The Resurrectionist


Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
436 Pages
Reviewed on 06/02/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

A. R. Meyering’s The Resurrectionist is a Gothic fantasy inspired by the true story of the Burke and Hare murders during the early 19th century. In this tale, a surgeon named Edgar Price is beginning to doubt his skill with the scalpel and cannot articulate the depths and horrors that he feels with the presence of every dead body on his dissecting table. With only a few days to live, he becomes a host to a revenant that tortures his body and soul, and it has unleashed six more revenants that are wreaking havoc into the world. Determined to stop these malignant forces from claiming any more lives, he journeys to Witches’ Wood, a dwelling place for formidable spell-casters and enchantresses, where he discovers the darkest of incantations. But his mission will be compromised as he becomes emotionally involved with Fana, the Protector of the Wood.

There is a spellbinding thrill in the fiber of the plot that makes A. R. Meyering’s novel remind you of Tim Burton and Washington Irving. Price is a tormented protagonist from the start, but his life force is pulsing with determination as he exhausts his remaining days to uncover a supernatural mystery. A curse has been cast because the characters involved have been vile, heartless, or have made a fatal mistake, and they all commit to the search for refuge, justice, and redemption. Meyering’s writing is so engaging that it solidly involves you into the core of the story. It is macabre to be sure, but the narrative is a great feast for anyone who likes to delve into an arresting Gothic tale. To an unusual degree, The Resurrectionist works on a realistic level. Given that it is inspired by true events, we can accept its fictionalized terms and do not question its fantastic and bizarre elements.

Christian Sia

In The Resurrectionist by A. R. Meyering, surgeon Edgar Price is left with only a few days to live, but life becomes even more unbearable when he hosts a revenant that tortures him mercilessly. He has also unwittingly released other ghosts and more lives are in danger. Racing against time to stop the revenants from possessing other victims, he forms an unlikely alliance with Ainsley. She is a witch from the Witches’ Wood who is wary of outsiders and has a dilemma of her own, racing against time to save herself and her lover, Colleen, from suffering her loss. Can they find answers in time to stop the revenants and save themselves?

The Resurrectionist is a lovely, intelligently written, and gripping story that features gorgeous prose and sophisticated, relatable characters. I lack words to describe A. R. Meyering’s prose; it is stellar, and the descriptions are vivid and terrific. Her economy of word is astounding, the fruits of a master wordsmith, indeed. The characters in The Resurrectionist are rock-solid, psychologically and emotionally rich, and the author puts them in situations that force them to grow and make difficult choices. For instance, Edgar is irresistibly drawn to Fana, the one who guards the wood, and this aspect of his character deepens the plot. When readers reach the end of the story, a startling realization in Edgar makes for a satisfying end. The book is written in a poetic style and the rich prose unveils a beautiful setting and imagery that is indelibly imprinted in the minds of readers. This novel is a passionately rich and provocative, magical tale of personal transformation, a hard-to-put-down story, thanks to the great writing, charm in the narrative voice, and impeccable world-building.

Jose Cornelio

The Resurrectionist by A. R. Meyering is a meld of psychological thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy, a compelling story set in Scotland in the nineteenth century. It deftly handles the themes of witchcraft, love, and purpose. A dying surgeon, Edgar Price, is possessed by a wraith that torments both his body and soul. Through his own fault, other ghosts have been released, and he must stop them from possessing others. But he has little time left. A chance encounter with Ainsley, a witch who doesn’t trust strangers and one with a problem of her own, leads to an adventure filled with surprises as they both seek answers. She accepts to work with Edgar in navigating the dangerous path that the revenants have opened. But can Edgar focus on his mission to stop the revenants when his heart melts for the Guardian Spirit of the Wood — Fana. Follow the thrilling adventure that explores freedom, purpose, and a devastating, yet meaningful experience of death.

This is a cleverly plotted and expertly written story that transports readers to uncharted yet fascinating worlds. There is so much to love in A. R. Meyering’s work, and I found myself enamored by the superb and exquisite writing, which is lyrical and has a spell of its own. The author has the skill of creating real characters and unveiling their inner worlds in a way that allows readers to journey inside them, one level at a time. The themes of love, death, friendship, community, and purpose are written with the ingenuity that only a master storyteller can demonstrate. The writing is emotionally rich and readers will love the way the relationship between Colleen and Ainsley is written. Edgar’s desire for Fana comes across as a love born in another world, so strong that it unveils his purpose. The Resurrectionist is a wonderful tale in which a dying man faces the biggest challenge of his life, only to discover at the end of the journey a world and a purpose he never bargained for. It is a beautifully written story, compulsively readable and brimming with the magic of life and love.

Foluso Falaye

Until a week ago, it had all been science for Scottish surgeon Edgar Price: the exploration and prodding of human bodies as he determined the causes of death. However, seeing and knowing Mrs. Sheehy before she died by his hands after an unsuccessful operation changed something in him. Feeling shame about his work as a surgeon, he decides to resign and visit a long-time friend, Gregory, and his wife. However, his mission is interrupted by a terrible evil and a curse that leaves him with only a few days to save his life and soul. Consequently, he seeks solutions in a haven for a sisterhood of powerful enchantresses called Witches’ Wood. Inspired by true events, A. R. Meyering's The Resurrectionist is a gripping mixture of dark fantasy and horror set in the 19th century.

Protagonist Edgar Price is a likable character with a strong, compelling voice and some regrets and painful memories that motivate him to be better. The value of life and making every moment count is revealed through Edgar having to face death. Several themes are woven into the plot, giving readers a broad and rich experience: love, death, magic, reincarnation, vengeance, forgiveness, loss, humor, and more. Yes, The Resurrectionist definitely has its funny moments! I switched between laughing, gasping, and marveling as the plot progressed. A. R. Meyering's book is highly recommended to readers who wish to be immersed in the magic of the forest and the beauty of spiritual beings in one moment and yanked into the horrific world of bloodsucking, soul-devouring monsters in the next. It's the perfect, thrilling combination I didn't know I needed.

Ruffina Oserio

In The Resurrectionist by A. R. Meyering, surgeon Edgar Price knows he has only a few days left to live, and they are the most horrible days of his life. He is possessed by a ghost and through his own fault, other malignant spirits are released into the world. He has to find a way to stop them from destroying other lives. When he meets Ainsley of the Witches’ Wood, a witch with her own peculiar troubles and with a few days to live as well, adversity forces the two of them to cooperate in spite of their differences. Can joining forces help them stop the evil and what happens to Edgar’s increasing attraction for Fana, the guardian spirit of the Wood?

This magical tale is intelligently plotted and expertly executed. The prose sings like beautiful music, at times ethereal, evocative of the world the characters navigate. Each word is carefully chosen, and the sheer beauty of the language captivated me as I read on, including the vivid descriptions, the well-written dialogues, and A. R. Meyering’s ability to portray the inner world of the characters. Motivation in the characters is strongly written and in the context of relationships, it becomes stronger. Ainsley does not want to die because her death will make the one person she loves deeply to suffer. Apart from wanting to stop the wraiths from possessing other victims, Edgar’s attraction to Fana has a deeper meaning and even her fate releases something purer and more meaningful in him, giving his life perspective. The Resurrectionist is a book with a beautifully written setting, a strong conflict and unforgettable characters. It is a page-turner that will excite the minds of readers in many ways.