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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
Dealing with a loss of a friend can be hard but what happens when you are magical. Not being trained correctly can lead to consequences. Mother was going to help but she can't now and father's denied me that chance. What happens when a spectre comes to light. What happens when two worlds collide. Fergus is described in the mirror but Delbert. Legends, magic and mirrors to another world what more can you want. I can't wait to read the next instalment of this series.
mysterious
medium-paced
5/5 Stars
Death & Mirrors (All Things Dark & Deadly #1) by S.F. Benson
This is the first book I've read by the author. Death & Mirrors is a fantastic read. I had a hard time putting this book down. I'm looking forward to the next book. This is the first book in the All Things Dark & Deadly Series.
Evaline is a necromancer and is trying to bring her mother's ghost forward. She feels like she didn't get a proper goodbye. Her father doesn't approve of the magic use. Then something happens and Evaline knows the only thing that can stop it. The quote I chose for Evaline is: “No. I can take care of it myself. Were you or maybe Mr. Pemberton on the steps earlier?”
Highly recommended for Paranormal Fantasy lovers.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Evaline Wainwright is the daughter of a well to do gentleman, who is also a practitioner of magic and Evaline has inherited this talent as well, although in London in 1888, this is frowned upon and can lead to a whole host of problems if it is discovered that you practice magic without a license and as a woman, Evaline is not likely to be able to procure one any time soon. As well as practitioners of magic, her parents are occult archeologists and have spent most of their lives researching into and finding artefacts of great power, that is until Evaline’s mother passed away and her father retired from the field because of it, but Evaline wishes to follow a similar path and become a great detective, but this is frowned upon as well.
As Evaline starts her day in the usual manner, she is about to start helping her father with some work when a strange woman clothed all in black with a severe countenance requests a meeting with him. Her father ushers Evaline out of the room so that the discussion can be held with privacy, however, Evaline cannot help herself and listens in. This is where she overhears the woman asking her father for help to retrieve an artefact which can not only save her world, but the one the mystery woman inhabits as well. This news of alternate worlds is news to Evaline, however, she just cannot resist a mystery and a chance to prove her skills, so when she overhears where the woman will be staying, she makes up her mind to go and speak to her herself, even though it is against the wishes of all those around her.
While all this is happening, Evaline is also trying to avoid an arranged marriage and spend time with her beau without the watchful eyes of her father and the staff whom he employs, however, when the two of them end up being transported to the mysterious world of Londinium by the mystery woman, the decision as to whether to investigate is taken out of their hands. As they learn more about their surroundings, Evaline and her beau realise that the sun never shines there, the weather and the purple are perpetually miserable and Doctor Death is the one pulling all the strings, but how does this all connect to the strange woman’s request of Evaline’s father?
This is a historical mystery which will keep you on the edge of your seat as you explore Londinium and solve the clues in this fast paced fantasy, with elements of Sherlock Holmes and the paranormal throughout.
As Evaline starts her day in the usual manner, she is about to start helping her father with some work when a strange woman clothed all in black with a severe countenance requests a meeting with him. Her father ushers Evaline out of the room so that the discussion can be held with privacy, however, Evaline cannot help herself and listens in. This is where she overhears the woman asking her father for help to retrieve an artefact which can not only save her world, but the one the mystery woman inhabits as well. This news of alternate worlds is news to Evaline, however, she just cannot resist a mystery and a chance to prove her skills, so when she overhears where the woman will be staying, she makes up her mind to go and speak to her herself, even though it is against the wishes of all those around her.
While all this is happening, Evaline is also trying to avoid an arranged marriage and spend time with her beau without the watchful eyes of her father and the staff whom he employs, however, when the two of them end up being transported to the mysterious world of Londinium by the mystery woman, the decision as to whether to investigate is taken out of their hands. As they learn more about their surroundings, Evaline and her beau realise that the sun never shines there, the weather and the purple are perpetually miserable and Doctor Death is the one pulling all the strings, but how does this all connect to the strange woman’s request of Evaline’s father?
This is a historical mystery which will keep you on the edge of your seat as you explore Londinium and solve the clues in this fast paced fantasy, with elements of Sherlock Holmes and the paranormal throughout.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Evaline is a necromancer who sees herself as a future detective. She looks up to Sherlock Holmes and wants to follow in his footsteps. Life has other plans for her. Being a woman in the late 1800s, she doesn’t have many rights. Her father has arranged a marriage to a man she does not like at all. Everything she wants to do is frowned upon, even her magical abilities.
A woman, named Nerezza, shows up seeking help from Evaline’s father. A creature called Dr. Death is wreaking havoc upon her world and there is an artifact she thinks can stop the creature. Unfortunately after the death of his wife, he stepped back in his normal job for unearthing valuable artifacts. Evaline’s interest is piqued and she decides to follow the woman and offer her help.
Nerezza decides to take advantage of Evaline’s offer and flings her into her own world which is a mirror version of London. Evaline has to use her wits and magic to help find this artifact and Dr. Death.
Someone else said that this is like Alice in Wonderland meets Sherlock Holmes and I completely agree with that statement. It was exciting and mysterious and kept me on the edge of my seat. Ending on a cliffhanger, I cannot wait for the second book of the series!
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
When I started this book it seemed it might be another one of those just taking up space on my bookshelves kind of books. But as the story unfolds and each layer is peeled back you get a rather fascinating gem that made me gasp when it was over because I am dying to know what happens next.
Evaline just wants to be able to study the subjects she wants and to one day be a detective. Unfortunately, that all goes away after tragedy strikes her family. Now, her father, who doesn’t want her to practice her skills or become a detective, insists she learn more ladylike pursuits and marry the neighbor who is far too old to Evaline. Then a stranger approaches her father asking for help only he refuses but Evaline isn’t willing to let go without a fight especially with a bigger mystery on the horizon. Sucked into a different dimension to battle a deadly doctor and secure an artifact can’t be that difficult. However, no one seems forthcoming and everyone has their own agenda. They are all pawns in someone else’s game but just who will come out on top? Can Evaline solve the mystery in the mirror dimension and return to London?
This book is reminiscent of a history romance in how females are expected to behave and portray themselves. Overall it was a slow build up until the action unfolds and then it draws you in until the very last page. If you like quirky female characters solving mysteries and dealing in magic then this is for you. It reminded me of the Netflix movie Enola Holmes and I could picture that character in this novel for sure.
Death & Mirrors is the first book in the All Things Dark & Deadly series. I was intrigued by the cover and synopsis of the story, and I was not disappointed. Evaline Wainwright is a delightful character, and she helped draw me into the story. I liked the nods to Alice in Wonderland and Sherlock Holmes. The mirror world concept was fantastic and helped guide the story's fantastical elements. The story was a quick read. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and reading more from this series soon.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
This book is downright amazing, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! I devoured it in a matter of hours, and it still felt like I couldn’t read fast enough! Evaline is a necromancer who loves a good mystery. She is also a very strong female lead which is very refreshing. Her father is stricter than Evaline can accept and only sees her as a future wife to someone of his choice. This is obviously not Evaline’s wishes so she takes matters into her own hands. She finds herself and her wonderful beacon, Delbert, transported to a mirror world called Londinium. They both instantly feel the danger and urgency to solve the mysterious killings by an entity known as Doctor Death. Will they be able to return to their world unharmed or will Londinium be their new, dark home? I cannot wait until Book 2 of this series! It is one I will be waiting for at the edge of my seat!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Death & Mirrors by SF Benson is the first book of All Things Dark & Deadly. There's this main female character, her name is Evaline Wainwright, she is a necromancer, she has always wanted to be a detective just like Sherlock Holmes. Her father on the second has wanted her to be with a man from next door, she has no feelings for, what really happens with him? There is also this other man, is it love or is it because he's safe and she's known him forever? But this once in a lifetime opportunity falls into Evaline's hands, there's mirrors and another dimension the opposite of what she is used to, it all happens in a place called London. This particular mission has been dropped into Evaline's hands because a very mysterious woman comes calling on Evaline's father to come find and artifact, which he refuses so Evaline decides to take it into her own hands. But theres this Dr. Death that is taking peoples life's and if Evaline doesn't find this artifact to help take this evil out then everyone will be in jeopardy. This is where the story begins. To find out if Evaline finds the artifact and takes down Dr. Death if she has any help you need to read the book.
All in all I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. I just had to finish it. Its really like Alice in Wonderland, which I loved so of course I'd find this book fascinating. Thank you for writing the book. Hope more is to come.
All in all I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. I just had to finish it. Its really like Alice in Wonderland, which I loved so of course I'd find this book fascinating. Thank you for writing the book. Hope more is to come.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Paranormal mystery and otherworldly
Intriguing tale filled with adventure, mystery and magic. It’s almost like Through the Looking Glass meets Narnia. The storyline is unique and well executed. Evaline finds herself in another world which is on the brink of death and must endure trials to defeat Doctor Death. This looks to be the start of a wonderful series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
This unique Alice in wonderland retelling was definitely worth the read. Full of necromancers, magic, a detective, a mythical artifact and more this story really has it all. The plot was fascinating, the characters were unique, it was overall just a perfect retelling. I have only jaut discovered this wonderful author, and if all of her books are as good as this one, then I think i have found a new favorite author.