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Of Noble Family

(Glamourist Histories #5)

Mary Robinette Kowal (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 1,931 ratings · 312 reviews

The final book of the acclaimed Glamourist Histories is the magical adventure that might result if Jane Austen walked on the darker side of the Regency...

Jane and Vincent have finally gotten some much-needed rest after their adventures in Italy when Vincent receives word that his estranged father has passed away on one of his properties in the West Indies. His brother, who ...more

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Hardcover, 572 pages

Published April 28th 2015 by Tor Books

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Dec 25, 2016 Bradley rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, fantasy, 2016-shelf

This was a fairly satisfying conclusion to the Regency Romance Magical series by Kowal.

It wraps up the series with a birth. It's the logical focus after what happened earlier in the series and the tragedy of losing a child while on the run and using glamour. Everyone knows that Glamour can make an expectant mother to lose their child, after all. It had nothing to do with being chased by Napoleon. *looks askance*

The other nice part of this novel was the plot of Vincent's father's death and the d ...more

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Apr 03, 2015 Sunil rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, 2015

After several magical adventures in Europe, accomplished glamourists Jane and Vincent are ready for some downtime, but then Vincent receives some unexpected news: his father has passed away, and his brother needs him to take care of the estate.

Come out to Antigua, they said. You'll sign a few papers and go home, they said.

Things turns out to be much more complicated than that. Vincent's relationship with his abusive father has always been fraught, and soon after arriving in Antigua, he finds him After several magical adventures in Europe, accomplished glamourists Jane and Vincent are ready for some downtime, but then Vincent receives some unexpected news: his father has passed away, and his brother needs him to take care of the estate.

Come out to Antigua, they said. You'll sign a few papers and go home, they said.

Things turns out to be much more complicated than that. Vincent's relationship with his abusive father has always been fraught, and soon after arriving in Antigua, he finds himself struggling with his own character, the proximity to his father—even in death—distressing him greatly. Jane is sick on the voyage over and needs some time to recover. And both of these abolition-loving Europeans find themselves quite taken aback by the deplorable treatment of the slaves on the Hamilton plantation.

I've heard Mary Robinette Kowal speak about the research she did on this book many times, and the great care she took in her portrayal of people of color, and it shows. The black characters are named, developed characters, and they're diverse in origin (coming from different parts of Africa) and skin color. There is, of course, a danger that the story could fall into a White Saviour narrative, with Jane and Vincent, kindly white people, coming in and freeing all the slaves, but while there is a superficial element of it in the fact that they do confront the monstrous overseer, Mr. Pridmore, a few times, the slaves themselves have some agency and make their own choices when they can. They explain when they do and don't need Jane and Vincent's help.

But this book isn't actually about Jane and Vincent coming down to a plantation and freeing slaves anyway! I can't really describe what it is about, though. They want nothing more than to leave that damn place, and it's almost comical how many different ways Kowal contrives to keep them from leaving; most of the reasons are valid (and for all I know she researched actual ship schedules and Jane and Vincent just got screwed) but I still found it amusing. So they're forced to stay there and be uncomfortable. Luckily, Jane befriends an Igbo glamourist named Nkiruka who opens her mind to a whole new way of glamour: Nkiruka conceives of it differently and can do things that baffle Jane. She's a wonderful character and I'd love to see more of her. Meanwhile, Vincent discovers things are kind of fishy and begins an investigation.

Here's the thing: I could read hundreds of pages of Jane and Vincent just being Jane and Vincent. Over the course of the series, they've become one of my favorite fictional couples. Jane has become so much stronger and more scientifically oriented. Vincent has become a much deeper, more conflicted, interesting person. I love how much they love each other, how honest and open they are with each other, how much they respect and admire each other. So the fact that anything actually happens around them is ancillary to my enjoyment; the fact that occasionally what happens surprises the hell out of me is a bonus. There is danger, there is excitement, there are severed limbs. Jane is incredible, Vincent is angsty, they are both amazing. So much happens in this book, but it's not a straightforward "Characters all work toward a goal" narrative, and that's fine: Jane and Vincent are Jane and Vincent and they do stuff with heaps of new characters I enjoyed.

Of Noble Family closes this chapter in their lives. They have earned a respite. ...more

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May 12, 2015 Jaylia3 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015

I am going to miss Jane and Vincent. Of Noble Family is the married couple’s fifth and final adventure in Mary Robinette Kowal’s Glamourist History series set in an alternate Regency Britain enhanced by glamour, the loveliest system of magic I’ve encountered. But while their glamoured displays are often breathtaking, Jane and Vincent have taken ether-based illusions far beyond the ubiquitous drawing room decorations created by accomplished young women. In previous books they’ve found practical, I am going to miss Jane and Vincent. Of Noble Family is the married couple’s fifth and final adventure in Mary Robinette Kowal’s Glamourist History series set in an alternate Regency Britain enhanced by glamour, the loveliest system of magic I’ve encountered. But while their glamoured displays are often breathtaking, Jane and Vincent have taken ether-based illusions far beyond the ubiquitous drawing room decorations created by accomplished young women. In previous books they’ve found practical, if hair-raising, applications for glamour in the war against Napoleon, the Luddite riots, and an escapade involving pirates on the Mediterranean. For this last story the couple will be off to the Caribbean.

When the book opens, Jane and Vincent have been resting after their harrowing exploits on the Italian Island of Murano and enjoying the company of Jane’s family, especially her sister Melody’s new baby boy, who is already showing a precocious ability to see inside glamoured images. But things don’t stay relaxing for long. Vincent receives a letter from his brother Richard that turns their world upside down.

The first shocking piece of news is that Vincent’s father has died of a stroke at the family estate on the Caribbean island of Antigua. Lord Verbury fled to the island in an earlier book to avoid being imprisoned for treason. Since Vincent was badly abused by his father while growing up, the death wasn’t as upsetting to him as it might be, but the bad news didn’t end there. Upon their father’s death, Vincent’s oldest brother Garland inherited the title Lord Verbury, bought himself a new barouche-landau, and then died when the vehicle overturned on the badly maintained road leading to Lyme Regis. Vincent’s middle brother, Richard, was severely injured in the accident, losing one of his feet. In his letter Richard asks Vincent for a very large favor.

Apparently their father’s most recent will is in Antigua, and it will only be released to one of the sons. Richard’s injuries make it impossible for him to travel right now, so he’s asking Vincent to make the journey and straighten out any problems on the estate that need attention. Jane is completely against it. Why should Vincent go? She’s seen how poisonous anything to do with his father is for Vincent, and Vincent has already disassociated himself from his family by changing his last name.

But Richard has always been kind to Vincent and was just as badly treated by their father himself. Plus, being professional glamourists Jane and Vincent have no possibility of work in Britain for the time being anyway. Beloved Princess Charlotte, daughter of George IV, recently died in childbirth so the country is in mourning for a year and all glamour has been stripped from homes and public places. For these reasons, Vincent decides to help Richard by traveling to Antigua, and Jane of course goes with him, but nothing turns out as they expected. The boat journey across the Atlantic is much more difficult than any water trip they’ve made before, and once they reach the island they discover they’ve been lied to as shocking family secrets begin to come to light.

Of Noble Family is a heart-racingly superb conclusion to the series and includes all the charms I’ve come to expect from Kowal. I love that the books don't shy away from charged historical issues--here Jane and Vincent are confronting slavery, and grappling with their own prejudices and well-meaning but sometimes short sighted feelings about it--and I love that the stories aren’t set only generally during the Regency period--all the stories take place at specific times, this one during the mourning period for Princess Charlotte.

It continues to be a pleasure to see what happens after an Austen-like happy ending marriage. Jane and Vincent have a strong relationship but it’s not effortlessly wonderful and they have to work at it. Also, Of Noble Family is a richer story than it might have been in other hands because Jane and Vincent aren’t its only heroes. The enslaved characters practice their own forms of glamour, and act with agency, resource, and intelligence.

My only complaint is the one you’d expect--I wish there was going to be another book. But Kowal wraps everything up in a moving and satisfying way, and there is at least one more thing to look forward to. Kowal always narrates the audio versions of her books, but since Of Noble Family has characters with Caribbean accents this time she has the help of two other readers. I’ve listened to a sample and it’s wonderful, especially Prentice Onayemi’s deep, Mr. Darcy-like interpretation of Vincent’s voice. I’m going to enjoy revisiting the story in audio form.

I read an advanced review copy of this book provided to me at no cost by the publisher. Review opinions are mine. Originally posted on the Austenprose website.
...more

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Oct 31, 2020 Lisa Wolf rated it it was amazing

Shelves: magic, favorite-characters, sequels-and-series

A fabulous end to a favorite series!

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Dec 05, 2014 colleen the convivial curmudgeon rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fantasy, romantic, library-read, want-to-own

3.5

I always think of these books are being fairly light. This is probably because the first book set that sort of tone - but things have gotten pretty dark for Jane and Vincent since then, dealing with both personal and social issues of all shapes and sizes, and this book continues on that theme.

Vincent receives word of his father's and brother's deaths, and is asked by another brother to go to Antigua to help settle the estate by getting a copy of his father's last will - which will only be rel ...more

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Jul 14, 2017 Kaitlin rated it really liked it

This book was the end of the series and I am pretty sad it's over becuase this one explored so many great themes. In this story we're following Jane and Vincent as they travel to the West Indies and over to Antigua. There they find a secret that has been buried deep, and a very different way of life to their own.

What I most enjoyed about this one, besides seeing the two characters again as they are pretty great in their own right, was the discussion of slavery and ownership. This book is set in ...more

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Apr 13, 2017 Sanaa rated it liked it

Shelves: book-wishlist

[3.5 Stars] A very neat conclusion to the series. I continue to love how this series explores a relationship beyond marriage and all the trials and tribulations that come with life as a couple. I wish there had been more glamour in this one, but for obvious reasons there couldn't be more. Kowal handles delicate topics fairly well for the most part in this book. Not perfectly, but well. I will say though that I wish this had been less about Vincent and more about Jane. I think that might be my bi ...more

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Jul 04, 2015 Olga Godim rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-scifi

As always, the author delivers a solid story, continuing the tale of Jane and Vincent, a loving married couple, a few years after Napoleon’s defeat. Both are talented artist-glamourists, but the British Empire is in mourning for the death of a princess, and glamour, as a frivolous art, is not performed. Perforce, Jane and Vincent enjoy their much-needed vacation in Europe.
For the explanations of glamour, a magic art of illusion, and the protagonists’ previous (mis)adventures, I refer you to the As always, the author delivers a solid story, continuing the tale of Jane and Vincent, a loving married couple, a few years after Napoleon’s defeat. Both are talented artist-glamourists, but the British Empire is in mourning for the death of a princess, and glamour, as a frivolous art, is not performed. Perforce, Jane and Vincent enjoy their much-needed vacation in Europe.
For the explanations of glamour, a magic art of illusion, and the protagonists’ previous (mis)adventures, I refer you to the novels 1 through 4 in the series. All the books are stand-alone, but the pleasure of reading them is greatly enhanced if one reads them in the right sequence.
In this novel, #5 in the series, Vincent receives a letter from his brother that their father died recently on his plantation in Antigua. The estate is in disarray, the brother is ill, and he asks Vincent to go and sort out the particulars.
Vincent’s relationship with his father, an authoritarian, narrow-minded, and manipulative man who didn’t brook any opposition, was always filled with hatred and rebellion, until Vincent completely disassociated himself from the family and even took on a different name for himself. Now, he is an independent man and he doesn’t owe anything to any member of his family. He doesn’t have to go to Antigua, there is nothing for him there, but the brother’s plea for help affects him nonetheless. Jane thinks they should go, especially because, due to the empire-wide mourning, they don’t have any commissions to create glamour. In the end, they go.
Unfortunately, when they arrive to the West Indies, the situation proves completely different from what they expected and much harder to sort out. Everything they believed as true turns out to be a lie.
The prevalent theme of the book is slavery, a painful topic from any angle. The author doesn’t pull her punches either. For me, this was the hardest book of the entire series. Too much cruelty and suffering, inherent in the slavery system, surrounds our heroes on all sides, and only their mutual love helps them to endure.
Jane and Vincent’s love and support for each other permeate all five novels of the series. Their love defines them. It is charming and immense, but to tell the truth, it seems a little over the top. Call me jaded, but I’ve never encountered such all-abiding love in real life, even in the most successful, happily married couples.
Everywhere I turn, the relationship between men and women, husbands and wives is strained, at least to some degree. At worst, it resembles an open warfare of the divorce variety. At best, it seems a diplomatic state of truce, a constant balancing of give and take. Nobody loves her or his life partner with such a complete willingness to sacrifice her/his own well-being on the altar of the partner’s happiness. I’ve never encountered such people. Only in fiction, and that is rare as well. Am I just unhappy? Too cynical? Am I surrounded by bad families? I don’t know, but my doubts of Jane and Vincent’s all-consuming love spoiled the effect of the book for me.
The world building in this novel is superb, and unlike the love aspect, very realistic, but it’s that very realism that made me uneasy. I’m not a fan of history, especially its most brutal facets, and slavery is definitely one of those. I prefer less intense storytelling, but that doesn’t diminish the book’s power. It’s just my personal opinion.
Overall, it’s a strong story, told by a talented writer. It reads fast and leaves a lasting impression. That I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous books of the series reflects my personal preferences more that the book’s quality. Definitely worth a read.
...more

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Nov 23, 2014 Jessica Strider rated it it was amazing

Pros: considerate treatment of several… delicate issues, wonderful depiction of a loving relationship, interesting plot

Cons: last of the series

Vincent receives word of his father’s demise. His brother, the new Earl of Verbury, has suffered a recent accident and requests that Vincent go to Antigua to deal with affairs on their estate there and look for a possible updated will. Reluctantly Vincent and Jane take ship, where Jane becomes increasingly ill. It’s soon apparent that she’s with child. It Pros: considerate treatment of several… delicate issues, wonderful depiction of a loving relationship, interesting plot

Cons: last of the series

Vincent receives word of his father’s demise. His brother, the new Earl of Verbury, has suffered a recent accident and requests that Vincent go to Antigua to deal with affairs on their estate there and look for a possible updated will. Reluctantly Vincent and Jane take ship, where Jane becomes increasingly ill. It’s soon apparent that she’s with child. It’s equally apparent, when they arrive on the island, that affairs on the plantation are not as they expected.

You’ll want to refresh your memory of the events of the previous books, particularly book three, Without a Summer, before reading this one, as Vincent’s family plays an important role and his childhood and other events from his past are revisited. Similarly, Jane’s problems from the end of book two, Glamour in Glass, are brought up a lot with regards to her pregnancy.

Kowal writes with consideration about the treatment of the slaves on the plantation, showing Vincent and Jane’s ignorance and reaction to what’s going on, from disciplinary measures and substandard housing to the ever present threat of rape from their owners and overseers. There are a few scenes that are uncomfortable to read in the way that it’s easier to look away than to face the realities of the past, even when delivered through fiction. This is equally true with regards to some of the difficulties Jane faces with her pregnancy.

It’s such a pleasure seeing a loving marital relationship in a fantasy book depicted with such intimacy (by which I mean openness, not graphic content). The way they know each others habits and can understand their moods based on small gestures and noises is wonderful to see in print, as is their honest desire to help each other cope with the difficulties they face.

It’s sad to see such a wonderful series end. I really enjoyed the touch of magic Kowal brought to the Regency period and can’t wait to see what she does next. ...more

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Mar 07, 2015 Billie rated it really liked it

It would have five stars, but it's the end of the series, which makes me sad, so it lost a star for emotional distress. At least I know that Jane and Vincent will be okay and will live (mostly) happily ever after, because they'll work hard to make sure they do. ...more

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Apr 07, 2019 Daphne rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, adult, historical-fiction, reviewed, eb, read-in-2019, 4-star

This book was a really good ending to the series, and a really good book on its own. I enjoyed it a lot, and feel like this series has largely gotten better as it went on. I do think the first book was better than the second, but the rest has steadily increased in quality.

What I really enjoyed about this book is that the author didn't shy away from exploring the atrocities that happened in this time and instead made it part of the plot. I was very invested in the story at Antigua, and enjoyed se ...more

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Jun 18, 2020 SSShafiq rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction, sff

A satisfying finish to the Glamourist Histories Series (the first of the year for me!), the charm of this book will depend on how invested you are in the characters.

A main couple, Jane and Vincent, continue their international adventures and find trouble. Basically, these two should never leave the shores of England for fear of the world ending.

The basic plot deals with “Vincent [receiving] word that his estranged father has passed away on one of his properties in the West Indies”. So they have A satisfying finish to the Glamourist Histories Series (the first of the year for me!), the charm of this book will depend on how invested you are in the characters.

A main couple, Jane and Vincent, continue their international adventures and find trouble. Basically, these two should never leave the shores of England for fear of the world ending.

The basic plot deals with “Vincent [receiving] word that his estranged father has passed away on one of his properties in the West Indies”. So they have to travel there to settle the estate. The sea voyage is long and Jane … discovers that she is with child” and the stage is set for our couple.

Being set in Barbados, this book is surrounding by the awful reality of slavery. Ms. Kowal never shunts that off the page but neither is this book particularly angsty. Our MCs remain steadfastly honest and open minded, which makes this an easy read (well as far as it can be given the context. I did have to put the book down a couple of times as some of the sections did hit me in the feels. This is possibly a lot to do with the BLM context as it made me think about how the scars of history continue.)

For me, there was enough historical detail that I want to go back and discover the actual history of the area which I am woefully ignorant about. In that respect, I think this book is a success. If you are looking for something a little more unflinching that you may be disappointed. If you are looking to ignore reality then you may be even more disappointed.

The general plot and setting made this the most substantial of the books. It still managed an overall lightness of touch which I appreciated. The bad guys get their cumpanance and there are small victories - but they are small in the end. The author was clever in not having our MCs “change the world” and keeps the scale small and personal.

I like the black women in this especially - and the gentle dig at the Euro-centric understanding of Glamour.

Jane and Vincent remain the biggest draw for me here - it is rare to see happy, healthy relationships depicted after marriage but here that is front and center. Vincent struggles which his upbringing but they both manage to pull together and support each other. This shouldn’t be the rarity it is but I am glad it exists here.

All in all - a solid end. I would give this a 4.5 stars but I am rounding down as per my usual rules. I didn’t get super excited by it but, given the state of the world, I am thinking that is not the book’s fault. The intent here was to be light - almost introductory - despite the heavy subject matter. In the end that is what kept it from a full 5 stars for me - I admire this book but didn’t love it. Even though I think it’s a stronger book than the one before, Valour and Vanity, I think I prefer the latter on a personal level. L

Still - this series is worth checking out for fantasy fans who are looking for something gentle but well written. ...more

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Sep 05, 2020 Lisa Feld rated it it was amazing

This was an interesting way to end a Regency series, by looking at the colonies and plantations that bankrolled the prosperity of Austen's era, and the people of color who have been invisible in those stories for too long. Kowal clearly did her homework on the cultures involved, and also has her character make common "well-meaning-white-person" mistakes which alienate the people she is trying to get closer to, enabling her to talk openly about issues that don't usually get discussed. The people ...more

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May 25, 2015 Claire rated it really liked it

Shelves: from-library, female-author, fantasy, female-lead, 2016

A very enjoyable read set in an alt-regency world inspired by Austen. This feels like the last book in the series although there is scope to continue should the author wish.

Essentially this is a look at Britain's sugar/slave colonies, alluded to briefly in Mansfield Park, and the foundation of so many aristocratic fortunes. It's reasonably light (I can imagine a very different scenario written by say Joe Abercrombie!) but thought provoking nonetheless. Many of the slaves had white fathers and, c ...more

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Jan 26, 2015 Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: authors_i_have_met, historical_fiction, sci-fi_fantasy, re-read, regency_magic_2015

*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during Regency Magic (March & April 2015)

After their ordeals in Italy, Jane and Vincent are enjoying their time in Vienna. They are catching up with Vincent's old mentor, Herr Scholes, as well as enjoying becoming acquainted with Jane's new nephew, Tom, who is the pride and joy of the combined Vincent, Ellsworth and O'Brien families. But the Vincents don't know where they will go next after Vienna. The death of Princess Charlotte ...more

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Jan 27, 2019 Ron rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, ebook

“Perhaps she could paint me with a halo.” “Nothing so explicit. Simply a ray of light emanating from heaven, as if you are favored by God.” “Ah, for that, I only need you seated at my right hand.”
Fitting end to the series: Jane and Vincent must deal with family, that most Austenian of plot movers. But Austen--even glamour--gradually recedes for center stage as our protagonists move far from the shores of England into physical, political and social situations as outside their experience as being ...more

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Oct 17, 2018 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-to-read-in-2018

Ah, so here we are at the end of another series. The Glamourist Histories has been a good series overall and I’ve enjoyed spending five books following Jane and Vincent’s adventures. In this last book they are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff including abusive family members and slavery.

I’ll be honest, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. In this final installment we find Jane and Vincent still recovering from their ordeal in Italy. They’ve finally met up with Jane’s family again Ah, so here we are at the end of another series. The Glamourist Histories has been a good series overall and I’ve enjoyed spending five books following Jane and Vincent’s adventures. In this last book they are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff including abusive family members and slavery.

I’ll be honest, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. In this final installment we find Jane and Vincent still recovering from their ordeal in Italy. They’ve finally met up with Jane’s family again and things are starting to get back to normal when suddenly Vincent gets word that his father has died. Because his brother is incapacitated he asks Vincent if he’ll travel to the Caribbean and see the the property there, make sure the estate is being handled correctly. He reluctantly agrees, seeing that they’ll have to be officially in mourning for some time and not able to do any glamour jobs, it may be a way for he and Jane to support themselves for the next while. But what they find when they get to the West Indies is full of surprises and horror.

I’m glad that we didn’t see Vincent and Jane come into this situation with an ‘I’m going to solve slavery’ type of attitude (although I feel like it was maybe on the verge of this several times…). They were rightfully horrified by the situation they walked into, unused to seeing people actually own other people since they had never encountered slavery before. It did, in some ways, feel like Jane (and even Vincent at times) was a little naive. But that’s kind of par for the course with Jane, she stumbles into situations slightly ignorant sometimes, or doesn’t necessarily understand the consequences of her interference until it’s too late. I get that she’s trying to be helpful but it doesn’t always work out at first. That’s actually pretty true to life, so I felt like that was well written even if it makes for awkward reading at times.

And I think that’s my main complaint. As Jane and Vincent stumble through this new environment it all feels extremely awkward. There are things that are acknowledged but never spoken of, and things that are observed that they can do little about even if they wanted to help. Things they do to try and help and it makes things worse. It doesn’t help that the villains of the book lack depth. The overseer of the plantation is a greedy man and his wife an unabashed social climber–they both crave power and status and their positions lend that to them on the small island community. There’s not really anything redeemable about them as people, they’re thoroughly unlikable and of course they are because it’s so much easier to hate them that way, shoving all of your bad feelings about slavery onto their shoulders. I honestly think it would have been so much more effective to have these people be likable and then show the horrors of what they’re responsible for in contrast to them being such ‘nice people’. Because ‘nice people’ do horrific things too. And it’s so much more disarming when you think you like someone and then find out they’re actually kind of horrible because of this one aspect of their life. But, that’s just my opinion and maybe I’ve thought way too much about this.

I do think the part with Vincent’s father being an abusive parent was well done for the most part. I especially thought Vincent’s trauma felt very realistic. Although some aspects of that story line felt rather obvious the way in which it was written. ‘Oh, well here is Vincent being manipulated, see how much of a manipulator abusers can be? This is a textbook scenario.’ I had this problem with one of the other books earlier in the series, where it felt like the author was trying to cover some subject and things were written to that point, or to showcase that message, instead of the story feeling organic, if that makes sense. But, again, perhaps I’m just being overly picky.

There was still a plethora of great storytelling in this book. We have Jane and Vincent weathering another storm together, their relationship sometimes strained and pulling at the seams from all of the different pressures being put onto it. And this just after the events of the last book where they had one of their biggest blow ups ever. It was good to see them test the waters and come through for one another here, it shows that they’ve both grown. Some other dynamics come into play in the story as well, things that have huge consequences for the direction of the plot and for the characters relationships as well, but I won’t go into that because I don’t want to spoil anything except to say that I really did enjoy a lot of Jane and Vincent’s moments together in this one. I also enjoyed some of the new characters we got to meet in this book. I thought a lot of the folks they met on the plantation (with a few notable exceptions) were very well written and multi-faceted.

Overall I thought this was a good book, but not as great as the last one. I’m happy, however, to have finally finished this series. 3.5/5 stars. ...more

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Mar 04, 2015 QNPoohBear rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, fantasy

Jane and Vincent have spent a happy winter in Vienna with Jane's family. The arrival of Melody's baby, Tom, has brought joy to all their hearts. Then Vincent receives some surprising news which leads Jane and Vincent to the West Indian island of Antigua. Upon their arrival, the learn a shocking secret which will upend their whole lives if they don't stay alert. With a growing sense of foreboding and Vincent not behaving like himself, Jane knows that only she can intervene and manipulate and mast Jane and Vincent have spent a happy winter in Vienna with Jane's family. The arrival of Melody's baby, Tom, has brought joy to all their hearts. Then Vincent receives some surprising news which leads Jane and Vincent to the West Indian island of Antigua. Upon their arrival, the learn a shocking secret which will upend their whole lives if they don't stay alert. With a growing sense of foreboding and Vincent not behaving like himself, Jane knows that only she can intervene and manipulate and master manipulator into letting them have their way.

Where do I even start with this review? I don't even know how many stars to give the book because I experienced so many emotions through it. At first everything was going well and it was so nice to see Vincent relaxed and happy. It was a refreshing change from his depression in the previous book. Then once they arrive in Antigua everything changes. The book takes a serious look at slavery and race and issues. Obviously, property in the West Indies means slavery and slavery means encountering gruesome facts and learning to navigate the bizarre world where one's half sibling can be a slave. Jane and Vincent's attitudes reflect our modern values more than the typical opinions of the time. The neighboring planters are more in line with the status quo. Vincent's past, of course, makes him more empathetic to the slaves but as he readily admits, he can't really know what they're going through. I took a graduate seminar on slavery and the discussion about low birth rates sounded familiar and the author acknowledges in her note on history than she fictionalized the reasons for that statistic. Other than one fictionalized element, the rest sounds pretty accurate and it's not for the squeamish. The story isn't all that violent, comparatively speaking, at least reading it. If it was a movie, it would probably be rough to watch. Jane and Vincent's modern attitudes left me conflicted. While I agree with them, I'm not certain they're behaving entirely 19th century.

The second most discussed subject in this novel, also not for the squeamish, is childbirth. I learned way more than I never wanted to know about childbirth practices in the early 19th century. Most of my knowledge comes from ...more

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Jul 01, 2015 Alexandra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2015, female-author-2015

Spoilers for the previous four books, I guess.

Things I love about this series:
It's about married people being in love, even after being married for a few years. They even still have sex. With each other. Willingly.
It's about married people having issues and problems - with one another and with the world - and, in general, working them out together.
The magic is really delightful and intriguing.
Kowal confronts relevant issues of the time in both a 19th century and a 21st century way.
Jane is just Spoilers for the previous four books, I guess.

Things I love about this series:
It's about married people being in love, even after being married for a few years. They even still have sex. With each other. Willingly.
It's about married people having issues and problems - with one another and with the world - and, in general, working them out together.
The magic is really delightful and intriguing.
Kowal confronts relevant issues of the time in both a 19th century and a 21st century way.
Jane is just so AWESOME.

In this, the final (sigh) novel of the Glamourist Histories, Vincent is forced once again to confront his family background, and come to terms with it more than previously. He does so in Antigua, whence his father had fled some time ago... to his sugar cane plantation, and thus his slaves. Vincent and Jane travel to Antigua, and Kowal tackles the delicate and problematic issue of how to talk about slaves and slavery in an acceptable, humane, and true-to-19th-and-21st-century ideas way. Overall, I think she manages ell.

Jane was fairly well developed in the first book, as the main point of view character. She has changed and matured over the series, but it hasn't been a surprising exploration of her character; our understanding has deepened, not changed. Vincent, however - his character has really been the focus, and continues to be in this book. And I think this makes sense, since it's a lot about a woman learning about her beloved; a beloved who has for years been reserved for the sake of survival, discovering that love means he doesn't have to be that way, thus learning about Jane what the reader already knows.

On the issue of slavery... I'm going to assume that Kowal did her homework; I've trusted her in other areas and it seems right to do so here. The one aspect I was... somewhat dubious, or afraid, of, was the language of the enslaved Africans. Happily for my state of mind, she speaks very clearly in her Afterword about the efforts she went to in order to get the dialects 'right', so that relieved me. As did the pointed discussion from some the Africans themselves that they were from different nations - that they spoke different languages, had different traditions with magic, and so on, no matter that white eyes might see them all the same. It made my heart sing.

Which brings me to the other bit that I really loved: the discussion of magic, and the differences in tradition between a European model and the different African traditions; that the words and ideas you use to try and explain magic will then actually impact on your use of magic. This was so cool! As was (view spoiler)

It's not all lovely; there are some distinctly distressing and unpleasant moments. But this is, at heart, a romance. And it's comforting to know that this is the sort of romance where the characters do get to live together in harmony, despite and sometimes because of the difficulties they have endured.

And this time, I picked the Doctor. Not the first time he was mentioned, but I did find him. I am a little smug about that.

I'm so sad that this is the end, but I respect the author's decision not to keep dragging Jane and Vincent through increasingly unlikely adventures just to keep mad readers like me entertained. And it's not like I won't be rereading the stories. ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 rivka rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gr-author, historical, romance-and-womens-lit

4.5 stars for the book. Half a star for the Princess Bride joke.

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Feb 24, 2014 Hilary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction

Just when it seems Jane and Vincent are settling down, duty calls Vincent to Antigua to deal with his late father's estates. Once there, the issue of slavery is far worse than they had realized and everything become more complicated than they could possibly have imagined. There's more than just Jane & Vincent at stake now - families depend on them, but there are only so many changes one can make within an established society without risking everyone.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Mar 02, 2015 wishforagiraffe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ceriddwen-project-2015

Of Noble Family was excellent. I was talking with someone who thought it was the weakest of the series, because there is so much less action. I can certainly understand that argument (although there is still quite a large amount of action, particularly the last 100 or so pages of the book), but I have always felt that the series was more about Jane and Vincent as people, and not about their escapades, and this book does a whole lot of character work. There's a pretty big twist not too far into t ...more

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Jul 08, 2016 h o l l i s rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, hist-romance, 2016-reads, overdrive, alt-history, regency-romance, finished-in-july-2016

This final book was easily my favourite of the series. There has been so much character growth since book one, for all involved, and while some of the subject matter in OF NOBLE FAMILY was less than noble, this unquestionably was the highlight for me. It was emotional and full of surprises and Kowal definitely succeeded in wrapping things up just right.

The Glamourist Histories series isn't for everyone, and I definitely doubted it was even for me (despite my perseverance), but I was glad to hav ...more

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Mar 06, 2015 Kate rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2015, library

I didn't really care for Of Noble Family. The biggest plot twist felt bait and switch to me.

When Jane and Vincent (view spoiler) ...more

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Apr 13, 2015 Chuk rated it really liked it

I got an advance reading copy of this from Tor.com. I think it might be my favourite of the series. They are in another new setting, we see new ways to use glamour, and once again there is adventure and tension without very much violence. (One of the things I like about these books is that the problems usually don't involve shooting or punching people -- there's a bit of that, but mostly the difficulties the characters have to overcome involve other things.) Excellent end for the series with a s ...more

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Oct 03, 2016 Shelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio

I enjoyed this one much more than book four. The stakes seemed higher, there was less annoying repetition, and there were a lot of interesting characters & revelations. Also, I found all the emotional moments felt very real (not good for car and work listening, haha). As far as the audio, MRK is good as always, but I did like having the additional narrators in this one. I think this is the last in the series, and it was a good wrap-up; I don't feel the need for more Jane & Vincent, but more in t ...more

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Jun 20, 2015 Valerie rated it it was ok

Maybe the author should have called this "Of Noble Pregnancy" because just about from beginning to end, it was about pregnancies. I have enjoyed Ms. Kowal's other books, but I'm glad she is not going to be writing any books in this series, as I am afraid the next one would have been all about babies and toddlers. Not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. ...more

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Jul 17, 2015 Jenny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, fantasy

Absolutely FABULOUS. I'm really sad that this is the last book of the series, because I've loved reading about Jane and Vincent, but this was a wonderful ending to this great series. Near the end of the book, when there was very real danger for the heroes, I realized just how much I care about these characters. I'm so glad I read these books, and I encourage everybody to read the series! ...more

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Apr 04, 2016 Rike @ RikeRandom rated it liked it · review of another edition

That ending! It's just as frustrating as the ending of the first novel was only that this time it's actually the ending -.- Aside from that though the novel wasn't that bad. But the ending kind of ruined it... ...more

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Apr 08, 2015 Jean rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical, fantasy, romantic-elements

It was okay, but I felt it could have been more condensed.

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About Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal

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Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories series and Ghost Talkers . She’s the President of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses, and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, four Hugo awards, the RT Reviews award for Best Fantasy Novel, the Nebula, and Locus awards. Stories have a ...more

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“She sighed to cover her agitation. “You are insufferable.” “I prefer ‘inscrutable.’” He smiled, softening a little at her teasing tone, and because she had allowed the change of topic. “Inexplicable would be more accurate.” “Inconceivable!” She rested her hand on her ever-increasing stomach. “Not any longer.” He laughed and kissed her on the forehead. “I do not think that word means what you think it means.” “Humph!” But Jane was delighted that she had managed to make him laugh.” — 5 likes

“I must not undervalue my work simply because I enjoy it. A working artist understands his worth and lives by it.” — 1 likes

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(Glamourist Histories #5)

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