Review: The Glass Magician

Name -The Glass Magician

Pages -288

Author -Caroline Stevermer
Publisher -Macmillan/Tor-Forge
Genre -Historical Fantasy, Teens & YA
Rating -5/5
Source -NetGalley
ISBN -9780765335043
Review no. -24
Synopsis -
Reminiscent of The Golem and the Jinni, The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer is a magical and romantic tale set in New York’s Gilded Age.
New York 1905—The Vanderbilts. The Astors. The Morgans. They are the cream of society—and they own the nation on the cusp of a new century.
Thalia Cutler doesn’t have any of those family connections. What she does know is stage magic and she dazzles audiences with an act that takes your breath away.
That is, until one night when a trick goes horribly awry. In surviving she discovers that she can shapeshift, and has the potential to take her place among the rich and powerful.
But first, she’ll have to learn to control that power…before the real monsters descend to feast.
Review -
First of all, the cover is just sooooo beautiful. The title and the cover are apt for the book. The title 'The Glass Magician' occurs only once in the book, but it proved to be really strong.
The story is set in 1905 New York (although the story started Philadelphia). The story revolves around Thalia Cutler, a stage magician, known on the stage as lady of the lake. She lives along with her late father's friend and her stage manager, David Nutall. One night, one of her act goes horribly wrong which could've have resulted her death. But something even worse happens, she realizes that she is a trader. To make matters worse, she is fired from her job, she and Nutall unknowingly get involved in the murder of their arch-nemesis/business competitor, and worst of all, she is being chased by a manticore. Meanwhile, Thalia meets some really generous and genuine friends who remain by her side throughout the story.
The magic system in this book was really nice: Solitares, Traders and Sylvestri. The character building is done beautifully. The chemistry between Ryker and Thalia was really nice. But I wanted more of them. Overall, it a great mixture of historical fantasy and murder mystery. I wouldn't think twice giving this book a 5/5, because this book is exactly my cup of tea!
I sincerely thank Macmillan/Tor-Forge and NetGalley for giving me this amazing opportunity! I am eagerly waiting for further books by Caroline Stevermer, because now, I am her fan.