I'd probably rate this a 3.5 because I did find that it dragged at times, but I enjoyed all the in-jokes and Jane Austen references. Also, I admit to having a weakness for Regency novels, particularly if they involve magic. Overall, an enjoyable read & an interesting historical fantasy! ( )

This book had a decent blend of history and magic. I fell into the story quickly and was interested to see where the main character would ultimately end up. I wanted to love it more than I did, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it! ( )

Lucy Derrick is a slightly down-at-heel young woman with a tainted past wondering where her life is going in early 19th century England and resigned to being pushed into a marriage and future over which she has little control. Then she finds out she is a witch and has a pivotal role to play in a major battle between light and dark forces, affecting the direction of society.

I initially read this as, at best, an homage to 'Jonathan Strange and Doctor Morell'. The setting, England at the turn of industrialisation, and premiss, the existence of magic in the world as a real force like heat or light, are the same and there are many paralells of characterisation and plotting. However, I think there is a little something in this book that sets it aside as just another blockbuster-bandwagon-jumper.

As the Industrial Revolution gained ground there was support across the country for the new technologies, new economic paradigms and new opportunities, but also a backlash wanting to preserve the older ways of working focusing on the human aspects of change - dignity, closeness to the land and the impacts of migration and disruption. David Lisa addresses these concerns well by not presenting a purely black-and-white view. An older, more animistic magic seeks to eliminate the new technologies through the Luddite cause. A more science oriented group promotes technology through the Roscrucians. But these perspectives are presented with complex grey edges and the battle is between characters acting in good or bad ways rather than just being god or bad. We have some sympathies for almost everyone in the book. ( )

Not a bad book, just that the fantasy element wasn't my cup of tea. I have a mystery I'm anxious to start and decided not to soldier through this.

It may not be David Liss' best work but I enjoyed it. I do like Austen and know the tropes, so I enjoyed Liss playing with them. Ir was a bit Twilight meets Northanger Abbey, which can be annoying. If you haven't read Liss before, read The Coffee Trader. If you like Austen and/or paranormal, this is probably the most intelligent thing out there. ( )