Book Review:: Every Exquisite Thing | Laura Steven

After reading and adoring Our Infinite Fates, Laura Steven’s new book Every Exquisite Thing was a pleasant enough surprise. While Fates is about an endless love story (my absolute weak spot), and Every Exquisite Thing is about a young woman coming to terms with herself and the forces that have acted upon her short life, they are both about curses.

Twisted, awful, curses.

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven Book Review

More than anything this book reminded me of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, or even more so its creative progeny, If We Were Villains. It is dark academia, certainly, and there is a violent mystery to solve. Actually, you know what? This is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (my fav).

Dear Penny is the daughter of a world famous actress, trying to live up to her standard so that she might earn what should be freely given: a mother’s love. She was granted a prestigious position at Dorian Drama School (yes, that Dorian is very relevant as well), and she’s sure she’ll win the top role in Macbeth, when a rival comes in a swoops it up instead, giving Penny a formative choice: what exactly is she willing to do to get it back?

The pages here are dripping with a gothic style tension. Every storyline is ratcheted with drama and choices that will define the story, and as the mystery is slowly revealed, it is fascinating. And the themes are powerful and important as well.

Penny struggles with an eating disorder, so for those who are sensitive to that topic, please be aware that is a very big part of this story.

Overall, I was impressed, again, with Laura Steven’s talent for weaving a compelling story, and I look forward to reading what she comes out with next!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Every Exquisite Thing
Author:: Laura Steven
Genre:: Fantasy Thriller
Publisher:: Wednesday Books
Length:: 384 pages
Published:: May 26th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars