Jan 21, 2011
This book should be a mess, with it's elaborate alternate history and mash-up of genre bits, but Elliott handles it all with incredible precision. There's Jane Austen-esque romance, swashbuckling adventure, sharp dialogue, weird magic, mystery, intrigue, and several stunning plot twists. The world building is incredible--familiar enough to recognize, but altered enough to make it its own fantasy setting. There are a ton of engaging characters with complex motivations and colorful personalities, particularly the protagonist, Cat, and her cousin, Bee. I loved this novel a lot and can't wait for the next book in the series!