Synopsis
[Previous Title: Travesty of 1959 (TO1959)]
Ines Lacroix, the Lady of the Witching Hour who was hunted worldwide for decades.
Someone like her… No one would believe that she had settled down, and grown into an old wrinkly woman who sold books for a living.
From being a low-ranked member in an occult, a personnel under the Archduke, then a Saintess belonging to the Church of the Sun God, to finally having her face plastered everywhere and deemed a sinner.
At first, Ines was flabbergasted at the accusations that flew her way one after another. Worst of all, all those whom she once knew believed the damned rumors and the papers—even her closest allies, and her lover, Regis Beaumont.
During the pinnacle of her horrid reputation, horrified, Ines watched as the rumors came to life.
Starting from mass genocide, arson, crimes against humanity, and dozens more—crimes and actions she had never committed were now tied with her name.
But as time flew by, Ines had unknowingly accepted the rumors, and she became the person they made her out to be.
“Ines,” Regis mumbled, a distraught look in his eyes, “You’ve changed.”
Gently embracing the deformed spirit in her arms, she patted their little heads and smiled at him. “Have I?”
—
Excerpt:
Ines watched as her sweet, beloved lover, Regis, held a blade to her neck. The poor man trembled like a feeble branch, unable to go through with his actions.
“Do you hate me?” She softly asked, looking him in the eye. When he didn’t reply, she leaned closer to his blade. A thin red line appeared on her neck, and droplets of blood spilled onto the ground.
Regis shook, and the corners of his eyes reddened as he helplessly dropped his blade.
“No,” He murmured.
A smile slowly crept up Ines’ face. Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall, and she threw herself at him. Muttering incoherent words, she wrapped her arms around him and wept.
For a moment, Regis stood still. But, in the face of her tears, he crumbled and hugged her back.
“I’m sorry, my love. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I know.” Ines watched as he defenselessly leaned into her arms, unaware of the looming dangers. Slowly, she raised a small dagger that she had previously hidden in her sleeve and aimed it at his heart.
——
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Author here, At first the story is a bit slowly paced around the first few (prologue ~ 3) chapters, however the narration pace quickens after you get past those few chapters. This story will be primarily historical, dystopian, fantasy, horror and suspense. Romance is a secondary genre which will come into play later on, however please note that this is DARK romance, so there may be some scenes that are unethical. The fantasy aspect will be more focused on after the first 5~10 chapters as well—though there are hints and mentions of it at the start. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please leave them below, thanks!
"Ines Lacroix: The Curse of the Empyrean" is a riveting dark fantasy novel that weaves a compelling tale of occult powers and the complexities of fate. The author skillfully crafts a world where misfortune follows the protagonist, Ines, from the day of her birth, making her journey all the more captivating. The prologue sets an enchanting stage within the century-old bookstore, where a mysterious old woman with a single beady eye watches the world go by. The vivid descriptions create an immersive atmosphere, drawing readers into the intriguing world of the novel. Ines's journey as an Empyrean, blessed by the Heavenly Bodies, unfolds with impressive pacing and depth. The author's ability to navigate various genres, including historical, horror, thriller/suspense, and dark fantasy, adds a rich layer of intrigue and excitement to the narrative. The prologue sets an eerie atmosphere in the century-old bookstore, where a mysterious old woman observes customers with a single beady eye. While the descriptive language adds to the scene's ambiance, the prose occasionally veers towards being too "fancy" and overly elaborate. Striking a better balance between evocative imagery and more concise descriptions would improve the overall readability and engagement. Later on in the novel: The transition from Ines' discomfort in the carriage to her emotional reflection on her uncertain destination feels a bit abrupt. Further development of her thoughts and emotions during this journey would create a smoother flow and provide more insight into her perspective. Ines' nightmares and her use of tea leaves to alleviate insomnia are intriguing elements. However, the narrative could benefit from a more seamless transition between Ines' dreams and her thoughts on using the tea leaves. Weaving these elements together more fluidly would enhance the narrative's cohesion. But what's important is the novel's ability to captivate its readers? Does the author manage to accomplish this? Well, the novel's exploration of occult themes, possession, and supernatural elements contributes to its unique and thrilling allure. Ines's encounters with witches, elves, and the Kingdom Building elements enrich the plot and introduce a dynamic world full of surprises. Fans of dark fantasy, historical, and thriller genres will undoubtedly find themselves captivated by Ines's journey as she grapples with her cursed existence and navigates a world filled with magic and misfortune.
Okay so! I picked up this book on whim because I was looking for new books to read since l'm new to Webnovel, and so far so good! I really love the authors way of words, down to how they describe scenes and characters as well. I can tell this is very systematic and I know an unexpected ending is to come- I don't think l'm emotionally ready yet -,- Right now my favorite characters is Ines and Edith, I'm liking how everything is portrayed and how the author leaves blanks like we fill it subconsciously but when it is filled that is where the twist lies. And that's something I enjoy! Not knowing what to expect, I am a fan of horror. And lastly of course I came bc of the tag! Historical romance I must see this -//- Overall good work author! I've tried doing writing myself and sometimes I like when an author has gotten they're flow down and know what style works best for them and I think you've perfected you're craft!
Beautifully written! I love the way you described the characters, the situation, and the setting.. I look forward to future chapters, keep up the great work! :)
The details have a finesse that makes you imagine being present. Your writing is extremely good! I hope to see more chapters from you! Five stars, a worth read.
I've already reached the end (25 chapters) and I want more. The writing is magnificent and invites you to follow the heavy and tragic destiny of a heroine betrayed and darkened by her world. Keep going on author-san!🙂
Currently on Chapter 6 of the story and have to put a book mark to read more soon. So far the story is amazing and the skill of scenery is just next level. I could honestly see myself reading this as an actual hardcover book. But all in all I will have another updated review once I catchup to the lastest chapters. Until then this is easily a 5 out of 5 stars and deserves more attention. Just a masterpiece of writing
I loved the story from beginning to the latest chapter even tho I had to research a few times for the meaning of certain words that wasn't familiar with me. Your narration is top tier and I would agree with the others that everything does feel like a Psychological Horror than a Romance. Your novel definitely deserves to gain much attention and I'm looking forward to future chapters And oh, I love Yvette btw.
This book is unlike any novel I have ever read. It is like a horror film and has a gothic style to it. I loved how the writing could make me feel. At one point I even got goosebumps. Also, gotta appreciate the beautiful cover.
Review of my first impression of the novel, based on the synopsis and the first chapter so it's probably that I will edit it in the future. Very good writing quality:rich in the dictionary but maybe with too long sentences. Hopefully, with time, the update frequency will increase. The story seems quite slow-paced and focused on describing mainly the psychological side of the story. For the same psychological description, the quality of the character design of the old madam seems of high quality. As for the world background we had just a hint of fantasy in the end of the 1st chapter leaving the reader with many questions. Finally, I recommend the read to the fans of the historical-fantasy genre. Keep it up author👍
So far I loved the story. Only read few chapters but I found it interesting. Our mc is also written good. World building is also slowly opening. Can’t wait to read more.
Enjoyed the story so far, at chapter 12, the creepy elements in it gives it life. Reading this novel is best at night! Keep it up its great work!
Pretty good story! Really great so far, looks a bit peculiar, sure. But the characters and all the environment are incredibly captivating, keeping me hooked since the first chapter. Highly recommend!
First of all, great character design. All the characters presented so far have their own distinct personalities. Their psychological state is also taken into account and reflected in their behavior. Even extras feel like real people, not just cardboard cutouts. The story is written in excellent prose, making it enjoyable to read. I haven't caught up with all of the chapters yet, but so far, there's nothing for me to criticize! You should definitely give this novel a try, especially if you like morally gray, complex characters, darker tone, and some mystery!
Really amazing writing that brings to life every character. If you're looking for something a tiny bit creepy and keeps you on the edge, this is the book for you.
Id like to say that I am impressed with the writing style and the novel itself. It can be definitely confusing, but if you power through a few chapters, you will definitely enjoy it. Writing is great with good character building. looking for more chapters!
Just the prologue of this story alone will leave the reader hooked. I'm totally becoming a fan. The author is really descriptive making the reader feel as if they were actually in the 19s. It is especially captivating, with the writer's choice of words and the way it is history themed but not the least boring like most history novels I've read. Keep up the good work author. Can't wait to see how this ends.☺️
This is a story that seems to be sketched with great patience and dedication. The writing is impeccable and beautiful. Love how the story is progressing, and I am really curious to see where it heads next. Have added it to my library, and have voted for you author.
The story is very well written, including the various detailed description about the places and the people that give you a sense of what it feels like to be there. The sentences are perfectly structured and gives off a smooth flow. It includes a well though mix-match of fantasy and horror-like elements with a sprinkle of mystery. I recommend for everyone to read it, it brings in a whole new perspective.
Loving the story so far. This has the beginnings of a beautifully written historical fiction novel. I really felt like I was reading a classic literary work of fiction. I wonder if you have studied literature before, because your descriptive writing is gorgeous, I hope to improve my writing to be more like the way you are able to describe settings and characters, in a flowing and animated, not boring way. I don’t really have major suggestions or criticism, someone already pointed out the length, but personally it’s not a problem for me, you should write as long or as short as you see fit to the plot of your story! This is the first story I’ve come across on Webnovel that I would really gush about for the writing style. I look forward to reading more about what will happen next, there seems to be different layers unfolding in the narrative and I’m intrigued to see where you will take the novel. Keep writing, and I hope your novel keeps getting more attention as it deserves to be more popular even though you only have a few chapters up so far.