Miss Amelia's List

Elemental Masters #17

by Mercedes Lackey

The seventeenth novel in the magical alternate history Elemental Masters series follows Amelia Stonehold and Serena Meleva as they navigate property acquisition, marriage proposals, and other ancient horrors in Regency England, but with the help of elemental magic

The year is 1815, and an American, Miss Amelia Stonehold, has arrived in the Devon town of Axminster, accompanied by her "cousin" Serena Meleva. She’s brought with her a list to tick off: find a property, investigate the neighbors, bargain for and purchase the property, staff the property and...possibly...find a husband.

But Amelia soon finds herself contending with some decidedly off-list trouble, including the Honorable Captain Harold Roughtower, whose eyes are fixed on her fortune. Little does Amelia know that his plans for her wealth extend far beyond refurbishing his own crumbing estate — they include the hidden Roman temple of Glykon, where something very old, very angry, and very dangerous still lurks. But Roughtower isn’t prepared to reckon with the fact that neither Amelia nor Serena are pushovers. And he certainly isn’t ready for the revelation that he has an Earth Master and a Fire Mage on his hands — or that one of them is a shapeshifter.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Historical, Magic, Romance

325 pages, Hardcover

First published December 24, 2024

About the author

Mercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.

"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.

"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.

"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:

"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."

Also writes as Misty Lackey

Author's website

Reviews

[Linda Lassman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really love the Elemental Masters series. Unfortunately, I didn't care for this one as much, and I think the problem was the time period when it was sent. As a big fan of Jane Austen and the Regency/Napoleonic period, the fact that Lackey just got so many things wrong kept dropping me out of the story, and they weren't even big things--just common things that magic wouldn't have impacted. And a few things that magic would have impacted, but that were ignored. For example, everyone calling each other by their first names upon being introduced; not bothering to get the choreography of country dances correct (e.g., describing a dance done in sets of 3 couples as a dance done in lines of couples instead of just choosing a dance that was actually danced in lines); and having women wear half-boots and men wear boots to an assembly.

And while I quite liked Serena, I just didn't like Amelia, Roughtower, or Nightsmith. The story itself seemed to be inspired by Pride and Prejudice with magic added. Unfortunately, the story itself rambled for most of the book and then wrapped up suddenly and without explanation in the last 2 chapters. It almost felt like Lackey got tired of writing the story and so just tied everything up as quickly as she could.

To me the entire book was a disappointment and not at all of the quality that I expected from this series. Here's hoping that the next volume will be back to her normally exceptional standards for plot, characters, and writing.

[Nichole A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed

I typically love this series for the period detail and transportation to another time with magic. This book was terrible. Her lead character was a self righteous bore with the majority of the plot happening in the last 30 pages of the novel. I’m typically a faithful reader of Mercedes but this book has me questioning if I will ever read another book by her again.

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that wasn't what I expected. I've read a lot of Lackey's earlier books, but none in this series. When I saw it at my library it looked fun and I decided to try it. It was a delightful read - but where was the fantasy? Where was the tension? Where was the action? Nowhere to be seen. Instead, this story made me think of a Georgette Heyer romance - without the romance. In other words, clothes, houses, dances, meeting people, shopping, visiting the countryside. And that's it.

So why did this work for me so well? The truth is I don't mind a book where nothing happens if the writing is good and the characters are intriguing, and I liked Amelia. I also enjoyed reading about the "Year without a summer", and what it would have been like knowing it was coming but not being able to explain why. The ending, where something did happen, was frankly a mess and let the rest of this down, in my opinion. Until then it was a nice quiet story about two American sisters in England, doing not much of anything.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious. Kept waiting for something to happen. Don't make my mistake. Read the first two chapters for the setting and then the last two for the conclusion.
The rest will give you an extensive sociological class on 1815 upper trade shop Britain. And fabric, and more fabric and then wrapping and unwrapping the fabric... It makes me thankful for all those factories and designers churning out affordable clothing. I'd be wearing bath towels held together with safety pins and duct tape if I had to sew all my own clothes! But I don't feel the need for the extensive filler found here.

Well written as usual but very lacking in storyline no. Conclusion was also pathetic. "Gee, I'd want to visit my brother and make my home where I was almost raped and violently killed my attackers. And I'm so glad the idiot who proposed to me is now wooing my beloved cousin." ??????

What happened here?

[Georgann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was disappointing. If you like Regency, you might like this. The first 200 pages are descriptive of gowns, dresses, balls, dancing, and descriptions of houses and homes and rooms and ho-hum! Only in the last 100 pages did anything "happen" and only in the last 12 was it remotely exciting.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

The ending was given away on the flap of the dust jacket (and what the dust jacket described was only in the last 30 pages). Very disappointed.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, that was dull. My favorite part was the cover art.

I miss the way this series used to be.

[Jan Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I think this is now 1 of my favourites in the elemental masters series. I hope there might be a follow up with these new characters and the historical period they find themselves in.

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean, I finished it?

It was kinda boring, and then rushed the ending and made no sense. Probably the worst of the series and having read them all (and a few being my absolute favorite books), I feel pretty credible saying that.

If it had just been cozy, it might have been ok. But the summary is really just what happened in the last 20 pages, and the rest was just balls and clothing and shopping. Any action by and large happened "off screen", the characters had no growth, and even the shifting was boring. The villain was nonexistent and then a caricature of cartoon villainy.

I didn't DNF, so it wasn't appalling. But it was very flat and kinda shallow. And while early 19th century England isn't my historical specialty, I'm positive it was rife with historical inaccuracies too. ok, it's a historical *fantasy, so I can forgive a lot, but since it was pretty light on the fantasy, it had to make up in history, and it didn't.

Disappointed. I'm glad I didn't pay full price.

[Kate]

DNF 55%.
The white saviorism.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as well written as others in the series

I found this disappointing. Nothing happened except wardrobe preparation for 90% of the book. A little more conflict would have been appreciated.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but this author has written better stories in this series. Plenty of interesting history, not as much fantasy, and there really wasn't much of an exciting plot until the very end of the book.

[Glennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come

Amelia and her “cousin” Serena have arrived in England looking to wed mages like themselves. Amela is an Earth Master and channel of that power while Serena is a Fire mage and a leopard shapeshifter. When they arrive Amelia’s brother James introduces them to the family’s friends and business associates, and they settle right into the correct social circles of the well to do tradespeople. They are also meeting mages looking for magical brides that come with a nice dowery if possible. The book is mostly a slice of life in England in 1815 so there is the year of no summer to move the plot along. There is a magical battle at the end but mostly this is a cozy of a fantasy and will be loved by people who like books in Regency settings with magic.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly had never read this author before. The idea of elementals that could do positive things with air, water, earth, and fire sounded interesting. The idea that they were quakers felt odd, and not all quakers knew about it. These three characters were going to relocate to London, from a group in America. There was just so much detail on things that didn’t go any further. The two sisters and their brother was considered out in the marriage market, but only really popular with elementals. One sister was a master in earth, and also could channel her power. The other one was a cousin, of sorts who also was a shifter, which was rare. They went to assemblies, balls, musicals, and rides, and met others of their kind. Typhus was warned by a friend who was water, yet never came about. They were also abolitionists, since they owned no slaves in America. Napoleon’s escape was very frightening , and caused problems that never really affected anyone in this group. There was a problem with the weather that could cause starvation, and crops to fail for several years, but being a master, and able to heal the soil, and cause regrowth was very helpful. Lots of talk about clothes, sewing, knitting, etc. Then the book takes a weird turn concerning an elemental god, a kidnapping, and a justice that was given. It was tied up with a bit of romance that just all fell into place that wasn’t really a big deal prior. It really didn’t keep me steadfast in my reading the book. It was easy to put down, and the pace stayed slow for me. It was not hard to follow, and if you don’t require much action with the paranormal part then I would recommend it. The author has published quite a lot, but I’m not really into a drawn out story that just is about their everyday lives, and how they would establish their lives in a new area, with the help of others of their same gifted sect. Two stars. I doubt I will be looking into another book of this series. .

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

TL;DR: A bit slow, but a truly cozy Regency fantasy.
Source: Netgalley, thank you so much to the publisher!

Plot: Amelia and her cousin head to England from America for business and to possibly find a match!
Characters: I genuinely came to love all of our primary characters, especially Amelia and her cousin. By the end I was sad to see it end and went looking hoping the next book would follow them again.
Setting: A lovely and cozy Regency setting - it felt very true to old Regency books I’ve picked up in the past.
Fantasy/Historical Setting: The magic in here is pretty in depth considering the setting and attention to detail that the Historical facts had. It was very well researched and I learned a few fun things!

Thoughts:

I didn’t expect what I got with Miss Amelia’s List and it took me a long time to figure out what this book was doing. This felt very much like a cozy, Jane Austen inspired regency romp with a hard core of fantasy inside. This is the 17th book in the Elemental Masters series, though I would argue it can be read on it’s own (I’ve not read one since perhaps the 4th or 5th?). Amelia and her cousin have moved to England from the States to assist in setting up their family business ventures and possibly find some husbands. Of course a few small things occur, but overall the story just follows their day to day.

Possibly my favorite part of this was the attention to detail. The first three quarters of this book we just follow Amelia and Serena setting up in England, meeting their new neighbors and Elemental Mages and Masters, and doing things like getting clothes made. Mercedes Lackey put in some effort to research and represent what it might have been to do this mundane things and we got it in this. The little bit of action we get is in the last 15% and that was of course a lot of fun. But until that point it’s a slow book, slow but cozy.

If you’re looking for something fast paced and action driven, this isn’t it. But if you’re a fan of Regency novels and cozy, very slow paced ones? Try this. It’s easy, but slow. We get commentary on the period from the characters as well, something I appreciated and overall I was happy with my experience.

4 out of 5 Stars

[Marie F.]

Novel of manners, not action

I believe that I have read all the books in this series. Each is unique, some obviously reworked fairy tales, others with appearances by historical/fictional luminaries like Sherlock Holmes or Annie Oakley, all tied together in a magical world of earth, fire, air, and water elementals. This volume felt more like Jane Austen than Arthur Conan Doyle. Lackey laid on the historical details of 1815 with a palette knife, not fine brushes, but it's pleasant, if you enjoy reading about ladies' wardrobes and class distinctions in England at the time (contrasted with our American heroines' experience at home). The characters are a little flat, but unobjectionable, and Lackey is good at depicting strong women in a patriarchy. It reads like a Regency novel right up until the brief bit of action about 95% of the way through the text. I liked the book enough to stay in bed until noon to finish it; unfortunately, modern life doesn't include a household staff (treated well, in an egalitarian way, of course) to bring me a lovely nuncheon to top off my lazy morning.

[Norine Luker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The regency I never knew I needed

There was a period where all I read was regency romances. After 30 or 40 of them, questions arise. How does using the restroom work? Surely there more people than the haute ton? This is where Mercedes' latest filled a niche. Our heroines, Amelia and Serena, are coming to England from the. Carolinas n 1815, not so very long after war had ended between England and its former colonies. In the mother country for business, matrimonial and magical reasons, this Earth Master and Fire Mage both have extra magical talents, which open the door to both society and danger. Full of the detail of daily life that Mercedes always includes, this story gave me my fantasy fix as well as returning me to my regencies roots.

[K.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but a little disappointing. There wasn't much focus on magic, and the conflict came about way too late in the book and almost out of nowhere (also, the blurb was a total spoiler)
I found Amelia's constant anxiety very irritating and I didn't get a 'feel' for the characters like I normally do with one of Mistys books.
Still, I enjoyed the setting as being different (mostly city as opposed to country), the characters were all pleasant enough, it just didn't have the spark I expect from Lackey.

[Linda King]

This is terrible.

I love Mercedes Lackey and have read all of her books. This is the 1st one to ever disappoint me. It is pure puff, filled with nothing but very detailed and boring description of everything from scenery, to clothing, to food, to old English customs, to everything else you can possibly think of except action or adventure. Nothing whatsoever of note happens in the entire book until the last 20 or so pages where there is 1 tiny exciting scene. This book is not worth reading. Don't waste your money. I wish I could get my money back.

[Laura Kimmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Ms Lackey rebarding her Elemental series.

Loved the idea of two Americans going to England to help set up a business for their family. Their elemental powers help the county and the neighbors to survive the volcanic ash and the famine that is looming because of the weather. The characters are wonderful.

[Georgia Altic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous as always!

There is no better story teller than Mercedes Lackey in my opinion. This story was fantastic!! I have read all of her books and this one ranks right up towards the top!

[Laura Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the entire book!

It's been a whole since I read a book so well written! The story was engaging, the characters deep enough. I kook forward to Amelia's story.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that ending sure came at me fast!

[Maddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 well written but literally nothing happens until the last 20ish pages and then it’s all rushed and unsatisfactory

[Gerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

[MizzyRed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely little jaunt into the world of the Elemental Masters. While I prefer the excitement and high stakes of some of the other books in this series, this was pleasant and I would say quite cozy look into regency England. Amelia and Serena are perfectly lovely young women with quite modern views and it was fun to travel along with them as they arrived in England to set up house with their brother as they open a new arm of their father's business and possibly find a good match, as long as they meet all the points on Miss Amelia's list!

Not much romance, but meeting lots of interesting characters, putting up with only a few prejudiced people and most of the book only had distant threats, easily put off by magic, or being prudent and planning ahead. I was a little disappointed that the big bad did not happen till the last fifteen minutes of the book and was also so easily resolved. That could have been so much better than a throw away comment in the middle that was the solution, as the hunts obliquely mentioned were quite interesting and could have been more to make it more thrilling like earlier books.

So all in all a fun little read firmly in the cozy fantasy region.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

[The Book and Bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Amelia’s List by Mercedes Lackey

This book was utterly charming! It follows Amelia and Serena as they navigate life in London after the War of 1812, adjusting to societal expectations as women from colonial America.

ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ᴅᴇsᴄʀɪᴘᴛɪᴏɴs ᴏꜰ Lᴏɴᴅᴏɴ’s ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴄʏ sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ꜰɪʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɢᴇs ᴡɪᴛʜ ʀɪᴄʜ ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟ, ᴡʀᴀᴘᴘɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀʙʀɪᴄ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ.

While it’s a low-action, character-driven story, it’s thoroughly engaging—a perfect palate cleanser when you’re looking for something light yet immersive. Highly recommend for fans of historical settings and subtle storytelling!

[Mary Cornell]

Another Fabulous book in the Elemental Masters series

I have been a fan of Mercedes Lackey for more years than I care to admit. I love her storytelling. This book was another great book that I could not put down once I started reading it.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American invasion of Regency England

I liked that Amelia has her moments of doubt even though she is a strong minded woman. Seeing "society" from the lower gentry is refreshing.

[Bonny Fuller-Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia and Serena to to England

They are both magicians and plan to help James find a place to set up their business. Amelia is a master and Serena is a shapeshifter.