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kblincoln's review
4.0
For anyone who likes detailed, fantastical world settings or a kind of regency feel to a story, this story totally would satisfy.
It's kind of a cross between a world like Pride and Prejudice where the women's fates really do depend on who they marry, and a kind of darkish fantasy world-building reminiscent of China Mieville's work, as well as a subdued romance.
I liked it very much. My only quibbles were the open ending that did not resolve some emotional and plot arcs (I know, I know, first in a series problem. Still, emotional arcs deserve to be resolved) as well as a kind of limited development of the major male love interest (and most interesting character for me, Lord Skelbrooke). I wanted more of his complex and changing personality and felt too much of his stuff was off scene.
It's kind of a cross between a world like Pride and Prejudice where the women's fates really do depend on who they marry, and a kind of darkish fantasy world-building reminiscent of China Mieville's work, as well as a subdued romance.
I liked it very much. My only quibbles were the open ending that did not resolve some emotional and plot arcs (I know, I know, first in a series problem. Still, emotional arcs deserve to be resolved) as well as a kind of limited development of the major male love interest (and most interesting character for me, Lord Skelbrooke). I wanted more of his complex and changing personality and felt too much of his stuff was off scene.
ettegoom's review against another edition
3.0
Slow moving, but interesting. Sera is a great character. Some of the revelations are somewhat easy to predict. But an enjoyable read nonetheless.
mokey81's review against another edition
3.0
I think I preferred this one over the first book. The plot was very obvious in this book. You knew exactly what the characters were doing and for what purpose. Which helped me read to see how the accomplished their goals. I was a little surprised at the Duchess's role in the end...seemed a little deus ex machina for my tastes, but still a good read.
lyndiane's review
5.0
A delightful blend of Goergette Heyer, Scarlet Pimpernel and fantasy, with a sprinkling of supernatural and a dash of steampunk.
I enjoyed every single page of this off-beat story (that required a fair bit of concentration while reading due to the archaic style of the narrative). In an 18th century setting, where dwarves and half-breed fairies are an integral part of society, this is a story about greed, grudges, love and some very nasty trolls.
I enjoyed every single page of this off-beat story (that required a fair bit of concentration while reading due to the archaic style of the narrative). In an 18th century setting, where dwarves and half-breed fairies are an integral part of society, this is a story about greed, grudges, love and some very nasty trolls.
mackle13's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
This book was recommended to me as a proto-Steampunk. Since there are one, maybe two, elements remotely Steampunkish (i.e. clockwork musicians), and they are mentioned only in passing, I'd say it's very "proto".
So much for what it's not. What it is is a pretty decent story that reminded me of [b:Swordspoint|68485|Swordspoint|Ellen Kushner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1287605596s/68485.jpg|1453593] by [a:Ellen Kushner|11889|Ellen Kushner|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1243007888p2/11889.jpg], what with the multiple character perspectives, and the politics and intrigue, and this one's conning that one who's tricking that one, so on and so forth. Except this one reads slightly better than Swordspoint, which I gave a 2 star rating.
The world was interesting enough, and I liked Sera and Skelbrooke, 'cause I just have a thing for willful, independent girls and rogues with good hearts, respectively. But, for a book that's less than 300 pages, I still felt it was a bit slow in places.
I might pick up the continuation at some point, but I have no pressing need to get to it in the short term.
This book was recommended to me as a proto-Steampunk. Since there are one, maybe two, elements remotely Steampunkish (i.e. clockwork musicians), and they are mentioned only in passing, I'd say it's very "proto".
So much for what it's not. What it is is a pretty decent story that reminded me of [b:Swordspoint|68485|Swordspoint|Ellen Kushner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1287605596s/68485.jpg|1453593] by [a:Ellen Kushner|11889|Ellen Kushner|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1243007888p2/11889.jpg], what with the multiple character perspectives, and the politics and intrigue, and this one's conning that one who's tricking that one, so on and so forth. Except this one reads slightly better than Swordspoint, which I gave a 2 star rating.
The world was interesting enough, and I liked Sera and Skelbrooke, 'cause I just have a thing for willful, independent girls and rogues with good hearts, respectively. But, for a book that's less than 300 pages, I still felt it was a bit slow in places.
I might pick up the continuation at some point, but I have no pressing need to get to it in the short term.
restes's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
brownbetty's review
4.0
One of the all-too-rare inhabitants of the fantasy of manners genre, and a bit like reading a Georgette Heyer where the McGuffin just happens to be magical. What could be better than secret assignations, swordsmen, and masked balls? All of the above plus magic, obviously.
Edgerton handles the large cast with ease, possibly because the reader is already familiar with the principles: there is the Rake, the Ageing Belle, the Feisty Heroine, etc., but quite three dimensional.
I have actually read Edgerton's other book set in this universe, [Book:The Queen's Necklace] some years ago, but I cannot remember anything about it to be able to say whether it is a sequel, a prequel, or an unconnected work. I do remember enjoying it, though.
One of the things I found a bit aggravating was that there was a line drawn between those who pursue knowledge to better humanity, and those who are seduced by the dark arts, and become increasingly obsessed by it, but the only difference I could see between the two is that one of them was wreathed about with creepy foreshadowing.
Edgerton handles the large cast with ease, possibly because the reader is already familiar with the principles: there is the Rake, the Ageing Belle, the Feisty Heroine, etc., but quite three dimensional.
I have actually read Edgerton's other book set in this universe, [Book:The Queen's Necklace] some years ago, but I cannot remember anything about it to be able to say whether it is a sequel, a prequel, or an unconnected work. I do remember enjoying it, though.
One of the things I found a bit aggravating was that there was a line drawn between those who pursue knowledge to better humanity, and those who are seduced by the dark arts, and become increasingly obsessed by it, but the only difference I could see between the two is that one of them was wreathed about with creepy foreshadowing.
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