Under the Pendulum Sun

Under the Pendulum Sun takes place in an alternate 1847 where Fairyland, known as Arcadia, was discovered during Captain Cook's fourth voyage in the 1780s. Catherine Helstone travels to this realm in search of her brother Laon, a missionary who vanished while attempting to convert the fae to Christianity. Catherine arrives at Gethsemane, a gothic mission house in Arcadia, where she encounters Miss Ariel Davenport, a changeling guide, and Mr Benjamin Goodfellow, a gnome who is the mission's only convert. The house holds secrets about previous missionaries, particularly Rev Jacob Roche, while Catherine waits for news of her brother's whereabouts. The story follows Catherine's navigation through the strange rules and reality of Arcadia, leading to encounters with Queen Mab's court and revelations about the nature of faith and truth. The novel explores theological questions and Victorian sensibilities against a backdrop of fae mythology, examining the intersection of Christian faith with the unknowable nature of Fairyland.

Readers describe this as a slow-burning Gothic fantasy that focuses on atmosphere over action. The Victorian-era religious themes and dark fairyland setting create a claustrophobic mood many found compelling. Readers appreciated: - Rich, ornate prose style - Creative theology and faerie mythology - Unsettling atmosphere and Gothic elements - Complex exploration of colonialism and faith Common criticisms: - Very slow pacing, especially first half - Dense theological discussions drag down plot - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Character relationships lack emotional depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (150+ ratings) Multiple reviews note the book requires patience, with one Goodreads reviewer stating "This is not a fast-paced adventure but a careful unraveling of truth and reality." Amazon reviewers frequently mention the unique blend of fantasy and theology, though some found the religious elements "overwrought and tedious."

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke In an alternate Victorian England, two magicians navigate a world where faeries and magic are real, blending historical fiction with supernatural elements and exploring the tension between human society and fairy realms.

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley A novel set in an alternative history where the boundaries between worlds blur, following a protagonist who must unravel mysteries in a reality where time and space function differently from the known world.

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth The story focuses on siblings who return from a magical realm to Victorian England, dealing with faith, belonging, and the complex relationship between mundane and magical worlds.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab A tale of a woman's dealings with supernatural beings involves complex theological questions and examines the price of immortality through a historical lens.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Set in a similar time period, this book presents a world where doorways to other realms exist, featuring a protagonist who discovers hidden truths about these passages while navigating between worlds.

🌟 The novel won the 2018 Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award at the British Fantasy Awards. 🌟 The artificial sun mentioned in the book - the pendulum sun - swings back and forth across the sky of Arcadia like a giant timepiece, creating an eternally shifting twilight. 🌟 The book draws inspiration from real Victorian missionary accounts, particularly those from China where Jeannette Ng's family originates. 🌟 The name "Gethsemane" for the mission house references the garden where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion, deepening the religious symbolism throughout the novel. 🌟 The author intentionally subverts traditional Victorian Gothic tropes by placing a female Asian protagonist at the center of a typically white European narrative structure.