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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Meh. Bland characters, boring storyline, almost nonexistent magic system and all of Cassandra's problems were a result of her own mistakes. Also, her constant whining was incredibly annoying.
Do you ever have those books where the author gets something wrong or something just doesn't make sense early on, and maybe it's just a minor thing but it's relevant to the plot, and then that one little thing makes you more critical of everything else in the book?
I have a word of advice if you are ever roped into a search-and-rescue mission in the snowy woods: sending out three (or four - I'm not clear what Lord Cosgrove was up to) people to walk in straight lines at 45 degree angles to one another is not at all the recommended approach. Harwood and Wrexham were probably lucky to stumble into magical trouble, since at least it ended in them finding the girls. (I will not say anything - much - about the compass, because maybe it magically leads the person carrying it due north even when they aren't paying attention, which indeed would make it easier to travel north than some other direction. Let's just assume that.)
I thought the world-building was interesting and I was very fond of Miss Banks (okay, this isn't surprising, but I would totally read a book about her). However, the main "mystery" was very predictable and the reunion between Harwood and Wrexham (beyond the fact that they only called each other by their last names) was only necessary because they hadn't talked to each other in the first place. I think this could have been written in such a way that I forgave them this because of all the trauma that Harwood was clearly going through, but I mostly ended up feeling annoyed at her. Excessive self-sacrifice is not at all my thing when it comes to romantic relationships. Oh, and that thing where Wrexham thinks that he's not worthy of her because of his race and class? Nope, nope, nope. It is one thing for him to think that she may think that, but the way it's framed in the story is that he's internalized that judgement. And yes, that's real and it happens, but it's not something that's resolved just because they're back together now, so I dislike that the story immediately drops the subject once they've admitted to still being in love. In general, I really hate seeing (white) authors using internalized oppression as a source of romantic tension in this way.
I have a word of advice if you are ever roped into a search-and-rescue mission in the snowy woods: sending out three (or four - I'm not clear what Lord Cosgrove was up to) people to walk in straight lines at 45 degree angles to one another is not at all the recommended approach. Harwood and Wrexham were probably lucky to stumble into magical trouble, since at least it ended in them finding the girls. (I will not say anything - much - about the compass, because maybe it magically leads the person carrying it due north even when they aren't paying attention, which indeed would make it easier to travel north than some other direction. Let's just assume that.)
I thought the world-building was interesting and I was very fond of Miss Banks (okay, this isn't surprising, but I would totally read a book about her). However, the main "mystery" was very predictable and the reunion between Harwood and Wrexham (beyond the fact that they only called each other by their last names) was only necessary because they hadn't talked to each other in the first place. I think this could have been written in such a way that I forgave them this because of all the trauma that Harwood was clearly going through, but I mostly ended up feeling annoyed at her. Excessive self-sacrifice is not at all my thing when it comes to romantic relationships. Oh, and that thing where Wrexham thinks that he's not worthy of her because of his race and class? Nope, nope, nope. It is one thing for him to think that she may think that, but the way it's framed in the story is that he's internalized that judgement. And yes, that's real and it happens, but it's not something that's resolved just because they're back together now, so I dislike that the story immediately drops the subject once they've admitted to still being in love. In general, I really hate seeing (white) authors using internalized oppression as a source of romantic tension in this way.
Charming and engaging. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The heroine is smart and resourceful, her ex-fiancee appropriately stalwart, perceptive, and well-matched to her, and the challenge of finding the cause of a magical snow storm which threatens the renewal of the peace treaty between "Angland" and the elves an intriguing one. Burgis packs a great deal of character development, world building, and mystery into a relatively short tale.
The heroine is smart and resourceful, her ex-fiancee appropriately stalwart, perceptive, and well-matched to her, and the challenge of finding the cause of a magical snow storm which threatens the renewal of the peace treaty between "Angland" and the elves an intriguing one. Burgis packs a great deal of character development, world building, and mystery into a relatively short tale.
hopeful
mysterious
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
Mystery/investigation plot is fine, nothing supremely exciting. Romance is nicely done. Surprisingly good at disability rep despite the only "disability" being a character losing her magic - but covers the emotions about acquired disabiltiy nicely. A safe but nice read
Cute, quick romance, set in a world with very sexist rules.
3.5. This was pretty fun, though it draws heavily on established tropes and has a somewhat predictable ending. It's well-written, however, and I want to know more about the alternate "Angland," with its female politicians and bloody history with the elves. Even more intriguing, Angland seems to have quite a different colonial history than the UK we know and love/loathe. I'm also hopeful that future books in the series will explore the relationship between Harwood and Wrexham with more nuance.
4.5
I saw this series recommended on Christine's channel (I Should Read That) on You Tube and I thought it sounded cool. I wanted some short reads to keep me reading while I have end of year stuff to do before the holidays, and this definitely didn't disappoint.
This is what I would consider to be a perfectly constructed novella. We are introduced to Cassandra Harwood, a very talented magician, who, due to her own hubris and desperation to prove herself, has found herself unable to practice magic. She arrives with her brother and sister-in-law to a friend's house, where they find that a relative of their host and her companions have gone missing. Cassandra goes to help, despite being unable to practice magic. The story goes from there.
This has a lovely romance and a mystery plot, along with Cassandra trying to come to terms with her lack of magic. Alongside all of that, though, this is set in a world where women are politicians and men practice magic. That's the way it's been since time immemorial, or since Boudicca drove the Romans out of Britain. That is, until Cassandra showed an undeniable talent for magic.
The politics of the world are incredibly interesting, but, although women, as the supposedly more practical sex, have political control, Burgis still manages to create a scenario where women are discriminated against for daring to be different. Cassandra not only has her magicless state to deal with, but she also has to figure out where she stands in this rule bound world now that she's neither a politician nor a practicing magician.
It is such an enjoyable story. It's really well written, with a satisfying romance and good character development. The answer to the mystery will probably prove obvious to those who are familiar with mysteries, but I found it an interesting guessing game.
So glad I read this. Definitely recommend for a quick, enjoyable read. Am currently bingeing the rest of the series.
I saw this series recommended on Christine's channel (I Should Read That) on You Tube and I thought it sounded cool. I wanted some short reads to keep me reading while I have end of year stuff to do before the holidays, and this definitely didn't disappoint.
This is what I would consider to be a perfectly constructed novella. We are introduced to Cassandra Harwood, a very talented magician, who, due to her own hubris and desperation to prove herself, has found herself unable to practice magic. She arrives with her brother and sister-in-law to a friend's house, where they find that a relative of their host and her companions have gone missing. Cassandra goes to help, despite being unable to practice magic. The story goes from there.
This has a lovely romance and a mystery plot, along with Cassandra trying to come to terms with her lack of magic. Alongside all of that, though, this is set in a world where women are politicians and men practice magic. That's the way it's been since time immemorial, or since Boudicca drove the Romans out of Britain. That is, until Cassandra showed an undeniable talent for magic.
The politics of the world are incredibly interesting, but, although women, as the supposedly more practical sex, have political control, Burgis still manages to create a scenario where women are discriminated against for daring to be different. Cassandra not only has her magicless state to deal with, but she also has to figure out where she stands in this rule bound world now that she's neither a politician nor a practicing magician.
It is such an enjoyable story. It's really well written, with a satisfying romance and good character development. The answer to the mystery will probably prove obvious to those who are familiar with mysteries, but I found it an interesting guessing game.
So glad I read this. Definitely recommend for a quick, enjoyable read. Am currently bingeing the rest of the series.