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rorikae's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
'That Self-Same Metal' by Brittany N. Williams is an exciting YA historical fantasy that brings the Fae into Shakespearean England.
Joan works behind the scenes for The King’s Men, Shakespeare's theater company. She is a skilled craftsperson but she also has the gift of being able to manipulate metal. In this version of Shakespearean London, magic abounds through connections with the Fae world and with Orisha. The human and Fae have lived in relative harmony but Fae attacks are on the rise. Joan gets pulled into the upheaval after she saves the son of a well-off man. But what is causing these issues and how can Joan help to set them right?
Williams has created an engaging world that takes the reality of Shakespearean London and injects it with a little bit of magic and Fae political intrigue. Joan is instantly likable and it's both fun and fascinating to follow along on her adventures. A historical note at the end helps to showcase how Williams seamlessly weaves the reality of that time (including real people) with magical worldbuilding. I also really appreciate how she pulls on Shakespeare's plays to fill out the Fae lore. This is an excellent start to a new series and one that I will definitely be following.
Joan works behind the scenes for The King’s Men, Shakespeare's theater company. She is a skilled craftsperson but she also has the gift of being able to manipulate metal. In this version of Shakespearean London, magic abounds through connections with the Fae world and with Orisha. The human and Fae have lived in relative harmony but Fae attacks are on the rise. Joan gets pulled into the upheaval after she saves the son of a well-off man. But what is causing these issues and how can Joan help to set them right?
Williams has created an engaging world that takes the reality of Shakespearean London and injects it with a little bit of magic and Fae political intrigue. Joan is instantly likable and it's both fun and fascinating to follow along on her adventures. A historical note at the end helps to showcase how Williams seamlessly weaves the reality of that time (including real people) with magical worldbuilding. I also really appreciate how she pulls on Shakespeare's plays to fill out the Fae lore. This is an excellent start to a new series and one that I will definitely be following.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
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