Secrets and Splendor: A Fantasy Austen Retelling

Magical Regency #4

by MeLisa Stone

"Sense will always have attractions for me.”

Whether Avalyn is sensible or not, whether she falls in love or not, does not matter. Matrimony isn’t in her future, and when the beautiful Miss Owian befriends her, Avalyn knows for certain she shouldn’t have let her heart wish for Mr. Andred.

Lilla’s magic makes everything she feels burst out of her, in broken windows or flares of fire. Why can’t she be sensible and keep her magic from overcoming her? She would wish her magic away in an instant, but could she survive the cost?

Mr. Andred is haunted by what he has done. He wishes to change the past. Then, perhaps, he’d be worthy of the kind and sensible Avalyn Pellinore. When Avalyn’s life is in danger will he let his past overcome him and fail to do what he must to save her life?

In Secrets and Splendor, Jane Austen’s beloved characters take a turn down a road of magic where polite Regency society merges with power and enchantment.

Secrets and Splendor is Book 4 in the Fantasy Austen Retellings series. Each book in the series is a standalone work and can be read in any order.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Clean Romance, Romance, Regency, Historical Romance

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

Fascinating Sense and Sensibility variation that brings magic into the story. All the names have been changed, as is consistent with the other books in this Austen series. Once you get a feel for who's who, it works very nicely with obvious parallels to Jane Austen's classic.

Content is clean.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one too! It deviates from the original story more then the first 3 did. This one is almost a story all on it's own. Why have I never heard of any of these authors? This had a different feel then the others as the author was new, but still very similar in style. This has the story of Sense and Sensibility and the love stories were more prominent than in the original. This one has a really amazing set up and it flowed really well but I wonder if the author got a little too deep in the story and characters because the ending was not as deep or fleshed out as the first of the book. I am glad it didn't drag but everything was wrapped up too quickly. This author has a beautiful way of writing but almost gets lost in it sometimes. I felt myself wondering where we were going when one of the sisters would get lost in theirs heads.....ANY -who this book was more than I was expecting and I loved it and found it odd at the same time.

[Kendra Ardnek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid reinterpretation of Austen's classic, however, the author's newness shows as it's on the rushed side. The story feels more like a series of snapshots in the journey, rather than the journey itself.

But it's a thoroughly decent debut and I really loved how the magic was infused into S&S.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this magical Sense & Sensibility retelling at first, but once I settled into it and stopped trying to find the similarities with the original characters I couldn't put it down. I'm not generally a fan of Sense & Sensibility, but this is a great version!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a big long pause in the middle of this book because there was a bit of a lull and a lot of slogging through melancholy by several characters, but I’m glad I finished it because I enjoyed the ending especially with Brensweck and Lilla. Overall these are the most creative fantasy retellings of Austen books I’ve read and I love how the magic is woven so well into the original storylines.

[ana darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice retelling

There are changes related to the magical plot but it is a nice story with a lovely ending.


I still don't understand why the need to change the names so much.

[Happy Reading Watching · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Austen Sense and sensibility meets fantasy! This was a fast, fun and clean read.

[Carol Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of Sense and Sensibility makes the characters much more palatable. Both stories have their place, but Secrets and Splendor is a nice spin on the original. I like that we get to read many of the characters' thoughts and feelings. Avalyn is a sweet, selfless woman; Maggie is a spirited child. Lilla's emotional turmoil mirrors that of a real person with anxiety and depression. Marrianne in Jane's version is often distraught, but readers view her more as a young woman who just needed to receive a hefty dose of reality. MeLisa Stone gives us a valid reason for the young woman's turmoil. She is able to depict reality with words; her version of Lilla gives us a glimpse of the emotional suffering experienced by those with a mental disorder. I have a child who would heartily agree. As for the men, Mr. Andred is worthy of Avalyn, whereas Edward does not deserve Elinor in Jane's original version. The creative twists to the story make for a great read.

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second favorite Jane Austen novel, second only to Mansfield Park. This book features a new twist on Sense and Sensibility, featuring mage vibes and promoting mental health awareness in such a unique and well-written way. Recommended for any rgenecy + fantasy fan (bonus if you love Jane Austen!).

[Erica Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4. I enjoyed it overall, there were some things that (to me) felt glossed over to move the story along. I did enjoy reading the chemistry develop between Brensweck and Lilla. It's been so long since I read Sense & Sensibility that I don't recall how in depth it gets. In the movies (at least the versions I've watched) the change in her heart seems to happen pretty quickly.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever idea

I really enjoyed this book and was sad to see it end. The idea of spinning magic through Jane Austen is interesting! I loved the characters and it all came alive in my mind.

[Hilary Cherrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book from start to finish! The characters were enchanting and the writing draws you in. I knew it was an Austen retelling, but it really is it's own wonderful story as well. I can't wait to read more in the series and from this author.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying these magical spins on the Austen classics. I didn't think I would but I really did.
Sweet magical regency romance.

Moral Note: Mild violence, no language, clean romance.

[Vonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Actually a 4.5-rating**

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on Sense and Sensibility. I liked some of the changes but I would have liked a bit more from Lilla’s relationship though. Kisses only

[AngieA Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, as a retelling of "Sense and Sensibility" with a magical twist, this is very good! I have so far avoided retellings with vampires and werewolves, but this was well done and the magical element added a new dimension to the story. The Austen framework was followed very nicely, so you know how it ends, but getting there is fun.