Ella, the Slayer: Serenity House, Book 1

A W Exley presents Ella, the Slayer: Serenity House, Book 1, a narrative set in rural Somerset during the aftermath of the 1918 flu pandemic. The story follows seventeen-year-old Ella, who functions as an Edwardian Cinderella figure while managing her war-injured father and scrubbing floors. Her routine shifts when she discovers that the deceased have returned, spreading pestilence like vermin through their bites. Ella combats this undead threat using a katana, protecting the local community from these attacks. The plot intensifies when Ella nearly decapitates Seth deMage, the new Duke of Leithfield, who arrives at his ancestral home with a War Office mission to control the plague. Seth requires assistance in handling the rural crisis but does not anticipate finding aid in a scullery maid. Their collaboration blurs traditional social boundaries, allowing Ella to envision a future previously unimaginable for her station. This partnership challenges societal norms and places Ella at risk of losing her home, her life, and her heart. This book suits readers interested in historical horror with supernatural elements and class dynamics. It appeals to those who enjoy strong female protagonists who defy expectations. The narrative does not cater to readers seeking lighthearted romance or purely academic historical accounts. Exley combines the gothic tradition of returning dead with the specific context of post-war Britain, creating a distinct atmosphere of danger and social tension.