Reviewed by shannonmiz on
I hadn't really been sure I would read this when I found it in my FierceReads package. It seemed awfully cute, which isn't bad, I just didn't know if it was my "thing". Anyway, after reading a ton of books set in the future, I was jonesing for some historical fiction (and fine, something relatively short, don't judge). So I grabbed it off the shelf, and I am so glad that I took a chance on it! It's such an unexpected gem!
Yes, it's cute, but not in a cheesy, sugary way. It's more that yes, there are very swoony moments, and it overall made my insides feel happy, but the characters also went through some junk too. It wasn't just adorableness and magic, it was real. Basically the author did an amazing job of toeing the line between adorable and saccharine.
The main character, Lucinda, thinks that the nineteenth century norms of treating women like possessions is garbage. I agree with Lucinda, so we were getting along right from the start. While her father wanted her to get married and Idk, trot around in fancy garb (look, I have no idea what women did then, but seems frilly and boring), Lucinda wanted to use her amazing math-wizard brain to help the family business. Her father's partner (and her former childhood pal) David seemed to be down with Lucinda doing some work. Because she was awesome at it and he knew it.
Lucinda was also pretty bummed because the author of her favorite serial story is dead... and has left no clue to the ending. Lucinda is bound and determined to find out the ending, and she enlists the help of David. Sure, she has to bend the truth a little, but such is life. David doesn't want to get in the middle of family arguments, even though he does seem to agree with Lucinda's desire for independence and purpose. They get along quite well, and you can tell that even when they're on opposite sides there's an undeniable spark.
Bottom Line: Ultimately, it's impossible to not cheer for Lucinda and want her to break free from the nonsense societal norms. Watching her use her intellect and wit to do just that is an adventure you won't want to miss.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 30 May, 2019: Finished reading
- 30 May, 2019: Reviewed