Shades of Milk and Honey

I think I might have enjoyed this more if I hadn't read Austenland so recently, and Pride and Prejudice earlier in the year. I thought the premise of Austen + magic was interesting and well done. The first half or so was a bit slow, and then the second half felt crowded and rushed a bit. I am excited to see what happens with these characters in the sequel. That was actually part of what drew me to this series--the prospect of an ongoing relationship between the hero and heroine, not stopping at happily ever after. ( )

Shades of Milk and Honey was such an enjoyable read. It reminds me a bit of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, of magic mixed in with the Regency period. The magic system was interesting though I would have liked to have known more about it (I reckon later novels in the series will explore this). I also enjoyed all of the character interactions and had fun guessing who Jane and Melody would end up with at the end ;) Definitely recommend this book for fans of fantasy and Jane Austen.

You could read my full review of the novel over at my blog: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/02/06/review-shades-of-milk-and-honey/ ( )

Jane Austen pastiche, with magic. This has to be one of my favourite mini-genres.

In Regency times, plain but clever Jane Ellsworth and her younger perfectly pretty but unaccomplished sister Melody are both in need of husbands as their family property has been entailed away from them. (Sound familiar?)

However, the one thing Austen's heroines never had was the ability to manipulate glamour into decorative art, which in this world is a accomplishment that all young ladies are expected to have mastered. And Jane's talent for glamour is unsurpassed.

Since magic in this world is not made of earth shattering stuff, the plot revolves around the Austen staples of society and husband hunting with very genteel manners. Being a modern book though, the ending is nothing like what Austen would plan with far more adventure and thrilling excitement than she would ever write.

I had a great time reading this book, and will be reading the sequels as soon as is possible. ( )

As the author herself attests, this book draws on the best of the Jane Austen tradition, but places it in a unique imagining of a fantasical world. I raced from cover to cover, and can't wait for the sequel. Despite this being a fantasy novel, it reminds me quite strongly of Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series. I am falling in love with tales of brilliant, strong women in Victorian England. ( )

Jane Ellsworth ‘made up for her deficit of beauty with rare taste and talent in the womanly arts’, but just what is considered womanly arts?

Jane, considered a spinster at 28, is outshined by her sister in everything but ‘glamour’--- ‘glamour’ meaning the art of spinning magic over the world around them. The two seem to have fallen for the same steadfast neighbor that is until the dashing nephew of Lady FitzCameron arrives for a visit. Melody’s heart turns to the dashing Captain Livingston while Jane is left to make sure everything is as it seems…. Should Jane listen to her heart or her head?

People have been comparing it to Jane Austen--- I will not go that far. Yes, it is set in Regency England with a family that resembles a cross between the Bennetts and Dashwoods…. but any comparison stops there. While it was a quick, fun read I felt at odds with the idea of ‘Glamour’ – it was a bit disjointed; it seemed to sit on top of the narrative more so than being the heart and soul of the tale. In my mind I substituted ‘glamour’ for a passion for art instead, it sit better in my mind. Normally I am up for a bit of magic or sci-fi but did not feel it lived up to its potential in the storyline… ( )