My Thoughts On… The Lilith Gene by M. Cassol

Hi All!
Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Lilith Gene and I am here today with a review of this interesting book!

Title: The Lilith Gene
Author: M. Cassol
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Published: 29th November 2018
Pages: 232
Format: ebook
Source:: Review Copy from Publisher
Add It: Amazon UK Goodreads.
Summary:Vesna, a Serbian PhD student in Art History living in Tuscany, is a master rock climber. The only thing she can’t get a grip on is her love life. Beset by terrifying panic attacks that strike every time she allows herself to be intimate with another woman, she strives to avoid the so-called mermaids in her life. Olga is a widened-eye nurse trainee in Sarajevo. It’s 1912 and Olga is all too keen to document her life and the world changing around her in her diaries. Olga’s passion for nursing is only rivalled by her love for her anguished boyfriend Gav. The arrival of the obscure Patient J.D. 347 at the hospital is about to change everything for Olga. Everything will change for Vesna too, when she meets the compelling art restorer Rafaella Guaritore. Rafaella holds the key to Vesna’s research into influential women painters of the Renaissance and the metaphorical Lilith Gene that all the rebellious ladies in art are believed to share. Will Rafaella hold the key to solving Vesna’s mysterious recurring dreams and find the root of all her anxiety? Or is the answer to Vesna’s problems hidden in Olga’s diaries?

My Thoughts

As soon as I heard about this book, I was intrigued about it. It sounded really interesting and unique – and it was. I fell into this book from the very beginning. You’re pulled in during an intense moment, a moment that gets your heart racing. Further on from that, the book is truly rich in culture – especially of the art world. I found myself truly invested in the story, loving to learn about the different paintings described. Top that with the feminism theme and it was a full on fascinating read. I would highly recommend it as an addictive, informative and mysterious read.

One of the main things I loved about this book was the way that it switched between Vesna’s life and Olga’s diaries. You’re forever wondering how it all connects, trying to work your way through. It made the book that much more interesting to read. On top of that, I also loved the depiction of anxiety in Vesna. It was very realistic and I loved how it made her react to certain situations. It truly gave her a more interesting personality.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I loved how well this book looks into Vesna’s sexuality. How she feels about other women – especially those she terms mermaids and how that impacts on her life. Add in to that the mystery of Vesna’s recurring dreams and you might be able to see why this book is such a fascinating read. It has a multitude of layers, touches on so many different themes and just flows so easily off the page. I really loved the way M. Cassol wrote the story and how it all came together. If you get a chance, do make sure you give this book a read.

About the Author

M.Cassol was born in transit on the Brazilian and Uruguian boarders, when her mother went into labour on the return leg of a family holiday. Cassol graduated in medicine in Brazil in 2004, but instead of sticking to a formal academic path, she left everything behind to travel the world, crossing oceans and moving to Europe. After settling in London, Cassol has become one of the most respected specialist doctors in aesthetic medicine, associating her passion for beauty and creativity to perfect her treatments. Her first lesbian novel was published in Brazil; Fuga da Lula (which translates to Fanny Fun in English), reached number one on the Amazon Lesbian Romance chart and is currently being turned into a movie.