Her Ladyship's Curse is a book that should have gotten higher marks but certain decisions made by the author hurt it. It's an interesting combination of steampunk, urban fantasy and paranormal romance set in a world where United States lost the American (or Torian in this world I suppose) War of Independance.

Our female protagonist is something of an outsider, both because she's female and also because it seems that unlike everyone else she doesn't believe in magic. In fact she has made a living out of finding out the real causes for various curses and solving them through logic and deduction.

Of course having a female protagonist in these sorts of (even alternate) historical settings presents the author with some problems. Women's role in society being much more rigidly defined and limited puts all sorts of potential limits on the story too. Setting Kit as openly rebellious and hot headed in nature goes some way to addressing it. But the author then spends a lot of time explaining what women can't do (lots and lots of things) and just how unfair their lot is (yeah it's pretty unfair) in this society and it gets a bit repetitive.

It stands out because in general the world building that's conducted is pretty subtly done and things aren't explained until they really have to be because of the plot. You're just expected to put the pieces together and follow along. Unless, as I said, it relates to women's lot in this world, in which case you're going to have it all explained again and again.

It also leaves us with a character who is by nature stubborn and argumentative. Or, not inherently likeable. Which presents its own problem given there's multiple people in the novel who think she's the greatest thing since sliced bread (or I suppose greater since they didn't have that then). And there are points when she starts to look rather foolish as she holds stubbornly to certain opinions despite increasing evidence to the contrary.

Then there's the contradictory nature of her relationship with Dredmore. Clearly it's intended to be a typical romance style relationship. But having built this character up as strong and independent, I'm then supposed to believe she'll accept being "ravished" and be good with that? It doesn't quite fit. These are nagging things that weaken the overall plot strength and reduce enjoyment.

And the other negative is the ending of this book. Now it does make it clear from its subtitle that this is only the first in a trilogy. But the problem is it's really not. It's really the first 200 pages of a single book that's been sliced up.

The book just ends. Not only is there no resolution, there's really no obvious attempt to wrap anything up thematically at all or bring us to a satisfactory transition point. How much that annoys people will vary, I'm moderately tolerant of it, but I know many hate it.

So to sum up, very interesting bit of world building. Decent enough core plot. Some characterization problems. It's only part of a story.

LOVE THIS BOOK! It was so good from the characters, to the setting and the plot this is a very cool steam-punk mystery. Lynn Viehl did a great job switching to a different genre but what else would you expect from a great writer. Only down side is this book is in two parts and the other half doesn't come out until October.

Loved it. It was a little confusing at times but that can be over looked in the first book of a new series, at least I hope this is going to be a series. Loved the interplay between her and Lord Dredmore. The scene at the house is great. Although there are possibilities with her and Inspector Doyle. I also love her friendships with the people around her. The cliff hanger was to be expected considering the second half of the book doesn't come out till Oct...I can't wait.

I really liked the second half I just wish I'd waited to read the first half until I had them both. It took me a bit to remember where it all left off. Despite that I did like it and I will read the next one.

My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-her-ladyships-curse-by-lynn-viehl.html

In Rumsen, almost everyone believes in magic. Not Charmian Kittredge. As the proprietress of Disenchanted & Co., Kit makes her living by solving crimes others claim to be caused by magic, exposing charlatans and dispelling the supernatural. Though she does her best to avoid the Hill — Rumsen’s closest thing to an aristocracy — Kit finds herself among the blue-blooded once more when she takes Lady Diana Walsh’s case. Someone is carving cruel words into the woman while she sleeps, and it’s not long before Kit learns that the attacks on Lady Walsh are only the tip of the iceberg. A foul plot is afoot in Rumsen, and Kit’s investigation into the Walsh family puts her in more danger than she ever could have imagined. And if that’s not bad enough, the mystery of her ladyship’s curse has put Kit firmly in the path of the one man she desperately tries to avoid: darkly handsome deathmage Lucien Dredmore.

Her Ladyship’s Curse is a stellar beginning to the Disenchanted & Co. series! I devoured Her Ladyship’s Curse in less than a day and was hungry to more, thanks to Lynn Viehl’s top-notch world-building and intriguing characters.

At the heart of Her Ladyship’s Curse is Kit. Our intrepid heroine is loyal, quick-witted, no-nonsense, and not afraid to go against the grain. I adored Kit and found her to be both relatable enough to be a window into the world of Rumsen and different enough to make her an appealing protagonist in and of herself. There’s a lot of Kit’s history that neither she nor readers know, and part of the fun of the story is piecing together the puzzle that is her legacy.

Also a mystery is who’s attacking Lady Diana Walsh and why. What seems to be a simple case at the beginning becomes more complicated than one might expect as Kit delves deeper into her investigation. Her questions and her daily life lead her to cross paths with many interesting characters, chiefly New Scotland Yard Inspector Tommy Doyle and the compelling deathmage Lucien Dredmore. Kit has a past with both men, and man, oh man, does Ms. Viehl leave readers wanting more when it comes to these two very different characters. There’s at least a dozen reasons I’m eager to read the second part of this story, His Lordship Possessed, but learning more about Lucien might just top the list.

The Disenchanted & Co. series is set in Toriana, an alternate-history universe where America lost the Revolutionary War. Geographically speaking, Rumsen (where the action of Her Ladyship’s Curse takes place) is roughly equivalent to San Francisco. Ms. Viehl brings Rumsen to vivid life in this story, giving depth to the world she has created. Toriana isn’t simply America with another name. Socially, economically, technologically, and politically, nineteenth-century Toriana is vastly different from the history we know and the changes Ms. Viehl makes have a huge impact on the story. Add in some magic (which exists, even if Kit doesn’t yet believe), and you’ve got a winning combination for an engaging, original world. I was transported to Toriana by Ms. Viehl’s storytelling and though she infused plenty of her world into the story, I still wanted to learn more because I was utterly fascinated.

Her Ladyship’s Curse is a bit of a difficult book to categorize. The best way I can describe it is to say it’s alternate history, urban fantasy, and steampunk all rolled into one, with a dash of potential romance that provides added intrigue and steam. No matter what you call Her Ladyship’s Curse, it’s a story that’s not to be missed. Fair warning, however, Her Ladyship’s Curse is part one of a book and it does end on a cliffhanger. None of the plot threads are tied up by the end of this story and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be desperate to dive right into part two, His Lordship Possessed (available October 14, 2013).

There’s so much I’d love to say about Her Ladyship’s Curse that I simply can’t for fear of spoiling the story. Suffice it to say that Lynn Viehl takes readers on a spectacularly exciting journey you won’t regret taking.


Note: Her Ladyship’s Curse and His Lordship Possessed will also be sold as one book (Disenchanted & Co.) as of January 28, 2014.

This book was received free of charge from Netgalley with no compensation in exchange for an honest review.

One of my recent loves is anything steam punk. I have always had an interest in Victorian England. Then throw in the "tech/mech" side of it and it gets even better. Well, this wasn't just regular old steam punk, Lynn Viehl included a great story, wonderful characters and magic!

Tougher than nails Kit was not used to being pushed around. However, she definitely got in over her head when she took the case for a member of the Ton up on the Hill.

I could clearly picture each of the characters as clear as day. Dredmore definitely leaves you questioning as to his intentions. I do really wished that she would have built more up about Tommy. I am hoping that she does in the second part. Of course I loved sassy Rina as well.

The only problem is that this book definitely makes you want more. There are a ton of questions that are left completely unanswered, which is a good thing that she wrote another book. Like what exactly is that pendant? What does Elshy mean? These are just a few questions I was left with.

Of course, I don't want to give too much away. This book is just too good to pass up! Yes, it leaves you with questions, but it is well worth it.

What a fun venture into steampunk alternate American history! Our heroine Kit doesn't believe in magic, and makes her woman-in-a-man's-world way by debunking "curses." However, her gender and her profession make her a target for those who peddle magic and those who believe women should stay in the kitchen. Kit goes through several close calls, has to work with two men, one who wants to seduce her to his own ends, and one who doesn't believe she can be a good investigator since she's female.

There is a surprising amount of plot in this unexpectedly short story--hidden identity, is-it-or-isn't-it real magic, thrilling peril, sewer diving, the plight of repressed women--all mixed into the alternate timeline where the British Empire still holds sway over America. Sometimes this alternate setting is confusing, since most of us are conditioned to picture steampunk as taking place somewhere in Europe, but it's a nice change.

I felt a little disappointed when I realized the ending would be a cliffhanger, because I was enjoying the story so much. I'm looking forward to the next installment so I can find out what happens to Kit, and how the overarching story (Kit solves her original mission, but it opens up so much more plot) will move along. I just wish I didn't have to wait for the rest of the first novel; it seems odd to cut a book down to such small chunks. I would have gladly spent more time on this as a longer novel, which I understand it will be once it gets a paperback release.

It drives me up the wall that this is only available as half of the book with the other half unavailable until October. I devoured this and hope the second half is just as good.

Pretty good - an episode/serial rather than a standalone as a story or novel, but I liked it and anticipate the next one. Dredmore & Kit's interaction with him seems potentially annoying, but the world is well built and interesting, and the Kit herself is a fun character.

A very intriguing introduction to an exciting world that includes both magic and technology.

Kit, the courageous female investigator and non believer in magic, finds herself in trouble when one of her cases leads her into the Hill, where the aristocratic and powerful live and on the bad side of one of their members that seems to be involved in something shady.

Lucien Dredmore is a very powerful deathmage who is pursuing Kit and while she doggedly avoids him, their paths cross once again and I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress between them, especially after that ending!

Kit is obstinate when it comes to magic and I'm curious to see what will make her finally open her eyes. Lucien is pretty arrogant and his actions scream high-handedness but I imagine he'll make up for his behavior in the second part of the story, [b:His Lordship Possessed|17570740|His Lordship Possessed (Disenchanted & Co., Book 1, Part #2)|Lynn Viehl|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368467657s/17570740.jpg|24510180].

I'm enjoying this first half, but do find it weird that they broke the story in half.