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Jane
Ellsworth lives with her family in rural Dorset during England's
Regency period. She is plain while her sister Melody is beautiful,
but Jane has something that Melody lacks - she is a skilled
Glamorist. For this is not the Regency we know but something
alike in all respects save one. People learn to pull strands
from the ether to conjure magical illusions and Jane is very
skilled at this. But she is twenty-eight and on the shelf.
Surely, there could never be a man to look past her lack of
beauty?
This book has much to recommend it. If you like the works
of Jane Austen and are happy with a little fantasy, you will
love it as I did. The author manages to recreate a suitable
style for her period, and shows a sound knowledge of the period
without any "info dump" moments to mar it. The magical
element is woven so deeply into the world her characters inhabit
that is seems wholly believable and never seems to jar. To
the people in the story the use of glamor is another gentle
art for polite society to master like music or painting, although
like these things men might do it professionally while ladies
only as a pastime. Jane would like to use her talent in the
same way a man can, but society only sees her lack of looks
and failure in the marriage market. This has been described
as a "beauty and the beast" story where both participants
have to get to know each other before falling in love, for
me at least far more of a romance than any sexy bodice ripper.
I am sure that this book will appeal to both romance readers
and those who enjoy fantasy and might well serve as an introduction
to both. One to read slowly and savor for the treat it is.
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