Ivy Lockwell is one of three sisters, living in a fading house with her mother and ailing father. Without her around, it’s likely that her family would fall apart, but it’s also essential that the three girls marry; that’s because when their mother dies, their house will go to an odious cousin. Ivy’s father has been ill for some time now, and everyone but Ivy believes it’s due to his excessive magick use. Ivy is convinced that if she can find the spell to reverse the damage, she can cure her father; the little notes that he left her around the house encourage her in her quest. When she takes a job with the mysterious Mr Quent, Ivy begins to realize that the problem with magick isn’t just confined to her family, and that she might have deadlier enemies than she’d ever supposed.
This was such a charming book in so many ways. Ivy and her family are absolutely wonderful characters. Each of them has his or her own distinctive personality and the viewpoint switches around frequently enough that I could get to know several of them. The entire book is pervaded with a nice feel of fantasy, mystery, and at times romance. The plot is nicely twisty and turny for the most part, and even though I wasn’t entirely kept guessing throughout the book, it completely held my attention. I loved the fantasy world, with its variations on daylight and peculiar version of magick; I was really eager to figure out how it all fit together.
What I really loved about it, though, was the fact that this felt to me like a love letter to two of my favorite authors, Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. Sections of both authors’ books are recalled in a variety of ways, and even the prose style feels like it could very well belong in the nineteenth century in particular. I loved reading the echoes of Jane Eyre in the middle section of the novel in particular. It was like reading a few of my favorite novels with magic included, and to be honest, for me you can’t get much better than that. I have read several reviews which complain that it isn’t original enough, but I’d disagree with that. The rest of the book was enchanting in its own right, and such an homage to the classics simply made it better.
Honestly, this was just another of those books that perfectly suited me. A bookish protagonist, echoes of my favorite authors, a lovely subtle romance, and a wonderful fantasy world to back it all up left me a very happy girl. The Magicians and Mrs. Quent may not be for everyone, but it was definitely for me. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, which is releasing next month, and I only hope that it’s as delightful a read as this was.
I am an Amazon Associate. I purchased this book.
This one sounds lovely, and I sure hope a perfect fit for me, since I do like romance, and fantasy
blodeuedd´s last post …Review- Entwined – Elisabeth Naughton
Oh, I’m so glad you loved this one! It’s been in my TBR pile forever but I haven’t heard that much about it. I should probably pull it from the pile and read it : I love the idea of it feeling like a love letter to Austen and Bronte! With magic!
kay @ Infiniteshelf´s last post …This or That
I love books that straddle genres, and this one sounds really interesting to me. I am glad that you liked it and that you are so eager for the next installment! Great review!
zibilee´s last post …The Vera Wright Trilogy- My Fathers Moon – Cabin Fever – The Georges Wife by Elizabeth Jolley — 568 pgs
This one is definitely going on my TBR. It sounds like a lovely read.
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I didn’t realize there was going to be a sequel! I definitely plan to read this sooner rather than later… I’ve been reading a fair bit of Regency/Victorian fantasy recently, and really enjoying it, so hopefully this will keep up the trend.
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I enjoy some fantasy – the fantasy I struggle with is the fantasy with made up creatures and awkward names. This book sounds like a pleasant escape! Your review is fantastic!
I’ve had this on my wish list ever since I first heard of it! I have heard mixed reviews, so I’m really glad you enjoyed it so thoroughly. I think I would, too
Aarti´s last post …Discovering Podcasts
I read this a few months ago and I enjoyed it but thought parts of it felt disjointed. I’m still looking forward to reading the sequel though so I guess it didn’t bother me too much.
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This sounds like a fun book. I checked it out at my library a few years ago but didn’t get around to reading it.
heidenkind´s last post …The Whore and the Artist- Two Novels Set In Renaissance Italy
Between you and Memory, I’m more than sold! It definitely sounds like my cup of tea
Nymeth´s last post …The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
I really didn’t need to read beyond this: “felt to me like a love letter to two of my favorite authors, Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte.” Oh yes, this is a must read for me.
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