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The Mesmerist: A Gothic Horror Adventure in Victorian London for Kids
Thirteen-year-old Jessamine Grace and her mother make a living as sham spiritualists—until they discover that Jess is a mesmerist and that she really can talk to the dead. Soon she is plunged into the dark world of Victorian London’s supernatural underbelly and learns that the city is under attack by ghouls, monsters, and spirit summoners. Can Jess fight these powerful forces? And will the group of strange children with mysterious powers she befriends be able to help? As shy, proper Jess transforms into a brave warrior, she uncovers terrifying truths about the hidden battle between good and evil, about her family, and about herself.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2017
28 people are currently reading
1428 people want to read
About the author
Ronald L. Smith
14 books201 followersI grew up on Air Force bases and have lived in Japan, Maine, Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina, Delaware, Washington, DC, Illinois and a bunch of other places I don’t remember. After reading Ray Bradbury’s R is for Rocket and Eleanor Cameron’s Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet I fell in love with books.
I haven’t stopped reading since.
HOODOO is my debut middle-grade novel. My second novel, THE MESMERIST, is available February, 2017.
My work is represented by Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media.
My publisher is Clarion, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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August 29, 2018This was not what I was expecting at all! It's definitely a pretty dark middle grade read, but it also had some fun moments. There were times where I felt the plot was all over the place, but it was still pretty enjoyable.
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May 8, 2017DNF
Mini review:
I received this E-ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was really looking forward to reading this book. I enjoy reading about ghosts so I was excited to see how this author would handle the subject. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this. When I started this book I was off put about it. Something about the way it read. I can't quite put my finger on it.
Still recommend.
Mini review:
I received this E-ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was really looking forward to reading this book. I enjoy reading about ghosts so I was excited to see how this author would handle the subject. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this. When I started this book I was off put about it. Something about the way it read. I can't quite put my finger on it.
Still recommend.
October 21, 2019
3.5 stars. Enjoyable little story of a young girl, Jessamine, who discovers she has the ability to read a little from others' minds, and is then asked to join the League of Ravens to fight evil in England.
Fairly quick moving plot, with a determined main character and interesting supporting characters. This was a fun, little listen, and though the bad situation in this book was resolved, the author left enough open at the end that he could continue Jessamine's and the League of Ravens' exploits. I'd be interested in reading more about these characters then.
Fairly quick moving plot, with a determined main character and interesting supporting characters. This was a fun, little listen, and though the bad situation in this book was resolved, the author left enough open at the end that he could continue Jessamine's and the League of Ravens' exploits. I'd be interested in reading more about these characters then.
November 3, 2020
Wow! I love this author! I read Gloomtown by him in April, & loved it. I also loved this one! Maybe even more! This blew me away! This is a darker MG in all the right ways. So b/c of that I would say maybe upper MG?(Again I don’t have kids, so I’m just throwing an opinion out there lol). Jess is a great character. She is thrown into a situation that is scary, unbelievable, & full of family secrets. I think she handles it all the best that could be expected. She is strong, smart, loyal, & brave. She joins a secret society she just learned about, that includes kids that also have talents like herself-A talent she just found out she had. The city is under attack by monsters & ghouls, & it’s up to the society to stop them. This is in Victorian London, & I loved that too. It made the story even better. It was the perfect setting, & I imagined everything perfectly. That nursery rhyme thing?! That was so creepy too!!😳In the beginning of the book Jess is a well mannered girl, with good upbringing, & ladylike manners & beliefs. She quickly has to turn into a brave, fierce fighter she’s always supposed to have been. This is such a gothic, supernatural, horror, adventure MG sprinkled w/faerie magic even! Beautiful cover too!! Gorgeous!!😍😍I really loved this, & I highly recommend!!💜💜
July 13, 2018
3 STARS!!
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith became one of my favorite books of all-time when I read it last year and I was eager to read more of Ronald’s books. I finally was able to get a hold of The Mesmerist and it was a pretty quick and fun read. I won’t say it is just as good as Hoodoo because it is not, but for a Middle-Grade supernatural thriller that takes place in the Victorian era, it was a good time. I read this with the audio book and the narrator was perfect for this story.
Of course I still want to read more of Ronald’s books and hope to find something of his that is just as amazing as Hoodoo. I will say if you’re looking for a middle-grade version of The Infernal Devices, this one is perfect for you.
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith became one of my favorite books of all-time when I read it last year and I was eager to read more of Ronald’s books. I finally was able to get a hold of The Mesmerist and it was a pretty quick and fun read. I won’t say it is just as good as Hoodoo because it is not, but for a Middle-Grade supernatural thriller that takes place in the Victorian era, it was a good time. I read this with the audio book and the narrator was perfect for this story.
Of course I still want to read more of Ronald’s books and hope to find something of his that is just as amazing as Hoodoo. I will say if you’re looking for a middle-grade version of The Infernal Devices, this one is perfect for you.
August 23, 2017
The Mesmerist is a decent middle grade horror/supernatural/suspense book vaguely reminiscent of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix. I’m surprised this was a stand alone and not the start of a series. I appreciated the well researched bits in addition to the references to Welsh Mythology. Some parts of the story were a little too convenient. However, my biggest gripe was that I didn’t feel like I was in 19th century London while reading this book. All things considered I enjoyed it enough to check out Ronald L. Smith’s other work.
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Check out my video for a more detailed review:
July 26, 2018
Exciting and suspenseful story!
The Mesmerist has a powerful, spooky start that grabbed me. I was enthralled with Jessamine and her abilities and I wanted to know more.
Soon into the story, however, I started to have some serious problems with the plot. It seemed to me that the events were created to meet a certain outcome, rather than the outcome resulting as an accumulation of the events.
Why, for example, did Jessamine's mother leave her once she found out that Jessamine would be facing the most evil creatures imaginable? To go back to her sham spiritualist operation? It makes no sense. Jess's mother has spent all her daughter's life protecting her daughter from evil, keeping her safe, and now, when she is definitely not safe, her mother just leaves her – untrained. Why? To go back to her fake spiritualist practice? If there had been a reason for her to leave, like she was trying to serve as a decoy or distract the bad guys, then maybe it would be understandable, but this does not seem to be the case.
My thought at that moment was, if the author needs Jess to be an orphan for the plot to work, why not make her an orphan? Then, BOOM! She’s an orphan. Huh. Why then have her mother inexplicably, unrealistically leave Jess when her daughter needs her most? Why not have her go down fighting?
Then Balthazar sends Jess off on her first mission with no training whatsoever. They’re sitting in the carriage for hours… think maybe he could have explained to her how her weapons work? For that matter, think her mother who fought with those weapons for years could have had the decency to tell her how they work? And why not train her for that matter? Every waking hour before Jess went into battle should have been spent pounding her with historical information, battle techniques and strategies, and with physical training. During their many carriage rides, she could have been learning theory. Any other second, she could have been learning practice. But no. She was left to figure it all out by herself. In battle. Against creatures more dangerous than her parents ever faced. Unfathomable.
I found it so unbelievable that Jess’s mother would just write her daughter off like that that I set the book down for a month.
Another example of the events being forced to fit into a specific outcome takes place during the final battle. Balthazar disappears before the final, most difficult, most life-threatening battle and leaves the kids to their own resources, presumably to do something “more important.” When we later discover what was so important, it doesn’t compute. It wasn’t more important than protecting the kids and saving the world, and it could have waited. Having Jessamine recognized by the fairies would have been a moot point if she had died in battle, and Balthazar not being there to help was inexcusable.
If the story needed the kids to be on their own without any adults, then the author should have thought of better reasons for the overprotective, loving mother and the protective, caring guardian to leave the kids without any protection to battle the most dangerous, evil creatures that the world has ever known.
Still The Mesmerist is a fun read. The story is exciting and the characters are intriguing.
I received a copy of this book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Mesmerist has a powerful, spooky start that grabbed me. I was enthralled with Jessamine and her abilities and I wanted to know more.
Soon into the story, however, I started to have some serious problems with the plot. It seemed to me that the events were created to meet a certain outcome, rather than the outcome resulting as an accumulation of the events.
Why, for example, did Jessamine's mother leave her once she found out that Jessamine would be facing the most evil creatures imaginable? To go back to her sham spiritualist operation? It makes no sense. Jess's mother has spent all her daughter's life protecting her daughter from evil, keeping her safe, and now, when she is definitely not safe, her mother just leaves her – untrained. Why? To go back to her fake spiritualist practice? If there had been a reason for her to leave, like she was trying to serve as a decoy or distract the bad guys, then maybe it would be understandable, but this does not seem to be the case.
My thought at that moment was, if the author needs Jess to be an orphan for the plot to work, why not make her an orphan? Then, BOOM! She’s an orphan. Huh. Why then have her mother inexplicably, unrealistically leave Jess when her daughter needs her most? Why not have her go down fighting?
Then Balthazar sends Jess off on her first mission with no training whatsoever. They’re sitting in the carriage for hours… think maybe he could have explained to her how her weapons work? For that matter, think her mother who fought with those weapons for years could have had the decency to tell her how they work? And why not train her for that matter? Every waking hour before Jess went into battle should have been spent pounding her with historical information, battle techniques and strategies, and with physical training. During their many carriage rides, she could have been learning theory. Any other second, she could have been learning practice. But no. She was left to figure it all out by herself. In battle. Against creatures more dangerous than her parents ever faced. Unfathomable.
I found it so unbelievable that Jess’s mother would just write her daughter off like that that I set the book down for a month.
Another example of the events being forced to fit into a specific outcome takes place during the final battle. Balthazar disappears before the final, most difficult, most life-threatening battle and leaves the kids to their own resources, presumably to do something “more important.” When we later discover what was so important, it doesn’t compute. It wasn’t more important than protecting the kids and saving the world, and it could have waited. Having Jessamine recognized by the fairies would have been a moot point if she had died in battle, and Balthazar not being there to help was inexcusable.
If the story needed the kids to be on their own without any adults, then the author should have thought of better reasons for the overprotective, loving mother and the protective, caring guardian to leave the kids without any protection to battle the most dangerous, evil creatures that the world has ever known.
Still The Mesmerist is a fun read. The story is exciting and the characters are intriguing.
I received a copy of this book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2017
Jessamine Grace and her mother practice spiritualism in their small English town in 1864. They aren't really spiritualist however, it is all a sham. Until the day they get an actual message from beyond. Mrs. Grace immediately whisks them off to London to see her old friend Balthazar. Turns out Mrs. Grace has been hiding a dark past from her daughter. She and Mr. Grace were once part of a group of talented people who fought against a dark group called Mephisto. Mephisto killed Mr. Grace during the battle that eventually defeated the evil group. Now they are back and a new generation must take up the fight.
That new generation includes Jessamine who seems to have a talent as a mesmerist (she can see thoughts). It also includes Emily, a lightbringer, and Gabriel, who can change emotions through music. They are the League of Ravens and their leader/teacher is Balthazar, who just so happens to be a fairy. The three kids are packed off to a house in the East End and train to fight this evil. They don't have a lot of time as Mephisto is coming for Jessamine. First he took out her father, then he killed her mother, now he is after her. She must find the strength and bravery to face him.
There were parts of this book I liked. I liked the group of talented kids who must fight this evil. I liked the setting and the inclusion of spiritualists and mesmerists, who were an actual thing during the Victorian era. What I had trouble with was the mess of a plot. There was just too much thrown in and it made it a bit incohesive at times. Not only do we have spiritualists and mesmerists and kids with the ability to bring light or affect you with music, we also have werewolves and faeries and ghouls. Then you throw in the bit about Mephisto infecting people with the plague and somehow the new Underground is involved. What a mess! There was just too much.
There were also some minor bits that really bothered me and were mostly the writing. Jessamine has this obsession with ladies sweating. She mentions it repeatedly. It is overdone and annoying. Also overdone and annoying was her surprise every time someone calls her Jess instead of Jessamine. She reacts as if this is the most astonishing thing. Really? Then there is the fact that Balthazar has this fancy house in the West End where he, Emily and Gabriel normally live, but once Jessamine arrives they move to this crappy place in the East End. Why? To be closer to the action? I didn't get it. There is also the fact that Mrs. Grace just accepts that Jessamine now has these powers and leaves her in London. Doesn't seem concerned that Mephisto has threatened her and her daughter or that Jess might need some maternal support. Nope. It is all so you have powers goodbye. Then she dies. It was a rather strange plot point that I didn't think really worked that well.
I received this book from Netgalley.
That new generation includes Jessamine who seems to have a talent as a mesmerist (she can see thoughts). It also includes Emily, a lightbringer, and Gabriel, who can change emotions through music. They are the League of Ravens and their leader/teacher is Balthazar, who just so happens to be a fairy. The three kids are packed off to a house in the East End and train to fight this evil. They don't have a lot of time as Mephisto is coming for Jessamine. First he took out her father, then he killed her mother, now he is after her. She must find the strength and bravery to face him.
There were parts of this book I liked. I liked the group of talented kids who must fight this evil. I liked the setting and the inclusion of spiritualists and mesmerists, who were an actual thing during the Victorian era. What I had trouble with was the mess of a plot. There was just too much thrown in and it made it a bit incohesive at times. Not only do we have spiritualists and mesmerists and kids with the ability to bring light or affect you with music, we also have werewolves and faeries and ghouls. Then you throw in the bit about Mephisto infecting people with the plague and somehow the new Underground is involved. What a mess! There was just too much.
There were also some minor bits that really bothered me and were mostly the writing. Jessamine has this obsession with ladies sweating. She mentions it repeatedly. It is overdone and annoying. Also overdone and annoying was her surprise every time someone calls her Jess instead of Jessamine. She reacts as if this is the most astonishing thing. Really? Then there is the fact that Balthazar has this fancy house in the West End where he, Emily and Gabriel normally live, but once Jessamine arrives they move to this crappy place in the East End. Why? To be closer to the action? I didn't get it. There is also the fact that Mrs. Grace just accepts that Jessamine now has these powers and leaves her in London. Doesn't seem concerned that Mephisto has threatened her and her daughter or that Jess might need some maternal support. Nope. It is all so you have powers goodbye. Then she dies. It was a rather strange plot point that I didn't think really worked that well.
I received this book from Netgalley.
March 23, 2017
Like Penny Dreadful without the moral ambiguity and most of the screaming - but definitely creepy-scary and with the same gorgeous Victorian verisimilitude. Opulence and squalor given the same lush treatment. A real page-turner!
September 5, 2018
Gorgeous writing, stunning world building, and a story that’s just the right combination of spooky and fun.
April 11, 2018
Dark and mysterious, faeries, ouji boards and Victorian England? Count me in!
This book was quite good at bringing me into the time period, with Smith's grotesque and vivid representation of the times, especially as we follow the main character, Jessamine, from a prim and proper town to the slums of the East Side of London. The plotline was pretty basic and I figured out all of the "twists" before they happened; as a seasoned fantasy reader, it was easy to spot where some of the subplots were headed!
There was a lovely cast of characters (3 girls > 1 boy and a male faerie!!) which was fun to read about. I enjoyed Jess's determination, though I felt like the story happened much too quickly (internal timeline wise), and the ending chapter/plot point felt very haphazardly thrown into the mix just to give a more rounded ending. It didn't quite jive with me, but the rest of the book was so engaging because of the writing style, I was happy to give this a four star rating.
This book was quite good at bringing me into the time period, with Smith's grotesque and vivid representation of the times, especially as we follow the main character, Jessamine, from a prim and proper town to the slums of the East Side of London. The plotline was pretty basic and I figured out all of the "twists" before they happened; as a seasoned fantasy reader, it was easy to spot where some of the subplots were headed!
There was a lovely cast of characters (3 girls > 1 boy and a male faerie!!) which was fun to read about. I enjoyed Jess's determination, though I felt like the story happened much too quickly (internal timeline wise), and the ending chapter/plot point felt very haphazardly thrown into the mix just to give a more rounded ending. It didn't quite jive with me, but the rest of the book was so engaging because of the writing style, I was happy to give this a four star rating.
July 16, 2017
This is a supernatural horror, written for children, set in Victorian England, about a girl who discovers she has special powers, and is part of a family legacy devoted to fighting dark magical creatures. I enjoyed Smith's book "Hoodoo" so I was excited to read this, but - in my opinion - it is very different, and not as good. Despite it being a children's book, it's full of truly frightful, gory moments, so I'd only suggest it to kids who are really serious about their horror.
dnf
February 17, 2017Pages read: 17
The Mesmerist was pitched to me by a publicist at ALA, and I have trouble rejecting those. I thought I'd give it a go but this is not a middle grade I'm going to greatly enjoy. Ghosts aren't my favorite paranormal and the voice isn't doing anything for me.
The Mesmerist was pitched to me by a publicist at ALA, and I have trouble rejecting those. I thought I'd give it a go but this is not a middle grade I'm going to greatly enjoy. Ghosts aren't my favorite paranormal and the voice isn't doing anything for me.
September 15, 2017
Quite an interesting book - a mix of paranormal with fantasy elements - both ghosts and ghouls but fae and angels. Pretty spooky at times.
September 9, 2017
I wanted to like this book, which I received free from the publisher at ALA Annual conference, but misuse of words really tripped me up (beyond the use of "ruffled" for "rifled through" which seems to be a word in flux at the moment). There is some of The Iron Trial, Harry Potter, Lockwood & Co, Libba Bray, Miss Peregrine's Home - all good fantasy but the mythology isn't quite solid enough here nor is the history. Where was the editor to keep "deign" from being misused, and if someone sets the pneumonic plague going in Victorian London, how could it be stopped by killings the man who started it going using a boy and a rat? Clearly this is the opener to a series and I can hope it improves as it goes along, but I'm starting to weary of supernatural superheroes and Victorian London as a generic creepy locale devoid of real history.
February 12, 2018
3.5 stars
I was really excited to read this book because I loved Hoodoo. I was a little disappointed with the slow plot development, however, once you are three quarters of the way through the book, the excitement really builds. I am not sure my middle school students would be willing to commit to reading the book without more action. I could tell early on the book would need to have a sequel for this reason; which I found disappointing because I was hoping the book was a stand-alone title.
I found the historical setting to be very interesting, and I really enjoyed the horror element (Smith crafted both of these masterfully)! Super creepy with a healthy dose of gore. I flew through the end of the book and look forward to reading the sequel.
I was really excited to read this book because I loved Hoodoo. I was a little disappointed with the slow plot development, however, once you are three quarters of the way through the book, the excitement really builds. I am not sure my middle school students would be willing to commit to reading the book without more action. I could tell early on the book would need to have a sequel for this reason; which I found disappointing because I was hoping the book was a stand-alone title.
I found the historical setting to be very interesting, and I really enjoyed the horror element (Smith crafted both of these masterfully)! Super creepy with a healthy dose of gore. I flew through the end of the book and look forward to reading the sequel.
September 23, 2024
When I requested this from the library I didn’t realize it was for middle schoolers! If this is what they are reading, no wonder there are so many disgruntled teens. Lots of gore and violence.
The writing is very mediocre and the plot was stupid. Maybe 85 year old cat ladies shouldn’t be reading books in the juvenile category!!
The writing is very mediocre and the plot was stupid. Maybe 85 year old cat ladies shouldn’t be reading books in the juvenile category!!
October 23, 2018
Excellent book for October reading, especially if you want something with adventure and spookiness but not horror or torture porn (so often found in popular adult fiction currently). I highly recommend this to the target market, middle grade, but also fun for adults.
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December 19, 2019DNF
September 18, 2017
The first chapter is all I needed to get hooked, but after that, my excitement began to slow down a bit.
Something about the writing style didn't really do it from,making me procrastinate finishing the book.
P.S: I didn't finish it ,but I have read about half of it.
However, I do believe that children who liked some of the super popular Fantasy MG and YA books, would enjoy this. It is a good mix of the best stories out there. So if you don't mind that fact, or you are new to reading, and haven't read much of those novels, then you are definitely going to enjoy this.
I received an eARC in exchange with an honest review.
Something about the writing style didn't really do it from,making me procrastinate finishing the book.
P.S: I didn't finish it ,but I have read about half of it.
However, I do believe that children who liked some of the super popular Fantasy MG and YA books, would enjoy this. It is a good mix of the best stories out there. So if you don't mind that fact, or you are new to reading, and haven't read much of those novels, then you are definitely going to enjoy this.
I received an eARC in exchange with an honest review.
April 8, 2017
Received from NetGalley for review.
The Mesmerist can pretty much be summed up with that quote. It’s a little cheesy, a little cliché, a little bit fun, but a little bit like everything you’ve read before. I was initially drawn in by the setting of Victorian London and the idea of a young girl being able to communicate with the dead (something both awesome and spooky) despite being something that’s been done A LOT in literature, but the actual story didn’t quite deliver – not for me at least.
The story is based around Jessamine – a thirteen-year-old who helps her mother conduct fake séances until it’s discovered she’s a mesmerist who really can communicate with the dead. So far, so good. Jess and her mother then head to London to see the mysterious Balthazar who will know what’s going on. Now, it was here when everything started getting a bit silly for me. The reveals come thick and fast with Jess’ heritage, her parents past, and the whole messy business of Mephisto and the League of Ravens. It was just too much, too many different plotlines and weird happenings going on for the story to be anything other than ridiculous. I wanted to scream at the book ‘pick a plotline!’ because using Fae, ghouls, spiritualists, the Plague, children with strange abilities, a big bad guy with a pale face and red eyes (sound familiar?), and a super league of super humans, needs serious skill to pull off in 270 pages.
It wasn’t all bad, though. The story itself is quite fun and fast-paced when not taken too seriously; I wanted a lot more depth and development, but for a middle-grade supernatural romp, it really isn’t a bad little story. I enjoyed the setting of Victorian London – always a winner for me – and found it to be incredibly atmospheric, transporting me into Balthazar’s lush mansion and the grimy, poverty ridden streets with ease. Jess was an interesting character as although she started off a proper young lady, concerned with etiquette and appearance, she soon developed into a badass young lady, concerned with doing what was right and not relying on some dashing young man to sweep in and save the day (yay for lack of romance!). Those who were there to assist, however, were wonderful supporting characters and I probably liked Emily and Gabriel more than Jess.
This is definitely a book that doesn’t transcend its middle-grade label. I can imagine many younger readers really enjoying this slightly wild tale, though, and rightly so, but I would advise older and more advanced readers to give this a miss.
We are the League of Ravens, and we are seeking evil where it sleeps.
The Mesmerist can pretty much be summed up with that quote. It’s a little cheesy, a little cliché, a little bit fun, but a little bit like everything you’ve read before. I was initially drawn in by the setting of Victorian London and the idea of a young girl being able to communicate with the dead (something both awesome and spooky) despite being something that’s been done A LOT in literature, but the actual story didn’t quite deliver – not for me at least.
The story is based around Jessamine – a thirteen-year-old who helps her mother conduct fake séances until it’s discovered she’s a mesmerist who really can communicate with the dead. So far, so good. Jess and her mother then head to London to see the mysterious Balthazar who will know what’s going on. Now, it was here when everything started getting a bit silly for me. The reveals come thick and fast with Jess’ heritage, her parents past, and the whole messy business of Mephisto and the League of Ravens. It was just too much, too many different plotlines and weird happenings going on for the story to be anything other than ridiculous. I wanted to scream at the book ‘pick a plotline!’ because using Fae, ghouls, spiritualists, the Plague, children with strange abilities, a big bad guy with a pale face and red eyes (sound familiar?), and a super league of super humans, needs serious skill to pull off in 270 pages.
It wasn’t all bad, though. The story itself is quite fun and fast-paced when not taken too seriously; I wanted a lot more depth and development, but for a middle-grade supernatural romp, it really isn’t a bad little story. I enjoyed the setting of Victorian London – always a winner for me – and found it to be incredibly atmospheric, transporting me into Balthazar’s lush mansion and the grimy, poverty ridden streets with ease. Jess was an interesting character as although she started off a proper young lady, concerned with etiquette and appearance, she soon developed into a badass young lady, concerned with doing what was right and not relying on some dashing young man to sweep in and save the day (yay for lack of romance!). Those who were there to assist, however, were wonderful supporting characters and I probably liked Emily and Gabriel more than Jess.
This is definitely a book that doesn’t transcend its middle-grade label. I can imagine many younger readers really enjoying this slightly wild tale, though, and rightly so, but I would advise older and more advanced readers to give this a miss.
March 10, 2017
This book was fun and atmospheric and a book I would recommend for pre-teens to read. There are some scary scenes re: gore, but I think for those who like darker and more atmospheric books, this would be a good one to pick up.
I had pre-ordered this after reading and loving Ronald L. Smith's previous middle grade book Hoodoo a couple years back. From both books, it's clear that Smith can write and that he has done research on the time periods that he covers. I really appreciate that he has taken the time to properly represent that time period and it shows in his writing. The greatest strength for me was the descriptive writing in this book. It was both atmospheric and really brought me to that era. I have too often read historical fiction for younger readers where it takes place in the past but the fact is completely unmemorable throughout the book. This book touched on a lot of social issues happening during the Victorian era and connected them to the story, which I really enjoyed. I also thought the paranormal aspects were well done and were great fun.
However, my problem with this book lies in dialogue. The first half of the book was fine, but I felt that with the second half, our main character Jessamine become slightly insufferable. She falls under the category of main characters who do things without thinking of the effects and consequences. I personally find this character trait quite annoying and makes it difficult for me to fully enjoy the book. I also felt like the climax was a bit too short and convenient. I would have liked this book to be longer and elaborate on a few things as I felt that the author was trying to do a bit too much and that the ending, especially, was rather rushed. This book wasn't really what I was expecting plot and character-wise but I do like Smith's writing style so I will continue to pick up new releases from him in the future.
I had pre-ordered this after reading and loving Ronald L. Smith's previous middle grade book Hoodoo a couple years back. From both books, it's clear that Smith can write and that he has done research on the time periods that he covers. I really appreciate that he has taken the time to properly represent that time period and it shows in his writing. The greatest strength for me was the descriptive writing in this book. It was both atmospheric and really brought me to that era. I have too often read historical fiction for younger readers where it takes place in the past but the fact is completely unmemorable throughout the book. This book touched on a lot of social issues happening during the Victorian era and connected them to the story, which I really enjoyed. I also thought the paranormal aspects were well done and were great fun.
However, my problem with this book lies in dialogue. The first half of the book was fine, but I felt that with the second half, our main character Jessamine become slightly insufferable. She falls under the category of main characters who do things without thinking of the effects and consequences. I personally find this character trait quite annoying and makes it difficult for me to fully enjoy the book. I also felt like the climax was a bit too short and convenient. I would have liked this book to be longer and elaborate on a few things as I felt that the author was trying to do a bit too much and that the ending, especially, was rather rushed. This book wasn't really what I was expecting plot and character-wise but I do like Smith's writing style so I will continue to pick up new releases from him in the future.
March 22, 2017
YA literature set in Victorian or Edwardian England has been popping up more and more in the past few years. When it is well done, there is a sense of horror that reflects a historical reality for many children and teens in those time periods. When it is done poorly, the story could be set in any time. This novel falls somewhere in between.
Some of the historical details are great in this book -- Jess's worries, her life, her limited choices, her sensibilities feel real. The age of spiritualism was a part of the middle 19th century and trickery was a huge part of it. Extremes in wealth was quite common and the struggle to stay in the respectable class was difficult especially for a single mother or orphaned child. All of those details made this story engaging. The time period, by the way, I had to discover myself by referring some of the historical events mentioned in the book, it was not stated in the book.
However there are also fantasy elements in this story, again not completely out of place in an age where academics debated fairies and ghosts, but which didn't flow as smoothly for me when I read it. Ultimately those elements undermined the potential power of Jess, our main character, making her less powerful and more at the mercy of forces she didn't know about at the beginning of the book.
Ultimately however I couldn't' get passed a bizarre definition of "mesmerist" that was far more inclusive than any definition I knew of for this word (pp 33-34). So I went searching and I couldn't find such a broad description for this time period. I just found it impossible to get over this definition and really enjoy the adventure after that point. Either make up a new supernatural label for what Jess can do or make her only a mesmerist.
Some of the historical details are great in this book -- Jess's worries, her life, her limited choices, her sensibilities feel real. The age of spiritualism was a part of the middle 19th century and trickery was a huge part of it. Extremes in wealth was quite common and the struggle to stay in the respectable class was difficult especially for a single mother or orphaned child. All of those details made this story engaging. The time period, by the way, I had to discover myself by referring some of the historical events mentioned in the book, it was not stated in the book.
However there are also fantasy elements in this story, again not completely out of place in an age where academics debated fairies and ghosts, but which didn't flow as smoothly for me when I read it. Ultimately those elements undermined the potential power of Jess, our main character, making her less powerful and more at the mercy of forces she didn't know about at the beginning of the book.
Ultimately however I couldn't' get passed a bizarre definition of "mesmerist" that was far more inclusive than any definition I knew of for this word (pp 33-34). So I went searching and I couldn't find such a broad description for this time period. I just found it impossible to get over this definition and really enjoy the adventure after that point. Either make up a new supernatural label for what Jess can do or make her only a mesmerist.
October 4, 2023
In THE MESMERIST, Ronald L. Smith weaves the history of the London underground into an creepy, atmospheric plot filled with wonderful twists. Even with the meticulous world-building, which is just as masterful as in HOODOO, THE MESMERIST is a fast-past read, sure to appeal to readers who love spooky fiction. For more details, check out my complete review and interview with Ron Smith. http://thewingedpen.com/the-mesmerist...
July 25, 2016
The Mesmerist is a must read if you enjoyed Ronald's other novel Hoodoo, or enjoyed Janet Fox's The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle.
Ronald has such a gift for creating amazing characters and creating a setting which makes you feel as though you are there. He is also a master at blending historical aspects into his stories seamlessly without detracting in anyway, only enhancing the story.
Ronald has such a gift for creating amazing characters and creating a setting which makes you feel as though you are there. He is also a master at blending historical aspects into his stories seamlessly without detracting in anyway, only enhancing the story.
December 13, 2018
What a great middle grade book! The author has more recently written a Black Panther graphic novel so you might not even realize you already have his work in your library. The Mesmerist is set in Victorian England. It contains secret societies, faerie magic, a sinister evil creature and the power of family and friendships. Jessamine and her mother run a business for themselves communicating with the dead. It is mostly a ruse, until Jessamine discovers that she really does have some supernatural powers. She unknowingly writes out “ashes, ashes, we all fall down” and her mother freaks out. Most readers will be familiar with this song and will find that it appears throughout the book. Jessamine soon finds that her power is getting stronger and she has to decide with path her future will take. Jessamine’s mother takes her to a family friend named Balthazar, where Jessamine will stay. As the adventure unfolds, readers will get to know a faerie, werewolf, Mephisto and an angel. This complex story is told in such a way that middle grade readers will be introduced and understand this tale of good and evil. The Victorian London underground will come to life through detailed descriptions and dialogue that is not too over the top for younger readers. The story is engaging and suspenseful. The cover art is attractive and will want to make you read the book right away. There are a few grisly scenes about the plague, but consistent with the time period and a some supernatural deaths. It is appropriate for a school library.
I really loved this book. There were some familiar characters like Balthazar, Mephisto and Malachai that I knew right away as an experienced reader and science fiction fan, but it may be the first introduction for younger readers. The author explored the theme of good and evil in such a way that it will not be overwhelming for the intended audience. I was impressed and how good of a job he did. I should have seen a couple of things coming, but I didn’t! It made the story that much better. There must have been a lot of research that when into this story. Get this book for your school library and push it. Your readers will thank you. Oh, and the vocabulary - when a 4th grader busts out the word “malevolent” you’ll know it is from this book.
I really loved this book. There were some familiar characters like Balthazar, Mephisto and Malachai that I knew right away as an experienced reader and science fiction fan, but it may be the first introduction for younger readers. The author explored the theme of good and evil in such a way that it will not be overwhelming for the intended audience. I was impressed and how good of a job he did. I should have seen a couple of things coming, but I didn’t! It made the story that much better. There must have been a lot of research that when into this story. Get this book for your school library and push it. Your readers will thank you. Oh, and the vocabulary - when a 4th grader busts out the word “malevolent” you’ll know it is from this book.
February 16, 2017
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind February 17, 2017:
This is a book that I may very well have loved as a 10 or 12-year-old, so I’m willing to accept that the low rating I ultimately gave it as a 27-year-old is a case of “It’s not you, it’s me”. While the premise of this book sounded cute, it ended up falling flat for me.
Jessamine Grace and her mother make a living as sham spiritualists in Victorian England, until one day Jess discovers that she actually can talk to ghosts. Subsequently, she is thrust into a world of demons, ghouls, necromancers, fairies and angels, and sets out to avenge the deaths of those she loves.
My main issue was Jess herself. She was just so prissy and annoying. The book is in first person present tense, which is not easy to pull off, and I feel that the author did not manage it. There were also constant reminders to English-ness, or to being English – it seemed odd; I don’t think a regular English person would constantly be thinking “I’ll do that – after all, I am English.”
I also felt that there was a bit too much going on, so none of the world-building ever really got enough attention. As you can see from my summary, there are lots of different supernatural elements and they really all only get a bit of a turn to shine. On top of that, the book tries covering some socio-political issues of the time, as well as introducing a plague into the city.
Having said that, I did find that plot picked up in the last 25% or so. Before that, a lot of the action tended to be off-screen, whereas at this point, the main characters were really part of it and coming into their own.
As I said before, I do feel that a younger Emily would have enjoyed this more, so I recommend not writing the book off based on my review, particularly if you are interested in it for a younger reader. It just wasn’t for me.
(Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me wi th a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
This is a book that I may very well have loved as a 10 or 12-year-old, so I’m willing to accept that the low rating I ultimately gave it as a 27-year-old is a case of “It’s not you, it’s me”. While the premise of this book sounded cute, it ended up falling flat for me.
Jessamine Grace and her mother make a living as sham spiritualists in Victorian England, until one day Jess discovers that she actually can talk to ghosts. Subsequently, she is thrust into a world of demons, ghouls, necromancers, fairies and angels, and sets out to avenge the deaths of those she loves.
My main issue was Jess herself. She was just so prissy and annoying. The book is in first person present tense, which is not easy to pull off, and I feel that the author did not manage it. There were also constant reminders to English-ness, or to being English – it seemed odd; I don’t think a regular English person would constantly be thinking “I’ll do that – after all, I am English.”
I also felt that there was a bit too much going on, so none of the world-building ever really got enough attention. As you can see from my summary, there are lots of different supernatural elements and they really all only get a bit of a turn to shine. On top of that, the book tries covering some socio-political issues of the time, as well as introducing a plague into the city.
Having said that, I did find that plot picked up in the last 25% or so. Before that, a lot of the action tended to be off-screen, whereas at this point, the main characters were really part of it and coming into their own.
As I said before, I do feel that a younger Emily would have enjoyed this more, so I recommend not writing the book off based on my review, particularly if you are interested in it for a younger reader. It just wasn’t for me.
(Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me wi th a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
February 7, 2017
Jessamine Grace and her mother make their living as mediums. They have a slick trade but it's all a ruse. Jessamine is tiring of bilking people out of their money and is more and more scared about how much time her mother is spending at the bottom of an absinthe bottle.
One day, the trick goes wrong. The slate that is supposed to have a message to their client from "his daughter" instead contains a mysterious message that makes Jessamine's mother pack her up and move them both to London. There, Jessamine discovers that the man they go to meet is half-fairy and that he fought with her parents against the evil Mephisto and that she, Jessamine, has the power to speak to the dead. Her mother leaves her with Balthazar to be trained into the new League of Ravens, the protectors of England. So it's up to Jess, Emily, and Gabe to stand for the country. Why children? They apparently have more power and it lessens in adulthood so they have to be the ones to fight. Jess is only just settling in to London when she gets some horrible news... something that makes her determined to fight what is to come.
An interesting story, definitely some interesting political commentary in the current climate. A nice start to some world building on what could end up being a fun series.
One day, the trick goes wrong. The slate that is supposed to have a message to their client from "his daughter" instead contains a mysterious message that makes Jessamine's mother pack her up and move them both to London. There, Jessamine discovers that the man they go to meet is half-fairy and that he fought with her parents against the evil Mephisto and that she, Jessamine, has the power to speak to the dead. Her mother leaves her with Balthazar to be trained into the new League of Ravens, the protectors of England. So it's up to Jess, Emily, and Gabe to stand for the country. Why children? They apparently have more power and it lessens in adulthood so they have to be the ones to fight. Jess is only just settling in to London when she gets some horrible news... something that makes her determined to fight what is to come.
An interesting story, definitely some interesting political commentary in the current climate. A nice start to some world building on what could end up being a fun series.
June 20, 2017
'The Mesmerist' by Ronald L. Smith is a good 'tween-aged' book for readers interested in the supernatural.
Set in Victoria England, Jessamine and her mother have recently discovered that Jessamine has special powers above and beyond a normal thirteen year old. As a result Jessamine's mother brings her to meet, and live with, an old family friend who is caring for other children with special powers. The gifted trio eventually take on the evil workings of the Mephisto group and try to save London.
The book is interesting and for the most part Jessamine is a compelling character. There are times when the plot doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, like when Jessamine's mother is killed off or when Balthazar, the one adult, disappears and leaves three children to inexplicably fight the evil that threatens to consume London and the world. The story also feels as though it ends abruptly, perhaps leaving room for a sequel, but the abrupt ending felt hurried. That being said, if you read 'The Mesmerist' just to enjoy the story, and don't ask a lot of questions, it is a fun and easy read. The book would be perfect for those tween-aged readers who enjoy a taste of the supernatural without anything really dark.
Set in Victoria England, Jessamine and her mother have recently discovered that Jessamine has special powers above and beyond a normal thirteen year old. As a result Jessamine's mother brings her to meet, and live with, an old family friend who is caring for other children with special powers. The gifted trio eventually take on the evil workings of the Mephisto group and try to save London.
The book is interesting and for the most part Jessamine is a compelling character. There are times when the plot doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, like when Jessamine's mother is killed off or when Balthazar, the one adult, disappears and leaves three children to inexplicably fight the evil that threatens to consume London and the world. The story also feels as though it ends abruptly, perhaps leaving room for a sequel, but the abrupt ending felt hurried. That being said, if you read 'The Mesmerist' just to enjoy the story, and don't ask a lot of questions, it is a fun and easy read. The book would be perfect for those tween-aged readers who enjoy a taste of the supernatural without anything really dark.
July 6, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.
Jessamine Grace and her mother make money off playacting at spiritualism, but never off truly communicating with the dead--until one day, when a mysterious message appears on a slate Jessamine is holding. This leads Jessamine to a group of children like her, who may be the only hope to save their city from supernatural foes.
This was a really fun read! It moves quickly, and has a lot of (age-appropriate) scares. The supernatural elements were well-done and definitely creepy.
Jessamine is a strong, smart, female character that I was definitely rooting for, and I really liked the characters of the other children as well.
On occasion, the language felt a bit stilted. I think this might have been because of the author working to capture the spirit and signature of the age, but it did take me out of the book a bit.
This book will take you little time to read, and is a lot of fun. This has the potential to continue on as a good series that kids and adults can both enjoy.
Jessamine Grace and her mother make money off playacting at spiritualism, but never off truly communicating with the dead--until one day, when a mysterious message appears on a slate Jessamine is holding. This leads Jessamine to a group of children like her, who may be the only hope to save their city from supernatural foes.
This was a really fun read! It moves quickly, and has a lot of (age-appropriate) scares. The supernatural elements were well-done and definitely creepy.
Jessamine is a strong, smart, female character that I was definitely rooting for, and I really liked the characters of the other children as well.
On occasion, the language felt a bit stilted. I think this might have been because of the author working to capture the spirit and signature of the age, but it did take me out of the book a bit.
This book will take you little time to read, and is a lot of fun. This has the potential to continue on as a good series that kids and adults can both enjoy.
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