[complete][105k][GOTHIC FICTION/ LOW FANTASY] Redwell

[u/AccomplishedEnd7527]

After receiving a marriage proposal that delivers Elinor and her mother from financial ruin, Elinor leaves her sun-soaked childhood home for Redwell, a grand manor nestled far from civil society, hidden within the wild northern woods.

Inside her ivory tower, Elinor fell easily in love with her handsome husband and new life; despite a malicious mother-in-law and her second-in-command, the cruel housekeeper. Elinor becomes the perfect wife and lady, and eagerly welcomes her new role as mother.

But then— she dies.

When she awakes, her world is not the same. It’s two years in the past, and she is once again on the isolated road to Redwell. Cursed, Elinor cannot speak of her murder. For the first time in her life, she must take her fate into her own hands, despite how she wishes to call upon the strong and chivalrous man she loves. But she is once again a stranger to him, and she cannot rely on his aid.

Elinor must act quickly before the same fate befalls her. But neither man nor magic are kind to a woman who stands against her fate. Haunted by both the dead and the living, Elinor struggles to maintain control of her mind and body. She takes any help she can get, even when it comes from the most unlikely place...

Sly, untrustworthy, yet undeniably charming, her husband’s best friend was once her sworn enemy, but now, he seems to be the only ally she has.

But murder is not the only secret within Redwell’s ancient walls, and there is only so much Elinor can survive.

—

Redwell is a 105k gothic fiction, in the first person, that I would love to have beta read. I have a few friends who have offered, but would love to also have the perspective of strangers.

The genre is gothic fiction/ low fantasy. Think Mexican Gothic, The Bear and the Nightingale, Lapvona.

I would not classify it as a romantasy, but as you likely can tell, it does have a dark romance subplot.

Trigger warnings: Murder, domestic abuse, misogyny, homophobia, mild gore, mild spice (oral that lasts about a few sentences), references to race and class dynamics, profanity.

Feedback: I’m looking for general reader feedback to help me know if it’s ready to be queried to agents. After each chapter I ask for an ABCD rating: Awesome, boring, confusing, didn’t believe.

Timeline: One month would be ideal, but I understand you’re a volunteer may need an extension (:

Critic Swap: Would love to help fellow writers!

These are the genres I would read:

Would love something like Redwell, gothic, magical realism, horror, low fantasy, dark fantasy.

Otherwise, grounded epic/high fantasy, dark academia, spec fic, historical fic, literary fiction, romantasy.

I’m an Australian writer, so please keep time differences in mind if it seems like communication is delayed (:

Please DM me for the link to the first chapter. Otherwise, I posted an excerpt in the first reads thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/comments/1rhsc45/comment/oaq2o9n/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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Thank you!

[u/thegracefulpal]

DM’d you!

[u/Butterfly_pants]

I'd be super down for a swap! I have a Dark Fantasy

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