In terms of output, in variety, quality, and frequency, few can match Cherie Priest. From steampunk to gothic horror to urban fantasy to Lovecraftian horror, Priest’s fiction always has a supernatural edge, a fearful bite. Brimstone, her standalone post-World War I ghost/witchcraft novel, a clairvoyant, Alice Dartle and Tomás Cordero a man with PTSD (or shell shock as it was known then) find themselves drawn together across the State of Florida.
In the trenches of Europe during the Great War, Tomás Cordero operated a weapon more devastating than any gun: a flame projector that doused the enemy in liquid fire. Having left the battlefield a shattered man, he comes home to find yet more tragedy—for in his absence, his wife has died of the flu. Haunted by memories of the woman he loved and the atrocities he perpetrated, Tomás dreams of fire and finds himself setting match to flame when awake….
Alice Dartle is a talented clairvoyant living among others who share her gifts in the community of Cassadaga, Florida. She too dreams of fire, knowing her nightmares are connected to the shell-shocked war veteran and widower. And she believes she can bring peace to him and his wife’s spirit.
But the inferno that threatens to consume Tomás and Alice was set ablaze centuries ago by someone whose hatred transcended death itself….
Alice Dartle is seeking a place where she can be accepted, where her ability to see beyond what most mortals can see is viewed as normal and not a curse. Her family was branded witches, and her abilities as a clairvoyant brands her as a witch. She arrives in Cassadaga, Florida, to learn more about herself and how she can best use and control her abilities.
Across the state in Ybor City, not only is Tomás suffering from shell shock, upon his return from the Great War he learns his wife has passed. He has visions of flame, thinking it is her. Tomás wiles away his time as a tailor, crafting clothing for select clientele.
In many ways, both of these characters are lost when we first meet them. Very lost, in fact. Alice’s past, especially her lineage, hang over her like a cloud. Tomás is literally haunted by what he thinks is the ghost of his wife. The two find themselves connected by visions of smouldering things and flame. Tomás eventually makes his way across Florida to Cassadaga where Alice is still quite new to the community.
Priest spins a lovely and haunting tale here in Brimstone, told in the voice of both Alice and Tomás through first person narration. Alice hasn’t quite come into her own by the time Tomás arrives, but she’s confident enough in her abilities, and free enough of her own haunted past that his arrival time perfectly for her. The two corresponded briefly before Tomás made his journey, but even though the timing of his arrival was unexpected, Alice jumped at the chance to help him and the little dog Felipe who is in his care. What stood out about Alice was her ability to find hope in dark situations, her sheer, contagious willpower to help others, and particularly Tomás.
Tomás was such an endearing character who evoked so much sympathy and heartache, but still found reason to move forward. I found myself wanting to hug the man and when the little dog Felipe came under his protection, a new dog entered my canon of favorite pets/dogs in speculative fiction. I follow Ms. Priest on Twitter so I know of her love of dogs/animals, and she captured the charm of Felipe and Tomás’s growing affection for the canine so elegantly and beautifully.
The community of Cassadaga has that homey feel that many of the smaller communities of Stephen King’s novels and stories have. Pleasingly, the type of dark spectre that haunts places like Derry and Castle Rock doesn’t quite rear its head in the same way here in Priest’s novel. There’s definitely a (smoky) cloud of darkness surrounding things, but the town itself is really quite charming. That darkness doesn’t weigh down the characters, it impedes them, but acceptance, compassion, and love help to keep the characters on their path.
In the end, the novel is one of people in pain coming together to heal themselves, of acceptance and allowing others to help. In Alice’s case, knowing oneself before being able to help others, specifically Tomás. In Tomás’s case, there’s an underlying feeling that things from an emotional standpoint, no matter how difficult, can be overcome. Despite whatever fiery darkness may plague a person or a community, human interaction (and the love and care of a sweet dog) can persevere.
Brimstone was a charming, heart-wracking, haunting and beautiful tale. Priest wonderfully introduced her characters, expertly brought them together and built a fantastic climax.
Highly recommended.
© 2017 Rob H. Bedford
Trade Paperback, 336 Pages
Published by Ace, April 2017
Review copy courtesy of the publisher
http://www.cheriepriest.com
Excerpt: http://www.tor.com/2017/03/17/excerpts-brimstone-cherie-priest/
