Under the Pendulum Sun

A missionary’s sister journeys to the magical land of the fae to discover her brother’s fate before becoming embroiled in a creepy and dark politics in Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng.

Under the umbrella of a missionary mission, Catherine Helstone embarks on a journey to Arcadia to find her brother. Laon Helstone was one of the first missionaries to the land of the fae, seeking to convert the magical denizens to Christianity. Catherine finds the ominous castle Gethesmane nearly abandoned, with her brother off on a mission for the Pale Queen. While waiting for her brother’s return, Catherine delves deeper into the strangeness of Arcadia, including the fate of the previous missionary. Before long, she finds herself swept up in the court of the Pale Queen, where nothing is as it seems.

Jeannette Ng weaves an incredible tale in the vein of a creepy Victorian novel that blends elements of fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, and more into a dark and captivating tale. Most of the novel is static in Gethesmane, but an increasing level of dread and tension, coupled with intricate character dynamics, make for an intense read. Most importantly, the story doesn’t twist and turn the way you’d expect, making for a satisfying conclusion.