The Fire in the Glass
An Edwardian era fantasy romance from author Jacqueline Benson.
Tropes & Themes: Magical Community, Gaslamp feel in a historical real-world setting, Forbidden Romance, low-steam, deliciously slow-burn, realized powers
Book Description:
London, 1914. Lily's visions could stop a killer... if she'll trust a reclusive aristocrat with her darkest secret.
A monster stalks the gaslit streets of Edwardian London, draining the blood of the city's mediums. Lily Albright knows who's next.
Lily is plagued by visions of the future she can never change. When a mysterious fiend threatens someone she loves, she's determined this time will be different.
But she can't do it alone. To save a life, Lily must reveal her darkest secrets to someone she has little reason to trust—the reclusive Lord Strangford, a man haunted by his own occult powers.
From the glittering galleries of Bond Street to the rookeries of Southwark, Lily and Strangford plunge into a dark conspiracy that lies at the heart of England's rising eugenics movement.
To thwart it, Lily must face a past rife with betrayal—and embrace the power she has spent her entire life trying to escape.
This gothic historical fantasy series is perfect for those who love supernatural suspense, gaslamp vibes and slow-burn romance.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086NVS2LT
My thoughts on the book:
I picked this book up on a whim. And I’m so glad I did!
Jacquelyn Benson is a new to me author. I first saw her and her books during the annual FaRo Feb event this winter. The Edwardian era setting that her Charismatics of London series starts in immediately caught my eye and i knew I had to read this book. The Fire in the Glass follows Lily Albright, an independent young woman with supernatural abilities. Since childhood she’s foreseen future events, but has never been successful in stopping them. The story opens with her on a mission to stop a murder. And not just any murder—London’s subculture of psychics and mediums has suffered an onslaught of violent deaths in recent days, all involving female victims, all seemingly vampiric in nature. Furthermore, each of these horrific crimes Lily foresaw in visions. When her nightmares produce the image of one of her closest friends as the unfortunate target of just such a murder, she’s spurred into action.
Her crime-fighting efforts put her in the path of the very handsome, albeit reserved, Lord Strangford in a meet-up scene between the two that I found utterly charming. Right away, I was clamoring for more of the mysterious English Lord. I applaud the way Benson teased little glimpses of him into the beginning of his and Lily’s association, especially since Miss Albright was so reluctant to have anything to do with him, for reasons you learn as the story develops. Still, I loved the way Strangford’s presence became a consistent, unavoidable necessity for Lily. When she learns of his involvement with an eccentric group of Londoners with extraordinary abilities, she finds herself more and more in his company.
More than I can say, I enjoyed the overall feel of this book. The gaslamp-esque, undercover magical community vibe made it a refreshing read amid the normal fair of fantasy romances I consume, so I’m very glad to have found it. I was taken in by its uniqueness and its host of rich and thoroughly interesting characters. The London Charismatics are all possessed of fascinating backstories and extraordinary powers that are put to use in exciting ways throughout the book.
I would say that if you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes movies (think Robert Downey Junior), Ripper Street or even Enola Holmes, you will really enjoy The Fire in the Glass. It looks like the author plans to take the rest of this series on a daring journey in later books, and I’m excited to read more!
What’s your favorite time period to read in for historical romances?