A regency. With Magic. Not whimsy. Not subtle enhanced powers. But real magic. Like Harry Potter, except if the Muggles were integrated with the magical society. YES PLEASE! I was so terribly excited to read this. It was fully a regency – balls, chaperones, etiquette and calling cards – but it was also fully a fantasy, with a magic agency, rules for apprenticeship and spell books.
Adeline, an isolated young woman comes to London to find a husband with her married cousin as a chaperone. She is quite a catch, heir to her family’s estate and with a powerful magical bloodline. With her strong credentials, she can afford to be choosy, and instantly strikes sparks with two cousins. The first is stern and intimidating, Theodore, the Viscount of Davenport and the leader of the Whig party in Parliament. His younger cousin, Charles, dashing and charming, is a teacher at the London Society Syndicate But Addy’s heart isn’t caught up with the swirl of London society – her thoughts remain with her dying father, and her wish that she could somehow save his life…. with magic.
Naïve Adeline learns of a potion that can save her father, but it requires her to take items from Teddy. Initially, she has no hesitation, and signs up to be his apprentice. However, sparks continue to fly, and their initial enmity turns into true friendship. Conflicts continue with her friendship with Teddy and her courtship with Charles but through it all, her love for her father is the biggest constant.
There were two elements I didn’t enjoy in this book and they both relate to magic. The first issue is how the magic system is structured (bloodlines), and the second is the, I feel, flawed assumption by the MMC and the driving force in his research. However, since I hate spoilers, I won’t say more here.
I greatly enjoyed this book and was excited to learn there’s another in the works. I can’t wait to read it.