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duanebutcher's review against another edition
3.0
This was modest fun--another entry in the Jane Austen-meets-fantasy sub-genre. Less literary and more accessible than Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, not as much fun as Naomi Novik's Temeraire series. But still good respectable fun, with lots of magic and a pair of super plucky protagonists.
bedee's review against another edition
4.0
I randomly read this book mainly because it was on the shorter side and it was available. Plus it had some great reviews. I am glad I did! It was so much fun and not what I expected at all. I would recommend it for fans of fantasy, historical English fiction and even Jane Austen!
krismcd59's review against another edition
4.0
A really enjoyable light adventure for fans of [a:Susanna Clarke|8842|Susanna Clarke|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1207159127p2/8842.jpg], [a:Naomi Novik|8730|Naomi Novik|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1206646770p2/8730.jpg], and [a:Mary Robinette Kowal|2868678|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1365253716p2/2868678.jpg]. The Regency-era magical fantasy genre is a growing one, but Cho's pacing is lively, her tone is light, and her Austenian style is well done. You really only start to get a feel for the characters near the end, so it's a bit frustrating that Cho ends this installment where she does, but I'm definitely looking forward to the next one.
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
gem_mc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
socialamoebaemily's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I don't know why this won awards. Calling something satire does not make it not racist/sexist. The language is at best offensively outdated and I was shocked this came out in 2015 as I was not expecting anything past the 80s. I also really hated most of the characters. The world building was alright and it was decently written with a very Jane Austin vibe but otherwise I was not a fan of much here.
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