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Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite
In Within the Haunt of the Unseelie Court, R.C. Davis crafts a chilling and fantastical tale set in 1935, following Janey Carter as she returns to her hometown of Gowan, Massachusetts, after two years away at a teacher’s college. However, Gowan has changed significantly in her absence. Her father, Benjamin Edrick Carter, has secretly remarried while abroad, and Janey and her mother, Constance, have been banished from their grand family estate, Carter House, which is now controlled by her father’s mysterious new bride, Mab, who seems to have taken over every aspect of their lives. As supernatural forces tighten their grip on Gowan, Janey must summon all her courage and use her intelligence to protect her family and friends while facing betrayal, deception, and sinister otherworldly forces. Her journey transforms into one of survival and self-discovery, forcing her to confront not only the darkness within her family but the shadows lurking deep within herself.
When I began reading Within the Haunt of the Unseelie Court, I expected a New England Gothic tale, a subgenre I love, but it offered much more. It has familiar Gothic horror elements—mansions, secrets, supernatural forces, and a strong female lead—but R.C. Davis takes it further. The dialogue immerses readers in the era, and the relationships are developed well. Right away, we learn of mysterious deaths and the history of Janey's family and the town. Everything is woven together thoughtfully. I knew that Janey's father had married some mysterious woman, but I did not expect his new wife to be such a chilling and powerful villain. One of my favorite quotes captures her danger: "She [Mab] controls the solitary fairies and worse than that, The Unseelie Court [...] The terror that flies by night." Davis also builds Janey and Tom Lynn's relationship skillfully. Their past sets the stage for a romance, but their dialogue brings their feelings to life, making the later events in the story more palpable. The stakes are high when their relationship is jeopardized. It’s bittersweet and devastating, but the novel isn’t a love story at its core. The novel blends Gothic horror, mystery, dark fantasy, and Celtic mythology beautifully. With the ending hinting at more to come, I hope Davis continues the story, as I’m eager to read more about Janey, Lissy, and of course Queen Mab.
