The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this one is almost as good as Anubis Gates. It's weird, but I really got into this.

Sure, I love myself some Byron and Shelly and Mary Shelly antics as much as anyone. It's GOTHIC LITERATURE, people. Hell, this one is a hell of a lot more gothic than the original gothic stories. Death, being haunted, like seriously haunted by lovers over years and years, of serious family drama, of darkness and noble friendship and seriously erudite learning and poetry all mixed into one of the best historical fantasy period pieces I've read in years.

And how it's driven by a very clever take on lamias/vampires, with equally clever readings of the bible and more ancient histories, and the depth of Power's worldbuilding in general to make the tale shine?

Totally gorgeous. Heads and shoulders above anything else out there. Most are amateurish compared to what Powers can dream up.

His works are truly something else, and at this time in his career, at the end of the 80's, he's in prime shape. Seriously recommended.

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