Mayquist embraces the gothic genre with delicious glee, peeling back a shimmery overlay of glamour to expose the rot beneath. With Tripping Arcadia, he has crafted a tale that thrums with eat-the-rich vibes and the exhilarating prospect of a have-not prevailing over the have-everythings. Its reckoning with the state of work in a capitalist society will energize readers, and they’ll be rooting for the flawed yet captivating Lena through every creative twist and dark detail.
In this evocative depiction of a dangerously seductive world, awash in gothic overtones, Mayquist tweaks class tensions as he portrays Lena’s growing desperation for control. Will she be the Verdeau heir’s long-awaited rescuer or an unwitting participant in further degradation?
... this lush and dark debut satisfyingly pulls back and then spirals à la Wuthering Heights or The Great Gatsby ... Lena is sympathetic, and her admission of guilt from the outset increases the tension and pacing of this detail-rich story. Readers will cringe when she makes poor choices but they’ll also be glued to the page as this salacious tale of family drama, corporate dealings, dangerous secrets, and poison unfolds ... A 21st-century Gothic with a fascinating botanical frame and an escalating sense of dread.
... [a] seductive if flawed fever dream of a debut ... Ingenious plot twists abound, though Mayquist struggles to tie up everything convincingly. The louche flair the author displays, however, suggests he’s capable of an even more satisfying second act.
It takes a few chapters for Mayquist to get the tone right, with much of Lena’s gothic-tinged narration feeling out of place in the modern setting. But once Lena’s plan starts taking shape, the plot accelerates along with it as well-deployed twists keep both Lena and the reader on their toes ... A shaky start but a propulsive plot.
