Weekend Reads: The Werewolf of Whitechapel by Suzannah Rowntree (Sarah)

 

Gaslamp fantasy, most commonly set in the Regency, Edwardian, or Victorian eras of our world or in a secondary world with a similar feel, weaves the supernatural alongside everyday life, often with a Gothic flare. It’s a fantasy sub-genre I love (so much so that I’m currently working on a gaslamp mystery series), and I’ve enjoyed discovering some new or new-to-me authors in this category recently. In the past, I’d read several of Suzannah Rowntree’s fairy tale retellings, and when I saw the announcement for The Werewolf of Whitechapel, the first book in the Miss Sharp’s Monsters series, I immediately picked it up and found within a satisfying story.

The Werewolf of Whitechapel provides an intriguing alternate history by offering an interesting theory: what if Victorian-era Europe had been ruled by monsters? Werewolves, vampires, and sirens compose the royal bloodlines of Europe, with England standing as the lone exception. 

Our protagonist, one Liz Sharp, remembers nothing of her past, but has received specialized training from Saint Boltoph’s to protect members of the royal family from anarchists who may rebel against the rule of these monsters. By virtue of becoming a lady’s maid/bodyguard to Princess May of England, Miss Sharp will find herself interfacing with the royal families, and therefore surrounded by the monsters she loathes—the sort of monsters who left her scarred and also imparted to her preternatural abilities.  

When Miss Sharp’s dearest friend meets an untimely end, the precarious position of the everyday citizen in this world becomes abundantly clear. Miss Sharp is confident that a werewolf murdered her friend—and indeed, evidence supports it, but no one will pursue this line of investigation. After all, who can hold those in power accountable?

The murder of her friend pulls Miss Sharp into the mystery surrounding not only her death, but others, and of course, into danger as well.  Accustomed to independence and self-reliance, Miss Sharp must learn to work with unexpected allies or else she may find herself in over her head. I’ve always appreciated tales of unlikely friendships, and the unfolding relationships between very different individuals enhances the story. The way the world-building unfolds makes for a compelling tale, and the voice suits the era well. If you enjoy gaslamp fantasy or mysteries with mystical monsters, definitely give this one a try!

Are you familiar with the gaslamp subgenre? Do you have any favorite tales in this category?

Weekend Reads: Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal (Sarah)

 

I’ve loved Jane Austen and the Regency era since my teenage years, when I devoured all of Austen’s novels, and then sought any that might evoke a similar feeling. And of course, like most of you, I also love fantasy. So when I heard Mary Robinette Kowal discussing her Regency-era fantasy novel on the Writing Excuses podcast, I was intrigued.

As a historical fantasy, Shades of Milk and Honey, the first book of the Glamourist Histories, takes place in Regency England, with a twist that changes everything: the use of glamour. With it, men and women can form visual illusions, alter appearance, enhance their homes and lives, and fashion creations of remarkable beauty. 

This provides a backdrop for the tale of Jane, a homely woman of good breeding, but great talent with glamour. In contrast, her sister Melody possesses great beauty, but only a feeble ability to work glamour. This makes for an interesting dynamic between the two, as their love for one another receives a strain from jealousy and completion, especially as each seeks to find a place in the world and wrestles with societal and familial expectations of forming an excellent match. 

Relationships—both between family members and with possible love interests—form a vital part of the story. Ultimately it’s a desire to protect her sister that puts Jane on the path of finding her own love and purpose in life, and I appreciated this thread of devotion and familial sacrifice that was woven through the tale.

Shades of Milk and Honey unfolds at a steady pace, through conversations in drawing rooms, picnics in the idyllic countryside, and eventful balls. It’s a light, enjoyable read with interesting relationships, a touch of humor, and a bit of intrigue, and one I’d definitely recommend to those who like historical or gaslamp fantasy.

Do you enjoy Regency-era or gaslamp fantasy? It’s one I definitely favor, and I’d love to hear if you have any you recommend.

Weekend Reads: The Last Days of Lady Cordelia: A Beaumont and Beasley Story by Kyle Robert Shultz (Gretchen)

 Last weekend I went from football mom to soccer mom. My son traded his pads for a keeper jersey and filled in on a local travel team. I was so excited. Not only would we get to watch him play soccer again, we got to cheer with fellow soccer parents, who happen to be some of our closest friends. Oh, the tournament was in Tucson, so 70F in February. Sorry, not sorry for those of you in the Groundhog's shadow. I live in the mountainous, cold part of Arizona, so it was a treat for our family.

What is the best way to pass a car ride that includes hairpin curves through a canyon?

Listing to an audiobook of course!

The Last Days of Lady Cordelia by Kyle Robert Shultz is a great choice for a quick listen. The novella is a sequel to The Beast of Talesend and occurs between Book 2, The Tomb of the Sea Witch, and Book 3 The Stroke of Eleven.

What did I like about The Last Days of Lady Cordelia?
1. It's a gaslamp story set in the Roaring '20s
2. There's a good dose of humor
3. It's nice and twisty

Lady Cordelia has magic ability that accidentally turned private detective and magic skeptic, Nick Beaseley into a beast in The Beast of Talesend. Since then, the two along have been looking for a cure for Nick's "condition."
Cordelia finds herself dying in a hospital. But there's something not quite right about this world. Some things are better, and other things are worse, much worse. Like there is no magic in this world. It means that her father isn't a diabolical magician. It also means she and the fully human Nick have never met until they encounter each other in the hospital. The worst part is that in a world without magic, Cordelia doesn't have any powers, and she strongly suspects magic is what she needs to escape.
The story twists and turns with the reader not sure if her memories of a world with magic are the reality or if this unmagical world, that is suspiciously like our world with places named America and London is reality.
While the reader knows what "reality" is, the story is not predictable.
If you've read The Beast of Talesend and The Tomb of the Sea Witch, I recommend giving The Last Days of Lady Cordelia a read (or listen). And if you haven't, check out Lizzie's  January 3 Weekend Reads for reviews of Books 1 and 2 to get started on this magically humorous series.