Sparks of Bright Matter by Leanne O’Donnell

Book Blurb
In 18th century London, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A lot of knowledge is deadly.
When ambitious apprentice chemist and secret alchemist Peter Woulfe is tasked with caring for a mysterious illustrated book, the Mutus Liber, he quickly realises that the grimy underworld of Georgian London is even more dangerous than he first believed.
Soon the book is stolen by the light-fingered Sukie and Peter finds himself being pursued by threatening men who are willing to do anything to get the book back. Where in teeming London might Sukie be found? Why is Peter so enthralled by her? And what is it about the Mutus Liber that is so enticing? As the search for the book becomes an urgent game of cat and mouse, it seems that the key to Peter’s present dilemma might only be found in half-remembered events from his childhood, and then further back still, in the mists of Irish myth.
A spellbinding and unputdownable tale about spirit and matter, love and lust, and reality and magic.

My Review
I was origionally due to be part of the blog tour for Sparks of Bright Matter in April, courtesy of Erui Books and Tracy Fenton, but unfortunately personal circumstances meant I couldn’t post my review. I am slowly getting my reading mojo back, and finally read this book earlier this week. Set in the eighteenth century this is the story of Peter Woulfe, an alchemist and apothecary, Suki a prostitute and a missing book that many are trying to find.

Sparks of Bright Matter is very much a character centric read, with a cast of fascinating characters that Dickens would be proud of. At the beginning of the book we are introduced to an older Peter and Suki, Peter working as an alchemist, looking to turn base metals into stone, whilst Suki is literally shovelling poop to sell to the tanneries; two people living in different worlds but in their past they are consumed by passion on Woukfe’s part and a mysterious book. Leeanne O’Donnell creates such fascinating and deep rooted characters, that seem so real that you are pulled into their lives. The names of the characters are just as wonderful; Peter Woulfe, reminding of Peter and the Wolf, Shapsel Nicodemus Stein a bookseller, Mr Sweetman who is anything but. Even the supporting cast are beautifully created with their own quirks.

The thing that stood out for me with Sparks of Bright Matter was Leanne O’Donnell’s wonderful descritive prose. She really brings to life eighteenth century London, Cork and Paris. She captures the atmosphere of these places, the buildings, people, the culture, the sights, sounds and smells making this a feast for the senses; the honey stone of Paris, the busseling London and the simple beauty of Cork. Whilst I loved the writing of this book I did feel that it didn’t flow, the plot jumped around a lot. I felt there were too many different threads to the plot and a lot of those were just left hanging and not explored, like the Jacobite angle, only a swift mention in relation to the missing book but not explored. However, I did enjoy the mystical part of the plot, the missing book and its effect on the characters, especially Suki, and there was also some kind of magic at play in Woulfe’s childhood and the mysterious Bridey.

Sparks of Bright Matter is an evocative and atmospheric read that brings the eigteenth century to life. I love the descriptions of both the characters and the settings of the book, drawing me in to the sights and sounds of the eighteenth century. This is an enchanting, evocative and all encompassing read for fans of historical fiction.