But Not Too Bold | Los Angeles Public Library
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Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
But Not Too Bold | Los Angeles Public Library
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Dália's life changed the morning the maid found the typewritten note that said:
"HIRE A NEW KEEPER OF THE KEYS; URGENT; BEFORE DAWN"
Everyone in Capricious House knew what the note meant and who had written it. Its author was the Lady of Capricious House, Lady Anatema, a gargantuan spider/human hybrid with a taste for laudanum who is searching for a bride. The meaning of the note was clear: the old keeper of the keys was dead, and Dália, her apprentice, would be taking her place.
For as long as she can remember, Dália has been Ms. Matilde's, the Keeper of the Keys, protege. Now, Ms. Matilde is gone, and Dalia is the new Keeper of the Keys. In her first encounter with Lady Anatema, Dália learns that Ms. Matilde died because Lady Anatema believed Ms. Matilde had stolen something from Capricious House. Dália is able to convince Lady Anatema that Ms. Matilde was innocent, but now she is charged with identifying the thief and returning the stolen items. And she must do so before Lady Anatema becomes so agitated that she eats Dália as well...
In her debut novella, Hache Pueyo tells a story that is a bit Gothic Horror, a bit classic Mystery, a bit Romance, and a bit Fairy Tale, and the resulting novella is magical.
Pueyo creates a striking balance between prose that is almost dreamlike while simultaneously providing sharp and, at times, frighteningly clear depictions of the characters and locations.
Pueyo's Capricious House is described as a "neo-Gothic palazzo with Germanic inspiration" and a "Flemish pediment" covered in gargoyle-like creatures. Like the novella itself, it is a fever dream of styles that should not work well together, and yet they do. And it's maintained by a staff who all know their mistress is a monster, but they have learned to navigate, as best they can, her whims (which are as capricious as her home).
Pueyo skillfully weaves a strong fairy tale influence into her plot, drawing liberally from the stories of Bluebeard and Beauty and the Beast for elements of the novella. The staff of Capricious House have watched as numerous young women have been presented to Lady Anatema as potential brides, none of whom have left the house alive, having been devoured rather than wed. Dália knows this and also understands how she came to be in her current position. But it becomes clear early on that she is drawn to Lady Anatema. It is also clear that the feeling may be mutual. As they explore their new relationship, with Dália now serving the Lady directly, the romantic tension between them grows into something palpable.
Brief, but wondrous and wonderful,
But Not Too Bold
will leave readers wondering where Pueyo will take them next.
Read an interview with the author
here.
Other Books Reviewed by Daryl M.
Another Fine Mess
by Ryan, Lindy
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
by Schwab, Victoria
Good Dirt
by Wilkerson, Charmaine
The Murder of Mr. Ma
by Nee, John Shen Yen, Rozan, SJ
See all of Daryl's picks
Also...
Best of 2025: Fiction & Literature
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with the title and author, and why you think it should be recommended.
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Jump to Navigation
Jump to Content
View it in Our Catalog
Dália's life changed the morning the maid found the typewritten note that said:
"HIRE A NEW KEEPER OF THE KEYS; URGENT; BEFORE DAWN"
Everyone in Capricious House knew what the note meant and who had written it. Its author was the Lady of Capricious House, Lady Anatema, a gargantuan spider/human hybrid with a taste for laudanum who is searching for a bride. The meaning of the note was clear: the old keeper of the keys was dead, and Dália, her apprentice, would be taking her place.
For as long as she can remember, Dália has been Ms. Matilde's, the Keeper of the Keys, protege. Now, Ms. Matilde is gone, and Dalia is the new Keeper of the Keys. In her first encounter with Lady Anatema, Dália learns that Ms. Matilde died because Lady Anatema believed Ms. Matilde had stolen something from Capricious House. Dália is able to convince Lady Anatema that Ms. Matilde was innocent, but now she is charged with identifying the thief and returning the stolen items. And she must do so before Lady Anatema becomes so agitated that she eats Dália as well...
In her debut novella, Hache Pueyo tells a story that is a bit Gothic Horror, a bit classic Mystery, a bit Romance, and a bit Fairy Tale, and the resulting novella is magical.
Pueyo creates a striking balance between prose that is almost dreamlike while simultaneously providing sharp and, at times, frighteningly clear depictions of the characters and locations.
Pueyo's Capricious House is described as a "neo-Gothic palazzo with Germanic inspiration" and a "Flemish pediment" covered in gargoyle-like creatures. Like the novella itself, it is a fever dream of styles that should not work well together, and yet they do. And it's maintained by a staff who all know their mistress is a monster, but they have learned to navigate, as best they can, her whims (which are as capricious as her home).
Pueyo skillfully weaves a strong fairy tale influence into her plot, drawing liberally from the stories of Bluebeard and Beauty and the Beast for elements of the novella. The staff of Capricious House have watched as numerous young women have been presented to Lady Anatema as potential brides, none of whom have left the house alive, having been devoured rather than wed. Dália knows this and also understands how she came to be in her current position. But it becomes clear early on that she is drawn to Lady Anatema. It is also clear that the feeling may be mutual. As they explore their new relationship, with Dália now serving the Lady directly, the romantic tension between them grows into something palpable.
Brief, but wondrous and wonderful,
But Not Too Bold
will leave readers wondering where Pueyo will take them next.
Read an interview with the author
here.
Other Books Reviewed by Daryl M.
Another Fine Mess
by Ryan, Lindy
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
by Schwab, Victoria
Good Dirt
by Wilkerson, Charmaine
The Murder of Mr. Ma
by Nee, John Shen Yen, Rozan, SJ
See all of Daryl's picks
Also...
Best of 2025: Fiction & Literature
Suggest a Book
Do you have a favorite book that you'd like to share?
Send us an email
with the title and author, and why you think it should be recommended.
Español
Kids & Parents
Teens
How Do I?
How do I get a library card?
How do I get a Student Success Card?
How do I print from my laptop? (wireless printing)
How do I reserve a computer?
How do I renew my books?
How do I update my address/phone/e-mail online?
SEE MORE FAQs >>>
My Library Account
Enhanced Catalog Account
Get a Library Card
Reserve a Computer
Ask a Librarian
Book a Librarian
Find A Library
Connect with LAPL
YouTube
Newsletter
Top
LAPL Home
My Account
Books & E-Media
Blog
Book Bundles To Go
Catalog
Branch Periodical Subscription List
E-Media
Freegal Music
Kanopy
L.A. in Focus Videos
New York Times Digital
Freegal Music
hoopla
Kanopy
LAPL Reads
Book Lists
New Books by Genre
Staff Reviews
RSS Feeds
Resources for Readers
LAPL Writes
Book Lists
Online Resources
Indie Author Project
Submission Policy
Events
Language Collections
Libby (Overdrive)
New York Times Digital
Podcasts
ALOUD
Children Chatting
Poet Laureate
Zines
Read Freely
Education & Research
Databases - Research & Homework
California Index
Government Documents
High School Diploma
LAPL Indexes
Behymer Collection Index
Bookplate Collection
Business Magazine Index
Business & Economics Reference Works
California Documents Index
California Fiction Index
California Index
California Prints Index
Casey Fashion Plates
City Directories Index
Cookery Ephemera Index
Environmental Impact Reports
Genealogy & Local History Index
Gladys English
Government Documents - Business
Japanese Prints Index
Library Images Index
Lummis Autograph Collection Index
Menu Collection
Native American Index
Orchestration Catalog
Play File Index
Public Art Index
Series and Sequels
Short Story File Index
Song Index
Theater Program Collection
Toy Movable Database
Turnabout Theater Archive
LinkedIn Learning
Online Learning
Research Guides
Aerial Photographs
African -American Literature (PDF)
African-American Ingenuity
Bilingual English-Spanish Material (PDF)
Census Tract Maps (PDF)
Environmental Impact Reports
Financing New Business (PDF)
Food and Drink
Genealogy
Grants
History of Your House
Holiday Cookery
Job Hunting and Money Guides
Literary Criticism Locator
Map Collection
Maps of Los Angeles
Military and Industry Standards and Specifications
Newspapers
Obituaries in LA County
Philosophy Research
Play Locator
Representative Maps in Los Angeles History and Growth
Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlases
Sheet Music Locator
Short Story Locator
Small Business Research (PDF)
Treaty Research
Vital Records
Student Success
Verify Student Success Card
Tessa: Photo & Digital Collections
L.A. in Focus Videos
Shades of L.A. Oral Histories
Services & Programs
Adult Literacy
Ask a Librarian
Be a Successful Street Vendor
Overview & Permits
Cell-Ed Pathways
Resources & Links
Small Business Help
Book a Librarian
Community Outreach
Cybernauts
Explore L.A.
Homeless Resources
Jobs, Money & Small Business
Memory Lab
New Americans
Octavia Lab & Koreatown Media Lab
Reentry Resources
Reserve a Computer
Seniors
State Park Pass
STEAM
Tech2go
Veterans Resources
Voter Information
Wireless Printing
Neighborhood Science
Events
Adults
Babies & Toddlers
Bilingual Events
Calendar
Celebrations
Central 100 Celebration
Expedition L.A.
Exhibits
Kids
L.A. Made
Seniors
Teens
Locations & Hours
All Branches
Central Library
Departments and Services
Art, Music, & Recreation Department
Business and Economics Department
Children's Literature Department
Computer Center
History & Genealogy Department
International Languages Department
Literature & Fiction Department
Low-Vision Service Centers
Popular Library
Science, Technology, & Patents Department
Social Science, Philosophy & Religion Department
Special Collections
Appointment Request Form
Appraisals
Californiana
Gifts/Donations
Introduction to Special Collections
Mexicana
Photographs
The Special Collections Room Story
Teen'Scape
Directions
Parking
Art And Architecture
Central Library Video Wall
Historical Portraits Project
Goodhue Building
Painting
Public Art Projects
The Literate Fence Quotations
Sculpture
Themes and Inscriptions
Tom Bradley Wing
Central Library Docent Tours
Central Library Virtual Tour
Facility Rentals
Policies
Rates & Occupancy
Holiday Closures
Get Involved
Become a Friend of the Library
Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Make a Donation
Shop The Library Store
Volunteer
About LAPL
Accessibility & ADA Services
Angel City Press
App
Blog
Board of Library Commissioners
Agendas and Minutes
Agendas & Minutes Archive
Board Members
Borrower Services
City Librarian
Connect With Us
Contact Us
eCard Registration
infoNow (Ask A Librarian)
Change of Address
Suggest a Purchase
Library Card Pre-Registration
Solicitud de tarjeta electrónica
Pregúntale a un bibliotecario
Formulario de cambio de dirección
Sugerir una Compra
Solicitud de tarjeta
Jobs & Business Opportunities
Perform at LAPL
Press Room
Press Release Archive
Press Images - Branch Libraries
Press Images - Central Library
Rules of Conduct
Staff Directory
Volunteer Opportunities
Español
¿Qué hay de nuevo?
Títulos recomendados
Ciudadanía
Kids & Parents
Teens
ADA
App
Blog
Connect With Us
Contact Us
FAQs
Online Privacy Policy
Site Map