Magic Under Glass
Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Pages: 240

Rating: 4 stars

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act – singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry’s world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry’s involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton’s stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

Jaclyn Dolamore debut novel is an enchanting historical romance with all the key components.

Dolamore’s writing was terrific. I was swept into the world Magic Under Glass is set in within a few chapters and felt completely immersed in it right alongside the characters. It is a world that anyone would want to escape to. Nimira’s voice was pleasant, and I continuously loved hearing the story.

The plot didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had for it. You have this politically corrupted world on the verge of a fairy war of doom and a hopeless romance – sounds like a perfect setup for an amazing story. While I did love the story, I would’ve loved to have seen all that played up a bit more in the story. Hollin and his secrets played such a great role in upping the plot. Nimira is swept into his world, and she gets put in numerous dangerous situations.

The mix of characters in Magic Under Glass was great. You had characters all across the board, and they all surprised you in different ways. I loved the strength Dolamore put behind Nimira. She wasn’t one to accept whatever life handed to her – she was going to get what she wanted and not just be pushed around.

Nimira and Erris’s romance seemed a bit off. Nimira seemed to magically fall in love with this automan, without anything but him plunking out a few notes to communicate.

Magic Under Glass is an overall intriguing read. With it’s gorgeous cover, spectacular characters, superb writing and charming world readers will find themselves caught up reading this excellent historical paranormal. Jaclyn Dolamore is definately an author to watch out for.