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Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman
Sep. 29th, 2015 09:44 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
Something is wrong in Aquae Sulis, Bath’s secret mirror city.
The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him – with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer.
There is a witness, but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs.
But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Emma Newman’s fantasy novel (the first in a trilogy) mixes Georgette Heyer with evil flower faeries to intriguing effect. Aquae Sulis is an interesting society – a mix of Regency, Victorian and Edwardian attitudes but without any of the growing awareness of social justice – and I enjoyed the fun Newman has with its fashions and societal norms. I also enjoyed the mix of political plots and machinations as families jostle on behalf of their patrons who also have their own agendas both for themselves and for the families who serve them. Cathy is a strong-willed heroine who feels like an outsider in her own world and is acutely aware of how restrictive it is for women. I believed in her desire for an education and a life of her own in Mundanus more than the relationship with Josh, who I found under-characterised and dull. My favourite characters though were Max and the gargoyle, who I found fascinating – especially the emotionless and dogged Max who knows there’s something more going on but isn’t allowed to investigate it. All in all I found the set-up intriguing and more than enough plot (maybe too much given all the storylines that are running) to ensure that I’ll read the next novels.
The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him – with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer.
There is a witness, but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs.
But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Emma Newman’s fantasy novel (the first in a trilogy) mixes Georgette Heyer with evil flower faeries to intriguing effect. Aquae Sulis is an interesting society – a mix of Regency, Victorian and Edwardian attitudes but without any of the growing awareness of social justice – and I enjoyed the fun Newman has with its fashions and societal norms. I also enjoyed the mix of political plots and machinations as families jostle on behalf of their patrons who also have their own agendas both for themselves and for the families who serve them. Cathy is a strong-willed heroine who feels like an outsider in her own world and is acutely aware of how restrictive it is for women. I believed in her desire for an education and a life of her own in Mundanus more than the relationship with Josh, who I found under-characterised and dull. My favourite characters though were Max and the gargoyle, who I found fascinating – especially the emotionless and dogged Max who knows there’s something more going on but isn’t allowed to investigate it. All in all I found the set-up intriguing and more than enough plot (maybe too much given all the storylines that are running) to ensure that I’ll read the next novels.
