The Electrical Venus is the new historical romance from talent writer, actor and novelist Julie Mayhew.
In eighteen-century England Mims is a mixed raced teenager trying to find her place in a traveling group of ‘performers’. She is neither black nor white in eighteen century England she is seen as exotic, but that is not enough to be an act, her pet parrot that speaks 4 languages is more interesting than see is.
The only person that truly see any worth in Mims is Alex, the one-armed boxer who have known each other since they were small children. Something is about to change between Mims and Alex when Dr Foxs turn up with a machine that creates “electrickery”, and a new show to draw in bigger crowds. He picks Mims to be The Electrical Venus, the show resolves around paying a penny to kiss Mims and feel the shock of love.
But as Mims becomes the star of the show and spends more time with Dr Fox, is the spark between them Love or just electrickery?
The Electrical Venus is split it two narrative which are Mims and Alex point of views, I liked the fact that they were telling their story to their pets. As someone who talks to her dogs, I really like that element.
I have always been fascinated with history, so I enjoyed reading a book based in eighteen century England. I loved how real Julie has made the book feel, even if the treatment of women made the feminist in my very angry.
I admired the way in which Julie dealt with the subject disability (Alex missing his arm) and race. I loved the fact that these factor do not impact how they see each other.
I also don’t know if it to do with my age, that sometimes I wanted to shake Mims and set her straight, although this happened less and less as the story continued.
This book was a slow burn for me but I was entertained throughout, I really enjoyed who this story ended I thought it was perfect for the story.
This book reminded me about A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars and Daughter of a Burning City, due to the different mixture of people and traveling performance.
I give this book 3.8 out of 5.
Thanks to Hot Keys Books for sending me this book to read for a honest review.
Thanks for reading
Gem x
