Despite this not being great, it’s mediocre in a highly entertaining way. The setting is a fairly standard fantasy blend of the middle ages in technology and the 18th century in the social realm. The characters are pretty good, though, and there are some really spectacular revelations. Like many books that are first in a series, it doesn’t have too much of an overarching plot, which I find to be a fault: even if something is the first book of many, it should have a satisfying plot arc and conclusion. ( )

Very readable Australian fantasy that's not afraid to handle some tricky themes, and with a few clever plot twists - though I saw plenty others coming a mile off, and the characterisation's a little too facile at times for my taste. Having said that, I definitely want to read the next book in the series :-). ( )

Ich habe mir alle 4 Teile als Hörbuch zugelegt und den Kauf eigentlich nicht bereut. Der Sprecher macht seine Sache sehr gut und man kann die wichtigsten Charaktere gut unterscheiden. Der Vorteil eines Hörbuchs ist, dass man nebenbei stupiden Arbeiten wie Bügeln nachgehen kann und man ist schnell fertig, ohne es bewusst wahrzunehmen. Der Nachteil ist, dass man Längen, die man beim Lesen überfliegen würde, beim Hörbuch hören MUSS und diese deutlicher wahrnimmt. Vielleicht hätte es beim Selbstlesen einen Stern mehr gegeben. Die Geschichte ist kein Einheitsbrei und mal etwas neues, phasenweise durchaus spannend, ich würde sie jedoch kein 2. Mal hören oder lesen. ( )

Great story. Well written and well told and it had me wanting to read more. Some parts I found dragged just a little, but all in all, amazing! ( )

Well, sadly I finished the first book in this series. Mostly because I enjoyed it until the end. I really didn't want it to end. I did guess some of the twists, but some of them I didn't see coming, too much.

Her main character, the Duchess, does quite well in defining herself through the book. Or rather, it's trying to define herself as an academic, and prove herself, in a world filled with men thinking woman are good just for babies. But factor into this the fact that magic is real, and the man she is questioning isn't insane, but in fact a Tide Lord able to manipulate magic like a demigod. Well, it is a mixture of myth turned real. Even if the myth is made-up for a made-up planet/world.

I liked this one as much as her other books. I really like the way her writing pulls you through the story. You can't put this one down if you like Romance Novels. It is a blend of a good romance and a fantasy book. I've already placed the next in the series on order. Hope it comes soon. ( )