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Two Monarchies Sequence #3
Staff and Crown
Three years have passed since Annabel defeated Mordion in the Royal Castle and became the Queen Heir of New Civet. That
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2018
33 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
46 books1,094 followersW.R. Gingell is an Australian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn't seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
She lives in a refurbished 1970s Bedford Bus in the south of Tasmania, where she spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and raising spinach, strawberries, and one small, fluffy dog. Like Peter Pan, W.R. never really grew up, and despite the inconveniences of chronically ill life, is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
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She lives in a refurbished 1970s Bedford Bus in the south of Tasmania, where she spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and raising spinach, strawberries, and one small, fluffy dog. Like Peter Pan, W.R. never really grew up, and despite the inconveniences of chronically ill life, is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
You can sign up to the The WR(ite) Newsletter by following the link!
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 13, 2018
Yet another Gingell gem! This one really isn't a fairy tale retelling, at least not of any fairy tale I specifically recognized. But it has a strong fairy tale FEEL to it anyway. And it is set at a girl's boarding school of all places!
Reference was made in Masque to the time Annabel and Isabella spent together at Trentham's Finishing School for Young Ladies, and it was great fun to have that little slice of their history filled in. And more than filled in! This story is full of all the intrigue, suspense, and surprising turns of any Gingell novel, so it's definitely not a "fill in the blanks" story. It's not my FAVORITE of the series (that honor still belongs to Spindle), but I devoured it in just a few days, staying up way too late on work nights because I just needed ONE more page of fun . . . and then just ONE more page . . .
I was a bit concerned that Isabella, the main character from Masque, would overwhelm Annabel in this adventure. Isabella is SUCH a larger-than-life personality. But I was pleased at how well Gingell managed things so that both girls remained true to their established characters, while still allowing Annabel to shine as the star of the story. I might even actually prefer Annabel these days . . . after reading two adventures staring her, I've gotten attached!
The relationship between the two girls is the heart of the story, which is a fun change from some of the female-competitor mindset that can sometimes dominate this genre. But it's not JUST a gal-pal story . . . there's a strong dose of slow-burn romance going on around the edges as well. But I won't get into that because SPOILERS.
As with most of Gingell's adventures, this one was a tiny bit confusing, but I generally choose to shut off that part of my brain and just go with it when I read a Gingell book, because her writing, her characters, and her worlds are just TOO MUCH FUN. Everything she writes is a favorite, and I buy all of her books now just based on her name alone--I don't even wait to read what they're about. I just buy. She's that great!
Reference was made in Masque to the time Annabel and Isabella spent together at Trentham's Finishing School for Young Ladies, and it was great fun to have that little slice of their history filled in. And more than filled in! This story is full of all the intrigue, suspense, and surprising turns of any Gingell novel, so it's definitely not a "fill in the blanks" story. It's not my FAVORITE of the series (that honor still belongs to Spindle), but I devoured it in just a few days, staying up way too late on work nights because I just needed ONE more page of fun . . . and then just ONE more page . . .
I was a bit concerned that Isabella, the main character from Masque, would overwhelm Annabel in this adventure. Isabella is SUCH a larger-than-life personality. But I was pleased at how well Gingell managed things so that both girls remained true to their established characters, while still allowing Annabel to shine as the star of the story. I might even actually prefer Annabel these days . . . after reading two adventures staring her, I've gotten attached!
The relationship between the two girls is the heart of the story, which is a fun change from some of the female-competitor mindset that can sometimes dominate this genre. But it's not JUST a gal-pal story . . . there's a strong dose of slow-burn romance going on around the edges as well. But I won't get into that because SPOILERS.
As with most of Gingell's adventures, this one was a tiny bit confusing, but I generally choose to shut off that part of my brain and just go with it when I read a Gingell book, because her writing, her characters, and her worlds are just TOO MUCH FUN. Everything she writes is a favorite, and I buy all of her books now just based on her name alone--I don't even wait to read what they're about. I just buy. She's that great!
August 20, 2021
I love it. I absolutely love it. Annabel's grown up (and matured, thank goodness) and is off to finishing school before she's crowned queen . . . but finishing school might be just as deadly as the castle, if not more. I have to say, though I loved the twisty magic in Blackfoot, I prefer the intrigues and schemes of Staff & Crown. Part of that may just be that S&C has Isabelle, who's still my favorite character in this whole series. But the storyline is delightful as well, and Annabel and Isabelle have a delightful dynamic — they bring out the best in each other, I think, and support each other in mischief, as roommates ought to do.
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed the Melchior/Annabel romance. I knew it was going to happen, but at the start of the book, I wasn't buying it. But it turned out splendidly.
My other favorite part of this is how much the book makes fun of boarding schools and finishing schools and the nonsense of Polite Society and Expectations of Females. Plus, Gingell has mastered the use of Capital Letters to show Ideas That Are More Than Ideas —you know, it's the difference between Polite and polite, or between looking and Looking — and I absolutely love that trope. I don't think I can do it well yet myself, but still.
Anyway, long story short: S&C is excellent. You should read it. But read Spindle and Blackfoot first.
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed the Melchior/Annabel romance. I knew it was going to happen, but at the start of the book, I wasn't buying it. But it turned out splendidly.
My other favorite part of this is how much the book makes fun of boarding schools and finishing schools and the nonsense of Polite Society and Expectations of Females. Plus, Gingell has mastered the use of Capital Letters to show Ideas That Are More Than Ideas —you know, it's the difference between Polite and polite, or between looking and Looking — and I absolutely love that trope. I don't think I can do it well yet myself, but still.
Anyway, long story short: S&C is excellent. You should read it. But read Spindle and Blackfoot first.
June 11, 2020
"Actually, the rule with explosives is Safety First, because Nice Young Ladies need all of their limbs to pour tea."
My favourite of the books in this series has always been MASQUE, but this one provides stiff competition, for the very good and simple reason that Isabella - the SUPREMELY conniving and effervescent heroine of MASQUE - is the sidekick in this one. And she's even more conniving, effervescent, and strictly, staggeringly truthful in this book than she was in MASQUE.
But this time she's teamed up with Annabel from BLACKFOOT, who in the three years between that book and this has developed quite a steely core of inner strength. Sent to the sort of finishing school that is riddled with secret passages, where the students (all right, just Isabella) run secret classes on Informational Flirting and Explosives side-by-side with the official classes on Elegant Ensorcellments and Carriage on Horseback, and where something is always brewing, whether tea or treachery, Annabel must survive long enough to thwart a handful of conspiracies and claim her throne.
Laugh-out-loud funny on every page - just read it.
My favourite of the books in this series has always been MASQUE, but this one provides stiff competition, for the very good and simple reason that Isabella - the SUPREMELY conniving and effervescent heroine of MASQUE - is the sidekick in this one. And she's even more conniving, effervescent, and strictly, staggeringly truthful in this book than she was in MASQUE.
But this time she's teamed up with Annabel from BLACKFOOT, who in the three years between that book and this has developed quite a steely core of inner strength. Sent to the sort of finishing school that is riddled with secret passages, where the students (all right, just Isabella) run secret classes on Informational Flirting and Explosives side-by-side with the official classes on Elegant Ensorcellments and Carriage on Horseback, and where something is always brewing, whether tea or treachery, Annabel must survive long enough to thwart a handful of conspiracies and claim her throne.
Laugh-out-loud funny on every page - just read it.
September 3, 2021
Politics at a girls’ boarding school! Beautiful, healthy female friendship! Heroine without magic surrounded by people who have a lot of it! I had a ship and it sailed! ISABELLA FARRAH (and her little papa) WHOM WE LOVE AND DO NOT DESERVE
The romance did feel Georgette Heyer-ish in maybe not my favorite way, but also sort of in my favorite way...it’s hard to explain. I had a ship, wasn’t sure about it, but it happened and I was really happy and I still am but at the same time...the first two books had an emotional depth to them that took me completely by surprise, and this didn’t quite achieve that. And that’s okay - it was still good, it was still real, it was still fun - I will forever love the amazing Isabella and she and Annabelle’s amazing friendship (I also LOVE that it starts out of practicality but that doesn’t get in the way or make them doubt each other’s loyalty or real fondness) and how, as someone or other says, Isabella deceives everyone by telling them the exact truth (it reminded me oddly of Peaceable Sherwood, haha) and just FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS YOU GUYS - so it doesn’t really matter that I liked it less than the first two, I guess. It was still grand.
[have I mentioned that I love Isabella though]
The romance did feel Georgette Heyer-ish in maybe not my favorite way, but also sort of in my favorite way...it’s hard to explain. I had a ship, wasn’t sure about it, but it happened and I was really happy and I still am but at the same time...the first two books had an emotional depth to them that took me completely by surprise, and this didn’t quite achieve that. And that’s okay - it was still good, it was still real, it was still fun - I will forever love the amazing Isabella and she and Annabelle’s amazing friendship (I also LOVE that it starts out of practicality but that doesn’t get in the way or make them doubt each other’s loyalty or real fondness) and how, as someone or other says, Isabella deceives everyone by telling them the exact truth (it reminded me oddly of Peaceable Sherwood, haha) and just FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS YOU GUYS - so it doesn’t really matter that I liked it less than the first two, I guess. It was still grand.
[have I mentioned that I love Isabella though]
September 27, 2024
Three years have passed since the events of Blackfoot and Annabel is off to finishing school alongside the marvelous Isabella. But something's going on at the finishing school and it doesn't bode well for the future.
PROS:
-Annabel and Isabella are a fabulous duo and all their hijinks give me life. Especially when said hijinks are more or less Isabella shoving Annabel into situations and telling her to wing it.
-Melchior being a teacher and the students loving it.
-The school atmosphere. Very posh.
-A slightly easier plot to follow.
-The romance. And hey, that's something I don't usually say. Romance isn't my typical cup of tea, but the way W.R. Gingell writes it is incredible. So subtle and sweet and I loved it.
CONS:
-And this is a small one, but I would've liked to see more of the secret classes Isabella set up. But that's really minor. Me grasping at straws.
Another jewel from this author. I'll definitely be reading more of what she writes in the future.
PROS:
-Annabel and Isabella are a fabulous duo and all their hijinks give me life. Especially when said hijinks are more or less Isabella shoving Annabel into situations and telling her to wing it.
-Melchior being a teacher and the students loving it.
-The school atmosphere. Very posh.
-A slightly easier plot to follow.
-The romance. And hey, that's something I don't usually say. Romance isn't my typical cup of tea, but the way W.R. Gingell writes it is incredible. So subtle and sweet and I loved it.
CONS:
-And this is a small one, but I would've liked to see more of the secret classes Isabella set up. But that's really minor. Me grasping at straws.
Another jewel from this author. I'll definitely be reading more of what she writes in the future.
October 17, 2018
4.5 stars, because I enjoyed the heck out of this.
I do wonder if W.R. Gingell doesn't so much no how to write what happens after a romantic declaration (because that side of things is always fairly abrupt in her books), but I still really enjoyed this. Annabel and Isabelle at finishing school, watched over by Melchior, is something of a delight.
Seriously, Annabel and Isabelle are a great pairing. Isabelle is just sort of bluntly diplomatic (in the best way), and incredibly sneaky. And Annabel is more quietly awesome, with the ability to be awesome when the crucial situations are upon them. Mostly, I enjoyed their schemes a lot. Their spy network/network of allies throughout the school, pretty great.
I am willing to forgive some of the flaws of book 2, due to the awesomeness of book 3.
I do wonder if W.R. Gingell doesn't so much no how to write what happens after a romantic declaration (because that side of things is always fairly abrupt in her books), but I still really enjoyed this. Annabel and Isabelle at finishing school, watched over by Melchior, is something of a delight.
Seriously, Annabel and Isabelle are a great pairing. Isabelle is just sort of bluntly diplomatic (in the best way), and incredibly sneaky. And Annabel is more quietly awesome, with the ability to be awesome when the crucial situations are upon them. Mostly, I enjoyed their schemes a lot. Their spy network/network of allies throughout the school, pretty great.
I am willing to forgive some of the flaws of book 2, due to the awesomeness of book 3.
July 10, 2020
I LOVE THIS SERIES.
This is my favorite after Masque.
Annabel and Isabella have the greatest friendship of all times. I am constantly snorting with unladylike laughter at their endless commentary and side conversations. Belle is simply hilarious and entirely outrageous in the best possible way. She most definitely brings out the best in Nan.
Melchior is amazing, and remarkably cat-like, even when human.
There are also some other girls at Trentham’s who are complete gems. Not to mention Raoul and Dannick. This cast is golden.
This is my favorite after Masque.
Annabel and Isabella have the greatest friendship of all times. I am constantly snorting with unladylike laughter at their endless commentary and side conversations. Belle is simply hilarious and entirely outrageous in the best possible way. She most definitely brings out the best in Nan.
Melchior is amazing, and remarkably cat-like, even when human.
There are also some other girls at Trentham’s who are complete gems. Not to mention Raoul and Dannick. This cast is golden.
July 19, 2018
If you love spies, ladies skilled with charm and explosives, you need to read this book!!! I loved it!
March 19, 2018
I was so delighted to enter this story world again . . . and now it is over. *sigh* But I do still have a few unread Gingell books in my queue, and more are coming this year, so all is not lost.
This story is so much fun! The girls' boarding school aspect is amusing, and poor Melchior stuck in the midst of so much feminine chaos and intrigue is even more so. The conspiracy to plant an impostor on the throne ramps up to a marvelous climax, as does the bumpy romance, leaving a reader quite satisfied at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed Annabel's character growth, and Melchior is sigh-inducingly charming. I loved glimpsing Luck, Poly, and Onepiece, and Isabella is, as ever, amusing. (Now I need to read Masque again!) I'm looking forward to Peter's book, and Susan's! More of this world will always be welcome.
*Note: Regarding the "not enough/just right" debate over kissing, I stand in the "just right" column.
This story is so much fun! The girls' boarding school aspect is amusing, and poor Melchior stuck in the midst of so much feminine chaos and intrigue is even more so. The conspiracy to plant an impostor on the throne ramps up to a marvelous climax, as does the bumpy romance, leaving a reader quite satisfied at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed Annabel's character growth, and Melchior is sigh-inducingly charming. I loved glimpsing Luck, Poly, and Onepiece, and Isabella is, as ever, amusing. (Now I need to read Masque again!) I'm looking forward to Peter's book, and Susan's! More of this world will always be welcome.
*Note: Regarding the "not enough/just right" debate over kissing, I stand in the "just right" column.
June 2, 2021
She does it again. W.R. Gingell provides us with another utterly entertaining escapade. I'll be honest - initially I thought I might struggle a little with Isabella centre stage with Nan. She has so much to say for herself! However, as usual, the writing sucks you in (does Gingell have her very own 'magic staff'?) Characters don't come alive, they leap out at you. The dialogue is funny, quick, insightful. The action, not necessarily dynamic, moves along at such a pace you can't resist turning 'one more page'. That's why this got 5 stars from me. How can I give anything less to book I didn't want to put down and didn't want to end? Also, Melchior ... sigh.
February 13, 2023
Ridiculous but rather fun, this next episode takes the girl's boarding school story by the ear and stuffs a couple of sticks of dynamite down its bloomers for good measure. How Isabella wasn't expelled long before this is a mystery, and some of the plot was less than entirely clear, but the action and romantic tension zing along fast enough not to dwell on it.
April 20, 2021
Another couldn't-put-down book. It's filled with humorous dialogue, a clean romance, and warfare both political and magical. I enjoyed really seeing Annabel's growth and her mettle in the various challenges. Isabel is an awesome sidekick and everyone should have an Isabel as a friend. I wish there had been lockpicking and explosives classes at my school!
October 10, 2024
This book owns my entire heart.
As does Melchior…
As does Melchior…
May 7, 2021
Rude!
Loving this series! Snappy dialogue, magic, a little romance, lighthearted.Everything one needs for a feel good book. Looking forward to more.
Loving this series! Snappy dialogue, magic, a little romance, lighthearted.Everything one needs for a feel good book. Looking forward to more.
March 2, 2018
Synopsis
Staff and Crown follows almost three years after the events of Blackfoot. Annabel, the Queen Heir, is being shipped off to finishing school to be, well, finished. She teams up with Isabella
(character from Spindle and heroine from Masque), and they immediately become a dynamic duo of rule breaking and intrigue.
Unfortunately, school isn't all fun and games for the duo; The Old Parrassioners are not happy about the claim to the throne and they do everything they can to keep Annabel from being crowned, from infiltrating the school with false heirs to attacking it with an army.
Malchior, Annabel, and Isabella (along with both old and new minor characters) are set to use their fists, wits, pencils, and top hats to defeat the enemy, and along the way maybe, just maybe, Melchior will be able to convince Annabelle that he's not a cat.
Review
Staff and Crown brings back many of the awesome characters from the other books. We get to see Poly, Luck, and Onepiece again, and, of course, Isabella, who plays an integral role in the plot. As a side note, I loved getting to see background for Isabella! Masque has a special place in my heart as it was the first in the series (and of W.R. Gingell's books) that I read, so I'm very excited to re-read it now that these other books have been leading up to it.
Isabella is one of my favorite heroines, so I enjoyed her strong presence in this book. She comes back with that signature unflappably sanguine quick wit and I think has the majority of the humorous and clever lines in the book. If she's not poking bandits with her parasol or wielding deadly hatpins, she's wreaking havoc for the headmistresses of the school.
While I may be marvelously entertained by Isabella, I feel that Annabelle is deeply relatable and easy to connect with. Whereas in Blackfoot Annabelle had to be pushed into action, in Staff and Crown she gladly throws herself in. I enjoyed seeing her growth and appreciated that she didn't become a different person, but rather built upon who she was to begin with. I love that Ms. Gingell's characters tend to stay true to themselves, having distinct personalities that can mature without becoming strangers to their original selves.
I adored Malchior as a romantic interest in this book, perhaps as much as I loved Luck in Spindle. If there was one thing I would change in this book, it would be that I would put more Malchior in it. Malchior is ridiculously roundabout in his dealings, while actually being quite direct. The dichotomy is perfect. It's a little frustrating that both Malchior and Annabel feel the need to push each other away and that they have so many misunderstandings, but I'm willing to let that go because there needed to be something keeping them apart until the end. I still would appreciate more kissing, but that's just a me thing, and I appreciate that Ms. Gingell's romances are so sweet and grounded rather than cheesy or based around lust. It's refreshing.
The real fun of the book comes from the flouting of the school rules. Just the class names had me laughing out loud. Isabella and Annabelle take such classes as Advanced Polite Conversation and Correct Corsetry, where they learn invaluable things like to cover their ears and scream when a man begins talking about undergarments in their presence as well as the great risks of women having pockets
As always, I have to end by putting down some of my favorite lines. I'm limiting it to just two this time:
"It's a conspiracy," said Luck, removing the sausage from his ear with the wearied look of one who has had the need, habitually, to remove sausages from his ears."
"If a girl is incapable of pretending to tighten her corsets, there's no hope for her in today's society."
Staff and Crown follows almost three years after the events of Blackfoot. Annabel, the Queen Heir, is being shipped off to finishing school to be, well, finished. She teams up with Isabella
(character from Spindle and heroine from Masque), and they immediately become a dynamic duo of rule breaking and intrigue.
Unfortunately, school isn't all fun and games for the duo; The Old Parrassioners are not happy about the claim to the throne and they do everything they can to keep Annabel from being crowned, from infiltrating the school with false heirs to attacking it with an army.
Malchior, Annabel, and Isabella (along with both old and new minor characters) are set to use their fists, wits, pencils, and top hats to defeat the enemy, and along the way maybe, just maybe, Melchior will be able to convince Annabelle that he's not a cat.
Review
Staff and Crown brings back many of the awesome characters from the other books. We get to see Poly, Luck, and Onepiece again, and, of course, Isabella, who plays an integral role in the plot. As a side note, I loved getting to see background for Isabella! Masque has a special place in my heart as it was the first in the series (and of W.R. Gingell's books) that I read, so I'm very excited to re-read it now that these other books have been leading up to it.
Isabella is one of my favorite heroines, so I enjoyed her strong presence in this book. She comes back with that signature unflappably sanguine quick wit and I think has the majority of the humorous and clever lines in the book. If she's not poking bandits with her parasol or wielding deadly hatpins, she's wreaking havoc for the headmistresses of the school.
While I may be marvelously entertained by Isabella, I feel that Annabelle is deeply relatable and easy to connect with. Whereas in Blackfoot Annabelle had to be pushed into action, in Staff and Crown she gladly throws herself in. I enjoyed seeing her growth and appreciated that she didn't become a different person, but rather built upon who she was to begin with. I love that Ms. Gingell's characters tend to stay true to themselves, having distinct personalities that can mature without becoming strangers to their original selves.
I adored Malchior as a romantic interest in this book, perhaps as much as I loved Luck in Spindle. If there was one thing I would change in this book, it would be that I would put more Malchior in it. Malchior is ridiculously roundabout in his dealings, while actually being quite direct. The dichotomy is perfect. It's a little frustrating that both Malchior and Annabel feel the need to push each other away and that they have so many misunderstandings, but I'm willing to let that go because there needed to be something keeping them apart until the end. I still would appreciate more kissing, but that's just a me thing, and I appreciate that Ms. Gingell's romances are so sweet and grounded rather than cheesy or based around lust. It's refreshing.
The real fun of the book comes from the flouting of the school rules. Just the class names had me laughing out loud. Isabella and Annabelle take such classes as Advanced Polite Conversation and Correct Corsetry, where they learn invaluable things like to cover their ears and scream when a man begins talking about undergarments in their presence as well as the great risks of women having pockets
As always, I have to end by putting down some of my favorite lines. I'm limiting it to just two this time:
"It's a conspiracy," said Luck, removing the sausage from his ear with the wearied look of one who has had the need, habitually, to remove sausages from his ears."
"If a girl is incapable of pretending to tighten her corsets, there's no hope for her in today's society."
March 26, 2018
Reader thoughts: Annabel’s adventures aren’t quite as intriguing as Poly’s and Isabelle’s, but they’re just as fun. WRG has a way with language and dialogue and showing personality through both. I always come away from one of her books with new favorite quotes.
"So I'm allowed to bellow at you in the manor if I want--it's my manor. Sovereignly. And if I want to bellow at you in a sovereignly manner, I will."
Nan: "You might as well come along with me.
Belle: "How lovely! I've already sent my carriage ahead, you see. There was no room for me in it; it's packed to the roof with clothes. Now that I think of it, the roof is piled high, too."
Nan: "You have a whole carriage full of clothes?"
Belle: "Of course not! I have two. The carriage has already been and come back with one lot of baggage."
"Goodness me, when you do that with your voice, it's absolutely squashing."
Nan: "Did you lock her into the dispensary?"
Belle: "Who can say how these things happen? The hinges are quite loose, I believe; the door swung shut behind the teacher, and it took me quite some time to hear her calling."
Nan: "How does knowing about explosives help you in society?"
Belle: "I might once have asked that question if it had not been for the circumstance--"
Nan: "Someone tried to blow you up. I don't blame them. You were probably poking your nose into their business."
Belle: "In my defense, it was a very boring party."
"I smuggled in a teacher. It was a dreadful bore, because she was far too large to fit in my smuggling garters."
"Actually, the rule with explosives is Safety First. Because Nice Young Ladies need all of their limbs to pour tea."
The romance was light and sweet. The magic was consistent. The danger was repetitive but frequent. The mysteries didn’t make me too curious.
My favorite parts were Isabelle’s many ways to break the rules or what she would do at finishing school to keep it from getting too boring (like teaching girls how to pick locks and make explosives). She also has a delightful way of looking at the world, practical and exuberant at the same time. She really is a Firebrand.
Writer thoughts: Some authors have brilliant plots, some have brilliant voice, some have brilliant characters or magic or world building. Gingell has brilliant style. The other bits are great too, but I'd say she's strongest in sheer style.
"So I'm allowed to bellow at you in the manor if I want--it's my manor. Sovereignly. And if I want to bellow at you in a sovereignly manner, I will."
Nan: "You might as well come along with me.
Belle: "How lovely! I've already sent my carriage ahead, you see. There was no room for me in it; it's packed to the roof with clothes. Now that I think of it, the roof is piled high, too."
Nan: "You have a whole carriage full of clothes?"
Belle: "Of course not! I have two. The carriage has already been and come back with one lot of baggage."
"Goodness me, when you do that with your voice, it's absolutely squashing."
Nan: "Did you lock her into the dispensary?"
Belle: "Who can say how these things happen? The hinges are quite loose, I believe; the door swung shut behind the teacher, and it took me quite some time to hear her calling."
Nan: "How does knowing about explosives help you in society?"
Belle: "I might once have asked that question if it had not been for the circumstance--"
Nan: "Someone tried to blow you up. I don't blame them. You were probably poking your nose into their business."
Belle: "In my defense, it was a very boring party."
"I smuggled in a teacher. It was a dreadful bore, because she was far too large to fit in my smuggling garters."
"Actually, the rule with explosives is Safety First. Because Nice Young Ladies need all of their limbs to pour tea."
The romance was light and sweet. The magic was consistent. The danger was repetitive but frequent. The mysteries didn’t make me too curious.
My favorite parts were Isabelle’s many ways to break the rules or what she would do at finishing school to keep it from getting too boring (like teaching girls how to pick locks and make explosives). She also has a delightful way of looking at the world, practical and exuberant at the same time. She really is a Firebrand.
Writer thoughts: Some authors have brilliant plots, some have brilliant voice, some have brilliant characters or magic or world building. Gingell has brilliant style. The other bits are great too, but I'd say she's strongest in sheer style.
March 13, 2019
This has been a rather quirky series! The characters are really "characters" and fun to read.
Annabel has grown up and slimmed down, but is still not queen material as far as the elite of her realm are concerned. The Old Parrasians have someone else in mind and Annabel's school year is anything but boring. She has a new best friend since Peter disappeared and she and "Blackfoot" (I can't remember his human name) are getting closer too!
This is a fun yet suspenseful clean read.
Annabel has grown up and slimmed down, but is still not queen material as far as the elite of her realm are concerned. The Old Parrasians have someone else in mind and Annabel's school year is anything but boring. She has a new best friend since Peter disappeared and she and "Blackfoot" (I can't remember his human name) are getting closer too!
This is a fun yet suspenseful clean read.
April 14, 2018
The Two Monarchies Sequence continues to surprise and entertain me, which is quite a feat considering the books often echo familiar fairy tales. (Sleeping Beauty for Spindle, Puss in Boots for Blackfoot and Beauty and the Beast for Masque, which though published earlier seems to come after this volume in the same sequence) That said, I can't put my finger on any fairy tale that might have inspired this one; rather it seems to look to school stories for inspiration, and plays with the common tropes of that genre joyously. As always it is delightfully written, the characters are entertaining and believable, the plotting is taut and twisty, and generally I recommend this book, and the whole series, to anyone.
December 18, 2024
I really do adore this series!
Staff and Crown may be book 3 in the Two Monarchies Sequence but it was written fourth and I have been waiting to read it for nearly two years! When I met Annabel in Blackfoot, it took a while to warm up to her. She has grown up well! Plus Isabella is one of my all-time favorite characters and they interact very well together. I would dearly love to read another book with both of them. I recommend this book and this series. Read them now!
*Added 19 months later during the Covid 19 pandemic: Staff and Crown has become one of my comfort reads during a very trying time. The delightfully clever conversations and the endearing characters continually amuse and engage me even though I've now read it 8 times. I dearly love this book.
Staff and Crown may be book 3 in the Two Monarchies Sequence but it was written fourth and I have been waiting to read it for nearly two years! When I met Annabel in Blackfoot, it took a while to warm up to her. She has grown up well! Plus Isabella is one of my all-time favorite characters and they interact very well together. I would dearly love to read another book with both of them. I recommend this book and this series. Read them now!
*Added 19 months later during the Covid 19 pandemic: Staff and Crown has become one of my comfort reads during a very trying time. The delightfully clever conversations and the endearing characters continually amuse and engage me even though I've now read it 8 times. I dearly love this book.
August 4, 2020
**Looks like I'm up to three times though. Heckin delightful read**
**Second time** Honestly I just love this book so much**
Some books just leave you feeling really good once you've finished. This is one of those books.
Gotta admit, in Blackfoot I found Annabel a little annoying, but in this book, partnered with Isabella,
I loved her.
All the characters were so witty, entertaining and awesome, the plot was full of fashionable intrigue and other such fun things for young ladies, and the romance was impeccably ship-able in every way.
Love it!
**Second time** Honestly I just love this book so much**
Some books just leave you feeling really good once you've finished. This is one of those books.
Gotta admit, in Blackfoot I found Annabel a little annoying, but in this book, partnered with Isabella,
I loved her.
All the characters were so witty, entertaining and awesome, the plot was full of fashionable intrigue and other such fun things for young ladies, and the romance was impeccably ship-able in every way.
Love it!
April 27, 2018
Delightful
What a wonderful story. I love the characters and their strong distinct personalities. I want a friend like Annabel and Isabella. What adventures we would have. The world created draws you right in and you fall in love with Melchior and his quick wit. I strongly recommend this book. Be sure to read the other ones first to fit the stories together. Another winner by Gingell!
What a wonderful story. I love the characters and their strong distinct personalities. I want a friend like Annabel and Isabella. What adventures we would have. The world created draws you right in and you fall in love with Melchior and his quick wit. I strongly recommend this book. Be sure to read the other ones first to fit the stories together. Another winner by Gingell!
October 11, 2018
I really liked this story. All three in this series were terrific, fun reads but the dialog and interaction between Annabel and Isabella really put this one over the top. I laughed out loud in several places. The story is good, the whole series is good and it's OK for teens. If you like magic, good writing and fun, quirky characters with a bit of light romance thrown in, this series is for you!
July 17, 2020
3.5 stars
A typically entertaining Gingell novel, but I will say I had some definite misgivings about the questionable difference in age and the power dynamics between Melchior and Annabel. It hampered my enjoyment to consider the fact that Melchior was an adult when he first met Annabel, and she was only 9 or 10. I just question when and how a parental/older brother relationship turned romantic on his side.
A typically entertaining Gingell novel, but I will say I had some definite misgivings about the questionable difference in age and the power dynamics between Melchior and Annabel. It hampered my enjoyment to consider the fact that Melchior was an adult when he first met Annabel, and she was only 9 or 10. I just question when and how a parental/older brother relationship turned romantic on his side.
June 19, 2024
3.5 stars. A lot of fun to read. I recommend that you read these in series order. (This is book 4. I'm not sure why GoodReads lists it as #3, but I'd definitely read "Masques" before this one.)
(Her books are definitely Diana Wynne-Jonesish in feel, but due to the endless confusion the characters are immersed in, they always remind me a bit of Connie Willis too.)
(Her books are definitely Diana Wynne-Jonesish in feel, but due to the endless confusion the characters are immersed in, they always remind me a bit of Connie Willis too.)
March 8, 2018
I used to read girls boarding school books growing up, and this was a delightful return to those with a bit of romance and intrigue thrown in! The magic was straightforward and easy to follow - something I'll confess I struggled with a bit in Spindle and Blackfoot.
April 17, 2018
Oh!
This was SO delightful! What a delicious, lovely, fun conclusion to Nan’s story! I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this! Time to wake up in 3 hours. Thank you W.R. Gingell - you are a treasure. THANK YOU 💜
This was SO delightful! What a delicious, lovely, fun conclusion to Nan’s story! I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this! Time to wake up in 3 hours. Thank you W.R. Gingell - you are a treasure. THANK YOU 💜
January 17, 2022
Great series, but this book lags
Not as good as previous 2 books, but a great series. Looking forward to the 4th I’ve loved everything written by a this author so far, just felt this book was a place keeper in the series
Not as good as previous 2 books, but a great series. Looking forward to the 4th I’ve loved everything written by a this author so far, just felt this book was a place keeper in the series
June 3, 2018
Is it possible to love everything about a book? Yes it is.
December 17, 2018
Took themLong enough!
So happy my favorite characters FINALLY got together! Makes me so happy! I’ve really enjoyed this whole series. Definitely recommend!
So happy my favorite characters FINALLY got together! Makes me so happy! I’ve really enjoyed this whole series. Definitely recommend!
October 15, 2024
Always lovely
A bit fluffier but funnier. Isabella is a hilariously pert character
A bit fluffier but funnier. Isabella is a hilariously pert character
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