Dark Mirror

Victoria Mansfield, a young lady of quality, is appalled to discover that she has inherited magical abilities from a great-grandmother. In Tory's world, magic is a strictly plebeian accomplishment, and any member of the aristocracy who exhibits magical aptitude is shunned by polite society. Tory, like many other young aristocratic mages, is sent to Lackland, a strict school where they can learn to control and suppress their magical tendencies, and so be fit to re-enter society. While there, Tory meets a group of students who are not interested in suppressing their magic, but instead meet in secret to learn how to wield their powers. These young mages hope to be able to help defend Britain against attack from Napoleon's troupes. Fleeing show more a raid on their secret meeting place, Tory stumbles upon a powerful magical artifact that transports her to a different time, where there is also great need for powerful magic.

This book combines magic, time travel, romance, and adventure in just the right quantities. Tory is a believable, multifaceted character, conflicted about accepting her magical abilities, and yet strong in the face of danger to herself and her friends. Fans of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction are sure to enjoy this book. show less

In short: Unfortunately, Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney was unable to capture my interest and somehow managed to make even magic lame and boring.

Magic plus time travel. Can't go wrong, right? Unfortunately, much to my surprise and dismay, Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney didn't work for me. It was an amalgamation of things that didn't work but ultimately, I was bored. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters or the plot. Nothing inspired any stirrings of interest; if I was the type to DNF books, I would've done so within the first 50 pages of Dark Mirror.

The magical abilities that Tory and her friends have weren't even interesting, which I didn't think was possible. Talk about some of the lamest magical powers ever. One guy is show more an expert at moving clouds around; one girl specializes in heating things; one guy is particularly good at finding things. LAME. And they seriously thought they were going to be able to take on Napoleon's army with these powers? Don't get me wrong, it's noble and all that they want to fight for England, but they were clearly delusional.

I disliked the writing as well but I'm not sure I could put into words exactly what didn't work for me. It seemed a bit amateurish, though I know that's not true because M.J. Putney is a fairly experienced author. I guess I thought the writing was too simple and bare. I'm not saying I need writing to be extremely flowery and detailed all the time, but I like to be able to experience more fully the surroundings, the plot elements, and the characters' personalities than Dark Mirror allowed me.

One thing that I was impressed by was the setting: not one, but two historical settings were involved, 1803 and WWII. M.J. Putney demonstrates a great amount of knowledge of the eras, though I would've preferred had she not stated this knowledge so matter of factly in the novel. If she had interwoven the historical information more seamlessly into the plot (something that Rick Yancey, author of The Monstrumologist Series, does very well), then I would've been truly impressed. show less

Let me just start by saying this: I loved this book. The description does not even begin to do it justice or even skim the surface of what this one is about! Not only is it a brilliant story of magic and prejudice and time travel, but the historical part of this is the real gem. We get a sort of two-for-one deal here. Most historical time travel stories, at least one of the times visited is modern times. With Dark Mirror, you get a taste of both the 1800s and the 1940s, two war-stricken eras and that plays a big part in the story. The detail put into each time period was impressive, I can only imagine the amount of research time the author put in to really make each surrounding come alive the way it did.
The characters were another show more strong point. I loved the main character, Tory. Her decision at the beginning of the story is noble and brave, despite the fact that she knows it could possibly ruin the rest of her life. I loved the fact that when everyone she knew turned on her, there was very little self-pity---she was sad but basically said "screw em'!" (in the most proper and ladylike way that a victorian lady could, of course!) if they wanted to turn their backs on her for something that was not her fault, so be it. I was glad that she never regretted the act that led to her exile. I also loved Elspeth, the first girl Tory meets at reform school, Lackland Abbey. Her attitude toward being a sort of outcast at the school is perfect. And of course, there is Allarde. Noble and gentlemanly, with a quiet air of mystery about him. Lots of supporting characters and each was very well written. I loved how, after being abandoned by their own families, they all pull together to make their own self-made family, brought together by their desire to use their forbidden powers to save lives in times of war.

This story didn't let up for one minute, I was completely enchanted all the way through. It felt like being in the world of Jane Austen with a healthy dose of magic and time-travel thrown in. And then you experience a little of the fear and desperation of the battle of Dunkirk. I can only imagine where this story might go in the next books in this series---the possiblities are endless! show less

As a teenager I often read M.J. Putney's (or Mary Jo Putney) historical romances. She was one of my favorites because she had female characters I felt I could relate to. Their situations and reactions felt real to me. When I saw she had a young adult historical paranormal romance coming out...I was overjoyed! Combining everything in one place that I love sounded like a great idea! Unfortunately while reading DARK MIRROR I remembered the two things I really didn't like about Putney's writing--her exposition heavy conversations and insta-connection that turns into insta-love without too much development on either side.

The book is set in two different eras--there's 1803, at Lackland Abbey where Tory is sent after saving her nephew's life show more with magic and 1940, at Lackland Village where Tory tumbles into after running for her life one night. Of the two I enjoyed 1803 better, because it's a time period I like better, but I thought it was clever of Putney to bridge the two eras with a common purpose--Protect England at all costs.

Tory's struggles are believable; she's a good person, but she was raised to believe that everything she is, is wrong. Tainted and corrupted. The reasoning behind the aristocracy's disdain is detailed in the prologue and I have to say it's amazing what a bunch of snobs can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time. It broke my heart when everyone Tory loved and cherished, save for her older brother and his wife, turned their backs on her as if she suddenly grew two heads. It later angered me that both her mother and sister seemingly aren't as un-magical as they proclaim to be yet treat Tory as a pariah just the same because they worry about THEIR lives. The injustice of it all had my fists clenching in frustration.

Tory's arrival at Lackland Abbey is when then narrative begins to fall apart somewhat. Tory is the 'new girl' with very little idea about how things go on at the Abbey or for magically inclined folks in general, so several characters take it upon themselves to answer every single question she (or the reader) has in explicit detail. Very little it left to the reader to deduce themselves or explore. Same can be said for when Tory finds herself in 1940--several characters again take it upon themselves to answer all (to a point, history can't be completely disrupted) her questions.

There is also the matter of her romantic interest in Allarde. This is going to be a several books long series, so I didn't see a need to solidify their relationship so quickly. It's literally one moment he is denying, the next he is 'just one kiss' and suddenly its 'I love you so much!'. I'm not certain of how much time passed between their first meeting and the declaration of love, but it felt entirely too rushed. I didn't feel, or read, the depths of emotion the both of them apparently developed.

Her friendship developments made much more sense and were a joy to read. From her camaraderie with Eslpeth, her 'normal' friendship with Nell and the combative...well not friendship exactly with Cynthia they were far more interesting. I found Jack Rainford to be a lively character as well and I certainly hope we see much more of him in the next book, DARK PASSAGE, due out in the fall.

In the end this was an enjoyable read, but Putney crammed too much relationship development into the last third of the book for it to be believable. Hopefully in the next one there's a step back and everyone takes some time to examine all the details. show less

Putney's young adult debut combines historical fiction, magic, romance and time travel and does it very well. Tory is the youngest daughter of an Earl. When it is discovered that she has magic, she is exiled to Lackland Abbey to be cured. Aristocrats hate magic. Once there she gains a different perspective on her magic when she meets other students who are trying to learn to use theirs for England's gain. She also meets town people who have always embraced their magic. She travels in time to the future and to a time that is in great need of her magical abilities. This was entertaining and engaging. This one does not end on a cliffhanger but the second book comes out in September.

M.J. Putney’s debut YA novel is an absolute delight that I devoured in one sitting! When 16 year old Lady Victoria “Tory” Mansfield’s magic powers are exposed during a life or death situation, she is exiled to Lackland Abbey, where mages are said to be “cured” so they can return to their wealthy families to regain a small semblance of their dignity. In 1803, magic use is frowned upon by the upper echelons, while the middle and lower class thinks nothing of using powers they consider a privilege to have. Once at Lackland, Tory discovers a group of rebels determined to develop their magic so they may be of service to England during the threat of invasion from Napolean’s forces. When she joins with this courageous group of show more students, she will learn what it means to be needed, and realizes that the home and life she hoped to return to may not be her destiny.

Dark Mirror was such a great read, and Ms. Putney adds an exciting twist that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Full of magic, adventure, and a dash of romance, against a lush 19th century setting, and the chaos of WWII England, Dark Mirror will please readers of all ages. Tory is a delight, and I loved getting to know her new friends at Lackland Abbey. I’m notoriously picky when it comes to YA, and I loved it! show less

Oh, look at the pretty cover! The pretties! I want to snuggle the pretties! And it so suits the book too, oh! Lovely lovely! Cute! Regency! Fun times!

Okay, first of all, this book totally takes place during two of my favourite periods to read about – the Napoleonic wars AND WWII. Eep! How could one girl get so lucky to have two of her favourite time periods in one book? See, at Lackland Abbey, there’s this mirror that sends her forward in time! So while she starts out in the early 1800′s, learning to use her magical powers to help England in the war against Napoleon, she is soon transported to WWII-era England where she really uses her magical powers to help defend England from Nazi invasion. Oh fun!

The only thing I didn’t like show more about the time-travel bit was the fact that the characters who travelled to the future didn’t really suffer from much culture shock. Yes, the first night Tory was there was unsettling for her, but after that it was like everyone else just accepted everything MUCH easier than someone would have who was time traveling for the first time in real life. (Because time travel is real, yo. Doctor Who tells me so.) This put a bit of a damper on my full enjoyment of the parts where we first enter one time period, but once the characters were present at any point in time for a while, it was certainly still highly enjoyable!

As far as the characters went, the supporting characters were definitely where it was at. So much growth in Cynthia! So much more to Elspeth than we first see! Allarde was so aloof yet charming and swoon-worthy! And the Rainford’s – in both time periods – are the type of people I would love to be friends with in real life! So caring and willing to do whatever they can to help others out! Oh wonderful cast of characters! It balances out what felt was lacking in Tory – real depth.

I was a little disappointed by the ending, in which we know the group of teens are going to make their way back to their own time, but we don’t actually see it – and so, we don’t know if the teachers had to deal with any repercussions with allowing the kids to go, or if Cynthia is no longer a crazy bitch in her own period and time, or anything interesting like that. There were loose ends and not nearly enough closure.
The Bottom Line

There were some things that didn’t work right for me, but overall this was super cute. Would recommend to regency fans – especially those who enjoyed Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer’s Sorcery and Cecelia! show less