Reviews with content warning for Torture - The Conductors

I didn't know what to expect coming into this book but I knew it was underground railway and magic and I was sold.
I really really loved this book, it's much slower in pace than I would normally read but that gave it time to really settle in and feel real. One of the things I enjoyed was the difference in the magic systems, one for the blacks and one for the whites and of course the white one is the one that is socially allowed and black people aren't allowed to own a wand even though slavery is over.
Hetty and Benji are great characters and their relationship is such a great slow burn in that they have already been married for years and yet Hetty is still convinced it was for convenience and not because they love each other.
The murder mystery aspect was done really well and I fell for a couple of the red herrings.

I would 100% recommend this book to other people

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erinsbookshelves's review

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challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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mandkips's review

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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noreadingdegree's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

this was a breath of fresh air after reading a very frustrating and not enjoyable book. what really stood out to me was the characters and their relationships with one another. especially hetty and benjy! i loved the unraveling of their history and the progression of their relationship. i could read a 100 books about them! i also loved the emphasis on community and friendships throughout the novel. i found the atmosphere and magic very cozy and comforting which made for the perfect read during a winter storm. i really enjoyed those aspects, but i found the overall mystery/detective aspects a bit convoluted. with that being said, those aspects didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.

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qace90's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.

Full review closer to publication but if you’re looking for a slow murder mystery set post Civil War with a sweet romance and fantastic chosen family, you’re going to want to check this book out!

Full review:

The Conductors is a fantasy murder mystery set in post-Civil War America and also has wonderful elements of chosen family and community, plus a sweet romance between Hetty and Benjy (whose marriage is one of friendship, not romance). From the moment I heard about this book, I was intrigued, and in no way did it disappoint!

Hetty is amazing and fierce and a very good example of competence porn. She’s very skilled with magic, and also at making clothes. She’s also known to meld the two together and sew sigils into the clothes she makes. I love her brashness and how she stands for what she believes in. But sometimes that also gets her into trouble, especially as a Black woman who used to be a Conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Her husband, Benjy, is also an amazingly competent individual and he does so many little things for Hetty to show his care, though sometimes she’s oblivious to the significance of his actions. He followed her to lead people from slavery because he was “bored” and together they balance each other and strengthen their skills in a way that ensured they were more often than not successful on their trips. Since the Civil War, they’re known to help people with unusual incidents - like finding a body in an alleyway with a cursed sigil carved in his chest.

All of the side characters feel fleshed out and the mystery was wonderfully layered. The clues were there, but at least for me I felt like I was along for the ride with Hetty rather than figuring everything out on my own.

I really enjoyed this story, and I’m looking forward to the continuation of this series. I loved the chosen family and community especially because it shows friendships growing from common pasts and how everyone in their community will help and when they can. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy slower paced mysteries, especially with a unique magic system.

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bibookworm's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

First of all I want to thank Net Galley for this earc to read and review. I give the Conductors 4.5/5 Stars. This book was an amazing mix of historical fantasy and murder mysteries. I loved the magic system and character driven plot, this book is truly wonderful! The only issue I had with the book was it was hard to follow at some points but once you get the hang of it, the plot becomes easier to follow.

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