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The Laws of Magic #2
Heart of Gold
Magical genius Aubrey Fitzwilliam is about to become involved in a convoluted series of adventures . . . again
At a loss after finishing their end-of-year exams, Aubrey and George travel to the Gallian capital, Lutetia, where it so happens that the lovely Caroline is studying natural history. Aubrey wants to pursue a cure for his condition—though his family has other ideas, and he's soon burdened with a royal mystery to solve, old letters to procure, a missing ornithologist to locate, and a spot of diplomatic espionage. These tasks should keep Aubrey occupied—but that would be underestimating his sense of curiosity and uncanny knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Someone is stealing people's souls and turning them into mindless monsters, and the country's magical lifeline, the Heart of Gold, has been stolen, leaving the city in chaos. Aubrey, George, and a somewhat reluctant Caroline are on the case in this engaging read.
At a loss after finishing their end-of-year exams, Aubrey and George travel to the Gallian capital, Lutetia, where it so happens that the lovely Caroline is studying natural history. Aubrey wants to pursue a cure for his condition—though his family has other ideas, and he's soon burdened with a royal mystery to solve, old letters to procure, a missing ornithologist to locate, and a spot of diplomatic espionage. These tasks should keep Aubrey occupied—but that would be underestimating his sense of curiosity and uncanny knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Someone is stealing people's souls and turning them into mindless monsters, and the country's magical lifeline, the Heart of Gold, has been stolen, leaving the city in chaos. Aubrey, George, and a somewhat reluctant Caroline are on the case in this engaging read.
488 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Michael Pryor
130 books191 followers Michael Pryor's bio
Check out my Fantasy podcast, 'The World Below the War in the Heavens' wherever you get your podcasts!
I was born in Swan Hill, Victoria. I spent my childhood in country Victoria and Melbourne before moving to Geelong at the age of 10. I lived in Geelong until I went to university in Melbourne after secondary school.
I currently live in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a drainer’s labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, a Multimedia Developer, a Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher. Whew.
I’ve taught English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.
I've published over thirty-five novels and more than sixty of my short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. My writing moves from literary fiction to genre Science Fiction to slapstick humour, depending on my mood.
I’ve been shortlisted eleven times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and have also been nominated for a Ditmar award. My short stories have twice been featured in Gardner Dozois’ ‘Highly Recommended’ lists in The Year’s Best Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Fantasy. Nine of my books have been CBC Notable Books, I’ve been longlisted for a Golden Inky and I’ve been shortlisted for the WAYBRA Award. I’ve also twice won the Best and Fairest Award at West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.
My reviews tend toward the three word style of the trenchant critic, N. Molesworth.
Check out my Fantasy podcast, 'The World Below the War in the Heavens' wherever you get your podcasts!
I was born in Swan Hill, Victoria. I spent my childhood in country Victoria and Melbourne before moving to Geelong at the age of 10. I lived in Geelong until I went to university in Melbourne after secondary school.
I currently live in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a drainer’s labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, a Multimedia Developer, a Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher. Whew.
I’ve taught English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.
I've published over thirty-five novels and more than sixty of my short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. My writing moves from literary fiction to genre Science Fiction to slapstick humour, depending on my mood.
I’ve been shortlisted eleven times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and have also been nominated for a Ditmar award. My short stories have twice been featured in Gardner Dozois’ ‘Highly Recommended’ lists in The Year’s Best Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Fantasy. Nine of my books have been CBC Notable Books, I’ve been longlisted for a Golden Inky and I’ve been shortlisted for the WAYBRA Award. I’ve also twice won the Best and Fairest Award at West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.
My reviews tend toward the three word style of the trenchant critic, N. Molesworth.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 7, 2017
I just like these character so much. When you add in politics and magic, and almost dying, and everything going wrong all the time, there you have a pretty good story. In some ways it is not twisty at all, but it is still very complex, and everything that could go wrong does. It is also quite humours. And the magic is just cool, I really like how it has all its laws and limitations. A really fun read.
There is also a bit of evolutionary thinking in here as well.
There is also a bit of evolutionary thinking in here as well.
May 13, 2009
i love this book better then harry potter, it more complex, and funny , and its just awsome
April 19, 2021
Aubrey and George go to Lutetia, where the Heart of Gold is stolen. Aubrey is also burdened by several errands (such as ). We follow him as he We also see Aubrey being selfish, by lying to release Caroline
I enjoyed the non-stop action and Aubrey's resourcefulness.
I enjoyed the non-stop action and Aubrey's resourcefulness.
June 7, 2023
All of the female characters seems to be cut from the same cloth - they are beautiful, intelligent, independent and very much concerned with women's rights while being beautiful (did I mention that already?) and feminine.
It's kind of boring, especially since the men come in a variety of tropes.
Poor Aubrey, back into a problem of his own manufacturing. The titular Heart of Gold as the keystone of the city is a wonderful concept, especially the way it affected the kingdom without it being a malicious artifact.
And George, I love him so much.
It's kind of boring, especially since the men come in a variety of tropes.
Poor Aubrey, back into a problem of his own manufacturing. The titular Heart of Gold as the keystone of the city is a wonderful concept, especially the way it affected the kingdom without it being a malicious artifact.
And George, I love him so much.
April 23, 2020
My Blaze of Glory review was biased but this one isn't, it's just a legitimately great book. I had a few problems with exposition in the first one but that's really cleared up for the sequel. I don't know what to tell you, I love Aubrey and I want him to be happy but I also want him to suffer a lot before he gets to be happy, and Michael Pryor is really catering to my needs here.
January 2, 2019
It's not for me.
March 10, 2019
Aubrey does something stupidly out of character in the middle, but the book is good in spite of that.
February 25, 2013
Di sini Perancis disebut Lutetia. Bangsa yang serupa dengan gaya berpakaian dan selera makan yang berkelas. Tapi berbeda dengan Perancis yang kerap bermusuhan dengan Inggris, hubungan Lutetia dan Albion terbilang sangat mesra; mereka adalah dua negara yang saling bersekutu. Dan ke Lutetia-lah pahlawan remaja kita, Aubrey Fitzwilliam, pergi. Mulanya dia ingin berlibur bersama Doyle selama sebulan penuh dengan dua tujuan; yang pertama dan utama adalah mencari jawaban atas kondisi hidup matinya akibat kecelakaan sihir yang menimpanya beberapa waktu lalu. Tujuan keduanya bersifat lebih rekreatif dan sentimentil; dia kepingin pedekate sama si beib Caroline yang kebetulan sedang menimba ilmu di ibukota Lutetia, Gallian.
Tentu saja karena ini adalah Aubrey Fitzwilliam, dengan cepat rencananya berantakan sebab semua orang memberinya berbagai tugas 'titipan'. Neneknya ingin agar dia mengambil kembali surat2 pribadi yang dirampas, ibunya ingin dia menyelidiki hilangnya seorang ornitologis, ayahnya ingin dia mengamati kegiatan Homland di Lutetia. Dan yang terakhir, sepupunya, yang tak lain adalah putera mahkota pangeran Albert, ingin agar Aubrey menyelidiki sejarah genealogi leluhurnya yang berasal dari Lutetia.
Dengan begitu banyaknya titipan tugas yang ada di tangannya, bisa ditebak Aubrey jadi kewalahan. Belum lagi sewaktu dia tiba, terjadi berbagai keanehan di Gallian; mulai dari fenomena orang2 yang mendadak berubah jadi makhluk seperti zombie. Kemunculan Von Serlick si mata2 Holmland yang berlidah tajam, dan yang paling mengejutkan adalah hilangnya Jantung Emas, artefak sihir Lutetia yang paling berharga!
Raibnya Jantung Emas perlahan meremukkan Lutetia dari dalam; keceriaan memudar, memori bangsa yang menguap, dan sungai yang berubah padat seperti aspal. Untuk mencegah malapetaka lebih buruk terjadi; Aubrey bersama Doyle, dan Caroline kembali bersatu memecahkan misteri.
Dinamisme dalam buku kedua The Laws of Magic terbilang masih belum banyak beranjak dari situasi buku pertamanya. Aubrey yang masih kadang cupu kadang picik dan cenderung kocak dalam berbagai situasi, Doyle yang setia dan nyaris tergolong one dimensional character, dan Caroline yang sok.
Kelemahan buku ini adalah karakterisasinya yang terlalu flat. Hubungan Aubrey dan Doyle yang katanya akrab itu juga tergambar sangat kaku. Gue mencoba meyakinkan diri sendiri, kekakuan ini muncul karena mereka berdua berasal dari era dimana segalanya serba formalistik, ditambah lagi latar belakang Aubrey yang berdarah biru juga membuat dia gimanaa gitu. Sebenarnya sih karakter Aubrey terbilang mendingan; gue masih bisa berasa bahwa dia ini cowok yang rada2 geek, dan serba awkward. Tapi lainnya seperti Doyle bener2 melempem, dan Caroline yang cenderung menyebalkan.
Caroline, sebagaimana karakter wanita dalam cerita ini, semuanya digambarkan sebagai perempuan mandiri yang berpikiran maju, jago bela diri, dan cerdik. Meskipun tujuannya oke, tapi tidak tepat karena malah berasa maksa abis. Nggak semua cewek kayak gitu, dan kalopun mereka berpikiran maju, mereka belom tentu jago bela diri. Liat aja gue, nampol lalat aja bisa meleset.
Bagi gue, karakter Caroline tuh maksa banget dan jaimnya, ya olohhh... nyebelin 140%. Tidak seperti trio Harry, Ron, dan Hermione; hubungan ketiga orang ini sama sekali nggak nyaman dibaca. Pembaca tidak menyayangi karakter2 selain Aubrey di sini. Berbeda dengan Harry Potter, kita semua tahu Ron itu pin pin bo dan diam2 sedikit iri dengan Harry. Tapi dia teman setia yang bisa diandalkan kapan saja. Kemudian Hermione; dia cewek yang kick ass, cerdik, cerdas, dan meskipun kadang2 bersikap sok, dia adalah karakter yang endearing bagi pembaca dengan segenap kelemahan dan keunggulannya.
Gue merasa sayang The Laws of Magic harus menderita kelemahan seperti ini. Dengan world building yang sangat imajinatif, detail2 yang menarik, dan penjelasan teknis akan sihir yang memukau; karakternya justru malah tidak sekompleks dan semenarik konsep dunianya sendiri.
Tapi mungkin bisa jadi karena judul serial ini adalah THE LAWS OF MAGIC. Bintang utama dalam cerita ini bukanlah trio Aubrey, Doyle, Caroline atau Aubrey seorang. Bintang utama dalam cerita ini adalah pedoman sihir itu sendiri. Siapa tahu kan?
Ceritanya mulai memanas, tapi belom sekeren itu. Belom.
Tentu saja karena ini adalah Aubrey Fitzwilliam, dengan cepat rencananya berantakan sebab semua orang memberinya berbagai tugas 'titipan'. Neneknya ingin agar dia mengambil kembali surat2 pribadi yang dirampas, ibunya ingin dia menyelidiki hilangnya seorang ornitologis, ayahnya ingin dia mengamati kegiatan Homland di Lutetia. Dan yang terakhir, sepupunya, yang tak lain adalah putera mahkota pangeran Albert, ingin agar Aubrey menyelidiki sejarah genealogi leluhurnya yang berasal dari Lutetia.
Dengan begitu banyaknya titipan tugas yang ada di tangannya, bisa ditebak Aubrey jadi kewalahan. Belum lagi sewaktu dia tiba, terjadi berbagai keanehan di Gallian; mulai dari fenomena orang2 yang mendadak berubah jadi makhluk seperti zombie. Kemunculan Von Serlick si mata2 Holmland yang berlidah tajam, dan yang paling mengejutkan adalah hilangnya Jantung Emas, artefak sihir Lutetia yang paling berharga!
Raibnya Jantung Emas perlahan meremukkan Lutetia dari dalam; keceriaan memudar, memori bangsa yang menguap, dan sungai yang berubah padat seperti aspal. Untuk mencegah malapetaka lebih buruk terjadi; Aubrey bersama Doyle, dan Caroline kembali bersatu memecahkan misteri.
Dinamisme dalam buku kedua The Laws of Magic terbilang masih belum banyak beranjak dari situasi buku pertamanya. Aubrey yang masih kadang cupu kadang picik dan cenderung kocak dalam berbagai situasi, Doyle yang setia dan nyaris tergolong one dimensional character, dan Caroline yang sok.
Kelemahan buku ini adalah karakterisasinya yang terlalu flat. Hubungan Aubrey dan Doyle yang katanya akrab itu juga tergambar sangat kaku. Gue mencoba meyakinkan diri sendiri, kekakuan ini muncul karena mereka berdua berasal dari era dimana segalanya serba formalistik, ditambah lagi latar belakang Aubrey yang berdarah biru juga membuat dia gimanaa gitu. Sebenarnya sih karakter Aubrey terbilang mendingan; gue masih bisa berasa bahwa dia ini cowok yang rada2 geek, dan serba awkward. Tapi lainnya seperti Doyle bener2 melempem, dan Caroline yang cenderung menyebalkan.
Caroline, sebagaimana karakter wanita dalam cerita ini, semuanya digambarkan sebagai perempuan mandiri yang berpikiran maju, jago bela diri, dan cerdik. Meskipun tujuannya oke, tapi tidak tepat karena malah berasa maksa abis. Nggak semua cewek kayak gitu, dan kalopun mereka berpikiran maju, mereka belom tentu jago bela diri. Liat aja gue, nampol lalat aja bisa meleset.
Bagi gue, karakter Caroline tuh maksa banget dan jaimnya, ya olohhh... nyebelin 140%. Tidak seperti trio Harry, Ron, dan Hermione; hubungan ketiga orang ini sama sekali nggak nyaman dibaca. Pembaca tidak menyayangi karakter2 selain Aubrey di sini. Berbeda dengan Harry Potter, kita semua tahu Ron itu pin pin bo dan diam2 sedikit iri dengan Harry. Tapi dia teman setia yang bisa diandalkan kapan saja. Kemudian Hermione; dia cewek yang kick ass, cerdik, cerdas, dan meskipun kadang2 bersikap sok, dia adalah karakter yang endearing bagi pembaca dengan segenap kelemahan dan keunggulannya.
Gue merasa sayang The Laws of Magic harus menderita kelemahan seperti ini. Dengan world building yang sangat imajinatif, detail2 yang menarik, dan penjelasan teknis akan sihir yang memukau; karakternya justru malah tidak sekompleks dan semenarik konsep dunianya sendiri.
Tapi mungkin bisa jadi karena judul serial ini adalah THE LAWS OF MAGIC. Bintang utama dalam cerita ini bukanlah trio Aubrey, Doyle, Caroline atau Aubrey seorang. Bintang utama dalam cerita ini adalah pedoman sihir itu sendiri. Siapa tahu kan?
Ceritanya mulai memanas, tapi belom sekeren itu. Belom.
March 7, 2024
Sadly, I felt this book went downhill from the already imperfect first book, both in editing and also in plot. I still enjoyed it, but I was frustrated by the avoidable issues that made it less than it could have been.
The typesetting is very sloppy, with a lot of instances where there's a space before a quotation mark, for instance; there are words left out of sentences, words repeated, all the usual mess. There are also missing hyphens, multiple dangling modifiers, lots of "may" where it should be "might" in past tense, a ton of commas between adjectives that have no business there, and two occasions where characters are given the wrong name (once a contorted misspelling, once the surname of a completely different character). There's a mistake of real-world knowledge, too: a watercolourist's studio smells of turpentine, which is used in painting with oils. As I remarked about the first book, this is why I don't buy trad-pub books but get them from the library; you never know when you're going to get a sub-par piece of work like this, and they cost a lot more than indie books which are sometimes better edited.
This time, we're in Not-France ("Gallia"), mostly Not-Paris ("Lutetia"), where Aubrey is theoretically on holiday. I say "theoretically" because, as well as trying to casually bump into his love interest, who's studying there, he's trying to fulfil commissions from his cousin the crown prince, his father the prime minister, his mother the naturalist, his grandmother the duchess, and the head of the magical secret service. Plus he needs to get a rest, because he's still suffering from his foolish experiment with death magic in the first book.
No chance of a rest, though, because (and this was one of the things that irked me) he is constantly happening to be in places where something plot-relevant is happening. I lost count of the number of times he was coincidentally right there at a key moment. For example, he happens to be taking a tour of Not-Notre-Dame at the exact time that the McGuffin of the title, a magical artifact that holds France together, is stolen from a chapel there. This is, in my view, no way to run a plot; if a protagonist is somewhere where an important event is happening, it ought to be because they are protagonizing, not by sheer lucky chance. Also, he's still improvising ridiculously powerful, unprecedented magic whenever there's a problem to solve.
Setting all that aside, it's action-packed and varied, and both the storytelling and emotional arc are sound. Aubrey makes just the kind of stupid, selfish decision a privileged, talented 17-year-old would make (notably without involving his sidekick George, which implies that he knows it's wrong and doesn't want to be told so), and he suffers consequences for it, which is good.
I like Caroline, the love interest, a lot, for much the same reasons as Aubrey does; she's extremely competent and intelligent, and acts like it (it's not just a decal stuck superficially onto a character who actually demonstrates ineptness and stupidity). And despite his shenanigans, I like Aubrey, too; he has a good heart, mostly, and wants to do the right thing, and knows he's driven by wanting his father's approval and to live up to his family tradition but doesn't know how to cope with that. His imperfections actually make him more appealing than a total Gary Stu, even though he's ridiculously talented.
The typesetting is very sloppy, with a lot of instances where there's a space before a quotation mark, for instance; there are words left out of sentences, words repeated, all the usual mess. There are also missing hyphens, multiple dangling modifiers, lots of "may" where it should be "might" in past tense, a ton of commas between adjectives that have no business there, and two occasions where characters are given the wrong name (once a contorted misspelling, once the surname of a completely different character). There's a mistake of real-world knowledge, too: a watercolourist's studio smells of turpentine, which is used in painting with oils. As I remarked about the first book, this is why I don't buy trad-pub books but get them from the library; you never know when you're going to get a sub-par piece of work like this, and they cost a lot more than indie books which are sometimes better edited.
This time, we're in Not-France ("Gallia"), mostly Not-Paris ("Lutetia"), where Aubrey is theoretically on holiday. I say "theoretically" because, as well as trying to casually bump into his love interest, who's studying there, he's trying to fulfil commissions from his cousin the crown prince, his father the prime minister, his mother the naturalist, his grandmother the duchess, and the head of the magical secret service. Plus he needs to get a rest, because he's still suffering from his foolish experiment with death magic in the first book.
No chance of a rest, though, because (and this was one of the things that irked me) he is constantly happening to be in places where something plot-relevant is happening. I lost count of the number of times he was coincidentally right there at a key moment. For example, he happens to be taking a tour of Not-Notre-Dame at the exact time that the McGuffin of the title, a magical artifact that holds France together, is stolen from a chapel there. This is, in my view, no way to run a plot; if a protagonist is somewhere where an important event is happening, it ought to be because they are protagonizing, not by sheer lucky chance. Also, he's still improvising ridiculously powerful, unprecedented magic whenever there's a problem to solve.
Setting all that aside, it's action-packed and varied, and both the storytelling and emotional arc are sound. Aubrey makes just the kind of stupid, selfish decision a privileged, talented 17-year-old would make (notably without involving his sidekick George, which implies that he knows it's wrong and doesn't want to be told so), and he suffers consequences for it, which is good.
I like Caroline, the love interest, a lot, for much the same reasons as Aubrey does; she's extremely competent and intelligent, and acts like it (it's not just a decal stuck superficially onto a character who actually demonstrates ineptness and stupidity). And despite his shenanigans, I like Aubrey, too; he has a good heart, mostly, and wants to do the right thing, and knows he's driven by wanting his father's approval and to live up to his family tradition but doesn't know how to cope with that. His imperfections actually make him more appealing than a total Gary Stu, even though he's ridiculously talented.
November 16, 2017
Aubrey needs a vacation. He's optimistic despite the laundry-list of errands he needs to run for various friends and relatives---and hopefully a few of his own. His condition, secret to all but his best friend George, is not improving, and he's hoping Lutetia's university might hold some clue to reversing his past mistakes. And he'd appreciate a chance to take it easy, relax, and explore the city. And possibly---accidentally of course---run across Caroline Hepworth, who happens to be studying at Lutetia's university.
But Lutetia has mysteries and troubles of its own. People are losing their souls, and the city's greatest treasure, the Heart of Gold, has gone missing. Aubrey, unable to leave trouble alone, can't resist the chance to dig in, even if it means he's going far over his head. Again.
The cocksure, talented Aubrey hasn't gone one problem, he has a whole deck. The convoluted mysteries weave within each other, providing unexpected connections throughout. This keeps the plot galloping headlong, never pausing for more than a breath before Aubrey, George, and Caroline are back in the thick of things. And for such a large list of to-dos, the book handles itself admirably. Not everything gets a tidy ending. Despite being a bit too invincible, Aubrey still has limits (especially when it comes to Caroline), and some things just weren't possible to get done.
The political background adds another interesting layer. The series is set in an alternate England. Lutetia is a friendly, artistic city in the middle of Gallia, a country uneasy about the signs of impending war with Holmland. Gallia's alliance with Albion is tenuous and sabotage is further weakening a relationship that needs to stay strong. Aubrey's position as the son of Albion's Prime Minister lands him squarely in the political court whether he wishes it or not.
The one downside I saw in the book was a tendency for Aubrey and George particularly to find nothing beyond their grasp, if only they try. This becomes less credible when the both have gone almost without sleep for a few days in a row and spent those days running around nonstop. Aubrey has one bad bout with his condition, but by and large seems mostly unaffected by his body's deterioration. Caroline, too, seems an almost impossible standard of perfection (thankfully, after her initial introduction, she settles into a more human character).
Overall, though, it's a fun read, and I really wish I'd been able to get the first one first. This story will stand very well alone, but there are severe spoilers for most of the things that have happened in the first book (Aubrey's condition being the least of it). I rate this book Recommended.
But Lutetia has mysteries and troubles of its own. People are losing their souls, and the city's greatest treasure, the Heart of Gold, has gone missing. Aubrey, unable to leave trouble alone, can't resist the chance to dig in, even if it means he's going far over his head. Again.
The cocksure, talented Aubrey hasn't gone one problem, he has a whole deck. The convoluted mysteries weave within each other, providing unexpected connections throughout. This keeps the plot galloping headlong, never pausing for more than a breath before Aubrey, George, and Caroline are back in the thick of things. And for such a large list of to-dos, the book handles itself admirably. Not everything gets a tidy ending. Despite being a bit too invincible, Aubrey still has limits (especially when it comes to Caroline), and some things just weren't possible to get done.
The political background adds another interesting layer. The series is set in an alternate England. Lutetia is a friendly, artistic city in the middle of Gallia, a country uneasy about the signs of impending war with Holmland. Gallia's alliance with Albion is tenuous and sabotage is further weakening a relationship that needs to stay strong. Aubrey's position as the son of Albion's Prime Minister lands him squarely in the political court whether he wishes it or not.
The one downside I saw in the book was a tendency for Aubrey and George particularly to find nothing beyond their grasp, if only they try. This becomes less credible when the both have gone almost without sleep for a few days in a row and spent those days running around nonstop. Aubrey has one bad bout with his condition, but by and large seems mostly unaffected by his body's deterioration. Caroline, too, seems an almost impossible standard of perfection (thankfully, after her initial introduction, she settles into a more human character).
Overall, though, it's a fun read, and I really wish I'd been able to get the first one first. This story will stand very well alone, but there are severe spoilers for most of the things that have happened in the first book (Aubrey's condition being the least of it). I rate this book Recommended.
February 4, 2017
4 stars
_____________
Still a fabulous series, but this instalment feels a bit cluttered and leaves you waiting for it to all come together. Which it does, albeit in a bit of a rush.
_____________
Just as Aubrey and George plan to head off to Lutetia in Gallia (Paris, France) on holidays, each of Aubrey's relatives tasks him with something, leaving him with a monumental to-do list and foiling his plans to "bump into" Caroline who's studying there.
Obviously nothing goes to plan and magic and mystery ensue. And though all the different tasks do come together into something coherent, there's an awful lot going on at once and I found it harder to get into.
I feel like this book is also setting-up for character development to come () but it wasn't quite there yet.
It would seem that away from Albion we would take a step back from the political machinations, and they were more subtle but still present (and welcome). Also, having lived in France, I appreciated the warm and good-natured stereotype of the Gallian (French) people.
Reading through this it sounds like I didn't like it very much but that is not true at all! I really did enjoy this book, the world is great, the characters are strong, the writing is good, it's fast-paced. It's just that I have high expectations of the series, and it's not the best of the books!
June 18, 2015
After the strain and danger of Blaze of Glory, Aubrey and George decide to take a relaxing holiday in Lutetia (Paris). But nothing is ever really relaxing around Aubrey Fitzwilliam. Soon enough Aubrey and George are caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue and mystery. Faced with a stolen national treasure and people turned mindless, Aubrey can’t help but get himself, and his friends, involved.
Again, Pryor’s intriguing world and plot are diminished by his tendency to be overly descriptive. In addition, however, I found that there were simply too many plot lines within this novel, which made the whole escapade feel too rushed and hectic. I would have preferred perhaps one less issue for Aubrey to deal with, although it was interesting to see him attempt to juggle all of the intriguing (and interlinking) problems that arose.
The novel has a fantastic cast of characters, each serving to assist or undermine Aubrey’s quest for answers. Pryor is definitely a master at bringing everything together, despite his tendency to pack too much into the story.
Again, Pryor’s intriguing world and plot are diminished by his tendency to be overly descriptive. In addition, however, I found that there were simply too many plot lines within this novel, which made the whole escapade feel too rushed and hectic. I would have preferred perhaps one less issue for Aubrey to deal with, although it was interesting to see him attempt to juggle all of the intriguing (and interlinking) problems that arose.
The novel has a fantastic cast of characters, each serving to assist or undermine Aubrey’s quest for answers. Pryor is definitely a master at bringing everything together, despite his tendency to pack too much into the story.
January 26, 2013
I just don't entirely know how I feel about these books. On the one hand, I am semi-intrigued as to where this is all going, but on the other hand I have a few too many problems with the book as a whole to feel like I should keep reading them. Same issues as I previously had: Aubrey can get away with anything and is even encouraged to get himself in dangerous situations by the government (in what world does the government ask a 17yr boy to help in matters of national security I ask you), Caroline is too perfect, and the believability is toeing the line. I can deal with a world with magic. Add to this zombies, magic bears and disappearing monuments and this is where I have trouble. It just pushes things to an unrealistic level for me.
To solve my dilemma I thought I'd just wikipedia the rest of the books, however my plans were thwarted by the absence of any plot articles (bummer) so I put it to you the people to either get on that or at least let me know what happens? Because I just don't think I can read another 2000 or so pages of the same irritating flaws.
To solve my dilemma I thought I'd just wikipedia the rest of the books, however my plans were thwarted by the absence of any plot articles (bummer) so I put it to you the people to either get on that or at least let me know what happens? Because I just don't think I can read another 2000 or so pages of the same irritating flaws.
May 10, 2012
Very good. Pryor's work in creating a plucky, appropriately Victorian-esque character in Aubrey Fitzwilliam is brilliant. The language is wonderfully mature yet still relatively straightforward.
This book follows Aubrey, now the son of Albion's Prime Minister, and his friend George on holiday, as they attempt to uncover what's going on in Gallia. Aubrey's wit, magical talent, and general intelligence comes in handy as they, with friend Caroline's assistance, work furiously to bring together the various elements at play.
If I could criticise this, it would be that the Victorian feel is so thoroughly done that in places this was a bit too slow for me.
However, it's so readable that it doesn't matter.
This book follows Aubrey, now the son of Albion's Prime Minister, and his friend George on holiday, as they attempt to uncover what's going on in Gallia. Aubrey's wit, magical talent, and general intelligence comes in handy as they, with friend Caroline's assistance, work furiously to bring together the various elements at play.
If I could criticise this, it would be that the Victorian feel is so thoroughly done that in places this was a bit too slow for me.
However, it's so readable that it doesn't matter.
August 28, 2013
The book is great as previous one. But in this one, we are shown how "humanly arrogant" Aubrey is.
His high handed move to make Caroline help him is REALLY annoying and the result is as bad as we know how it should be.
Also, his "Hero Syndrom" is more showcased than prevous book.
Well, I think all of his weakness should be expected, with his background and characters. But still, hope he learn how to appreciate human more, not merely as chess pieces.
Can't wait to read book 3 and see how He grovel to Caroline's good grace again. Wish Caroline make him grovel hard and long and still hold grudges for along time.. :D
His high handed move to make Caroline help him is REALLY annoying and the result is as bad as we know how it should be.
Also, his "Hero Syndrom" is more showcased than prevous book.
Well, I think all of his weakness should be expected, with his background and characters. But still, hope he learn how to appreciate human more, not merely as chess pieces.
Can't wait to read book 3 and see how He grovel to Caroline's good grace again. Wish Caroline make him grovel hard and long and still hold grudges for along time.. :D
July 31, 2011
Great 2nd part to this series. Aubrey is a magician student who has a problem with a failed magical experiment that has almost severed his life force. He goes to France on a quest for his king, the prime minister, his grandmother and others and along the way, finds out how to save his soul. He has many adventures with his best friend George, and his hoped to be girlfriend, Caroline. Of course, good prevails over evil but Aubrey lucks out with Caroline. Sets it up nicely for the next part.
October 25, 2008
I loved this sequal.
It definately did not disappoint me, and it did the first book justice by far.
The characters go to Gallia (France) And are faced with so many exciting challeges that i wont bother to go thorugh them.
It's a very full on book, and probably my favourite out of the two.
Keep it up. :)
It definately did not disappoint me, and it did the first book justice by far.
The characters go to Gallia (France) And are faced with so many exciting challeges that i wont bother to go thorugh them.
It's a very full on book, and probably my favourite out of the two.
Keep it up. :)
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November 6, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
November 30, 2015
The gang have all been recruited as junior agents for various intelligence agencies and are off to Gallia (France) to holiday and investigate various troublesome activities. In this story we find that Aubrey's not perfect--good to find a character that will grow!
September 9, 2010
it was awesome
September 17, 2013
Loved it! See review: http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/pry...
September 19, 2012
Love this series.
March 13, 2013
I enjoyed this book so much that I couldn't wait for bedtime so I could read it. Then I kept wanting to read way past my bedtime. Now I've started #3.
May 22, 2025
4.5stars
January 2, 2017
I'm really enjoying this series & particularly love the almost scientific manner magic is treated within this universe.
A fantastic read.
A fantastic read.
July 11, 2016
Thoroughly enjoy this series to bits!
September 9, 2016
3.5 stars
December 8, 2014
" We are going on a cross country search old man."
March 17, 2019
Aubrey why the fuck would you unenroll your love interest in their bloody course so you can spend time with them
Otherwise the book was adventure but omfg that's such a dick move omg I can't believe she can forgive him ish later
Otherwise the book was adventure but omfg that's such a dick move omg I can't believe she can forgive him ish later
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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