Fastmoving, imaginative, magical world, with an outcast girl caught in the middle. A little steampunky, a little alt history, a little harry potter, and more than a little introspection from an immigrant girl in a hostile land. I enjoyed Jessamin's fierce intelligence and her courage. More than that I admired her complete unwillingness to depend on others to protect her. I didn't entirely buy the ending, but I found the story otherwise quite enjoyable. ( )

teen fiction (magic, historical setting--England). This wrapped up rather easily and tidily (evil villain vanquished? ok! kingdom saved? alright!) but probably better than having to drag the plot out over unnecessary sequels. I do enjoy the author's characters and stories, so this served as a nice quick jaunt. ( )

This was a rather random pick from the YA book shelf next to the manga at the library.

Very short, very easy to read, yet such an interesting story. It takes place in a fictional world but it mirrors life at the end of the nineteenth century in Britain. It's about a very strong, very feisty young woman from one of the island colonies. Her name is Jessamin and she comes to live in Albion to study. She ends up sidetracked on this venture as she meets some very wealthy people and a handful of "angry birds".

She soon discovers that things are not what they seem and people are not who they appear to be. I was drawn to this when I read on the cover that books turn into birds! Magic everywhere and it's all mixed up with political intrigue and tarot cards and fancy balls and gossipy women and poisonous sugar and books, books, books.

A good read. ( )

Manners-and-magic froth with teeth: the light-hearted romp is given weight by themes of colonialism, prejudice and self-determination. It's fun and easy to read - sometimes perhaps a little too easy. I would have been more pleased with a little more meat on these bones, and sometimes the scenes seemed pared back to the quick. But overall, a nice little delight. ( )

This title was recommended to me as "Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series" and it certainly lives up to the comparison. Jessamin travels to the aristocratic country of Albion in pursuit of an education. As an islander from the nearby country of Melei, she is considered a lower caste than the fair-skinned residents of Albion, and works as a servant in an area hotel for room and board. When Jessamin attracts the attention of the handsome Lord Finn Ackley, her life takes a dramatic and magical turn. Suddenly Jessamin is thrown into a world full of secret spells, birds that can transform into books, and the diabolical plotting of an evil tyrant, Lord Downpike. The fantasy element works surprisingly well with the early 20th century Downton Abbey-inspired setting, and White's descriptive writing and exciting characters make this book a must-read for YA fantasy fans.

Kathleen K. / Marathon County Public Library
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