by Jo Walton
First published 2020
Orsino has built his reputation crafting novels, but his newest character refuses to stay on the page. Sylvia has developed her own will, her own voice, her own desires that clash with his vision for the story. The celebrated author finds himself in a battle for control as his creation pushes back against the narrative he's trying to impose. His physical health deteriorates while this creative struggle intensifies. The line separating what he imagines and what actually exists starts to dissolve. Orsino discovers that his gift for bringing characters to life carries a price he never anticipated. He must find a way to resolve this conflict with Sylvia before his own imagination destroys him. The fight between creator and creation becomes a question of survival.
Genres: literary-fiction, fantasy, psychological-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: creator-protagonist, unreliable-narrator
316 pages · Kindle Edition · Tor Books
Content warnings: mental-illness