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crimsoncor's review against another edition
4.0
Incredible novella. A mix of [a:Mary Robinette Kowal|2868678|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647270290p2/2868678.jpg]'s Glamourist novels and Enola Holmes. Great world building in a small format.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free EArc from Netgalley.
Brother's Ruin is a very quick read - more an introduction than anything to events which will follow in forthcoming books.
The story is well-paced and well-structured. The brief snatches of Victorian London that are revealed are well presented - the use of the term 'hansom' cab seems to almost be enough to conjure up the world of Holmes and Watson.
Charlotte Gunn, the main character for all the title is Brother's Ruin, is a likeable character from the word go, although she does have her little secrets, and wants nothing more than to live a normal life as a daughter and future wife of her fiancee. This seems to be impossible as she is a talented Mage, and Mage's must submit themselves to the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts and never marry or know love and so she's desperate to keep her gifts a secret. Not easy when she is capable of doing 'magic' without even thinking about it and is the cause of her brother's 'trial' with the Royal Society to see if he too is a mage. Worried about the consequences if he should fail - (this would result in the family being punished) she decides to help him and at the same time, help her father get out of debt, while at the same time discovering a magical plot which sees the moneylender being none too kind to his debtors. All in all, there's a lot going on for such a small book, and the author sets up her main character well to have influence and prestige in future adventures.
I would recommend this book to people, but I imagine, many will want Book 2 to be available immediately after reading Book 1.
Brother's Ruin is a very quick read - more an introduction than anything to events which will follow in forthcoming books.
The story is well-paced and well-structured. The brief snatches of Victorian London that are revealed are well presented - the use of the term 'hansom' cab seems to almost be enough to conjure up the world of Holmes and Watson.
Charlotte Gunn, the main character for all the title is Brother's Ruin, is a likeable character from the word go, although she does have her little secrets, and wants nothing more than to live a normal life as a daughter and future wife of her fiancee. This seems to be impossible as she is a talented Mage, and Mage's must submit themselves to the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts and never marry or know love and so she's desperate to keep her gifts a secret. Not easy when she is capable of doing 'magic' without even thinking about it and is the cause of her brother's 'trial' with the Royal Society to see if he too is a mage. Worried about the consequences if he should fail - (this would result in the family being punished) she decides to help him and at the same time, help her father get out of debt, while at the same time discovering a magical plot which sees the moneylender being none too kind to his debtors. All in all, there's a lot going on for such a small book, and the author sets up her main character well to have influence and prestige in future adventures.
I would recommend this book to people, but I imagine, many will want Book 2 to be available immediately after reading Book 1.
megadeathvsbooks's review
2.0
It was a bit too formulaic for me. I didn't see any real new depictions of magic or fantasy that engaged me.
jesslynh's review
3.0
I liked it, right up to the end that kind of...ended? IMO, although I can accept the ending, it felt too much like a novella that should be a full book. There is a lot of story left to be told.
mcf's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5
The whole thing is just stage-setting for the series, and it's hard to figure out what the world's magic is really for, apart from flash and image, but the story to which it's building up sound like it could potentially be a lot of fun.
The whole thing is just stage-setting for the series, and it's hard to figure out what the world's magic is really for, apart from flash and image, but the story to which it's building up sound like it could potentially be a lot of fun.
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmhh.. Mages og magic. Joda. Ikke verst start på denne tredje serien jeg leser fra Newman dette.
raven_morgan's review
4.0
This is a great introduction to a new series from Emma Newman. The magic system is fascinating, and the characters compelling. My only complaint is that it clearly reads as the first act of a larger work, not as a self-contained novella.
sydwalker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
justiceofkalr's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this, but it did feel like a prequel rather than a story in its own right.