*received from netgalley for honest review* Really cute book, liked her other books so knew this one would be good, cant wait to read the next one :)

I was wondering what the author was going to do after the paper magician series and this has answered my question. An alt history Victorian London with those rich enough to become magicains and create spells, and a rare few born with the ability to break them. This was such a great read. Can’t wait for book 2.

Spellbreaker by Charlie N Holmberg is a lovely little invitation to magically infused Victorian England.

There are lots of rules and restrictions in this time period; some about race, gender and class, and others about magic and who can use it. Holmberg does a good job of keeping a quirky love story going while adding many elements of structured society, and how the heroine flaunts them. The reader is all the while aware that the shadowy society offering our heroine Elise some of these methods of escape seem more sinister than Elise has noticed.

A satisfying and quick read, although a bit less deep that it might have been attempting, I was unprepared for an abrupt but satisfying cliffhanger ending, and I'm in for book two of this duology.

Duology set in an alternate world in Victorian England where magic is heavily regulated. A young woman uses her illegal magic to make life better for the poor and disadvantaged. A young man sails from Barbados to London to complete his training and master a specific spell. The two collide and fall into romance despite race and class differences.

This book was great. Bright and light with enough mystery to keep you invested. I have been Holmberg's fan for many years and she has never put out a book that disappointed me. I am happy to see that streak is unbroken.

Set in an alternative-reality Victorian England, where magic rules [though typically only by rich men], Spellbreaker tells the story of Elsie Camden, an orphan who is also an illegal spellbreaker [which means she knows of magic but cannot perform spells, only break them], unregistered and working in the shadows. Aided by a group she has labeled "the cowls", she works in the shadows, breaking spells and making life better for those who have been trapped by said spells. Then she is caught by Bacchus, [who is in England to gain his Master title in Physical Aspectorship (Physical magic)], who lives at the Squires house that Elsie is at to break a spell and in exchange for his silence, she is required to work for him [along with her regular work for the stone mason/painter Ogden]. And in doing so, opens a can of worms that leaves you guessing throughout the whole book and wondering just what is right, wrong and true.
A great start to what is a duology from Charlie N. Holmberg [who I am a huge fan of], I am really looking forward to book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlie N. Holmberg and 47North for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a review for both Spellbreaker and Spellmaker: The first book, Spellbreaker, has thousands of helpful reviews already, so I'll simply add my recommendation for fantasy fans. Spellmaker of course include the same main characters, and both books are quite engaging and imaginative. Once again, the author's talent shines thru -- She knows how to effectively tell an interesting tale with well written characters, which is why she has a large following. Good stuff.

I really appreciate the review copies provided!!

I had the pleasure of working on this wonderful book and loved it in all its cozy, sweet glory. Charlie is the master at cozy fantasies and romance and if you're at all a fan of Howl's Moving Castle, you need this one in your life.

In Victorian England, the wealthy can obtain and practice magical abilities by paying for spells. Those who show promise can work towards the coveted title of “Master.” Elsie Camden is a teenager with a unique ability to break spells cast by others; But since she is unregistered, practicing her gift is a crime. Nevertheless, guided by an underground group of rebels she calls the Cowls, she uses her abilities for what she believes to be the greater good.

Eventually, stonemason Ogden hires Elsie and becomes a pseudo-father-figure for her. While on another mission for the Cowls, a foreign yet very handsome magic user Bacchus Kelsey catches her in the act. In order to avoid persecution by the authorities, she must assist Bacchus with his own projects until he decides that her debt is paid.

Additionally, someone is murdering Master Magicians and stealing their extremely valuable books of spells. Whoever has these spells at their disposal arguably become more and more powerful each time they commit another murder and theft. Elsie is extremely curious to find out the motivation and perhaps even to solve the crime – until she realizes she might actually be unknowingly involved somehow.

In Spellbreaker, Holmberg wonderfully presents a story that is part budding romance and part mystery/suspense, while weaving in details of a world where people openly practice magic. Furthermore, the magic system benefits day-to-day living (e.g. the post office using magic to communicate with and train dogs to deliver mail). While we mostly follow the story from Elsie’s point of view, we get some sections from Bacchus’s perspective as well. I felt Elsie’s confusion as Holmberg dropped details that indicated things weren’t what they seem, and foreshadowed big reveals later on.

If I had to nitpick for any downfalls in Spellbreaker, some parts were slow-paced and some reveals were a little predictable. Nevertheless, Holmberg has a talent for developing well-rounded characters that readers will root for, and events that transform this book into a page-turner. I would say readers can comfortably and casually enjoy up until the last quarter of the book – then the pace picks up and a couple of cliffhangers leave us truly wanting more.

Another wonderful story packed with everything you would expect from the author.

A world of magic and mysteries to solve made this another page turner for me.
As Elise follows the instructions left for her she believes that she is helping when she uses her magic powers. However between her not being registered as a magic using person and then being caught by a powerful man, Bucchus, her life feels like it is spinning out of control. Add in murders and the two start a path of pure adventure. The story flows and once you start you can not put it down. The mystery sucks you in, but you stay to see the bond between the two grow.

I do like the author.
The plot of the story is magical. It is kind of unique magic that you would not expect. The book was a great read but it did not sweep me out of my feet quickly. It took some time. When I reached to about half of the read - it was a fast and wonderful ride with adventure and magic!
As always - the book and author - highly recommended!

3.5
This book took me by surprise. At first, I was annoyed by the little things. By the inconsistencies, the repetitions, the endless repetitions, the random descriptions of the random people, and did I mention the repetitions?
The author explained everything at least twice.
But then something strange happened.
Things started happening. And I loved that.
The plot of this book (without going into spoilers) revolves around a spellbreaker Elsie and a spellcaster Bacchus. She is on a mission to help the underdogs of Victorian England, and he is on a mission to become a Master Spellcaster. After a chance encounter one night they (reluctantly on her side) join forces. At the same time there is a series of murders across England where spellcasters are murdered for their spells. And all hell breaks loose.
The magic system here is interesting, really. It involves spellcasters who are taught and who require teaching and money to advance and to learn new spells, and spellbreakers who are born. All practicians need to register with the government, which of course our protagonist doesn't do.
The story kept me hooked from the end of the first third of the book. And now I want to know what happens next! That is a good sign I'd say.

This was cute! I would give it a 3.5.

Elsie is an unregistered spellbreaker, someone with a natural magical talent for removing spells, working for a secret populist activist group in magic England. She gets in some trouble on a mission, and everything she thinks she knows ends up unwinding.

The magic system in this book is unique, not really like anything I've seen before. I liked Elsie as a character, and am still interested to find out who is behind the spell on Bacchus. Suspicious that the duke came down ill at the same time it was removed, <i>I</i> think.

The last 20% of the book was really good. The downside of the rest of it was that this book is pretty slow. In some ways that's nice and gives it more of a "cozy" or Victorian period feel, with magic woven into Elsie's daily life. It does mean that you don't really feel the suspense or curiosity start to build until a lot later, though.

Also, I wish I had been able to feel the importance of Elsie's relationships more. I liked Ogden especially and was glad how the book ended, so I have hope for the next one. With the slow buildup of the plot, yet little focus on anything else, it still felt a little too much like a procedural book where for the majority of the time, almost nothing was proceeding.

4.5 stars

I normally stay clear of duologies. For some reason they just feel unfinished and odd to me and historically I just haven’t enjoyed them as much as I have trilogies.

But how could I pass on this cover? There was no way I was going to pass on this one because that cover it too stunning to not pick it up and read it! Plus I know that this author has written another successful series (The Paper Magician) that I have had my eye on for so so so long.

I thought the book sounded like a quick easy read with a lot to recommend itself. I mean, how can I pass on magic during the month of October!? No way. The world sounded too rich and too interesting to pass on!

Summary
A world of enchanted injustice needs a disenchanting woman in the newest fantasy series by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician.

The orphaned Elsie Camden learned as a girl that there were two kinds of wizards in the world: those who pay for the power to cast spells and those, like her, born with the ability to break them. But as an unlicensed magic user, her gift is a crime. Commissioned by an underground group known as the Cowls, Elsie uses her spellbreaking to push back against the aristocrats and help the common man. She always did love the tale of Robin Hood.

Elite magic user Bacchus Kelsey is one elusive spell away from his mastership when he catches Elsie breaking an enchantment. To protect her secret, Elsie strikes a bargain. She’ll help Bacchus fix unruly spells around his estate if he doesn’t turn her in. Working together, Elsie’s trust in—and fondness for—the handsome stranger grows. So does her trepidation about the rise in the murders of wizards and the theft of the spellbooks their bodies leave behind.

For a rogue spellbreaker like Elsie, there’s so much to learn about her powers, her family, the intriguing Bacchus, and the untold dangers shadowing every step of a journey she’s destined to complete. But will she uncover the mystery before it’s too late to save everything she loves? (summary from Goodreads)

Review
I really appreciated the way that the author incorporated magic into her story. While it wasn’t overly complex, it was still fun to read about and I though the author did a great job with the magical elements of the story and I think fans of magic and the supernatural will enjoy this one quite a lot. While it might not be a overly complicated world of magic, it’s no less full of adventure and excitement!

I loved Elsie’s character right away and I think that many readers will connect with her and identify with her struggles and her triumphs. I really loved getting to know here character and see her evolve throughout the story. This one felt like a teenage Austen novel with magic and I am completely here for it! I loved so much about this book and even though it’s a dueology, I am hopeful that the things that I loved about this one will continue into the next book, but in all honestly, I worry that I won’t want it to end after the next book.

As I said, dueologies always feel unfinished to me and as a reader I am just never ready for the world, story and characters to come to an end when I find that I love the first book such as this one. I would be lying if I didn’t have fears about this one. This first book was so solid and I loved it, but I am worried that the second book will feel unfinished but I am willing to reserve judgement until I read it.

This book was well written with interesting characters and a rich world of magic and adventure. If you love magic with a little romance and of course the Victorian era, then look no further. I adored this book and can’t wait to continue the dueology and I think I will go and check out the Paper Magician series too because I really loved the authors writing and storytelling style in this one.

Book Info and Rating
Kindle Edition, 300 pages

Expected publication: November 1st 2020 by 47North

ASINB082HRSZKW

Free review copy provided by publisher, 47North, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: magic, YA

Spellbreaker was a great historical magical fiction read. Only the Victorian elite can do magic, but anyone can be a spellbreaker. Elsie's character was witty, resourceful and practical. Looking forward to the next book in the duology.

'Spellbreaker' is a magical Victorian tale about wizards who cast spells and those who break them. It follows Elsie Camden, a spellbreaker with a mysterious past who works for a secret group of spellbreakers with some suspicious intentions. She encounters Bacchus Kelsey, a dashing wizard who employs Elsie to repair some spells which brings them closer together while also implicating them in some nefarious activities.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down! Holmberg created a magical Victorian world that was easy to understand but still fantastical enough to satisfy the magical genre. There was an intriguing mystery, a budding romance, espionage, murder, and magic that was unique while also fitting the 19th century world she created.

I cannot wait to read the sequel and other works by the author!

Holmberg's latest novel, the first in a historical fantasy duology, was sweet but lacked nuance. Our protagonist Elsie is a stonemason's assistant by day but in her spare time she works as a Spellbreaker for the mysterious 'Cowls', unraveling spells to help the needy for the shadowy organization that rescued her as a child. Bacchus Kelley has just arrived in England from Barbados and is looking to acquire a Master spell and enhance his career an an "aspector", or magician.

My favorite thing about this novel was the magic system. Holmberg excells at creating magic that feels tangible yet demonstrably unique, from the paper magic explored in her most popular, titular series, to the four dimensions or "Aspects" of magic she outlines in this one; spiritual aspectors, physical aspectors, rational aspectors, temporal aspectors, and spellbreaker's such as Elsie who defy category A major drag for me is when a magic systems lacks definition, and I felt like Holmberg deftly explored the various implications and repercussions of her different forms of magic.

The characters themselves were less of a hit for me. While I liked fanciful but sweet Elsie, Bacchus felt a bit dry and one-note for me. It did not help that very early on he mentioned that his father was straight up a sugar plantation owner in the 1880s and there was almost no acknowledgment of this point besides a throwaway line about Bacchus not liking his father's profession, let alone acknowledging the fact that Bacchus' wealth and standing were built on slavery. This is one of my biggest issues with historical fantasy generally--it tends to gloss over massive societal problems in favor glamorizing more "favorable" aspects of history. The novel also ended far too abruptly for my taste -- I understand that this is a duology, but it feels unnecessary to spread into two novels would could essentially be accomplished in one.

In Victorian England, magic and spell making is prevalent but strictly controlled by the elite classes. For years, Elsie Camden has been like the Robin Hood of magic, breaking spells to help the poor. Until one mission she is caught by an expert magic user who won't turn her in if she agrees to help him.

Holmberg's historical fantasy was a delight to read, with intriguing world-building, a cute love story, and plenty of adventure. Elsie makes a great heroine, savvy, adventurous, thoughtful, and slightly naive. It's not top-notch literature, but it was cute and entertaining for those who want a lighter magical read. I don't think it's being marketed as young adult fiction, but it would be a good one for younger teens.

Elsie is a typical girl who likes to listen in to gossip & daydream about the latest book she read, but she also likes to consider herself like Robin Hood. A secret group of justice seekers saved her from the workhouse when she was a young girl. In exchange, they ask her to do occasional favors using her spellbreaking skills. As an unregistered spellbreaker, Elsie runs a risk every time she utilizes her skills, but her little acts as Robin Hood certainly justify the means. When a spate of odd crimes occur & Elsie is caught while spellbreaking, her life takes an unexpected turn.

This is a Victorian fantasy romance type of book. Perfect for those who enjoy slow build clean relationships set in the Victorian era. The alternate world building is pretty good. Since it's an alternate world, women don't have the same limitations they did in our world, which allows for more literary freedom, but the book did try to keep to social etiquette rules as much as possible.

I enjoyed the slow build relationship between Elsie & Bacchus. They had lots of time to get to know each other, beginning with their original mutual distrust. I also appreciated that this wasn't just a romance plot. The bigger plot focused on the secret group that ordered Elsie to do her Robin Hood acts and also spent time on Elsie's other relationships with her employer & coworker. The magic system was simplistic, but interesting, especially in the way that Elsie used it.

While there were some "duh" instances, I can't blame Elsie much for being unaware of them. Looking at it from her perspective, it's easy to see how she was deceived, especially from a psychological viewpoint. She grew up with a certain view & it was only as she matured that she began to question the inconsistencies that she noticed.

It was a fun book. It wasn't difficult to figure out where the plot was heading, (although there was an unexpected surprise towards the end), but it was a very enjoyable journey & I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’m glad that I had the opportunity to read Spellbreaker because I didn’t realise how much I missed fantasy historical fiction. Last time when I read this genre was 5 years ago when I was a big fan of Amanda Quick’s books. Also, Spellbreaker reminds me of Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick, Elsie being a perfect Adelaide. She is reckless, stubborn, ambitious and compassionate.

The story is well-written, I love the idea of spellbreakers and that you can pay for the magic power. It makes the magic system pretty intriguing. I really enjoyed reading Elsie and Bacchus’ story and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in the next book.

It was my first book from Charlie N. Holmberg and now all I want is to read more stories from her because I heard so many good things about them. Thank you Skye Book Tours and Charlie N. Holmberg for the chance to read this amazing book.