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Alpennia #2
The Mystic Marriage
Antuniet Chazillen lost everything the night her brother was executed. In exile, she swore that treason would not be the final chapter of the Chazillen legacy in Alpennia’s history. A long-hidden book of alchemical secrets provides the first hope of success, but her return to the capital is haunted by an enemy who wants those secrets for himself.
Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac is bored. The Rotenek season is flat, her latest lover has grown tediously jealous and her usual crowd of friends fails to amuse. When Antuniet turns up on her doorstep seeking patronage for her alchemy experiments, what begins as amusement turns to interest, then something deeper. But Antuniet’s work draws danger that threatens even the crown of Alpennia.
The alchemy of precious gems throws two women into a crucible of adversity, but it is the alchemy of the human heart that transforms them both in this breathtaking follow-up to the widely acclaimed Daughter of Mystery.
Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac is bored. The Rotenek season is flat, her latest lover has grown tediously jealous and her usual crowd of friends fails to amuse. When Antuniet turns up on her doorstep seeking patronage for her alchemy experiments, what begins as amusement turns to interest, then something deeper. But Antuniet’s work draws danger that threatens even the crown of Alpennia.
The alchemy of precious gems throws two women into a crucible of adversity, but it is the alchemy of the human heart that transforms them both in this breathtaking follow-up to the widely acclaimed Daughter of Mystery.
324 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2014
18 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Heather Rose Jones
20 books184 followersHeather Rose Jones writes fantasy, historic fantasy, and historical fiction, including the Alpennia series with swordswomen and magic in an alternate Regency setting. She blogs about research into lesbian-like motifs in history and literature at the Lesbian Historic Motif Project which provides inspiration for her fiction. She has a PhD in linguistics, studying metaphor theory and the semantics of Medieval Welsh prepositions, and works as an industrial failure investigator in biotech.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
September 1, 2015
The second book in the Alpennia series focuses on the recently fallen Antuniet. After losing her brother to execution, her mother to suicide and her childhood home to confiscation, Antuniet Chazillen has left Alpennia in disgrace. While in exile, she vows to return again in triumph. But being a scientist at heart, her 'vengeance' is to gift Alpennia with a spectacular scientific discovery--which she intends to use to clear her family name and restore their honor.
Her path to success is no easy task. Battling crippling poverty, ostracization by society, the never-ending court intrigues, and a very distracting (and dangerous) attraction to her benefactress, the introverted, anti-social Antuniet must learn to navigate the confusing politics of her time, renew old friendships and build new ones, fall in love for the first time and still have time left over for crafting the perfect jewel. Phew! Busy girl ;) Which leaves her love interest Jeanne with not much to do except bring her lunch and dinner and occasionally help stir the cooking pot (of the jewels :). Jeanne is everything Antuniet is not--social butterfly, lover of women, event organizer par excellence, and in those days, possibly old enough to be Antuniet's mother!
In order to bring this highly unlikely pairing to fruition, the book spends a lot more time developing the romance (yey! for lesfic lovers) compared to the first book. Just imagine all the issues they need to overcome: workaholic vs party girl, introvert vs social butterfly, significant age-gap, multiple casual lovers, forbidden love, etc. etc. The relationship starts, sputters, picks up again, gets derailed, finally gains traction, only to run smack against 18th century mores. Huge angst-fest right there.
Behind the scenes, intrigue continues to dog the royal court of Alpennia. Rival princesses and their respective scions jostle for any advantage. Foreign interests continue their meddling ways, reaching out to both sides of the rivalry. Rumors, possible treason and assassination attempts abound and our ladies (including Margerit and Barbara from Book 1) find themselves caught in the crossfire.
There are occasional discussions of the esoteric details of alchemy as practiced by Antuniet (just as there were of visions and saints in the first book) that may cause non-geeks to zone out but alert readers will appreciate the careful attention to detail (e.g. precession shift over 200 years and distances from the equator of different cities causing inaccuracy in Antuniet's cooking 8-) )
The book features 4 POV characters in alternating chapters as Barbara and Margerit still play major roles in the book. Its amazing how the story flows effortlessly forward despite this structure. Romantic tension and kingdom intrigues weave seamlessly thoughout, culminating in a rousing climax (of the literary kind) in a melodramatic courtroom scene.
5.5 stars (5.0 for being as good as the first book + 0.5 stars for the angst) ;)
P.S. Re the lack of explicit sex -- I didn't miss it at all. The romance was just as powerful.
Her path to success is no easy task. Battling crippling poverty, ostracization by society, the never-ending court intrigues, and a very distracting (and dangerous) attraction to her benefactress, the introverted, anti-social Antuniet must learn to navigate the confusing politics of her time, renew old friendships and build new ones, fall in love for the first time and still have time left over for crafting the perfect jewel. Phew! Busy girl ;) Which leaves her love interest Jeanne with not much to do except bring her lunch and dinner and occasionally help stir the cooking pot (of the jewels :). Jeanne is everything Antuniet is not--social butterfly, lover of women, event organizer par excellence, and in those days, possibly old enough to be Antuniet's mother!
In order to bring this highly unlikely pairing to fruition, the book spends a lot more time developing the romance (yey! for lesfic lovers) compared to the first book. Just imagine all the issues they need to overcome: workaholic vs party girl, introvert vs social butterfly, significant age-gap, multiple casual lovers, forbidden love, etc. etc. The relationship starts, sputters, picks up again, gets derailed, finally gains traction, only to run smack against 18th century mores. Huge angst-fest right there.
Behind the scenes, intrigue continues to dog the royal court of Alpennia. Rival princesses and their respective scions jostle for any advantage. Foreign interests continue their meddling ways, reaching out to both sides of the rivalry. Rumors, possible treason and assassination attempts abound and our ladies (including Margerit and Barbara from Book 1) find themselves caught in the crossfire.
There are occasional discussions of the esoteric details of alchemy as practiced by Antuniet (just as there were of visions and saints in the first book) that may cause non-geeks to zone out but alert readers will appreciate the careful attention to detail (e.g. precession shift over 200 years and distances from the equator of different cities causing inaccuracy in Antuniet's cooking 8-) )
The book features 4 POV characters in alternating chapters as Barbara and Margerit still play major roles in the book. Its amazing how the story flows effortlessly forward despite this structure. Romantic tension and kingdom intrigues weave seamlessly thoughout, culminating in a rousing climax (of the literary kind) in a melodramatic courtroom scene.
5.5 stars (5.0 for being as good as the first book + 0.5 stars for the angst) ;)
P.S. Re the lack of explicit sex -- I didn't miss it at all. The romance was just as powerful.
December 2, 2017
Woah! What a ride this was! I’m giddy and almost breathless with excitement after finishing The Mystic Marriage. It was even better than Daughter of Mystery (is that even possible?!) but that could be because I am more familiar with the players now. I know the difference between a Mesnera and a Maisetra, what the tasks of an armin entail, who the players at court are, who most of the characters are without reading the same paragraph twice. This series is not a light read, but if you stick with it and immerse yourself completely it is so damn rewarding.
In this second part of the Alpennia series we have two more pov’s added to the ones of Barbara and Margerit, namely those of Antuniet Chazillen and Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac. I thought it made for a more interesting dynamic and I really loved getting into the heads of these two as well. Antuniet made an impression on me in book one, this proud woman who lost everything including her good name and standing following her brother’s betrayal. We come to know her story now and oh boy, is it a hard one. I super respected her through it all. And also Jeanne, my gawd(!) that woman took my breath away. There is a particular scene I put in the comments that floored me. There is so much under the surface with this one.
This story has so much, it is such an intense read full of intrigue, mysteries, alchemy, passion, loyalty, love, pride and perseverance. Of smart, exceptional women who would go to the ends of the earth for each other. Alpennia and its politics begin to feel like a second home now. I am looking forward to go to book three, but I need a bit of time to digest all of this. Have some lighter snacks after this rich banquet.
f/f
Themes: be prepaired to remember a lot(!) of names, I love Jeanne so much… she is my absolute favorite, well… all 4 of the ladies are but she is special, who knew alchemy was so interesting, my heart bled for Antuniet, so proud… so strong, I wanted for her to find happiness more than anything, the lack of explicit love scenes did not bother me, they were not needed or missed.
5 stars (but that don’t seem quite enough to be honest)
In this second part of the Alpennia series we have two more pov’s added to the ones of Barbara and Margerit, namely those of Antuniet Chazillen and Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac. I thought it made for a more interesting dynamic and I really loved getting into the heads of these two as well. Antuniet made an impression on me in book one, this proud woman who lost everything including her good name and standing following her brother’s betrayal. We come to know her story now and oh boy, is it a hard one. I super respected her through it all. And also Jeanne, my gawd(!) that woman took my breath away. There is a particular scene I put in the comments that floored me. There is so much under the surface with this one.
This story has so much, it is such an intense read full of intrigue, mysteries, alchemy, passion, loyalty, love, pride and perseverance. Of smart, exceptional women who would go to the ends of the earth for each other. Alpennia and its politics begin to feel like a second home now. I am looking forward to go to book three, but I need a bit of time to digest all of this. Have some lighter snacks after this rich banquet.
f/f
Themes: be prepaired to remember a lot(!) of names, I love Jeanne so much… she is my absolute favorite, well… all 4 of the ladies are but she is special, who knew alchemy was so interesting, my heart bled for Antuniet, so proud… so strong, I wanted for her to find happiness more than anything, the lack of explicit love scenes did not bother me, they were not needed or missed.
5 stars (but that don’t seem quite enough to be honest)
June 4, 2018
Another delightful Alpennia novel. Like Daughter of Mystery, The Mystic Marriage is a wonderfully wholesome, heart-warming love story. Jones has a great talent for writing enchanting characters; the sort that feel like old friends by the end. These books are really the antithesis of 'grimdark' fantasy. They have a fundamental certainty that good intentions, hard work, forgiveness, compassion and a sense of humour really are enough to bridge the divide between hearts. And yet, they're not sappy by any means. Understanding isn't easy, and good will isn't guaranteed. Those characters who fail to do the right thing suffer by their own hands.
More than anything, I like the handling of Jeanne and Antuniet. Both their characters and their relationship. As I read the book, I kept imagining a different, meaner book like a shadow behind this one. A shadow made up of many of the other trashy historical romances I've read.
Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, is a bed-hopping social butterfly with exquisite taste. As a stereotype, she pops up again and again through-out fiction. And invariably, she is a secondary character. There to be mean to the heroine, or to suffer a terrible fall as a moral lesson to the rest of the cast. But here she was allowed to be a whole person: a practised flirt who is perfectly capable of fidelity when her heart is won; a woman whose modishness in no way precludes serious thought or deep emotion.
Antuniet is brittle, defensive, driven and humourless. In a hundred other books, she is the maiden aunt or spinster governess; a figure of mockery or pity. And yet here her defenses are understood as a rational and reasonable response to a harsh world. Her dedication to her work is clearly driven by passion not compensation. And her gentle blossoming when shown trust and acceptance is immensely touching.
And as Antuniet and Jeanne teeter on the edge of social disaster for their scandalous ways, there is no melodramatic hysteria or mournful regret for their sins. Instead, a brave and sober assessment of what they lose and what they gain by being true to themselves.
So the characters were wonderful, but the plot and pacing were sorely lacking. Daughter of Mystery was slow; but The Mystic Marriage is stationary. The faults in both books are the same: strong openings and endings bookend an otherwise utterly turgid plot. And it's disappointing to see the problem getting worse rather than better in the series. It's crying out for a good editor. All the necessary components of a great book are here, and with some harsh pruning and reshuffling of some of the scenes, it could have been acheived. Fingers crossed for the next volume - I will definitely be reading it.
More than anything, I like the handling of Jeanne and Antuniet. Both their characters and their relationship. As I read the book, I kept imagining a different, meaner book like a shadow behind this one. A shadow made up of many of the other trashy historical romances I've read.
Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, is a bed-hopping social butterfly with exquisite taste. As a stereotype, she pops up again and again through-out fiction. And invariably, she is a secondary character. There to be mean to the heroine, or to suffer a terrible fall as a moral lesson to the rest of the cast. But here she was allowed to be a whole person: a practised flirt who is perfectly capable of fidelity when her heart is won; a woman whose modishness in no way precludes serious thought or deep emotion.
Antuniet is brittle, defensive, driven and humourless. In a hundred other books, she is the maiden aunt or spinster governess; a figure of mockery or pity. And yet here her defenses are understood as a rational and reasonable response to a harsh world. Her dedication to her work is clearly driven by passion not compensation. And her gentle blossoming when shown trust and acceptance is immensely touching.
And as Antuniet and Jeanne teeter on the edge of social disaster for their scandalous ways, there is no melodramatic hysteria or mournful regret for their sins. Instead, a brave and sober assessment of what they lose and what they gain by being true to themselves.
So the characters were wonderful, but the plot and pacing were sorely lacking. Daughter of Mystery was slow; but The Mystic Marriage is stationary. The faults in both books are the same: strong openings and endings bookend an otherwise utterly turgid plot. And it's disappointing to see the problem getting worse rather than better in the series. It's crying out for a good editor. All the necessary components of a great book are here, and with some harsh pruning and reshuffling of some of the scenes, it could have been acheived. Fingers crossed for the next volume - I will definitely be reading it.
Read
June 14, 2017Second installment in an incredibly well developed and realised series about political intrigue in an alt-c19 European principality (too realistic to call a Ruritania) where alchemy and religious mysteries work. It's all f/f, with a huge cast and interlinked stories, so you would be best off starting with Daughter of Mystery to get clued in, which is no hardship as I love that too.
This is a different beast though. Jeanne and Antuniet are both very flawed characters--based on their appearances in book 1 you could fairly say Jeanne was shallow, manipulative and somewhat predatory, while Antuniet is cold, obsessive and proud. And they still are, brilliantly (I do hate a redemption arc that goes 'oh hey they weren't that bad after all')--but this time we see inside them both to the raw hearts, the wanting something better of themselves as well as the world, the need for a love neither ever got. It works terrifically. Pretty much the entire romantic conflict is grounded in nothing more than their difficult personalities and lifelong emotional habits that need to be broken, and as a result we get an intensely believable and hopeful romance.
This is a long book and full scale fantasy, not a romance novel, so the love story is just one part of a pretty large story which includes alchemy, politics, friendship groups and plotting against royalty. Barbara and Margerit from book 1 both get a ton of page time as POV and there are various threads and characters leading onwards. It's a huge world which makes it a really immersive read, you can just sink in. And the alchemical magic is just fabulous.
These are priced quite high BUT at the time of writing this book is is a Storybundle https://storybundle.com/lgbt and book 3 is half price at the Bella Books website http://www.bellabooks.com/97815949351... , so if I was you I'd get in there.
This is a different beast though. Jeanne and Antuniet are both very flawed characters--based on their appearances in book 1 you could fairly say Jeanne was shallow, manipulative and somewhat predatory, while Antuniet is cold, obsessive and proud. And they still are, brilliantly (I do hate a redemption arc that goes 'oh hey they weren't that bad after all')--but this time we see inside them both to the raw hearts, the wanting something better of themselves as well as the world, the need for a love neither ever got. It works terrifically. Pretty much the entire romantic conflict is grounded in nothing more than their difficult personalities and lifelong emotional habits that need to be broken, and as a result we get an intensely believable and hopeful romance.
This is a long book and full scale fantasy, not a romance novel, so the love story is just one part of a pretty large story which includes alchemy, politics, friendship groups and plotting against royalty. Barbara and Margerit from book 1 both get a ton of page time as POV and there are various threads and characters leading onwards. It's a huge world which makes it a really immersive read, you can just sink in. And the alchemical magic is just fabulous.
These are priced quite high BUT at the time of writing this book is is a Storybundle https://storybundle.com/lgbt and book 3 is half price at the Bella Books website http://www.bellabooks.com/97815949351... , so if I was you I'd get in there.
January 6, 2017
I liked this better than book #1, it moves at a faster pace and the characters are more well developed. I love how Antuniet grows in character throughout the book - I started the book not liking her very much, and ended it by rooting for her. We get four POVs in this book - Margerit, Barbara, Jeanne and Antuniet, and each character is given time and space to develop. The storyline has more intrigue and mystery than book #1, and the romance, though not explicit, plays a more central role, without distracting from the plot. The only part I didn't enjoy was the ending, which felt a bit rushed - it would have been nice to see Margerit's veriloquium (a kind of truth mystery) in action, just like we saw the castellum in action in the the previous book, and it would have been nice to see another POV
April 23, 2019
Are you interested in a historical fantasy lesbian romance? Then you should read Heather Rose Jone’s Alpennia series, which starts with Daughter of Mystery. The Mystic Marriage is the second installment in the series and introduces two new women as a new romantic plotline. I suggest reading Daughter of Mystery first, as both The Mystic Marriage and this review will contain spoilers for the first book.
After the events of Daughter of Mystery, Antuniet Chazillen lost everything when her brother’s treachery was exposed. Determined to restore her family’s honor (even if there’s nothing of her family left), she turns to alchemy with the help of a long-hidden book of alchemical secrets. But she’s not alone in desiring the book, and her enemies have hounded her across Europe for it. Running out of options, Antuniet returns to Alpennia. Disgraced and out of friends, she turns to Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, a bored socialite who’s momentarily between lovers. Jeanne first sees Antuniet and her alchemy as a simple amusement, but her feelings soon deepen.
I enjoyed The Mystic Marriage. I really did! But I feel like I have so little to say about it. That’s partly my own fault — I waited over half a month to write this review, and I didn’t even take notes when I was reading. It may partly be because The Mystic Marriage is a sequel. Those are always hard to review, beyond “if you like the first one, you’ll probably like this one too.” Which is exactly the camp The Mystic Marriage falls into. If you found yourself charmed by Daughter of Mystery, then you should obviously read The Mystic Marriage!
So what’s different about this book? It does add two new POV characters, of course, Antuniet and Jeanne. I like how Antuniet is so dedicated to her alchemy that everything else sort of falls into shadow, and how Jeanne realizes that she’ll need to share Antuniet with her obsession for alchemy. I also haven’t seen Jeanne’s character type — a middle-aged, female socialite — as a love interest or romantic lead before.
Barbara and Margerit both still have POV sections in The Mystic Marriage, which surprised me at first. I’d assumed that the story would be told entirely from Antuniet and Jeanne’s perspectives. I wonder if this format will hold with the next book, giving us six POVs total? I think four worked okay here, but any more would risk overburdening the narrative.
I enjoyed how The Mystic Marriage expanded upon the magical elements with the addition of alchemy. I love how magic in this series is so scientific! It’s a beautiful piece of world building.
The Mystic Marriage is also more proof towards what I’m beginning to suspect: I like romance a lot better when it is f/f and low on sex. This might be obvious, but I’ve spent most of my life thinking I hated romance! I’m still not a huge romance person, but I love the Alpennia books and they’re essentially romances. Fantasy romances, but still romances. I guess this is less a commentary on The Mystic Marriage and more commentary on what insight this series has been giving me on myself.
The Mystic Marriage is also a tad more diverse than the first book. There’s now a black woman in the supporting cast (and I think she’s the protagonist of the third book), and there were some Jewish characters too. In terms of queer identities, I’d call this book lesbian and not LGBT. I’m pretty sure the only orientations you see are straight or lesbian? I guess Jeanne could be bi, since she had a husband in the distant past… but you never hear anything about him and you only see her interested in women. This isn’t a criticism of the series — I just want to note it, since this series gets labeled LGBT and people looking for a wide variety of queer identities would likely be disappointed.
All in all, I found The Mystic Marriage a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I plan to read the third novel in the series. Also, I heard we’re getting the fourth book sometime soon? Guess I better catch up!
Review from The Illustrated Page.
After the events of Daughter of Mystery, Antuniet Chazillen lost everything when her brother’s treachery was exposed. Determined to restore her family’s honor (even if there’s nothing of her family left), she turns to alchemy with the help of a long-hidden book of alchemical secrets. But she’s not alone in desiring the book, and her enemies have hounded her across Europe for it. Running out of options, Antuniet returns to Alpennia. Disgraced and out of friends, she turns to Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, a bored socialite who’s momentarily between lovers. Jeanne first sees Antuniet and her alchemy as a simple amusement, but her feelings soon deepen.
I enjoyed The Mystic Marriage. I really did! But I feel like I have so little to say about it. That’s partly my own fault — I waited over half a month to write this review, and I didn’t even take notes when I was reading. It may partly be because The Mystic Marriage is a sequel. Those are always hard to review, beyond “if you like the first one, you’ll probably like this one too.” Which is exactly the camp The Mystic Marriage falls into. If you found yourself charmed by Daughter of Mystery, then you should obviously read The Mystic Marriage!
So what’s different about this book? It does add two new POV characters, of course, Antuniet and Jeanne. I like how Antuniet is so dedicated to her alchemy that everything else sort of falls into shadow, and how Jeanne realizes that she’ll need to share Antuniet with her obsession for alchemy. I also haven’t seen Jeanne’s character type — a middle-aged, female socialite — as a love interest or romantic lead before.
Barbara and Margerit both still have POV sections in The Mystic Marriage, which surprised me at first. I’d assumed that the story would be told entirely from Antuniet and Jeanne’s perspectives. I wonder if this format will hold with the next book, giving us six POVs total? I think four worked okay here, but any more would risk overburdening the narrative.
I enjoyed how The Mystic Marriage expanded upon the magical elements with the addition of alchemy. I love how magic in this series is so scientific! It’s a beautiful piece of world building.
The Mystic Marriage is also more proof towards what I’m beginning to suspect: I like romance a lot better when it is f/f and low on sex. This might be obvious, but I’ve spent most of my life thinking I hated romance! I’m still not a huge romance person, but I love the Alpennia books and they’re essentially romances. Fantasy romances, but still romances. I guess this is less a commentary on The Mystic Marriage and more commentary on what insight this series has been giving me on myself.
The Mystic Marriage is also a tad more diverse than the first book. There’s now a black woman in the supporting cast (and I think she’s the protagonist of the third book), and there were some Jewish characters too. In terms of queer identities, I’d call this book lesbian and not LGBT. I’m pretty sure the only orientations you see are straight or lesbian? I guess Jeanne could be bi, since she had a husband in the distant past… but you never hear anything about him and you only see her interested in women. This isn’t a criticism of the series — I just want to note it, since this series gets labeled LGBT and people looking for a wide variety of queer identities would likely be disappointed.
All in all, I found The Mystic Marriage a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I plan to read the third novel in the series. Also, I heard we’re getting the fourth book sometime soon? Guess I better catch up!
Review from The Illustrated Page.
July 5, 2016
From my 2015 Hugo award recommendations:
Historical fantasy set in Alpennia, an imaginary Western-Central European country. (Think Austria and Switzerland.) There is a lot of intrigue among ultra-rich nobles living a life of leisure, but a lot of the plot involves alchemy, where they actually work and make something with their own hands - yes, both the characters and the author reflects on this. One of the reasons I like this series is the believable, not 'flashy' but still effective magic.
There are four main characters, all women. Two of them are an established couple, whereas two others end up in a relationship during the course of the novel. I was very glad to see a book with queer characters in a long-term loving, happy relationship. The author also tackled some of the problems I had with Alpennia #1, for example this time the pacing was tighter, and the cast was also not all ethnic/racial majority (though I really wish there would've been someone in a major role...). For my part I am really looking forward to the upcoming third novel!
My tweet series: Alpennia #1, Alpennia #2
Where I got the book: Print reviewer copy from publisher Bella Press
Historical fantasy set in Alpennia, an imaginary Western-Central European country. (Think Austria and Switzerland.) There is a lot of intrigue among ultra-rich nobles living a life of leisure, but a lot of the plot involves alchemy, where they actually work and make something with their own hands - yes, both the characters and the author reflects on this. One of the reasons I like this series is the believable, not 'flashy' but still effective magic.
There are four main characters, all women. Two of them are an established couple, whereas two others end up in a relationship during the course of the novel. I was very glad to see a book with queer characters in a long-term loving, happy relationship. The author also tackled some of the problems I had with Alpennia #1, for example this time the pacing was tighter, and the cast was also not all ethnic/racial majority (though I really wish there would've been someone in a major role...). For my part I am really looking forward to the upcoming third novel!
My tweet series: Alpennia #1, Alpennia #2
Where I got the book: Print reviewer copy from publisher Bella Press
February 4, 2019
I think this one is actually better than Daughter of Mystery--or at least I enjoyed it a lot more. It was also longer than Daughter of Mystery (by about 30k words according to Kobo) and took me MUCH longer to read. I bought a copy a few months ago, and started reading it roughly a month ago, and am only done now. To be fair, though, I was reading it in small chunks. It's been my backpack book, to read in between times.
Anyways.
I really like Jeanne! I like her flair for social arrangements and her philandering ways. I like Antuniet also bc she's very solid and focused on business and only slowly grows attached to people, but once she's attached she's attached. But my favorite character remains BARBARA. I was so happy to see that she and Margerit still had POV sections in this book! (I guess if Jones keeps this up for all her MCs and adds on every book it'll be overwhelming, but for now it's good.) My favorite plotlines were near always her going on errand after errand for the royal family (in its fractured branches) or her deciding to take a stand against judicial duelling or her investigating a matter for Antuniet or someone else in her little group. Which, btw, in this book I've come to the conclusion: this isn't a romance series or even really a fantasy/political intrigue series, it's a FOUND FAMILY SERIES. what could be better.
There were some new fun characters too. I'm interested to see what Jones is going to do with Tavit in the future, with his mysterious past, and Efriturik's just a solid guy. Actually I find I'm fond of the male characters, who don't get a lot of limelight lols. (also, I'm very sorry, guys, but if one of our MCs had married Efriturik for political/convenience reasons the two times the matter was brought up, I would have been into it. arranged marriages are just so much fun. tho I guess I'm glad that didn't happen--would have caused a lot of trouble.)
Antuniet WEARS JEANNE'S HEART AROUND HER NECK. High romance.
Anyways yes I had a good time. Only complaint would be that there were some scenes that were just summarized that I would have liked to see, and other plotlines that didn't interest me as much as they could have. E.g. I know Serafina Talarico is gonna be a big deal in the next book but in this book she does basically nothing... I could have waited for the next book to introduce her.
Overall, very good! I'll read the next book when I've caught my breath a bit and obtained a copy.
Anyways.
I really like Jeanne! I like her flair for social arrangements and her philandering ways. I like Antuniet also bc she's very solid and focused on business and only slowly grows attached to people, but once she's attached she's attached. But my favorite character remains BARBARA. I was so happy to see that she and Margerit still had POV sections in this book! (I guess if Jones keeps this up for all her MCs and adds on every book it'll be overwhelming, but for now it's good.) My favorite plotlines were near always her going on errand after errand for the royal family (in its fractured branches) or her deciding to take a stand against judicial duelling or her investigating a matter for Antuniet or someone else in her little group. Which, btw, in this book I've come to the conclusion: this isn't a romance series or even really a fantasy/political intrigue series, it's a FOUND FAMILY SERIES. what could be better.
There were some new fun characters too. I'm interested to see what Jones is going to do with Tavit in the future, with his mysterious past, and Efriturik's just a solid guy. Actually I find I'm fond of the male characters, who don't get a lot of limelight lols. (also, I'm very sorry, guys, but if one of our MCs had married Efriturik for political/convenience reasons the two times the matter was brought up, I would have been into it. arranged marriages are just so much fun. tho I guess I'm glad that didn't happen--would have caused a lot of trouble.)
Antuniet WEARS JEANNE'S HEART AROUND HER NECK. High romance.
Anyways yes I had a good time. Only complaint would be that there were some scenes that were just summarized that I would have liked to see, and other plotlines that didn't interest me as much as they could have. E.g. I know Serafina Talarico is gonna be a big deal in the next book but in this book she does basically nothing... I could have waited for the next book to introduce her.
Overall, very good! I'll read the next book when I've caught my breath a bit and obtained a copy.
September 3, 2017
I continue to adore this series. This second instalment continues to follow Barbara and Margerit's lives, while expanding the focus to two characters who played a supporting role in the first book.
Antuniet and Jeanne are fascinating characters to hang a romance on. In Daughter of Mystery they are the two characters it's hardest to get a handle on.
Antuniet is proud and cold and always keeps herself at a chilly distance from those around her. Jeanne is a social butterfly with a reputation for flightiness when it comes to affairs of the heart.
Antuniet is hard to like, but in her blunt honesty easier to trust. Jeanne is easy to like, but her reputation for frippery and flitting between passions makes her difficult to trust.
The contrast between them and the path to bridging that gap makes for a compelling romance and I found myself falling for both characters, but especially for proud, prickly Antuniet.
But what I love most about this book, beyond the captivating romance and the twists and turns of palace intrigue, is the way it becomes clear that these extraordinary and complex women, led by Barbara and Margerit are building themselves a family.
From Margerit and Barbara making a home with each other to Antuniet finding that even after her brother's disgrace there are those who would take her in, to Barbara's young cousin Brandel, who wants more for his future than life on a rural farmstead, they all find themselves drawn together into their own community, their own found family.
It's a story as old as queerness, how we, when relegated to the margins, find strength in each other. How, when our families forsake us, we find and create our own.
Antuniet and Jeanne are fascinating characters to hang a romance on. In Daughter of Mystery they are the two characters it's hardest to get a handle on.
Antuniet is proud and cold and always keeps herself at a chilly distance from those around her. Jeanne is a social butterfly with a reputation for flightiness when it comes to affairs of the heart.
Antuniet is hard to like, but in her blunt honesty easier to trust. Jeanne is easy to like, but her reputation for frippery and flitting between passions makes her difficult to trust.
The contrast between them and the path to bridging that gap makes for a compelling romance and I found myself falling for both characters, but especially for proud, prickly Antuniet.
But what I love most about this book, beyond the captivating romance and the twists and turns of palace intrigue, is the way it becomes clear that these extraordinary and complex women, led by Barbara and Margerit are building themselves a family.
From Margerit and Barbara making a home with each other to Antuniet finding that even after her brother's disgrace there are those who would take her in, to Barbara's young cousin Brandel, who wants more for his future than life on a rural farmstead, they all find themselves drawn together into their own community, their own found family.
It's a story as old as queerness, how we, when relegated to the margins, find strength in each other. How, when our families forsake us, we find and create our own.
February 25, 2019
A delightful sequel to Daughter of Mystery, if not as thoroughly engaging as the first book.
It's not that the pairing has less tension, but since the focus is also kept on Barbara and Margerit *and* an additional mystery, there's less momentum than in the first book. However, I did love the continuity of the characters, and Antuniet makes for an equally refreshing heroine, especially paired with the charming Jeanne.
It's not that the pairing has less tension, but since the focus is also kept on Barbara and Margerit *and* an additional mystery, there's less momentum than in the first book. However, I did love the continuity of the characters, and Antuniet makes for an equally refreshing heroine, especially paired with the charming Jeanne.
May 15, 2025
Second installment in the Alpennia series which I enjoyed immensely. Really like the worldbuilding and the continued and expanded but still entirely woman-centered cast, especially pleased that Barbara had a POV. Disgraced noble and alchemist Antuinet desperately seeks a patron so she might restore her family honor, and known flirt and socialite widow Jeanne develops a soft spot for her work passion and cold temperament. Lots of political intrigue, very much my flavor.
July 28, 2016
19th century lesbian scientists creating magic rocks! So, The Mystic Marriage is the story of a proud, emotionally closed-off, initially friendless and basically penniless young woman, Antuniet, struggling to redeem her family's honor after her brother /insert spoilers for Daughter of Mystery/. There are three subplots in the book: Antuniet's alchemy, i.e. trying to create the magic rocks and impart special properties to them; a complicated political cold war of intrigue between two middle-aged princesses both of whose adolescent sons might have the throne some day; and the romance between Antuniet and Jeanne, a society butterfly whose extroversion and flirtations are the biggest foil to Antuniet's sullen depths the author could possibly have created.
As you'd expect from a romance between a flirt and a Wounded Bird trope, a lot of trust has to be painstakingly earned before they Get There. Antuniet is fond of disappearing suddenly, giving up too quickly because it's easier. Jeanne truly has to earn her trust, over and over again. But they're not alone. Not only do they have the first book's couple watching over them, but the rest of their society's queer women as well--some married "with an understanding", some widowed, but all close in the friendship of their difference just as in real life.
I really enjoy getting to read about queer women who have bigger lives than just the romances of the book's focus, so I enjoyed the presence of not only two main f/f couples (one of which was entirely stable throughout the course of the book, a huge relief as it's rare to get the pleasure of reading about established queer couples) but also their friends. Also, this book introduced Jews into Jones's fictional corner of Central Europe, and since we were there in real life, I'm glad we get to be included in fiction, in the form of Antuniet's apprentice Anna and to a lesser extent her sisters and father. (Although: Anna's nose is too strong? Suuuuuure. Yes, I know that was the gentile POV character's opinion. I'm gonna sass about it anyway.) And we weren't anything stereotypical or creepy, for which I am completely grateful.
I feel like the pacing on this book was probably better than the first one, too, and it took me a lot less time to read. Also, like the first one, this is a plot (and to secondary degree, characterization & relationships) focused adventure story, and any time a character takes someone to bed it fades to black. To me that helps cement the period-feel of the books and also provide that bit of dignity that comes from having queer representation and indeed queer focus in stories without sex scenes.
There is true value in the sheer amount of woman-focused adventure in these books. The political intrigue is a conflict between two powerful older women, and the four POV characters plus the apprentice and a few other scholars and members of the lesbian clique are all women. Nor does this female focus make the book's population seem unnatural; there are plenty of male characters who play important roles; they're just not allowed to dominate the story as they usually would. I also congratulate the author for including diversity within women who love women -- one of the clique's members, Tionez, says she loves her husband so it's easy to read her as bi, but neither this nor her frivolous personality traits get her blackballed from being able to love women or be friends with the main, exclusively-women-loving characters. This is important. I love that a lesbian novel included someone who fits the "bad bi" trope who is still allowed to frolic with everybody else and be a trusted friend. There are real people like her and they are still part of any "us" I count myself in.
Warning for a G-slur somewhere in there and a homophobic nun saying annoying shit for maybe one paragraph. (Oh, and Antuniet has a two-second affair with a man in the beginning of the book but it's over before it starts and you won't have to deal with any more lesbians in m/f sexual encounters for the rest of the story.)
As you'd expect from a romance between a flirt and a Wounded Bird trope, a lot of trust has to be painstakingly earned before they Get There. Antuniet is fond of disappearing suddenly, giving up too quickly because it's easier. Jeanne truly has to earn her trust, over and over again. But they're not alone. Not only do they have the first book's couple watching over them, but the rest of their society's queer women as well--some married "with an understanding", some widowed, but all close in the friendship of their difference just as in real life.
I really enjoy getting to read about queer women who have bigger lives than just the romances of the book's focus, so I enjoyed the presence of not only two main f/f couples (one of which was entirely stable throughout the course of the book, a huge relief as it's rare to get the pleasure of reading about established queer couples) but also their friends. Also, this book introduced Jews into Jones's fictional corner of Central Europe, and since we were there in real life, I'm glad we get to be included in fiction, in the form of Antuniet's apprentice Anna and to a lesser extent her sisters and father. (Although: Anna's nose is too strong? Suuuuuure. Yes, I know that was the gentile POV character's opinion. I'm gonna sass about it anyway.) And we weren't anything stereotypical or creepy, for which I am completely grateful.
I feel like the pacing on this book was probably better than the first one, too, and it took me a lot less time to read. Also, like the first one, this is a plot (and to secondary degree, characterization & relationships) focused adventure story, and any time a character takes someone to bed it fades to black. To me that helps cement the period-feel of the books and also provide that bit of dignity that comes from having queer representation and indeed queer focus in stories without sex scenes.
There is true value in the sheer amount of woman-focused adventure in these books. The political intrigue is a conflict between two powerful older women, and the four POV characters plus the apprentice and a few other scholars and members of the lesbian clique are all women. Nor does this female focus make the book's population seem unnatural; there are plenty of male characters who play important roles; they're just not allowed to dominate the story as they usually would. I also congratulate the author for including diversity within women who love women -- one of the clique's members, Tionez, says she loves her husband so it's easy to read her as bi, but neither this nor her frivolous personality traits get her blackballed from being able to love women or be friends with the main, exclusively-women-loving characters. This is important. I love that a lesbian novel included someone who fits the "bad bi" trope who is still allowed to frolic with everybody else and be a trusted friend. There are real people like her and they are still part of any "us" I count myself in.
Warning for a G-slur somewhere in there and a homophobic nun saying annoying shit for maybe one paragraph. (Oh, and Antuniet has a two-second affair with a man in the beginning of the book but it's over before it starts and you won't have to deal with any more lesbians in m/f sexual encounters for the rest of the story.)
August 1, 2019
Delightful, for the most part! Jones combines extremely geeky romance with 19th century comedy of manners, international spy thriller, and a smattering of fantasy. It's a surprisingly pleasant mix! I am in love with how the interests and passions of the main characters are soooo nerdy, and how accommodating and pursuing those interests becomes a major part of the romance AND the plot.
I was happy to see that the main couple featured in the preceding volume, Barbara & Margerit, also became main characters of this one even while the relationship between Jeanne and Antuniet was in the foreground. One can see how the author is building a family of queer misfits, bit by careful bit, and it feels like the familial feeling is earned: the characters all have very different personalities, and relate to each other in a variety of ways, but Jones draws them together in ways that feel believable and emotionally satisfying. In a way, it feels like beyond the romantic relationships there is a greater romance unfolding through these queer women's commitment to each other!
I had strangely ambivalent feelings about the portrayal of Jeanne and Antuniet's relationship. On one hand the conflicts they faced as a result of their differing personalities and needs felt very realistic and I was glad to get to see them negotiate those obstacles. It's always powerful to see a reticent, emotionally walled-off and self-hating character from a (dare I say?) emotionally abusive family like Antuniet, finally accept that they are worthy of love.
On the other hand, something about her and Jeanne as a couple felt sort of dissatisfying and lacking? Perhaps it was the idealization of monogamous romantic partnership as compared to the short-lived and passionate "flirtations" Jeanne usually engaged in. The book did make a decent case for Jeanne wanting something different with Antuniet, but put down Jeanne's previous exploits in the process. And I really wish these people had heard of non-monogamy! It really seemed like things were heading in that direction and I think the relationship would have been the better for it! And I wish that in all the pages this book took up, there would have been more exploration of Jeanne's psyche and her reasons for living the way she does. There's barely one or two lines hinting at her years of unhappiness, but I didn't feel like I really understood it or the underpinnings of her character.
This volume also saw the introduction of more significant Jewish and Black characters, which I'm sort of cautiously optimistic about. It's nice to see that the author didn't decide to go in the white supremacist direction of 'historical fantasy' being fantastically white.
I was happy to see that the main couple featured in the preceding volume, Barbara & Margerit, also became main characters of this one even while the relationship between Jeanne and Antuniet was in the foreground. One can see how the author is building a family of queer misfits, bit by careful bit, and it feels like the familial feeling is earned: the characters all have very different personalities, and relate to each other in a variety of ways, but Jones draws them together in ways that feel believable and emotionally satisfying. In a way, it feels like beyond the romantic relationships there is a greater romance unfolding through these queer women's commitment to each other!
I had strangely ambivalent feelings about the portrayal of Jeanne and Antuniet's relationship. On one hand the conflicts they faced as a result of their differing personalities and needs felt very realistic and I was glad to get to see them negotiate those obstacles. It's always powerful to see a reticent, emotionally walled-off and self-hating character from a (dare I say?) emotionally abusive family like Antuniet, finally accept that they are worthy of love.
On the other hand, something about her and Jeanne as a couple felt sort of dissatisfying and lacking? Perhaps it was the idealization of monogamous romantic partnership as compared to the short-lived and passionate "flirtations" Jeanne usually engaged in. The book did make a decent case for Jeanne wanting something different with Antuniet, but put down Jeanne's previous exploits in the process. And I really wish these people had heard of non-monogamy! It really seemed like things were heading in that direction and I think the relationship would have been the better for it! And I wish that in all the pages this book took up, there would have been more exploration of Jeanne's psyche and her reasons for living the way she does. There's barely one or two lines hinting at her years of unhappiness, but I didn't feel like I really understood it or the underpinnings of her character.
This volume also saw the introduction of more significant Jewish and Black characters, which I'm sort of cautiously optimistic about. It's nice to see that the author didn't decide to go in the white supremacist direction of 'historical fantasy' being fantastically white.
November 1, 2016
Book 2 in a highly enjoyable series. I really like the way that Jones creates her communities of (mostly queer) women scholars, musicians and alchemists and am very pleased that she found a way to include a Jewish community as well as a new character who is a POC. The picture we often get of historic Renaissance Europe in textbooks and so forth tends to be pretty whitewashed, failing to reflect the actual cultural diversity that existed. I also enjoyed the characters (Barbara remains my favorite) and the opportunity to continue to spend more time with them. The villains' motivations didn't work as well for me as they did in the first book, but that, apart from my world building note below, is my only substantive criticism.
I will say that from a reading standpoint, the fantasy elements remain very light and I tend to read these as historicals, rather than as fantasies. I want to know more - who/what are the saints? How do the mysteries work? Can they be applied to something other than rituals and alchemy? And so forth. I hope to learn more in Book 3, which will be out soon.
I will say that from a reading standpoint, the fantasy elements remain very light and I tend to read these as historicals, rather than as fantasies. I want to know more - who/what are the saints? How do the mysteries work? Can they be applied to something other than rituals and alchemy? And so forth. I hope to learn more in Book 3, which will be out soon.
July 4, 2015
I loved the first book (Daughter of Mystery - do read if you haven't), which was a delightful and leisurely regency romance between Barbara and Margerit, and made me really glad I stumbled across it.
This follow-up is equally enjoyable, with the romance between their friends Jeanne and Antuniet (opposites attract) this time. But what made me really happy was that the author featured Barbara and Margerit heavily here too because I adore their easy chemistry. Note there is nothing explicit but it somehow fits the elegance of this world.
Anyway, classy work, love this series, and I do hope there will be a third book... Perhaps Antuniet might have a charm to make it happen sooner. ;)
This follow-up is equally enjoyable, with the romance between their friends Jeanne and Antuniet (opposites attract) this time. But what made me really happy was that the author featured Barbara and Margerit heavily here too because I adore their easy chemistry. Note there is nothing explicit but it somehow fits the elegance of this world.
Anyway, classy work, love this series, and I do hope there will be a third book... Perhaps Antuniet might have a charm to make it happen sooner. ;)
May 11, 2018
This second installment of Heather Rose Jones' brilliant Alpennia series was another wonderfully crafted story for me! I was very excited to read this installment particularly because it was going to be about Antuniet! I was captivated by her mysterious persona since her introduction in Book 1 "Daughter Of Mystery." I was so happy that HRJ told her story in this one.
Whereas Book 1 had more action (because of Barbara's profession and her quest to find out about her past and settle her family's debts), and celebratory intrigue (Margerit's discovery of her magical skills), "The Mystic Marriage" was more internal, quieter, with darker thrills involving cynical plots. It delved into the inner sanctum of alchemy and all its technical properties and characteristics as performed by Antuniet, who seemed to be a natural talent as a very proficient alchemist. Whereas Book 1 dealt with the spiritual side of magic aka miracles, mysteries, Book 2 dealt with the scientific side of magic aka alchemy. The contrast and similarities of these two practices are FASCINATING to read and discover!
The thing I particularly enjoyed about this book was the intricate procedures of ancient alchemy (science, really!) being written and described in detail. I was mesmerised by all the technical aspects and processes of how the stones and their natural properties were mixed together, combined with astrology to perform different functions, or produce different physical and emotional effects. I felt like I was with Antuniet in an ancient chemistry laboratory using ancient tools to mix various chemicals, burning stones, sharpening them into specific shapes, "fermenting" them accordingly to produce the desired effects! Yes, Antuniet was a nerd. A science nerd. She was an introvert, exceptionally bright and smart, socially awkward, had absolutely no interest in all the girlish frills or the opposite gender, to say the least, deeply engrossed in her work. Her work was her salvation, her refuge, her entire existence.....(well, at least until she met Jeanne! )
I. . ANTUNIET.
In contrast, Jeanne, was the polar opposite - a social butterfly, a flirt, an extrovert with no worries about money. She and Antuniet were no strangers, except that they'd only met briefly in the past. This time, when Jeanne laid eyes on the much younger Antuniet, something tugged at her heartstrings. I adored Jeanne as I discovered more about her. On the surface, she was this loud, flirtatious, beautiful and attractive socialite who only cared about her social standing and being included in or hosting frivolous engagements. But in actual fact, she was a sensitive, loyal, generous and kind soul who'd do anything for those she loved or cared about. She was fortunate to have money and in a respectable social standing but she didn't let that go over her head. Instead she used her position to help those who were in need. Despite her beauty and wealth, she was unlucky in love. She'd always been partial to loving women and had been "playing" the field without any commitments, primarily as a defence mechanism to prevent her heart from being hurt again but deep down, she really wanted to find true love & spend the rest of her life with her. She wanted what her friend and ex-lover, Barbara, had with Margerit. Someone she could wake up to in the morning and go to sleep with every night. Someone to share her life with, someone she could give her heart to. Someone to love and be loved.
So when Jeanne met Antuniet again, she found herself drawn to her and slowly but surely falling for the younger, anti-social workaholic alchemist. Antuniet, on the other hand, also found herself attracted to this flamboyantly beautiful Jeanne who, she knew, was out of her league. So she never dared to believe that she was ever worthy of love especially not by Jeanne who always had other women pining over her affections, especially at those countless "parties" that Jeanne was known to host or attend regularly. She couldn't believe that someone like Jeanne would want to be with an anti-social, dowdy, unattractive (in her own opinion), strange nerd like her, let alone be in love with her! Obviously nothing was further from the truth as Jeanne found herself having to prove to Antuniet time and time again.
I utterly loved Jones' flair in telling and depicting all the subtle verbal and non-verbal nuances between these two lovelorn souls who were struggling to declare their love for each other simply because neither believed they deserved the other. Case-in-point, Antuniet's quiet jealousy when she spotted Jeanne with other women who were flirting with her, assuming that the flirtation was mutual; Jeanne's unusual lack of confidence with herself when she thought Antuniet preferred to spend time with scholarly women, like Margerit instead of "useless" socialites such as herself. All the endless yearning...ahhhh!! These two poor sods! If only they could just bare their souls to each other without fear! Oh, the angst! Utterly captivating to read!
Their slow-burn romance was depicted so aesthetically that when Antuniet and Jeanne finally believed in the heart of hearts that their love for each other was pure and true, their commitment steadfast, I felt utterly elated, joyous, excited, dead happy for them in my heart and soul. SUPERB!
My favourite exchange between Antuniet and Jeanne....
“Non in solo pane,” she [Antuniet] said at last.
[Jeanne] A curious glance. “Not by bread alone?”
“Jeanne,” she blurted, before she could lose courage, “I can be your bread and water, but I can’t be your cake and champagne. It isn’t fair of me to ask you to give up champagne. I would…understand if sometimes you wanted more.”
Jeanne’s mouth parted in surprise. “Toneke, that’s a generous offer. Are you certain?”
“No, I’m not certain!” The words burned on her tongue and she kept her eyes on the floor for fear of not being able to get them all out. “I’m terrified. I’m terrified I might lose you to someone more charming, more beautiful than I could ever be. But I’m also terrified that I’ll lose you by holding you too tightly. I don’t make you laugh the way she did. I can’t flirt and I can’t dance. And the parties you enjoy so much only leave me tired and lonely. I can see where it will end. What you feel for me will shrivel up into regret and obligation.”
She felt the touch of a kidskin glove under her chin and Jeanne’s fingers warm through it, drawing her face up so that she couldn’t avoid her eyes. “Toneke, no one can see the future, but have more faith in me than that.” Jeanne’s eyes searched hers, looking for that faith. “Do you trust me?”
“I trust you,” Antuniet said, “but I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. I am more happy than I deserve to be. And it wasn’t what you thought.”
THIS [dialogue above]...pure lyrical love poetry (imho). Truly THE essence of romance between two unlikely souls. So sensual. So poetic. So romantic!!!
And my favourite narrative of the book?
This below....
"That day when she’d [Antuniet] returned to Rotenek, near penniless and alone with nothing but DeBoodt’s book and her vow, she never would have believed that her brightest gems would come in human form. Jeanne, Anna, Margerit, Barbara—all tried by fire and enhanced through the long, slow layering of work side by side. Was there need for any other talismans than these?"
- says it all about the book and its message. At least to me.
Apart from Antuniet and Jeanne's compellingly memorable journey, we also got to find out more about Barbara and Margerit. More crucially was how Antuniet's contentious relationship with Barbara and Margerit (because of events that occurred in Book 1) was dealt with and rectified. The whole journey of reconciliation between Antuniet and Barbara, and then between Antuniet and Margerit was written with intense realism. It was an emotional ride and an utter joy to experience with these 3 superbly developed characters.
All in all, this is a MUST-READ! I absolutely this book! I was an instant fan of the Alpennia series since reading the 1st chapter of Book 1! I'd recommend starting with Book 1, "Daughter Of Mystery," though, followed by this, "The Mystic Marriage." A brilliantly written historical fantasy series!
Well done & thank you, Ms. Jones!
My commentary: In Bug's Own Words
Whereas Book 1 had more action (because of Barbara's profession and her quest to find out about her past and settle her family's debts), and celebratory intrigue (Margerit's discovery of her magical skills), "The Mystic Marriage" was more internal, quieter, with darker thrills involving cynical plots. It delved into the inner sanctum of alchemy and all its technical properties and characteristics as performed by Antuniet, who seemed to be a natural talent as a very proficient alchemist. Whereas Book 1 dealt with the spiritual side of magic aka miracles, mysteries, Book 2 dealt with the scientific side of magic aka alchemy. The contrast and similarities of these two practices are FASCINATING to read and discover!
The thing I particularly enjoyed about this book was the intricate procedures of ancient alchemy (science, really!) being written and described in detail. I was mesmerised by all the technical aspects and processes of how the stones and their natural properties were mixed together, combined with astrology to perform different functions, or produce different physical and emotional effects. I felt like I was with Antuniet in an ancient chemistry laboratory using ancient tools to mix various chemicals, burning stones, sharpening them into specific shapes, "fermenting" them accordingly to produce the desired effects! Yes, Antuniet was a nerd. A science nerd. She was an introvert, exceptionally bright and smart, socially awkward, had absolutely no interest in all the girlish frills or the opposite gender, to say the least, deeply engrossed in her work. Her work was her salvation, her refuge, her entire existence.....(well, at least until she met Jeanne! )
I. . ANTUNIET.
In contrast, Jeanne, was the polar opposite - a social butterfly, a flirt, an extrovert with no worries about money. She and Antuniet were no strangers, except that they'd only met briefly in the past. This time, when Jeanne laid eyes on the much younger Antuniet, something tugged at her heartstrings. I adored Jeanne as I discovered more about her. On the surface, she was this loud, flirtatious, beautiful and attractive socialite who only cared about her social standing and being included in or hosting frivolous engagements. But in actual fact, she was a sensitive, loyal, generous and kind soul who'd do anything for those she loved or cared about. She was fortunate to have money and in a respectable social standing but she didn't let that go over her head. Instead she used her position to help those who were in need. Despite her beauty and wealth, she was unlucky in love. She'd always been partial to loving women and had been "playing" the field without any commitments, primarily as a defence mechanism to prevent her heart from being hurt again but deep down, she really wanted to find true love & spend the rest of her life with her. She wanted what her friend and ex-lover, Barbara, had with Margerit. Someone she could wake up to in the morning and go to sleep with every night. Someone to share her life with, someone she could give her heart to. Someone to love and be loved.
So when Jeanne met Antuniet again, she found herself drawn to her and slowly but surely falling for the younger, anti-social workaholic alchemist. Antuniet, on the other hand, also found herself attracted to this flamboyantly beautiful Jeanne who, she knew, was out of her league. So she never dared to believe that she was ever worthy of love especially not by Jeanne who always had other women pining over her affections, especially at those countless "parties" that Jeanne was known to host or attend regularly. She couldn't believe that someone like Jeanne would want to be with an anti-social, dowdy, unattractive (in her own opinion), strange nerd like her, let alone be in love with her! Obviously nothing was further from the truth as Jeanne found herself having to prove to Antuniet time and time again.
I utterly loved Jones' flair in telling and depicting all the subtle verbal and non-verbal nuances between these two lovelorn souls who were struggling to declare their love for each other simply because neither believed they deserved the other. Case-in-point, Antuniet's quiet jealousy when she spotted Jeanne with other women who were flirting with her, assuming that the flirtation was mutual; Jeanne's unusual lack of confidence with herself when she thought Antuniet preferred to spend time with scholarly women, like Margerit instead of "useless" socialites such as herself. All the endless yearning...ahhhh!! These two poor sods! If only they could just bare their souls to each other without fear! Oh, the angst! Utterly captivating to read!
Their slow-burn romance was depicted so aesthetically that when Antuniet and Jeanne finally believed in the heart of hearts that their love for each other was pure and true, their commitment steadfast, I felt utterly elated, joyous, excited, dead happy for them in my heart and soul. SUPERB!
My favourite exchange between Antuniet and Jeanne....
“Non in solo pane,” she [Antuniet] said at last.
[Jeanne] A curious glance. “Not by bread alone?”
“Jeanne,” she blurted, before she could lose courage, “I can be your bread and water, but I can’t be your cake and champagne. It isn’t fair of me to ask you to give up champagne. I would…understand if sometimes you wanted more.”
Jeanne’s mouth parted in surprise. “Toneke, that’s a generous offer. Are you certain?”
“No, I’m not certain!” The words burned on her tongue and she kept her eyes on the floor for fear of not being able to get them all out. “I’m terrified. I’m terrified I might lose you to someone more charming, more beautiful than I could ever be. But I’m also terrified that I’ll lose you by holding you too tightly. I don’t make you laugh the way she did. I can’t flirt and I can’t dance. And the parties you enjoy so much only leave me tired and lonely. I can see where it will end. What you feel for me will shrivel up into regret and obligation.”
She felt the touch of a kidskin glove under her chin and Jeanne’s fingers warm through it, drawing her face up so that she couldn’t avoid her eyes. “Toneke, no one can see the future, but have more faith in me than that.” Jeanne’s eyes searched hers, looking for that faith. “Do you trust me?”
“I trust you,” Antuniet said, “but I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. I am more happy than I deserve to be. And it wasn’t what you thought.”
THIS [dialogue above]...pure lyrical love poetry (imho). Truly THE essence of romance between two unlikely souls. So sensual. So poetic. So romantic!!!
And my favourite narrative of the book?
This below....
"That day when she’d [Antuniet] returned to Rotenek, near penniless and alone with nothing but DeBoodt’s book and her vow, she never would have believed that her brightest gems would come in human form. Jeanne, Anna, Margerit, Barbara—all tried by fire and enhanced through the long, slow layering of work side by side. Was there need for any other talismans than these?"
- says it all about the book and its message. At least to me.
Apart from Antuniet and Jeanne's compellingly memorable journey, we also got to find out more about Barbara and Margerit. More crucially was how Antuniet's contentious relationship with Barbara and Margerit (because of events that occurred in Book 1) was dealt with and rectified. The whole journey of reconciliation between Antuniet and Barbara, and then between Antuniet and Margerit was written with intense realism. It was an emotional ride and an utter joy to experience with these 3 superbly developed characters.
All in all, this is a MUST-READ! I absolutely this book! I was an instant fan of the Alpennia series since reading the 1st chapter of Book 1! I'd recommend starting with Book 1, "Daughter Of Mystery," though, followed by this, "The Mystic Marriage." A brilliantly written historical fantasy series!
Well done & thank you, Ms. Jones!
My commentary: In Bug's Own Words
June 9, 2015
It is a rare pleasure to read the published version of a book that you were a beta reader (and SME) for; in a sense, it was that I already knew the story, but I didn't know the book. At first, as I read it, I kept noticing bits here and there which were different (particularly in places where I'd raised a question or a wrinkled eyebrow in the beta version), but that soon fell away as I got swept more into the story.
I love the basic premise behind the Alpennia books so so much that there's basically no way that I wasn't going to enjoy reading this, and for the most part it solidly delivered on my all my expectations. The continued development of the mystical-rational aspects of the Alpennia universe are the parts I find most interesting; I have a hard time identifying with either of the main heroines, Jeanne and Antuniet, which means I wasn't intrinsically interested in their unfolding story per se, but was rather instead interested in the greater context in which it unfolds, and on that count, the book has everything. We see more of the wider world of Alpennia and beyond, politically and socially, more diverse and interesting characters are introduced (with lots of hints that we'll see more of them in books to come), and many hints laid down in Daughter of Mystery are made good on.
With four main view-point characters, rotating through the chapters in turn, I found following the pace of the story somewhat more difficult than in Daughter of Mystery; I often found myself counting out months on my fingers, or trying to figure out what season it was, or how much time had elapsed between when we'd last had a chapter in the view-point of, say, Antuniet. This part of the story didn't seem quite as skillfully handled as in Daughter of Mystery, but on the other hand I am not sure how it could've been done both differently and better: Certainly I would not have wanted to sacrifice the further glimpses into Barbara and Margerit's lives!
I enjoyed it very much, I can't wait for more, and immediately upon finishing it I turned around and re-read Daughter of Mystery because I couldn't stand the thought of having to wait another year or more before the next one comes out.
I love the basic premise behind the Alpennia books so so much that there's basically no way that I wasn't going to enjoy reading this, and for the most part it solidly delivered on my all my expectations. The continued development of the mystical-rational aspects of the Alpennia universe are the parts I find most interesting; I have a hard time identifying with either of the main heroines, Jeanne and Antuniet, which means I wasn't intrinsically interested in their unfolding story per se, but was rather instead interested in the greater context in which it unfolds, and on that count, the book has everything. We see more of the wider world of Alpennia and beyond, politically and socially, more diverse and interesting characters are introduced (with lots of hints that we'll see more of them in books to come), and many hints laid down in Daughter of Mystery are made good on.
With four main view-point characters, rotating through the chapters in turn, I found following the pace of the story somewhat more difficult than in Daughter of Mystery; I often found myself counting out months on my fingers, or trying to figure out what season it was, or how much time had elapsed between when we'd last had a chapter in the view-point of, say, Antuniet. This part of the story didn't seem quite as skillfully handled as in Daughter of Mystery, but on the other hand I am not sure how it could've been done both differently and better: Certainly I would not have wanted to sacrifice the further glimpses into Barbara and Margerit's lives!
I enjoyed it very much, I can't wait for more, and immediately upon finishing it I turned around and re-read Daughter of Mystery because I couldn't stand the thought of having to wait another year or more before the next one comes out.
February 28, 2017
I'm writing this review literally seconds after finishing this book because it is SO GOOD. This review might be a bit messy but it's from the heart,
I love this series. It's so unique. I love the discussion of the science, the mysteries, the feeling of working through something. Love it. I love the characters. I love how none of them are perfect, but each is so very human, and often, so very likeable. And I love the romances. They fill me with such joy.
The Mystic Marriage had my unbound attention from the very first page. It starts out very fast, and very strong. A++ demo on how to start a story, in my opinion. And as I finished it, my hands were shaking. They still are. It's such an intense, beautiful read.
This is a great book about... many things! But one I liked in particular is the theme of building your own family, your own community. Barbara's protectiveness of her circle gave me such fuzzy feelings. Seriously, *swoons*. And Antuniet and Jeanne. I loved seeing them together, none of them perfect, but so determined to make compromises for the other.
And Margerit, sweet baby! And Anna, who I would fight a man for! And Serafina, who I can't wait to see more. And even Efriturik, who's a good dude, doin his best!!
So yeah I loved this book, and it holds a very special place in my heart. I kinda already want to reread it!
I love this series. It's so unique. I love the discussion of the science, the mysteries, the feeling of working through something. Love it. I love the characters. I love how none of them are perfect, but each is so very human, and often, so very likeable. And I love the romances. They fill me with such joy.
The Mystic Marriage had my unbound attention from the very first page. It starts out very fast, and very strong. A++ demo on how to start a story, in my opinion. And as I finished it, my hands were shaking. They still are. It's such an intense, beautiful read.
This is a great book about... many things! But one I liked in particular is the theme of building your own family, your own community. Barbara's protectiveness of her circle gave me such fuzzy feelings. Seriously, *swoons*. And Antuniet and Jeanne. I loved seeing them together, none of them perfect, but so determined to make compromises for the other.
And Margerit, sweet baby! And Anna, who I would fight a man for! And Serafina, who I can't wait to see more. And even Efriturik, who's a good dude, doin his best!!
So yeah I loved this book, and it holds a very special place in my heart. I kinda already want to reread it!
May 19, 2015
Loved!! One of those books that I simultaneously wanted to devour in one sitting but also prolong as long as possible. Part historical fiction, with a small touch of magic, with dense deeply detailed and descriptive prose. There were a few lines that made me kind of wish I had a highlighter so I could read them again later, but that would go soundly against my no defacing my books stance. The primary romantic relationships are between women, one established and one deliciously budding, but to merely call it a lesbian romance does it a disservice in my humble opinion. Not to take anything away from that genre, (which I love) but to encourage anybody who says that they don't read romances, lesbian or otherwise, to give this book a look. If historical fiction, political intrigue, descriptive prose or just good solid writing appeal to you I highly recommend this book.
July 12, 2017
Despite the terrible title (it refers to alchemy, not to a human relationship) this is really an excellent book, a solid sequel to Daughter of Mystery (which, come to think of it, is also a somewhat eye-rolly title on its surface, but again, refers to religious magic). Again I was surprised by how much I liked a book of a genre I usually don't care for, but there is so much plot going on in addition to the romance - and so much of a thread of female empowerment and agency. And hey, a nice romance between interesting women as well. (The couple here were minor characters in the first book; the couple that got together in the first book are still important characters here.)
May 28, 2017
The Mystic Marriage takes one of my favourite side character from Daughter of Mystery, and skyrockets her to the top of my list. I was always deeply intrigued by Antuniet, brilliant and closed off, now left stripped of her family's honour. I entered this novel with high expectations--how could I not, after the first book in the series?--and it didn't disappoint. In fact, this story manages to be even better, adding layers and complexity to Alpennia's worlds, expanding on the network of women helping each others, deepening the relationship between Margerit and Barbara, and introducing a new level of politics. Amazing book all around.
Bonus, I read this while travelling in Europe, so A+ timing for historical fantasy <3
Bonus, I read this while travelling in Europe, so A+ timing for historical fantasy <3
November 9, 2019
Ok, so the thing about this series is the synopses are awful. Despite loving Daughter of Mystery (which I didn't read for several years during to the horrible description), I didn't pick up this, the sequel, for years because I didn't realize it was a true sequel. But basically if you're interested in a historical Ruritanian fantasy about female lesbian scholars, this is the series for you. Did you read The Goblin Emperor and want more about the lady scholars? You got it in this series. These are marketed as romances, and while there is a central romance in each novel, they're more historical political fantasies than romances.
All of which is to say, if any of this sounds the slightest bit interesting to you, I highly recommend you check them out.
All of which is to say, if any of this sounds the slightest bit interesting to you, I highly recommend you check them out.
February 13, 2017
I absolutely loved this book, although not quite as much as I loved Daughter of Mystery. It got off to a slow start, with nothing but set-up happening in any of the plots (romance, political intrigue, or character relationships) during the first hundred pages. But then things picked up quite nicely! I loved all of the characters--I was excited that Barbara and Margerit still got POV chapters, since I was initially expecting them to just make small cameo appearances, and Jeanne and Antuniet were both even more awesome as protagonists than they were as secondary characters in Daughter of Mystery.
August 26, 2016
Review forthcoming!
December 8, 2016
This series is like if A Song of Ice and Fire were good. And gay. Actually gay. Please write as many words as frickin' GRR Martin, Ms. Jones.
April 15, 2016
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during Regency Magic (March & April 2016)
Antuniet Chazillen has been living in self-imposed exile from Alpennia. She longs to go back to Rotenek but that isn't an option. Even if she were to return no one would take her in. Ever since her brother was executed for treason and her mother committed suicide anyone bearing the name Chazillen has been ostracized. The driving force in her life now is to show the world that not everyone bearing the name Chazillen is worthless. To this end she has devised a plan with a rare alchemical text she found in Prague. If she can master the book's recipes to create precious gems of power she could present them to Alpennia's ruler, Princess Annek, and prove she can be of use to the crown and regain her standing. But wanting and doing are two very different things. Not only is her work hindered by a lack of funds, but she is being chased across Europe by someone who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the text she found. After she is discovered in Heidelberg she realizes that she must return to Alpennia earlier than she had planned in order to live long enough to restore the tattered shreds of her honor.
Jeanne, the Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, is a social butterfly. Flitting from party to party and lover to lover. Yet lately the petulance of these young women who rotate through her bedroom isn't as entertaining as it once was. And then one night Antuniet appears at her door. They knew each other peripherally years ago before Antuniet's hasty departure. It intrigues Jeanne that of all the people Antuniet knew in Rotenek she chose her. But Antuinet's only other option was her cousin and Jeanne's former lover Barbara, and somehow going to Barbara would have been too much for her pride to bear, and Antuinet has always been proud. In fact all the bedraggled Antuniet asks of Jeanne is help in securing a patron so she can continue her alchemical work. Jeanne tries her best but finding money for a dubious trade for a disgraced outcast tries even her formidable skills. But Jeanne won't abandon Antuniet, she will stick by her as she mends her flirtatious ways and develops a tendre for the alchemist. Though returning to Rotenek didn't dissuade Antuniet's malevolent shadow. Soon enough the protective Barbara and her lover Margerit, the crown's thaumaturge, come to Antuniet's aid as well. But Antuinet and her heart are vulnerable. Will she be able to repair her reputation and find love, or is it all too late?
Sometimes book series don't start out as series. The author writes a tale and for some reason or other the characters won't leave after the denouement. Whether it's their inability to leave the author's subconscious as they keep chatting away or rabid fans salivating for more, sometimes a stand-alone morphs into a series. It feels like this is what happened here. The first book set in Alpennia by Heather Rose Jones, Daughter of Mystery, focused on Anuniet's cousin Barbara and her lover Margerit. They had their story and got their happily ever after. There was an ending and it felt final. Yet here they are again getting into new adventures and new scrapes. You're probably wondering why I'm pointing this out. I should be happy at their return not dwelling on the whys. But I'm dwelling. I find this book's setup problematic. The thing is, if you are going to write a series in such a way that each volume has the secondary characters stepping forward into the limelight, the previous volume's characters need to know enough to take a step back. They aren't the focus anymore. Only someone forgot to give Barbara and Margerit this message. It makes sense that they would appear, Barbara and Margerit's actions in the previous volume having had such an effect on our two new heroines. But did they have to take up at least half of the narrative? I felt that this gave short shrift to Antuniet and Jeanne. It was THEIR time to shine, and they felt secondary.
I think this problem comes down to the fact that this book is stuck in the middle, and sorry, not sorry, for getting that song in your head. And by middle I'm referring to it's length. It could easily go either way. To go shorter, really pare down and omit Barbara and Margerit almost completely. This would give you a shorter, sweeter story. Yet I am not included in this direction. The Mystic Marriage has such court politics and machinations it's like a Ruritanian Game of Thrones. So make it like Game of Thrones! Make it a thousand plus pages! Don't just have four characters POVs have more. Have Anna, the little alchemical assistant have her say! Have Barbara's little country cousin have a chapter or two. Make this book the doorstop book to end all doorstop books. Make it the epic it wants to be! I just feel like there's so much I'm missing in this world, the details of a dress, the architecture of an alchemist's laboratory. So much is hinted at but then never developed further. I talked about this with Daughter of Mystery and how the writing felt elliptical. Here I was happy to see more time spent on the smaller details, such as the refining of the precious gems, but seriously, I craved even more. It's rare for me to say make a book longer, and editors today seem to only want books short and sweet, but The Mystic Marriage needs to expand to reach it's full potential. It needs to be fired a little longer.
What really helped me to connect to The Mystic Marriage more so than the previous volume was I felt the arcane elements were easier to understand. Thaumaturgy and the working of miracles still feels a little beyond my keen. I don't quite fully understand the process and I felt that the mysteries were left lacking definition and therefore left me a little cold. Fluctus this and fluctus that... it would help to understand a little better what fluctus even was in my humble opinion. But alchemy. I'm on far stronger ground here. Whereas we can question if miracles and magic ever really did happen, alchemy DID. I'm not saying it worked, but I'm saying that it was studied and was an accepted "science" of the time. Even if your only exposure to alchemy is the Philosopher's Stone in Harry Potter or the more detailed chemical marriages in Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy, you have a grounding in it so that you are more easily able to understand what Antuniet is up to than what Margerit was. What I found particularly interesting from my point of view was the crossover of the alchemical practices and how it relates to things such as metalwork. I haven't done metalwork in many years but crucibles, flux, fire, all that I used is here used in similar yet different ways and I found that fascinating.
But it wasn't just the alchemical work itself that intrigued me, but the outcome. Antuniet was making stones, well gems really, that would have influence over people. So my first thought was, if this is the actual case with alchemy people have every right to fear it! Before I'd only ever heard of the Philosopher's Stone, which was used to increase your life, and turning lead into gold. But the work that Antuniet does is basically used to control people. Say what!?! Alchemy is basically rohypnol! Antuniet even worries that one of her stones set in a ring is responsible for Jeanne's feelings towards her. If Antuniet is worried about this how can she, in good conscience, give this power to the crown so that they can basically control their ministers? I can see the benefit for helping people with health issues, but to actually CONTROL THEM!?! I really have issues with this concept. It's taking away free will. It's like in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer season six episode "Dead Things" when The Trio use a Cerebral Dampener to make any woman their willing sex slave. It's not just wrong it's a violation of basic human rights. While you could say at least Annek's counsel "knows" the rings do something, I don't think she told them the whole truth... This just brings up a LOT of the more negative connotations of what "magic" can do. Is it even right that Antuniet made these influencing gems?
Which brings me around to the whole alchemy not really be respectable. Well, if you're controlling everyone's free will I'm not surprised alchemy has a dubious reputation! Of course it's hinted at that most alchemists are charlatans, but still, if Antuniet's morals were a little more lax, dear god! What I'm getting at is that question I wondered in the previous volume as to the acceptability of magic and witch hunts. I really like that Heather Rose Jones came back to this because I felt this was something that needed addressing. So yes, witch hunts do happen! Evil magicians are run out of town. The only reason "mysteries" and thaumaturgy are acceptable is because they have the cloak of religion giving it respectability. Which has an interesting counterpoint in the relationships of Antuniet and Jeanne, and Margerit and Barbara. Margerit and Barbara are accepted as a couple because of their eccentricity and status, whereas Antuniet and Jeanne raise eyebrows because Antuniet used to be respectable and one of the society that is now looking at them askance. Just like the veneer of religion covers a multitude of sins, so does the right combination of eccentricity coupled with title and wealth. The lower down the social ladder, the less acceptable it is to be an "other." You could in fact say that Jeanne and Antuniet face their own witch hunt with the lesbian backlash. The marriage of the mystical and mundane controversies just goes to show all the levels this book is working on. But don't worry, luckily love conquers all as long as you are willing to fight the good fight. Love wins.
Antuniet Chazillen has been living in self-imposed exile from Alpennia. She longs to go back to Rotenek but that isn't an option. Even if she were to return no one would take her in. Ever since her brother was executed for treason and her mother committed suicide anyone bearing the name Chazillen has been ostracized. The driving force in her life now is to show the world that not everyone bearing the name Chazillen is worthless. To this end she has devised a plan with a rare alchemical text she found in Prague. If she can master the book's recipes to create precious gems of power she could present them to Alpennia's ruler, Princess Annek, and prove she can be of use to the crown and regain her standing. But wanting and doing are two very different things. Not only is her work hindered by a lack of funds, but she is being chased across Europe by someone who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the text she found. After she is discovered in Heidelberg she realizes that she must return to Alpennia earlier than she had planned in order to live long enough to restore the tattered shreds of her honor.
Jeanne, the Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, is a social butterfly. Flitting from party to party and lover to lover. Yet lately the petulance of these young women who rotate through her bedroom isn't as entertaining as it once was. And then one night Antuniet appears at her door. They knew each other peripherally years ago before Antuniet's hasty departure. It intrigues Jeanne that of all the people Antuniet knew in Rotenek she chose her. But Antuinet's only other option was her cousin and Jeanne's former lover Barbara, and somehow going to Barbara would have been too much for her pride to bear, and Antuinet has always been proud. In fact all the bedraggled Antuniet asks of Jeanne is help in securing a patron so she can continue her alchemical work. Jeanne tries her best but finding money for a dubious trade for a disgraced outcast tries even her formidable skills. But Jeanne won't abandon Antuniet, she will stick by her as she mends her flirtatious ways and develops a tendre for the alchemist. Though returning to Rotenek didn't dissuade Antuniet's malevolent shadow. Soon enough the protective Barbara and her lover Margerit, the crown's thaumaturge, come to Antuniet's aid as well. But Antuinet and her heart are vulnerable. Will she be able to repair her reputation and find love, or is it all too late?
Sometimes book series don't start out as series. The author writes a tale and for some reason or other the characters won't leave after the denouement. Whether it's their inability to leave the author's subconscious as they keep chatting away or rabid fans salivating for more, sometimes a stand-alone morphs into a series. It feels like this is what happened here. The first book set in Alpennia by Heather Rose Jones, Daughter of Mystery, focused on Anuniet's cousin Barbara and her lover Margerit. They had their story and got their happily ever after. There was an ending and it felt final. Yet here they are again getting into new adventures and new scrapes. You're probably wondering why I'm pointing this out. I should be happy at their return not dwelling on the whys. But I'm dwelling. I find this book's setup problematic. The thing is, if you are going to write a series in such a way that each volume has the secondary characters stepping forward into the limelight, the previous volume's characters need to know enough to take a step back. They aren't the focus anymore. Only someone forgot to give Barbara and Margerit this message. It makes sense that they would appear, Barbara and Margerit's actions in the previous volume having had such an effect on our two new heroines. But did they have to take up at least half of the narrative? I felt that this gave short shrift to Antuniet and Jeanne. It was THEIR time to shine, and they felt secondary.
I think this problem comes down to the fact that this book is stuck in the middle, and sorry, not sorry, for getting that song in your head. And by middle I'm referring to it's length. It could easily go either way. To go shorter, really pare down and omit Barbara and Margerit almost completely. This would give you a shorter, sweeter story. Yet I am not included in this direction. The Mystic Marriage has such court politics and machinations it's like a Ruritanian Game of Thrones. So make it like Game of Thrones! Make it a thousand plus pages! Don't just have four characters POVs have more. Have Anna, the little alchemical assistant have her say! Have Barbara's little country cousin have a chapter or two. Make this book the doorstop book to end all doorstop books. Make it the epic it wants to be! I just feel like there's so much I'm missing in this world, the details of a dress, the architecture of an alchemist's laboratory. So much is hinted at but then never developed further. I talked about this with Daughter of Mystery and how the writing felt elliptical. Here I was happy to see more time spent on the smaller details, such as the refining of the precious gems, but seriously, I craved even more. It's rare for me to say make a book longer, and editors today seem to only want books short and sweet, but The Mystic Marriage needs to expand to reach it's full potential. It needs to be fired a little longer.
What really helped me to connect to The Mystic Marriage more so than the previous volume was I felt the arcane elements were easier to understand. Thaumaturgy and the working of miracles still feels a little beyond my keen. I don't quite fully understand the process and I felt that the mysteries were left lacking definition and therefore left me a little cold. Fluctus this and fluctus that... it would help to understand a little better what fluctus even was in my humble opinion. But alchemy. I'm on far stronger ground here. Whereas we can question if miracles and magic ever really did happen, alchemy DID. I'm not saying it worked, but I'm saying that it was studied and was an accepted "science" of the time. Even if your only exposure to alchemy is the Philosopher's Stone in Harry Potter or the more detailed chemical marriages in Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy, you have a grounding in it so that you are more easily able to understand what Antuniet is up to than what Margerit was. What I found particularly interesting from my point of view was the crossover of the alchemical practices and how it relates to things such as metalwork. I haven't done metalwork in many years but crucibles, flux, fire, all that I used is here used in similar yet different ways and I found that fascinating.
But it wasn't just the alchemical work itself that intrigued me, but the outcome. Antuniet was making stones, well gems really, that would have influence over people. So my first thought was, if this is the actual case with alchemy people have every right to fear it! Before I'd only ever heard of the Philosopher's Stone, which was used to increase your life, and turning lead into gold. But the work that Antuniet does is basically used to control people. Say what!?! Alchemy is basically rohypnol! Antuniet even worries that one of her stones set in a ring is responsible for Jeanne's feelings towards her. If Antuniet is worried about this how can she, in good conscience, give this power to the crown so that they can basically control their ministers? I can see the benefit for helping people with health issues, but to actually CONTROL THEM!?! I really have issues with this concept. It's taking away free will. It's like in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer season six episode "Dead Things" when The Trio use a Cerebral Dampener to make any woman their willing sex slave. It's not just wrong it's a violation of basic human rights. While you could say at least Annek's counsel "knows" the rings do something, I don't think she told them the whole truth... This just brings up a LOT of the more negative connotations of what "magic" can do. Is it even right that Antuniet made these influencing gems?
Which brings me around to the whole alchemy not really be respectable. Well, if you're controlling everyone's free will I'm not surprised alchemy has a dubious reputation! Of course it's hinted at that most alchemists are charlatans, but still, if Antuniet's morals were a little more lax, dear god! What I'm getting at is that question I wondered in the previous volume as to the acceptability of magic and witch hunts. I really like that Heather Rose Jones came back to this because I felt this was something that needed addressing. So yes, witch hunts do happen! Evil magicians are run out of town. The only reason "mysteries" and thaumaturgy are acceptable is because they have the cloak of religion giving it respectability. Which has an interesting counterpoint in the relationships of Antuniet and Jeanne, and Margerit and Barbara. Margerit and Barbara are accepted as a couple because of their eccentricity and status, whereas Antuniet and Jeanne raise eyebrows because Antuniet used to be respectable and one of the society that is now looking at them askance. Just like the veneer of religion covers a multitude of sins, so does the right combination of eccentricity coupled with title and wealth. The lower down the social ladder, the less acceptable it is to be an "other." You could in fact say that Jeanne and Antuniet face their own witch hunt with the lesbian backlash. The marriage of the mystical and mundane controversies just goes to show all the levels this book is working on. But don't worry, luckily love conquers all as long as you are willing to fight the good fight. Love wins.
October 12, 2018
Summary: This is a sequel to Daughter of Mystery (link to review in comments). Like its predecessor, it is a lesbian historical romance with fantasy elements. The principals are two minor characters from Daughter of Mystery. Antuniet is the last living member of a disgraced noble family, who has directed her considerable intellectual talents to the study and practise of alchemy, with the goal of redeeming her family’s name. Jeanne, Vicomtesse de Cherdillac, is a fashionable widow with a liking for talented, passionate women. She offers friendship and assistance to Antuniet when the latter is in desperate need of patronage, and the friendship grows into something more. Their lives intersect with the heroines of the previous novel, and so the book also shows the further adventures of Barbara and Margerit, as they settle into their new roles as Baroness Saveze and Royal Thaumaturgist. Finally, there’s a fair bit of court intrigue (both foreign and domestic) to spice everything up.
Thoughts: The romance in this one did not engage me as well as that in its predecessor, probably because Antuniet and Jeanne are not as immediately lovable as Margerit and Barbara. Antuniet is proud and prickly, while Jeanne is kind of frivolous and self-centered. While the main obstacles to Margerit and Barbara’s romance were thrown into their path by society, Antuniet and Jeanne are impeded by their own character flaws, and the romance story is mostly about them learning to break down the walls they’ve each built around themselves. Of course there are also societal barriers, but the story is less focused on those than on the self-imposed obstacles.
Even though the romance didn’t quite do it for me, there was plenty of other plot in the book to keep me interested. I really liked Antuniet’s intellectual fervor and drive for discovery, the process of experimentation and learning how to create something new and wonderful. And I liked the way the court intrigue plot thread wove its way through both the alchemy and the romance plots.
Jones has a knack for writing entertaining books focused on female characters. As with the previous book, all the primary characters are women, and they are all different in personality and how they deal with the world. That is to say, they are not all stamped from the standard Strong Female Character mold. They are all strong, but in different ways. And also weak, but in different ways.
Escapist Rating: 3/4
Recommended for: People who like odd-couple romances, people who like historical lesbians, people who like stories with good female characters
Dis-Recommended for: People who have not read Daughter of Mystery since there are a lot of continuing plot and setting elements
Thoughts: The romance in this one did not engage me as well as that in its predecessor, probably because Antuniet and Jeanne are not as immediately lovable as Margerit and Barbara. Antuniet is proud and prickly, while Jeanne is kind of frivolous and self-centered. While the main obstacles to Margerit and Barbara’s romance were thrown into their path by society, Antuniet and Jeanne are impeded by their own character flaws, and the romance story is mostly about them learning to break down the walls they’ve each built around themselves. Of course there are also societal barriers, but the story is less focused on those than on the self-imposed obstacles.
Even though the romance didn’t quite do it for me, there was plenty of other plot in the book to keep me interested. I really liked Antuniet’s intellectual fervor and drive for discovery, the process of experimentation and learning how to create something new and wonderful. And I liked the way the court intrigue plot thread wove its way through both the alchemy and the romance plots.
Jones has a knack for writing entertaining books focused on female characters. As with the previous book, all the primary characters are women, and they are all different in personality and how they deal with the world. That is to say, they are not all stamped from the standard Strong Female Character mold. They are all strong, but in different ways. And also weak, but in different ways.
Escapist Rating: 3/4
Recommended for: People who like odd-couple romances, people who like historical lesbians, people who like stories with good female characters
Dis-Recommended for: People who have not read Daughter of Mystery since there are a lot of continuing plot and setting elements
July 5, 2018
A less engaging read than book one. I kept going because I did want to find out what happened, but it left me wanting.
I think the major problem in this book is a lack of focus. I enjoyed seeing Margerit and Barbara again, and if the story had focussed on them and resolving the political intrigue, that might have worked.
I was also charmed by Jeanne - the social butterfly who is, perhaps, starting to age a tad (I think she's just over forty), and Antuniet, the proud young alchemist who opens herself to friendship, family and love. But, I felt some of this story was told not shown, their conflict not as well resolved as the one in Book 1, and it was overall done a disservice by not being the focus of its own book.
There were a lot of threads picked up but not put down, and I honestly couldn't tell if they were plot holes or being left for book three:
- the Arpik title that Barbara purchases
- Iuli's stories - there was one bit with a big deal made of her running out to give a forgotten one to Margerit who tucket it under a carriage seat, and I really thought it would be discovered and proven to reveal...something
- Efrederik's marriage - potential brides are mentioned a few times
- how Jeanne is going to regain her social capital
- why the Emperor of Austria thinks the de Boot book was his, and how Antuniet came to be pursued
- Tio's fate
- what is going to become of Anna
- Barbara's family, including her cousin and new armin
- Antuniet's place in the alchemist/scholar community, especially since she has developed a new method
Plus more that I can't remember because this was a VERY LONG book. A lot of these may be done in Book 3, but it didn't feel finished, if that makes sense - not like little seeds of plot I'm eager to see develop, but more like things that might be resolved if the author remembers.
Things were mentioned, felt important, then were resolved off the page. Overall just quite uneven, and a disappointment after how enthralling book one was.
I think the major problem in this book is a lack of focus. I enjoyed seeing Margerit and Barbara again, and if the story had focussed on them and resolving the political intrigue, that might have worked.
I was also charmed by Jeanne - the social butterfly who is, perhaps, starting to age a tad (I think she's just over forty), and Antuniet, the proud young alchemist who opens herself to friendship, family and love. But, I felt some of this story was told not shown, their conflict not as well resolved as the one in Book 1, and it was overall done a disservice by not being the focus of its own book.
There were a lot of threads picked up but not put down, and I honestly couldn't tell if they were plot holes or being left for book three:
- the Arpik title that Barbara purchases
- Iuli's stories - there was one bit with a big deal made of her running out to give a forgotten one to Margerit who tucket it under a carriage seat, and I really thought it would be discovered and proven to reveal...something
- Efrederik's marriage - potential brides are mentioned a few times
- how Jeanne is going to regain her social capital
- why the Emperor of Austria thinks the de Boot book was his, and how Antuniet came to be pursued
- Tio's fate
- what is going to become of Anna
- Barbara's family, including her cousin and new armin
- Antuniet's place in the alchemist/scholar community, especially since she has developed a new method
Plus more that I can't remember because this was a VERY LONG book. A lot of these may be done in Book 3, but it didn't feel finished, if that makes sense - not like little seeds of plot I'm eager to see develop, but more like things that might be resolved if the author remembers.
Things were mentioned, felt important, then were resolved off the page. Overall just quite uneven, and a disappointment after how enthralling book one was.
July 13, 2017
It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't all that great, either. I didn't read book #1, and this can be read alone, but then again, there were some things that really needed a bit more explaining for this to truly be an independent read, so there was that. And then it was really slow; the kindle app told me it would take about 10 hours to read, and I felt every. single. one. of them. Never so painfully that I wanted to give up, but enough so that I would abruptly stop reading mid-paragraph and wander off to do something more interesting for a while.
But really the biggest flaw, IMHO, was the lack of a plot. I mean, there were things that happened, and there was a ...goal stated at the beginning of the book which was completed by the end, and there were a bunch of side-plot-like events that occurred, but the things that happened often didn't connect back to the main story or get resolved, and some of them that built for most of the book just sort of...diffused in the second half of the book, while others vaguely wafted in to make up the Final Climax of the Book.
I did love the characters, and I mostly enjoyed what I saw of the world-building, and I liked the way the lesbian aspect was handled (it hit a nice zone between permitted and forbidden, or scandalizing and accepted). I just...wanted all the details to lead to an amazing end together, and they did not.
But really the biggest flaw, IMHO, was the lack of a plot. I mean, there were things that happened, and there was a ...goal stated at the beginning of the book which was completed by the end, and there were a bunch of side-plot-like events that occurred, but the things that happened often didn't connect back to the main story or get resolved, and some of them that built for most of the book just sort of...diffused in the second half of the book, while others vaguely wafted in to make up the Final Climax of the Book.
I did love the characters, and I mostly enjoyed what I saw of the world-building, and I liked the way the lesbian aspect was handled (it hit a nice zone between permitted and forbidden, or scandalizing and accepted). I just...wanted all the details to lead to an amazing end together, and they did not.
February 20, 2022
It says a lot about how good this series is as I'm loving each of them even though I'm reading them all out of order. I started with Floodtide and now I've just finished The Mystic Marriage. I would describe the Mystic Marriage more as a historical fantasy with a strong subplot of romance than a fantasy romance. I knew this from Floodtide so I was more than ready but I fear that readers looking purely for romance with fantasy might miss this gem for what it is.
We follow four POVs, Margerite and Barbara, the main characters of the previous novel Daughter of Mystery, and Jeanne and Antuniet, who apparently appear on the previous one but now take a much more active role. Antuniet is an alchemist and is trying to restore her family's honour, Jeanne is a Comtesse that dabbles in event organising while she is not the enjoying the life of the nobility in Rotenek. Margerite is the thaumaturgist of the court which means that she alters the flow of Mass to create miracles with the help of Saints (this is where the magic comes from, and the alchemy - what can I say? it works really well) and Barbara is her ex-bodyguard now Baroness. They all have their intrigues and sub-plots and of course, you follow the going-on of the court, who has a new Princess at the helm.
Completely engrossing, Jones writes a fascinating story and of course, I'm gonna read the rest.
We follow four POVs, Margerite and Barbara, the main characters of the previous novel Daughter of Mystery, and Jeanne and Antuniet, who apparently appear on the previous one but now take a much more active role. Antuniet is an alchemist and is trying to restore her family's honour, Jeanne is a Comtesse that dabbles in event organising while she is not the enjoying the life of the nobility in Rotenek. Margerite is the thaumaturgist of the court which means that she alters the flow of Mass to create miracles with the help of Saints (this is where the magic comes from, and the alchemy - what can I say? it works really well) and Barbara is her ex-bodyguard now Baroness. They all have their intrigues and sub-plots and of course, you follow the going-on of the court, who has a new Princess at the helm.
Completely engrossing, Jones writes a fascinating story and of course, I'm gonna read the rest.
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