My Five Word TL:DR Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book

I loved this book and devoured it in two days, I could hardly put it down. It was an absolute delight to read and took me completely by surprise in the best way possible.

What’s especially interesting is that this story includes a real life fossil hunter who discovered some remarkable finds along the coast of Lyme Regis – Mary Anning is renowned for her contribution to science and her story is already intriguing to read but set in an alternate world where magic is very real and relics are used to store it her discoveries become even more important.

As the story begins Mary is in dire straits. She’s running her own little shop down near the beach front selling items that she discovers on the beach, unfortunately she’s short on cash and time, the rent is due and she’s out of options, her only solution is to sell some of her own magic – a deeply shameful act that occurs across the country for vast swathes of poverty stricken individuals. As it happens Mary is going to have a last minute reprieve when she learns of a landslide and rushes to the site in the hopes of discovering something. And, indeed Mary does discover something remarkable, and alive, a discovery that is about to change her life and put her in danger.

What I loved about this.

First and foremost I really enjoyed reading about Mary. This is such a great imagining and she’s so easy to read about. She’s warm and intelligent, very forthright. She’s had a difficult life in many respects but with the odd smattering of good luck that has brought her to the attention of some important geomagicians. She longs for recognition and her latest discovery will definitely raise her profile. She’s ambitious and sometimes ruthless, life has taught her hard lessons and she can stand her ground. She is also surrounded by some other interesting folks who have, over the years, conspired to look out for her.

The setting really feeds well into the story. This is an age of creation, steam powered engines and other machinery, it’s a time of conflict between the church and scientists and not all the latest discoveries sit well with religion, particularly the findings of the Geomagical Society of London and Mary in particular. It’s not too long since the last witch trials were held and Inquisitors are still used in the detection of sorcery. Mary’s latest discovery will undoubtedly put her in the way of such suspicions.

The story itself revolves primarily around Mary’s desire to be admitted into the Geomagical Society, at the same time there is a romantic element when a former love interest re-enters the scene, although at first Mary is none too pleased to see him again given their history. And, of course, I cannot finish this review without mentioning Mary’s latest discovery – a pterodactyl called Ajax, a live specimen! I will say, I wouldn’t mind a little Ajax, he’s really quite a cutie – which I didn’t expect to ever be saying.

Now, I’m probably making this all sound very dry – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The writing is easy to get on with. The dialogue, friendships and intrigue are all really well written. There’s plenty going on and deception where I least expected to find it. Plus the ending, I really wondered how things would wrap up but it’s really satisfying – and I believe this is a duology which is great news. Bring on No.2.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4.5 of 5 stars