A review by book0logy
And He Shall Appear by Kate van der Borgh

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Gatsby energy, Saltburn dynamic. 


Pitched as ‘Saltburn meets the Secret History’, this novel has all the class tension and academic wonder of both, with a dark, ghostly thread woven through. I always find myself drawn to dark academia at this time of year, when I begin to miss the routine and structure of the academic year. And He Shall Appear takes place in the list of stand out campus novels, its setting of the mid-2000s now just far enough away to add a nostalgic tinge to the reading experience. 

Kate van der Bough weaves music into the narrative expertly, I’m guessing partly due to the semi-autobiographical nature of the work, giving key moments a cinematic quality. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystical and magical elements, and think it is a very appropriate addition to the dark academia genre in this context. To me, it gives the story a mediaeval element, really tapping into the long history of wealth and witchcraft at universities like Cambridge and Oxford.

*Spoilers* 

The ending, the unraveling, feels satisfying and well paced. I loved the character of Tim, and wish we had been given the opportunity to have more insight into that side of this world. Some elements of the reveal didn't quite make sense to me, Alexa and Mona and their relationship to the protagonist for example, but I enjoyed the feeling of dread that reeks from the final pages. 

I enjoyed it but want it to hit harder. It made no sense really why Frances would care for our protagonist. I wanted the protagonists final words to Bryn to have more weight. I wanted there to be a comeuppance with Kenny and Sajid, them to appear at the end to taunt him. I wanted Bryn's magic to be more powerful, the cup to have more meaning, the stone to have influence. 

The lack of impact from these things don't ruin the novel, but it stops it from entering the levels of satisfaction of The Secret History.

Alexa's last words to him?

The only real thing about her is what we see the least of: their kiss