C.L. Polk is famous for their short, beautiful and detailed novellas often surrounding magic and queer love. Their book, “Even Though I Knew the End” is no exception. “Even Though I Knew the End” won the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 2022 and was a finalist for the 2023 World Fantasy Award- Novella by the World Fantasy Convention. The book only has 144 pages, but it is packed with an exciting and action-filled plot.

It follows Elena “Helen” Brandt, a private detective and magic user. She is tasked with finding the White City Vampire, who has been killing people all over Chicago. She was given this task by a demon, who promised her if she caught this person, she could have her soul back. Now Helen and her girlfriend are on the clock with only three days to catch the White City Vampire and save Helen’s soul.

This book is full of monsters, love and magic and is a great read for people who want a nice short read with an urban fantasy element and a detective noir feel. The only problem with the book is that is too short and could use some more pages to flesh out some ideas and characters, but then it would be a novel.

Rating: 9.5/10