A deliriously weird little novella that combines monstrous gothic horror with sapphic romance.

That phrase is displayed all across the Capricious House, and every maid, groundskeeper, and cook knows to serve the lady of the house (Anatema, an Archaic One who is sort of a humanoid spider) well and carefully. Otherwise, you might end up eaten alongside all of her other short-lived human brides.

But someone has stolen living memories from Anatema. And so she consumed the last keeper of the keys, whose former apprentice Dália now has to step into the role.

Dália has prepared to serve Anatema her whole life and isn’t afraid, but she’s running out of time to solve the crime. And on top of all that, Dália is young and beautiful … just like the brides Anatema can’t help but devour. 

But Not Too Bold is colorful and atmospheric - each word across the 112 pages conjures something eerie and new. Capricious House is an otherworldly place that both terrifies you and pulls you ever-closer.

There are themes of identity, of vulnerability, of monstrosity, of loneliness and of being truly seen in love and romance.

I was captivated from start to finish, and felt my heart melt for the fierce yet lonely Anatema and the daring Dália who is the first human ever ready to bear witness to her full self.

CW: murder, death, body horror, addiction, blood, confinement, spiders, animal death/cruelty

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(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)