To be honest, I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I struggled to feel invested in Effie and her character at first so it took me multiple tries to get past the first few chapters but the reward for doing so was immense. The writing was captivating and the story, once developed, held me to the very end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. ( )

If it had just been through a copy editor it would have been quite good. As it was I was continually irked by small mistakes that broke the necessary suspension of disbelief, and had me doubting other statements the author made. Historical settings for fantasy is a tricky genre, because to an extent reality is fixed, we know what happened. The author's job is to fit their changes around these fixed points, usually driven by intense characterisation. Here it feels that the author doesn't know much or anything about Scotland, where they've chosen to set their story, and has just transposed in american history. This doesn't work.

Two particular instances annoyed me throughout. One was the mis-spelling of Whisky as Whiskey, the latter refers only to Bourbon and Irish whiskies, as different from Scotch malts as Rose is to red wine. (And I very much doubt it was ever a drink that ladies of society imbibed.) The other was a frequent reference to personal steam powered vehicles. These never significantly appeared in UK history despite,or perhaps because of, our success with the railway. There were traction engines for agricultural use, but little to no personal transport apart from horse drawn, until the combustion engine. Perhaps this is a deliberate choice from the author to imagine a history with the addition of another power source, as the search and use of Fey energies does change things, but if so it's not made sufficiently clear.

Anyway the rest is a fairly well told tale, taking the myths of the Sidhe and running with them in the late 1800s scotland. Effie is part-fey, one of many to greater or lesser degree, surviving in the highlands. Her mother was exiled from the Seelie court for reasons unknown to her, and she's been surviving as best she can. Chance led her to being apprenticed to Mr Stevenson, an engineer who uses fey-materials to build enhanced structures. However recent attacks by what could be fey monsters from the un-seelie side have stirred up old antagonisms and his funders are getting cold feet, what's worse the've stirred up the Sniffers, a powerful cult dedicated to irradiating the Fey. To preserve her only family Effie goes off to find out what's really happening. She quickly discovers that one of Stevenson's rivals has found an alternative power source, but in doing so has broken Sidhe wards that long kept powerful creatures (neither seelie nor unseelie) in statis. Effie needs to learn more about herself and her heritage in order to help those who've cared for her in her times of need, and accept aid no matter where it comes from.

Other errors that crept through was a profound lack of time - the story seems to open in winter with frequent frosts, but then only a couple of weeks later it is high summer with short nights. Even on the top of Scottish mountains there is no frost in summer. And the top of Ben Nevis, whilst it did feature an observatory, has never sustained plant life, not even ferns to crinkle underfoot. And while the 'tourist' path is fairly accessible, it seems highly unlikely it could have been negotiated by a steam vehicle. Horse drawn is the way everything was done. Cricket is mentioned and whilst it is possible that two gentlemen from Newcastle might have heard of the game by 1882, there's no chance at all that a lady of scottish upbringing would have a clue what it was. The Potato famines appears to have been given a part in scottish history - this was a almost exclusively irish issue, instead whilst the Clearing is mentioned, it (and the revenue's distallation taxes) they don't seem to have been given the priority they are normally accorded with the disruption of traditional ways of life.

Which are a lot of niggles in what was otherwise an interesting tale. Effie is headstrong and independent, capable but not headstrong. Although set in time of male dominance, she's polite and respectful where necessary but doesn't allow herself to be overruled when she's sure of her opinion, or to be dissuaded from taking necessary action. ( )

Well-developed characters and plot make this historical fantasy a true pleasure to read and become lost in. Readers looking for a strong female protagonist will find her in Effie, who is believable and likeable. A very unique and fascinating story - I definitely can't wait for this series to continue! ( )

I received a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
Effie is a Scottish fey, a Sithling, who finds herself thrust out into a world she has stayed hidden from, a place where humans distrust and where Sniffers seek her kind with vile intentions. Intent on doing what she can to help save her kin, she embarks on a journey, learning of her history and the powers of the fey, hoping to defend against darker forces. Excellent story-telling and well-rounded characters makes this a thoroughly enchanting tale of a strong yet compassionate female protagonist in a man's world. I was particularly enthralled by both the geography and the period, both incredibly well researched and invoked. Loved this, couldn't put it down. ( )