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charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
Great duology. This book was super fun. Enjoyed the world and the magic.
shareen17's review against another edition
3.0
This book is described as a cross between Georgette Heyer and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel. It is neither as charming and funny as Heyer, nor as beautifully intricate as Norrel, but it was still a fun read. Set in an alternative Regency England where a magical woman, in a time when women were not considered strong enough to handle magic, and a black man, president of the country's magical society and struggling with many prejudices and obstacles, lives become intertwined.
itsjennie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
quadratic_queen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
songwind's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book immensely.
It's a skillful weaving of coming of age story, mystery/adventure, romance, and social commentary. The characters are well fleshed out, both likable and non-.
It takes place in a Britain in the midst of colonialism and the Napoleonic wars, placing it comfortably in the Georgian period, though the monarch is never actually named. This place in history becomes quite important on a few different levels.
The first of our point of view characters, Zacharias, the Sorcerer Royal himself, is a manumitted slave and ward of the previous holder of the office, who has recently died. As a black man among polite English society he has an extra helping of suspicion and uncooperativeness to deal with. The fact of his birth and circumstances also colors his relationships with his guardians. Though there is genuine affection and respect between them, they never truly understand one another or see eye to eye.
The other POV character, Prunela, is a mixed-race orphan girl raised in a school for "gentlewitches" in which well bred young ladies afflicted with magic talents are trained not to use them. Her position in society is uncertain, but her magical talent is not.
This is set against a backdrop of an England afflicted with waning magic, and a Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophy that are hidebound and fractious. It's Zacharias' job as the head of the Society to figure out what's caused the issue, and to reverse it if he can. On his way to the border of Faerie, where magic comes into the world, he stops at Prunela's school to give a speech and help a friend.
The story uses these things as a jumping off point for a narrative that examines not only this mystery, but also the place of women (and magiciennes in particular) in society; Britain's dreams of Empire and heavy handed treatment of peoples they view as lesser; the way privilege and arrogance can blind one to one's true place in the order of things; and more.
Along the way it tells a slow burn love story that is both believable and light in drama.
It's a skillful weaving of coming of age story, mystery/adventure, romance, and social commentary. The characters are well fleshed out, both likable and non-.
It takes place in a Britain in the midst of colonialism and the Napoleonic wars, placing it comfortably in the Georgian period, though the monarch is never actually named. This place in history becomes quite important on a few different levels.
The first of our point of view characters, Zacharias, the Sorcerer Royal himself, is a manumitted slave and ward of the previous holder of the office, who has recently died. As a black man among polite English society he has an extra helping of suspicion and uncooperativeness to deal with. The fact of his birth and circumstances also colors his relationships with his guardians. Though there is genuine affection and respect between them, they never truly understand one another or see eye to eye.
The other POV character, Prunela, is a mixed-race orphan girl raised in a school for "gentlewitches" in which well bred young ladies afflicted with magic talents are trained not to use them. Her position in society is uncertain, but her magical talent is not.
This is set against a backdrop of an England afflicted with waning magic, and a Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophy that are hidebound and fractious. It's Zacharias' job as the head of the Society to figure out what's caused the issue, and to reverse it if he can. On his way to the border of Faerie, where magic comes into the world, he stops at Prunela's school to give a speech and help a friend.
The story uses these things as a jumping off point for a narrative that examines not only this mystery, but also the place of women (and magiciennes in particular) in society; Britain's dreams of Empire and heavy handed treatment of peoples they view as lesser; the way privilege and arrogance can blind one to one's true place in the order of things; and more.
Along the way it tells a slow burn love story that is both believable and light in drama.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
3.0
4 stars for the book itself, which was a fun Austen-esque fantasy with brill characters (POC and WOC, but that in itself did not define them) tackling the prejudices of the day. 2 stars for this audiobook narration, which wasn't the most vibrant. So, averaging at 3.
hannah_gunn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
starrysea98's review against another edition
3.0
i did it! i finished this!
i’ve been wanting to read this ever since it was released… i can’t believe i waited this long lol. i must say, i was thrown off by the writing especially in the beginning - it was very lengthy and a little dry. i also couldn’t relate much to the characters although i did like them. it was more like watching a play unfold in front of you without ever really getting into the characters’ heads.
also, for most of the first half of the book, there is nothing much happening! i feel like the author spent way too much time setting up the second half that the first half was a pain to get through. i almost DNF-ed a few times because nothing! was! going! on! it got better after zacharias and prunella teamed up but before that, whew. reading that was a bit of a chore.
i really liked the setting here though and i kept thinking this is kind of like alice in wonderland but set in a magical version of england. I DONT KNOW but the style fits.
i’ve been wanting to read this ever since it was released… i can’t believe i waited this long lol. i must say, i was thrown off by the writing especially in the beginning - it was very lengthy and a little dry. i also couldn’t relate much to the characters although i did like them. it was more like watching a play unfold in front of you without ever really getting into the characters’ heads.
also, for most of the first half of the book, there is nothing much happening! i feel like the author spent way too much time setting up the second half that the first half was a pain to get through. i almost DNF-ed a few times because nothing! was! going! on! it got better after zacharias and prunella teamed up but before that, whew. reading that was a bit of a chore.
i really liked the setting here though and i kept thinking this is kind of like alice in wonderland but set in a magical version of england. I DONT KNOW but the style fits.