Historical fantasy, but make it light and easy to read.

I really enjoyed the setting and especially the heroine Julie. She is strong and fierce in a time when women are not supposed to be like that. Also her being queer was a nice turn.

But what was disappointing to me was the pacing: it’s just way too quick. There is not enough worldbuilding, the magic feels thrown in but not matched to the story. Don’t get me wrong; the story is a firework of action and I read it in one sitting but the story could have been much more complex and better developed. 17th century with its problems especially from a feminist point of view could have been much more detailed and especially the connection to the magic lacked logic and depth.
For my taste the story would have been better separated into 2 books and a bit more detailed and slower paced.

None the less, if you like a quick and easy read in between two more complex fantasy books without needing to change genre: this book might be for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!

I recieved this ebook from Netgally for review.

I wasn't a huge fan. I really enjoyed the setting, but the overall tone and writing was flat and uninteresting. The characters were stale and one dimensional and I had a really hard time connecting with them or caring about their motivations.

There were moments of potential where I felt that urge to keep reading, but inevitably something would happen that would pull me right out of the flow, whether it was the fmc doing something glaringly stupid or character dialogue that felt somewhat forced or awkward.

There was also a disconnect for me between the period setting and the fantasy aspect. They just didn't integrate very well for me and I found it distracting at times.

✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Maria Alexander And Netgallery for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fierce, fiery historical fantasy with magic, monsters, and a gender-defying heroine

Brimstone & Blades is a bold, imaginative ride through 17th-century France, blending real historical figures with fantasy in a way that feels both cinematic and fresh. Maria Alexander brings Julie d’Aubigny (aka La Maupin) to life with swagger, heart, and just enough recklessness to make you fall completely under her spell.

Julie is a standout heroine—queer, complex, and beautifully flawed. Her voice is sharp and modern without feeling anachronistic, and her journey from traveling performer to magical warrior is both emotionally grounded and wildly entertaining. The found family of magical allies adds warmth and humor, while the dark, necromantic threat of the Shadow Holders gives the plot real stakes.

Alexander’s worldbuilding is rich, with occult lore woven into historical detail, though at times the pacing stumbles under the weight of exposition or shifts in tone. A few side characters could’ve used more depth, and certain plot twists felt a touch rushed—but none of it seriously detracts from the overall experience.

If you enjoy historical fantasy with high stakes, queer rep, swordfights, and a protagonist who refuses to be tamed, Brimstone & Blades is well worth your time. It’s fierce, feminist, and just the right amount of fantastical.

*A big thanks to NetGalley, Maria Alexander, and Ghede Press for providing me with an ARC of this book; this in no way affects my honest review*

Discovering that this is inspired by the life of Julie d’Aubigny, I was instantly intrigued and wanted to read.

Absolutely loved this! Brimstone & Blades is everything I want in a book: fierce heroine, razor-sharp dialogue, and just the right amount of magic and mayhem. Maria Alexander’s writing is quick, clever, and immersive. I flew through it in a couple of sittings and didn’t want it to end.


If you’re into badass women with swords, this one’s for you. Instant favourite. Can’t wait for more!

Okay, this one really surprised me in the best way — historical fantasy mixed with a unique plot? Yes, please! ⚔️✨ Julie de Maupin’s journey was such a ride. Dark, imaginative, and full of little details that made everything feel real and spooky.

Maria’s writing totally sucked me in. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter”... and then suddenly I was halfway through the book without even realizing it 😅. If you’re into fantasy that feels a little mysterious and a little dangerous, definitely give this a go!

Thank you NetGalley and Ghede Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion! Needless to say, as always, all thoughts are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.

Brimstone & Blades delivers a vivid blend of swordplay and sorcery, weaving historical fantasy with a refreshing flair. The duels are sharply choreographed, brimming with tension and style, while the magic system, rooted in French necromancy and outlawed spells, adds an intriguing layer of danger and mystique. Julie de Maupin’s journey through a shadowy underworld of cursed creatures and covert casters is both darkly imaginative and rich in detail. While the concept and combat shine, the execution doesn’t quite match the novel's ambition in every aspect. Still, fans of swashbuckling heroines and forbidden magic will find plenty to enjoy in this daring tale.

Some books cut, others burn, but this one? This one sings. Like a sword through silk. Like a soprano’s final note echoing through a haunted opera house.

From the moment I met sixteen-year-old Julie de Maupin, (based on the real person Julie de Maupin the first gender bend fencing opera singer)I knew I was in for something different. Something dangerous. She’s not just a character she’s a force. A firestorm in lace and steel. With her sword in one hand and defiance in the other, she dances through a France teetering on the edge of magic, madness, and monarchy.

And when tragedy strikes? When love is ripped from her arms and monsters crawl from the shadows? She doesn't break she becomes.

Maria Alexander doesn’t just tell a story she resurrects a legend, painting Julie’s world in blood, wit, and queer brilliance. The historical details sing, the action thrums, and the found family? Let’s just say I’d die for each and every one of them (and probably come back swinging).

This isn’t just about necromantic covens and secret wars under the glittering rot of Versailles. It’s about identity, rebellion, the courage to love wildly, and the audacity to exist exactly as you are even when the world would rather silence you.

Magic is outlawed. Dueling is forbidden. But Julie de Maupin? Oh, she was never one for rules.

I'm endlessly proud to have witnessed this story unfold and to be part of this journey, this roar. Maria Alexander, you didn’t write a book. You lit a fuse.

One of my favorite reads. One of my favorite heroines. One of those stories that lives in your chest long after you close the last page.

Vive La Maupin.