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losthitsu's review against another edition
5.0
Having fallen in love with Astreiant earlier this year, I was hoping to have a similar experience but with a Victoriana twist - and that's exactly what I got. Everything I love about Scott's writing and her exquisite character work is here sprinkled with delightful Holmesian nods (Morocco leather case!) to cheer the heart of a lifelong fan, and all of that wrapped around a gentle, slow-burn romance at the centre.
jessicas_library_card's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly well written, though I wished we might have had a little more difference between characters. The mystery was satisfying, and the details about Victorian London were very accurate.
texile's review against another edition
5.0
Love love love. Victorian fantasy murder mystery with a sweet romance. Starting the sequel right away. Possible tw for bullying.
rixx's review against another edition
3.0
MORE gay Victorian (well, Gaslamp) magicians, will it ever stop? This one at least doesn't follow the cookie-cutter for the genre: no nobility, and magic is well-known and accepted, so there's an actual industry and civil services. Magic has actual rules, and a lot of it seems to be grammar-based, and people can, for example, take educated guesses about a magician's schooling (Oxford vs Cambridge styles) – but only guesses, not enough to be actually important clues, which I thought was a nice show of restraint.
School bullying at boarding schools makes the backstory of the two protagonists pretty unpleasant and adds something real to the general popcorn-ness of the genre (and the story, somewhat).
The story outcome was so predictable that I was certain there had to be a twist, and I wouldn't want to be friends with any of the characters except the secretary, but the details in the worldbuilding make me want to give this series another chance – maybe the second book is better? Or maybe I'll check out Melissa Scott's sci-fi – historians can write some really interesting worlds, after all, and I think she tends to be very queer-inclusive.
School bullying at boarding schools makes the backstory of the two protagonists pretty unpleasant and adds something real to the general popcorn-ness of the genre (and the story, somewhat).
The story outcome was so predictable that I was certain there had to be a twist, and I wouldn't want to be friends with any of the characters except the secretary, but the details in the worldbuilding make me want to give this series another chance – maybe the second book is better? Or maybe I'll check out Melissa Scott's sci-fi – historians can write some really interesting worlds, after all, and I think she tends to be very queer-inclusive.
eol's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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? Yes
3.25
beththebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
First off, the magic system: using "magic squares" of numbers and a "grammar" of words is fascinating, but we're given precious few details of how it works until more than halfway through the book.
The mystery unfolds well, with tantalizing clues and a reasonable if slightly slow pace. As for the romance, it's a bit awkwardly written in at first, starting off as a "friendship with sex" relationship that both characters struggle with for cultural reasons (Victorian men, very much expected to marry and raise a family or at worst be chaste bachelors) without communicating well (very realistic for the time period)
The story is overall a bit rough sometimes in how the mystery and romance elements are braided together. Historical accuracy seems to abound, though.
Good for Victorian mystery and magic fans who are looking for stories with time-appropriate male couples.
The mystery unfolds well, with tantalizing clues and a reasonable if slightly slow pace. As for the romance, it's a bit awkwardly written in at first, starting off as a "friendship with sex" relationship that both characters struggle with for cultural reasons (Victorian men, very much expected to marry and raise a family or at worst be chaste bachelors) without communicating well (very realistic for the time period)
The story is overall a bit rough sometimes in how the mystery and romance elements are braided together. Historical accuracy seems to abound, though.
Good for Victorian mystery and magic fans who are looking for stories with time-appropriate male couples.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Great world, with an interesting magical system, and a strong steampunk sensibility. I particularly like the vicious, roving plants. Heh. Also, hooray for gay romance, and man, boarding schools are the pits. Solid mystery, very entertaining.
pam_h's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
This was the exact right book at the right time for me, and I am so glad I picked it up. (Yay Bingo!) The focus is on the investigation, and the guys do a solid, competent job in a way that feels very realistic even though this is a world with everyday magic practitioners. The magic is very grounded into the reality of that time period, so it still feels very much like a historical.
The romance is definitely the subplot but it carries a lot of weight, and there's something about it that feels really simple but deep at the same time while avoiding overdone angst traps and plot tropes. It's also the type of fade-to-black that works perfectly for me. Recommended to anyone who likes historicals and procedurals (with a little magic).
This was the exact right book at the right time for me, and I am so glad I picked it up. (Yay Bingo!) The focus is on the investigation, and the guys do a solid, competent job in a way that feels very realistic even though this is a world with everyday magic practitioners. The magic is very grounded into the reality of that time period, so it still feels very much like a historical.
The romance is definitely the subplot but it carries a lot of weight, and there's something about it that feels really simple but deep at the same time while avoiding overdone angst traps and plot tropes. It's also the type of fade-to-black that works perfectly for me. Recommended to anyone who likes historicals and procedurals (with a little magic).
bahnree's review against another edition
4.0
The magic system is casually magnificent!
I like the methodical way they solve the mystery but it is slow-paced at times. And so many telegrams!
I like the methodical way they solve the mystery but it is slow-paced at times. And so many telegrams!
ereid641's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
3.0