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timinbc's review
2.0
If this is meant to be YA, add a star; if it's a satire, add another.
And if volume 2 drops the clichés and gets on with the story, I may amend this review.
As it is, I fear that we're headed for another "as she learns just how strong her magic is, a new evil emerges and Only She Can Save The World."
So, our heroine is Flavia de Luce, or any of countless other plucky young girls in a man's world. Her father is the weak side of Flavia's dad, with the same financial problems. Of course everyone underestimates her, except a few key people. Of course she repeatedly takes ludicrous risks and gets away with them.
I understand that in a novella there is less time for worldbuilding and characters. The Society is reasonably well set up, even if it isn't yet clear how magic is actually used for real things. Ah, but the characters. Ledbetter is a caricature, and Hopkins is the opposite caricature, sort of Mr. Darcy with magic. George is a cipher, and about 50 words after meeting him we know he's toast.
Some tighter editing, maybe? I hate "step foot" when "set foot" is perfectly serviceable. People don't "do their upmost," (it's utmost), and "banister" for stair handrail is only rarely spelled with two Ns.
I thought I was going to dislike the ending, but I was pleasantly surprised at the deft handling of her transition from "Absolutely not!" to "No!" to "Tell me more" and so on. Made me think of some of Doctor Who's companions as they started.
All that said, there's a good chance that a novel following from this can be good. I've just read two other Newmans, and she can certainly tell a story.
And if volume 2 drops the clichés and gets on with the story, I may amend this review.
As it is, I fear that we're headed for another "as she learns just how strong her magic is, a new evil emerges and Only She Can Save The World."
So, our heroine is Flavia de Luce, or any of countless other plucky young girls in a man's world. Her father is the weak side of Flavia's dad, with the same financial problems. Of course everyone underestimates her, except a few key people. Of course she repeatedly takes ludicrous risks and gets away with them.
I understand that in a novella there is less time for worldbuilding and characters. The Society is reasonably well set up, even if it isn't yet clear how magic is actually used for real things. Ah, but the characters. Ledbetter is a caricature, and Hopkins is the opposite caricature, sort of Mr. Darcy with magic. George is a cipher, and about 50 words after meeting him we know he's toast.
Some tighter editing, maybe? I hate "step foot" when "set foot" is perfectly serviceable. People don't "do their upmost," (it's utmost), and "banister" for stair handrail is only rarely spelled with two Ns.
I thought I was going to dislike the ending, but I was pleasantly surprised at the deft handling of her transition from "Absolutely not!" to "No!" to "Tell me more" and so on. Made me think of some of Doctor Who's companions as they started.
All that said, there's a good chance that a novel following from this can be good. I've just read two other Newmans, and she can certainly tell a story.
tregina's review
3.0
Intriguing, but there is something a little bit lacking in the worldbuilding here. I never entirely bought into it, though it got stronger as it went. Still, definitely intending to continue with the series.
crimsoncor's review against another edition
4.0
Incredible novella. A mix of [a:Mary Robinette Kowal|2868678|Mary Robinette Kowal|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647270290p2/2868678.jpg]'s Glamourist novels and Enola Holmes. Great world building in a small format.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free EArc from Netgalley.
Brother's Ruin is a very quick read - more an introduction than anything to events which will follow in forthcoming books.
The story is well-paced and well-structured. The brief snatches of Victorian London that are revealed are well presented - the use of the term 'hansom' cab seems to almost be enough to conjure up the world of Holmes and Watson.
Charlotte Gunn, the main character for all the title is Brother's Ruin, is a likeable character from the word go, although she does have her little secrets, and wants nothing more than to live a normal life as a daughter and future wife of her fiancee. This seems to be impossible as she is a talented Mage, and Mage's must submit themselves to the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts and never marry or know love and so she's desperate to keep her gifts a secret. Not easy when she is capable of doing 'magic' without even thinking about it and is the cause of her brother's 'trial' with the Royal Society to see if he too is a mage. Worried about the consequences if he should fail - (this would result in the family being punished) she decides to help him and at the same time, help her father get out of debt, while at the same time discovering a magical plot which sees the moneylender being none too kind to his debtors. All in all, there's a lot going on for such a small book, and the author sets up her main character well to have influence and prestige in future adventures.
I would recommend this book to people, but I imagine, many will want Book 2 to be available immediately after reading Book 1.
Brother's Ruin is a very quick read - more an introduction than anything to events which will follow in forthcoming books.
The story is well-paced and well-structured. The brief snatches of Victorian London that are revealed are well presented - the use of the term 'hansom' cab seems to almost be enough to conjure up the world of Holmes and Watson.
Charlotte Gunn, the main character for all the title is Brother's Ruin, is a likeable character from the word go, although she does have her little secrets, and wants nothing more than to live a normal life as a daughter and future wife of her fiancee. This seems to be impossible as she is a talented Mage, and Mage's must submit themselves to the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts and never marry or know love and so she's desperate to keep her gifts a secret. Not easy when she is capable of doing 'magic' without even thinking about it and is the cause of her brother's 'trial' with the Royal Society to see if he too is a mage. Worried about the consequences if he should fail - (this would result in the family being punished) she decides to help him and at the same time, help her father get out of debt, while at the same time discovering a magical plot which sees the moneylender being none too kind to his debtors. All in all, there's a lot going on for such a small book, and the author sets up her main character well to have influence and prestige in future adventures.
I would recommend this book to people, but I imagine, many will want Book 2 to be available immediately after reading Book 1.
megadeathvsbooks's review
2.0
It was a bit too formulaic for me. I didn't see any real new depictions of magic or fantasy that engaged me.
jesslynh's review
3.0
I liked it, right up to the end that kind of...ended? IMO, although I can accept the ending, it felt too much like a novella that should be a full book. There is a lot of story left to be told.
mcf's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5
The whole thing is just stage-setting for the series, and it's hard to figure out what the world's magic is really for, apart from flash and image, but the story to which it's building up sound like it could potentially be a lot of fun.
The whole thing is just stage-setting for the series, and it's hard to figure out what the world's magic is really for, apart from flash and image, but the story to which it's building up sound like it could potentially be a lot of fun.
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmhh.. Mages og magic. Joda. Ikke verst start på denne tredje serien jeg leser fra Newman dette.
raven_morgan's review
4.0
This is a great introduction to a new series from Emma Newman. The magic system is fascinating, and the characters compelling. My only complaint is that it clearly reads as the first act of a larger work, not as a self-contained novella.