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awd100's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
Definite echoes to the world of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell in basic premise, but takes it in a different direction and with a lot of charm.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Slavery, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Murder
kath_knits's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
shay_talksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Close Encounter's Book Club October pick
This was a wonderful melting pot of Regency London meets magical realism, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We follow Zacharias, England's first black Sorcerer Royal, as he navigates his new role, the dwindling supply of English magic, and the views of the rest of the Royal Society for Unnatural Philosopher's. Along the way he meets Prunella, a witch with exceptional talent in a world where women are not deemed capable of such feats.
There was a lot of exploration of racism, sexism and classism, touching on slavery at times too. There were moments that the frequency of racist & sexist views/comments seemed a little heavy-handed, but it felt very plausible for the period the book was set. I honestly think the setting wouldn't have felt as 'believable' or 'authentic' if it wasn't included.
I enjoyed the story, loved meeting all of the side characters (perhaps even enjoyed them more than the main characters at times), loved Prunella & Mak Genggang, and I'm intrigued to see where the second book in the duology takes us.
The only negatives I had: I would've loved some more world-building (on the magical side) and lot of the plot/twists were a little predictable.
This was a wonderful melting pot of Regency London meets magical realism, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We follow Zacharias, England's first black Sorcerer Royal, as he navigates his new role, the dwindling supply of English magic, and the views of the rest of the Royal Society for Unnatural Philosopher's. Along the way he meets Prunella, a witch with exceptional talent in a world where women are not deemed capable of such feats.
There was a lot of exploration of racism, sexism and classism, touching on slavery at times too. There were moments that the frequency of racist & sexist views/comments seemed a little heavy-handed, but it felt very plausible for the period the book was set. I honestly think the setting wouldn't have felt as 'believable' or 'authentic' if it wasn't included.
I enjoyed the story, loved meeting all of the side characters (perhaps even enjoyed them more than the main characters at times), loved Prunella & Mak Genggang, and I'm intrigued to see where the second book in the duology takes us.
The only negatives I had: I would've loved some more world-building (on the magical side) and lot of the plot/twists were a little predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Slavery
drjoannehill's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Now we have dissected this at our book club I can give some more thoughts!
I enjoyed this lighhearted fantasy which channelled Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Susanna Clarke's Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell. At times it felt like Strange and Norrell fan fic, and it wasn't as complex, but it was certainly more diverse regarding the characters and their backgrounds. It was also compared to Harry Potter which I can see.
We meet Zacharias, who as a boy was purchased (or stolen) off a slave ship and brought up to learn about English magic. He becomes the Sorcerer Royal in mysterious circumstances which are later revealed. He is invited to give a speech about magic (or the dangers of it) at a girls school where young ladies are taught to suppress their magic, meets Prunella who is a bit of a Hermione character, and thus begin their adventures to tackle the belief that women shouldn't do magic, via stopping a diplomatic breakdown between Britain and an island nation in south east Asia, and a scheming mermaid.
The idea that women should not do magic because it is dangerous for them is laid on a bit thick, but it is not out of character for the time. I thought it a clever book at times, with plenty to say about colonialism, sexism, and classism, and lots of cute magical ideas. Also like the Emily Wilde Encyclopedia series.
Very fast paced - the story jumps in and the world building happens along the way, or not at all, barely any taking time to explain something - you have to guess and go along with it. I found I didn't mind this. Would definitely read the sequel (I think there's quite a bit left to finish off).
I enjoyed this lighhearted fantasy which channelled Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Susanna Clarke's Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell. At times it felt like Strange and Norrell fan fic, and it wasn't as complex, but it was certainly more diverse regarding the characters and their backgrounds. It was also compared to Harry Potter which I can see.
We meet Zacharias, who as a boy was purchased (or stolen) off a slave ship and brought up to learn about English magic. He becomes the Sorcerer Royal in mysterious circumstances which are later revealed. He is invited to give a speech about magic (or the dangers of it) at a girls school where young ladies are taught to suppress their magic, meets Prunella who is a bit of a Hermione character, and thus begin their adventures to tackle the belief that women shouldn't do magic, via stopping a diplomatic breakdown between Britain and an island nation in south east Asia, and a scheming mermaid.
The idea that women should not do magic because it is dangerous for them is laid on a bit thick, but it is not out of character for the time. I thought it a clever book at times, with plenty to say about colonialism, sexism, and classism, and lots of cute magical ideas. Also like the Emily Wilde Encyclopedia series.
Very fast paced - the story jumps in and the world building happens along the way, or not at all, barely any taking time to explain something - you have to guess and go along with it. I found I didn't mind this. Would definitely read the sequel (I think there's quite a bit left to finish off).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Slavery and Colonisation
cmbohn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Slavery, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
adoto's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I devoured the audiobook of this in one sitting but I can see why someone would struggle to read it quickly. It's written in a wordy, Austen-like style that I personally liked, but would be hard to get one's head around.
The cover does not properly set you up for what this story is: a very British story that both pays homage to early 19th century England as well as completely redresses its imperialism and overconsumption. It has Austen's wordiness and her dry wit, and it's hilarious when it wants to be, dark and gory when it doesn't.
The romance is sweet, butPrunella's suddenly desire at the end to get married and have children at the end is a bit confronting, and ruins the catharsis of their getting together . But romance is not the core focus of this story.
The cover does not properly set you up for what this story is: a very British story that both pays homage to early 19th century England as well as completely redresses its imperialism and overconsumption. It has Austen's wordiness and her dry wit, and it's hilarious when it wants to be, dark and gory when it doesn't.
The romance is sweet, but
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
rosyapple's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fun times
comparison to norrel and strange is apt but this is faster paced and funnier
pageturner
comparison to norrel and strange is apt but this is faster paced and funnier
pageturner
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Violence
Minor: Slavery and Blood
book_gremlin42's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, and Colonisation
atamano's review
adventurous
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment