Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Edition: I/eBook English Version
Published: August, 2008
Page: 240
ISBN: 978-1-599-90580-8
Genre: Young-Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery
Synopsis:
Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir.
Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.
***
Nimira was a singer and music performer of a troupe from Lorinar. One day, she met a sorcerer named Hollin Parry. He was attracted at her beautiful voice and her grace that he intended to ask her to work for him. Nimira, who was looking for fortune, agreed with Hollin's invitation. Then, she came with him to his mysterious house far from where she was.
There, Nimira was working with an automaton. The automaton was a bit scary and Hollin's previous singers claimed that it was haunted. Nimira, who used not to believe in ghost did not take it as something matter. However, after she wound the automaton by using a silver key, she heard such suspicious voice coming from it. Then, she realized that the automaton used to be alive before.
Knowing the fact that the automaton asked her for help, she was very excited but also afraid. Poor her, it was not that easy to bring the automaton back alive since there was someone powerful who wanted to destroy it before hand. Besides, she also found that her only hope, Hollin, kept something secret and dangerous behind her back. She could barely believe him at all afterwards. One way or another, she should be hurry unless there was no more hope remained.
~o~
Magic Under Glass is a very nice book written by Jaclyn Dolamore. This book is the first series of Magic Under. To tell you the truth, this book is so much interesting including the cover. I like the paperback cover which is so much amusing. I can say that I was interested in reading this book because I found that the storyline is telling about magic, music, and romance.
This book introduces Nimira as the central character. Besides, there are still Hollin Parry, Annalie Parry, Erris, Karstor, and Smollings who become the other main characters. Nimira is described as a young girl who like singing and dancing like her late mother. She comes to Lorinar to seek for her fortune after her family gets bankruptcy. Hollin Parry is a sorcerer who is quite mysterious. Annalie Parry is Hollin's wife who was rumored dead but in fact she is still alive. Erris is the soul inside the automaton. He is the lost heir of fairy throne. Karstor is a kind-hearted wizard. Meanwhile, Smollings is the antagonist one.
The setting of place used in this book is a random city. It is known as Vestenveld. Precisely, this city is where Hollin's house is built and where Nimira meets the automaton. Meanwhile, I'm not sure about the time setting. It perhaps some time in the past. However, I really enjoy how the story goes.
The conflict appearing in this story is mostly about Nimira's struggle to save Erris by removing the curse. As it is told in the story, it is not easy for her to get some help to undone the curse because most people could not be trusted anyway.
The plot is very very easy to follow because the language is also light but beautifully constructed. Further, the storyline is well ordered. It makes the book is enjoyable. I don't need to think too much to know how the story goes. Besides, the ending is also amusing. But, I have to admit that I'm quite disappointed since the story runs so hurriedly that makes the book lacks of details.
All in all, I give so much appreciation to this book because the story is easy to follow and interesting, especially since it tells about music. However, I must be honest that the musical part is just like an introduction that makes me a bit disappointed. I expect more than just that, so I'm looking forward to finding more details of music in the next sequel.
The quotations I like the most:
"Every person has a reason to walk the earth. Mother always said. Sometimes the path leads in strange directions." (Chapter 13)
"Love isn't sure....It's frightening. But it's full of possibility. And hope." (Chapter 18)
“You do want to be held.” His arms went around me from behind. I felt his strength. “And how I’ve wanted to hold you, Nim. I do like Nim. And I don’t just mean the name.” (Chapter 26)
“I love you, Nimira.” He spoke softly in my ear. “Whatever happens now, I have spoken those words with my own voice, and held you with my own arms.” (Chapter 26)
My rating: 4 out of 5 crowns
~Happy Reading~
xoxoxo
xoxoxo
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