Lynn Viehl - Disenchanted & Co. - .epub
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Synopsis. As the proprietor of Disenchanted & Co. In a steampunk version of America, Charmian 'Kit' Kittredge makes her living solving magical crimes. But when a snobbish lady begs for help, saving her reputation might very well cost Kit her life.
Doing a favor for deathmage Lucien Dredmore, Kit agrees to interview a newly widowed lady as a potential client. Upon meeting, however, she learns that the woman in question is none other than Lady Eugenia Bestly, president of the Rumsen Ladies Decency Society someone who once led a vicious campaign to ruin Kit's life.
Ironically Lady Bestly now lives in fear herself, for the press is about to unmask her husband as the savage 'Wolfman' who died while terrorizing the city. As monstrous rampages continue to occur, Kit soon determines there is more than one Wolfman, and that they may themselves be victims of evil players. While avoiding both mechanized assassins and attempts by Dredmore and Chief Inspector Tom Doyle to take her under their protection, Kit follows a tangled path that leads from a prestigious gentlemen's club fronting a hellish secret to a vengeful native tribe and dangerous, ancient magics. In Book Two of the Disenchanted & Co. Steampunk series, Charmian (Kit) Kittredge confronts native magics and mechanical menaces in Toriana an alternate America that lost the Revolutionary War.
As the proprietor of Disenchanted & Co. In a steampunk version of America, Charmian Kit Kittredge makes her living solving magical crimes. But when a snobbish lady begs for help, saving her reputation might very well cost Kit her life.
Doing a favor for deathmage Lucien Dredmore, Kit agrees to interview a newly widowed lady as a potential client. Upon meeting, however, she learns that the woman in question is none other than Lady Eugenia Bestly, president of the Rumsen Ladies Decency Society someone who once led a vicious campaign to ruin Kit s life. Ironically Lady Bestly now lives in fear herself, for the press is about to unmask her husband as the savage Wolfman who died while terrorizing the city. As monstrous rampages continue to occur, Kit soon determines there is more than one Wolfman, and that they may themselves be victims of evil players.
While avoiding both mechanized assassins and attempts by Dredmore and Chief Inspector Tom Doyle to take her under their protection, Kit follows a tangled path that leads from a prestigious gentlemen s club fronting a hellish secret to a vengeful native tribe and dangerous, ancient magics.' .
Just as mechanical pets are becoming all the rage in society, suddenly, without warning, decent citizens are transforming into wild, animalistic wolfmen that themselves are made of strange clockwork machinery. Hired by the widow of one of these wolfmen to clear her family name, and suddenly a target herself, Kit must navigate the protective attentions of deathmage Lucien Dredmore and Chief Inspector Thomas Doyle if she's to remain at liberty to solve the mystery of the mechanized wolfmen and their link to a mysterious figure running a local hellfire club.
This release is considered Book One in the series. It combines Part 1: and Part 2: into one volume. In the Provincial Union of Victoriana, a steampunk America that lost the Revolutionary War, Charmian “Kit” Kittredge makes her living investigating crimes of magic. While Kit tries to avoid the nobs of high society, she follows myst This release is considered Book One in the series. It combines Part 1: and Part 2: into one volume.
In the Provincial Union of Victoriana, a steampunk America that lost the Revolutionary War, Charmian “Kit” Kittredge makes her living investigating crimes of magic. While Kit tries to avoid the nobs of high society, she follows mysteries wherever they lead. Unlike most folks, Kit doesn’t believe in magic, but she can’t refuse to help Lady Diana Walsh, who claims a curse is viciously wounding her while she sleeps. As Kit investigates the Walsh family, she becomes convinced that the attacks are part of a more ominous plot—one that may involve the lady’s obnoxious husband. Sleuthing in the city of Rumsen is difficult enough, but soon Kit must also skirt the unwanted attentions of a nefarious deathmage and the unwelcome scrutiny of the police chief inspector. Unwilling to surrender to either man’s passion for her, Kit struggles to remain independent as she draws closer to the heart of the mystery. For the truth promises to ruin her life—and turn Rumsen into a supernatural battleground from which no one will escape alive.
I'm on the fence about saying I liked this book. Truly, there were a lot of things I liked.
The worldbuilding, the protagonist, the plot. And then there was the romance. It's pretty extraordinary for me to a read a book and say, 'I wish there hadn't been any sex.' I'm usually totally on the side of explicit romance and sexual content, because a lot of times when reviewers criticize the sexual/romantic content of a book, they are actually talking about its (perceived) femininity.
And I am not her I'm on the fence about saying I liked this book. Truly, there were a lot of things I liked. The worldbuilding, the protagonist, the plot.
And then there was the romance. It's pretty extraordinary for me to a read a book and say, 'I wish there hadn't been any sex.' I'm usually totally on the side of explicit romance and sexual content, because a lot of times when reviewers criticize the sexual/romantic content of a book, they are actually talking about its (perceived) femininity. And I am not here for that. But man, did Viehl really mess up with the romance. The first encounter between Kit and Dredmore read more like an assault. Viehl describes him making a 'noose' out of Kit's necklace to force a kiss- which she then gives into with absolutely zero reasoning.
I love me some romance genre tropes (forced kisses! Antiheros redeemed by love!), but there was literally not enough text on the page to make that kiss at all romantic for me, as a reader.
And so I carried a really bitter, confused feeling forward into the book. In a lesser novel, with a dull plot or poorly characterized heroine, I would have tossed the book aside. Sure, Kit's revealed power was a bit obvious, and the whole Anarath.
(wait, isn't that a grain?) whatever thing was out of left field, but the story zipped along and I liked that Kit was self-sufficient and smart ON THE PAGE and IN THE PLOT. Viehl, unlike a lot of paranormal or urban fantasy authors, did not just tell me her heroine was capable and kick-ass, she proved it too. Well, as long as Kit was not interacting with Dredmore- when she inexplicably just loved him. With no decent reason for that love because Viehl absolutely failed to capture the rest of the trope! The passionate, unreasonable attraction between characters, or the sense of the deep pain and loneliness for the otherwise horrible antihero, that makes a redemptive love story worth reading. Instead, Dredmore just comes across as an asshole who wants to destroy the thing he supposedly loves most (and I am very consciously using the word 'thing' here, because it really does come across on that level). spoiler alert.
The whole relationship gets retconned! A total reset and a blank slate and I just give up. I'm not likely to read any more of this series, and that is a shame.
Because not all of it was bad. But I expect a hell of a lot better. This book checked so many boxes for me: Victorian/steampunk setting, mystery, independent heroine, magic, and some sexy romance!
I haven't read many great stories with steampunk settings; the last I can recall is really just the / series, and that one had no romance at all. I tried to read the but I'll be honest, it did nothing for me and I DNF'ed pretty early in. The only other books I've read by Lynn Viehl were pure romance so I was really su This book checked so many boxes for me: Victorian/steampunk setting, mystery, independent heroine, magic, and some sexy romance! I haven't read many great stories with steampunk settings; the last I can recall is really just the / series, and that one had no romance at all. I tried to read the but I'll be honest, it did nothing for me and I DNF'ed pretty early in.
The only other books I've read by Lynn Viehl were pure romance so I was really surprised to find this fantastic gem of a mystery-adventure! It was just what I wanted in a steampunk novel, and although the romance wasn't the primary plot I loooooved every bit of it! Kit is a practical, fearless young woman running an investigative business and trying to stay clear of Lucien Dredmore, a powerful deathmage.
Although she lives in a place where mages and magic abound, she believes it's all charlatans and trickery because, well frankly, magic doesn't work around her. Then she gets this new case. It was interesting that when we first meet Kit, Lucien's already been in love with her and trying to charm/abduct/possess her for years. None of his attempts work because, as I mentioned, she's impervious to magic so his spellstones become harmless pebbles in her pockets and his hired men run into trouble with spells failing as they get near her. She thinks the all-powerful deathmage is just a great big conman and repulses him at every turn. There are plenty of awesome secondary characters, such as her best friend Rina, who is a wealthy prostitute who runs her own brothel and advises Kit to 'take care' of her virginity herself for the benefit of her first lover, and Harry Houdini/Merlin, her secretive ghostly grandfather who helps with her investigations and can possess people temporarily.
The kicker for me that knocked this book out of 'good' territory into the 'awesome' leagues was when- (Here there be spoilers! Beware!) Lucien allowed himself to be possessed permanently by an evil immortal warlord in order to save Kit.
He made her promise to kill him, telling her his spirit would already be gone and it was just his body she had to kill. At this point they'd already made love (twice! Both very memorably!) and she had feelings for him, so she almost couldn't bring herself to actually do it, but she did. She killed him!
Actually, that wasn't the great part. That was an appalling part. It was just the setup. The REAL great part that I loved so much and will never forget, was when- She was so devastated by losing him that she caused the big deus ex machina, the turning back of time! Honestly, it could so easily have been a cheesy it-was-all-a-dream plot device, but I found it was so well-executed I didn't doubt it and on the contrary thought it was super-amazing-brilliant-fascinating what happened next. I loved that she remembered everything but nothing had actually happened for everyone else, including Lucien! The fact that she knew so much more about him, and knew that they'd been lovers and she no longer hated him- these things all confused him and made him suspicious, but she convinced him to help her avert the disastrous events that would have come.
Lucien's wary astonishment at her change in atittude was charming! And I loved that he aided and assisted her on the basis of her word. He loved her, although he had no idea of what had happened between them in the future. 'I want to know why you're not slapping me, or threatening to push me off a cliff, or stab me in the heart, or lock me in my carriage and set it alight. Why you looked so terrified when I came out of Morehaven this morning, and then in the next moment, so relieved.
I want to know what changed between us, Charmian, and how.' She only told him certain things and of course did not reveal their intimacies, preferring to remain cautious friends with him, and it was a perfect ending! Although this means she's a virgin again.
The sequel to this book, was equally good and leaves you wanting more! I need more of this series!! Though I have not truly commented on a book in almost a year (was busy juggling work and having a baby), I could not simply rate this book and not write about it. This has been the best book I have read in a very long time. Viehl has cured me of a book rut!
I have been reading books I like but not one has excited me the way this first installment novel has. Kit is a wonderful protagonist. She was a self made woman who refused to fit the mold anyone tried to force her into.
She let nothing bea Though I have not truly commented on a book in almost a year (was busy juggling work and having a baby), I could not simply rate this book and not write about it. This has been the best book I have read in a very long time. Viehl has cured me of a book rut! I have been reading books I like but not one has excited me the way this first installment novel has. Kit is a wonderful protagonist.
She was a self made woman who refused to fit the mold anyone tried to force her into. She let nothing beat her and I loved and have been craving a character like her. She was not only intelligent but she cultivated resources and relationships in a genuine way that did not seemed forced.
I like that I did not spend he entire novel marveling over supernatural abilities that take on a life of their own; abilities that sometimes overshadow the characters we are reading about. Though I enjoy books about overpowered main characters and the trouble they get into, Kit was more credible and the irony of her reality vs her belief entertained me so much! I really enjoyed the romantic aspect of the book. I enjoy love/hate relationships between characters (might have something to do with how I met my husband). Dredmore is the perfect pairing for her non believing self. I love how they played off each other.
I wish to say more but don't want to ruin it. Steampunk is always a favorite genre for me. Sometimes it can be overdone, but not so with this novel. Can't wait to start book 2! In a world of magic, Kit's entire business is built on proving that magic doesn't exist.
But events are conspiring to prove her wrong. Why I started this book: I'm not purchasing any new books this month, in effort to tackle my ever-growing TBR pile. This was one of the first books that I picked up. Why I finished it: The story jumped right in, and while I spent a little time as a reader trying to catch up. However, the 'romance' between the two main characters was forced.
Literally a In a world of magic, Kit's entire business is built on proving that magic doesn't exist. But events are conspiring to prove her wrong. Why I started this book: I'm not purchasing any new books this month, in effort to tackle my ever-growing TBR pile. This was one of the first books that I picked up.
Why I finished it: The story jumped right in, and while I spent a little time as a reader trying to catch up. However, the 'romance' between the two main characters was forced.
Literally and figuratively and that brought it down a star.Genre. Alt-History, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy.Rating. 4.0.Thoughts. Her Ladyship's Curse, along with His Lordship Possessed are two separate parts of the same novel, Disenchanted & Co., which will be released together January 28th, 2014 by Pocket Books.
Since both parts intersect with the other, I am going to review them as one book instead of two. It’s called taking creative liberties. The world of Disenchanted & Co is set in an alternative reality United States called Toriana (The Provin.Genre. Alt-History, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy.Rating. 4.0.Thoughts.
Her Ladyship's Curse, along with His Lordship Possessed are two separate parts of the same novel, Disenchanted & Co., which will be released together January 28th, 2014 by Pocket Books. Since both parts intersect with the other, I am going to review them as one book instead of two. It’s called taking creative liberties. The world of Disenchanted & Co is set in an alternative reality United States called Toriana (The Provincial Union of Victoriana). It is a world where the 13 original colonies lost the fight for independence and remained a part of the British Empire who treated them as traitors for nearly three decades.
The residents are still required to take an oath to the Crown every five years without failure or fanfare.FYI. I highly recommend that if you read this book, that you don’t forget about the glossary of terms in the back of the book. This will ensure that you will not become frustrated or confused with certain terms. I've always found the concept of alternative reality worlds to be quiet interesting. If you know anything about the United States History, you must throw out preconceived notions of things that actually happened from 1776 to the time that this story takes place in the last half of the nineteenth century or you won't enjoy it as much.
You will also have to restrain your feminist side which will no doubt go crazy over certain aspects like freeclaiming where women can be taken off the streets at any time and kept by a man without any rights or means to complain about her situation. Her Ladyship's Curse takes place entirely in Rumsen in what would be today's San Francisco if you were keeping track. There is also Settle (Seattle) and Middleway (Chicago). The series itself is supposedly a cross between alternative history, urban fantasy, and of course, steampunk. Steampunk does play an interesting part with Carri’s (steam propelled carriages), and pneumatic tubes which distributes food around the city.
I am in the process of asking for one to be built into my home pronto. That way I won’t ever need to leave the house again! Our series heroine is Charmain (Kit) Kittredge who has never actually believed in Magic. In fact, she became a private investigator and debunker of all things magic in order to disprove the very existence of anything considered the occult. I paused for a moment while reading this book, and thought about Chess Putnam from the Downside Ghost series and the fact that she debunks ghosts. Would it not be cool to have Chess and Kit working together as a team debunking things that go bump in the night? I think it would.
Kit has a reputation as someone who is trustworthy, but, she also has more than a few enemies in the magical community that wouldn’t mind seeing her gone from Rumsen post haste. This brings Kit a very unusual case that ends up with Kit coming face to face with the one person she wants to avoid: Lord Lucien Dredmore, considered to be the most powerful and dangerous death mage in all of Rumsen. Dredmore has been trying his best to peel back Kit’s layers and find out why she doesn’t succumb to his charms and magic like others have.
I think you will either be surprised by the revelation, or you won’t since it all makes sense when you put things together. I actually really liked Kit.
She’s a woman in a male dominated society which looks down its nose at independent, strong minded women. She’s fearless, without being overly reckless. She works hard and tries to keep from being destroyed by the rich on the Hill. She has the most interesting friends in Bridget Duluc and Carina Eagle. She even has her own personal guardian who may or may not be a famous named magician. She tries to stick to her guns even with Lucian and Inspector Tommy Doyle (a childhood friend) hounding over her.
One (Doyle) trying to protect her, while the other (Lucian) will do anything to get break her will and savage her into making Kit his. I would highly recommend that if you are going to read Her Ladyship Curse that you also request His Lordship Possessed at the same time so that you don’t have to wait until October for the second novel to come out.
I truly believe that if you liked The Parasol Protectorate, or The St. Croix Chronicles by Karina Cooper, you will definitely enjoy this series as well.Recvd via Edelweiss. Expected publication: August 12th 2013 by Pocket Star. Originally published at If this book, or its cover, look familiar, it probably is. The publisher originally released Disenchanted & Co. In two parts;, and, in 2013. Then they put the two parts back together (where they belonged) and published the whole thing as a single title.
So was I, a bit. The action in Her Ladyship’s Curse ends on a massive cliffhanger, and then the story is resolved in His Lordship Possessed. On the o Originally published at If this book, or its cover, look familiar, it probably is.
The publisher originally released Disenchanted & Co. In two parts;, and, in 2013. Then they put the two parts back together (where they belonged) and published the whole thing as a single title. So was I, a bit. The action in Her Ladyship’s Curse ends on a massive cliffhanger, and then the story is resolved in His Lordship Possessed.
On the one hand, don’t read one without the other. On that other hand, if you want the ebook, it is slightly less expensive to buy the thing in parts. I picked up this book because it is a combination of alternate history and steampunk, and because I’ve read Lynn Viehl before and generally like her stuff. Even though this is a departure for her, it looked like good fun. The alternate history is fascinating; this is a Victorian era a century after the American Revolution failed, so the Colonies are still part of the empire. The country is called Toriana, and all the cities have names that are sometimes near, and sometimes far from their real-life counterpart.
Our heroine lives, and definitely works, in Rumsen, which turns out to be San Francisco. I get Settle for Seattle, but Rumsen for San Francisco was quite pretty far off, and we don’t know why. There is a glossary in the back of the book for all the terms that are used. Except for place names, it’s as though British slang was developed here as well as across the pond. Back to our heroine; Charmian (Kit) Kittredge is not the lady who is cursed, Kit is the curse-breaker. Or curse-debunker.
Kit doesn’t believe in magic, because it never works around her, therefore she can’t believe it exists. Lady Walsh hires Kit to figure out who is coming into her room every night and cutting words into her skin.
Kit is just certain there is a non-magical explanation. Lady Walsh just wants the torment to stop. Things get interesting when Lord Walsh decides to ruin Kit rather than believe his wife. There is much more to this conundrum than meets the eye. Even Kit’s extremely skeptical eye. Kit is a woman working in a man’s world. Her need to preserve and maintain her independence is the cornerstone of the life she has made for herself.
The wrong word can ruin her, imprison her, destroy her ability to make a living, or all of the above. Yet she is never resigned to the place that society decrees for her, no matter what obstacles appear in her path. Kit assists Lady Walsh because she understands what the other woman feels and fears. Even though she knows that working for the aristocracy has the potential to blow up in her face. Which, of course, it does, or there wouldn’t be a story.
The Novel Notebook Lynn Viehl
The first half of the story is the worldbuilding and settting up Kit’s character and circumstances. Not just her business, but also the two men who both help and hinder her investigations; Lord Lucien Dredmore and Inspector Thomas Doyle. A cop who wants to protect her, and a mage who wants to possess her. But in the second half of the story, we discover that nothing is as it seemed.
This case, which seemed so personal, turns out to have world-changing political implications. Kit seems to be in over her head. Until she discovers that there really are spirits, and that the secret of her own origins is darker and deeper than she imagined. The story is tremendously fun, but it changes course in midstream from being about Kit’s investigations to saving the world. The reasons that the world needs to be saved are ancient, evil and complicated in the extreme.
And then the ending sends everything you think you know off into another tangent altogether. The alternate history setting is fascinating, and the first half was terrific. In the second half, Kit isn’t as strong a character and the focus shifts to the political (and other) machinations. I give Disenchanted & Co a B. I'm five books into Mrs. Viehl's Darkyn series and really love it, so I thought I'd try out her new series. I haven't read Soulless yet, but I'm sure that's my kind of book.
I can't really tell now whether Disenchanted & Co is similar to Soulless, bearing in mind that the two authors are good friends, but I enjoyed this book so much, I can hardly wait for the next to come out. Viehl starts out the novel slowly and builds up her world very thoroughly.
That would be boring or even annoying if h I'm five books into Mrs. Viehl's Darkyn series and really love it, so I thought I'd try out her new series. I haven't read Soulless yet, but I'm sure that's my kind of book. I can't really tell now whether Disenchanted & Co is similar to Soulless, bearing in mind that the two authors are good friends, but I enjoyed this book so much, I can hardly wait for the next to come out.
Viehl starts out the novel slowly and builds up her world very thoroughly. That would be boring or even annoying if her writing wasn't so very appealing. I think the novel could also belong to the alternate history genre as the characters live in Toriana, a colony of the British Empire. There has been a war of independence which the colonies lost. Therefore, they still belong to the Queen. In a Victorian society where women belong to the property of men it's hard to be a self-sufficient, independent lady with your own business. But Charmian Kittredge is persistent, intelligent and has a quick mouth so if anyone can pull it off, she can.
I loved her as the female MC. She was extremely sarcastic, especially when it came to tell of overprotective men or condescending women. Kit seems to have a talent for revealing magic tricks. People who think they've been cursed or they have other magic problems come to her and ask for help. She considers herself an investigator as she doesn't believe in the existence of magic at all. But then, she gets involved in a case where maybe even Kit has to admit that some things just can't be explained away with logics. One of them is Lord Lucien Dredmore, her personal nemesis.
I laughed out lout several times during their conversations when Kit tells him for the umpteenth time how exactly she would like to shut his mouth forever. (see quotes) After having been thoroughly introduced to the rich and complex world, where steampunk elements are combined with superstition, magic and a very stiff Victorian society, the story picks up and transforms into one hell of a ride. Suddenly, there's one attack after the other, political intrigues, breath-taking romance and stunning revelations. I couldn't stop readin until I had devoured the second half in one sitting. And I absolutely loved the ending as it offers so many more opportunities for wonderful upcoming sequels. I can highly recommend Disenchanted & Co to all fans of steampunk, the Victorian era, or paranormal romance should try out Lynn Viehl's masterpiece. I'm glad I bought it and will definitely read the next book: The Clockwork Wolf.
In a steampunk world in which the United States lost the Revolutionary War and people believe in the evil power of magic, Kit stands out. She is an independent woman, a rarity, who makes her own living. She is more feisty and more spunky than any standard romance heroine, with quick wits, a sharp tongue and a network of friends.
She doesn't believe in magic. Kit actually makes her living as an investigator disproving the existence of magic and proving the existence of charlatans and quacks.
But in In a steampunk world in which the United States lost the Revolutionary War and people believe in the evil power of magic, Kit stands out. She is an independent woman, a rarity, who makes her own living. She is more feisty and more spunky than any standard romance heroine, with quick wits, a sharp tongue and a network of friends. She doesn't believe in magic. Kit actually makes her living as an investigator disproving the existence of magic and proving the existence of charlatans and quacks. But in accepting the case of Lady Diana Walsh, a noblewoman suffering unexplained cruel words carved onto her at night, our intrepid heroine may well have gone too far.
Her client's powerful husband is dead-set against the investigation. So is Lucien Dredmore, another powerful man who may present a very personal challenge to Kit. Lucien is wicked and urbane, the complete opposite of Kit's childhood pal, Inspector Tommy Doyle. So it's easy to predict who Kit is drawn to, even as she fights him off.
This is the set-up of the full-length novel of Lynn Viehl's story, which sets up the beginning of a gloriously realized steampunk world in which magic and the Industrial Revolution collide in what is now the western United States. Disenchanted & Co. Also sets up Kit's own journey from a female adventurer to a deeper, more feeling character with a backstory she is just discovering for herself as the narrative unfolds. The only problem with the novel is that Viehl apparently wrote herself into a corner with the plot machinations and pulls a twist near the end that didn't have the same swashbuckling, clever tone as the rest of the novel in which Kit is the mistress of her own destiny and rescues herself. Once that point is passed, however, Viehl sets things up for a series that can appeal to steampunk, mystery and romance fans. It's certainly a series that deserves a look at the second novel, The Clockwork Wolf.
The first book in the Disenchanted & Co. Series is an intriguing steampunk fantasy that takes place in an alternate America that lost the Revolutionary War. Kit doesn’t believe in magic and takes a case helping a Lady who claims a curse is viciously wounding her while she sleeps. As she investigates, she becomes convinced that the attacks are part of a ominous plot that involves the Lady’s husband. As things heat up and the dangers to herself escalate she must also skirt the unwanted attentio The first book in the Disenchanted & Co.
Series is an intriguing steampunk fantasy that takes place in an alternate America that lost the Revolutionary War. Kit doesn’t believe in magic and takes a case helping a Lady who claims a curse is viciously wounding her while she sleeps. As she investigates, she becomes convinced that the attacks are part of a ominous plot that involves the Lady’s husband. As things heat up and the dangers to herself escalate she must also skirt the unwanted attentions of a nefarious deathmage and unwelcome scrutiny of the police chief inspector. As she draws closer to the mystery, the truth promises to ruin her life and turn Rumsen into a supernatural battleground.
The story comes to life with vivid imagery and bold and charismatic characters. The plot while kind of on the slow side in the beginning picks up some in the second half with more action and suspense. Kit is a strong and bold character with some interesting qualities. There is some sexual tension between Kit and the Dredmore and some flirtation with Doyle suggesting a possible love triangle, but mostly the chemistry seems to be between Kit and Dredmore. There are multiple conflicts going on and the author presents them well throughout and the story starts out kind of simplistic and gets more complicated as it goes along. Also the first half is spent more on the world building with the second half more on the mystery. I certainly recommend that the story be read as one instead of the two parts it was originally released as.
While the world building is remarkable and the glossary in the back very helpful, I found that I still was left feeling a little confused about some things involved in this alternate world. The ending was such a surprise and sets up the next book very well, but I’ll have to wait until I read the next book because I’m not sure that I like this series as much as I do the Darkyn world. Scratch that review, after convincing myself to read the last 30% I've updated the rating to 3 stars. I will update the review when I get to a computer. The slightly cheaty Doctor Who ending did help though - 2,5 stars and I only read 70% because the book quite annoyed me and on goodread said that to finish it would not give me any closer. I loved the world building and the first 35% was quite cool.
However the book used the most tired romance tropes and the decision making of Kit because really Scratch that review, after convincing myself to read the last 30% I've updated the rating to 3 stars. I will update the review when I get to a computer. The slightly cheaty Doctor Who ending did help though - 2,5 stars and I only read 70% because the book quite annoyed me and on goodread said that to finish it would not give me any closer. I loved the world building and the first 35% was quite cool.
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However the book used the most tired romance tropes and the decision making of Kit because really annoying to me. The main plot about the ancients really annoyed me. I do not appreciate reading about abusive relationships and the love interest was straight up that. I did however really love pretty much any other character in the book - especially all of Kit's friends - they were awesome. And they had some great scenes with her.
The writing was fun and to me the world was both fleshed out enough and enough steampunk to be called so. So if the romance had been something else and the main plot had not been what it was this would be a solid 4 stars from me. It was also almost impossible to put down, which is why I think people were so annoyed about it being split into two parts. I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this book. Set in an alternate timeline where the Revolutionary war did not favor the colonists, this is a world of magic and darkness.
I have heard it compared to Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series and while there are some similarities between Kit and Alexia, other than the steampunk aspects of both worlds, I have to say they are quite different. Carriger's world is more 'steampunk' (with gadgets and airships, etc) and is populated by vampire I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this book.
Set in an alternate timeline where the Revolutionary war did not favor the colonists, this is a world of magic and darkness. I have heard it compared to Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series and while there are some similarities between Kit and Alexia, other than the steampunk aspects of both worlds, I have to say they are quite different. Carriger's world is more 'steampunk' (with gadgets and airships, etc) and is populated by vampires and werewolves, yet the writing is humorous and the characters quirky. Viehl's world is darker, more ominous and overcome with magic.
Both worlds are complex and interesting. If you are expecting this book to be derivative or a copy, think again. I was completely drawn in by the atmosphere, the characters and the storyline. It was a page-turner.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I reviewed this book in two separate parts on Wit and Sin - 'Her Ladyship's Curse' and 'His Lordship Possessed': 'Her Ladyship's Curse' In Rumsen, almost everyone believes in magic. Not Charmian Kittredge. As the proprietress of Disenchanted & Co., Kit makes her living by solving crimes others claim to be caused by magic, exposing charlatans and dispelling the supernatural. Though she does her best to avoid the Hil I reviewed this book in two separate parts on Wit and Sin - 'Her Ladyship's Curse' and 'His Lordship Possessed': 'Her Ladyship's Curse' In Rumsen, almost everyone believes in magic. Not Charmian Kittredge. As the proprietress of Disenchanted & Co., Kit makes her living by solving crimes others claim to be caused by magic, exposing charlatans and dispelling the supernatural.
Though she does her best to avoid the Hill — Rumsen’s closest thing to an aristocracy — Kit finds herself among the blue-blooded once more when she takes Lady Diana Walsh’s case. Someone is carving cruel words into the woman while she sleeps, and it’s not long before Kit learns that the attacks on Lady Walsh are only the tip of the iceberg. A foul plot is afoot in Rumsen, and Kit’s investigation into the Walsh family puts her in more danger than she ever could have imagined. And if that’s not bad enough, the mystery of her ladyship’s curse has put Kit firmly in the path of the one man she desperately tries to avoid: darkly handsome deathmage Lucien Dredmore. Her Ladyship’s Curse is a stellar beginning to the Disenchanted & Co.
I devoured Her Ladyship’s Curse in less than a day and was hungry to more, thanks to Lynn Viehl’s top-notch world-building and intriguing characters. At the heart of Her Ladyship’s Curse is Kit. Our intrepid heroine is loyal, quick-witted, no-nonsense, and not afraid to go against the grain. I adored Kit and found her to be both relatable enough to be a window into the world of Rumsen and different enough to make her an appealing protagonist in and of herself. There’s a lot of Kit’s history that neither she nor readers know, and part of the fun of the story is piecing together the puzzle that is her legacy. Also a mystery is who’s attacking Lady Diana Walsh and why. What seems to be a simple case at the beginning becomes more complicated than one might expect as Kit delves deeper into her investigation.
Her questions and her daily life lead her to cross paths with many interesting characters, chiefly New Scotland Yard Inspector Tommy Doyle and the compelling deathmage Lucien Dredmore. Kit has a past with both men, and man, oh man, does Ms. Viehl leave readers wanting more when it comes to these two very different characters. There’s at least a dozen reasons I’m eager to read the second part of this story, His Lordship Possessed, but learning more about Lucien might just top the list. The Disenchanted & Co.
Series is set in Toriana, an alternate-history universe where America lost the Revolutionary War. Geographically speaking, Rumsen (where the action of Her Ladyship’s Curse takes place) is roughly equivalent to San Francisco.
Viehl brings Rumsen to vivid life in this story, giving depth to the world she has created. Toriana isn’t simply America with another name.
Socially, economically, technologically, and politically, nineteenth-century Toriana is vastly different from the history we know and the changes Ms. Viehl makes have a huge impact on the story. Add in some magic (which exists, even if Kit doesn’t yet believe), and you’ve got a winning combination for an engaging, original world. I was transported to Toriana by Ms.
Viehl’s storytelling and though she infused plenty of her world into the story, I still wanted to learn more because I was utterly fascinated. Her Ladyship’s Curse is a bit of a difficult book to categorize. The best way I can describe it is to say it’s alternate history, urban fantasy, and steampunk all rolled into one, with a dash of potential romance that provides added intrigue and steam. No matter what you call Her Ladyship’s Curse, it’s a story that’s not to be missed. Fair warning, however, Her Ladyship’s Curse is part one of a book and it does end on a cliffhanger. None of the plot threads are tied up by the end of this story and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be desperate to dive right into part two, His Lordship Possessed (available October 14, 2013). There’s so much I’d love to say about Her Ladyship’s Curse that I simply can’t for fear of spoiling the story.
Suffice it to say that Lynn Viehl takes readers on a spectacularly exciting journey you won’t regret taking. 'His Lordship Possessed' Charmian “Kit” Kittredge makes her living debunking magic, but right about now she’d kill for a spell that would drop Lucien Dredmore like a stone. The darkly handsome deathmage has kidnapped her and imprisoned her in his home.
To make matters worse, Kit had just begun to believe that she was falling for the wretch. But nothing is as it seems, and not long after she escapes Lucien, Kit comes to believe he might have been trying to protect her. Mysterious forces are at work in Rumsen and they’ll do anything to eliminate Kit. If she hopes to survive – and save the people of Rumsen – Kit will have to open her mind to that which she believed was impossible. For magic is not only real, but also deadly. Nonstop action, compelling characters, and a wonderfully clever world? His Lordship Possessed is the enticing second installment to the Disenchanted & Co.
Series, and trust me when I say that you’ll want to block out time to read this, because it’s not a book you can put down. His Lordship Possessed starts right where the first story (Her Ladyship’s Curse) ends, and the two parts should be read in order.
In His Lordship Possessed, author Lynn Viehl takes readers deeper into the realm of magic, further developing not only the incredible world she has created, but the history of our spitfire heroine, Kit. Kit’s beliefs are challenged in more ways than one over the course of the story.
Almost no one is what they seem, and uncovering the layers to Kit’s character – as well as those she’s closest to – made for one compelling tale. I can’t deny that, of all the characters in His Lordship Possessed, Lucien Dredmore is my favorite. I, like Kit, fell under Lucien’s spell the more I learned about him. Though I won’t spoil what is told, I have a feeling there’s more to learn about the seductive deathmage and I’m looking forward to finding out alongside Kit. And speaking of Lucien and Kitthe chemistry between them is undeniably hot. Their complex relationship makes the pages of His Lordship Possessed sizzle at times and I’m very hopeful we’ll be seeing more of them together in future Disenchanted & Co.
As I mentioned before, you should definitely read Her Ladyship’s Curse before beginning His Lordship Possessed, and I recommend reviewing the books’ glossaries if you don’t read the two back-to-back. I’m afraid I can’t reveal much of anything about the plot of His Lordship Possessed without spoiling both stories, and quite honestly, far too much happens in this book for me to discuss without writing a novel-length review.
Suffice it to say that Ms. Viehl weaves spellbinding new information into the world of Rumsen as Kit’s initial case develops into something far larger than she ever could have imagined. The story takes twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat, rooting for Kit to defeat the enemy and save Rumsen.
Lynn Viehl is a phenomenal writer who has created something special in the Disenchanted & Co. I cannot wait to see where she takes Kit and her loved ones in the next book, The Clockwork Wolf. The good: - the plot.
It wasn't necessarily original, but it was refreshing enough not to be bored. And I did not see the twist coming. She definitely leaves enough new information to set the stage for an exciting series (though I know there's only one more book). the characters. Kit was great. Not necessarily my favorite MC, but I did like her.
She was sarcastic and independent, but not stupidly so. I really liked her friends. I felt like they were more than the MC's female friends are in many The good: - the plot. It wasn't necessarily original, but it was refreshing enough not to be bored. And I did not see the twist coming. She definitely leaves enough new information to set the stage for an exciting series (though I know there's only one more book).
the characters. Kit was great. Not necessarily my favorite MC, but I did like her. She was sarcastic and independent, but not stupidly so. I really liked her friends.
I felt like they were more than the MC's female friends are in many books. Harry is also a great character. Not completely altruistic, but his love for Kit is real. It was definitely an interesting setting. It took me a little while to figure out exactly what it was - was it a completely made up world, or was it a twist on true history. I liked seeing what it would be like if the British won the war.
The bad: The romance. First of all, there was the insta-love, on both parts. I understand the fighting could be interpreted as sexual tension, but for her to say she loves him only days after seeing him as a good man?
And what really got me upset was at the end when she said she didn't want to live if he was dead. Several days ago she hated him, and she was happy with her life. That part just really got to me. Everything else was really good.
If you can overlook the romance, I would suggest reading this. Where to start. This book is a mess. My biggest issue, aside from how little I liked the main character, is how problematic this book is.
There's a ton of casual racism (mostly against/about Native people including the MC literally painting her face and body brown and adopting an accent to pass as a Native main) and sexism all over the place. The love interest for this book, by the way, is a creep that threatens and attempts to rape the MC multiple times until he finally does rape her after scar Where to start. This book is a mess.
Lynn Viehl Book List
My biggest issue, aside from how little I liked the main character, is how problematic this book is. There's a ton of casual racism (mostly against/about Native people including the MC literally painting her face and body brown and adopting an accent to pass as a Native main) and sexism all over the place. The love interest for this book, by the way, is a creep that threatens and attempts to rape the MC multiple times until he finally does rape her after scaring the heck out of her (kidnapping her to his residence and them chasing her even after she hurts herself trying to escape) and of course, she 'never knew it could be like that'.
I also didn't care for the fact that the author's world building made of impossible to tell when the a story was set and it lacked a lot of detail into how the world changes with the UK being an unquestioned colonial power way longer than it should.). I really like the Alternate Universe of this setting and the character herself is great fun to read. The humour in this book flows very naturally. I enjoyed the detective aspect of Kit's business and how she uses deduction to solve cases. This book would have been rated higher had there not been for a rather possessive love interest that constantly sweeps in as a deus-ex machina; a cringe-worthy disguise sequence as a Native American man; and how the second half of the novel incorporates a much I really like the Alternate Universe of this setting and the character herself is great fun to read.
The humour in this book flows very naturally. I enjoyed the detective aspect of Kit's business and how she uses deduction to solve cases. This book would have been rated higher had there not been for a rather possessive love interest that constantly sweeps in as a deus-ex machina; a cringe-worthy disguise sequence as a Native American man; and how the second half of the novel incorporates a much 'Bigger Plot' that I felt was detrimental to the aspect of Kit using reason and logic to solve her clients' problems. In a society infatuated with magic (maybe even overuse magic some might argue), she represents a breath of fresh air and it was disappointing to see the plot devolve into her also being a Super Magical Being. I loved this book!
I actually read the 2nd book first and enjoyed it so much I had to go back and read book 1. I'm glad I did, now I'm hoping for a book 3. The characters in the series are so dynamic and the adventure keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was a little slow with the build up, but that's to be expected in the 1st book in a series because of the background. However, a slightly slow build did not take away from the book, instead it allowed the reader to get familiar with key charac I loved this book! I actually read the 2nd book first and enjoyed it so much I had to go back and read book 1. I'm glad I did, now I'm hoping for a book 3.
The characters in the series are so dynamic and the adventure keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was a little slow with the build up, but that's to be expected in the 1st book in a series because of the background. However, a slightly slow build did not take away from the book, instead it allowed the reader to get familiar with key characters that will most definitely be seen again in book 2.
She writes mostly novels in a variety of genres and under several pseudonyms. Among them are science fiction (as S. Viehl), romantic fiction (as Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, and Jessica Hall), and Christian fiction (as Rebecca Kelly). She has described herself as primarily a writer of romance: no matter what genre she is working in, an eleme Also see,.
She writes mostly novels in a variety of genres and under several pseudonyms. Among them are science fiction (as S. Viehl), romantic fiction (as Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, and Jessica Hall), and Christian fiction (as Rebecca Kelly).
She has described herself as primarily a writer of romance: no matter what genre she is working in, an element of romance will always be present. In what spare time remains she enjoys quilting, reading, cooking, painting, and knitting. She currently lives with her family in Florida.