What Wakes the Bells by Alexander H. O’Neill: A Gothic Fantasy with Potential Yet Unmet
When I first laid eyes on What Wakes the Bells by Alexander H. O’Neill, I was immediately intrigued. The premise promised a gothic fantasy with echoes of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, set in a mysterious city where ancient bells held the key to an impending evil. Honestly, who could resist that blend of magic, mystery, and dark academia? But oh boy—while the atmosphere was absolutely stunning, my reading journey was fraught with confusing turns that left me scratching my head more than I would have liked.
At its core, the story takes place in the intriguing city of Vaiwyn, where the Vesper Bells serve as guardians against a lurking malevolent force. Our protagonist, Mina Strauss, comes from a lineage sworn to protect these bells from ringing thirteen times, an event that would herald the return of a long-concealed evil. This setting is undoubtedly one of the book’s greatest triumphs; O’Neill paints Vaiwyn with rich, gothic imagery reminiscent of Edinburgh and Prague. The iron chandeliers, spiraling staircases, and vintage portraits create a dream-like atmosphere that had me captivated from the start. Mina’s watch over the Vesper bells from Lyndell Hall is an exquisite backdrop for her journey—a true gothic fantasy dream.
However, where this book shines in ambiance, it falters in clarity. While I appreciate an intricate narrative, especially in fantasy, the lack of well-developed characters and magic systems left me frustrated. I found myself rereading passages repeatedly to grasp essential concepts, yet I ended up with more questions than answers. The characters, though intriguing, often lacked the depth that would have made their motivations understandable. For instance, we’re introduced to Bane, portrayed as the villain, but his transition from mortal to evil felt abrupt and poorly explained. It left me wondering daily if people do, in fact, just become evil out of nowhere.
As for the magic system and lore, the groundwork set was tantalizing but confusing. Information about the saints and their role in establishing Vaiwyn was revealed in disconnected snippets that didn’t quite coalesce into a clear picture. There’s a promising idea of immortals who, upon death, return in altered forms, but then the author ominously states that one saint, Elora, is “not tethered to this world.” Does that mean she’s dead? Reincarnated in a world unknown to us? The ambiguity was maddening and made the reading experience feel more like a puzzle I couldn’t quite piece together.
Despite those significant stumbling blocks, the last twenty percent of the book did manage to offer some revelations, although they didn’t entirely clear up the earlier confusion. It was like waiting for a satisfying resolution that never quite delivered the clarity and insight I craved.
In conclusion, What Wakes the Bells may resonate with readers who enjoy rich atmospheres and dark gothic aesthetics and can overlook its narrative gaps. However, for those like me who thrive on clarity and character depth, it might prove to be a frustrating experience. While the potential is there, I left the book feeling that better world-building, clearer dialogue, and more developed characters could have made this a truly remarkable read. If you’re hungry for a visually stunning gothic fantasy, this might still be worth your while, but prepare to grapple with its intricacies along the way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Feiwel for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I hope my rants and reflections resonate with fellow readers and help them navigate this atmospheric yet perplexing journey!