“Anne Rice meets Michael Crichton in this fever dream of a fantasy. Richly textured, terrifying, and somehow timely... Will keep readers up well past their bedtime. Highly recommended!”
So says Jay Bonansinga, New York Times–bestselling author of The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy and Self Storage.
Enter the world of Gaelan Erceldoune and Simon Bell (relation to Joseph Bell, Arthur Conan Doyle’s model for Sherlock Holmes!). Part historical fantasy, part medical thriller, part SF (and with a healthy dose of romance and a dash of steam), The Apothecary’s Curse is my debut novel. I hope you all love reading it as I have writing it!
This genre-bending historical/urban fantasy mixes alchemy and genetics as a doctor and an apothecary try to prevent a pharmaceutical company from exploiting the book that made them immortal centuries ago…
Early praise for The Apothecary’s Curse…
“A new narrative world lovingly created with an Old World touch. . .” (Jane Espenson, Writer/Producer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Once Upon a Time)
“Myth, medicine, and immortality, braided together like the border of an illuminated manuscript.” —Doris Egan, screenwriter, novelist, and writer and co-executive producer ofHouse
“Part medical drama, part thriller, and completely absorbing. Barnett explores the dark side of one of humanity’s oldest obsessions–the quest for immortality–and tells a great story about greed, unintended consequences, and ultimately love.” —John VanZile, author of The Legend of Arkatak
“An irresistible blend of fairy folklore, science, and suspense that’s sure to keep you reading late into the night.” —Shanna Swendson, author of Enchanted, Inc.
“Something for every fiction fan – sci-fi, horror, romance, and fantasy – but the story interweaves the genres so deftly that the reader is focused on the story – and what a story it is! Barbara’s gift for credible, era-specific dialogue and detail is wonderful, as is her pacing and the story’s pay-off.” Denise Dorman, WriteBrain Media.
“The Apothecary’s Curse is beautifully researched and there is a real sense of history and wonder throughout. Bell and Erceldoune are an odd couple linked in immortality and the things they have lost throughout the years. Both men are well-developed and their lives in both the modern and Victorian eras detailed. Barnett has created a captivating combination of Historical and Urban Fantasy, of science and the supernatural, and of loss and love in The Apothecary’s Curse.” — The Qwillery Blog
“The Apothecary’s Curse was a wonderful read, featuring compelling characters, an interesting theme and awesome cameos from historical figures. The book is a self-contained story, so no waiting another year or two to get the entire story. The ending to the book was absolutely perfect. Barbara Barnett’s debut was one of my favourites so far this year. Let’s hope it’s the first of my books to come for Barnett.” — A Fantastical Librarian Blog
“It’s one of those books that, upon reread, will likely reveal even more of its secrets. I can see this being a good choice for a fantasy book club or creative writing class as there is a lot here that could be mined for discussion. I highly recommend this to any fantasy or historical fiction reader who is looking for a substantial, satisfying read.” — One Book Two Blog
