Shattered Midnight (The Mirror #2), By Dhonielle Clayton ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

1920s, Historical Fantasy, LGBTQ, New Orleans, Racism, Romance, Segregation, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 5th, 2021

304 Pages

Synopsis: The Mirror: Shattered Midnight is the second novel in the innovative four-book fairy-tale series written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it.

Zora Broussard has arrived in New Orleans with not much more than a bag of clothes, a beautiful voice, and a pair of enchanted red shoes. Running from a tragic accident caused by her magic, Zora wants nothing more than to blend in, as well as to avoid her overbearing aunt and mean-spirited cousins. Music becomes Zora’s only means of escape, yet she wonders if she should give it all up to remove the powers that make her a target, especially as a Black woman in the South.

But when Zora gets the chance to perform in a prominent jazz club, she meets a sweet white pianist named Phillip with magic of his own, including a strange mirror that foretells their future together. Falling into a forbidden love, Zora and Phillip must keep their relationship a secret. And soon the two discover the complicated connection between their respective families, a connection that could lead to catastrophe for them both. In the era of segregation and speakeasies, Zora must change her destiny and fight for the one she loves . . . or risk losing everything. (Goodreads)

I loved the first book in The Mirror series: Broken Wish, by Julie C. Dao, so much that I have to admit I was a little nervous that Shattered Midnight wouldn’t be able to match it even though I’ve enjoyed Dhonielle Clayton’s previous books. After racing through this in under three hours I’m thrilled to say that my fears were entirely unfounded.

Here’s a quick recap: The Mirror series is to be compromised of four books by some of today’s most popular YA authors that follow a multigenerational family who possess a magical heirloom, but are also dogged by a devastating curse. Broken Wish beautifully kicked things off in 1865 Hanau, Germany. Shattered Midnight skips to 1928 New Orleans and while the previous tale was more fairytale in nature, this is more of a historical fantasy with a slight nod to Cinderella, and a dash of Romeo and Juliet.

I found everything in this book perfectly crafted, from the sultry setting of New Orleans in the Jazz Age, with its colorful speakeasies and darker side of racism, segregation, and mob-run bootlegging operations, to how magic has continued to be passed down through Zora’s family. And the characters are so well developed I half expected them to pop out from my tablet fully formed. I absolutely adored Zora and felt her pain and confusion over the power of her magic. Likewise, her feelings of fear and resentment regarding the racism that was such a prevalent part of society. Phillip is a wonderful partner for her in both music and romance and I found myself hoping against hope that their relationship would somehow defy expectations and prevail. The entire story is filled with suspense not only regarding the curse, but also the ever present danger looming over Zora and Phillip should their romance be discovered. When the ending came, well, let me just say that unsurprisingly it’s not your typical happy ending, but it does leave you with hope.

The Mirror series is shaping up to be one of my favorites in my many, many years of reading YA fiction. Shattered Midnight is a picture perfect example of exquisite storytelling that I guarantee will pull you in and not let go until you’ve reached the very end. Even if you don’t usually read YA, I HIGHLY recommend these books if you love fairytales and fantasy with exciting storylines and characters who tug at your heartstrings. The next book, Fractured Path, by J.C. Cervantes, is to be set in 1965 San Francisco. Unfortunately it’s not coming out until July 2022. It’s going to be extremely difficult to wait that long!

The Death of Jane Lawrence, By Caitlin Starling ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Alternate Worlds, Gothic Horror, Historical Fantasy, Metaphysics, Romance

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 19th, 2021

368 Pages

From the Bram Stoker-nominated author of The Luminous Dead comes a gothic fantasy horror–The Death of Jane Lawrence.

“Intense and amazing! It’s like Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell meets Mexican Gothic meets Crimson Peak.” —BookRiot

Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town.

Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him. By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to.

Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Caitlin Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished. (Goodreads)

I started The Death of Jane Lawrence Saturday morning, finished it about 10:30 Sunday night, and then lay in bed for the next two hours unable to sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about this insane book!

I’m going to be honest and say this isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Jane is brilliant, but a bit of a cold fish and it takes a few chapters to connect with her. I did wind up really liking her though and was thoroughly invested in what she was experiencing before long. Except for a couple of emotional breakdowns (and honestly, who could blame her?) she uses logic and deductive reasoning to great effect. Although I had my doubts about Augustine, I wound up loving him as well and emphasized with his tortured past. I wanted more than anything for them to get their happy ending. 

While the plot itself vaguely reminds me of a mashup up of Rebecca, Crimson Peak, and Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves, this is truly something unique. It’s combination of gothic horror, historical fantasy, and metaphysics set in an alternate world that closely resembles Victorian England. There are some grotesquely gory scenes in regards to surgeries and magical side effects that made me a little squeamish, so I can definitely see certain readers being bothered. The reason why I’m not giving it a full 5 stars is because while the majority of the book was fast paced, the final third slowed down considerably. Whereas part of the book’s strength until then was the detailed prose, near the end it got repetitive and too drawn out leaving me impatient. However, there’s a spectacular twist which brings things to a perfect finish in my opinion.

Despite my issues with the concluding chapters, The Death of Jane Lawrence is a memorable read that is bound to haunt your thoughts long after you’ve put it down. Almost from the beginning, the story and its characters kept me consistently off balance, and I never knew what to expect. I love authors who aren’t afraid to take chances with their creations, and Caitlin Starling definitely fits into this category.

 

The Witch Haven, By Sasha Peyton Smith ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Attempted Sexual Assault, Diversity, Historical Fantasy, LGBTQ, Mystery, New York City, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: August 31st, 2021

448 Pages

The Last Magician meets The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy in this thrilling and atmospheric historical fantasy following a young woman who discovers she has magical powers and is thrust into a battle between witches and wizards.

In 1911 New York City, seventeen-year-old Frances Hallowell spends her days as a seamstress, mourning the mysterious death of her brother months prior. Everything changes when she’s attacked and a man ends up dead at her feet—her scissors in his neck, and she can’t explain how they got there.

Before she can be condemned as a murderess, two cape-wearing nurses arrive to inform her she is deathly ill and ordered to report to Haxahaven Sanitarium. But Frances finds Haxahaven isn’t a sanitarium at all: it’s a school for witches. Within Haxahaven’s glittering walls, Frances finds the sisterhood she craves, but the headmistress warns Frances that magic is dangerous. Frances has no interest in the small, safe magic of her school, and is instead enchanted by Finn, a boy with magic himself who appears in her dreams and tells her he can teach her all she’s been craving to learn, lessons that may bring her closer to discovering what truly happened to her brother.

Frances’s newfound power attracts the attention of the leader of an ancient order who yearns for magical control of Manhattan. And who will stop at nothing to have Frances by his side. Frances must ultimately choose what matters more, justice for her murdered brother and her growing feelings for Finn, or the safety of her city and fellow witches. What price would she pay for power, and what if the truth is more terrible than she ever imagined? (Goodreads)

The Witch Haven is the first book in a planned duology, and what a grand debut it is. If you’re thinking this is another tale relying on the same old ubiquitous magical boarding school trope, let me disabuse you that notion quickly. While Haxahaven is a school of sorts for female and non-binary witches of all ages, including adults, it’s less about teaching girls and women to embrace their power, and more about hiding and controlling it to fit in with the misogynistic New York of 1911. 

Frances is a headstrong seventeen-year-old who suddenly comes into her power when the owner of the shop she works in attempts to sexually assault her. After killing him by accident she thinks she’s landed in a sanctuary when she’s brought to Haxahaven, but while she and her new friends and classmates are being bored to their wits ends with lessons teaching them how to use magic for ordinary household chores, the school and its headmistress are hiding dark and dangerous secrets. In addition, Frances is desperate to discover who murdered her brother William and why, and although she’s a highly intelligent young woman, her emotions tend to get the better of her and she makes some rather foolish decisions that not only put her life in danger, but others as well. Despite this, I wound up liking and connecting with her, even when a few of her actions had me groaning. The other integral characters are interesting and each have unique qualities which add to the story. I especially liked Lena, who as a Native American child was forcibly separated from her family and put in a government-run school. Her plight is timely in light of the recent news stories regarding boarding schools for indigenous children in Canada, which has caused the U.S. to again re-examine its own shameful past. There is a love triangle but if you’re like me and can’t stand this particular plot device, rest assured that there’s not a lot of time spent on it.

The setting is very atmospheric and 1911 New York City is vividly brought to life in all its dark grittiness through Smith’s detailing of the rampant misogyny, abhorrent child labor, sweatshops and suffragette movement. Even the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire is brought up. 

There are several twists, and while I correctly guessed a couple, the answer to the central mystery: who killed William and what was their motive, eluded me until shortly before the reveal. The ending is quite shocking and sets the stage perfectly for the next book.

The Witch Haven truly is a fascinating read, and if you choose to try it I believe you’ll find it a challenge to put down once you’ve begun reading. If you enjoy historical fantasies with flawed yet strong female characters, and like authors such as Libba Bray, I enthusiastically encourage you to pick this up.

The Shadow in the Glass, By J.J.A. Harwood ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Abortion, Fairytale Retellings, Historical Fantasy, Miscarriage, Physical Abuse, Rape References, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 4th, 2021

416 Pages

Synopsis: Once upon a time Ella for more than her life as a lowly maid.

Now, forced to work hard under the lecherous gaze of the man who she once called stepfather, Ella’s only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn’t permitted to enter.

One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella’s wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide if it’s one she’s willing to pay…

A smoldering, terrifying new spin on Cinderella—perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Erin Morgenstern. (Goodreads)

The Shadow in the Glass is an extremely dark retelling of Cinderella  that bears little resemblance to the Disney version, but is definitely something that the Grimm brothers would have appreciated. It’s very different and unique, with a hint of Goethe’s Faust woven in, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I however, found it utterly delicious and was captivated from the very first page.

Ella is a complicated character whose actions will leave readers emotions in turmoil. Despite her difficult circumstances, she starts out as an innocent naive young girl, but quickly descends into a morally gray area as she makes her wishes. The decisions she makes are somewhat understandable, but they’re truly terrible and lead her farther and farther down the dark path she’s on. The third person narrative brings the reader directly into Ella’s mind and helps bring all her emotional pain to life which is why I remained empathetic toward her for the most part.

The setting and world building are wonderfully written, and I loved the blend of Victorian era fantasy, gothic, and supernatural elements. Skillfully underlying this is the appalling conditions of the poor, particularly women, who had no rights, no protection, and more often than not, nowhere to turn. The ending, has left me conflicted, and a day after I finished, I haven’t decided whether I liked it or not. I don’t want to say anything more, except that it’s definitely NOT a happily-ever-after. There was some repetition and I think the narrative could have been tightened a little, but for the most part this stayed a page-turner for me from beginning to end.

The Shadow in the Glass is a beautifully told and memorable dark fairytale and Ella will stay in your mind for long time after you’ve finished. It includes a few themes that could be triggers for some readers, including: physical abuse, references to past rape and the possibility of future rape, abortion, and miscarriage. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy dark fantasy, flawed characters, and don’t mind the inclusion of difficult themes. 

A Master of Djinn (Fatma el-Sha’arawi #1), By P. Djèlí Clark ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Historical Fantasy, LGBTQ Relationships, Mystery, Romance, Steampunk, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 11th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: Nebula, Locus and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí returns to his popular alternate Cairo for his fantasy novel debut A Master of Djinn.

Cairo 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi, is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world 50 years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and her clever girlfriend, Siti, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city—or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems… (Goodreads)

Although P. Djèlí Clark’s first full length novel is a little slow to get started, as a first time reader of his fiction, I’m hooked! First and foremost is the storyline itself, which is a spellbinding mashup of steampunk, historical fantasy, and suspenseful mystery. I fell completely in love with the alternative 1912 version of Cairo, and thanks to all the exquisite details that were included, I easily imagined myself there. The mystery itself was interesting and kept me guessing through a good portion of the book. The characters are diverse and colorful, particularly Fatma, Siti, and Hadia, all strong and independent women, yet still having to struggle for society’s acceptance. Overall, A Master of Djinn is a thoroughly entertaining and creative tale. While it’s not strictly necessary to have read the two previous short stories in this series: A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015, I recommend you do so instead of being like me and having to go back. I suspect as quickly as I became immersed in this magical world, that probably would have happened even sooner if I was already familiar with the setting and characters.

Sing Me Forgotten, By Jessica S. Olson ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Classic Story Retellings, Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Phantom of the Opera, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: March 9th, 2021

336 Pages

Synopsis: Isda does not exist. At least not beyond the opulent walls of the opera house.

Cast into a well at birth for being one of the magical few who can manipulate memories when people sing, she was saved by Cyril, the opera house’s owner. Since that day, he has given her sanctuary from the murderous world outside. All he asks in return is that she use her power to keep ticket sales high—and that she stay out of sight. For if anyone discovered she survived, Isda and Cyril would lose their lives.

But Isda breaks Cyril’s cardinal rule when she meets Emeric Rodin, who throws her quiet, solitary life out of balance. His voice is unlike any she’s ever heard, but the real shock comes when she finds in his memories hints of a way to finally break free of her gilded prison.

Haunted by this possibility, Isda spends more and more time with Emeric, searching for answers in his music and his past. But the price of freedom is steeper than Isda could ever know. For even as she struggles with her growing feelings for Emeric, she learns that in order to take charge of her own destiny, she must become the monster the world tried to drown in the first place. (Goodreads)

I have been fascinated with The Phantom of the Opera since I read the original classic by Gaston Leroux as a child, so when I saw the lovely cover of Sing Me Forgotten and discovered that it was a gender-switched retelling, I knew I had to get my hands on it. As you can guess from my rating, I was not disappointed. The main reason why I didn’t give this 5 stars is because for the first few chapters, I was a little confused about the magical elements. It wasn’t long though before everything became clear, and once that happened I was completely enthralled by both the imaginative story and its characters. Isda is not what you’d call a likable character, yet I felt sympathetic toward her nonetheless. She has been shaped by how society has treated her, and almost every action she took, reflected this. Sweet, loyal Emeric was the perfect romantic partner for her, as he saw the good inside her that even she didn’t see. As their relationship developed I found myself rooting for them even as I suspected, given the tale this story is based on, that they were not meant to be. The villain at first seemed one-dimensional, but even he in the end had a slightly sympathetic side. The detailed world building truly was magnificent, mixing familiar settings of a grand opera house with sprawling catacombs underneath, with the addition of the magic and an interesting political system. The ending definitely isn’t your typically happily-ever-after, and although it seems like Sing Me Forgotten is to be a standalone, the last chapter certainly introduces the possibility of a sequel, which I for one would be thrilled to see. Overall, I highly recommend Sing Me Forgotten for teens and adults who are looking for a unique and beautifully told historical fantasy.

Kingdom of the Wicked, By Kerri Maniscalco ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and JIMMY Patterson for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 27th, 2020

448 Pages

Synopsis: Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe—witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to discover who did this and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, the outlier among the seven demon brethren, always choosing duty over pleasure. He’s been tasked by his master with investigating a series of women’s murders on the island. When Emilia’s and Wrath’s fates collide, it’s clear this disturbing mystery will take a bewitching turn…

I absolutely loved Kerri Maniscalco’s debut Hunting Jack the Ripper series, so to say that I’ve been looking forward to Kingdom of the Wicked is somewhat of an understatement. And, after devouring it in less than two days, I’m thrilled to say that it’s a stellar beginning to this new series and a witchy delight for the month of October. This has everything I look for in this genre: exquisite world building, captivating characters, smoldering romance, sharp and witty dialogue, exciting mystery and suspense, loads of action, and a unique storyline. The only issue I had was there needed to be more details as to what time period this is set in. I’m thinking 1860s, but it wasn’t really made clear. Oh! There’s also a humongous cliffhanger, so be prepared. I’m even more determined than I usually am not to give away any spoilers, so let me just say this. If you’re already a fan of Maniscalco, Kingdom of the Wicked will make you even more so. If you haven’t read her previous series (WHY?), but you enjoy historical fantasies you can’t miss this!

 

Midnight Bargain, By C.L. Polk ~ 3.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Regency Era, Romance

Thanks to NetGalley and Erewhon for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 13th, 2020

384 Pages

Synopsis: Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her unborn children. She dreams of becoming a full-fledged Magus and pursuing magic as her calling as men do, but her family has staked everything to equip her for Bargaining Season when young men and women of means descend upon the city to negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only she can save them by securing an advantageous match before their creditors come calling.

In a stroke of luck, Beatrice finds a grimoire that contains the key to becoming a Magus, but before she can purchase the book, a rival sorceress swindles it right out of her hands. Beatrice summons a spirit to help her get it back, but her new ally exacts a price: Beatrice’s first kiss, with her adversary’s brother, the handsome, compassionate, fabulously wealthy Ianthe Lavan.

The more Beatrice is entangled with the Lavan siblings the harder her decision becomes: If she casts the spell to become a Magus, she will devastate her family and lose the man to ever see her for who she is; but if she marries—even for love—she will sacrifice her magic, her identity, and her dreams. But how can she choose just one, knowing she will ever regret the path not taken?

I was so excited after seeing the cover and reading the synopsis for Midnight Bargain. It wasn’t bad. I’m glad I read it, but I have to be honest and say that I’m somewhat disappointed.

The best parts of the book were the rich, vivid, multicultural world building and the system in place denying women their equal rights. But taking away from that was the heroine, who just didn’t live up to her potential. Instead of the sympathy I was expecting to feel for Beatrice and her predicament, I found her to be superficial and obnoxious, although she did improve a bit during the final half of the book. I thought Ianthe, was absolutely charming, but the romance between him and Beatrice was completely lacking in chemistry. The spirit, Nadi, and Ianthe’s sister,Ysbeta, were a lot of fun, which took the curse off my negative feelings toward Beatrice. And finally, although I finished this in a couple of days, the pace was awkward with alternating fast and slow sections throughout.

I had very high expectations for Midnight Bargain, but mainly due to the extremely bothersome Beatrice, they weren’t quite met, I don’t regret reading it. Just the brilliant world building, storyline and secondary characters made this a worthwhile read. There are plenty of reviewers who enjoyed this even more than I, so if the premise intrigues you, I recommend you give it a try.

A Golden Fury, By Samantha Cohoe ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: October 13th, 2020

352 Pages

Synopsis: Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary  Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the Stone’s promise of riches is within their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.

While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists.

But in Oxford there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and loose her sanity, or let the people she loves die.

Gorgeous cover + the Philosopher’s Stone + rogue alchemists = a MUST READ for me! As soon as my eyes spied A Golden Fury on NetGalley, I requested it and was so excited to be approved. After reading it over the last three days I’m happy to say that for the most part it lived up to its promise. It starts out a bit slow, but it doesn’t take long for the pace to pick up. I loved the settings, the storyline, the world building, but was left with mixed feelings toward the characters, particularly Thea. I thought she was a very strong female protagonist except when it came to her one blind spot, (which in order to avoid spoilers I’m not going to name). Let me just say that I don’t think it fit with the rest of her actions. I’m also a bit torn over the last few chapters, which took a decidedly dark turn. I love action-packed climaxes and deviating away from the typical happily-ever-after, but this was a little melodramatic and I’m not exactly sure how I feel about it. Overall though, I enjoyed A Golden Fury even with its imperfections and I unhesitatingly recommend it to fans of historical fantasy that has darker themes. It’s a solid debut by Cohoe and I’m looking forward to seeing what she dreams up next.

Splinters of Scarlet, By Emily Bain Murphy ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

352 Pages

Synopsis: For Marit Olsen, magic is all about strategy: it flows freely through her, but every use leaves behind a deadly, ice-like build-up within her veins called the Firn. Marit knows how dangerous it is to let too much Firn build up—after all, it killed her sister—and she has vowed never to use her thread magic. But when Eve, a fellow orphan, whom Marit views like a little sister, is adopted by the wealthy Helene Vestergaard, Marit will do anything to stay by Eve’s side. She decides to risk the Firn and use magic to secure a job as a seamstress in the Vestergaard household.

But Marit has a second, hidden agenda: her father died while working in the Vestergaard’s jewel mines—and it might not have been an accident. The closer Marit gets to the truth about the Vestergaard family, the more she realizes she and everyone she’s come to love are in danger. When she finds herself in the middle of a treacherous deception that goes all the way up to the king of Denmark, magic may be the only thing that can save her—if it doesn’t kill her first.

Splinters of Scarlet is set in 19th century Denmark where magic comes with a deadly cost to those who possess the gift. While abilities vary widely, the result of overuse is the same—The Firn, a fatal ice-like phenomena that builds up in their veins. Marit’s older sister dies from the condition protecting her, so she’s very much aware of the danger she puts herself whenever she uses her thread magic. She’s a strong female character who makes mistakes, but learns from them. She doesn’t hesitate to put her life on the line in the pursuit of justice and protecting those she loves. Her love interest, Jakob is equally likable and I enjoyed the way their relationship blossoms from wariness, to friendship, to love. The other characters, of which there are several, are vividly brought to life, an impressive feat given that the book is only 352 pages. In addition to the imaginative form of fantasy, Murphy spendidly brings to life, Denmark as it was in the second half of the 1800s. In this war-weary country, both the lower and the upper classes are given equal treatment. Against the historical background is the intriguing mystery of what really caused the explosion in the Vestergaard mines which took the lives of many miners including Marit’s father. The original mystery takes several surprising twists, before the ultimately shocking reveal.

Splinters of Scarlet is the second book in a row where I can honestly say my only disappointment is that I came to the end. Compounding that disappointment is that from the conclusion I’m pretty sure this is going to be a standalone, unless the author changes her mind. I finished this a couple of days ago but I find my thoughts frequently returning to Murphy’s magical world and the wonderful cast of characters she created. It’s being publicized as a mashup of Downton Abbey and Frozen and it definitely gave me those vibes. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking for a unique historical fantasy filled with magic, romance, glittering jewels, ballet, cameos by Hans Christian Anderson, mouth-watering food, suspenseful mystery, and characters to fall in love with. I guarantee this will sweep you away if only for a few hours. It’s available now so you can splurge immediately and purchase it or borrow it from your library!