She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone

I received a FREE copy of the ebook edition of She Had Glass Eyes  by C.S. Schiavone from Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone was a recently released novella as of October 20, 2025 and is 73 pages in length. This novella fits into the gothic, historical, fantasy, and horror genres. 

I liked the premise of this novella and the story's summary, which is why I chose to read and review it. I also enjoyed the unreliable leading female character, Deliverance (Dilly) Edvance, in She Had Glass Eyes as well. 

She Had Glass Eyes is set in England in the mid-1800s. It has a bit of a Frankenstein feel to it. Essentially, you have an inventor named Dr. Joseph Faber, who has created a mechanical marvel named, Euphonia, that simulates human speech. While on public display, most of the general public recoils from Euphonia, but not Dilly. Dilly's fascinated by Euphonia... Actually, Dilly's obsessed with Euphonia and dreams about her nightly. Dilly likes the idea of creating an army of mechanical beings. Dilly looks forward to working with Dr. Faber in the future with regards to Euphonia and that is wrought with strife. I won't go into a deep dive into Dilly and Dr. Faber's working relationship towards the end of She Had Glass Eyes, other than to say it does not bode well for all.

As far as the writing goes and the overall plot development in She Had Glass Eyes, I was less than impressed. I felt like She Had Glass Eyes could have been so much better!! I'm kind of surprised with all the glowing online reviews for She Had Glass Eyes.

Below is the publisher's summary for She Had Glass Eyes by C.S. Schiavone from Amazon's website:

When Dr. Joseph Faber unveils his eerie invention in 1846 London—a mechanical marvel that simulates human speech—the public recoils. But one witness listens too closely.

Deliverance Edvane, a solitary undertaker with a mind sharpened by disdain, sees in the invention not horror, but possibility. What begins as fascination soon spirals into obsession, as she plots to take the machine for herself. Darkness stirs in the spaces between invention and insanity in this chilling tale of machines, madness, and the dangerous echo of a voice not quite human.

I am giving She Had Glass Eyes  by C.S. Schiavone a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!