In recognition of the quality of her literary work and outstanding contribution to the Horror fiction genre, Agnès Maelström has been invited to join the prestigious Horror Writers Association (HWA).
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from 36 reviews
Ma bougie préférée, un vrai moment cocooning délicat et raffiné
J'ai rencontré Agnès lors du TGS Toulouse et j'ai craqué à la fois sur son stand, avec son univers très gothique chic, et sur ses bougies. J'en ai acheté une et elle m'a très gentiment expliqué comment en prendre soin pour qu'elle dure le plus longtemps possible. J'ai trouvé sa démarche très pro.
Dès mon retour à la maison, je l'allume : peu à peu, les paillettes qui sont dessus (elles sont tellement plus belles en vrai, les photos ne lui rendent pas honneur, c'est peut-être un point à revoir) viennent glisser dans la cire fondue et Agnès a raison, on dirait vraiment une constellation d'étoiles. C'est tout simplement magnifique.
Quant à la fragrance, elle est ultra gourmande, classe et addictive ! Je dois être à ma 7e ou 8e bougie et je pense que je vais les acheter deux par deux maintenant.
Je recommande cette bougie les yeux fermés à toutes les collègues et elles en maintenant toutes dingues !
C'est officiel : il est 5h30 du matin,je suis supposée me lever dans une heure pour aller à la fac, et je viens en fait de passer la nuit sur le roman sans voir le temps passer ! Alors là, je suis époustouflée, c'était magistral. Je ne suis pas une grande lectrice (je dois lire max 3 livres par an) mais j'ai été happée dans cet univers sans même m'en rendre compte ! En toute honnêteté, j'ai aimé le style d'écriture de l'auteure, tout en douceur et presque poétique, mais avec cette part de noirceur et à certains moments, j'ai senti mon cœur battre ! Puis l'histoire de Sarah, c'était réellement satisfaisant après tout ce qu'il lui est arrivé de la voir se venger, ça m'a fait un bien fou, je me sens libérée d'un poids dont je n'avais pas conscience. Même plusieurs années après, on pense que ça va mais ça fait toujours mal d'avoir été harcelé au collège. Qd je serai prof (je passe le concours l'an prochain) je conseillerai Porcelaine à mes élèves et à mes futurs collègues de français.
Reading it feels like participating in a seance.
The writing is so evocative that the line between reality and nightmare blurs. Every sentence drips with eerie elegance.
If Shirley Jackson and Edgar Allan Poe had a literary descendant, it would be Maelström.
Plus, I felt so much empathy for this poor little girl.. It was like watching a movie of my own childhood.
Please, Hollywood--do something right, for once. We need this.
As someone else wrote, a must-read for fans of Gothic literature
"Porcelain" is a chilling, lyrical tale that lingers long after the last page. Agnes Maelstrom weaves horror and beauty in a way that is both haunting and deeply disturbing. She resurrects the Gothic tradition with a fresh, feminist voice. "Porcelain" is a fever dream of love, sadness, and forbidden vengeful rage, all wrapped in hypnotic prose. I devoured it in one night and barely slept afterward.
From the very first page, Porcelain pulls you in with its eerie, dreamlike atmosphere and refuses to let go. The author has crafted a story that feels both fragile and powerful, much like the porcelain doll it’s named after: delicate, beautiful, and hiding cracks beneath the surface.
Sarah’s journey is both heartbreaking and mesmerizing, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural in a way that lingers long after you turn the last page.
What makes Porcelain stand out is its depth. It’s not just about things that go bump in the night: it’s about love, loss, vengeance, and the weight of personal history. The writing is so vivid and immersive that you don’t just read this book; you feel it. You breathe it in. It stays with you, whispering its story even after you’ve put it down.
If you love gothic fiction that gets under your skin and into your soul, Porcelain is a must-read.
Okay, so I originally bought this candle as a gift for my bf… but the second I opened the box and got a whiff of that scent, there was no way I was giving it away. It smells absolutely incredible, rich and warm with this perfect mix of sweetness and depth.The caramel gives it a cozy, almost edible vibe, but then the iris butter adds this really sophisticated, mysterious touch. It’s the kind of scent that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and just enjoy the moment.
I must say I'm a bit of a perfume nerd, and this candle reminds me of an iconic perfume... worn by a certain "pretty woman"... ;)
Also, let’s talk quality—this thing burns so cleanly. No weird chemical smell, no soot, just pure, beautiful fragrance. And the fact that it’s vegan and handmade makes it perfect. It feels so much more special than your typical store-bought candle.
Long story short: I'm obsessed, so I kept it (sorry bf, you'll get something else for your bday), and I already ordered another one. If you’re on the fence, just get it. You won’t regret it.
The scent is complex and luxurious, filling my home with a warm and mystical ambiance. As a fan of Porcelaine, that I read in both French and English, I love how this candle deepens the experience of the novel. Highly recommend!
A haunting and cathartic read: highly recommend for bullied kids
I don’t know if I can find the right words to express what Porcelain made me feel, but I’ll try. I’m 19, and I’ve carried the scars of school bullying for years, scars no one sees but that never fully fade.
When I picked up Porcelain, I expected a dark horror story. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would reach into my own pain, twisting and turning it in ways that were both terrifying and healing.
Sarah is everything I wished I could have been back then. She doesn’t just endure the cruelty of her bullies: she fights back. And while I would never dare to do what she does, reading about her revenge felt like a form of justice I never got. It was brutal, yes, but also poetic, like the universe finally balancing itself in her favor. In my favor.
Maelstrom’s writing is hauntingly beautiful, weaving horror with something far more profound: grief, rage, and the desperate need to be seen. The imagery stayed with me long after I closed the book, and so did Sarah’s story. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone in my pain. That my anger was valid.
And most importantly, that I survived.
Porcelain isn’t just a horror novel. It’s a scream in the dark for every person who’s ever been made to feel small, and I will forever be grateful for it.
J'avais déjà laissé ce commentaire sur Amazon, mais je ne peux m'empêcher de le réécrire ici tellement je tiens à "pousser" les gens à acheter Porcelaine pour soutenir Agnès Maelström !
Une vraie claque, je suis une grosse lectrice et portant je n'arrive toujours pas à croire qu'il s'agit là de ma plus belle découverte littéraire depuis des années !
J'ai absolument tout adoré : l'écriture si douce, élégante, et pourtant tellement sombre et envoûtante ; la narration, presque cinématographique, qui nous embarque dans un monde terrible et pourtant dans lequel on se sent étrangement si bien ; les personnages qui se sont fait une place dans mon cœur pour toujours, autant les protagonistes que les "méchants", même si Agnès Maelström se joue des codes du bien et du mal, pour notre plus grand plaisir.
J'ai dévoré Porcelaine en une nuit et j'attends désormais avec impatience de pouvoir replonger dans cet univers, entre Neil Gaiman et Stephen King.
Si vous aimez Carrie et Ça de Stephen King, vous ne pourrez plus lâcher ce roman addictif.
Alors là, je reste sans voix... Je viens d'avoir ma première séance de bibliothérapie avec Agnès et je ne reviens pas de sa gentillesse; elle a clairement le "truc" poru déclencher les mots. On pourrait lui avouer ses plus sombres secrets et elle saurait rester professionnelle et gentille aha J'ai particulièrement aimé le fait qu'elle ne me """pousse""" pas à prendre une autre conseultation mais m'a demandé de lui donner des nouvelles de temps en temps par mail. Comme promis j'ai reçu dans l'heure qui a suivi une liste de livres spécialement faite pour mes problèmes (dont je ne parlerai pas ici) et je vais de ce pas en commander déjà plusieurs qui me semblent vraiement bons. MERCI Agnès pour ce bon moment passé avec vous, ça m'a vraiement fait du bien. <3
Excellent customer relations experience, I appreciate her kindness and the speed of delivery
Finally, a list of books made for me and not just to sell me the latest fashions... I'd had enough of going to bookshops and being pressured to buy the latest self-help books with the latest psycho-babble. I didn't really believe it, but the very next day I received in my mailbox a list of novels specially chosen for my problem (mourning for my dad and weight gain due to poor diet to make up for his absence...). I went straight to amazon (I confess) and I've just received the first 5 on the list (there are 12 in all). Thank you for this list, frankly, $17 well spent, and I'll be ordering again in a few weeks to do it all over again.
I'm also thinking of booking a consultation with the bibliotherapist (who sent me a very kind note of condolence for my dad... It doesn't seem like much, but the gesture really touched me... She really cares and you can feel it).
For breakfast or an afternoon boost, I love it... Perfect balance between relatively full-bodied Assam black tea and bergamot EO, with a delicate, subtle touch of cornflower. Be careful not to push the infusion beyond 5 minutes, as the astringency becomes significant. One of the best "real" Earl Greys I've ever had.
A British family conquered by tea, that's saying a lot!
It's been our morning tea for many months now and we can't get enough of it, its fragrance and subtle taste. My favourite moment is when you open the packet and all the aromas burst out in your face. What a delight!
Course material comprehensive and engaging, and certification highly valuable.
As a teacher for over 15 years, I was feeling burnt out and looking for new ways to connect with my students beyond the curriculum. The Modern Bibliotherapy training was exactly what I needed. The course material is comprehensive and engaging, and the certification is highly valuable. I've now incorporated bibliotherapeutic techniques into my classroom, creating 'book prescriptions' for students struggling with anxiety or social issues. The impact has been astonishing. Students are more engaged, open, and we've seen a real improvement in classroom atmosphere and individual well-being. This training has revitalized my teaching and given me powerful new tools to support my students holistically.
local bookstore clientele enjoys my new bibliotherapeutic recommendations!
This course was a revelation!
Before, I just loved being surrounded by books at my bookstore job. Now, I understand their power. I've started recommending books to customers with specific needs in mind, and the feedback has been incredible. One lady told me a recommendation completely shifted her perspective on a difficult family situation! It's not just a job anymore, it's meaningful work.
This certification has given me a whole new dimension to my passion for reading and connecting with people.
