One of the great joys of reading historical fiction is learning more about historical events and characters. True, you're reading a historical work and not a non-fiction book. But, a well-researched book can make history come alive.

I knew nothing about Old Price riots of 1809 and it was interesting reading about how the people rose up against the rise of the ticket prices when the new theater was finished build after the old one was destroyed in a fire. And they thought the riots would end after a couple of days, but it didn't.

The book, however, starts off before the riots and we are introduced to Ned and Grace, the main characters. Ned finds Grace on the streets after she has run away after being attacked by her drunken father. He takes her home and she learns that he's at the theater, working backstage. This meeting will change her life, as her passion for theater grows and she finds a life away from her father.

There are several things about this book that I liked. Like for instance that the meeting of Ned and Grace isn't the start of a great romance between them. Instead, they become close friends. Grace instead form an attachment with another man. It's more of a way for her to be free from her father and I can understand her predicament. I was, however, a bit confused about why the man in question wanted to marry him since there wasn't much feeling between them in my opinion. Ned instead had his heart set on Olympia an actress that also becomes Grace's friend. I liked Olympia, she's one of those minor characters that swoops in and brightens the plot. Looking back do I wonder if I did not like Olympia better than Grace. Grace never really becomes a character that I rooted for. And, there is a turn in the story that just felt odd when it came to her and her love life. So, Ned and Olympia, those are the people that I felt most for.

I will end this review by saying that I quite enjoyed reading this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from Carol M. Cram. ( )

Grace bolts from her London home late one night after her father comes home drunk and hits her. Still blaming Grace for her mother's death, Grace has become the unwilling scapegoat. However, the streets of 1800's London are not a friendly place for a lady at night. Grace is found by Ned, a stage manager at the nearby Theatre Royale. Ned graciously helps Grace recover over the next few days. During their stay together, Grace tells Ned of her interest in the theatre and how she and her mother would recite lines. Ned allows Grace to sit backstage and watch a performance before she must leave and face her father once more. Before Grace goes, an opportunity arises for Grace to be in the Chorus of a show. Grace falls in love with the theatre and finds the strength to part from her father's household. Upon hearing the news, Grace's father writes her out of his will. Soon, with help from Ned, Grace finds her place among the acting troupe. Although, just as Grace begins to rise, the theatre burns down and when it is rebuilt and hike in prices results in a riot at theatre every night. As Grace and Ned deal with the Old Price riots, they also uncover a mystery dealing with Grace's mother and Aunt.

The Muse of Fire transported me directly to London's Theatre scene in the early 1800's. I was taken with the historical detail, I had never heard of the Old Price Riots and were surprised to learn that they were very real and just as comprehensive as described. I also enjoyed that some of the actors, actresses and directors were also taken from history. The thoroughness in describing how backstage operations at the theatre worked was entertaining as well, from costuming to props, fly rigs and makeup, to orchestras and prompters the liveliness and excitement of live theatre is revealed. Grace and Ned's characters were complete and well thought out. Both had interesting histories and good backbone. From the beginning I wondered what their relationship to one another would be and I was pleased to see how they ended up. I loved Grace's direct nature and willingness to endure. Ned is exceedingly kind and able to use his wit to his advantage. The mystery and drama created by Grace's Aunt, Father and cousin Percival was exciting and unexpected, creating just as much drama as the stage. Overall, another rich and exhilarating historical fiction from Carol M. Cram.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )