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reviewsandreadathons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Classism
nightjar656's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This book was exactly what I needed right now- I’ve been really stressed and busy lately, so a lighter novel full of adventure and sword fighting was perfect at this time. I love Joan as a main character, and her progression with Ogun throughout the book is fascinating. I do hope there’s a little more complexity within the romances in book 2, but at the same time I liked that it was there yet didn’t overshadow everything. And monstrous fae was such a breath of fresh air from the more common kind of fae in romantasy. That cliffhanger at the end was a bit worrying, though. I can’t wait to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Fantasy loving, theatre nerds are going to ADORE this refreshingly inventive Fae related fantasy that explores Shakespeare’s London (and its gritty, unsavoury underbelly) to perfection!
As a fan of Fae based stories and all things Shakespeare, I practically leapt at the chance to read this
It’s set in 1605, (two years after the Death of Elizabeth I) and follows sixteen year old Joan Sands, whose Orisha-blessed ability to control metals has made her an expert swordsmith for The Globe Theatre—working alongside Shakespeare himself!
But,when a pact between the Fae and the Yoruba spirits (which had protected the human world for centuries) is broken, Joan inadvertently finds herself at the centre of the cities’ conflict.
For London has become the hunting ground for the newly freed Fae and Joan’s gifts make her the only one who can stop them.
I thought this was quite an engaging read with a fiercely independent (and loveable) protagonist that readers will no doubt be rooting for from the start. The complexity of Joan’s character, and the internal struggles she faces— both as a queer black woman grappling with self identity, and as one of the magic-blessed, whose powers are soo strongly tied to the Orisha (Ogun) , were handled really well.
The pacing is a bit of a whirlwind at times, which meant some characters weren’t as in depth as others but Brittany N. Williams’ sharp wit and attention to the historical details was really enjoyable (like Joan, as the daughter of a goldsmith living in Cheapside, a street famed for its gold workers. I also can’t stop imagining The Cheapside Hoard belonging to them.)
I think she also did a fabulous job in using the well documented chaos of the era to firmly establish and cement the mischievous (and historically bloodthirsty) Fae into the narrative. Further helped by tying their antics to several well known figures/ historical events (I won’t give any spoilers, but I was intrigued to see one infamous plot from a more magic/supernatural perspective.)
If you’re at all familiar with Shakespeare’s works (especially A Midsummer Night’s Dream) then you’re gonna be delighted by the many references (and character cameos) we encounter alongside the Bard, whose own role was actually larger than I had initially imagined.
Overall, an adventurous (but incredibly fast paced) read that will appeal to historical fantasy and Shakespeare aficionados. Just be sure to check the TWs first.
Also, thanks to The Tandem Collective and Faber & Faber for the gorgeous finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexism, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Gore, Animal cruelty, and Alcohol
bkwrm1317's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Williams’ debut is super solid. A young Black femme (Joan Sands) is part of the crew for the King’s Men in 1605. She is Ogun’s chosen vessel and has magical powers as a result that could put her, the company, and her family in grave danger.
One performance, Joan has to reveal her powers in order to save her fellow company members from a Fae who has decided to attack her and sick other fae spirits on her as well. Joan successfully fights them off with help but ends up ensnared in something much larger as a result.
Joan’s wit slices sharp as a blade and Williams’ prose is seamless.
A great little page turner based loosely on true historical events in 1605 London (minus the fae as fact). I’ll be looking forward to more of Joan’s adventures and am keen to find out if she does indeed get both Nick and Rose’s affections in the end without having to choose between them - as Williams reminds readers in the historical note, queer and non-white people were very much present in 1605 London.
One performance, Joan has to reveal her powers in order to save her fellow company members from a Fae who has decided to attack her and sick other fae spirits on her as well. Joan successfully fights them off with help but ends up ensnared in something much larger as a result.
Joan’s wit slices sharp as a blade and Williams’ prose is seamless.
A great little page turner based loosely on true historical events in 1605 London (minus the fae as fact). I’ll be looking forward to more of Joan’s adventures and am keen to find out if she does indeed get both Nick and Rose’s affections in the end without having to choose between them - as Williams reminds readers in the historical note, queer and non-white people were very much present in 1605 London.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Blood and Gore
mattyb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Racial slurs, Confinement, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Vomit, and Police brutality
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Kidnapping, Racism, Religious bigotry, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, Sexism, Alcohol, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
thelittlestmermaid's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I have been working on reading this book since May, and it is now October. It did not take me this long to read due to any lack of enjoyment or entertainment, I was just more excited to read manga instead of books.
This book was very enjoyable! As a theater person whose other hobby is reading, I was thrilled to find a book that would (hopefully accurately) include theater scenes. And this book did deliver exactly that! Alongside that were fun characters, an intriguing plot, and so many mythical creatures and fae.
My two biggest gripes about this book were the entire storyline involving Cecil and the interludes featuring random people around the city. Cecil just got on my nerves and also felt unnecessary, given all the other threatening things going on. The weird side characters just interrupted the main storyline, and I found myself wanting to skip those scenes more than anything else.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are fans of both fantasy and theater. But really, anyone who loves a good fantasy book featuring the fae would probably like this.
This book was very enjoyable! As a theater person whose other hobby is reading, I was thrilled to find a book that would (hopefully accurately) include theater scenes. And this book did deliver exactly that! Alongside that were fun characters, an intriguing plot, and so many mythical creatures and fae.
My two biggest gripes about this book were the entire storyline involving Cecil and the interludes featuring random people around the city. Cecil just got on my nerves and also felt unnecessary, given all the other threatening things going on. The weird side characters just interrupted the main storyline, and I found myself wanting to skip those scenes more than anything else.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are fans of both fantasy and theater. But really, anyone who loves a good fantasy book featuring the fae would probably like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Minor: Alcohol
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Blood, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol
emfass's review
Plot idea was fantastic, I was very excited by the *ideas* for the story, but oh my GOD for whatever reason I could not stand the writing. Was trying to get through the audiobook for Bad Bitch Book Club summer fantasy group but it became more and more torturous to try and make myself pick it up and I decided to let myself move on to other things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Body horror, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism and Sexism
Minor: Animal cruelty
jojo50's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
Starts slowly, improves mightily. Cliffhanger ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Racism
Moderate: Violence