DNFed at 19% (about 120 pages in). This book is so slowly paced as to be glacial, and while I love the concept, thus far I haven't connected with any of the characters and have little idea of what direction the plot is going in or who I should be rooting for. The language is flowery and poetic, but edges into purple prose, and definitely holds the action back, which is a shame.

Magic? Check
Mythology? Check
England? Check?
Romance? ahCheck!

This Crumbling Pageant was just the fantasy book I was wanting for to try and help me out with a recently 'got out of my funk' mentality! Patricia Burroughs just has a way with her words and worlds that has you turning pages! I'm very disappointed with myself that I took so long to pick up this book after receiving the ARC from Netgalley! And I would like to thank them for this chance of reading it!

Would totally recommend for the Fantasy loving readers just like me! Who love a good and awesome female lead!

This book encompasses many pieces of familiar stories. While one of the longer stories I've read lately, Patricia Burroughs does keep the story moving forward throughout. The backstory and differing countryside is written so well that you feel the air change and the wind on your face. The characters could be talking to you as you watch their battles unfold. Very good, dramatic writing. It's not often you get to read a book this well crafted. The characters will stay with you long after you finish the book.

Epic (607 pages) fantasy about an alternate Georgian England where the Magi live side by side with us ordinaries, their King is dying and myths and rumours abound about who will be his successor. At the centre of the mystery is the Fury family, their ancestor foretold the backlash against magic and led the Magi to hide in plain sight amongst the ordinaries, he then set the current royal family on the throne. Will the Fury family find the successor?

The Fury family are blessed with the magic of music, but their youngest daughter Persephone also had wild and dangerous gifts that the family try to suppress. As the family prepares for a grand ball to launch Persephone's beautiful sister Electra into the marriage mart, Persephone begins a great adventure where she will meet the King, future King, the True King and a rebellion.

This novel effortlessly weaves Roman mythology with Welsh mythology, magic and battles, politics and family. True there were bits I didn't understand,(view spoiler) but still I was there in the palace, in the Welsh countryside trying to make sense of Persephone's 'gifts' just as she was.

As the first part of an epic fantasy this ends with much still to learn - will the next book continue Persephone's journey or will it pick up with one of her brothers? Can't wait.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If you like plot that involves good vs evil story line plus magical aspects of it - this is a book for you. I read it within few days, and yes - I loved it!!!

This Crumbling Pageant is an average read. Elements of magic and history etc. come together to create an okay story. The characters are engaging. The plot is troubling. There are elements of it that I don't care to read. For this reason, I couldn't connect with this story. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Mesmerizing, scintillating, and magical. This is an amazing story which captured my attention from the start. It pulls one into a world like none other I have read... history entwined with fantasy, mythical gods and goddesses, ancient prophesy, a chosen one, and the power of a young female who needs to learn, to control, and to utilize her talents for her family. Forces of good and evil continually battle and weave the story. I was completely enthralled with this amazing tale of Persephone Fury...and the best thing is this epic tale has two more volumes coming to satisfy my hunger for more!

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but the second was hard to get through. I’m not a fan of forced/coerced marriage and this one was especially egregious.
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.