So I really liked the first two books in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game), but was less interested in the crime stuff and more interested in the relationships (familiar, platonic, romantic, sexual). Ideally, I would love to find another novel with a similar vibe, but that's less crime-y/murder-y (though some crime and some murder is okay) and more about the character relationships.
Overall, I particularly loved the sort of dark and erotic vibe of the book, as well as the way that Carlos Ruiz Zafón built relationships without them seeming cheesy/corny. The forbidden romances were hot without being obvious if that makes sense.
Anyway, this may be a tall order, but I'd love any suggestions you all have based on this. I'm happy to answer any questions if that will help!
by que_bacan
1 Comment
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! – this has that magical, mysterious atmosphere with a heavy emphasis on relationships and a slow-burn romance. It’s set against a lush, almost dreamlike, backdrop with subtle eroticism & very rich prose
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield – a gothic novel rich in secrets & complex relationships, with a strong sense of atmosphere and subtle romantic/erotic undertones that add depth without being overt
Also – I feel like The Secret History by Donna Tartt would interest you but it doesn’t explore a romance per se but a group of friends in academia. It also starts off by introducing a murder (lol) but the crime is kinda in the background while the characters thoughts take center stage. It’s one of the best character explorations and prose I’ve ever read.
Hope you find something you like !