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goodbyepuckpie's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this; solidly constructed gaslamp magic/historical, with engaging characters and a complex but sensible mystery base.
ETA: I'd meant to add in my initial review: warning for flashbacks containing abusive hazing & non-detailed sexual assault; happy to provide more details if req'd. The text is very good at signposting those parts if you need to skip them, too.
ETA: I'd meant to add in my initial review: warning for flashbacks containing abusive hazing & non-detailed sexual assault; happy to provide more details if req'd. The text is very good at signposting those parts if you need to skip them, too.
pauliree's review against another edition
4.0
Outstanding historical fantasy. Set in an alternate Victorian London with gay protagonists this was a murder mystery a fantasy (with a wonderfully original magic system) and a gay romance, although I wish that aspect of the story was far less coy
verabklover's review against another edition
Dnf at 50%, second try dnf at 10%.
So I tried to read this story firstly via audiobook (which was asmr fest with all the mouth sounds) and my mind was constantly slipping away, so I thought to give this book another chance via physical copy and... I was so bored. I wanted to love this book so badly! Just look at the cover, the premise! It was everything that I love, but in reality it wasn't.
So I tried to read this story firstly via audiobook (which was asmr fest with all the mouth sounds) and my mind was constantly slipping away, so I thought to give this book another chance via physical copy and... I was so bored. I wanted to love this book so badly! Just look at the cover, the premise! It was everything that I love, but in reality it wasn't.
dee2799d's review against another edition
5.0
I riffled through the back pages and saw who the killer was before I got to the middle of this book. UGH. Such bad habits.
But, I love everything I've ever read by Melissa Scott (and because this was a mystery I just really started missing Rathe and Eslingen more? I wish she'd write more Astreiant books), and this did not disappoint.
Victorian England, mollies, homosexuality is illegal (although homosexual couples carried on in secret anyway), the unsavoury people, and the people who need to protect their name. As a mystery it's nothing really new. The case is pretty straightforward, but it's really the characters and the world-building that makes the novel shine.
Here we have Lynes and Mathey--a consulting detective and a metaphysician respectively--investigating the murder of Mathey's client, Nevett. It so happened that Nevett was father to a prefect who made Mathey's life hell in their old public school. (Lynes didn't have a good time either, but Victor Nevett was specially nasty to Mathey.) So what we have here are two people trying to do the right thing and serve justice, even though the man they're protecting--Victor Nevett hired Mathey and Lynes to investigate the murder--was a bit of an arse.
We also have Lynes and Mathey tiptoeing around their attraction (and love) for each other.
But what I really love here is the way metaphysics work. Omg, I can go on and on about this, and how metaphysicians actually study this in school and how it's like writing runes and casting spells, but with maths. And there's the added political aspect of females not being respected in the field but actually having really clever solutions to problems. It's really good, and I hope that there's actually going to be a series, because I would love to go back to this world.
But, I love everything I've ever read by Melissa Scott (and because this was a mystery I just really started missing Rathe and Eslingen more? I wish she'd write more Astreiant books), and this did not disappoint.
Victorian England, mollies, homosexuality is illegal (although homosexual couples carried on in secret anyway), the unsavoury people, and the people who need to protect their name. As a mystery it's nothing really new. The case is pretty straightforward, but it's really the characters and the world-building that makes the novel shine.
Here we have Lynes and Mathey--a consulting detective and a metaphysician respectively--investigating the murder of Mathey's client, Nevett. It so happened that Nevett was father to a prefect who made Mathey's life hell in their old public school. (Lynes didn't have a good time either, but Victor Nevett was specially nasty to Mathey.) So what we have here are two people trying to do the right thing and serve justice, even though the man they're protecting--Victor Nevett hired Mathey and Lynes to investigate the murder--was a bit of an arse.
We also have Lynes and Mathey tiptoeing around their attraction (and love) for each other.
But what I really love here is the way metaphysics work. Omg, I can go on and on about this, and how metaphysicians actually study this in school and how it's like writing runes and casting spells, but with maths. And there's the added political aspect of females not being respected in the field but actually having really clever solutions to problems. It's really good, and I hope that there's actually going to be a series, because I would love to go back to this world.
avhollow's review against another edition
2.0
The magic system is interesting. The crime was engaging even though it was rather predictable who did it, there were enough twists, turns, surprises, and red herrings to make me question my initial assumption. The main characters just weren't dynamic and fell flat even though I found them understandable and believable enough as individuals. Together there was little distinction between the two in terms of voice and personality, though the groundwork was there. The misunderstanding between them that hindered their romance was stretched thin with regards to believability and added no suspense. I look forward to the sequel because of the magic system and the way the puzzle pieces of the mystery were laid out.
epaulettes's review against another edition
3.0
Sort of Sherlock Holmes-y if there was a complex and rather mathematical magic suffusing London's life and culture. And if Holmes and Watson were actually gay as hell for each other. It took a bit for me to really get into this book, but I'm a sucker for a "we're basically together, but we're STILL PINING because we're IDIOTS" romance, and also for competence porn. The mystery's resolution was a disorienting anti-climax though (we figured out the murderer... ok bye), which was... odd.
klreeher's review against another edition
4.0
I did very much enjoy this series, which I picked up after finishing Scott's Points series. It's got some really interesting world building, and Scot has the knack of making her world building incredibly integral and incredibly banal in the book. It's delightful.
That said, there were Sad Victorian Gays, with some very well-written and not over the top internal angst over being a) a gay and b) head over heels for your childhood bff who you don't think is into you and c) varying levels of dealing with your horrific public school experiences/abuse at hands of your classmates. It was well done, and doesn't weigh down the story, but it was more Sad Gays then I was particularly in the mood for.
That said, there were Sad Victorian Gays, with some very well-written and not over the top internal angst over being a) a gay and b) head over heels for your childhood bff who you don't think is into you and c) varying levels of dealing with your horrific public school experiences/abuse at hands of your classmates. It was well done, and doesn't weigh down the story, but it was more Sad Gays then I was particularly in the mood for.
kjcharles's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable fantasy, nicely written, with terrific magic system and a fun murder plot. I found the romance a bit undercooked, with a lot depending on the old communication failure thing, but this was a pleasure to read in general. The price point is a bit steep for the market, mind.
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