Review: Maddalena and The Dark, by Julia Fine (Flatiron)

Lovers of dark historical fiction – drop everything now and pick up Maddalena and The Dark. Julia Fine has captured the decadence of 18th century Venice, and created two irresistible teen characters, Maddalena and Luisa, whose friendship almost makes you forget the stink coming from the canals.

Maddalena’s life is complicated. She is part of a wealthy family, but there is some doubt as to her true parentage. She is approaching 15, and is expected to find a suitor imminently, so her family sends her to the Ospedale della Pietà to try and smooth out her edges. It is here she meets Luisa, an accomplished but shy violin student. 

But here’s the coolest thing about Maddalena: she has a mysterious gondolier at her beck and call, and he can seemingly give her anything she desires, but at a cost. So when Maddalena shares this with Luisa, and Luisa makes a choice to change her future prospects, things get incredibly complicated. 

It took me a couple of attempts to get into this novel. In the first few chapters, I felt a little overwhelmed by all the characters. But once Maddalena and Luisa meet, the adventure truly begins. 

Fine has captured the intensity of teenage girl friendships perfectly. While Maddalena’s love for Luisa is unrequited, their emotional and physical closeness is truly magical, and makes the conclusion even more devastating.  

Fine’s writing talent was highlighted for me during the passage when Maddalenda takes Luisa on her strange gondola for the first time. I could almost smell the damp, and was absolutely terrified by the surrounding darkness. 

I absolutely loved the drama of Luisa and Maddalena’s lives; the complete absurdity of their limited life choices (marriage or nunnery), and their complex relationship. And the supernatural, Faustian element fit perfectly. 

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but this really won me over. It is so utterly engaging and exciting. Again, I urge everyone to read this; it’s truly remarkable. 

Maddalena and The Dark is out RIGHT NOW! Go get it!

Thanks to Flatiron for the ARC