Book Review
Nov. 29th, 2013 05:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariDeath by Silver
by Melissa Scott and Amy Griswold
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, which I'd entered because of my enjoyment of Scott's two previous fantasy mysteries. Death by Silver turned out to be just as charming and enjoyable as I'd hoped.
The novel takes place in an alternate version of late Victorian London in which there is working magic. Although its workings are never fully explained (the book reads like the first of a series, so that's probably why), metaphysics, as magic is called, seems to be a fairly learned endeavor, requiring academic study to master. However, it is still a very practical art, used for everyday household things like locks as well as more complicated and arcane applications. And also, apparently, more nefarious uses as well. And that's where the two protagonists come in. Ned is a metaphysician just starting out in his business and Julian is a detective likewise starting out. The two went to private school together, where they were both bullied mercilessly and formed a deep and often passionate bond. When Ned is hired to investigate the murder of Edgar Nevett, the father of one of the worst of his old school bullies, Ned brings Julian into the case. Together they unravel the mystery while also untangling the complexities of their own relationship.
Death by Silver was a fun read. Ned and Julian are both extremely and their romance is very sweet. The mystery story is well played and reasonably clever, even if I did see what was going on before Ned and Julian did. Luckily, the pacing was spot on so that the narrative retained excitement even after I figured out the solution to the mystery.
(Trigger warning: Scott and Griswold pull no punches in the flashback bullying scenes)
by Melissa Scott and Amy Griswold
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, which I'd entered because of my enjoyment of Scott's two previous fantasy mysteries. Death by Silver turned out to be just as charming and enjoyable as I'd hoped.
The novel takes place in an alternate version of late Victorian London in which there is working magic. Although its workings are never fully explained (the book reads like the first of a series, so that's probably why), metaphysics, as magic is called, seems to be a fairly learned endeavor, requiring academic study to master. However, it is still a very practical art, used for everyday household things like locks as well as more complicated and arcane applications. And also, apparently, more nefarious uses as well. And that's where the two protagonists come in. Ned is a metaphysician just starting out in his business and Julian is a detective likewise starting out. The two went to private school together, where they were both bullied mercilessly and formed a deep and often passionate bond. When Ned is hired to investigate the murder of Edgar Nevett, the father of one of the worst of his old school bullies, Ned brings Julian into the case. Together they unravel the mystery while also untangling the complexities of their own relationship.
Death by Silver was a fun read. Ned and Julian are both extremely and their romance is very sweet. The mystery story is well played and reasonably clever, even if I did see what was going on before Ned and Julian did. Luckily, the pacing was spot on so that the narrative retained excitement even after I figured out the solution to the mystery.
(Trigger warning: Scott and Griswold pull no punches in the flashback bullying scenes)
no subject
Date: 2013-11-29 11:09 pm (UTC)I like that!
I shall look for this book.
no subject
Date: 2013-11-30 12:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-11-30 12:43 am (UTC)That would be amazing, actually. Thank you! If you don't have my new address, I'll e-mail you with it.
(If you turn out to want to keep it, do not let me interfere!)