"The Bloodstained Key" by Charity Rau is a gripping tale of mystery and survival set against the backdrop of opulent yet decaying aristocracy. At the center of the story is Marianna, an eighteen-year-old who is thrust into a whirlwind of fear and deception following her father's illness and subsequent financial collapse. Rau's ability to weave a compelling narrative with richly drawn characters and a palpable sense of suspense makes this novel a standout in the gothic fiction genre.

Marianna's journey begins in a world of luxury and societal gaiety, yet her life is overshadowed by the tragic loss of her mother and the mysterious disappearance of her fiancé, Will. Rau skillfully captures Marianna's inner turmoil as she strives to maintain a brave front for her younger sister, even as their lives unravel. The contrast between the dazzling balls and the family's private despair sets a poignant tone for the story.

The turning point in the novel comes with the entrance of Lord Bludington, a mysterious nobleman whose offer of help seems too good to be true. Rau's depiction of Bludington is masterful—his charm and wit mask a menacing aura that Marianna can't ignore. The author's description of Bludington’s mansion, both extravagant and foreboding, sets the stage for the novel’s dark and suspenseful turn.

As Marianna moves into Bludington's manor, Rau ramps up the tension with eerie settings and a cast of unsettling characters. The housekeeper's abruptness, the maids' fearful gossip, and the butler's suspicious behavior create an atmosphere thick with paranoia and dread. Rau’s prose is evocative, drawing readers into Marianna’s isolation and growing sense of danger.

The novel's pacing is excellent, with each chapter revealing new secrets and heightening the stakes. Marianna's discovery of a life-threatening secret within the manor propels the narrative into a thrilling climax. Rau excels at keeping readers on edge, wondering if Marianna will find the strength and cunning to survive her perilous situation.

"The Bloodstained Key" is not just a tale of suspense; it's also a story of courage and resilience. Marianna's character development is compelling as she evolves from a sheltered young woman into a determined survivor. Her struggle to uncover the truth and fight for her life is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

In conclusion, "The Bloodstained Key" is a captivating read that combines elements of gothic horror, mystery, and romance. Charity Rau's vivid storytelling and complex characters ensure that readers will be engrossed from the first page to the last. Fans of gothic fiction and those who enjoy a good mystery with a strong female protagonist will find much to love in this novel. ( )

The Bloodstained Key is exactly what I wanted it to be--a fleshed out fantasy retelling of the story of Bluebeard. Marianna makes a great protagonist as the "wife who lives," and I also enjoyed the characterization of her maid Betsy and sister Annette, plus the library of everyone's dreams. Rau nails the elements of the original fairytale and expands on them in ways that add to the Gothic, claustrophobic feel of the original. There were a few awkward uses of diction ("taxidermized" late in the book, when before that the diction was standard American) and references to the "poorhouse" that didn't seem to fit with the other period-type references of balls and matches (it's not technically historical fic, but felt weird to me in combination, YMMV). On the other hand, I loved the references to all the imaginary fairytale or Gothic-type books Marianna had read! Overall, I loved what Rau did with an often overlooked fairytale, and her clearly deep affection for fairytales and Gothic suspense, and I would definitely read the Neverland-themed sequel hinted at in the epilogue. ( )

This was an excellent book that kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat.

I will start by saying that it was me and not the book. I couldn’t get into the story until the very end and up to that point I could only get myself to read a few pages a day. There was nothing in the story that brought me back and made me excited to continue reading the book. With that said, I did enjoy the writing style and the premise of the book. I thought the ending was rushed and unsatisfying.

I wasn’t aware that it was a retelling, but you don’t need to read it to understand the story. Like I said, the book did drag on a bit too much for me, but it was a well written story with all the creepiness you would expect from a gothic fantasy. We follow Marianne, who has to marry an eccentric man named Lord Bludington in order to save her family from going to the poor house. When marianne arrives at Lord Bludington’s home, Thunderwell Manor, there is an eerie vibe to that unsettles her. Even moreso when Marianne has a dream that she is being warned that she will be killed by Lord Bludington. She asks all their servants in the manor about the hallway that appeared in her realistic dream but they evade her question.

One night Lord Bludington tells Marianne that it is her home and she is free to go anywhere she likes, and being a curious girl, takes him up on it. However when she is found by the creepy and suspicious butler, Dunsten, one night while exploring, he tells her that the manor is not safe for her when it is dark.

Before leaving on another business trip, Lord Bludington gives her a ring of various keys that opens all the doors in the manor but tells her there is one key she must not use. Of course she realizes it is to the door that she has been the most curious about, the one that was in the hallway in her dream. When she goes to unlock it, she is met with a ghastly scene. Inside she finds the skeletons of his previous wives—who had all died under unusual circumstances—wearing the exact replica ring she was given. She believes that Lord Bludington killed them and confirms for her that she is in grave danger and that she needs to find a way to stop Lord Bludington.

The story ends on a happy note, giving a hint to a second book where it is assumed Marianne will venture out to find her first love who was lost at sea. I don’t love this book enough to continue her story, but perhaps if I come across it, I will give it a shot. ( )

Manor-house drama, spooky butlers, family tragedy, and small-town gossip form the backdrop of The Bloodstained Key, a YA retelling of the Bluebeard legends featuring Lady Marianna, the latest young lady to have unfortunately caught the eye of the mysterious Lord Bludington. The straightforward narrative sets a brisk pace, laying out Marianna's increasingly tragic circumstances - fiance lost at sea, brothers off to war, financial ruin knocking on the door. I wish more attention was given to creating an atmosphere and sense of place, and I found it hard to connect with Marianna as more than a character on a page. However, the story is clear and clean, and could be a good starting place for younger readers to experience the genre of gothic YA fantasy.