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The Twelfth Enchantment

by David Liss (Goodreads Author)

3.38 of 5 stars 3.38 · rating details · 1,148 ratings · 300 reviews

Lucy Derrick is a young woman of good breeding and poor finances. After the death of her beloved father, she is forced to maintain a shabby dignity as the unwanted boarder of her tyrannical uncle, fending off marriage to a local mill owner. But just as she is on the cusp of accepting a life of misery, events take a stunning turn when a handsome stranger—the poet and notori...more

Hardcover, 399 pages

Published August 9th 2011 by Random House

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Must've Done Something Good by Cheryl Cory

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Once Upon A Second Chance by Marian Vere

Austen Inspired

29th out of 121 books — 38 voters

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Historical Fantasy

67th out of 80 books — 41 voters

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Community Reviews

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Aug 27, 2011 karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: what-would-byron-do, distant-lands

lemme crank this out before the hurricane steals all my power!

elizabeth already took care of all the austen allusions in this book - which is good of her, because i sure didn't get any of them. austen ladies - someday i will understand you, i promise! but i am here to mostly focus on the byron stuff, cuz that's what i do.

i always thought that david liss was a veryserious author, and the men (almost exclusively men) asking for his books always looked veryserious, so this rather lightweight tale o...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Meredith

Shelves: 2011, books-about-books, in-by-of-england, in-by-of-the-americas, reviewed

David Liss likes the bad girls. Well, let me qualify that as Mr. Liss is a goodreads author and I'm only going by the characters in his book, not any personal information. David Liss seems to like Jane Austen's bad girls. Mary Crawford (yes, that Mary Crawford, the one that nearly stole away dear Edmund from Fanny Price in Mansfield Park) is all over this book). Others are mentioned, too, through clever allusion (and possibly this Janeite just reading too much into it). The main character's name...more

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Aug 15, 2011 Angelc rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: already-own-read

So, I admit, the reason I wanted to read this book is because I love all things Lord Byron. I assumed he wouldn't really be in the book much, but I was wrong. Byron was actually a pretty central character in the story. The author took a lot of liberties with a real historical figure, some of it worked for me, some of it didn't. It didn't bother me at the beginning, but things got very, very strange at the end and I started to wonder why he didn't just invent a purely fictional character. Nonethe...more

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Jul 12, 2011 E rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction

Oh historical fiction, with pelisses and carriages, and magic! How I love you! Didn't know David Liss had this in him! yay!

Extended review here

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Mar 14, 2013 Althea Wynne-Davis rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Twelfth Enchantment was a serendipitous find. The old-fashioned way - I was browsing in the library and this jumped out at me. I don't know why I've never heard of this book before because it should have been something very popular and all over the place. Lord Byron as a character. The search for a magic book's lost pages. Romance. A young woman growing into power and independence.

I thought of it as Jane Austen - but darker and with magic. There are even characters reminiscent of Austen's n...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Joe rated it 1 of 5 stars

avid Liss has been one of my favourite contemporary writers since I discovered his debut novel, A Conspiracy of Paper in 2000.

I was surprised that his latest book, released last year, The Twelfth Enchantment (Random House,) fell under my radar.

But after I read it, my surprise turned to disappointment.

Whether it’s the early days of the London Stock Exchange, the 1722 general election in England, or even the formation of the National Bank in America, most of Liss’ novels tend to be historical mys...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Maia B. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: beach-reads, jane-austen, mediocre-writing, historical

There's quite a bit of Jane Austen here. There's also quite a bit of something a lot like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. There's also quite a bit more mediocrity than can be found in either of them.

Jane Austen: the creator of six basically perfect novels, a writer still wildly popular, the inspiration for more sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and rip-offs than any other writer ever. Jonathan Strange etc: a clever, intelligent, funny, thought-provoking novel with depth, well-researched, well-wri...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Mira rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

I have never read David Liss (even though I have a couple of his books on TBR shelves). I picked this book up because 1: it contained magic and I love to read about magic and 2: I knew it was different from his other books. (I might not have read them, but I do know something about them). I did not know it would be Austen-esque or have Austen references throughout the book. If I had known, I would have read it sooner. I liked the book. It wasn't as good as some Austen inspired books I have read,...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Michael added it

DL is one of my favorites. One of the best out there. Brilliant. I went and got Twelfth Enchantment as soon as it came out. Same as I do anything he writes. And when I was in the store I bought The Coffee Trader and A Spectacle of Corruption for my dad, which is a big deal because it's hard to find something so great that I think he will feel the same way. Bridging generations and all that... I hate to say it. I really do. But I did not like this one at all. I suppose it's meant for teenage girl...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Dena Landon rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. A mixture of historical fiction and fantasy, seasoned with a touch of romance. Set during the time of the Luddites in England the story follows Lucy Derrick, a poor relation living on sufferance with her Uncle, as she is drawn into a world of magic.

The novel begins when Lucy is informed that she has been promised in marriage to a Mr Olson, the owner of a local mill. Lucy doesn't love him, but she is aware of her precarious position in the world and considers the marri...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Patricia O'Sullivan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lucy Derrick does not want to marry Mr. Olson, a dull mill owner, but as a poor orphan with a damaged reputation, she has little choice. But soon after their engagement, strange things begin to happen. An impossibly handsome man bursts into the house to warn Lucy not to marry Mr. Olson and then passes out cold. Lucy begins to see shadow people who urge her to ‘gather the leaves’. And a beautiful cunning woman named Mary Crawford befriends Lucy and begins to train her for a dangerous and mysterio...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

British literature is filled with tales of fairies, wizards and magic. In his latest work of historical fiction, The Twelfth Enchantment, David Liss draws upon these great legends and combines them with a truly unforgettable heroine,in the tradition of Jane Austen. Lucy Derrick is an upstanding, well bred young woman that is unfortunately a woman without means. Upon the death of her father she is sent to live with a distant Uncle that is all too eager to marry her off to a mill owner that Lucy h...more

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Nov 10, 2011 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lucy's life at 20 is falling apart. Her dear sister Emily dies, followed by her dad and she is forced to live with her terrible uncle whose character never resolves or develops fully. When she feels all is lost she discovers she can do magic! And then her world and the world around her changes completely.

More like 3.5... This was my first David Liss novel and I really didn't know what to expect except I liked the cover and it was getting pretty good reviews. The beginning reminded me of a Jane...more

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Sep 05, 2011 Jillian Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was not as enchanted with The Twelfth Enchantment as I expected. David Liss captures the tone and sensibility of an Austen novel and the protagonist, Lucy Derrick, is spot on as a woman trapped by her times who shuns the ties that bind. But something was lacking.

Luck Derrick is in a sore spot - her sister and father have died, her second sister married a distant cousin to keep the family home and money but that backfired when said cousin kicked Lucy out and she landed on the doorstep of an unc...more I was not as enchanted with The Twelfth Enchantment as I expected. David Liss captures the tone and sensibility of an Austen novel and the protagonist, Lucy Derrick, is spot on as a woman trapped by her times who shuns the ties that bind. But something was lacking.

Luck Derrick is in a sore spot - her sister and father have died, her second sister married a distant cousin to keep the family home and money but that backfired when said cousin kicked Lucy out and she landed on the doorstep of an uncle who pinches pennies, and now she is being elbowed into marrying Mr. Olson, an prosperous yet unimaginative man who runs the local hosiery mills. A mighty sore spot that Lucy tries to make the best of.

Then Lord Byron lands on the same uncle's doorstep while Mr. Olson is visiting, demands to speak with Lucy Derrick and proceeds to warn her away from marrying Mr. Olson while explaining she needs to gather the leaves. Byron then vomits pins, swoons and promptly falls unconscious.

Through the help of a local cunning woman, Lucy removes a curse from Byron, opening the door to her education in the magical arts. This is where the books begins to lose its momentum. Not every learning sequence in a novel or movie is action-oriented; however, having Lucy sit in her room and read ancient books and copy down talismans is a bit dry. And Liss doesn't spend much time explaining how magic works in this version of England. Her education glosses over the intricacies of magic - later moments when Lucy is preparing a spell or using one are similarly vague.

That's one way to get around the difficulties of explaining magic without being predictable or contradicting oneself but that is the fun of reading a book about magic and witches. What are the rules? Who is allowed to do what? How does a teacher pass on the craft?

How an author answers those questions is what differentiates all the magic-oriented novels apart. The Harry Potter series is ultimately one long coming-of-age tale rooted in the choice between good and evil but it was JK Rowling's world-building that captured her audience and turned a coming-of-age tale into a cultural phenomenon. Obviously, lightning doesn't always strike twice and I'm not saying Liss should try to recreate what Rowling did. I am saying he should have been more confident in his world and his characters to spend time with the magic that is dramatically changing the protagonist's life.

The Twelfth Enchantment is long - 400 pages - and filled mostly with Lucy attempting to navigate society as best she can as she moves toward her goal - collecting the 12 'leaves' of a book in order to find her baby niece who was replaced by a changeling. There are bigger things happening around her - Ludd is a magical being, there are revenants that are like faeries but sound more like sophisticated zombies to me, the industrial revolution is a big deal - but Lucy's main objective is personal. Her smaller goal helped keep me engaged.

Although I did get frustrated every time Lucy was saved by someone else. I understand part of the journey for a novice in any genre is filled with trial and error and oftentimes their teachers or elders must step in but there was a lot of that. Could be because of the timeframe - Lucy risks her reputation by taking a carriage ride overnight with Byron to confront an enemy. Men steal her and men save her. It would have been nice to see her do something for herself in a bigger way.

And, in the tradition of Austen, there are love interests. Byron is a knave who tempts Lucy. Mr. Morrison hurt Lucy terribly when she was younger but must be involved because he is useful. Antics ensue. Hearts are hurt. Things are learned and love is declared at the end - along with an obvious set up for a sequel. Have you heard about that fighting going on in France?(less)

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Aug 24, 2011 Ssjustice rated it 2 of 5 stars

Lucy Derrick is a young woman with no money and a bleak future. The death of her father has forced her to live with a cold-hearted uncle and his malicious housekeeper. A youthful indiscretion has made her nigh unmarriageable, and her sole suitor is a detestable local mill owner. Her fortune takes a turn, however, when a bewitched Lord Byron appears at her door to deliver a cryptic message: "You must gather the leaves." Helped by a local gentlewoman "knowledgeable" in magic, Lucy breaks Byron's c...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Tony rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-mainstream

Liss, David. THE TWELFTH ENCHANTMENT. (2011). **.
Disappointing. Mr. Liss’ first two novels, “A Conspiracy of Paper,” amd “The Coffee Trader,” were exciting and intelligent and led his burgeoning audience of readers to hope that a new voice had come on the scene that would go on and on with excellent executions in the crafts of writing and story telling. His succeeding four books were good, but seemed to miss the mark somehow. With this novel, he has abandoned his usual approach of providing an...more Liss, David. THE TWELFTH ENCHANTMENT. (2011). **.
Disappointing. Mr. Liss’ first two novels, “A Conspiracy of Paper,” amd “The Coffee Trader,” were exciting and intelligent and led his burgeoning audience of readers to hope that a new voice had come on the scene that would go on and on with excellent executions in the crafts of writing and story telling. His succeeding four books were good, but seemed to miss the mark somehow. With this novel, he has abandoned his usual approach of providing an excellent story bolstered by top-rate historical research. Instead, he offers us what I would call a Young Adult novel full of fairies, hexes, spells, and all sorts of other-worldly things based on the belief in the existence of arcane knowledge of the supernatural. It’s almost as if he was bitten by the Harry Potter bug, but one that was attenuated in quaity and style. It’s the story of Lucy Derrick, a twenty-year-old woman who lives in Nottingham, England, in 1812. She is living with her uncle by marriage because her father is dead and left his estate to the next male heir, a distant nephew. Lucy’s sister has married this man to protect herself and give herself a place to live. Lucy was unceremoniously thrown out of the house and forced to live with her uncle and her chaperone, Mrs. Quince, who makes the wicked stepmother prototype look like the good fairy. Lucy gets involved, in a round-about way, with several characters – including Lord Byron and William Blake – and begins to dabble in the black arts after meeting Mrs. Mary Cranford, a supposed adept who has recently moved into the neighborhood. Mary help Lucy learn the principles of magic by providing her with a series of old books that describe the black arts, that have come down through the ages. Lucy then proceeds to use her new-found knowledge to become a crusader in the revolution that is occurring in England at the time. We now refer to it as the Industrial Revolution. She encounters members of the Luddites and of the new cult of Rosicrucians, and helps both sides move forward in their goal of getting England through this series of rapid and significant changes. Lucy is ever on hand to pull some trick or other to save the day when the need arises. After a while, it becomes boring. It seems as if this story was first developed on story boards – much like a comic book or a Saturday afternoon serial at the movies – and then translated to the page. Up to now, I would automatically pick up any new novel by Mr. Liss. In the future, I will take the precaution of reading all the reviews first before I obtain a copy (or not).
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Aug 22, 2011 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

This book is a little disappointing on its own merits, but considering it's by the excellent David Liss, it's quite disappointing indeed. (And I notice that many of the readers who are giving it positive reviews aren't readers of his earlier work.)

"There are forces in motion. Dangerous forces. Chief among these are what people are apt to call fairies or elves. Do not laugh, for this is serious." (154)

This advice is difficult for a fan of Liss's previous work: bloodily concrete adventures of men...more This book is a little disappointing on its own merits, but considering it's by the excellent David Liss, it's quite disappointing indeed. (And I notice that many of the readers who are giving it positive reviews aren't readers of his earlier work.)

"There are forces in motion. Dangerous forces. Chief among these are what people are apt to call fairies or elves. Do not laugh, for this is serious." (154)

This advice is difficult for a fan of Liss's previous work: bloodily concrete adventures of men of the middling sort, full of mutton, snuff, fistfights, dodgy inns, bad weather, smudged ledgers, inaccurate firearms, and deceit. In fact, in reviewing one of his previous books, I specifically said I liked it because it differed from the mass of historical fiction that take place in the woman's sphere of drawing rooms and enclosed carriages. It's disappointing to see him turn to the overdone Regency period--and to the supernatural--and he doesn't pull it off.

The book is a weird pastiche of near-quotes and borrowed situations from Jane Austen, the "Old Ones" from the Grey King, nasty Dickensian servants, and a rush to collect magical artifacts from around the countryside like in the last Harry Potter book. The story takes a dull while to get going and the only reason I'm giving it three stars instead of two is that the denouement is somewhat exciting and scary, especially a revelation about one character's past.

At the kernel of the story is something interesting about the natural world vs. the city, innocence and experience, and the heritage of the English. But this is like a faint ember that the author is blowing on, trying to coax it into life, instead of a rollicking blaze of ideas. The plot relies on the fact that a rather unpromising young girl has extraordinary supernatural talents (for some reason) and is the only one who can defuse a looming showdown between murderous fairy versions of Tories and Labour.

There are touches here that are the missteps of a much weaker writer than Liss. For example, he lazily casts Byron in his story rather than think up his own rakish character. (William Blake's appearance is more worthwhile.) And he constantly uses the words "slut" and "whore" in stilted, unconvincing ways that remind me of dialogue written by authors with a tin ear for history, who come up with one phrase that sounds good to them and reuse it over and over. The exuberantly detailed scenery of his previous books becomes here a wan series of country-house moments marred by mistakes like Lucy putting on a "muslin pelisse" (a pelisse being a fur or fur-trimmed cloak). Truly, if his name were not on the cover, I would not dream he could have written this, because everything he gets right in his other books is wrong here.(less)

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Jul 31, 2011 Jules rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, reviewed, sent-4-review

My entire review and giveaway can be viewed at: http://onebookshy.blogspot.com

The Twelfth Enchantment was not quite what I was expecting when I signed up for the tour. I was ready for an ordinary historical fiction story and instead was treated to an "extraordinary" tale that included elements of history, fiction, magic and romance. Mind you, we are still reading a Regency era story about the Industrial Revolution and the role of the Luddites; it just happens to brilliantly encompass several oth...more

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Feb 09, 2012 Mandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, fantasy, kindle, 2012

OK, parts of this story were a bit silly, but it was still a super fun book. It's written in a very Jane Austenish style (with elements reminding me of Pride & Prejudice), AND Lord Byron is in it. Being all sleazy and charming and beautiful. Byron is pretty much the reason I decided to read this book, and I enjoyed his character immensely (except, I didn't care for how his character behaved/was portrayed towards the end of the story).

The plot was far fetched at times, especially concerning...more

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Aug 18, 2011 MB rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-urban-fantasy-paranormals, read-in-2011

If you like Gothics or Regencies and Fantasy in combo, this might be for you.

Although this book was completely unlike any of those mentioned below, it did make me think of them. So...if you liked them, you might want to give this one a try.

The House on Durrow Street
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
Cold Magic
The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
Mary Jo Putney's 'Guardian Series', i.e A Kiss of Fate

As other reviewers have mentioned, imo this...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

A little long, a little slow, but a good read for all that. Lucy is a young woman in Regency England. The world is changing with machines replacing men in industry. Children are starving or slaving in factories. Lucy herself isn't having too good a time, forced after the death of her father to live with a distant relative who resents every morsel she eats and is trying to marry her off to a local factory owner. Suddenly strange things start to happen to Lucy. Complete strangers are delighted to...more

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Sep 06, 2011 Tracey O'rourke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

I have read all of David Liss's books, even though the last few have disappointed, so I was excited to see that he had a new one out, and I think it was much more engaging than the last few. However, this will be a bit of a shock to any readers of his very historic fiction who might be expecting more of the same. He takes many liberties here that he does not with his usual work.

This story is much in keeping with modern inclinations regarding the supernatural, although set in the 19th century. Th...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Blake and Byron; Luddites and the philosopher's stone; mills and revenants; curates and Rosicrucians; the world Austen made and the darkness of the world that hides beneath it — I find it almost impossible to express how much I enjoyed this wonderful book. I began reading it last night and read late into the wee hours, then finished it early this afternoon, completely and utterly absorbed in the world it presented.

Lucy Derrick is living out an unhappy ending to an Austen novel in the shadow of t...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a cross between any Jane Austen book and The Iron Daughter along with something else altogether. I really had no idea what to expect with this book but I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I kept having to check to make sure the author was a man. He wrote remarkably well from the point of view of a woman trying to obey the laws of propriety while on a quest to discover her true nature.

Also historical fiction in nature, the story introduces us to the rascally and rakish Lord Byron who, a...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Carmen Gwazdacz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you were to combine a Jane Austen, Dan Brown, Susanna Clarke, and any one of the Grimms Brother’s stories, I believe you would end up with a book like The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss. Set in pre-Victorian England during the time of growing Industrialism and changing society, young Lucy Derrick is coming of age. She is young women of good breeding but no means. As the story begins, Lucy is living with her Uncle and being forced into an arranged marriage. Enter Lord Byron with a mysteriou...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Kandice rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2011, historical

If this book had been by any other author, I probably would have liked it even more. But this book was something of a departure for Liss, and I'm not sure I liked his move away from what he does best. While this was a historical fiction and used Lord Byron and William Blake to advance the story, it didn't have the veracity that Liss's other books have had. Perhaps this is due to the subject matter. This book deals with the occult and magic. Lucy is a young woman who finds herself embroiled in a...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Andrea Guy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, historical-fiction, tlcblogtours

This is one of those books that lovers of historial fiction will find hard to put down. I know I couldn't. It has so much of everything in it; romance, intrigue, witches and great historical figures and set in one of my favorite periods, Regency England.

From the very start, Lucy is a character that you can't help but love. She's strong, fiesty and really the type of character readers hope to find in every book. As the story progresses we see how strong and determined she is and she becomes even...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Fiction State Of Mind (Kai Charles) rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Twelfth Enchantment is a lush, romantic and magical adventure that unfold through the life of Lucy Derrick. Lucy is very much a product of her time: England during the 1800's. Through a series of unfortunate family events Lucy finds her self in Nottingham at the mercy of her Uncle and his house hold. She is on the cusp of the only option open to her, a marriage with a local business owner Mr. Olsen.

Mr. Olsen's business comes against tough opposition from the Luddites a band of disgruntled w...more

The Twelfth Enchantment is a lush, romantic and magical adventure that unfold through the life of Lucy Derrick. Lucy is very much a product of her time: England during the 1800's. Through a series of unfortunate family events Lucy finds her self in Nottingham at the mercy of her Uncle and his house hold. She is on the cusp of the only option open to her, a marriage with a local business owner Mr. Olsen.

Mr. Olsen's business comes against tough opposition from the Luddites a band of disgruntled workers finding themselves obsolete in England's growing industrial world. After a successful meeting with her betrothed , the party is interrupted by a raving man with a message for Lucy: She must not marry Mr. Olsen. She must "gather the leaves" but under no circumstances marry Tom Olsen.

This mysterious stranger puts Lucy on the path to discovering what ails the stranger as well as introducing her to the world of magic through her acquaintance with a local woman Mary Crawford.

This book is a wonderful combination of romance and historical exploration. Lucy is a very interesting character. I didn't take to her at first. There is subdued coldness to her at times but I mostly think this is due to her life experience. As she develops her magical talents she still vacillates about breaking free from her family and embracing her destiny.

I was much more interested in Mary Crawford. She is passionately written by Liss and her scenes with Lucy art he most interesting part of the novel.

As the mysterious stranger is released from his spell thru Lucy' efforts we learn he is Lord George Byron of Newstead. Lucy is intrigued by him and his lack of knowledge about his appearance at her door. There is a definite chemistry between them that leads Lucy to dream of a new future. Barely reeling from the second man in her life Lucy is shocked to be reunited with a past love, one clothed in scandal and painful feelings.

When Lucy embraces her mission the novel really ramps up with energy and magic. revelations about her family and her own past as well as her companions set the stage for an epic and enjoyable ending.

Liss deftly guides the reader through Lucy's world and the historical elements that shaped England's industrial age. A wonderful engrossing read.

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Jan 31, 2012 Denise Eggleston rated it 3 of 5 stars

Liss is an excellent writer who captivates an audience while discussing life as it was 200 years ago. He has consistently turned out memorable historically accurate novels. "The Twelfth Enchantment" is not historically accurate. It is true to its setting in 1812, but in this place and time magic is real.

This is a significant departure for Liss, and I'm not sure why he turned to the paranormal. But, its his book and his decision. He did not make me read it. I picked it up thinking it was an histo...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Stacy/GirlsInTheStacks.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a charming, quick-witted novel that I couldn’t help but read while sitting at the dinner table. I love the paring of the Regency era with urban fantasy (my ideal read!). It’s a story of Luddites versus the Industrial Revolution, with a fantasy twist full of revenants, a golem, an order of Rosicrucian’s and Lord Byron.

When we first meet Lucy she is an amiable creature ready to please. She is quite reserved and willing to marry the awful Mr. Olson. Enter Lord Byron with a cryptic message a...more

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About David Liss

I am a novelist living in San Antonio, Texas, though, for the record, I am not from Texas. I just live here. I have four novels published: A Conspiracy of Paper (which won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel) and A Spectacle of Corruption were both national bestsellers. They are set in 18th century London and feature Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish former pugilist, thief-taker for hire. Weaver will be...more

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Books by David Liss

A Conspiracy of Paper (Benjamin Weaver, #1)

The Devil's Company (Benjamin Weaver, #3)

A Spectacle of Corruption (Benjamin Weaver, #2)

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Quotes from The Twelfth Enchantment

“What had passed between them had been real and true and lived. Not like the silly infatuation she had felt for [him] when she was 16, or the foolish attraction she’d felt. Theirs had been a true love. Forged and built and earned.” — 3 people liked it

“Lucy absently thanked him and at once began to consider which among her gowns would be best suited for a midnight adventure to a gothic castle.” — 2 people liked it

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