OUT NOW!
Enter a sumptuous world of art and magic in 17th-century Florence as Artemisia Gentileschi is determined to make her mark as a painter, and exact her revenge – perfect for fans of R. F. Kuang, Alix E. Harrow, and Susanna Clarke.
US: Order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or your local bookstore! If you’re in Georgia, I recommend FoxTale!
UK: Order from Amazon, Waterstones, or your local bookstore!
"The rich and unique setting with a dark and twisted magic will capture the attention of readers who love alternative histories and fantasy novels." —Booklist
“[Jarvis] jumps right into the action with this dark historical fantasy novel featuring 17th-century painter Artemisia Gentileschi… Brings the city of Florence to life, including many of its well-known residents.” —Library Journal
Enter a sumptuous world of art and magic in 17th-century Florence as Artemisia Gentileschi is determined to make her mark as a painter, and exact her revenge – perfect for fans of Alix E. Harrow, Elena Ferrante and Susanna Clarke.
When Artemisia Gentileschi arrives in Florence seeking a haven for her art, she faces instant opposition from the powerful Accademia, self-proclaimed guardians of the healing and necrotic magic that protect the city from plague and curses. As artists create their masterpieces, they add layer upon layer of magic drawn from their very life essence into the paint or marble, draining their power but producing works that will heal hundreds and inspire generations. The all-male Accademia jealously guards its power over art and architecture, and has no place for an ambitious young woman arriving from Rome under a cloud of scandal.
Alone and fighting for every commission, Artemisia begins winning allies among luminaries such Galileo and Michelangelo the Younger, as well as the wealthy and powerful Cristina de’ Medici. But when the shadow of her infamous rape trial in Rome turns her thoughts to vengeance, and an incendiary preacher turns his ire from Galileo to Florence's art world, Artemisia must choose between revenge and her dream of creating a legacy that will span the generations.
Out NOw!
One of Apple Books Best Books of May 2021!
US: Order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Audible, or your local bookstore! Mine is FoxTale!
UK: Order from Amazon, Waterstones, or your local bookstore!
Canada: Order from Amazon or your local bookstore!
"Jarvis’s Prague is steeped in history and shadows, mourning its recent fall from power and teetering on the edge of modernity, and her wearily well-intentioned characters feel like old friends.... Fantasy fans will gobble up this moody, philosophical adventure." —Publishers Weekly
“Nicole Jarvis’s moody, atmospheric debut novel puts a modern, inclusive spin on the kind of historical vampire thrillers written by Anne Rice….. You won’t want to put The Lights of Prague down.” —Apple Books, Best Books of May
“Nicole Jarvis’ debut fantasy, The Lights of Prague, welcomes readers into an arresting and vivid historical fantasy world…. An impressive and mature feat from a debut novelist.” —Bookpage
For readers of VE Schwab and The Witcher, science and magic clash in atmospheric gaslight-era Prague.
In the quiet streets of Prague all manner of otherworldly creatures lurk in the shadows. Unbeknownst to its citizens, their only hope against the tide of predators are the dauntless lamplighters - a secret elite group of monster hunters whose light staves off the darkness each night. Domek Myska leads a life teeming with fraught encounters with the worst kind of evil: pijavice, bloodthirsty and soulless vampiric creatures. Despite this, Domek find solace in his moments spent in the company of his friend, the clever and beautiful Lady Ora Fischer - a widow with secrets of her own.
When Domek finds himself stalked by the spirit of the White Lady - a ghost who haunts the baroque halls of Prague castle - he stumbles across the sentient essence of a will-o'-the-wisp, a mischievous spirit known to lead lost travellers to their death, but who, once captured, are bound to serve the desires of their owners.
After discovering a conspiracy amongst the pijavice that could see them unleash terror on the daylight world, Domek finds himself in a race against those who aim to twist alchemical science for their own dangerous gain.
Add to your Goodreads TBR.