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What Members Thought
This was a thoroughly delightful fantasy. In fact, it was so delightful that I started panicking as I neared the end, and went to the local bookstore to get the second book in the trilogy. Alas, it does not exist. I repeat, it does not exist. This was nothing short of a tragedy. Sigh...back to the review. This book is set in a fictional Georgian England, in which being a magician, or thaumaturge, is a profession of the aristocracy. The leader of the thaumaturges is the Sorcerer Royal. The curren
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It's generally the books I don't really like that result in the longest reviews. When I really love a book, I'm too busy READING to think about how to review it!! Basically: if you think this might appeal to you, read it. READ IT!!!!!
When I started reading this, I had also recently started Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and I was thinking "oh no I am beset in all sides with prolix works!" (I learned that word thanks to this book!) But this book is SO much more engaging than the exceedingly dry M ...more
When I started reading this, I had also recently started Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and I was thinking "oh no I am beset in all sides with prolix works!" (I learned that word thanks to this book!) But this book is SO much more engaging than the exceedingly dry M ...more
If you love Jane Austen AND Harry Potter AND discussions of race and intersectional feminism, read this book.
Not terrible but not great either. I wanted it to be better than it was.
This is one of the most feminist fantasy books I have ever read. It has a slow pace and magical element reminiscent of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but is not nearly so long, thank goodness. The male protagonist is a gentleman: kind, polite, and thoughtful - a stark contrast to the Mr. Darcy's of the world of romance books.
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Engaging story with a mix of regency romance and magical fantasy in the manner of Patricia Wrede, Gail Carriger, or Mercedes Lackey's Elemental series. Sweet and fun and completely unrealistic, with fun characters and a world that I'd like to see more of.
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Medium light wizardry; enjoyable if you thought Jonathan strange and mr norrell was too long and kind of a downer.
Thematically, this book dealt with multiple themes that are right in my wheelhouse: racism, sexism, feminism -- all set in a magical world. However, I struggled through most of this. I don't know if it was the reading slump I've found myself in for most of the beginning of this year or the writing style, or some combination of both. I did really enjoy most of the characters throughout, and enjoyed the last 150ish pages.
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Finished with 18 minutes to spare, according to Overdrive! What fun this one was!
This book started off so great (magic, fantasy, feminist slant). However, I felt that the story lost steam somewhere in the middle and I found the end a bit tedious to finish.
Gave up after 100 pages.
Jul 19, 2015
Martha
marked it as to-read
Aug 01, 2015
Emily
marked it as to-read
Sep 03, 2015
Lisa
marked it as maybe-someday
Jan 14, 2016
Rac
marked it as to-read
Jun 05, 2017
Cristella
marked it as to-read
Aug 04, 2017
Jessica
marked it as to-read
Aug 05, 2017
Lauren loves llamas
marked it as to-read
Dec 16, 2017
Kim Marques
marked it as to-read
Oct 07, 2018
Sarah
marked it as to-read
Dec 13, 2019
taeli
marked it as to-read
Aug 10, 2020
Roxy
marked it as to-read
Feb 13, 2021
Lori
marked it as to-read
