I really liked this book! I was worried that the history would married women would make Cornelia an unlikable character but I loved her. All of the characters had their own personalities which I appreciated because sometimes side characters become just that; side characters. The romance was sweet and I understood it. I could see where the interest came from and I liked how it grew. My favorite part was Cornelia's relationship with her family. I love when families love each other and the relationship between her and her brother was so sweet! It was written through letters, journal entries, and story excerpts which I found interesting. There was information about different fairies and footnotes. It was like I was reading a book for research on sapphic fairy authors which was fun for me. I know a few friends of mine that it seemed like this book was written for and I love being able to recommend books. All in all, it was a really enjoyable read.

I absolutely adored this book. It’s whimsical, charming, and just the right amount of strange, with a wonderful mix of faerie folklore, light academia, mystery, and queer romance.

Cornelia completely won me over. She’s funny, flawed, heartbroken, and trying desperately to keep her life from becoming even more complicated, which of course means everything immediately becomes more complicated. I loved watching her find her footing on Gravesmade, especially as her relationship with Josefien develops. Their romance is sweet and joyful while still having plenty of magic and danger surrounding it.

The folklore and cursed houses gave the story a wonderfully cozy-but-mysterious atmosphere, and I particularly enjoyed how the book never takes itself too seriously. It’s the kind of fantasy that feels warm and inviting while still delivering plenty of surprises.

A delightful sapphic fantasy that left me smiling. Perfect for anyone looking for something magical, funny, romantic, and a little bit quirky.

Johanna has once again struck it out of the park. Though this is a deviation from the other books of hers that I’ve read, it is just as spectacularly written. I fell in love with the epistolary novel after I read “This is How You Lose the Time War” so I was even more excited to read Cornelia, it was so well written, delightfully plotted, and had a wonderful ending. I cannot wait to see what this author does next!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bloomsbury USA for the digital ARC!

The Literary Remains of Cornelia Feyen is an epistolary novel that tells the story of Cornelia “Neeltje” Feyen, a half human half faerie who is a romance author behind on her next novel and in the midst of an affair with a married woman that has gone sour. Through journal entries, telegrams, excerpts from her draft of her novel, letters, and footnotes, we follow Cornelia as she flees her Amsterdam apartment for her brother's home on a remote Dutch island in the hopes some distance will do some good. Broken hearted, Cornelia vows not to fall for another woman, until she falls for a governess from the island who is experiencing a number of faerie attacks.

I've read Blood on Her Tongue, an adult horror, from Johanna van Veen and was very excited to read her adult fantasy! I loved the footnotes and format of the novel. This was my first epistolary novel, and the closest and most obvious comparison I could make in terms of format would be Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett.

This was an absolute delight! The Dutch faerie folklore was very interesting and new to me, I really appreciated the very helpful footnotes about the various water faeries. The sapphic love story between Cornelia and Josefien was light and fun and sweet, and sometimes a little spicy. I really loved the dynamic between all of the characters, the humor throughout, their whole adventure, and especially Pompernikkel (I will not elaborate to avoid spoilers).

I genuinely have no complaints! I thought the pacing was good throughout, I liked the format, and I was delighted the whole time.

I would absolutely recommend The Literary Remains of Cornelia Feyen! Especially to anyone who enjoys faerie folklore, sapphic romance, and funny lighthearted adventure. And I will definitely be getting myself a physical copy for my bookshelf!

let me preface this by saying johanna van veen is hands down my favorite modern horror writer (take that stephen king) and i love how every novel is sapphic- however this was the most cozy, adventure-filled sapphic quest to EVER & it was perfect in every possible way. cornelia feyen is my kind of gal and from the first chapter i knew i was about to endeavor on the most epic of endeavors (spoiler: i was correct!) she is an absolute hoot and this book is so so so gay! josefien utterly stole my heart; the angsty miscommunication of it all had me positively giddy and the sprinkles of attraction + will-they-won’t-they had me rooting for her and cornelia SO hard!!i LOVE a sapphic fantasy especially with a folkloric take on the fae (thank GOD) + the complete & utter yearning this book contains should come with a warning (or invitation 🤭)

while i adore van veen’s horror novels, this was such a delight and should she ever return to cozy books, let me be the first to know and share!! i need a sequel immediately if not sooner 🥹