There are few books that pull you into a world as vividly and hauntingly as Christoph Marzi’s Lyricas. Having read this book twice, I find myself continuously drawn back to its richly imagined setting and the intricate web of myths and reality that Marzi so masterfully weaves together. London has always been a city close to my heart—its history, its mystery, and its timeless charm have always held a special place in my life. In Lyricas, Marzi takes the London we know and love and reveals a hidden side to it, one that is both enchanting and terrifying. The way he entwines the city’s real-world streets with the ancient, mythical underworld is nothing short of magical.
Lyricas is an extraordinary novel that begins with the story of Emily Laing, a young orphan living in the harsh conditions of Mr. Dombey’s orphanage. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters a talking, aristocratic rat, and soon after, a werewolf kidnaps one of her fellow orphans. This event sets Emily on a perilous journey beneath the London we know, into a secret city known as the ‘Uralte Metropole’—an ancient metropolis where mystical races and creatures have lived for centuries, unnoticed by the modern world above.
What makes Marzi’s work so captivating is the seamless blend of the fantastical with the familiar. At first glance, the setting feels Victorian, with its dark alleys and Gothic atmosphere, reminiscent of a bygone era. Yet, the story unfolds in contemporary London, a city where ancient beings coexist with the modern world. Marzi’s mythical creatures, from elves to alchemists, navigate this dual existence with ease, their lives intertwined with ours in ways we could never imagine.
The characters in Lyricas are richly drawn and full of depth. Emily, the brave and curious protagonist, learns not only about the hidden world beneath London but also about her own mysterious origins. She is joined by a diverse cast of characters, including an alchemist, her best friend, and the enigmatic Wittgenstein—a laconic narrator whose perspective adds a unique flavor to the story. Wittgenstein’s observations, often filled with dry humor and timeless wisdom, give the narrative a distinctive voice that sets it apart from typical fantasy tales.
What struck me most about Lyricas is how real the characters feel, despite the fantastical setting. They have flaws, fears, and emotions that are all too human—love, hate, jealousy, and despair—making them relatable and deeply compelling. Marzi’s portrayal of these characters, with all their imperfections, adds an emotional depth to the story that resonates long after the book is finished.
Lyricas is a novel that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who loves stories that transport you to another world, while still keeping you grounded in the emotions and experiences that define our own. It’s a tale of adventure, mystery, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a London that is both familiar and fantastically new.
Christoph Marzi has crafted a book that is not only a feast for the imagination but also a profound exploration of what lies beneath the surface of the world we think we know.
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