An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors (The Risen Kingdoms, #1) in /r/Fantasy Discussion Group

Sep 10, 2017 wishforagiraffe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017

I loved this book. I love the feisty and bright Isabelle, who is smart and charismatic, and whose insecurities are so real for the way she was raised. I love her devotion to the people who deserve it (those who care about her for HERSELF, and not for her station) and to her cause - peace. I love her father-figure musketeer Jeane-Claude, who is incredibly good at reading people and who is loyal first to Isabelle, even though he's supposed to be loyal to his king foremost.

I loved the setting, bot ...more

20 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2018 Ryan Lynn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-love, sci-fi-fantasy, female-protagonist

An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors is the riveting first book in a steampunk series set in a world where islands float over the gaseous upper atmosphere of their planet. I absolutely adored this book. There is a great cast of characters, a fast-paced plot, and intricate world-building.

Plot: The story follows Isabelle, a noblewoman born to a cruel father who abuses her for her lack of magical powers, and Jean Claude, a musketeer serving the king who saves Isabelle at birth from being killed for he ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2022 Caitlin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-bookshelf, purchased-2022, fic-fantasy, owned-kindle, owned-audible

An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors is an epic fantasy that takes strong influences from 18th century Europe, adds in some airships, an intriguing magic system and tops it all off with one of my favorite character duos in fiction: the young princess Isabelle des Zephyrs and Jean-Claude, the musketeer who has dedicated his life to protecting her.

As a princess of the Zephyrs, Isabelle is expected to marry well and strengthen the magical family line. However, Isabelle was born without magic and is o An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors is an epic fantasy that takes strong influences from 18th century Europe, adds in some airships, an intriguing magic system and tops it all off with one of my favorite character duos in fiction: the young princess Isabelle des Zephyrs and Jean-Claude, the musketeer who has dedicated his life to protecting her.

As a princess of the Zephyrs, Isabelle is expected to marry well and strengthen the magical family line. However, Isabelle was born without magic and is only valuable to her father as a way of making a potential alliance. In service to this, he arranges a marriage to a foreign prince who has already had two of his fiancées die in mysterious circumstances. Armed only with her wits and her musketeer, Isabelle must try to survive the intrigues of a foreign court and possible assassinations if she wants to escape her father's influence and find her own place.

An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors is an excellent blend of a fast-paced plot and well-developed characters such that I think it would satisfy a pretty broad range of readers who enjoy historically influenced fantasy. Even as someone who doesn't always enjoy political intrigue, I really liked seeing Isabelle navigate the different noble courts and there's a lot of hints to the magic system and history that intrigued me and I'm excited to see more of in the rest of the trilogy.

I also adored the relationship between Isabelle and Jean-Claude, who acted as a father figure to her since her own father was so lacking in the parental care department. Jean-Claude constantly supported Isabelle but also pushed her to be the best she could be so that she could stand on her own without him. It was one of the most positive and supportive mentor roles I've seen in fantasy and it was so nice that there was no romantic element to it at all.

As a history nerd and someone who loves fairly quick pacing, I adored the blend of this book and the humor was perfectly snarky. There are some nautical terms to deal with if that's not your thing but it's heaviest at the beginning of the story and not too bad after that. It's a new favorite book for me and while I'm terrible about following up with sequels, I really want to continue this series soon. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2022 ♥Xeni♥ rated it liked it

Shelves: ebook, historical, magic, shapeshifter, fantasy, epic, steampunk, 2022-books-read, disability, bingo-22-23

3 to 3.5 stars. It was a well told story, and there were some interesting elements, but overall I was a bit bored by the whole affair.

It starts with stringent misogyny (why? It's crazy that this is still the norm in fantasy books) and ends with a happily ever after that feels as fake as red velvet cake.

I thought the plot took an unexpected turn around 60% in, which was refreshing as the original plot line was the most boring thing ever. But I don't think this is a memorable book for me. ...more

Like · see review