Murder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones Review
Title: Murder, Magic, and What We Wore
Author: Kelly Jones
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.
Murder, Magic, and What We Wore was the book club pick for
April for one of the book clubs I go to. As soon as I was finished with The
Astonishing Color of After, I began it and devoured it in a day and a half. I
loved every bit of it. Rife with humor, intrigue, and magic, this book was like
the loveliest Regency-era soiree I could imagine. Imagine Jane Austen with a
dash of magic, a spunky heroine, political intrigue, humor, plenty of romance
and surprises, and you’ll have something close to Magic, Murder, and What We
Wore. It was such fun, and I was laughing, cheering, crying, and scratching my
head throughout the book. It’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read
recently, and honestly, I’m kind of sad that it’s over.
London, 1818. Annis Whitworth, 16, has just received
terrible news: Her beloved father has passed away suspiciously on his way to
see her and her aunt Cassia, and all of his funds have disappeared. She decides
to become a spy for her country, as her father did before her. However, it
turns out that a silly girl isn’t needed in the ranks, much to her infuriation.
When she discovers she possesses the power to make glamours, clothes that
literally conceal the identity of the wearer, she is even more determined to
find out just what happened to her father, desperate to avoid becoming a
governess. But in doing so, she finds herself wrapped up in a web of violence,
secrets, intrigue, and perhaps a little romance.
I really liked this book! I wasn’t sure exactly what to
expect, but what I got was a hilarious, whip-smart romp through London and
beyond in the tumultuous year of 1818, narrated by the headstrong and determined
Annis Whitworth, who was a treat unto herself. The pacing was breakneck; as
soon as I started the book, I was brought into her world, rife with humor,
political intrigue, romance, and more than a little bit of subterfuge. I was
laughing, crying, cheering, and screaming all throughout the book. I loved
Annis, who was spunky and funny and so unapologetically herself. Her Aunt
Cassia, her maid, Millie, were also great standouts in the book; they were
great characters. The suspense was also a wonderful element in the book; I was
constantly guessing who might be behind Annis’s father’s murder until the final
shocking conclusion. I loved this magical, funny twist on Jane Austen’s Regency
era, and this book is one of the favorites of all the ones I’ve read recently.
And the way the author tied other young adult authors’ characters into it—I just
loved it. Honestly, I can’t find fault with this book in any way, a few days
later. The bottom line: A lovely and wonderful romp through the Regency era,
full of magic, humor, and panache, I loved Murder, Magic, and What We Wore! One
of the best books I’ve ever read! One of my favorite book club selections of
the year! Next on deck: The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth!
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