The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley

Set in 1859, this enchanting novel follows Merrick Tremayne, a former smuggler turned explorer, as he embarks on a perilous journey to Peru to collect quinine, a vital treatment for malaria. Struggling with a leg injury and haunted by his past, Merrick finds himself in the mystical village of Bedlam, where reality intertwines with folklore. As he navigates the enigmatic landscape filled with moving statues and glowing forests, Merrick uncovers secrets that challenge his understanding of the world and his own identity, ultimately leading him to question the boundaries between science and magic.