This was my first time reading a book by this author even though I have seen her other works floating around. I have them on my tbr but since it is a mile long I just haven’t had a chance, haha.

I will say that I do enjoy enjoy her writing and am now more likely to pick them up sooner even if this book missed the mark for me. It’s one of those “it’s me, not you.” because this is more historical fiction (even though it has its twists!) and the fantasy aspect is very minimal.

Historical Fiction and I have a love-hate relationship. Sometimes I can get swept away in it and other times I can’t. It’s usually never the author’s fault but it’s just my personal taste in general as was the case for this one.

Much like the book American Royals, this book is written with a new perspective on the historical events of the making of the United States. It’s cool to see what authors come up with when it comes to changes.

The characters weren’t ones that I ever connected with but I did like the relationship between Claire and Beatrix.

When it came to the plot, there were a lot of different sub plots: politics, inventions, and even the abuse Claire has suffered. At times I felt it was a bit too much because it left a lot of unanswered questions. I think my favorite sub plot was the inventions and it was awesome that both Claire and Beatrix took an interest in them. I would have liked it to be expanded on though. There is also some talk about Claire’s gift but it comes and go and we really don’t learn too much about it.

There is romance but it was a bit of a downer. I never felt the chemistry between them and just didn’t see it going in that way.

Overall, it was okay but it just wasn’t for me. I do think if you like Historical Fiction with strong female characters, you should check this one out.

It took a lot for me to keep reading this book. The writing is pretty fluid and not bad, however it felt so dry to me. I kept losing focus and I couldn't really get into the story. It felt a bit boring and I couldn't connect with the world.
My only strong feeling toward this book, was how much I disliked the main characters father. Yikes!

Thank you Harper Collins Childrens books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Muse was an exhilarating and exciting read! Claire’s relationships with each character throughout the book were one of my favorite things about this story. Remy and Claire’s relationship will become my favorite slow burn couple trope, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds! 5 stars.

While the writing and premise of the book were interesting and engaging, I think the biggest thing I struggled with this book was the pacing of this story. The beginning felt like it was drawn out unnecessarily. It was clear that this book was setting up for a lot of action and fast paced aspects of book 2, but I wasn't really wow'd with this one.

I want to start by noting my excitement for this book--and really, anything Brittany Cavallaro writes. I loved the Charlotte Holmes series and was eager to explore this new direction for Cavallaro's work. But for me, MUSE felt like it was always starting -- the action always rising, world always building, characters always establishing their identities. I didn't feel especially close to Claire, whose powers are somewhat ambiguous until they crystallize, very momentarily, in Act III. Part of the trouble, for me, is the intensive brain exercise required at the book's outset, to both visualize and conceptualize this version of America--a monarchy ruled by generations of King Washingtons. Ultimately, the story's setting (St. Cloud, along the Mississippi River) could be any imagined place; that this is a re-envisioned version of 1890s America has nothing to do with the political intrigues that drive the plot forward. I longed to spend less energy on parsing the intersections of real and imagined Americanism, and more time exploring Claire's power, her relationships to Beatrix and Remy, and the political machinations and intrigues in St. Cloud.

If my reading of MUSE is correct, then the second installment in the duology should be a runaway train of action, smart plotting, and feminist agendas -- in short, a book I very much look forward to reading. What I appreciated most in this first half of the story is what I've come to expect from Cavallaro generally: snappy, smart prose and strong women helming the narrative. It wasn't enough to make me love this read, but it's absolutely enough to keep me invested in the story's (eventual) conclusion.