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The Riftmagic Saga #2
The Rebel Beneath the Stairs
Ashes, ashes, they'll all fall down...
The death of a Resistance leader has thrown Post-Rift London into upheaval, and Eliza Braxton, a Riftborn lady’s maid with exceptional magic, has promised her help to the rebel cause. But she quickly realizes that her role as a spy in the powerful Hallewell household will place her— and perhaps even those she loves— in near-constant peril.
Resistance leader Eli Turner has concocted a new scheme which, if successful, will expose to the world the Illustratum’s source of control over the Riftborn population, and Eliza agrees to play a crucial role in the plot. But as she dives into the dark and dangerous underbelly of Riftborn London, Eliza will discover truths she never imagined about her own life, and face decisions that will chart the course, not only of her own future, but of the whole Riftborn world.
The spark has caught at last, and all that remains for Eliza, Eli, and their companions is to hope they can keep the inferno from consuming them all.
The death of a Resistance leader has thrown Post-Rift London into upheaval, and Eliza Braxton, a Riftborn lady’s maid with exceptional magic, has promised her help to the rebel cause. But she quickly realizes that her role as a spy in the powerful Hallewell household will place her— and perhaps even those she loves— in near-constant peril.
Resistance leader Eli Turner has concocted a new scheme which, if successful, will expose to the world the Illustratum’s source of control over the Riftborn population, and Eliza agrees to play a crucial role in the plot. But as she dives into the dark and dangerous underbelly of Riftborn London, Eliza will discover truths she never imagined about her own life, and face decisions that will chart the course, not only of her own future, but of the whole Riftborn world.
The spark has caught at last, and all that remains for Eliza, Eli, and their companions is to hope they can keep the inferno from consuming them all.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2021
408 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
About the author
E.E. Holmes
33 books1,038 followersE.E. Holmes grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood reading books. She read them almost constantly, and as a result, perfected the art of walking and reading at the same time, a skill she can still perform to this day with remarkably few instances of falling on her face. She also wrote many books and poems in blank books and on the backs of legal pads her father brought home from the office. They remain some of her finest work.
She soon learned to love literature of the dramatic persuasion, and earned a B.A. in theater from the College of the Holy Cross. After graduation, she set out to prove that her degree was, in fact, not useless, and worked as a principal actor in a summer Shakespeare festival and as a theater teacher, directing over thirty productions and numerous workshops for youth and high school students. She spent several years as the theater director at Wakefield High School where she also taught English literature and public speaking. It was in her classroom that she discovered the horrible truth: a disturbingly large percentage of high school students hate to read. This revelation devastated and bewildered her. She decided she wanted to do something about it, and thus she started work on her first young adult novel, Spirit Legacy: Book 1 of the Gateway Trilogy, which has gone on to win awards from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media and The Independent Publisher Book Awards. She is also the author of three one act plays, one of which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids.
She soon learned to love literature of the dramatic persuasion, and earned a B.A. in theater from the College of the Holy Cross. After graduation, she set out to prove that her degree was, in fact, not useless, and worked as a principal actor in a summer Shakespeare festival and as a theater teacher, directing over thirty productions and numerous workshops for youth and high school students. She spent several years as the theater director at Wakefield High School where she also taught English literature and public speaking. It was in her classroom that she discovered the horrible truth: a disturbingly large percentage of high school students hate to read. This revelation devastated and bewildered her. She decided she wanted to do something about it, and thus she started work on her first young adult novel, Spirit Legacy: Book 1 of the Gateway Trilogy, which has gone on to win awards from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media and The Independent Publisher Book Awards. She is also the author of three one act plays, one of which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
June 2, 2022
Cannot get enough of this series, and eagerly awaiting the next book! Burned through this one really quickly!
January 23, 2024
This book really pulled me in. Holmes is having fun taking us to the kind of places especially interesting in a Victorian setting—insane asylums, brothels, palaces, etc. There were a couple noticeable plot holes, but I decided to look the other way because I was so enjoying myself.
November 28, 2021
Gripping
It's always the way. I waited nearly a year for this to be released and then devoured it in a day. Now I have to wait another year. Still, something to look forward to. This book continues the Riftmagic saga in an alternative London. We delve deeper as more is revealed of the character's histories and still further twists emerge. I am pretty sure I know where this is going, but I've been fooled before. This is a great Victorian world to submerge yourself in. It's a page turner right from the start, well written with realistic dialogue and believable characters. Looking forward to Oct 2022.
It's always the way. I waited nearly a year for this to be released and then devoured it in a day. Now I have to wait another year. Still, something to look forward to. This book continues the Riftmagic saga in an alternative London. We delve deeper as more is revealed of the character's histories and still further twists emerge. I am pretty sure I know where this is going, but I've been fooled before. This is a great Victorian world to submerge yourself in. It's a page turner right from the start, well written with realistic dialogue and believable characters. Looking forward to Oct 2022.
April 20, 2023
It felt a bit slow to get going, but then picked up and took off. I loved all the suspense in this book and want to start the next one right away to find out what happens!
April 22, 2024
These books are wonderful - loving the characters and time period setting. The story is so well written and goes at such a pace. I've already got the next one ready - loving this series.
January 3, 2024
I am crushing this series. Love love love this books. Already crushing book 3.
January 9, 2024
Such a great follow up to the 1st book of the saga. The character development and the storyline still just as captivating as the first. Onto the last, I'm pretty excited to know what happens next.
May 2, 2022
Lots of questions answered, but some questions are still resting on a silver tray (literally) still and I'm a bit bothered.
November 14, 2021
WHAT IN THE WORLD
if you want to read a book of beautiful, utter chaos, burning to the ground THIS IS IT!!!!! The ending was so suspenseful I was at the edge of my seat, speed reading, anxious, to get to the final word. The Resistance, set forth, by measly numbers, to rescue a manor girl, was epic in every sense. The realization, that nothing will be left, that it literally went up in smoke, oh man book 3 is going to be a highly anticipated book!
if you want to read a book of beautiful, utter chaos, burning to the ground THIS IS IT!!!!! The ending was so suspenseful I was at the edge of my seat, speed reading, anxious, to get to the final word. The Resistance, set forth, by measly numbers, to rescue a manor girl, was epic in every sense. The realization, that nothing will be left, that it literally went up in smoke, oh man book 3 is going to be a highly anticipated book!
March 8, 2022
2nd book in The Riftmagic saga and I was trying not to read this quickly as I noticed that the 3rd book isn’t out until October! But the story and characters drew me in and although it seems obvious what has happened and where the story is going it’s so well written that you still want to keep reading.
January 8, 2022
Amazing Second Book
Another excellent book by the incomparable E. E. Holmes. The Rebel Beneath the Stairs picks up pretty much where the first book, What the Lady's Maid Knew, left off. All of the characters are dealing with repercussions of events that occurred during that book, but the plot quickly progresses as new hurdles are placed before our heroes. We are drawn deeper into the intricacies of this incredibly vivid world Holmes as constructed. As in the previous book, the story is expertly told through POV characters in all different stratum of society, presenting a complete, well-rounded picture of Post-Rift London, where social status is tied to whether or not one possesses Riftmagic, & all is ruled over by the right fist of the Illustration, making it basically a dictatorial theocracy. All of the characters are perfectly three dimensional & believable. Readers enjoying this novel (& all of Holmes's work, truth be told!) are treated to a master class in showing rather than telling. In case you couldn't tell, the bottom line here is that I LOVE THIS BOOK\SERIES! In fact, the only complaint that I have about it is that I now have to wait for book 3! I wish I'd discovered this as a completed series so I would not have to wait to see what happens next for Eliza, Jessamine, Eli, Jasper, Bridie & all the rest! I cannot recommend this book enough! And the same is true for all of E. E. Holmes's work. If you haven't read her World of the Gateway books (the Gateway Trilogy & the Gateway Trackers), I highly recommend them as well. Might help you kill the time waiting for book 3 of the Riftmagic Saga to appear.
Another excellent book by the incomparable E. E. Holmes. The Rebel Beneath the Stairs picks up pretty much where the first book, What the Lady's Maid Knew, left off. All of the characters are dealing with repercussions of events that occurred during that book, but the plot quickly progresses as new hurdles are placed before our heroes. We are drawn deeper into the intricacies of this incredibly vivid world Holmes as constructed. As in the previous book, the story is expertly told through POV characters in all different stratum of society, presenting a complete, well-rounded picture of Post-Rift London, where social status is tied to whether or not one possesses Riftmagic, & all is ruled over by the right fist of the Illustration, making it basically a dictatorial theocracy. All of the characters are perfectly three dimensional & believable. Readers enjoying this novel (& all of Holmes's work, truth be told!) are treated to a master class in showing rather than telling. In case you couldn't tell, the bottom line here is that I LOVE THIS BOOK\SERIES! In fact, the only complaint that I have about it is that I now have to wait for book 3! I wish I'd discovered this as a completed series so I would not have to wait to see what happens next for Eliza, Jessamine, Eli, Jasper, Bridie & all the rest! I cannot recommend this book enough! And the same is true for all of E. E. Holmes's work. If you haven't read her World of the Gateway books (the Gateway Trilogy & the Gateway Trackers), I highly recommend them as well. Might help you kill the time waiting for book 3 of the Riftmagic Saga to appear.
March 19, 2024
Listened to the Audiobook. Rating 4.5. I listened to the audiobook.
The pacing of the audiobook for book one was bad. It was too slow and had to be listened to at 1.25x speed. This book did not have that problem. Listening at normal speed is great. The reader did an outstanding job changing her voice with the different characters and accents.
This is the middle book of the series. As the middle book, there is not much back story and there are still questions that arise and need to be answered. The book moves the story along quite well. There is more action in this book and it leads well into the culmination of the next book in the series.
I am loving this series. It takes place in an equivalent to Victorian London around 1900. Secrets of the past, hidden away in the name of power are coming back into the light and the light will burn away the darkness.
The pacing of the audiobook for book one was bad. It was too slow and had to be listened to at 1.25x speed. This book did not have that problem. Listening at normal speed is great. The reader did an outstanding job changing her voice with the different characters and accents.
This is the middle book of the series. As the middle book, there is not much back story and there are still questions that arise and need to be answered. The book moves the story along quite well. There is more action in this book and it leads well into the culmination of the next book in the series.
I am loving this series. It takes place in an equivalent to Victorian London around 1900. Secrets of the past, hidden away in the name of power are coming back into the light and the light will burn away the darkness.
August 9, 2024
I listened the first book in this trilogy but the library didn’t have the 2nd so I read the 2nd and next I’ll listen to the 3rd.
A little info (which might have spoilers):
- Eliza is part of the resistance right now, joining Eli, Jasper and Sully
- her roommate Bridie finds a book that Eliza had stolen from her employer (the Elder Hallewall - Eliza is Elder Hallewall’s daughter’s (Jessmine) maid.
- Jessamine has been “promised” to the Head Elder’s son even tho she loved another (Potter) and the son (Reginald?) is a very bad cad.
- Bridie reads the book about how the Riftborn are actually Dignas (the aristocracy) who developed powers and who were sent to workhouses and made to be servants - if they weren’t killed.
- Bridie returns to her workhouse to ask about her birth family — and there she sees Eliza’s mom! Who disappear - thought to have run away — but was instead locked into an asylum where they are doing experiments with Riftmead - a medicine like alcohol that numbs Riftborn’s powers.
- She and Eliza’s mom (Emmeline) were looked up and moved to Bedlam Hospital
- Getting rescued by Eliza, Jessamine, Eli and Jasper
Jessamine’s dad is a bad person and schemer.
A little info (which might have spoilers):
- Eliza is part of the resistance right now, joining Eli, Jasper and Sully
- her roommate Bridie finds a book that Eliza had stolen from her employer (the Elder Hallewall - Eliza is Elder Hallewall’s daughter’s (Jessmine) maid.
- Jessamine has been “promised” to the Head Elder’s son even tho she loved another (Potter) and the son (Reginald?) is a very bad cad.
- Bridie reads the book about how the Riftborn are actually Dignas (the aristocracy) who developed powers and who were sent to workhouses and made to be servants - if they weren’t killed.
- Bridie returns to her workhouse to ask about her birth family — and there she sees Eliza’s mom! Who disappear - thought to have run away — but was instead locked into an asylum where they are doing experiments with Riftmead - a medicine like alcohol that numbs Riftborn’s powers.
- She and Eliza’s mom (Emmeline) were looked up and moved to Bedlam Hospital
- Getting rescued by Eliza, Jessamine, Eli and Jasper
Jessamine’s dad is a bad person and schemer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
Absolutely loved this one! The Rebel Beneath the Stairs is a fantastic follow-up to What the Lady’s Maid Knew, and E.E. Holmes totally delivers. The mystery is gripping, the pacing is tight, and the stakes feel higher this time around—but it still keeps that light-hearted, easy-to-read charm that makes the series so enjoyable.
The main character is just as sharp and fearless as ever—watching her navigate all the secrets and lies of the upper class is such a thrill. And the historical setting? So well done. It feels authentic but never bogs down the story.
If you’re in the mood for a clever, cozy mystery with strong female leads, a dash of rebellion, and a writing style that flows effortlessly, this one’s a real treat. Can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
The main character is just as sharp and fearless as ever—watching her navigate all the secrets and lies of the upper class is such a thrill. And the historical setting? So well done. It feels authentic but never bogs down the story.
If you’re in the mood for a clever, cozy mystery with strong female leads, a dash of rebellion, and a writing style that flows effortlessly, this one’s a real treat. Can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
October 22, 2022
Gets better and better!
Eliza is determined to help the resistance. Now her eyes have been opened to the lies that she's been forced to believe all these years. But standing up for whats right is hard and Eliza is going to find out how hard.
Secrets that have been hidden,truths that have been altered and Eliza is right in the middle of it.
Can't wait to read the final book. I wasnt sure about this series when i read the first book but it is another brilliant series. I loved The Gateway and the Tracker series and this one is right up there with those as being gripping and brilliant.
Eliza is determined to help the resistance. Now her eyes have been opened to the lies that she's been forced to believe all these years. But standing up for whats right is hard and Eliza is going to find out how hard.
Secrets that have been hidden,truths that have been altered and Eliza is right in the middle of it.
Can't wait to read the final book. I wasnt sure about this series when i read the first book but it is another brilliant series. I loved The Gateway and the Tracker series and this one is right up there with those as being gripping and brilliant.
March 15, 2024
It’s rare that I love a sequel more than the first book in a series. I thoroughly loved What the Ladies Maid Knew, but this second book reeled me right in and hooked me, in the best way. The story continues seamlessly forward from book one, and had several twists and turns that I couldn’t have predicted. We’re given a wider tour of Victorian post-Rift London, as the stakes get higher and the tension builds. The slow burn romance is excellent, but I’m so invested in all the characters and their stories!!
I did not want to put this book down.
Absolutely diving straight into the third book right now!!
I did not want to put this book down.
Absolutely diving straight into the third book right now!!
February 27, 2024
This book, similarly to the first book in the series was very hard to get into but ended with a bang. The beginning was a bore, but towards the middle the plot became extremely interesting and binge-worthy. There were many different plot lines that I figured were going to fizzle out, but they all intertwined quite nicely at the end. Overall, I liked this book better than the first and i’m excited to finish the trilogy with the next one.
my favorite quote from the book:
“that’s me, a bloody ray of sunshine”
my favorite quote from the book:
“that’s me, a bloody ray of sunshine”
January 26, 2022
Brilliant
Many writers in this genre write similar work. I've read the Gateway books. I throughly enjoyed them. This series is completely different, yet no less spellbinding. I find myself impatiently waiting for the next installment. I want to note how rare it is for an author to write similar fiction yet with a completely different premise. It shows the E. E. Holmes is truly an artist of her craft.
Many writers in this genre write similar work. I've read the Gateway books. I throughly enjoyed them. This series is completely different, yet no less spellbinding. I find myself impatiently waiting for the next installment. I want to note how rare it is for an author to write similar fiction yet with a completely different premise. It shows the E. E. Holmes is truly an artist of her craft.
March 15, 2022
Captivated, again
I could not stop turning pages, once again. The characters in this story are so well developed, the interweaving of their lives so intricate, the setting so believable that I find myself ready to believe Victorian London could have actually been made up of Riftborn and Dingus. I am so captivated that I’m dreading the months of waiting for book 3. What excellent and insightful and absorbing writing.
I could not stop turning pages, once again. The characters in this story are so well developed, the interweaving of their lives so intricate, the setting so believable that I find myself ready to believe Victorian London could have actually been made up of Riftborn and Dingus. I am so captivated that I’m dreading the months of waiting for book 3. What excellent and insightful and absorbing writing.
July 13, 2022
Really liked this book. I Think the first book was a slow burn but this one picked up nicely and moved at pace.
You can see where certain story lines are going from an early point, which usually I dislike. I like to be surprised but it was fine in this case, there is still enough intrigue to keep the story interesting.
Looking forward to book 3 (and considering reading book 1 again in case I did it a disservice)
You can see where certain story lines are going from an early point, which usually I dislike. I like to be surprised but it was fine in this case, there is still enough intrigue to keep the story interesting.
Looking forward to book 3 (and considering reading book 1 again in case I did it a disservice)
January 27, 2024
Where the first book in the series was slow to start, this book hit the ground running and kept that pace to the end. Again, Holmes's word choices are unique, adding depth and complexity to her writing. This book sees deeper character development in Jessamine and Bridie along with Eli and Jasper that begin to weave an incredible story about truth, justice, courage, and what defines a family. I'm eager to start book 3!
February 21, 2024
The story was interesting, but the narrators unique pronunciations were still distracting. Not all words ending in "d" require a soft "th" sound, or words ending in "t". I don't think it was a speech issue more than a conscious choice to pronounce words like this.
I also listened to it at 1.20 so that the story kept good pace, otherwise it felt too slow. Again, if I read the book I wouldn't have these issues, so storywise it's 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
I also listened to it at 1.20 so that the story kept good pace, otherwise it felt too slow. Again, if I read the book I wouldn't have these issues, so storywise it's 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
March 2, 2024
If a book keeps me engaged and on the edge of my seat throughout, that deserves 5 Stars! There was never a dull moment. The writing was well paced, the characters endearing, the story was thrilling. I was thinking about it long after I was done reading it. I’m a big fan of EE Holmes and this sage does not disappoint. I’ve already started reading book 3. The world she created is riveting & frightening! I’m rooting hard for the hero’s of this story! I can’t wait to see what book 3 reveals.
May 25, 2024
Book 2 of the Riftmagic Saga. A little bit Harry Potter meets Victorian London.
The more Eliza learns of the Illustratum and the lengths they will go to keep those with Riftmagic “in their place,” the more she wants to help the Resistance. To do so, she has to find extreme courage within herself. But, when her best friend’s life is on the line, she does not hesitate to do what it takes to save her, and she will find more than she could possibly hope for in the process.
The more Eliza learns of the Illustratum and the lengths they will go to keep those with Riftmagic “in their place,” the more she wants to help the Resistance. To do so, she has to find extreme courage within herself. But, when her best friend’s life is on the line, she does not hesitate to do what it takes to save her, and she will find more than she could possibly hope for in the process.
August 21, 2024
4 stars. Fantasy magic in Victorian England setting, but make it almost post-apocalypse. Unique and intriguing. This is the second book in the series and moves much faster than the first. My only annoyance is that the anti-religion themes come off feeling overly preachy. But, I get the purpose and understand how it is a main driver in the storyline.
I am invested in the characters and the story and definitely want to see this adventure through!
I am invested in the characters and the story and definitely want to see this adventure through!
November 9, 2021
Loved this book! Took the last book and increased the intensity, intrigue, danger snd power struggles. More comes to light in this book, as our protagonist gets deeper into the truth.
The author has written story reminiscent of the lies and scare tactics being used in today’s political climate to divide people and gain money and power.
The author has written story reminiscent of the lies and scare tactics being used in today’s political climate to divide people and gain money and power.
December 18, 2022
This second book in the Riftmagic Saga adds more POV's, more danger, higher stakes, and a faster pace, all the while keeping the author's careful attention to unique and engrossing descriptions. She's a master! I swallowed this book in two days and am already a quarter through the third book just a few hours later.
Love this series!
Love this series!
January 6, 2023
How the mighty can fall
Intrigue to the end. No guesses could have given me the ending until I actually got there.
I'm looking forward to book three. For a fantasy story, there's so much that could be parallel to our current times and certainly to the past. There are some attitudes that try as some might, still persist in being evident here and now.
Intrigue to the end. No guesses could have given me the ending until I actually got there.
I'm looking forward to book three. For a fantasy story, there's so much that could be parallel to our current times and certainly to the past. There are some attitudes that try as some might, still persist in being evident here and now.
July 12, 2023
Enjoyed this sequel! I didn’t rate the first book because frankly it was a lot of set up and didn’t get good for me until the last 1/3 BUT now that I’ve invested time in the back story by reading the first book for a book club it’s paying off! Not my usual genre but this trilogy is included in KindleUnlimited and a nice change.
September 12, 2023
Part 2 of 3 of The Riftmagic Saga.
Part 2 drew me in much faster than the beginning of Part 1 did.
The story follows Eliza as she learns more about how The Ilustratum have been controlling and using the Riftborn for their own devices.
The continued character anne story building were quite good. I look forward to reading the final book in the series.
Part 2 drew me in much faster than the beginning of Part 1 did.
The story follows Eliza as she learns more about how The Ilustratum have been controlling and using the Riftborn for their own devices.
The continued character anne story building were quite good. I look forward to reading the final book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews