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Edinburgh Nights #4
The Legacy of Arniston House
Ghoststalker Ropa Moyo learns a shocking truth about her family. But after she confronts her grandmother with the revelation, Gran is murdered and Ropa is now the prime suspect on top of dealing with her loss. Ropa races to uncover the real murderer, and soon finds a connection to an old magical cult. They are trying to take control of Scotland by resurrecting an army of the dead, led by a dark lord. She'll have to use all her magic and hard-won skills in her biggest challenge yet.
381 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2024
119 people are currently reading
1572 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Huchu
30 books715 followersT. L. Huchu has been published previously (as
Tendai Huchu
) in the adult market, but the Edinburgh Nights series is his genre fiction debut. His previous books (The Hairdresser of Harare and The Maestro, The Magistrate and the Mathematician) have been translated into multiple languages and his short fiction has won awards. Tendai grew up in Zimbabwe but has lived in Edinburgh for most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
January 6, 2025
I know I sound like a broken record (he says, instantly distracting everyone under 40 with his incredibly dated slang), but this series is phenomenal. Huchu’s Edinburgh Nights quartet (soon to be a quintet, thankfully) is propulsively addictive, led by its main character, narrator, and irrepressible badass Ropa Moyo. Come for the indelible narrative style, stay for the academic magic, inter-magic-society skullduggery, and fully realized world peopled with characters you won’t want to say goodbye to after you turn the final page.
Now, please excuse me while I go learn some new metaphors. Maybe something about a scratched CD…
Now, please excuse me while I go learn some new metaphors. Maybe something about a scratched CD…
November 14, 2024
Ropa is now in the employ of the English Sorcerer Royale, and the novel opens with her dealing with a aurprisingly challenging exorcism against a powerful ghost who has hijacked the body of a young woman. Ropa is left shaken but she heads home to the safety and love of her Gran.
The pressure is off Ropa, a little, as she's making decent coin for her ghosttalking work for Lord Samarasinghe, she's getting therapy, and Izwi is at boarding school. And much as Ropa misses her, she's a bit relieved that life is a little easier.
Then, an enemy lets her know that he knows more about her family than she does, intimating that her Gran and father were much more involved with the magical community than she thought. She's upset, and wants answers from the older woman. Unfortunately, Ropa is too late to learn more; she returns home from yet another ghosttalking assignment to find her Gran dead. And before she can even process what she is seeing, she's messaged by her old boss Rob to get out as the police are after her for her Gran's murder.
This isn't the only shock Ropa has to deal with. Not only must she hide from the law, the Library of the Dead is ferociously attacked, with precious books stolen, a prisoner escaping, and Ropa experiences shocking, personal, heart-rending betrayal. No one has her back seemingly, as now even Sir Callander wants her arrested for Gran's murder.
It's not till Priya finds her that Ropa can begin piecing anything together from previous events, and with some information about Gran from Isfandier, Sir Callander's husband, Ropa learns how little she knew of the fierce, powerful and incredibly compassionate woman who loved and cared for not just her and Izwi, but for so many others.
And then, all hell breaks loose. The criminals who escaped after the events at Dunvegan Castle have amassed more allies, all of whom want to return Scotland and its magic practices to some supposed better period (faulty nostalgia-poisoned reasoning), and the story closes with a massive, terrifying duel, and an even darker ending.
This is an absolutely heartbreaking entry in this terrific series. Ropa loses so much, including the solid and loving presence of her Gran. She's on her own, running scared, but also determined to take on the criminals she identified at Dunvegan Castle.
Thank goodness for River and Priya! Their solid presence may not have stopped the evil that occurred, but they unconditionally have her back. Unlike so many of the people she has met since she got involved with Scottish magic, who turn on her, choosing their own petty, cruel and dastardly aims over doing the right thing. Huchu shows that knowing magic doesn't make one special, or a better person. It only exacerbates or highlights traits already present. So those who crave power and influence, and who practice magic, have a very powerful tool at their disposal that allows them to change society for their own ends, and to oppress and harm those they disdain. Whereas someone like Gran, after the events of her youth, went in another direction, choosing instead to help those who needed it, to support and to love. This love actually works in Ropa's favour, as there are a few individuals who lend her a hand during her flight and give her a few moments of peace and time to grieve.
This whole story is so tension-filled, and felt like it was building to something dark and tragic, which it does. In fact, my first thought, when I got to the halfway point of this novel was, this is the “Empire Strikes Back” part of Ropa Moyo's story. She encounters obstacles and reversals and tragedy, and instead of a happy wrap-up at the end, author T.L. Huchu leaves us with the heroine fleeing, lost, and more terrible things to come.
I love Ropa, and her tough-as-nails persona, and gotta keep going attitude. She just keeps getting up and dealing with each new problem. But this time, there was no time for her to regroup or catch her breath. At least she had one night to grieve….
This Scotland may be somewhat in shambles, but money is still critical to what is happening over the course of this series. And the idea that only a select few can have access to magic and power, and that people like Ropa who live in caravans (RVs to us North Americans) and have to constantly hustle for basics aren't deserving of opportunities, is a big part of the story T.L. Huchu has been telling since Ropa appeared on the page. This is a darker instalment than all the previous, and despite the frequent humour present in each outing, none of these stories has been light. The very fact that Huchu's main character is a young, Black woman who has to work hard for everything she has, and is told, repeatedly that she doesn't have the right background, etc., to be or to hope, and who is actually often more ethical than her supposed betters, is a statement. It is also sad and infuriating, but it gives this series the extra depth and texture that makes me love it so.
Kimberly Mandindo again narrates the audiobook (she has since book two) and conveys all of Ropa's sass, grief, exhaustion, anger and humour beautifully. I like her voicing of Priya and Gran also, two hugely important people in Ropa's life, and their love and kindness comes through well in Mandindo's voice. Her Dr. Maige's prissiness and Lord Samarasinghe's unfortunately timed amusement are a hoot, too.
And now I have to wait to find out what happens next. It's going to be extra hard to be patient, as I am so worried about Ropa and her very few allies.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The pressure is off Ropa, a little, as she's making decent coin for her ghosttalking work for Lord Samarasinghe, she's getting therapy, and Izwi is at boarding school. And much as Ropa misses her, she's a bit relieved that life is a little easier.
Then, an enemy lets her know that he knows more about her family than she does, intimating that her Gran and father were much more involved with the magical community than she thought. She's upset, and wants answers from the older woman. Unfortunately, Ropa is too late to learn more; she returns home from yet another ghosttalking assignment to find her Gran dead. And before she can even process what she is seeing, she's messaged by her old boss Rob to get out as the police are after her for her Gran's murder.
This isn't the only shock Ropa has to deal with. Not only must she hide from the law, the Library of the Dead is ferociously attacked, with precious books stolen, a prisoner escaping, and Ropa experiences shocking, personal, heart-rending betrayal. No one has her back seemingly, as now even Sir Callander wants her arrested for Gran's murder.
It's not till Priya finds her that Ropa can begin piecing anything together from previous events, and with some information about Gran from Isfandier, Sir Callander's husband, Ropa learns how little she knew of the fierce, powerful and incredibly compassionate woman who loved and cared for not just her and Izwi, but for so many others.
And then, all hell breaks loose. The criminals who escaped after the events at Dunvegan Castle have amassed more allies, all of whom want to return Scotland and its magic practices to some supposed better period (faulty nostalgia-poisoned reasoning), and the story closes with a massive, terrifying duel, and an even darker ending.
This is an absolutely heartbreaking entry in this terrific series. Ropa loses so much, including the solid and loving presence of her Gran. She's on her own, running scared, but also determined to take on the criminals she identified at Dunvegan Castle.
Thank goodness for River and Priya! Their solid presence may not have stopped the evil that occurred, but they unconditionally have her back. Unlike so many of the people she has met since she got involved with Scottish magic, who turn on her, choosing their own petty, cruel and dastardly aims over doing the right thing. Huchu shows that knowing magic doesn't make one special, or a better person. It only exacerbates or highlights traits already present. So those who crave power and influence, and who practice magic, have a very powerful tool at their disposal that allows them to change society for their own ends, and to oppress and harm those they disdain. Whereas someone like Gran, after the events of her youth, went in another direction, choosing instead to help those who needed it, to support and to love. This love actually works in Ropa's favour, as there are a few individuals who lend her a hand during her flight and give her a few moments of peace and time to grieve.
This whole story is so tension-filled, and felt like it was building to something dark and tragic, which it does. In fact, my first thought, when I got to the halfway point of this novel was, this is the “Empire Strikes Back” part of Ropa Moyo's story. She encounters obstacles and reversals and tragedy, and instead of a happy wrap-up at the end, author T.L. Huchu leaves us with the heroine fleeing, lost, and more terrible things to come.
I love Ropa, and her tough-as-nails persona, and gotta keep going attitude. She just keeps getting up and dealing with each new problem. But this time, there was no time for her to regroup or catch her breath. At least she had one night to grieve….
This Scotland may be somewhat in shambles, but money is still critical to what is happening over the course of this series. And the idea that only a select few can have access to magic and power, and that people like Ropa who live in caravans (RVs to us North Americans) and have to constantly hustle for basics aren't deserving of opportunities, is a big part of the story T.L. Huchu has been telling since Ropa appeared on the page. This is a darker instalment than all the previous, and despite the frequent humour present in each outing, none of these stories has been light. The very fact that Huchu's main character is a young, Black woman who has to work hard for everything she has, and is told, repeatedly that she doesn't have the right background, etc., to be or to hope, and who is actually often more ethical than her supposed betters, is a statement. It is also sad and infuriating, but it gives this series the extra depth and texture that makes me love it so.
Kimberly Mandindo again narrates the audiobook (she has since book two) and conveys all of Ropa's sass, grief, exhaustion, anger and humour beautifully. I like her voicing of Priya and Gran also, two hugely important people in Ropa's life, and their love and kindness comes through well in Mandindo's voice. Her Dr. Maige's prissiness and Lord Samarasinghe's unfortunately timed amusement are a hoot, too.
And now I have to wait to find out what happens next. It's going to be extra hard to be patient, as I am so worried about Ropa and her very few allies.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.
November 18, 2024
Love the series but not this particular installment. The ending reminded me too much of a series that I absolutely loved. The last book the author was able to write ended on a cliffhanger and BAM—the author died before writing the sequel. TL Huchu better have the follow-on book in the hopper if he’s going to leave us hanging like this!
November 25, 2024
This is a dark story that pulls no punches. It seethes with Gothic atmosphere, and has moments that feel downright horrific. Ropa is a ghost talker, who can banish evil spirits and access the realm of the dead, and those scenes are quite chilling. While Ropa is still a young adult, she has been seeking her way in a world that is closer to dystopian than contemporary. Ropa learns some hard lessons about her family, their heritage, and herself through the unfolding story. At times, things feel confusing, but ultimately finds its way to a thrilling climax that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. Readers who enjoy urban fantasy with a unique spin, heavy with well-described and defined magic, will enjoy The Legacy of Arniston House.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Tor Publishing.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com
Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Tor Publishing.
October 17, 2025
Argh.. cliffhanger endings should be illegal. Just as well, the final book will be released in less than 2 months' time.
January 5, 2025
After defecting to English magic (and higher pay), ghost-talker Ropa is ready to pack up her grandmother and leave Edinburgh behind entirely. But as tensions mount in the city and a mysterious enemy becomes more visible, Ropa’s grandmother is murdered – and Ropa is considered the primary suspect.
In the fourth book of the Edinburgh Nights series, author Huchu really begins to weave together the broader conflict brewing in the world of Scottish magic and Ropa’s personal journey, bringing to fruition many of the things that have only been hinted at in previous books. It was exciting to finally get these answers and see the stakes mount higher – even if the cliffhanger left me gnawing on my fingernails in the end.
As usual, Ropa is a complicated but lovable protagonist who makes the right choice about as often as she does the wrong one, but the fact that she’s brave enough to act continues to set her apart from most of the magicians in the series. There’s some really epic fight scenes, but where this book shone for me was on the personal front, as Ropa’s life gets upended and she loses both family and friends. Things become dire indeed, and I couldn’t stop reading.
However, the escalating stakes came paired with a fair amount of info-dumping about both the Catastrophe and Ropa’s family history, which combined with a lack of a central mystery for Ropa to go after meant that the pace of the book became sluggish at times. Combine this with less apparent agency on Ropa’s part than usual, and I found myself frustrated at times.
Still, I’m excited for book five, which I expect will wrap up the series.
In the fourth book of the Edinburgh Nights series, author Huchu really begins to weave together the broader conflict brewing in the world of Scottish magic and Ropa’s personal journey, bringing to fruition many of the things that have only been hinted at in previous books. It was exciting to finally get these answers and see the stakes mount higher – even if the cliffhanger left me gnawing on my fingernails in the end.
As usual, Ropa is a complicated but lovable protagonist who makes the right choice about as often as she does the wrong one, but the fact that she’s brave enough to act continues to set her apart from most of the magicians in the series. There’s some really epic fight scenes, but where this book shone for me was on the personal front, as Ropa’s life gets upended and she loses both family and friends. Things become dire indeed, and I couldn’t stop reading.
However, the escalating stakes came paired with a fair amount of info-dumping about both the Catastrophe and Ropa’s family history, which combined with a lack of a central mystery for Ropa to go after meant that the pace of the book became sluggish at times. Combine this with less apparent agency on Ropa’s part than usual, and I found myself frustrated at times.
Still, I’m excited for book five, which I expect will wrap up the series.
February 10, 2025
3.5 Ok, with more time having passed, I can now review this with more than my initial knee-jerk emotional reaction.
That cliffhanger ending was not what I'd expected. In fact, it was a tough installment of the series to get through, as Ropa's street smarts has been overshadowed by her pride and wanting more than what Callander and the Scottish magicians were giving her. It felt a little Harry Potter-ish with evil magic doers and betrayals, especially when we find out more about her parents' and grandparents' history. I'm eager to find out what happens next, by for goodness sakes, there better be some good things!
Immediate reaction after finishing: What. The. F!!! Arggggg!
That cliffhanger ending was not what I'd expected. In fact, it was a tough installment of the series to get through, as Ropa's street smarts has been overshadowed by her pride and wanting more than what Callander and the Scottish magicians were giving her. It felt a little Harry Potter-ish with evil magic doers and betrayals, especially when we find out more about her parents' and grandparents' history. I'm eager to find out what happens next, by for goodness sakes, there better be some good things!
Immediate reaction after finishing: What. The. F!!! Arggggg!
August 2, 2025
best book in the series so far. i absolutely hyperventilated reading it and breathlessly ranted about the ending to my boyfriend
May 30, 2025
The Legacy of Arniston House is the fourth book in the Edinburgh Nights series. As it's fast-paced and readable YA, I found it a good choice of reading matter while suffering from toothache in the middle of the night. The protagonist Ropa Moyo continues to roam around alternate magical Edinburgh dealing with ghosts, wizards, cops, robbers, and librarians. All of whom prove troublesome. As usual in this series, my favourite elements were the specific details of Edinburgh and alternate history worldbuilding. Here the reader finally gets details of how Britain collapsed into ruin, civil war, and unconstitutional monarchy. They did not disappoint! Ropa also continues to be a great protagonist and finally learns some details about her mysterious family.
I think the plot raised the stakes higher than was really necessary, although that's an occupational hazard of book (and TV) series. It seems very difficult for authors to resist gradually cranking up the level of peril. There is a lot going on The Legacy of Arniston House, much more than Ropa should have to handle as a teenager. The ending is a massive cliffhanger, which is frankly irritating as I would of course have read the next book regardless. This series is consistently enjoyable and diverting; it's fun to wander the familiar paths of Edinburgh with Ropa.
I think the plot raised the stakes higher than was really necessary, although that's an occupational hazard of book (and TV) series. It seems very difficult for authors to resist gradually cranking up the level of peril. There is a lot going on The Legacy of Arniston House, much more than Ropa should have to handle as a teenager. The ending is a massive cliffhanger, which is frankly irritating as I would of course have read the next book regardless. This series is consistently enjoyable and diverting; it's fun to wander the familiar paths of Edinburgh with Ropa.
May 10, 2025
2.5 stars
I want to like this series, but I'm starting to feel like it's working against me.
The narrator really isn't my cup of tea. I truly believe this story would come alive with someone able to do nuanced narrating, rather than tonelessly droning on.
I can see with my mind's eye how the story could sound, but the narrator just isn't delivering. At all. It makes me sad.
But then we have the fact that it feels like the story moves as slowly as molasses.
It took 30% of the book to catch up with the blub.
30% to catch up with what could be summarised on the back of the book in a few paragraphs? Yeez. I felt like getting out and pushing.
Then we also have the problem with me having a hard time to care about Ropa. She's better than she was, but still a hard cookie to chew.
I can honestly say the cliffhanger at the end bothered me ... not at all. Which is kind of bad, isn't it?
The best friend being what is basically a superhero in a wheel chair is a bit weird in a skewered sort of way. I swear, they could be in a jungle and she would start swinging like Tarzan between trees and get around quicker than anyone else. The fact that the wheel chair isn't a problem - at least once due to accessibility issues - is just a smudge more questionable than a lot of Ropa's choices and all the weird, magic shit happening.
But then again, she's clearly the author's blatant favourite, and has been since book one - so I wasn't exactly shocked by the twist, a.k.a. betrayal, concerning another friend.
How many books will this series be? I feel like I might not have it in me to press play on this narrator one more time, unless (MAYBE) it's for the very last time. 🙈
I want to like this series, but I'm starting to feel like it's working against me.
The narrator really isn't my cup of tea. I truly believe this story would come alive with someone able to do nuanced narrating, rather than tonelessly droning on.
I can see with my mind's eye how the story could sound, but the narrator just isn't delivering. At all. It makes me sad.
But then we have the fact that it feels like the story moves as slowly as molasses.
It took 30% of the book to catch up with the blub.
30% to catch up with what could be summarised on the back of the book in a few paragraphs? Yeez. I felt like getting out and pushing.
Then we also have the problem with me having a hard time to care about Ropa. She's better than she was, but still a hard cookie to chew.
I can honestly say the cliffhanger at the end bothered me ... not at all. Which is kind of bad, isn't it?
The best friend being what is basically a superhero in a wheel chair is a bit weird in a skewered sort of way. I swear, they could be in a jungle and she would start swinging like Tarzan between trees and get around quicker than anyone else. The fact that the wheel chair isn't a problem - at least once due to accessibility issues - is just a smudge more questionable than a lot of Ropa's choices and all the weird, magic shit happening.
But then again, she's clearly the author's blatant favourite, and has been since book one - so I wasn't exactly shocked by the twist, a.k.a. betrayal, concerning another friend.
How many books will this series be? I feel like I might not have it in me to press play on this narrator one more time, unless (MAYBE) it's for the very last time. 🙈
Read
December 17, 2024I have adored Ropa Moyo from the first book in the series, and that hasn't changed at all. However, the rest of the book is a bit more mixed for me. The stakes have gone up dramatically for Ropa, which was a bit of an adjustment, but I think overall a positive for the series. I did also enjoy seeing plot threads that were started in all three previous books being brought together, as well as getting some revelations about Ropa's family history. For the first three quarters or so of the book, I was optimistic that book would turn out to be as good, or better, than book 3, which is still my favorite of the series. However, the pacing in the final quarter was really off, so much so that it retrospectively made the pacing in the rest of the book seem uneven as well. And honestly I'm just not a fan of cliff-hangers! (But I'm already waiting eagerly/angrily for the next book.)
Also, as always the narration is excellent. Kimberly Mandindo has narrated the most recent three books in the series, and really does a great job of bringing Ropa's narrative voice to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an audio ARC.
Also, as always the narration is excellent. Kimberly Mandindo has narrated the most recent three books in the series, and really does a great job of bringing Ropa's narrative voice to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an audio ARC.
September 12, 2025
Hach, ich weiß nicht. Ich war ja anfangs so begeistert von der Reihe und ich finde immer noch, dass sie im drögen YA Einheitsbrei ein wirklicher Lichtblick ist. Aber mittlerweile sind wir bei Band 5 und es zeigen sich Risse. Ich vermute allerdings, dass ist eher ein me-Problem. Denn während ich z.B. die Erzählstimme brachial gut finde (Buffy, anyone?) finde ich auch zunehmend, dass sie in ihrem erwachsenen Zynismus oft nicht zu der doch sehr jugendlichen Heldin passt. Klar, Ropa hat viel mitgemacht. Sie lebt "in der Welt" ... trotzdem. Einige Beschreibungen und Wendungen fand ich unpassend (im Sinne von: passt nicht zur Lebensrealität der Figur).
Ansonsten passiert in diesem Roman viel. Die Karten werden für alle Beteiligten neu gemischt, damit ist es auch irgendwie eine Brücke zum vermutlich nächsten Band. Mal schauen, was uns dann da erwartet.
Ansonsten passiert in diesem Roman viel. Die Karten werden für alle Beteiligten neu gemischt, damit ist es auch irgendwie eine Brücke zum vermutlich nächsten Band. Mal schauen, was uns dann da erwartet.
March 3, 2025
Loved this Book. Totally fun. Can't wait for the next one...
March 17, 2025
The Legacy of Arniston House
by T.L. Huchu
Edinburgh Nights #4
Urban Fantasy Paranormal Dystopian
Libby
Ages: 16+
Ropa Moyo is now working for the English Sorcerer Royal, hoping for better treatment and pay than the Scottish magicians gave her, but still finds herself as a piece in the games the rich magicians play.
But after an enemy hints at a secret her grandmother is keeping from her, she tries to rush home, but gets sidetracked with a job, but when she gets home...
As this is book four in the series, I don't want to give out spoilers from this or previous books. But I can say Ropa has matured a lot since the last book(s). She's still stubborn, but her use of slang is reduced and she is also starting to present herself more maturely, and I enjoyed this book a lot more than the others.
It moves at a really good pace, and I wanted to know what was going to happen! Sadly, though, this left off at a very steep cliffhanger, (grrr). I get why, and it does add to the story/plot/mystery/etc, but I hate cliffhangers, especially ones at this height, so that affects the brightness of the stars because now I have to wait for the next book!
3 Stars
by T.L. Huchu
Edinburgh Nights #4
Urban Fantasy Paranormal Dystopian
Libby
Ages: 16+
Ropa Moyo is now working for the English Sorcerer Royal, hoping for better treatment and pay than the Scottish magicians gave her, but still finds herself as a piece in the games the rich magicians play.
But after an enemy hints at a secret her grandmother is keeping from her, she tries to rush home, but gets sidetracked with a job, but when she gets home...
As this is book four in the series, I don't want to give out spoilers from this or previous books. But I can say Ropa has matured a lot since the last book(s). She's still stubborn, but her use of slang is reduced and she is also starting to present herself more maturely, and I enjoyed this book a lot more than the others.
It moves at a really good pace, and I wanted to know what was going to happen! Sadly, though, this left off at a very steep cliffhanger, (grrr). I get why, and it does add to the story/plot/mystery/etc, but I hate cliffhangers, especially ones at this height, so that affects the brightness of the stars because now I have to wait for the next book!
3 Stars
February 13, 2025
Cliffhanger. Wait for the next one. REALLY
I thought I was liking this much better as the main character finally quit BITCHING about everything, and then horrible non-ending.
C'mon, Mr. Huchu, you are better than that!
I thought I was liking this much better as the main character finally quit BITCHING about everything, and then horrible non-ending.
C'mon, Mr. Huchu, you are better than that!
December 23, 2024
This was such a letdown. Omg 🥱. Some parts were interesting. But overall. Really did not enjoy this one. And the way this book ended?! Is there gonna be book 5 to finish the conclusion? 👀.
March 20, 2025
Excuse me dear author - we need a sequel STAT after that
November 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this book (and audiobook) in exchange for an honest review.
I have been a dedicated fan of this series since I was approved to read an ARC of the first book years ago. I’ve been amazed at Huchu’s creativity throughout this series. In addition to crafting a dystopian version of Edinburgh, Huchu also develops an awesome magic system, incredible characters who commonly have to walk a morally gray line, and a mystery in each book that consistently surprises me.
This book has a far more emotional Ropa, as she faces events that broke my heart and hers. Her Gran is so important to her in so many ways: she turns to her for assistance with magic, family support, and a sense of home that comes from having been raised so significantly by her Gran. But with Izwi away at boarding school for magicians, and their grandmother murdered, Ropa is the prime suspect, just as things are going well for her, everything gets jammed up.
It’s obvious that Ropa isn’t responsible for the death, but she’s forced to watch everything she values be taken from her. Ropa doesn’t expect to have very many allies in her corner anymore, even as she is building a connection to English magic. She’s used to tough times, though, and she knows how to make use of any advantages or opportunities that arise.
There’s been an overarching storyline that runs throughout the series, of something larger pulling the strings, and we inch closer to the solving the underlying mystery. But it’s written so wonderfully that I was simply unable to stop reading. More often, I try to piece together all the clues and figure things out on my own, but I’m consistently blindsided by the plot twists, which seem to be a specialty of Huchu’s.
Ropa is my favorite character in the story, but Priya is a close second. Priya has all the coolest and most helpful magical skills, and she embodies all the best characteristics of a best friend. She’s wheelchair-bound, but the wheelchair has some pretty awesome tricks up its sleeve as well, making her easily the most badass of side characters.
The audiobook is narrated by Kimberly Mandindo, and while she does have a Scottish accent during the reading, it wasn’t so strong that it would interfere with my ability to understand what she was saying. The audiobook was fantastic, and I honestly can’t find any fault with the book or the narration.
Overall, this is a strong addition to the series, and I found myself unable to put it down. I flew through this story, and if you haven’t started the series already, the next best time to do so is now. It’s easy to visualize this dystopian version of Edinburgh, and there’s just something about Ropa that I adore. She’s the kind of person who hasn’t ever had anything handed to her, yet she isn’t afraid of hard work and doing whatever she can to survive. The depth of emotion that this book brought out in Ropa was outstanding, and I really loved seeing Ropa growing emotionally. The story leaves off on a cliffhanger, and I know I’ll be biting my nails during the wait.
I have been a dedicated fan of this series since I was approved to read an ARC of the first book years ago. I’ve been amazed at Huchu’s creativity throughout this series. In addition to crafting a dystopian version of Edinburgh, Huchu also develops an awesome magic system, incredible characters who commonly have to walk a morally gray line, and a mystery in each book that consistently surprises me.
This book has a far more emotional Ropa, as she faces events that broke my heart and hers. Her Gran is so important to her in so many ways: she turns to her for assistance with magic, family support, and a sense of home that comes from having been raised so significantly by her Gran. But with Izwi away at boarding school for magicians, and their grandmother murdered, Ropa is the prime suspect, just as things are going well for her, everything gets jammed up.
It’s obvious that Ropa isn’t responsible for the death, but she’s forced to watch everything she values be taken from her. Ropa doesn’t expect to have very many allies in her corner anymore, even as she is building a connection to English magic. She’s used to tough times, though, and she knows how to make use of any advantages or opportunities that arise.
There’s been an overarching storyline that runs throughout the series, of something larger pulling the strings, and we inch closer to the solving the underlying mystery. But it’s written so wonderfully that I was simply unable to stop reading. More often, I try to piece together all the clues and figure things out on my own, but I’m consistently blindsided by the plot twists, which seem to be a specialty of Huchu’s.
Ropa is my favorite character in the story, but Priya is a close second. Priya has all the coolest and most helpful magical skills, and she embodies all the best characteristics of a best friend. She’s wheelchair-bound, but the wheelchair has some pretty awesome tricks up its sleeve as well, making her easily the most badass of side characters.
The audiobook is narrated by Kimberly Mandindo, and while she does have a Scottish accent during the reading, it wasn’t so strong that it would interfere with my ability to understand what she was saying. The audiobook was fantastic, and I honestly can’t find any fault with the book or the narration.
Overall, this is a strong addition to the series, and I found myself unable to put it down. I flew through this story, and if you haven’t started the series already, the next best time to do so is now. It’s easy to visualize this dystopian version of Edinburgh, and there’s just something about Ropa that I adore. She’s the kind of person who hasn’t ever had anything handed to her, yet she isn’t afraid of hard work and doing whatever she can to survive. The depth of emotion that this book brought out in Ropa was outstanding, and I really loved seeing Ropa growing emotionally. The story leaves off on a cliffhanger, and I know I’ll be biting my nails during the wait.
November 8, 2024
I have a strange relationship with this series. When I requested this book via Netgalley I had not even read the first book, but I was convinced I was gonna love it. I ended up loving a lot about it. The magic, the mystery, the setting, the characters. I just had one big issue: the writing style. However, for some reason I kept on reading anyway and now it was finally time to dive into this arc Tor had granted me.
The third book in this series really grew on me. But, this fourth book was more like the first and second book than it was like the third. The plot felt, once more, all over the place. In the end we of course discover that all of it is connected and that even the smallest detail ties into the finale quite neatly. However, up until the finale it's hard to keep track of everything. Ropa is all over the place, magic is all over the place and my brain just can't keep up.
Which is truly a pity, because this series contains so many amazing ingredients! It takes place in some sort of apocalyptic version of Edinburgh and therefore the world both feels familiar and unfamiliar at once. The magic is amazing. The possibilities are endless and yet there are also more than enough limitations to not make it all powerful. This book also revealed so many secrets, putting a lot we've learned in the previous books in a different light. It's all really exciting.
It just feels like the author's brain and my brain are wired so differently that the books are just as entertaining as they are a struggle. I'm trying. I'm constantly trying. I probably will keep on trying, because the finale made me curious about what's gonna happen next. And yet I will constantly struggle with following, with understanding everything that's being said, with finding the common thread within the chaos.
And yet, the fact that I keep on reading, says everything.
The third book in this series really grew on me. But, this fourth book was more like the first and second book than it was like the third. The plot felt, once more, all over the place. In the end we of course discover that all of it is connected and that even the smallest detail ties into the finale quite neatly. However, up until the finale it's hard to keep track of everything. Ropa is all over the place, magic is all over the place and my brain just can't keep up.
Which is truly a pity, because this series contains so many amazing ingredients! It takes place in some sort of apocalyptic version of Edinburgh and therefore the world both feels familiar and unfamiliar at once. The magic is amazing. The possibilities are endless and yet there are also more than enough limitations to not make it all powerful. This book also revealed so many secrets, putting a lot we've learned in the previous books in a different light. It's all really exciting.
It just feels like the author's brain and my brain are wired so differently that the books are just as entertaining as they are a struggle. I'm trying. I'm constantly trying. I probably will keep on trying, because the finale made me curious about what's gonna happen next. And yet I will constantly struggle with following, with understanding everything that's being said, with finding the common thread within the chaos.
And yet, the fact that I keep on reading, says everything.
November 11, 2024
This was my first encounter with both TL Huchu's work and this particular series, and I really enjoyed my time in their world. The magic system is engaging and understandable, the politics of it all is believable, and the mix of otherworldly and real-life is seamless. I've had the pleasure of visiting Edinburgh, and can absolutely see how this undercurrent lies beneath those ancient streets and hills!
I very much appreciated Ropa's pragmatism and feet-on-the-ground attitude to life, both in her social status as she fought against those 'above' her and in her magical training. I love that she has a fox-friend and really connects with life on her own terms; the opposite of some wishy-washy heroes spending so long in denial of what they have to do to move forward.
My only frustration was that while this does stand alone up to a point, I sometimes felt that I had missed something by not having read the previous titles in the series. Relationships have been established that I'd like to have seen, for example, but that simply means I'll have to go back and explore those books now - no chore at all!
And I did feel my age and experience as a reader a bit, when our plucky protagonist is told 'get home now' and doesn't... I was practically screaming at the pages that something bad was going to happen! But such is the nature of plot getting where it needs to go.
Excellent magical adventures with great characters that I'll absolutely be looking up for more.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
I very much appreciated Ropa's pragmatism and feet-on-the-ground attitude to life, both in her social status as she fought against those 'above' her and in her magical training. I love that she has a fox-friend and really connects with life on her own terms; the opposite of some wishy-washy heroes spending so long in denial of what they have to do to move forward.
My only frustration was that while this does stand alone up to a point, I sometimes felt that I had missed something by not having read the previous titles in the series. Relationships have been established that I'd like to have seen, for example, but that simply means I'll have to go back and explore those books now - no chore at all!
And I did feel my age and experience as a reader a bit, when our plucky protagonist is told 'get home now' and doesn't... I was practically screaming at the pages that something bad was going to happen! But such is the nature of plot getting where it needs to go.
Excellent magical adventures with great characters that I'll absolutely be looking up for more.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
January 11, 2025
A fun urban fantasy series, during a time when urban fantasy seems to be waning. Very much like The Rivers Of London series.
This is the fourth in the series and I've enjoyed the whole series. My only complaints are:
1) This book ended on a cliff hanger - not my complaint, that's fine - but it felt like there was a lot of filler in this book to stretch it out - e.g. we don't need an entire paragraph of how Priya gets into her wheelchair, especially as they're getting ready to go to a big fight. I like the author's attention to detail and the scene, but this time it felt excessive and now I can't help but think he was stretching out the word count.
2) He really needs to come up with a different way of saying "entropic shift". I get that is what happens when magicians cast big magic, but using that phrase every time someone casts a spell in a magic fight gets really repetitive.
3) Can we stop with the "I'll tell you everything after [X]" trope? The minute someone says they'll tell the main character everything they want about that most important topic they care about "later" you know that character is going to die. We see it enough in TV shows, movies, etc. What would be surprisingly original is that if the person didn't die and they actually told them everything.
That being said, those are little things and I eagerly look forward to the next book.
This is the fourth in the series and I've enjoyed the whole series. My only complaints are:
1) This book ended on a cliff hanger - not my complaint, that's fine - but it felt like there was a lot of filler in this book to stretch it out - e.g. we don't need an entire paragraph of how Priya gets into her wheelchair, especially as they're getting ready to go to a big fight. I like the author's attention to detail and the scene, but this time it felt excessive and now I can't help but think he was stretching out the word count.
2) He really needs to come up with a different way of saying "entropic shift". I get that is what happens when magicians cast big magic, but using that phrase every time someone casts a spell in a magic fight gets really repetitive.
3) Can we stop with the "I'll tell you everything after [X]" trope? The minute someone says they'll tell the main character everything they want about that most important topic they care about "later" you know that character is going to die. We see it enough in TV shows, movies, etc. What would be surprisingly original is that if the person didn't die and they actually told them everything.
That being said, those are little things and I eagerly look forward to the next book.
November 27, 2024
This 4th installment of the Edinburgh Nights series brings back all our favorite characters. Ropa has left her position as Sir Ian Callendar's unpaid intern and is now gainfully employed with the English Sorcerer Royal. He pays her well but he's kind of a jerk. Ropa is falsely accused of a terrible crime and she and her sidekick Priya face off against some rogue Scottish magicians intent on raising the dead and seizing power.
The flow of the story is sometimes choppy. More time could have been spent developing the new characters and the storyline. This installment delves deeper into what makes Ropa who she is and I enjoyed immensely those moments getting to know her better. In classic Ropa Moyo fashion, she keeps finding herself in one scrappy situation or another. I didn't see, though, enough of her usual clever improvisation. Sometimes it seemed like she was simply a spectator narrating the scene, not an active participant. I had thought this was the last in the series but it is not. It did wrap up some of the loose ends that this book created, but it definitely ends on a cliffhanger. Not the best in the series, but not terrible either. I'll be picking up the 5th book for sure. 3.5 stars.
The flow of the story is sometimes choppy. More time could have been spent developing the new characters and the storyline. This installment delves deeper into what makes Ropa who she is and I enjoyed immensely those moments getting to know her better. In classic Ropa Moyo fashion, she keeps finding herself in one scrappy situation or another. I didn't see, though, enough of her usual clever improvisation. Sometimes it seemed like she was simply a spectator narrating the scene, not an active participant. I had thought this was the last in the series but it is not. It did wrap up some of the loose ends that this book created, but it definitely ends on a cliffhanger. Not the best in the series, but not terrible either. I'll be picking up the 5th book for sure. 3.5 stars.
December 22, 2024
The Edinburgh Nights series is one of my favorite fantasy series, and this book is a doozy of a story.
Ropa Moyo has jumped employers and is working with the English magician Lord S. He has her ghost talking and sending spirits to the afterlife. But Ropa can't understand why it seems the EveryWhere is harder to access, and banishing spirits is suddenly much more difficult.
Plots that begin during the last book, at the Sorcerers Conference, come into play. A group of Sorcerers are planning some truly black magic, and Ropa is fighting to stop them, along with old friends. She's learning more about her own history as well.
There are some sad events in this book, and some really surprising defections. The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting more. Ropa learns not to wait until too late to ask questions of your elders, which is a good lesson for all of us.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
Ropa Moyo has jumped employers and is working with the English magician Lord S. He has her ghost talking and sending spirits to the afterlife. But Ropa can't understand why it seems the EveryWhere is harder to access, and banishing spirits is suddenly much more difficult.
Plots that begin during the last book, at the Sorcerers Conference, come into play. A group of Sorcerers are planning some truly black magic, and Ropa is fighting to stop them, along with old friends. She's learning more about her own history as well.
There are some sad events in this book, and some really surprising defections. The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me wanting more. Ropa learns not to wait until too late to ask questions of your elders, which is a good lesson for all of us.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
December 24, 2024
2.5/5
I kind of struggled with this one. For some odd reason, Ropa's voice, which was so effective and charming in the first three books, felt slightly forced and artificial in this one. I can't explain why; It just stopped working for me. The plot, too, seemed unformed. A whole lot of it revolved around sitting down and learning about Ropa's grandmother's history, which, honestly, seemed fairly unrelated to the main power struggle within Scottish Magic (although it was nice to finally learn the whole story about the Catastrophe, which has been only referred to pretty vaguely up until now). And it ends on a cliffhanger, which is very irritating. The whole series has been so nicely self-contained within each book up until now, so I didn't appreciate being left on a limb, after having been trained to expect a satisfying conclusion from the last three books. I don't see myself reading the next book.
I kind of struggled with this one. For some odd reason, Ropa's voice, which was so effective and charming in the first three books, felt slightly forced and artificial in this one. I can't explain why; It just stopped working for me. The plot, too, seemed unformed. A whole lot of it revolved around sitting down and learning about Ropa's grandmother's history, which, honestly, seemed fairly unrelated to the main power struggle within Scottish Magic (although it was nice to finally learn the whole story about the Catastrophe, which has been only referred to pretty vaguely up until now). And it ends on a cliffhanger, which is very irritating. The whole series has been so nicely self-contained within each book up until now, so I didn't appreciate being left on a limb, after having been trained to expect a satisfying conclusion from the last three books. I don't see myself reading the next book.
February 15, 2025
Yet another excellent work in the Edinburgh Nights series by T.L. Huchu. I'm continually impressed at how the author continues to expand and develop the complexity of both the setting and character in equal parts with each novel in this series.
In "The Legacy of Arniston House" things are definitely spinning up for a grand reckoning. Betrayals, revelations, old secrets and more are brought to light. The stakes are raised and irreversible decisions are made.
Just top shelf world-building combined with a rich and often tragic backstory behind a rough yet likable protagonist facing the world when the chips are down.
Great stuff and NOW I'm dying for the next book!
In "The Legacy of Arniston House" things are definitely spinning up for a grand reckoning. Betrayals, revelations, old secrets and more are brought to light. The stakes are raised and irreversible decisions are made.
Just top shelf world-building combined with a rich and often tragic backstory behind a rough yet likable protagonist facing the world when the chips are down.
Great stuff and NOW I'm dying for the next book!
January 15, 2025
I have really enjoyed this series! I know at some point it will come to an end. Like all readers, one hopes the quality of writing will continue with each subsequent book. Huchu weaves another fast-paced, fun yet dramatic tale for Ropa and crew. Ropa learns about her Grandmother's background, quite the unexpected, before living in the slums to raise Ropa and her sister. I was shocked by the ending though it is a great cliffhanger. Now to look forward to the next book.
November 3, 2024
The author does a great job of filling in the blanks in this fourth episode of Edinburgh Nights. As the author didn't see fit to provide an ending, one must guess that the series will continue. There was nonstop action but it never felt overwrought. The characters were interesting and the atmosphere was amazing. Thanks to Edelweiss and the Publisher for an Advance Review Copy.
November 20, 2024
WHAT! NOOOOO...ends on a cliffhanger, bummer!
(My grandma's maiden name was Dundas, so did my ears prick up everytime!) I liked this one better than the last installment! Ropa has grown up a bit and now is working for the British society of magicians. It has more library in it and ghost stalking, which I liked. I'll see you in 2025, Huchu!
(My grandma's maiden name was Dundas, so did my ears prick up everytime!) I liked this one better than the last installment! Ropa has grown up a bit and now is working for the British society of magicians. It has more library in it and ghost stalking, which I liked. I'll see you in 2025, Huchu!
December 27, 2024
4.5 🌟
I love this series, especially the voice of Ropa Moyo and the worldbuilding.
The stakes are getting higher in this instalment, so it was a quicker read even than the others in the series. But that cliffhanger! It's hard being a SFF reader😭
I love this series, especially the voice of Ropa Moyo and the worldbuilding.
The stakes are getting higher in this instalment, so it was a quicker read even than the others in the series. But that cliffhanger! It's hard being a SFF reader😭
September 8, 2024
I love this series but I HATE books that end with a cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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