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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
This is a review in 4 parts:
1. The world - Very vivid. I felt immersed in it. The ideas weren't something that were entirely new to me, but the way she went about it was beautiful. The magic system was handwave-y but who cares because the schools of learning idea as well as the law behind all of it (plus the corruption) was brilliant.
2. The story and characters - I loved these characters. I felt so drawn to the main characters and the magicians that were the supporting ones. Their interactions seemed genuine and period accurate. The story had a great flow and felt natural. Nothing about it was forced.
3. The writing itself - Emma Newman is a freaking maestro of the novella. It's hard to get a lot of story in, have it feel full, not seem rushed, and leave you wanting more in fiction of that length. This is her wheelhouse and it shows. I want the next one SOOOOO badly, but will have to wait a bit.
4. The narration - I've previously called her narration "some fine-ass readin'" and that is still accurate, but I think underselling. She is SO good at adding emotion to the characters and infusing them with personality. I know it's her work, but knowing exactly when to give slightly more space in a sentence is an art and she excels at it. Easily my favorite narrator.
1. The world - Very vivid. I felt immersed in it. The ideas weren't something that were entirely new to me, but the way she went about it was beautiful. The magic system was handwave-y but who cares because the schools of learning idea as well as the law behind all of it (plus the corruption) was brilliant.
2. The story and characters - I loved these characters. I felt so drawn to the main characters and the magicians that were the supporting ones. Their interactions seemed genuine and period accurate. The story had a great flow and felt natural. Nothing about it was forced.
3. The writing itself - Emma Newman is a freaking maestro of the novella. It's hard to get a lot of story in, have it feel full, not seem rushed, and leave you wanting more in fiction of that length. This is her wheelhouse and it shows. I want the next one SOOOOO badly, but will have to wait a bit.
4. The narration - I've previously called her narration "some fine-ass readin'" and that is still accurate, but I think underselling. She is SO good at adding emotion to the characters and infusing them with personality. I know it's her work, but knowing exactly when to give slightly more space in a sentence is an art and she excels at it. Easily my favorite narrator.
I really enjoyed this! I only wish it was a full length novel!!
Brother’s Ruin is the first in a planned series of historical fantasy novellas.
Charlotte Gunn is the daughter of a lower middle income family in 1850 England. Her father barely scrapes by as an illustrator, but Charlotte has her own secret artistic career that she’s using to help her older brother pay for engineering school. Then disaster strikes – Charlotte finds out that her father is in debt and doesn’t have the money to pay and is facing debtor’s prison or worse.
In addition to her own career as an illustrator, Charlotte has another secret – she has significant magical abilities.
Hiding magical abilities is illegal, and if Charlotte is discovered involuntarily, her family would be presumed to help her and face prosecution. But if Charlotte voluntarily announces her abilities to the Royal Society of the Esoteric Arts, they would pay her family a compensation of funds analogous with her abilities. It could offer the solution to her family’s financial problems, but it would mean the end to Charlotte’s dreams. Mages are forbidden to marry, but Charlotte has a fiancee. Mages are forbidden to have incomes independent from their work with the Royal Society, but Charlotte loves her art. Can Charlotte find a solution to save her father and her own dreams? Or will she have to make a sacrifice?
My favorite thing about Brother’s Ruin is Charlotte. She’s such a spunky heroine! On the surface, she acts very hard to be the proper Victorian lady. As such, her family and others pay very little attention to her, and she has a lot of leeway to lead her own life. She’s smart, determined, and by golly, she’s got gumption. I’d love to read more about her.
I also enjoyed the alternate history Newman has crafted. She pays heed to historical details but embellishes them with fantastical twists. The Royal Society is appropriately mysterious and intimidating. If you’re discovered with magical powers, you’re taken from your family and made to devote your life to the Society. An early scene with a young boy being dragged from his mother by Society enforcers shows just how real this threat is. It’s abundantly clear why Charlotte doesn’t want to join them.
Brother’s Ruin is a novella, and thus a pretty quick read. It is clearly the beginning of a series, feeling much more like a “Part One” than an independent story. The next novella is also supposed to come out in 2017, but there’s no firm news. That’s too bad! I really want the next part of this story.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received this novella from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
Charlotte Gunn is the daughter of a lower middle income family in 1850 England. Her father barely scrapes by as an illustrator, but Charlotte has her own secret artistic career that she’s using to help her older brother pay for engineering school. Then disaster strikes – Charlotte finds out that her father is in debt and doesn’t have the money to pay and is facing debtor’s prison or worse.
In addition to her own career as an illustrator, Charlotte has another secret – she has significant magical abilities.
Hiding magical abilities is illegal, and if Charlotte is discovered involuntarily, her family would be presumed to help her and face prosecution. But if Charlotte voluntarily announces her abilities to the Royal Society of the Esoteric Arts, they would pay her family a compensation of funds analogous with her abilities. It could offer the solution to her family’s financial problems, but it would mean the end to Charlotte’s dreams. Mages are forbidden to marry, but Charlotte has a fiancee. Mages are forbidden to have incomes independent from their work with the Royal Society, but Charlotte loves her art. Can Charlotte find a solution to save her father and her own dreams? Or will she have to make a sacrifice?
My favorite thing about Brother’s Ruin is Charlotte. She’s such a spunky heroine! On the surface, she acts very hard to be the proper Victorian lady. As such, her family and others pay very little attention to her, and she has a lot of leeway to lead her own life. She’s smart, determined, and by golly, she’s got gumption. I’d love to read more about her.
I also enjoyed the alternate history Newman has crafted. She pays heed to historical details but embellishes them with fantastical twists. The Royal Society is appropriately mysterious and intimidating. If you’re discovered with magical powers, you’re taken from your family and made to devote your life to the Society. An early scene with a young boy being dragged from his mother by Society enforcers shows just how real this threat is. It’s abundantly clear why Charlotte doesn’t want to join them.
Brother’s Ruin is a novella, and thus a pretty quick read. It is clearly the beginning of a series, feeling much more like a “Part One” than an independent story. The next novella is also supposed to come out in 2017, but there’s no firm news. That’s too bad! I really want the next part of this story.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received this novella from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
"Gaslamp fantasy" is not typically a genre-description that would peak my interest, but having loved Emma Newman's science fiction novels [b:Planetfall|24237785|Planetfall (Planetfall #1)|Emma Newman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424627926s/24237785.jpg|43823353] and [b:After Atlas|28361265|After Atlas (Planetfall #2)|Emma Newman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456689269s/28361265.jpg|48430277] I had to check if it were the genre tropes or the writing that I particularly enjoyed. Choosing to experiment with the Industrial Magic novellas rather than the Split Worlds novels, I have discovered that it is definitely Newman's writing that shines, for me. I can't exactly say that I devoured this book - it's been about five days, and the book is not long - but I did find it to be one of those novels which, while reading, I could shut out the rest of the world, making it possible to consume lots of it even while music was playing in the break room at work.
There's quite a lot of world-building packed into this novella. We learn about the Royal Society of the Esoteric Arts, how it recruits individuals, and some of the limits of the powers of those individuals. We see what women can do, and what they are permitted to do, in this alternate Victorian England. And there's an solid investigation plot alongside, which keeps the story moving. It does feel like the opening of a series (which it is, of course) and as if this section could have been "part one" of a longer book, but Newman kept me engrossed throughout, so I will certainly be investigating [b:Weaver's Lament|31375770|Weaver's Lament (Industrial Magic, #2)|Emma Newman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496242155s/31375770.jpg|52065813].
As I say, I'm not usually into gaslamp fantasy, so I can't suggest how Brother's Ruin relates to the genre in general. And were I to recommend one of Newman's books to anyone, it would still be Planetfall. But Brother's Ruin was a good, quick read that introduces a world with potential for more good stories.
There's quite a lot of world-building packed into this novella. We learn about the Royal Society of the Esoteric Arts, how it recruits individuals, and some of the limits of the powers of those individuals. We see what women can do, and what they are permitted to do, in this alternate Victorian England. And there's an solid investigation plot alongside, which keeps the story moving. It does feel like the opening of a series (which it is, of course) and as if this section could have been "part one" of a longer book, but Newman kept me engrossed throughout, so I will certainly be investigating [b:Weaver's Lament|31375770|Weaver's Lament (Industrial Magic, #2)|Emma Newman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496242155s/31375770.jpg|52065813].
As I say, I'm not usually into gaslamp fantasy, so I can't suggest how Brother's Ruin relates to the genre in general. And were I to recommend one of Newman's books to anyone, it would still be Planetfall. But Brother's Ruin was a good, quick read that introduces a world with potential for more good stories.
Wonderful
Such a wonderful and adventure filled story. I hope that Newman will write more in this world and preferably about Charlotte.
Such a wonderful and adventure filled story. I hope that Newman will write more in this world and preferably about Charlotte.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
3.5 stars
Interesting set up, but I wanted a more complete story!
Interesting set up, but I wanted a more complete story!
This was interesting, but had that unfortunate 'setup' feeling. Having come out of it now I'd say this would be one I'd wait to read when the next story or two is released? The main character was frustrating in her innocent selfishness, but I could still get behind her. The rest of the cast was just as interestingly flawed, but it needs more. It just felt as if were the first third of a longer novel.
This novella felt more like the first third of a novel. Emma Newman has written an interesting world set in past London where magic exists and those with latentlatent magical ability are forced to work for Queen and country.
There were some dark and chilling moments with interesting characters who I'd like to get to know in future installments, but despite being incredibly well written there was just something about it that just couldn't make me love it.
The whole idea of magic in this world was a little lacking. It existed to do perfectly normal things that we already have machines to do. The magus seem to have little purpose other than operating machinery or making clocks run on time. So what the hell is the big deal?
My second issue was with the 'romance'. It was painfully generic and saccharine. Charlotte loves George because he's good. A big deal is made of her wanting to marry him. But the narrative doesn't really make me believe she even likes George! Then of course we have the appearance of the handsome magus Hopkins who naturally takes everyone's breath away and we then get to hear about how beautiful he is every time he graces the page. It was sloppy.
I enjoyed the read. It had a decent plot, was generally well written, and had some real atmosphere. I'm not sure if the plan is to release these in serial though? The story wasn't self-contained. I'd rather just read a finished book, because this just left me unsatisfied.
There were some dark and chilling moments with interesting characters who I'd like to get to know in future installments, but despite being incredibly well written there was just something about it that just couldn't make me love it.
The whole idea of magic in this world was a little lacking. It existed to do perfectly normal things that we already have machines to do. The magus seem to have little purpose other than operating machinery or making clocks run on time. So what the hell is the big deal?
My second issue was with the 'romance'. It was painfully generic and saccharine. Charlotte loves George because he's good. A big deal is made of her wanting to marry him. But the narrative doesn't really make me believe she even likes George! Then of course we have the appearance of the handsome magus Hopkins who naturally takes everyone's breath away and we then get to hear about how beautiful he is every time he graces the page. It was sloppy.
I enjoyed the read. It had a decent plot, was generally well written, and had some real atmosphere. I'm not sure if the plan is to release these in serial though? The story wasn't self-contained. I'd rather just read a finished book, because this just left me unsatisfied.