What the Lady's Maid Knew

by E E Holmes

[Berls]

4.5 stars

I hadn't heard anything about this book when I saw in on the Tantor Prepub Announcement list, but something about it drew me in and boy am I glad! I loved the setting, plot and characters and CANNOT wait for the next book. That's my only regret, that I have to wait for book 2 to be published in October.

This is set in an alternate history 1800s-ish England. A group of people have developed magical abilities, called rift magic. They have the ability to manipulate people and objects, they can produce fire and appear invisible. But rather than being the most powerful group of the society, due to a religious belief that they are born with this abilities as a sign of their sin, they have been relegated the to the slums and the servant class. Most the servant class have been indoctrinated and accept this place in life, but some - especially those in the slums - do not accept this. And when a rebel group are executed, tensions rise.

We get to see these world primarily from the view point of one of the rift born servants - Eliza - and watch as her world view slowly shifts from acceptance to questioning to rebellion. We also see the daughter of one of the elders and the way her life is manipulated and controlled. We also see some of the rebels. And as the book progresses, things get increasingly exciting - and more layers get revealed. The book doesn't end on a cliff - things are settled for the moment - but we're marching towards a powder keg and I am so excited to see what will happen next.

I listened to this book, narrated by Mary Sarah, and enjoyed her narration immensely. She has a very airy voice for the women, which made her transition to male characters shockingly good, in that their voices are very masculine. I actually had to check that it wasn't two narrators. I hope that the audio release of the next book isn't too delayed because I would like to listen to it, but I'm also eager to read it!