Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

The Apothecary’s Poison by C.J. Archer

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Apothecary's Poison (Glass and Steele, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Glass and Steele #3
Publication Date: 4/4/14
Period: Fantasy Victorian London
Number of Pages: 352

This third book in the Glass and Steele series has Matthew’s plight becoming more dire. The magic in his watch is failing more quickly and he has to use it more and more often to stay alive – but, even then it doesn’t fully rejuvenate him. They are desperate to find Chronos, the watchmaker who saved Matthew’s life and imbued the watch with the magic properties that keep him alive. Finding a magical physician will help as well, but those are the rarest of magicians. So, imagine their elation when they read a newspaper article talking about a medical miracle – a doctor who has brought a patient back from the dead.

When India and Matthew rush to the hospital to speak with the doctor, they find the story isn’t exactly as it was presented in the article and the doctor can be of no help to them at all. When that doctor is murdered, Matthew is Detective Inspector Brockwell’s chief suspect – and Brockwell doesn’t seem to be inclined to look any further. It is, therefore, up to India, Matthew, and the crew to uncover the actual murderer. That won’t be easy because they’ll be fighting on two fronts. One front is the number of suspects, magic, and the Guilds, and the second front is the detective who has been swayed by American Sheriff Payne, whose sole purpose in life is to end Matthew – without coming under blame himself.

I switched between reading this book and listening to the audio version. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life with a separate and distinct voice for each character. The pacing was excellent and the presentation was so deep, rich, and immersive that I could hear the narrator’s voice even when I was reading rather than listening.

I have enjoyed the mysteries presented in each of the books, and I have enjoyed seeing India discover her magical abilities and begin to try them out. However, I fear I am going to lose patience and give up on the series long before it is finished. The romance between India and Matthew seems to be an excruciatingly slow burn. I’m already tired of it and I believe there are several more books before we see any movement. I’m also tiring of one – possibly two – of the main supporting characters. I thought Matthew’s Aunt Letitia added a nice bit of humor to the books at first, but her interfering, snobbish ways have already begun to wear thin. The second character which may or may not become tiresome is Matthew’s American cousin Wilhelmina (Willy) Johnson. Her character is just too over-the-top and outrageous. While she’s tolerable so far, I can see her becoming a detriment to my reading pleasure.

I enjoyed reading the book and can recommend it as a quick, fun read that mixes fantasy, romance, and mystery in Victorian London.

The Mapmaker’s Apprentice by C.J. Archer

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Mapmaker's Apprentice (Glass and Steele, #2)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Glass and Steele #2
Publication Date: 10/25/16
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 313

A LOT is going on in each of the books in this series – and these things will run through most, if not all, of the books. There is the issue of the people with magic and those without. There is the issue of the sheriff from America who is out to destroy and/or kill Matthew. There is the issue of finding the magical watchmaker who can repair the watch keeping Matthew alive. Then, of course, there is a story specific to each book – and the ongoing development of the relationship between India and Matthew.

The business of Victorian England is run by Guilds – The Watchmaker’s Guild, The Mapmaker’s Guild, the Toymaker’s Guild, etc. If you want to open a business or sell a product of any kind, you must be licensed by the Guild for that product. Sometimes nasty shenanigans are happening in those guilds – I know that surprises you. 😊 Those Guilds will not admit nor license anyone who is magical to the guild. People with magical abilities are feared and reviled

India, Matthew, and their compatriots are getting more and more frustrated at being unable to find the watchmaker known as Chronos. As Matthew’s watch becomes less and less effective at keeping him alive, it is becoming more and more imperative to find him. Yet, they hit a blank wall everywhere they turn. Where can he be?

Police Commissioner Munro asks them to find a young man who has gone missing – his son – who has magical abilities as a mapmaker. Though we never actually meet the young man, Daniel, what we do learn of him doesn’t make him sound very likable. India and Matthew are afraid he’s been kidnapped by someone in the employ of the Watchmaker’s Guild because of his abilities. Was he kidnapped or did he just take off on his own to make his fortune? Hmmm – you’ll need to read the book to find out.

This could have been, for me anyway, a dark book – except, the matchmaking schemes of Matthew’s Aunt Letitia kept throwing bits of humor into the mix. You’ll love Aunt Letitia – who is class-conscious and a stickler for the proprieties – and is perhaps not always in her right mind.

India struggles with her magical abilities and learning how to use and control them. She’s been told her abilities are strong – very strong – but she has no idea how to cast a spell or use her abilities. However, when the chips are down and it is a matter of life and death, she tries something – and it works. So, it will be fun to watch India learn how to control her abilities.

If you are looking for an interesting read with a missing boy, murder, hidden treasure, and a plethora of bad guys, along with magic, mischief, and mayhem, then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see how many books it will take before we find Chronos. Will he be able to repair Matthew’s watch? Or – maybe India will become so powerful she can do it herself. I can hardly wait to start the next book – and the next – and the next to find Chronos, to see the nasty Sheriff brought to justice, and to see Matthew and India finally get their HEA.