[FicusFan]

I finally finished this book at the end of last month. Not that the book was bad, I just haven't been reading much.

I actually liked the book. I enjoyed the setting and the time period, of course I am partial to colonial Boston. :) I like historical fiction type of fantasy. I liked the mix of real and fictional characters. I also liked how magic worked in the world and behaved according to 'scientific' principles. I liked many of the characters, especially Adrienne and Ben.

I thought the writng was good and it flowed smoothly.

Some things I didn't like was the way Ben seemed to have adventures and relationships and then just move on and they fell off the earth. His family, his friend John, and then in London his friend Rob (until the end). I wasn't crazy about the secret sisterhood that seemed to be behind things, and the superwoman who became Adrienne's friend and lady-in-waiting. I didn't like the direction Adrienne's story took once they got in the picture, nor the (supposed ? )death of Nicholas.

I also thought the idea of the 'angels', or whatever they are to be an interruption of the story. The hints and the supernatural beings seemed to wipe out the whole basis of magic with rules, and the reality of the setting.

Overall I liked the book. Yet for all the positives it didn't grab me. It was easy to put down, and though I have the other 3 books in the series I am in no rush to read them. I will eventually, but it will be whenever.

[Erfael]

I will also point out, as Rob mentioned earlier, that the subsequent books of the series are much better storytelling. The elements are the same, but things are told in a much better way, as the later books weren't hacked to pieces by an editor.