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Magic and Manners
It is a truth universally accepted that well-bred members of Society are not beleaguered with magic.
For Elsabeth Dover and her sisters, that truth means living in a perpetual state of caution, never using their sorcerous gifts in public. Elsabeth chafes under the stricture, but not enough to risk the possibility of good marriages for her sisters...until she meets handsome, arrogant Fitzgerald Archer.
Elsabeth, attracted to Archer's wit and offended by his manner, strives to keep her youngest, impetuous sister's use of magic in check so that their eldest sister, Rosamund, might find happiness with Archer's wealthy friend Mr Webber. But when Elsa fails to keep young Leopoldina in line, Archer's disapproval of the family taint means an abrupt end to Rosamund's hopes, and leads to a terrible discovery about the price of magic....
For Elsabeth Dover and her sisters, that truth means living in a perpetual state of caution, never using their sorcerous gifts in public. Elsabeth chafes under the stricture, but not enough to risk the possibility of good marriages for her sisters...until she meets handsome, arrogant Fitzgerald Archer.
Elsabeth, attracted to Archer's wit and offended by his manner, strives to keep her youngest, impetuous sister's use of magic in check so that their eldest sister, Rosamund, might find happiness with Archer's wealthy friend Mr Webber. But when Elsa fails to keep young Leopoldina in line, Archer's disapproval of the family taint means an abrupt end to Rosamund's hopes, and leads to a terrible discovery about the price of magic....
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2016
32 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Murphy
97 books1,795 followersCE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 10, 2016
A lot of authors get the impulse to remake a Jane Austen novel. That impulse should almost always be resisted. Including this one, though I'll cut it a break for at least not being awful. I was particularly annoyed at the beginning of this novel while the story remained more-or-less in sync with Pride and Prejudice. As the storyline diverges more from the original novel, the more interesting it became, though I was never fully drawn in.
The biggest problem I had was the presence of didactic elements that nearly overwhelm the story. The novel fairly drips with progressive ideology and all the sympathetic characters possess remarkably modern sensibilities as regards class, politics, and imperialism. Murphy even works a lesbian couple into the mix to show how broad-minded all the right-thinking people are. This intrusion is particularly awkward near the end with a testimony scene during a dance where all the right-thinkers get to testify to the importance of tolerance (of magic, specifically, but also in condemnation of (male) class privilege). Whether you are sympathetic to progressive politics or not, this was a pretty heavy-handed intrusion into a well-loved, and mostly politically neutral, story. When Archer (Darcy) talks about revolutionizing attitudes towards magic by taking a public stand, well, that was just weird.
So what kept me going to the end? Mostly I just liked Elsabeth. This isn't a surprise given the sympathetic source material, but that's pretty much what kept me invested enough in the story to plod to the end. Which is remarkable because Murphy makes that oh-so-very-common mistake of making Archer (Darcy) a big fat jerk through the first half of the novel with a giant flip/reformation after Elsabeth rejects his proposal. We get private viewpoints that make his active disdain explicit and remove Austen's light hand that allows a reread to see him in a softer light.
Oh, and the magic didn't suck, either. Despite the rather clichéd "keeping magic secret because <reason>" it was interesting and informed the story more or less interestingly. It didn't hurt that it was the single biggest factor dragging the plot out of the Austen rut and thus giving Murphy scope to showcase her imagination and craft. I picked this book up because I like some of Murphy's other work and hoped she'd let that manifest in useful ways in her treatment of Austen. I wish she had broken out more, but as it stands, this element of the story, at least, was well-thought and interesting.
In the end, this feels like it may have been an excuse for the author to wrap a politically progressive polemic into a familiar, well-loved story. And while I've always regarded Austen as a kind of proto-feminist, jumping the attitudes two centuries ahead threw them into too high a relief and made them feel not so much out of place as outright alien. It's bad enough when all the good people think the same way about the same things, but it's particularly jarring when those things are two hundred years out of place. I'm leaving this at three stars, but that's undoubtedly generous for all the trouble I had. I did finish the story and didn't have any trouble engaging with Elsabeth and Archer and even knowing the inevitable outline, Murphy kept it fresh enough that the ride was entertaining enough.
A note about the series: This is flagged as a series, so I assume that Murphy plans more in this universe and/or more Austen-based storylines. I'll not be eager to sign-up for it, based on this novel. While adequate, barely, it isn't something I'll be eager to repeat.
The biggest problem I had was the presence of didactic elements that nearly overwhelm the story. The novel fairly drips with progressive ideology and all the sympathetic characters possess remarkably modern sensibilities as regards class, politics, and imperialism. Murphy even works a lesbian couple into the mix to show how broad-minded all the right-thinking people are. This intrusion is particularly awkward near the end with a testimony scene during a dance where all the right-thinkers get to testify to the importance of tolerance (of magic, specifically, but also in condemnation of (male) class privilege). Whether you are sympathetic to progressive politics or not, this was a pretty heavy-handed intrusion into a well-loved, and mostly politically neutral, story. When Archer (Darcy) talks about revolutionizing attitudes towards magic by taking a public stand, well, that was just weird.
So what kept me going to the end? Mostly I just liked Elsabeth. This isn't a surprise given the sympathetic source material, but that's pretty much what kept me invested enough in the story to plod to the end. Which is remarkable because Murphy makes that oh-so-very-common mistake of making Archer (Darcy) a big fat jerk through the first half of the novel with a giant flip/reformation after Elsabeth rejects his proposal. We get private viewpoints that make his active disdain explicit and remove Austen's light hand that allows a reread to see him in a softer light.
Oh, and the magic didn't suck, either. Despite the rather clichéd "keeping magic secret because <reason>" it was interesting and informed the story more or less interestingly. It didn't hurt that it was the single biggest factor dragging the plot out of the Austen rut and thus giving Murphy scope to showcase her imagination and craft. I picked this book up because I like some of Murphy's other work and hoped she'd let that manifest in useful ways in her treatment of Austen. I wish she had broken out more, but as it stands, this element of the story, at least, was well-thought and interesting.
In the end, this feels like it may have been an excuse for the author to wrap a politically progressive polemic into a familiar, well-loved story. And while I've always regarded Austen as a kind of proto-feminist, jumping the attitudes two centuries ahead threw them into too high a relief and made them feel not so much out of place as outright alien. It's bad enough when all the good people think the same way about the same things, but it's particularly jarring when those things are two hundred years out of place. I'm leaving this at three stars, but that's undoubtedly generous for all the trouble I had. I did finish the story and didn't have any trouble engaging with Elsabeth and Archer and even knowing the inevitable outline, Murphy kept it fresh enough that the ride was entertaining enough.
A note about the series: This is flagged as a series, so I assume that Murphy plans more in this universe and/or more Austen-based storylines. I'll not be eager to sign-up for it, based on this novel. While adequate, barely, it isn't something I'll be eager to repeat.
April 3, 2016
I didn't think I was going to be all that excited by this book, since I'm not a big fan of regencies (although I am a big fan of CE Murphy, which is why I bought it anyway). Holy crap was I wrong! I loved, loved, loved this book! The family dynamics, the magic, even the Regency stuff I don't usually enjoy--fabulous! I was sorry when it was over.
March 4, 2016
This is a Jane Austen knockoff, let's say that upfront. I enjoyed it immensely.
The Dover family lives at Oakton in circumstances that will be remarkably familiar to readers of Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Mr. Dover's family has a secret that could ruin them: Magic runs in the Dover line, and the five daughters are afflicted by it. That is why they live quietly in the country rather than in town. This may not be enough.
The five daughters are Rosamunde, Elsabeth, Ruth, Matilda, and Leopoldina. When Mr Robert Webber moves into the neighborhood, with his sisters Julia Webber and Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Gibbs, and his friend Fitzgerald Archer, familiar events follow--with differences. Magic makes a very great difference. The fact that this is an alternate world where English gentry and nobility intermarry with gentry and nobility from the kingdoms of Africa makes a less obviously dramatic difference.
There's little point in talking about the plot, since it's very familiar. Murphy does some interesting things with it, though. I always thought there was a better outcome available, and a fairly obvious one, for the middle daughter. Murphy clearly agreed! It's nicely handled, and you will wind up liking Ruth a great deal more than Mary.
There's also another interesting development, that I hesitate to discuss too directly as it would be a spoiler. I'll just say that the phrase "Boston marriage' applies.
This is light, fun, and entertaining.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audible in exchange for an honest review.
The Dover family lives at Oakton in circumstances that will be remarkably familiar to readers of Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Mr. Dover's family has a secret that could ruin them: Magic runs in the Dover line, and the five daughters are afflicted by it. That is why they live quietly in the country rather than in town. This may not be enough.
The five daughters are Rosamunde, Elsabeth, Ruth, Matilda, and Leopoldina. When Mr Robert Webber moves into the neighborhood, with his sisters Julia Webber and Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Gibbs, and his friend Fitzgerald Archer, familiar events follow--with differences. Magic makes a very great difference. The fact that this is an alternate world where English gentry and nobility intermarry with gentry and nobility from the kingdoms of Africa makes a less obviously dramatic difference.
There's little point in talking about the plot, since it's very familiar. Murphy does some interesting things with it, though. I always thought there was a better outcome available, and a fairly obvious one, for the middle daughter. Murphy clearly agreed! It's nicely handled, and you will wind up liking Ruth a great deal more than Mary.
There's also another interesting development, that I hesitate to discuss too directly as it would be a spoiler. I'll just say that the phrase "Boston marriage' applies.
This is light, fun, and entertaining.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audible in exchange for an honest review.
could-not-finish
October 10, 2017I could not finish this book. I love the author, but this book seemed close to the original maybe too close because it was distracting and I had to force myself to pick up the book. Maybe if I would have given it more time I would have liked it? Who knows.
July 1, 2020
Elsabeth Dover is the second oldest of five sisters and has—gasp, horrors—dirty, filthy magic. When the nearby Newsbury Manor is let by the handsome and single Mr Webber, things begin to take on a rather familiar tone.
1. Yep, this is Pride & Prejudice meets magic.
2. Yep, that's right up my usual alley.
3. Yep, I have plenty of complaints.
4. Here's the thing: if you're going to retell Jane Austen and you're going to change things, I as the reader need to understand why you're changing things. This starts on page one, when we're introduced to the 'Dovers' (Bennets) who live in 'Oakden' (Longbourn). The sisters are Rosamund (Jane); Elsabeth (Elizabeth); Ruth (Mary); Matilda, or 'Tildy' (Katherine, Kitty); and Leopaldina, or 'Dina' (Lydia). Everyone and everything gets a new name, and there doesn't seem to be any particular reasoning for why the names had to be changed in the first place. It's not like the new names offer any additional insight into the ~world of magic~ the Dovers/Bennets live in. The new names don't do anything except add an (unnecessary) layer of disconnect from a story that has borrowed its entire foundations from Austen.
The faux names just feel like that cheap coat of paint apartment managers slap over poorly patched walls in the budget rooms they're letting.
5. So here's the thing, part two: Murphy does an interesting thing by asking the question What if the Bennets had magic? How would that impact and shape their story, in a society that discourages and looks down on magic? And then...doesn't go much further than that. I can forgive some of the lack of world-building on the front end: I don't necessarily care why the world has determined that magic-holders are of a lower class than those without (especially when it would seem to me that those with magic would be able to easily overpower those without) when Elizabeth Bennet is about to render Fitzwilliam Darcy foolish with her fine eyes and saucy wit. So that's fine.
What's less fine is how the story progresses and breaks away from the original and begins to develop its own momentum—only to be repeatedly hobbled by its need to touch upon so many of Austen's existing plot points. This is especially egregious when the narrative does a decent job of portraying how things (rightfully) differ from our expectations. Would selfish, energetic Lydia court disaster by flaunting her gift of magic to gain additional attention from the regiment? Probably. Would Elizabeth Bennet, had she magic, display that power when provoked to do so by the prideful, patronizing proposal of Fitzwilliam Darcy in a society that ostracizes magic? Sure, maybe. And those decisions result in changes to the flow of the story: Lydia is saved by Wickham but smears her family's name enough that the Bingleys leave the neighborhood and the Bennets isolate themselves to allow the rumors to die down; and Darcy encourages Elizabeth to use her magic in order to save her ailing sister.
These? make sense. They follow the the premise of "How Do Bennets + Magic Work Out?"—but they're immediately undermined when the story turns a new corner and . . . finds itself right back at Austen's original address, having extremely familiar conversations about love, or ruin, or gratitude, or what-have-you. Why change so much if you're going to return to the scene of the crime? WE GOT IT ON TAPE. YOUR GROUCHO GLASSES DON'T WORK HERE.
6. There's also this sensation of........"fixing" elements of Austen that is likely a SUPER PERSONAL REACTION to the text that I want to acknowledge because it may just be me. But reading the oh-so-familiar proposal only to have Elizabeth / Elsabeth diverge for seemingly no reason related to magic or other plot points but instead to better ~put [Darcy] in his place~ feels especially disingenuous.
7. I want to close by acknowledging that I love me a good Austen retelling, retooling, or adaptation. I think Austen has a lot to say about humans grooving on other humans and does so with a lot of wit, class, and sass. I think capturing the essence of her stories is doable, even if the names, places, and roadmarkers are adjusted to make way for different eras, new twists, and other scenarios. But I think that to be truly successful, these Austen homages need to understand the heart of the thing.
1. Yep, this is Pride & Prejudice meets magic.
2. Yep, that's right up my usual alley.
3. Yep, I have plenty of complaints.
4. Here's the thing: if you're going to retell Jane Austen and you're going to change things, I as the reader need to understand why you're changing things. This starts on page one, when we're introduced to the 'Dovers' (Bennets) who live in 'Oakden' (Longbourn). The sisters are Rosamund (Jane); Elsabeth (Elizabeth); Ruth (Mary); Matilda, or 'Tildy' (Katherine, Kitty); and Leopaldina, or 'Dina' (Lydia). Everyone and everything gets a new name, and there doesn't seem to be any particular reasoning for why the names had to be changed in the first place. It's not like the new names offer any additional insight into the ~world of magic~ the Dovers/Bennets live in. The new names don't do anything except add an (unnecessary) layer of disconnect from a story that has borrowed its entire foundations from Austen.
The faux names just feel like that cheap coat of paint apartment managers slap over poorly patched walls in the budget rooms they're letting.
5. So here's the thing, part two: Murphy does an interesting thing by asking the question What if the Bennets had magic? How would that impact and shape their story, in a society that discourages and looks down on magic? And then...doesn't go much further than that. I can forgive some of the lack of world-building on the front end: I don't necessarily care why the world has determined that magic-holders are of a lower class than those without (especially when it would seem to me that those with magic would be able to easily overpower those without) when Elizabeth Bennet is about to render Fitzwilliam Darcy foolish with her fine eyes and saucy wit. So that's fine.
What's less fine is how the story progresses and breaks away from the original and begins to develop its own momentum—only to be repeatedly hobbled by its need to touch upon so many of Austen's existing plot points. This is especially egregious when the narrative does a decent job of portraying how things (rightfully) differ from our expectations. Would selfish, energetic Lydia court disaster by flaunting her gift of magic to gain additional attention from the regiment? Probably. Would Elizabeth Bennet, had she magic, display that power when provoked to do so by the prideful, patronizing proposal of Fitzwilliam Darcy in a society that ostracizes magic? Sure, maybe. And those decisions result in changes to the flow of the story: Lydia is saved by Wickham but smears her family's name enough that the Bingleys leave the neighborhood and the Bennets isolate themselves to allow the rumors to die down; and Darcy encourages Elizabeth to use her magic in order to save her ailing sister.
These? make sense. They follow the the premise of "How Do Bennets + Magic Work Out?"—but they're immediately undermined when the story turns a new corner and . . . finds itself right back at Austen's original address, having extremely familiar conversations about love, or ruin, or gratitude, or what-have-you. Why change so much if you're going to return to the scene of the crime? WE GOT IT ON TAPE. YOUR GROUCHO GLASSES DON'T WORK HERE.
6. There's also this sensation of........"fixing" elements of Austen that is likely a SUPER PERSONAL REACTION to the text that I want to acknowledge because it may just be me. But reading the oh-so-familiar proposal only to have Elizabeth / Elsabeth diverge for seemingly no reason related to magic or other plot points but instead to better ~put [Darcy] in his place~ feels especially disingenuous.
7. I want to close by acknowledging that I love me a good Austen retelling, retooling, or adaptation. I think Austen has a lot to say about humans grooving on other humans and does so with a lot of wit, class, and sass. I think capturing the essence of her stories is doable, even if the names, places, and roadmarkers are adjusted to make way for different eras, new twists, and other scenarios. But I think that to be truly successful, these Austen homages need to understand the heart of the thing.
May 6, 2016
Beyond perfect
This is the best retellings ever - so much that my review can't make it justice!!!!
The author fixed ALL that perplexed me in the original work - every character, even the 'villains' are fleshed out and full of lights and shadows.
There is diversity!!! Guys, Darcy is of African heritage!!! There are no colonies in America because the League of Iroquois kicked their butts out of North America!!! The African kingdoms are alive and thriving!
AND! *spoilers*
There is LGBT representation!!! Because nobody really wanted poor Charlotte to be stuck with Mr Collins - Miss Bingley is far better instead!!
All the women characters are STRONG! Are independent! They take names and kick butts and even Lydia becomes scarily good - selfish and immature, but powerful and manipulative!
I feel like going every line and highlight there whole book because this alternate universe retellings might not be book we wanted BUT ITS THE BOOK WE NEED as educated 21th century readers of such a classic!!!
This is the best retellings ever - so much that my review can't make it justice!!!!
The author fixed ALL that perplexed me in the original work - every character, even the 'villains' are fleshed out and full of lights and shadows.
There is diversity!!! Guys, Darcy is of African heritage!!! There are no colonies in America because the League of Iroquois kicked their butts out of North America!!! The African kingdoms are alive and thriving!
AND! *spoilers*
There is LGBT representation!!! Because nobody really wanted poor Charlotte to be stuck with Mr Collins - Miss Bingley is far better instead!!
All the women characters are STRONG! Are independent! They take names and kick butts and even Lydia becomes scarily good - selfish and immature, but powerful and manipulative!
I feel like going every line and highlight there whole book because this alternate universe retellings might not be book we wanted BUT ITS THE BOOK WE NEED as educated 21th century readers of such a classic!!!
August 4, 2019
Oh, how I adore this book. I have always enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, and Murphy has a way with words that captivates me. I quite love the twist of magic on the traditional PP story, but I also love that magic is somewhat secondary to the overall story. We have all the familiar characters represented here in new form, many of whom are more fleshed out than the caricatures they were based on. Murphy even fills out some of the servants' personalities and backgrounds, not willing to leave them all as story furniture. Her story does not follow the exact path laid out in PP, and with the way her characters are written, I am glad it doesn't. Murphy's Magic and Manners is much more satisfying to me, with more beloved characters finding happy circumstances and a particularly satisfying event concerning our rakish villain. This novel stands well on its own, but there are enough potential threads to explore that if Murphy feels up to writing and publishing more Austen Chronicle books, I would be delighted to read them.
Edited to add: I just finished a reread by audiobook, and the narrator was wonderful! I still love this book!
Second edit: Relistened to the audiobook. This has become one of my favorite books ever. I love it.
Edited to add: I just finished a reread by audiobook, and the narrator was wonderful! I still love this book!
Second edit: Relistened to the audiobook. This has become one of my favorite books ever. I love it.
May 8, 2016
A thoroughly enjoyable read! I can't wait to see what happens next!
February 24, 2016
Yet again I have to characterize a book as "nice", and it's killing me to say so. It's a nice read, peeps, but it doesn't deliver much excitement. It's pretty much Pride & Prejudice with a couple of different twists and a tiny bit of magic to spice things up. Overall it's a failed promise of all the things it could have been.
It might be just a tiny personal grudge on my behalf, but if you are creating a universe with alternative history of 19th century England where magic while still frowned upon in high society, is real and practiced, you might want to make it a bigger part of the plot.
Instead we are going through the phases of Pride & Prejudice with slightly changed names and slightly changed plot where here and there magic is thrown in to encourage the characters to think and act beyond what's expected of them.
I was surprised by it because I picked this book up solely on the strength of C.E. Murphy's name. I remember her urban fantasy as gritty and dark, and I at least expected some sort of reflection of it in Magic & Manners.
Alas, it's merely a pleasant read, but if you crave something a bit stronger and more twisted, try Sorcerer to the Crown or Shades of Milk and Honey instead.
Magic & Manners is quiet and unassuming and perfectly lovely. The characterization is full of depth and charm. I actually enjoyed all the sisters, and their friends and admirers.The countryside descriptions are idyllic and come to life easily while listening to the superb narrator. If you like your alternative history not to became a historical fantasy with paranormal elements, this book will be more to your liking. Unfortunately, I am used to stronger stuff in my fiction, and I found it lacking.
Still, recommended, with some reservations.
It might be just a tiny personal grudge on my behalf, but if you are creating a universe with alternative history of 19th century England where magic while still frowned upon in high society, is real and practiced, you might want to make it a bigger part of the plot.
Instead we are going through the phases of Pride & Prejudice with slightly changed names and slightly changed plot where here and there magic is thrown in to encourage the characters to think and act beyond what's expected of them.
I was surprised by it because I picked this book up solely on the strength of C.E. Murphy's name. I remember her urban fantasy as gritty and dark, and I at least expected some sort of reflection of it in Magic & Manners.
Alas, it's merely a pleasant read, but if you crave something a bit stronger and more twisted, try Sorcerer to the Crown or Shades of Milk and Honey instead.
Magic & Manners is quiet and unassuming and perfectly lovely. The characterization is full of depth and charm. I actually enjoyed all the sisters, and their friends and admirers.The countryside descriptions are idyllic and come to life easily while listening to the superb narrator. If you like your alternative history not to became a historical fantasy with paranormal elements, this book will be more to your liking. Unfortunately, I am used to stronger stuff in my fiction, and I found it lacking.
Still, recommended, with some reservations.
March 13, 2016
First, this ISBN is for an e-book, which is what I read, rather than a paperback, which is what is listed in the description.
Second, I characterized it as SFF, but it's more fantasy because there's magic.
Third, I've not read Pride & Prejudice, but I've read darn near everything else written by C.E. Murphy and have been one of her Kickstarter supporters for other projects.
Okay, all that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were some weird editing tics in the e-version I read, such as a missing chunk in some dialogue from the end of one page to the start of another and random dashes at the end of a line or in the midst of one, but I was able to ignore them for the most part.
I wanted to smack Leopoldina HARD into next week throughout the entire book (yes, including the end). I loved watching Ruth blossom, and I saw Sophie's story coming as soon as she met the Webbers. Elsabeth was quite saucy and fun, and seemed very genuine.
There is mention made of Archer having African features, and later mention of him being 1/4 African, and others of his family have descriptions that indicate they could also be black (Lady Beatrice has umber skin). I think I like that this was very matter-of-fact and not explicitly spelled out, but rather presented as "this is completely unremarkable, of course the hero is a person of color."
Second, I characterized it as SFF, but it's more fantasy because there's magic.
Third, I've not read Pride & Prejudice, but I've read darn near everything else written by C.E. Murphy and have been one of her Kickstarter supporters for other projects.
Okay, all that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were some weird editing tics in the e-version I read, such as a missing chunk in some dialogue from the end of one page to the start of another and random dashes at the end of a line or in the midst of one, but I was able to ignore them for the most part.
I wanted to smack Leopoldina HARD into next week throughout the entire book (yes, including the end). I loved watching Ruth blossom, and I saw Sophie's story coming as soon as she met the Webbers. Elsabeth was quite saucy and fun, and seemed very genuine.
There is mention made of Archer having African features, and later mention of him being 1/4 African, and others of his family have descriptions that indicate they could also be black (Lady Beatrice has umber skin). I think I like that this was very matter-of-fact and not explicitly spelled out, but rather presented as "this is completely unremarkable, of course the hero is a person of color."
June 20, 2016
More tribute than retelling -- the plot is blow-by-blow Pride and Prejudice to the point where I was expecting certain lines in certain places, and felt disappointed when they were different. (Not unlike when I'm watching a film version and the scriptwriter has taken liberties with the original text.) The magical element is fun, the writing is a surprisingly convincing facsimile of Austen, but there are almost no real surprises. I read CE Murphy for her characters, but in Magic and Manners it is virtually impossible to separate them from their originals.
March 8, 2016
I really like how it maintains the P&P story but gives a twist for a happier happily ever after.
February 19, 2019
I thought there'd be more magic and less manners.
November 29, 2018
I've read more renditions of P&P than I probably should have and know the story inside out and backwards and forwards. Many retellings tread entirely too close to the original source material (which is fine for a movie, but in a book inspired by another book you do wish for a little more variety, else you could just read the same old thing instead). I'm happy to report that while the beginnings of Magic and Manners did perhaps follow the same time-worn footsteps a little too closely for me, the book did eventually make the tale its own. It's basically Price and Prejudice With Magic, but has the addition of taking the liberty to address the plot in a few new twists - everyone has new names, which isn't what I mean, but the story doesn't feel the need to follow the exact outcome and solutions as the source material.
That said, I do feel that the book could have diverged even more from the source material and perhaps have been even better for it. Additionally, the story that was set up was left feeling rather unfinished. I see now it is the first book in the "Austen chronicles" or some such, but I'm uncertain if that means a continuation of this story (which it desires) or simply more retellings of other Austen works. There was a great deal of things that smacked of an actually deeper plot which were simply mentioned and never again examined, and I think in that sticking to the general outline of P&P hurt M&M because it didn't quite feel the need to reach for the heights it shyly offered up.
Additionally there's the usual problem with this sort of knowledge of far too stilted language - I know it's a product of the time the book was set in, but a lot of the time it didn't feel like the characters were genuinely speaking as people would have done even back then. Austen, while her characters were occasionally stilted as their times demanded, had a way of making them seem like genuinely relatable people saying things that people would actually say. While I did enjoy the book, sometimes Murphy's dialogue got a bit weary after a while.
One thing I do have to praise is that there was a lesbian relationship (not the main relationship) although I do wish it had been given a little more focus, since we got point of views from those two characters but they never quite explicitly addressed what was going on until the final few chapters. It was nice to see, regardless.
That said, I do feel that the book could have diverged even more from the source material and perhaps have been even better for it. Additionally, the story that was set up was left feeling rather unfinished. I see now it is the first book in the "Austen chronicles" or some such, but I'm uncertain if that means a continuation of this story (which it desires) or simply more retellings of other Austen works. There was a great deal of things that smacked of an actually deeper plot which were simply mentioned and never again examined, and I think in that sticking to the general outline of P&P hurt M&M because it didn't quite feel the need to reach for the heights it shyly offered up.
Additionally there's the usual problem with this sort of knowledge of far too stilted language - I know it's a product of the time the book was set in, but a lot of the time it didn't feel like the characters were genuinely speaking as people would have done even back then. Austen, while her characters were occasionally stilted as their times demanded, had a way of making them seem like genuinely relatable people saying things that people would actually say. While I did enjoy the book, sometimes Murphy's dialogue got a bit weary after a while.
One thing I do have to praise is that there was a lesbian relationship (not the main relationship) although I do wish it had been given a little more focus, since we got point of views from those two characters but they never quite explicitly addressed what was going on until the final few chapters. It was nice to see, regardless.
May 19, 2019
I can not even begin to convey my depth of dismay at this Pride and Prejudice retelling.
In this version the Bennet sisters are all afflicted with magic (which is just a terrible horrible thing to have). They never have to train to use it, never explains where it is from or why, all we know is it is shameful. But that of course that doesn’t stop us from it. How could a proper man marry someone thus afflicted?
The author tried to reimagine the scenes and while trying to be true to the original dialogue altered it in such a way it was unpleasing. Elizabeth Bennet (Elsa in this version) comes off as a horrible witch. (With a capital B). Darcy (Archer in this version) expresses interest in her very early and she just can’t be bothered. She is horrible and in my opinion ruined the character.
I kept reading trying to figure out where it was going with this magic thread and really it goes no where. Elsa had to warm her sister who was too cold (oh my).
There are some modern updates to those wishing the story to be a bit more inclusive. Darcy is a POC, Miss Bingly & Charlotte (Miss Webber & Sophia in this version) are in a LGBT relationship.
Again completely disappointed, don’t waste your time.
In this version the Bennet sisters are all afflicted with magic (which is just a terrible horrible thing to have). They never have to train to use it, never explains where it is from or why, all we know is it is shameful. But that of course that doesn’t stop us from it. How could a proper man marry someone thus afflicted?
The author tried to reimagine the scenes and while trying to be true to the original dialogue altered it in such a way it was unpleasing. Elizabeth Bennet (Elsa in this version) comes off as a horrible witch. (With a capital B). Darcy (Archer in this version) expresses interest in her very early and she just can’t be bothered. She is horrible and in my opinion ruined the character.
I kept reading trying to figure out where it was going with this magic thread and really it goes no where. Elsa had to warm her sister who was too cold (oh my).
There are some modern updates to those wishing the story to be a bit more inclusive. Darcy is a POC, Miss Bingly & Charlotte (Miss Webber & Sophia in this version) are in a LGBT relationship.
Again completely disappointed, don’t waste your time.
August 4, 2019
2.5 rounded up to 3 only for the scene where Charlotte gives Darcy a come-uppance. That was the best part of this book.
I read a lot of JAFF, and I've read this author's Urban Shaman books, so when I heard about this book, I was excited to read it and my expectations were pretty high. Maybe too high. I really wanted to like this book, but it moved too slow and felt like a chore to read. (IMHO, in JAFF, when following the original storyline so closely, authors do readers no favors when they change the names of the characters so completely as to make it an exercise in mapping the characters to read. )
For as rollicking as the idea could have been, it stayed too close to the original plot but without the same character chemistry.
It did pick up the last quarter of the book, but too little, too late for me. Thinking I might have enjoyed this better if it had been placed in a more modern / urban setting, but even that wouldn't get past the lack of connecting to the characters.
I read a lot of JAFF, and I've read this author's Urban Shaman books, so when I heard about this book, I was excited to read it and my expectations were pretty high. Maybe too high. I really wanted to like this book, but it moved too slow and felt like a chore to read. (IMHO, in JAFF, when following the original storyline so closely, authors do readers no favors when they change the names of the characters so completely as to make it an exercise in mapping the characters to read. )
For as rollicking as the idea could have been, it stayed too close to the original plot but without the same character chemistry.
It did pick up the last quarter of the book, but too little, too late for me. Thinking I might have enjoyed this better if it had been placed in a more modern / urban setting, but even that wouldn't get past the lack of connecting to the characters.
Read
January 6, 2020DNF at about two chapters in. I'm usually the first person to enjoy Austen profics or riffs on Pride and Prejudice, but something about the mashup of this (character's names are different, personalities are different as required for plot, magic is involved but ALSO we're going to lift entire passages/quotes wholesale from the original text)...it just felt like a confusing mishmash to me, like the author really just wanted to write Pride and Prejudice fanfic with magic but wanted the "credit" for creating more original characters? W/e, it was weird/offputting.
August 17, 2019
Take pride and prejudice, mix with magic, some pronto-feminism, add a scoop of lgbt representation, and an African Darcy, and it’s a recipe for delight.
March 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this retelling of P&P with magic. It had the charm of the original and some definite differences. Usually I read these and I want to immediately read the original. This time I think I am good. I like the changes, the romance was delicious and it was entertaining!
March 18, 2016
quite the best Austen tribute I've read
So many reinterpretations of P & P seem to go astray. Either their authors alter the plot or characters to the point where they're unrecognizable, or the authors lack a true understanding of Austen's time, society or intentions and the reader can't help but wince painfully as she reads.
C E Murphy is an exception to the rule, as she manages to change enough of the story, but not too much. Her versions of Austen's characters remain much the same sort of people as in P& P, though with a few major exceptions:
Lady Derrington (Lady Anne de Bourgh) and Miss Persephone (Georgianna Darcy) have different personalities, while Miss Webber (Miss Bingley) and Miss Enton (Charlotte Lucas) have the same basic personalities, but one different trait.
None of these changes materially affect the story, though the final ones do: Murphy takes her greatest liberties with the book by introducing magic in society and making Elsabeth (Elizabeth Bennett) a feminist. In Murphy's England, magical ability carries a social taint, offering interesting opportunities for Murphy to make changes both to the plot and to the characters' interactions at certain points.
Then, too, by making magical ability a worldwide phenomenon, Murphy also creates an alternate history. In this timeline, neither America nor Africa were lost to Europe, rather both remained under the rule of their own peoples. Africans and Europeans of the same social standing inter-married, and African blood carried no social stigma in British society. These changes seemed rather more gratuitous to me, as they had so little real impact in the story, but perhaps they were necessary for later books?
At any rate, Murphy's handling of magic gives the story a larger scope and room to write more about the characters, without doing damage to Austen's perfect gem. I'm curious about whether Murphy next writes an extension of this story, or tackles one of Austen's other works instead.
So many reinterpretations of P & P seem to go astray. Either their authors alter the plot or characters to the point where they're unrecognizable, or the authors lack a true understanding of Austen's time, society or intentions and the reader can't help but wince painfully as she reads.
C E Murphy is an exception to the rule, as she manages to change enough of the story, but not too much. Her versions of Austen's characters remain much the same sort of people as in P& P, though with a few major exceptions:
Lady Derrington (Lady Anne de Bourgh) and Miss Persephone (Georgianna Darcy) have different personalities, while Miss Webber (Miss Bingley) and Miss Enton (Charlotte Lucas) have the same basic personalities, but one different trait.
None of these changes materially affect the story, though the final ones do: Murphy takes her greatest liberties with the book by introducing magic in society and making Elsabeth (Elizabeth Bennett) a feminist. In Murphy's England, magical ability carries a social taint, offering interesting opportunities for Murphy to make changes both to the plot and to the characters' interactions at certain points.
Then, too, by making magical ability a worldwide phenomenon, Murphy also creates an alternate history. In this timeline, neither America nor Africa were lost to Europe, rather both remained under the rule of their own peoples. Africans and Europeans of the same social standing inter-married, and African blood carried no social stigma in British society. These changes seemed rather more gratuitous to me, as they had so little real impact in the story, but perhaps they were necessary for later books?
At any rate, Murphy's handling of magic gives the story a larger scope and room to write more about the characters, without doing damage to Austen's perfect gem. I'm curious about whether Murphy next writes an extension of this story, or tackles one of Austen's other works instead.
December 25, 2017
It is a truth universally accepted that well-bred members of Society are not beleaguered with magic.
For Elsabeth Dover and her sisters, that truth means living in a perpetual state of caution, never using their sorcerous gifts in public. Elsabeth chafes under the stricture, but not enough to risk the possibility of good marriages for her sisters...until she meets handsome, arrogant Fitzgerald Archer.
Elsabeth, attracted to Archer's wit and offended by his manner, strives to keep her youngest, impetuous sister's use of magic in check so that their eldest sister, Rosamund, might find happiness with Archer's wealthy friend Mr Webber.
a lovely retelling of/homage to Pride & Prejuidice, this book is charming, witty and a real pleasure (which is high praise from a reader who dislikes Austen's original)
For Elsabeth Dover and her sisters, that truth means living in a perpetual state of caution, never using their sorcerous gifts in public. Elsabeth chafes under the stricture, but not enough to risk the possibility of good marriages for her sisters...until she meets handsome, arrogant Fitzgerald Archer.
Elsabeth, attracted to Archer's wit and offended by his manner, strives to keep her youngest, impetuous sister's use of magic in check so that their eldest sister, Rosamund, might find happiness with Archer's wealthy friend Mr Webber.
a lovely retelling of/homage to Pride & Prejuidice, this book is charming, witty and a real pleasure (which is high praise from a reader who dislikes Austen's original)
May 7, 2016
This was an engaging historical with magic. The five Dover sisters are burdened with magic. The also have a silly mother who has big ambitions for her daughters. They have a loving father who also has magic. The story is mostly told from the viewpoint of the second sister who is Elsabeth.
Her mother's hopes are raised when a new family - the Webbers - move to the estate next door. Mr. Webber is accompanied by his sisters, his brother-in-law, and his good friend Mr. Archer. Mrs. Dover sees two potential suitors for her daughters. The oldest sister Rosamund falls for Mr. Webber and Elsabeth is in turn put off by Mr. Archer's haughty stance. However, magic is not at all acceptable in the upper classes and the taint of it may make the girls unmarriageable. Hiding it becomes increasingly difficult when the youngest daughter, who is very vain and self-absorbed, uses magic to attract the attention of a handsome soldier named Captain Hartnell who is a cad of the highest order.
First, a misunderstanding separates Rosamund and Mr. Webber. Then a misplaced proposal separates Mr. Archer from Elsabeth. Then a scandal created by the youngest daughter Dina threatens the security of the whole family. Along the way Elsabeth learns more about magic in general and becomes incensed that society keeps her from using it. I loved the way Elsabeth grew through the story.
This was a great story with fascinating characters, sly humor, and romance.
Her mother's hopes are raised when a new family - the Webbers - move to the estate next door. Mr. Webber is accompanied by his sisters, his brother-in-law, and his good friend Mr. Archer. Mrs. Dover sees two potential suitors for her daughters. The oldest sister Rosamund falls for Mr. Webber and Elsabeth is in turn put off by Mr. Archer's haughty stance. However, magic is not at all acceptable in the upper classes and the taint of it may make the girls unmarriageable. Hiding it becomes increasingly difficult when the youngest daughter, who is very vain and self-absorbed, uses magic to attract the attention of a handsome soldier named Captain Hartnell who is a cad of the highest order.
First, a misunderstanding separates Rosamund and Mr. Webber. Then a misplaced proposal separates Mr. Archer from Elsabeth. Then a scandal created by the youngest daughter Dina threatens the security of the whole family. Along the way Elsabeth learns more about magic in general and becomes incensed that society keeps her from using it. I loved the way Elsabeth grew through the story.
This was a great story with fascinating characters, sly humor, and romance.
August 17, 2022
It's Pride and Prejudice with magic and alternate dialogue and scenes. It was well done! Very enjoyable. :)
October 5, 2019
I loved, loved LOVED this book!!! Unquestionably, one of the absolute best Pride & Prejudice homages ever, and I've read most of them. If you love P&P and you like books about magic, this one is a must!
I have read other books by C.E. Murphy and liked them, but this is an incredibly clever and well-conceived twist on my favourite book. This version of P&P makes everything I loved about the original even BETTER! The characters who were unpleasant are given the opportunity to be better or be redeemed [except the ones who simply don't deserve better!], and the plot points that were not *quite* delightful are made so in Murphy's creative and thoughtful re-imagining! It really is the best of all possible worlds for my favourite story and my favourite characters - I am excessively diverted!!
It's also worth mentioning, that Murphy clearly loves P&P as much as I do, because in her skillful and inventive re-imagining of this story, it shines through that she respects the original, and the love for that original that its fans have for this story and these characters. There is nothing done to the original here that is groan-worthy, or discomfitting to those of us who feel proprietary of these characters and their world.
Instead, there is respect and understanding of precisely the things that made the original so beloved, and these things are not messed with to a degree as to upset those proprietary fans. They are simply augmented and turned just slightly sideways, to allow for magic to be worked into the equation to make this a charming and entertaining new perspective on an old and cherished favourite.
I cannot say enough positive things about this book. As I said, I've read a great many P&P homages, re-tellings, follow-ups, etc., and some have been lovely, while others have been dreadful. This is right at the top of homages I cannot recommend highly enough! This is a wonderful book.
I have read other books by C.E. Murphy and liked them, but this is an incredibly clever and well-conceived twist on my favourite book. This version of P&P makes everything I loved about the original even BETTER! The characters who were unpleasant are given the opportunity to be better or be redeemed [except the ones who simply don't deserve better!], and the plot points that were not *quite* delightful are made so in Murphy's creative and thoughtful re-imagining! It really is the best of all possible worlds for my favourite story and my favourite characters - I am excessively diverted!!
It's also worth mentioning, that Murphy clearly loves P&P as much as I do, because in her skillful and inventive re-imagining of this story, it shines through that she respects the original, and the love for that original that its fans have for this story and these characters. There is nothing done to the original here that is groan-worthy, or discomfitting to those of us who feel proprietary of these characters and their world.
Instead, there is respect and understanding of precisely the things that made the original so beloved, and these things are not messed with to a degree as to upset those proprietary fans. They are simply augmented and turned just slightly sideways, to allow for magic to be worked into the equation to make this a charming and entertaining new perspective on an old and cherished favourite.
I cannot say enough positive things about this book. As I said, I've read a great many P&P homages, re-tellings, follow-ups, etc., and some have been lovely, while others have been dreadful. This is right at the top of homages I cannot recommend highly enough! This is a wonderful book.
nah-nope-and-not-interested
December 24, 2019I'm not rating this because I don't think I got further than chapter 5....but man. women. people.
I know this might be a bit of a controversial opinion, but the original Pride and Prejudice is one incredibly boring read and I am continually confused as to why p&p fanfic writers keep insisting on copying so closely the narrative format and wording of Austen's story (which is in itself incredibly good, despite the fact the actual book can send me to sleep in minutes). And while I am thankful this author didn't literally copy/paste the story (like some others I've read), and made some effort to bring their own narrative style in, the fact that you have modern narration styles and but Austen-esc dialogue is so incredibly jarring.
And the find/replace name changes didn't make the story feel new. It made it feel like a person trying to hide their sloppy (albeit legal) copying of a more wildly known work. While p&p might be free for anyone to use, I don't think that means that authors using the story as a base should then give up on creativity...and writing altogether.
And like I said at the beginning, I didn't make it past chapter 5, so maybe it gets better. I hope it gets better. I very rarely cheer on the failure of books. I however must admit that the writing in the beginning of this story is one hell of a hurdle for readers to get over. And it ended up being one that I could not surmount.
I know this might be a bit of a controversial opinion, but the original Pride and Prejudice is one incredibly boring read and I am continually confused as to why p&p fanfic writers keep insisting on copying so closely the narrative format and wording of Austen's story (which is in itself incredibly good, despite the fact the actual book can send me to sleep in minutes). And while I am thankful this author didn't literally copy/paste the story (like some others I've read), and made some effort to bring their own narrative style in, the fact that you have modern narration styles and but Austen-esc dialogue is so incredibly jarring.
And the find/replace name changes didn't make the story feel new. It made it feel like a person trying to hide their sloppy (albeit legal) copying of a more wildly known work. While p&p might be free for anyone to use, I don't think that means that authors using the story as a base should then give up on creativity...and writing altogether.
And like I said at the beginning, I didn't make it past chapter 5, so maybe it gets better. I hope it gets better. I very rarely cheer on the failure of books. I however must admit that the writing in the beginning of this story is one hell of a hurdle for readers to get over. And it ended up being one that I could not surmount.
September 26, 2023
I like this author. I love Austen. I like Pride & Prejudice. I like fantasy. I like Regency fantasy. I somewhat like the quirky humor typically found in these books. I SHOULD have liked this book, but only made it to about 10% before giving up.
I sometimes get frustrated at Austen's delicate touch in her writing. There is humor, and there is characterization, but you have to look for it and think about it, it's not all obvious. And then I read something like this book, where we get told (over and over) how witty Mr. Dover is, how Mrs. Dover talks irritatingly much, how foolish the younger girls are, how priggish and pedantic Ruth is, and I suddenly feel a great appreciation for the subtlety in Austen's writing. I think perhaps the exaggerated writing was supposed to be funny, but it is a sort of humor I have never been able to understand, much less appreciate. (Also entirely possible I am wrong - see comment about me not understanding the humor).
Plus Archer was a jerk. I have never been excessively fond of Mr. Darcy, but I didn't want to spend any time at all with Mr. Archer. Other reviews suggest he is nicer later on. I didn't have enough patience to stick around and find out.
I sometimes get frustrated at Austen's delicate touch in her writing. There is humor, and there is characterization, but you have to look for it and think about it, it's not all obvious. And then I read something like this book, where we get told (over and over) how witty Mr. Dover is, how Mrs. Dover talks irritatingly much, how foolish the younger girls are, how priggish and pedantic Ruth is, and I suddenly feel a great appreciation for the subtlety in Austen's writing. I think perhaps the exaggerated writing was supposed to be funny, but it is a sort of humor I have never been able to understand, much less appreciate. (Also entirely possible I am wrong - see comment about me not understanding the humor).
Plus Archer was a jerk. I have never been excessively fond of Mr. Darcy, but I didn't want to spend any time at all with Mr. Archer. Other reviews suggest he is nicer later on. I didn't have enough patience to stick around and find out.
November 14, 2016
Hm - can I be bothered to finish this? Have downloaded the sample at Kindle's suggestion. Thus far is yet another retelling of Pride and Prejudice—one which stays so close to the original that one wonders what the purpose of the light magical recasting of the story might be. At the close of the sample pages, the primary difference seems to be that the Lizzy Bennet character (here "Elsa") is saddled with a pettiness of character in addition to the ability to ripen fruit out of season.
Occasional witty lines [e.g. Newsbury Manor is much too large for my liking. I could never wish to visit it myself, so am of no mind to know who has the poor taste to admire it.] and mild insights into Austin's characters [e.g. neither required company save the solidarity of knowing they were understood by at least one other member of the household.] punctuate the tedium of what appears to be a fairly rote text.
Occasional witty lines [e.g. Newsbury Manor is much too large for my liking. I could never wish to visit it myself, so am of no mind to know who has the poor taste to admire it.] and mild insights into Austin's characters [e.g. neither required company save the solidarity of knowing they were understood by at least one other member of the household.] punctuate the tedium of what appears to be a fairly rote text.
November 16, 2018
It is a truth universally acknowledged....
That this book is so utterly, fabulously, brilliantly wonderful, that you MUST READ IT IMMEDIATELY !!!! Get this book, buy it, now.
If you aren't already familuar with Jane Austens book called Pride and Predudice, or the many tv shows and movies* tgen jyst kjow that if you love stories of sorcery or regency period then you will adore this book.
*of course only one filmed version actually counts imho, lol! The bbc tv miniseries in the 1990s with Elizabeth Bennet played by Jennifer Ehle and Mr Darcy played by Colin Firth (and him coming up out of the lake all sodden and wet), so for those not of that generation, to get even more enjoyment out of this book, please do try it out!!!
I should point out however, that this book is equally extremely readable as a smashingly great stand alone novel... however Eitherway, I hope Mistress Murphy writes more of these and soon!!!
That this book is so utterly, fabulously, brilliantly wonderful, that you MUST READ IT IMMEDIATELY !!!! Get this book, buy it, now.
If you aren't already familuar with Jane Austens book called Pride and Predudice, or the many tv shows and movies* tgen jyst kjow that if you love stories of sorcery or regency period then you will adore this book.
*of course only one filmed version actually counts imho, lol! The bbc tv miniseries in the 1990s with Elizabeth Bennet played by Jennifer Ehle and Mr Darcy played by Colin Firth (and him coming up out of the lake all sodden and wet), so for those not of that generation, to get even more enjoyment out of this book, please do try it out!!!
I should point out however, that this book is equally extremely readable as a smashingly great stand alone novel... however Eitherway, I hope Mistress Murphy writes more of these and soon!!!
March 19, 2018
This book is so close to Pride and Prejudice in its structure and characters that I worried about plagiarism. However, there is just enough difference to keep you wanting more. As an example, I felt that everything that could have been different in Pride and Prejudice that would have left a happier ending for everyone took place in this book.
Magic exists in the world but in England it is a hushed topic that only the military should have and not good families with the right upbringing. Proper ladies do not go about showing off their magical abilities, even if those abilities will save the lives of the people around them.
It was a fun book that took a dramatically different turn towards the end from Pride and Prejudice that made this book memorable and fun. I can't wait to read the next one.
Magic exists in the world but in England it is a hushed topic that only the military should have and not good families with the right upbringing. Proper ladies do not go about showing off their magical abilities, even if those abilities will save the lives of the people around them.
It was a fun book that took a dramatically different turn towards the end from Pride and Prejudice that made this book memorable and fun. I can't wait to read the next one.
November 26, 2017
I'm partial to a bit of Austen fan fic, having read a few by the amazing Joan Aiken and various other takes on P&P and with a fantasy twist, what could be better?
The characters are rebranded and there are a few changes which I enjoyed. Darcy/Archer is now part African which is a good twist and there is some alt-hist going on reminiscent of Novik's Temeraire universe in which magic, not dragons, has altered the balance of power between Britain and its putative empire/colonies. I'd like to see more of that in the next book. Two other characters have their sub-plots altered for the better including a gay relationship. Elizabeth/Elsabeth remains as charming and vivacious as her original and even silly Lydia/Leopoldina has her moment to shine.
The characters are rebranded and there are a few changes which I enjoyed. Darcy/Archer is now part African which is a good twist and there is some alt-hist going on reminiscent of Novik's Temeraire universe in which magic, not dragons, has altered the balance of power between Britain and its putative empire/colonies. I'd like to see more of that in the next book. Two other characters have their sub-plots altered for the better including a gay relationship. Elizabeth/Elsabeth remains as charming and vivacious as her original and even silly Lydia/Leopoldina has her moment to shine.
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