Romance crackles in magical Regency London in this dazzling tale of a stolen jewel and the heroine who will do anything to retrieve it--even don a disguise and work with a high-handed-but-attractive stranger who is not what he seems. From New York Times bestseller Garth Nix!
On her eighteenth birthday, Lady Truthful Newington--nicknamed "Newt"-- is dreaming about her upcoming trip to London, where the streets are filled with magic and eligible young lords. Before she goes, she is to inherit her family's treasure: the Newington Emerald. A dazzling heart-shaped gem, the Emerald contains mysterious and powerful magic.
When the Emerald is stolen, Newt sets off to recover it. Her plan entails dressing up as a man, mustache included, as no well-bred young lady should be seen out and about on her own. While disguised, Newt encounters the handsome but insufferable Major Harnett, who joins the hunt for the missing Emerald. Offended by her new ally's high-handedness but eager for assistance, Newt strives to conceal her true identity from Harnett, little guessing that he too is not as he appears.
A sweeping adventure ensues filled with sinister fey, fancy dresses, witty banter, daring seaborne escapes, grand balls, and a sorceress whose evil plot threatens everyone from Newt herself to the Prince Regent. And as Newt and Harnett face danger together, each realizes there is more to the other than meets the eye--and more alarming yet, they may actually be falling in love.
The New York Times bestselling author of Sabriel, Garth Nix, shares his own love for the Regency romantasy genre in a charmed world where everyone has something to hide.
Tropes:
- Mistaken Identity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Dark Fey
- Slow Burn
- Regency Romance
About the Author :
Garth Nix is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author whose beloved Old Kingdom fantasy series begins with Sabriel. His many other novels include Shade's Children and A Confusion of Princes, and he has written such children's series as The Seventh Tower and the Keys to the Kingdom, as well as co-writing TroubleTwisters and Have Sword, Will Travel with Sean Williams. His work has been translated into forty-two languages and has sold more than seven million copies.
Review :
"Part comedy of manners, part fantasy adventure, this lighthearted romp is ridiculous fun." - Booklist (starred review)
"It's clear that this was as much a pleasure for Nix to write as it is for readers to read, and there's reveling in arcane language that will delight wannabe Austen-esque teens. Hand this to fans of period Masterpiece Theater sagas." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Nix sets the standard for fantasy." - Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow and Bone trilogy
"[Nix is] one of the greatest living fantasy writers." - Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses
"This romance should please the author's regular readers and Georgette Heyer fans alike." - Publishers Weekly
"A delightful romp with dastardly plots and romantic confusions that would do Jane Austen proud. Fans of the author and of fantasy or Regency romance will enjoy this tale immensely." - School Library Journal
"A Regency romance with magic. Charming; quite, quite charming." - Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author
"Entertaining." - Kirkus Reviews
"Austen fans will be drawn to the familiar era and strong, stubborn heroine, and the touch of magic. " - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
