In the Dragon’s Eye is where I share the books I’ve got my acquisitive eye on: the ones I’m really excited about and hope to read and perhaps add to the hoard. I also link to “Waiting On” Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Cover links take you to Goodreads; all blurbs are also from Goodreads.
Congress of Secrets
by Stephanie Burgess
In 1814, the Congress of Vienna has just begun. Diplomats battle over a new map of Europe, actors vie for a chance at glory, and aristocrats and royals from across the continent come together to celebrate the downfall of Napoleon…among them Lady Caroline Wyndham, a wealthy English widow. But Caroline has a secret: she was born Karolina Vogl, daughter of a radical Viennese printer. When her father was arrested by the secret police, Caroline’s childhood was stolen from her by dark alchemy.
Under a new name and nationality, she returns to Vienna determined to save her father even if she has to resort to the same alchemy that nearly broke her before. But she isn’t expecting to meet her father’s old apprentice, Michael Steinhüller, now a charming con man in the middle of his riskiest scheme ever.
The sinister forces that shattered Caroline’s childhood still rule Vienna behind a glittering façade of balls and salons, Michael’s plan is fraught with danger, and both of their disguises are more fragile than they realize. What price will they pay to the darkness if either of them is to survive?
Why I want to read it:
- It looks like it’s set in the same alternate-history world as Masks and Shadows (albeit 35 years later) — a world where the history is essentially the same as our own, but alchemy (magic) really works.
- It’s set in the Regency period, one of my favorite eras to read about: it’s Europe in the midst of major social and political change, which offers copious opportunities for interesting stories.
- Stephanie Burgis caught my attention with Kat, Incorrigible (a MG historical fantasy) and held it with Masks and Shadows (an adult historical fantasy which won 4.5 stars from me.) Reviews of this one are generally positive, so I hope to enjoy this one as much as I did both of those.
