Book Review - Emelyn Morley and the Waking Dark (Saunmoor Book 1) by B. Lawson Hull

Emelyn Morley and the Waking Dark 

(Saunmoor Book 1)

By B. Lawson Hull

Publication Date: 2nd September 2024

Publisher: B. Lawson Hull

Page Length: 325 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction / Paranormal Fiction

"Long has the kingdom of Saunmoor slept in the gloom, but no longer. In Georgian England of 1735, under every pressure to marry and save her family's crumbling estate, Emelyn Morley discovers a haunting watcher in the dark, and learns there is more to her fate than domestic daylight."

Emelyn Morley, the eldest daughter of well-landed gentry, is expected to marry not for love, but for wealth and rank to secure her family's fortune, though she shows little interest in her overbearing mother's choices. Hastelbrook Hall is her home, a vast manor built to uneven grandeur by a mad ancestor, and surrounded by whispers. Emelyn has been lately troubled by recurring dreams of a pale woman in black, who leads her to some dark place she never reaches before waking.

One evening, after escaping a repugnant suitor in the high garden maze, Emelyn encounters the woman in black, proving she is no dream. Stirred to investigate, she learns that an ancient seal of stone beneath Hastelbrook began to unlock on the hour of her birth, marking the first sign of an ominous prophecy. Caught between the pressure to preserve her family through marriage and the encroaching world of night, Emelyn discovers that centuries-old tales of SAUNMOOR, the silent hidden city ruled by its cold immortal queen, are more than myth.

Emelyn Morley and the Waking Dark is the first book of B. Lawson Hull's Saunmoor series, an immersive tale of dark supernatural mystery, harrowing drama and social politics, seasoned with romance, warmth and wit.

Marriage involves a commitment that lasts a lifetime. To pledge oneself to another, in mind body and soul, is not a decision to be taken lightly. But coming into a seventh season, and remaining unmarried is unusual, especially for someone dubbed the Belle of Brighton. Emelyn Morley has no shortage of suitors, yet she remains discerning in her choices.  She isn’t about to simply pick a man and move on, she would like to make her decision knowing that her life is going to be more than that of the dutiful wife, bearing children and keeping a household. She craves purpose. To have a role beyond being the lady of the house. And she refuses to fall at the feet of the first gentleman caller she has.

Emelyn is haunted by a recurring dream featuring a mysterious woman in black, leading her down a dark path, evoking feelings of unease, curiosity, but also excitement. Marriage has been the sole focus of her life for years. Encountering the enigmatic woman in black, both in her dreams and now in reality, Emelyn finally sees a greater purpose in her life, one that extends beyond the quest for a suitable husband.

Covert prophecies and secrets that reveal themselves as the dusk turns to dark, Emelyn Morley and the Waking Dark (Saunmoor Book 1) by B. Lawson Hull is a fantastical historical fiction novel, interwoven with threads of the supernatural, of treasures long forgotten, and the one woman who may be the key to everything.

Emelyn’s life is anything but simple, it is so much more than dancing and harmless flirtation. The Morley household is in a difficult situation, and Emelyn could prove to be the solution to everything. Emelyn’s path to success lies in finding a partner who can provide financial stability and enhance her position in society. Emelyn finds herself torn between her obligations and her personal desires, while her mother persistently tries to influence her towards the most advantageous match. Regardless of the numerous balls and social commitments, she can’t shake off the notion that someone is watching her. Hastelbrook Hall may be shrouded in whispers of dark entities, and ghostly apparitions, but Emelyn has always felt safe and secure there. It is her home, the place she feels she belongs. The revelation she stumbles upon one fateful night leaves her in shock. She’s always sensed that her life is meant for something more than obeying her parents and settling for a suitable marriage. Unveiling the secrets of the estate and the necessity of keeping them concealed starts to give her a sense of direction. The woman of pale skin contrasted drastically with the black clothing with which she adorns herself, is the one to kickstart the beginning of a prophecy told long before Emelyn was even born. With Vaela’s disclosure to Emelyn, a multitude of questions arise. Nonetheless, this novel doesn’t immediately reveal all the information but rather allows the story to unfold naturally. To uncover the truth and grasp the significance for Emelyn, the reader must progress through the story and find the hidden clues. Vaela, although not a character initially you would think to be a favourite, quickly grows on you. Emelyn’s fascination with her bleeds out through the pages to the reader, and the more time you spend with her, the more you see into her heart and learn what kind of person she really is.

Emelyn is an independent-minded woman. Instead of sitting quietly, she actively engages in conversation with her own questions and remarks - and she definitely won’t accept the first marriage proposal that comes her way. And she is not wanting when it comes to proposals. Emelyn seems to have practised enough in gently, or sometimes not so, letting down her would-be suitors. Through all her mother’s meddling, she finds herself torn – Captain Lord Van Croft would be a better match for her socially, but she is not sure whether she likes the man, or is simply intrigued by him. On the other hand, there's no doubt that she’s drawn to Fitzwilliam Arkwright but is he the right choice for her? And would her mother ever concede? Nevertheless, her thoughts are consumed by weightier concerns, even amidst matters of love. The woman in blank taunts her dreams, and she cannot rest without knowing the reasons, or the truth. Coming face to face with Vaela provides the opportunity to find out the truth, but what she learns is not at all what she expected. Emelyn is, in herself, an incredibly strong female lead, who will not stand by silently and allow her life to be directed how others would see it, but rather is ready to stand up for herself and pave her own path through life. She is a character who comes across as incredibly real in the telling, so much so that she practically comes alive within the pages. As you read, you cannot help but fall in love with her spirit, her enthusiasm for life, and indeed, her infatuation with death. 

This novel is written from the perspectives of multiple people, giving a well-rounded overview of the goings-on of society and those involved in Emelyn’s life as the story progresses. One of the most interesting of these is the inclusion of a secret club of gentlemen, and those who call themselves vampire hunters. Hastelbrook Hall may have plenty going on with Mrs Morley’s attempts to find her eldest daughter a suitable match, but in London, the world of vampires is shrouded in just as much mystery, and there are people just as intrigued about them as Emelyn is – they just don’t have the same views on what one should do once they have discovered the truth surrounding the existence of creatures of the night. The historical detailing of this novel has brought not only the characters to life, but has arisen the entirety of London in the 18th century from the history books. If it were only Emelyn’s love life that was the topic, this novel would be a success. However, when you incorporate a mysterious shadowy underworld, the unfolding of a prophecy, and the discovery of a supernatural group coexisting with humans, all seamlessly integrated into a historical novel, it becomes something very special indeed. This novel is a gripping tale of societal and supernatural trials and tribulations, and it is most certainly one that you do not want to put down. Book two cannot come soon enough! 

Emelyn Morley and the Waking Dark (Saunmoor Book 1) by B. Lawson Hull marks the beginning of what promises to be a spectacular series. As you read, the scenes on the pages become vivid and the characters feel incredibly real. When the book ends, it’s like saying goodbye to dear friends. 

If you’re a fan of historical fiction blended with dark supernatural elements and gripping twists, make sure to read Emelyn Morley and the Waking Dark. 

I highly recommend it.

Review by Ellie Yarde

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B. Lawson Hull

B. Lawson Hull has always been a storyteller, fueling his imagination on worlds of historical fiction, fantasy and adventure. In college he pursued a creative writing minor, studying acting, art and literature, ultimately receiving his degree in Renaissance and Enlightenment history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lawson lives and works on Nantucket, an idyllic place for his love of history, research, and writing.

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