and the vivacious Emily.
…
While it’s categorized as horror, I’d say it leans more toward historical fiction with a slow-building sense of dread—which I really enjoyed. This isn’t a jump-scare, Blumhouse-style horror; it’s more A24: haunting, unsettling, and cerebral, with a crescendo of horror at the end.
…
Overall, I found Slashed Beauties to be a fun, engaging, and insightful read, with a fair amount of malevolent dread lurking just beneath the surface—and all the atmosphere. Dual timelines can be hit or miss for me, but this one pulls it off beautifully.

4.25 ⭐

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an ARC for review purposes.

Slashed Beauties is told in two timelines. In the present, Alys has finally come into possession of the third cursed anatomical Venus. In the past, three women work to start a new high-end brothel, which provides the story of how the wax figures came to be and the legend surrounding them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of women striving to find their way among a misogynistic society and industry and was drawn into the mystery of how the women of the night came to be models for the cursed Venuses. I was also intrigued to find out how the two timelines came together and the women came to model for the Venuses. However, this read more like a historical fiction with some magic/fantasy elements than a "body horror" as described in the marketing. The body horror didn't come up until the last 20% of the book and was only as horrifying as an autopsy. While I did enjoy the experience, I think it is being marketed in the wrong way.

Thank you to Random House and Berkley for the early copy for the September book tour, and to PRH Audio for the early listen.

Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby offers an unsettling world where beauty is never simple—at once a risk, a possibility, a tool for revenge, and a danger all its own. The wax figures at the heart of this story aren’t just eerie curiosities; they’re hungry for justice. As the plot slips between present-day Seoul and 18th-century London, the legend of these “slashed beauties” feels chillingly alive. I loved the slow build, watching two timelines twist together until past and present crashed head-on in the most haunting way. On audio especially, Rushby’s story comes across as richly detailed and atmospheric—decadent yet unsettling, full of shadowy corners, whispered promises, and the looming sense that something beautiful and terrible is just beneath the surface. While the magical logic sometimes slips into murkiness, the gothic dread and sharp feminist commentary on bodily autonomy more than delivered.

Read for:
• Gothic vibes + feminist themes laced with revenge
• Exploration of social and gendered pressures on women
• A creative, atmospheric plot with uneasy tension
• Dark, moody historical horror

This one reminded me of the gothic style of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and also a favorite, Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González. If you love feminist revenge tales laced with curses, history, and the supernatural, this one will have you devouring every page.

By the synopsis you can tell that there is a lot going on. A lot of horrible and intriguing things and it's a lot, even before diving in.
Unfortunately, there was SO much happening, so many really fantastic ideas, great writing but the sad part for me is that each of these plots and story arcs aren't fully formed. It's such an unique premise that I almost wished this book was plucked apart and made into two seperate books to give it justice.
It left me really frustrated because I could see the potential but it just couldn't get there with all this other 'stuff' in the way and I even loved the 'stuff'! It was too many good ideas and it was on the brink of being a really great book of the year for me but sadly, it couldn't get there for me.
I will seek another book release from this author because I do enjoy their writing and I'd like to see what else is on the horizon.

"A gothic feminist body horror in two timelines revolving around three Anatomical Venuses - ultrarealistic wax figures of women - that come to life at night to murder men who have wronged them.

Seoul, present day. Antiques dealer Alys's task is nearly complete. She has at last secured Elizabeth, the final anatomical Venus in a dangerously intertwined trio. Crafted in eighteenth-century London and modeled after real-life sex workers to entice male medical students to study female anatomy, these eerie wax figures, known as slashed beauties, carry unsavory lore. Legend has it that the figures are bewitched, and come to life at night to murder men who have wronged them. Now Alys embarks for England, where she knows what she must do: sever her cursed connection to the Venuses once and for all.

London, 1763. Abandoned and penniless in Covent Garden, wide-eyed Eleanor and another young woman, Emily, are taken under the wing of beautiful and beguiling Elizabeth, one of the city's most highly desired courtesans. But as Eleanor is seduced deeper into a web of money, materialism, and men, it seems that Elizabeth may not be the savior she appears to be.

As past and present begin to intersect, it becomes clear that the women's stories are linked in deeper, darker ways than it initially seems. And that the only method for Alys to end the witchcraft that binds her legacy is to gather all three models in one place and destroy them.

The problem is, Elizabeth is not ready to burn. Far from it. Centuries on, she is determined to rise again, and she will obliterate anything standing in her path. Including Alys herself."

I have a very feminist Hammer Horror vibe from this book. I like it.

Many thanks to Berkley and PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own.

I'm super torn on this book and how to rate it. For one, I don't think the blurb gives a super accurate picture of what the book is really about, so my expectations were a little out of wack. So, if you are expecting a horrifying yet exciting story about creepy wax beauties unaliving bad men, I have bad news. What you WILL get is a very sad story about the loss of bodily autonomy, and how men abuse women, and women's very bad options for surviving in a harsh world.

The story is told in 2 timelines: the past were we find out the origin of the 3 Venuses, and the present, where Alys has a strange connection to the beauties and must detroy them. Besides some excitement in the beginning, the "present" chapters ended up dragging a bit. The past timeline with Eleanor, Emily, and Elizabeth was a fascinating and slow-moving horror that goes from hopeful to wretched. Elizabeth is not the sweet and kindly madame she might seem, and Emily and Eleanor are trapped in her net. And yet, they are all three of them trapped in the cages men make for them. Their increasingly desperate attempts to succeed are met with roadblocks at every turn, and veer to the macabre at the end. They are used, abused, and all without their consent.

Unfortunately at the end, the stories do not come together in a satisfying way. Evil witchcraft is at the core of "how" the slashed beauties come to be, but sorting out the details of how things happened was next to impossible. I'm still utterly confused at HOW the magic worked and what it actually did, especially in regards to Elizabeth. The end is a bit of a mess honestly.

The strong parts of the book are the writing and the examination of how women were mistreated. The Venuses were such an interesting premise, but ultimately the magic bogs down the story.
This is probably close to a 3.5 star read. And Elizabeth Klett did a great job with the narration on the audiobook.

A tale for fans of VE Schwab, Slashed Beauties explores female rage and the quest for bodily autonomy over centuries. Compelling at every turn, a great entry into the canon of feminist literature that is as accessible as it is intelligent.

his felt like stepping into a velvet-draped nightmare where beauty hides sharp teeth. The wax figures at the heart of this story aren’t just eerie, they’re hungry for justice, and the way the narrative slips between present-day Seoul and 18th-century London makes their legend feel all the more real. I was completely hooked on the slow build, watching two timelines twist together until the past and present crashed head-on in the most chilling way.

It’s decadent, it’s unsettling, and it’s the kind of gothic horror that makes you want to glance over your shoulder while reading. The atmosphere seeps into your bones: rich with shadowy rooms, whispered promises, and a constant sense that something beautiful and terrible is just out of sight. If you love feminist revenge tales laced with curses, history, and a hint of the supernatural, this one will have you devouring every page.

Tropes:
🕰️ Dual timelines
🖤 Morally gray women
🔮 Cursed artifacts
🩸 Revenge horror
🕯️ Gothic mystery

You might like this book if you enjoy:
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
• Dark, atmospheric historical horror
• Cursed-object stories with teeth
• Feminist revenge arcs that don’t hold back

I went into Slashed Beauties expecting a chilling horror novel about wax figures coming to life and wreaking havoc in the night... but that’s not what this book delivers. Instead, it leans heavily into historical fiction with only the faintest touches of witchcraft, and very little true horror. While not a bad book on its own, the marketing feels misleading, and horror fans will likely come away disappointed.

Unfortunately, The characters didn’t land for me either. I struggled to connect with any of them. They just weren't that interesting or deep. The present day timeline in particular felt like a drag that slowed the momentum rather than added depth. The pacing might be described as a slow burn, but for me it never built enough tension to justify the wait.

As for the ending, it felt more like a convenient cop out than a satisfying resolution. The so called "twist" didn’t add much, and left the story closing on a flat note rather than a haunting one.

If you’re looking for a gothic leaning piece of historical fiction, you might find something here to enjoy. But if you’re going in for wax museum horror and serial killings, be prepared for a letdown.

Many thanks to NetGalley, A. Rushby, and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Well before reading this book I had no ideal what a Anatomical Venus (or Slashed Beauty) was all about. These were realistic wax figures of women that were used for medical educational purposes. It’s a rather unsettling read, and a little grotesque at times, but very interesting. I’m going to have to learn more about this in a non-fiction read. This read was told in dual timelines. I really liked Aly, who is a antique dealer searching and ultimately finding a slashed beauty of her own. She only wants it to destroy it though because of the curse supposedly attached to them. The past timeline was also a lot of fun and I enjoyed learning about Elanor. The witchcraft angle was interesting, and it didn’t exactly seem to fit for me. I think that the curse needed something more to go with it…

If you’re looking for an interesting read about a topic that is really interesting, then check this one out.

Woah boy was this one a ride!! A fast-paced and engaging plot across two timelines with a well built out cast of characters! Mind the content warnings, but I enjoyed it overall! The alternating point of view worked well for the story, and it builds tension well! I’m a little unsure if I like the very end of the book, I think I need to sit with it a bit.

Loved the goth/fem revenge plot. Was not as much of a fan of the pacing. I was more invested in the timeline of the past rather than the present day (it seemed to drag). Great concept for a book just wish it would have delivered a little more.


Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was one of the best books I’ve read this year. It was dark and twisted. The characters were relatable, and the dual timelines impacted the story rather than hindered it! I love feminine rage stories and this did not disappoint!

I loved the mystery and feminine rage seeping out of this book! The intertwining timelines were incredible, they added so much intrigue and suspense to the story. Seeing the contrast in both Alys and Eleanor’s narrations made the twist ending so much more meaningful and deep. I also really liked the emphasis on Emily’s different experiences because she was mixed, and the themes of bodily autonomy. There were definitely some aspects where I felt like the characters were making things more difficult for themselves than they needed to, but it all added to the fun!

Love the complexity of female friendships and safe places.
Brutal and dark - excellent plot twists and turns.
The dual timeline starved me - I could not put this one down.