Drenched in dark, medieval Gothic atmosphere, Flesh Endures by Sue Bailey is a refreshing take on dark fantasy.
This was fun! The plot devices were strange (in a good way) and unique and kept me intrigued to keep reading. The only thing I would say is I probably would have enjoyed it a little more if there was a little less steam so that we could explore some more of the magic system but I knew what I signed up for so can’t complain all too much!

Sue C. Bentley does an amazing job in writing this type of book, it had that overall feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the way everything flowed together to tell the story it needed to. Lord Karolan was fascinating to the world and enjoyed the use of a familiar, the rest of the characters worked overall and was engaged from start to finish in them and their world. It was everything that was promised and glad I got to get into this world.

I went into this book partly blind - and what a delicious ride this has been! One thing to mention at the very start, it is a DARK FANTASY, it's gothic and historical - I think a contents warning page should be added to the book, and read by those interested in the story. It is a gory, challenging read which will probe your morals and a sense of justice. I adored the complexity of the main characters - they're variably morally grey. I liked that even secondary characters in the book were named and I could tell what kind of characters they were. The way author fleshes out the narrative scaffolding and the following world-building is so beautifully and skillfully done. The book's rich vocabulary and historical language gives the reader an opportunity to step into the story - I could not only imagine and see the world portrayed, I could taste and smell it. The overall narrative is also applicable to several important contemporary topics we continue to grapple with today. I loved this book, it is my dark pick for the autumn months.

I am not completely sure how I feel about this. On one hand, this was a nice gothic horror. On the other hand, I was a little confused at times. I do wish there was a little bit more emphasis on the magic rather than steaminess-- though the steaminess was not completely unnecessary like it has been in other books I've read as of late.

This was a very interesting sour, I really struggled to get into it as I honestly had no idea what was going on for the first half of the book and the way it was written totally threw me off
But the story was good

This was an entertaining dark fantasy read!

I liked the medieval atmosphere in this world, as it really came across well on the page. I thought the description of the black plague and the monks’ witch hunt were both done well, and definitely set the stage. I think that lends to the writing, as I thought this was a very readable book, while really leaning into the horror bits when necessary.

Some of the plot devices were strange and unique, in a way that kept me turning the page. But I wish that we had explored the magic system a bit more, as I had questions about how certain elements worked.

Garnetta was an interesting main character to follow. Her fixation on Karolan’s betrayal was interesting… I was expecting her to give more thought to her dead family as well. But obviously their relationship was the main focus of the book. As such, there were a lot more steamy scenes than I was anticipating, but I’m sure many readers will enjoy them.

I didn’t love how abuse was handled in this book; namely because Garnetta didn’t seem to care about what happened to her (nor was it really addressed as being terrible). I understand that she lost her humanity to some extent after her transformation; but it was confusing in that she still had a lot of human emotions, so I found it strange that she just swept a lot of her trauma under the rug without a clear reason.

Overall, this was an interesting read, and I think many fans of horror books will enjoy it as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Troubador for allowing me to read the eARC!

dark fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Lord. Look down upon this thy servant. Deal mercifully with this miserable sinner.


Flesh Endures follows Lord Karolan, an alchemist cursed with immortality at a devastating cost: any lover he touches perishes. Bound to him is a wanton spirit—a familiar that feeds on his fleshly desires as it hungers for human form. When a plague sweeps through early Gothic Europe, Karolan saves Garnetta by bestowing his "dark gift" upon her without her consent. Despite this, an intense bond grows between them, offering a glimmer of hope for a shared future. When she learns of his deception, she flees. The question remains: which is the true horror, those who hide their evil beneath piety or the one who wears it brazenly?

It took very little for me to adapt to the medieval writing of the narrative, as it was remarkably accessible. The story is fast paced, yet never rushed; the momentum remained strong throughout the entire story that I found it difficult to put down at times. The characters jump across the pages as well, ensuring that every scene moves alongside them.

However, certain narrative choices fell short of their potential. Prior to her transformation, Garnetta is notably weak, and I had hoped her new state would grant her far more agency rather than relegating her back into the role of a damsel in distress. I kept waiting for her to embrace the very depravity she was accused of—to take her life back on her own terms—but that turning point never materialized. The Fetch also felt underutilized, sidelining most of the intriguing supernatural elements in favor of extending the scenes of Garnetta's abuse at the hands of many side characters while providing no catharsis for her.

This creates a mismatch between the book's synopsis and its actual execution. The publisher’s summary promises a dramatic, high-stakes search driven by Karolan’s desperate yearning, but that emotional core doesn't quite come through on the page. Karolan’s intense desire to find Garnetta is mostly told to the reader through brief internal thoughts rather than felt through his actions, as his storyline is continuously overshadowed by Garnetta’s prolonged suffering.

Despite these flaws, Flesh Endures remains an enjoyable read. It is upfront about its heavy themes, unapologetic in its dark aesthetic, and creates an evocative atmosphere that will appeal to readers who enjoy brooding, gothic horror.

A sincere thank you to Troubador and NetGalley for providing this eARC. Please note that any quotes cited are taken from an uncorrected proof and may differ in the final publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence

Moderate: War