A review by bookstuff
The Golden City by J. Kathleen Cheney
4.0
4.5 stars. I got this as a free book from Goodreads giveaways. I wasn't sure what to expect, having never read any of Cheney's work before.
This is a alternate-history mystery fantasy set in 1905 Portugal which has been split into two principalities. The main character, Oriana Paredes, is a siren passing as a human in the The Golden City, which is closed to sirens because the ruling Prince believes in a prophecy that he would one day be killed by one. She is a low-level spy gathering any information that comes her way as a paid companion to a socialite debutante. The story opens with her helping her employer elope when they are abducted, which plunges Oriana into the middle of a mysterious conspiracy involving magic and politics.
The worldbuilding in this book is original and well-crafted. The story centers around the mystery, which is paced to keep you turning the pages. I was slow to warm to Oriana as a character, but her male counterpart Duilo very likable. There is a slow-burn romance subplot between the two, which I assume is set to continue in the sequel(s).
I enjoyed reading this, am really intrigued by the setting and supporting characters, and will definitely be looking for the next book.
This is a alternate-history mystery fantasy set in 1905 Portugal which has been split into two principalities. The main character, Oriana Paredes, is a siren passing as a human in the The Golden City, which is closed to sirens because the ruling Prince believes in a prophecy that he would one day be killed by one. She is a low-level spy gathering any information that comes her way as a paid companion to a socialite debutante. The story opens with her helping her employer elope when they are abducted, which plunges Oriana into the middle of a mysterious conspiracy involving magic and politics.
The worldbuilding in this book is original and well-crafted. The story centers around the mystery, which is paced to keep you turning the pages. I was slow to warm to Oriana as a character, but her male counterpart Duilo very likable. There is a slow-burn romance subplot between the two, which I assume is set to continue in the sequel(s).
I enjoyed reading this, am really intrigued by the setting and supporting characters, and will definitely be looking for the next book.