Review - Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn

 Review - Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn

The first in a dazzling, commercial, historical adventure series set in the extravagant and deadly world of the French Revolution. A whirlwind of action, science and magic reveals, with a diverse cast of fearless heroines, a band of rebels like no other.

Camille, a revolutionary's daughter, leads a band of outcasts – a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. As the Battalion des Mortes they cheat death, saving those about to meet a bloody end at the blade of Madame La Guillotine. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. The girl's no aristocrat, but her dark and disturbing powers means both the Royalists and the Revolutionaries want her. But who and what is she?

In a fast and furious story full of the glamour and excesses, intrigue and deception of these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she's forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future.

I really enjoyed Dangerous Remedy. A historical thriller, it takes us back to a fascinating time in history. The French Revolution has removed the monarchy and aristocracy, but it's a dark and dangerous time, the Terror. Revolutionaries are turning on each other, executing anyone within their own ranks who wavers or holds different views to the ruling powers, and the royalists are still actively working to overturn it all. This churning pool of politics and executions is where our group of heroes find themselves.

I loved the different perspectives presented by the group. There's a real mix of sexualities, genders, but also backgrounds, with a deserting soldier from Marseille, an aristocrat with a drinking problem, and Ada and Cam, two girls in love, with complex family and social backgrounds. The romantic scenes were really well done, with their ups and downs feeling important and meaningful, and the action was tense, exciting and nerve wracking. The politics was particularly well done, with the theme of revolutions eventually turning on the most principled revolutionaries, and the feeling of being caught between two opposing sides, neither of whom you feel are in the right. I liked the recurring theme of choice too, and how this was reflected in the actions of the characters.

A tense, exciting political historical thriller, with a diverse, queer cast of characters portrayed really well.

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Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn is out now, published by Head of Zeus.

I was given a review copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.