Enchantee is a lovely book that I absolutely enjoyed. A mix between Historical Fiction and Fantasy it reminded me of Grave Mercy by Robin Lafever. The same kind of blending between history and the story Gita was trying to tell. This was another book where I couldn't put it down. Yes there were high stakes, but it was the need to hope for a resolution that really drove my reading experience. Camille Durbonne and her story reminded me alot of Ever After. Look for my full review on my blog coming soon. Many thanks to netgalley for the chance to read Enchantee ahead of publication :)

Enchantee is enchanting. The story takes place in Paris right before the revolution; where the cost of performing magic is sorrow. Camille must con the court of Versailles to survive and save her sister. The magic system is simple, and has different "levels". I loved the relationship between Camille and her sister, Sophie and what lengths Camille go through to provide for her sister. This book is for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, low fantasy, slow burn magic and court/political intrigue.
TW: abuse, alcoholism, gambling/gambling addiction,

There once was a young French girl and her little sister,

Who were poor beyond belief due to their gambling brother.

The death of their parents turned their life quite tragic,

That’s why the eldest sister Camille turned to gambling and magic.

A dress that requires blood to enchant and disguise,

Was all that she’d need to sneak into Versailles.

But little was said about the toll on the soul that trickery would take,

Or the consequences that come from a life lived fake.

Livres, love, ball gowns and hats,

Hot air balloons so high, that one tip and you’ll splat.

Versailles may be enchanting, with a Queen like Marie

But nothing in Versailles is black and white, and nothing is free.


Hold on to your wigs, there’s a new Versailles tale in town!

My dear Vicomtes and Vicomtesses, Enchantée is EVERYTHING and MORE that you could EVER ask for in a historical fiction set in late 1700 Versailles!

It is extravagant, it is DANGEROUS, and it is exactly what you would expect a palace of courtiers to be like.

JEALOUSY is CLAWING at my insides, my brain is working mercilessly to assure me that I will never be able to step into this beautiful world, and it is taking EVERY bit of self-control to not throw myself on the ground and weep.

Weep because I will never experience the abhorrent glory that was Versailles in 1789.

OR a Versailles with magic and trickery.

Enchantée was all the things I hoped for when I read its description: cinched waists, expensive dresses, powdered faces, dapper men with MANNERS galore, magic....and cake. But that’s a given. I think we can ALL agree that any and ALL Versailles retellings are welcome to us book lovers, especially when a Fantasy aspect is thrown into the mix.

You had me at aristocrat and la magie.

Though the beauty of Versailles may pull you in to reading this book, or even the cameo of Marie Antoinette, I can assure my lovelies…you will stay for the characters, plot and writing. Gita Trelease has outdone herself! This book is elegant and suave, delectable and enticing. I was swept away in the world that she presents on a golden platter smattered in frosting and wine, and I am horribly STRICKEN that it is over. The author has fused fact with fiction and given readers a story that is both historical, while also fantastical in that it is filled with magic. She included events leading up to the French Revolution, the prices in bread increasing and the eventual riots, while also capturing the voices of the rich and the poor beautifully. These courtiers are the typical snooty aristocrats that you know and love, so enjoy.

Camille is the main character of this story, and her story is quite a sorrowful one at that. Her parents had both died from small pox, her brother is a drunk and gambling addict who cannot control himself, and she must work la magie to provide food for her and her youngest sister. Once things turn worse for Camille’s brother, she is forced to work la magie on a higher scale. She infiltrates the Palace of Versailles posing as a Baroness, in hopes of earning money through gambling by changing cards with her magic. She is quickly swept up in the allure of the courtiers and the palace, and who could blame her?! There are masquerade balls, endless parties and games in the gardens, and cakes and wines all around! Courtiers strewn every which way, running wild with little to no rules to hinder their wants and needs.

Though a wonderfully created world, the truly amazing aspect of this story is the writing. The author has combined French words and phrases with this English version, and it made it THAT much more real and authentic. The reader will feel like they are in Paris in the late 1700’s, walking the streets with Camille or dining with her in Versailles! The creative writing was fantastic, and the setting was described impeccably. The characters were given such vast and comical personalities, while also proving to be well-versed in the etiquette and “ways” of the time period.

Don’t worry darlings, there is INDEED a romance to be had. It is a truly touching and gentle romance at that, and one that I wish I could catch and put into my pocket. It will give you the audible *sigh*, the immense feels, and of course…make you wonder why the hell men aren’t this chivalrous anymore! I thought the author did a wonderful job of keeping the characters true to the era by ensuring proper rules for courting and attire, and even found it to be amusing at the modesty that was displayed back then.

“If he took off his coat, she might expire”

I wish I could say more! With all of that said, I think it’s obvious that I LOVED Enchantée to the gold-encrusted moon and back! It was an incredibly fun and creative read, and I only wish this was a series and not a stand-alone! I suppose I will just be here waiting and hoping that Gita Trelease will write another story that can compare and compete with this. Because I feel as I do at the end of every beautiful party, sorrowful and nostalgic.

A brilliant entree into the seductive world of the Court at Versailles, where everyone wears a mask and it can be hard to distinguish friend from foe! Using magic, destitute Camille enters the world of aristocracy in order to win enough money to keep her younger sister fed and clothed. Her days are spent between her ordinary life as a balloonist's muse and her nights as an enchanting gambler. An artful blend of fantasy and historical fiction with enough action and intrigue to keep the plot rushing forward!

There is nothing I love more than ambitious girls who do whatever it takes to survive. Both because they have to, and because it shows who they are, and how even if they’re afraid, they’ll push through it and make a life for themselves. Camille Durbonne was running out of quick tricks and money because her brother kept taking everything she’d steal, and she had to care for her younger sister who couldn’t fend for herself. So she dug deep into her mother’s magic, even when she was told never to touch the dark stuff. But magic always wants a price, and Camille had to figure out just how far she was willing to go.

I LOVED herbcharacter. She was so intelligent and dependable, and hungry for a life where she and her sister could thrive instead of just get by. She spent months at the Palace of Versaille turning cards and lying to everyone she met there, and it was enough for awhile. She was able to move them out of their terrible apartment and away from her brother, whom she loved but could not afford to keep in her life. It cost her a lot, though, and it wore her down. So much that she wasn’t even sure if she knew who she was anymore. But she was unwilling to lose the game that brought them so much richness and light.

Yet she did not spend all of her time in the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, charming and deceiving people of their money. She made friends with balloonists who are also revolutionaries. While Camille’s magic drained her of her energy and blood, she was able to find small comforts with them, and she fell in love with a boy who really sees her. Her sister was chasing after a dream of hers, and Camille was tired but she was happy. She just needed time that she didn’t have, and a way to get out of the magic and still survive. But she got more than she bargained for when the streets erupted into rebellion.

This historical fantasy felt so decadent. It was long, but it pulled me in until I couldn’t help feeling like I was right there with Camille. There is something so enchanting (ha!) about the revolution and Marie Antoinette and everything that went on during that time period. And I just love when history is twisted in a way that is unique while also keeping its setting. The plot was intricate, and though not very difficult to figure out what would happen, I was thoroughly invested in these characters and their relationships with one another (such cuteness with the romance!). And I just ADORED Camille’s story, from the first page to the last.

RATING: 4 Paw Prints!

Enchantée by Gita Trelease is a book that I unfortunately didn’t get to finish before its release, I did read sixteen chapters in the little free time I now had because of grad school, but I loved what I did read and will definitely be picking up the finished copy.

I loved the sisterly relationship between Camille and Sophie. These two girls who have been show loss and horrible circumstances imposed on them by family - mainly their brother - who still have such real love between them in every situation was so great to see. Usually in YA books, the main character will rely on a new friend or romantic interest for that and the fact that this is a sister bond was so refreshing.

I am a bit into Act 2 of this book and the author does an amazing job at writing in a way that paints a clear picture of what the setting and characters look like. The reader is totally clear on what’s happening at all times and I always love that in books, especially those set in a place as beautiful as France. The author also does a great job distinguishing the different classes of people, since this is the time of the revolution. The reader can clearly tell, based on the atmosphere painted, when we are in a normal neighborhood and when we are in a palace.

I am also personally biased towards media that takes place in France. After studying French for four years in high school, it leaves an impression.

I am looking forward to picking up the finished copy and seeing where this story goes!

Enchantée by Gita Trelease is a young adult historical fantasy that takes place at the time of the French Revolution. While the book has events and figures from this time in history it is a fantasy read with the use of magic being involved with the characters.

Camille Durbonne’s family had never been rich but when her parents both pass away from smallpox Camille and her siblings are left to fend on their own. Camille’s older brother however only gambles away any little bit he gets a hold of and is often abusive to Camille and her younger sister.

In order to protect herself and her sister, Sophie, Camille begins to dabble in the dark magic that had always been forbidden. Instead of only turning bits of metal into coins to survive Camille begins to transform herself to pass as a baroness to enter the high stakes gambling in the Palace of Versailles.

First for the positive side of this one I would readily admit the author did a good job incorporating magic into the historical time frame and bringing it all to life. However, with this one being close to 500 pages yet again I felt as if it just wasn’t going anywhere. I’m not a huge fan of such a slow burning story and want way more action happening than I found in this one. While this one was just so-so to me though I’m sure those that prefer a slow build would love it.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

France on the cusp of revolution
Camille is a young woman living in Paris just before the French Revolution. Her parents have died of smallpox and her brother, Alain, is in the grips of alcoholism and gambling addiction. To support herself and her younger sister, Camille uses magic to turn bits of junk metal into coins, just enough for them to eke by. But after Alain's gambling gets them into more hot water than usual, Camille decides to risk even more dangerous magic in order to disguise herself as a noblewoman and engage in some high stakes gambling at Versailles.

And then...uh...some...stuff happens? It was a very good set up, but then the rest of the book kind of took a wandering turn to just sort of spend time at parties in Versailles. There wasn't much of a plot besides Camille getting to know a whole cast of colorful new characters.
Some very good emotions but without a place to put them
A lot of the page time in Enchentee was given over to Camille's inner monologue and the extremely complex and tumultuous emotions she was going through. Still processing the death of her beloved parents and the loss of her former life, wrestling with her fears and abandonment issues, nurturing a resentment of the ruling class, it was all great stuff. And for the most part, I really liked her character. She was realistic and heartfelt and had a rich amount of potential.

Most of the book was slow and introspective and focused on Camille just existing and feeling things and starting a new romance with a nifty new beux. And that's fine. But there were hints and teases of a more tension-driven plot that just didn't go anywhere and it made me thing there was supposed to be something more that I just wasn't getting to yet. Which, in turn, made the whole thing feel like a drag. I kept waiting for this vaguely ominous bad guy to do something. I kept waiting for these threatened consequences to amount to anything. I kept waiting...and waiting and waiting and nothing much really happened. It would have been fine if I could settle into things, but the feeling of waiting was tedious.

You...you know there's a revolution coming, right?
For a book set at the edge of the French Revolution, there certainly wasn't a lot of rebelling going on. Certainly, Camille's hardscrabble life is contrasted with the excesses of Versailles, and she spends the odd occasion here and there waxing poetically in her head about freedom of the press. There's two scenes of other people being rebellious. But outside of that, it's just...rich people being fancy. While there wasn't any outright praise for that lifestyle, I got the impression of a kind of soft-core sympathizing for the nobles as a group. And of course, my least favorite, the old "okay, but the noble characters we like are NICE to their subjects." It was just an...uncomfortable focus, given the time period, to have such a relatively uncritical framing of this class of people while the other classes are largely absent from the narrative.
A Few Random Things

There's not enough consequence for the magic. There's talk of terrible consequences, but none of them show up on page or have any relevance.
Sexual violence and prostitution is used as a vague threat, a "oh no, that'll be me if I can't get enough money" kind of line. Very unnecessary.
The villain has extremely unclear motivations, although his plan at least made sense and was scary.
The romance between Camille and Lazare was really cute and sweet.
I liked most of the side characters, even if I very aggressively do not care about Chandon's family going bankrupt. Or any of their families, really.


Will I read this author again? Maybe
Will I continue this series? Probably not. Given that the sequel is pitched as "watch all these rich noble characters try to survive the Revolution" and...erm...I'm kind of on the Eat the Rich side.

I don't understand some of these negative reviews. I thought this book was engaging and fun. At the beginning of the book, Camille is desperate and feels like she is out of options. As she tries to survive she creates an alter-ego to con money out of aristocrats, and ultimately is able to find out who she truly is outside of desperation or manipulation. Many of the characters are nuanced, especially the love interest, Lazare, who is half-Indian, half-French. The villain, I will admit, is not as nuanced, but I think he still fits into the excesses of Marie Antoinette's court.

I'm really bugged by the people who are hating on this book for its depiction of the brother and the mentions of sex workers. This book is a fantasy and has a very limited magical system, but apart from that very limited magic it's supposed to be France, 1789. Real events, like the Tennis Court Oath and the storming of the Bastille, still happen in this universe. OF COURSE our 18th century heroine is scared poverty will force her to become a sex worker. That was a common view in the time period and place, and (as Fantine from Les Mis shows us) was often a death sentence. Camille doesn't "let" Alain get away with being a terrible, abusive jerk-- as the first quarterish of the book goes on she starts to stand up to him, and the main plot is spurred on by her attempts to get away from him. This book doesn't claim to be like Children of Blood and Bone or Six of Crows, where the authors created a new world but borrowed some elements from the real world. This is more of an alternate history, where the "alternate" bit is magic.

My only problems with this book were that (at least in the ARC I received) French words and phrases were used in sentences without italics or anything setting them apart, and without translation. Once I got to the end of the e-book, I realized there was a glossary in the back. I also found some of the action scenes a little difficult to follow, and had to read The Big Final Action scene a few times to understand what had gone on.

I will also add a few content/trigger warnings-- there is one physical abuse scene that was pretty hard to read, but is pretty important to the plot/character development. There is also one aspect to the magic system that rings a bit like self-harm, so if those things bother you, maybe skip this one.

Enchantee follows the story of Camille who uses magic to help keep her younger sister and brother from starving and being thrown out of their apartment. With her magic she can temporarily turn objects, such as pieces of metal into coins. Desperation leads Camille into attempting more and more with her magic which thrusts her into the gambling world in Versailles.

The Story-
I really liked the idea of this story, but found that like Camille it had a story split up too much. Both parts of the story tied together, yet weren’t necessary to the other. At first I really enjoyed the part where Camille was off in Versailles, but quickly lost interest as a large portion of her time there was spent describing the opulence that surrounded her. After having several rooms and clothing choices described it all sort of blended together.

I was really hoping more time would be spent on her story in her own world without magic, but the story lacked the development of the friendship between herself and Lazare, the biggest driving factor that had me going was the unfairness of how she was treated within her relationship with her. I rather dislike a women succumbing and being accepting of being left hanging. I mean, there were moments when I thought he was going to ghost her, and he barely redeemed himself in my eyes.

The World Building-
I really liked the magic in this book! I liked that the power was derived from the sorrow of the magician. The fact that it took source that way gave it an undertone of evil and that it wasn’t actually a gift.

I was really hoping to get a little bit more about the magic, but most of it was Camille making herself prettier. There are at least two other magicians in the book, and we barely get an idea of what they are using their magic for.

With this being a historical fantasy fiction all the world building was wrapped around the start of the French Revolution, which was really fun, but I found wasn’t really necessary. The revolution itself could have had a much bigger role, however so much time was spent on descriptions of Versailles. I sort of wanted to stop the book midway and watch Marie Antoinette just to have a visual to entertain my eyes.

The Characters-
I loved how Camille was willing to sacrifice in unusual ways to help her family. I also liked that she was human, and wasn’t immune to the draw of addiction – both using the magic as a sort of shield as well as the gambling.

Enchantee is a dazzling French stand-alone story about Camille, a teenage girl who is struggling to use her magique to change scrap metals into coins to pay for food for her younger sister and her good-for-nothing older brother. Life is tough and the rent is overdue, but when she meets a boy and his crew in the park who are boarding a balloon about to crash, she doesn't hesitate in coming to their rescue. As the book goes on, Camille becomes more desperate for adventure and for money. She discovers more tactics for the magic and in turn, the magic begins to take its toll--on her life.

I loved this book so much in the beginning. It was so fascinating and so quick-paced with characters being so colorful and quickly introduced. However, it began to lose momentum about halfway through and I was ready to fast forward a little bit. There was just a little too much emphasis on other things that didn't matter as much--scenery and smaller details rather than plot movement. The end, however, picked up nicely once again and was an excellent tie-in to history. Personally, I feel that historical fiction gets a bad wrap and can be underrated but this book really does make it fun and come to life so my hat is off to the author on this one!

I don't know what's come over me lately but I have really been enjoying the occasional historical fiction book! First I was blown away by Stalking Jack the Ripper and its sequels last year, and now I'm falling in love with a man in a hot air balloon in France! Having a French last name, and French heritage I took it upon myself in college to study French as my minor. I have used said minor a total of pretty much zero times since finishing college and so needless today my French is a little rusty. This book was like a walk down memory lane, I was brushing up on my terms right and left. It was actually really a fun experience trying to figure out what I could remember correctly and looking them up in the glossary in the back of the book to see if I was right. I can see where this would get a little annoying for the non French speaking reader though, because the French writing was everywhere throughout the book.

Aside from the language in the book the time and the setting were perfect for the atmosphere. Set in Paris in 1789 this book follows the story of a young girl named Camille who is trying to get by on small magic tricks that turn scrap metal into coins so she can pay for a meager meal to share with her siblings. Her parents are dead from smallpox and they are barely surviving. Her brother is a gambling addict who has sold almost all of their belongings and still continues to lose what he doesn't even have. Her sister is recovering from her own illness and Camille doesn't want her out on the streets working until she knows shes healthy enough. Life is tough and when Camille sees a flying balloon with two young men aboard about to crash, she doesn't think twice to run to their rescue. What does she have to lose?

Along the way throughout this book we learn that magic and power have a strong allure and once you are in its hard to get back out again. Why would you want to go back to being powerless when you have felt all that it can do? Even if its hurting you, but saving all of those you love? What would you do to make sure your siblings are safe and healthy? What would you give up? When Camille is faced with these questions she knows the right path to take but its harder than it seems because not only did she find power among the magic, but friends and maybe even love. By getting out there and trying new things she found passion in things she never thought she would do, like flying in a hot air balloon, and playing hide and seek with friends. She discovers a life out there that she couldn't otherwise have if she didn't use the powerful magic that her mother warned her about. But even though it comes with a price, Camille thinks that she can handle it even when it starts to take its toll on her life.

The only complaint I would have while reading this is that it does sometimes get a little slow. This is usually the case when  I read historical fiction though, which is why I tend to lean towards other genres of books. Even though it was enough to notice that it does tend to slow and get bogged down with lots of descriptions of the lavish scenery, it has its purpose and in the end it wasn't enough to take away from the story. It picks back up quickly and I was able to keep my attention on the book and ended up enjoying it quite a bit.

By the end of the book everything wraps up well, It was a stand alone book so there won't be any sequels and that's okay because I think the story wrapped up completely without any loose ends. It was neat to see how the real parts of history fit in with the magical story being told in a way that the whole story felt real. I could possibly be convinced that it really was a bit of magic and a love story that got the first hot air balloon in the air in Paris all those years ago. Just the other day I saw a photo in a restaurant of all the history of flight, and on the poster there was the same hot air balloon flown by a man named Rozier and created by the Montgolfier brothers, which is mentioned quite a bit in the book. It was neat to see what I read about and see it is real but the flare that this book put to the real story was so well done that it made it seem like I knew secrets about history that no one else knew. I'm starting to finally realize why historical fiction can be so fun to read sometimes and its books like this that make that happen. I really enjoyed this and I hope you all do too!

4.5 stars! I absolutely loved this! Set in Paris during the start of the French Revolution, there is an element of magic that brings this world to life. The magic system was so interesting and beautifully written. There is a strong sibling relationship that is wonderful and the love interest had me swooning all over the place. There were twists that kept me turning the pages. I do wish there were a bit more of the Revolution happening, but I appreciated the nod to Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette. Marie Antoinette was also a character in here, I wish there had been more of her. But it was clever and interesting and I just loved it!

"Love. Magic. Revolution... Gita Trelease’s debut fantasy about an orphaned girl who uses dark magic to save her sister and herself from ruin is a “must-have” (School Library Journal, starred review)!

Paris is a labyrinth of twisted streets filled with beggars and thieves, revolutionaries and magicians. Camille Durbonne is one of them. She wishes she weren’t...

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille must find a way to provide for her younger sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on magic, Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille pursues a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Using dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into a baroness and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for magic. As she struggles to reconcile her resentment of the rich with the allure of glamour and excess, Camille meets a handsome young inventor, and begins to believe that love and liberty may both be possible.

But magic has its costs, and soon Camille loses control of her secrets. And when revolution erupts, Camille must choose - love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, reality of magic - before Paris burns."

Can we designate this week as magical France week with these new releases?

It's beautiful written. All the details was really good! I can't wait to touch the REAL book. Aaaahhh! Totally recommend it!

The title says it all about this book. An enchanting story about a girl with magic trying to support her sister in a world where few have magic and it must be kept secret. Who can she trust though when her older brother fails her in every way? Can she trust the boy with the balloon? The boy who invites her to play cards? Or should she trust the boy who gives her a warning about fate?

It will all come down to a duel..

The world is changing. The people are not happy with aristocrats or the fact that Marie Antoinette sits on the throne. La Magie and its magicians were destroyed, or so the king thought...

All magic has a cost and in the end, what's a little bloodshed and sorrow if all your dreams can come true?

This book was a wonderful read and it was nice seeing a different perspective of France when the revolution is in sight. The main character must find herself before she can save anyone else and she makes mistakes in a world where mistakes can cost her her life.

What a brilliant book! I afored the writing style and the overall prose of the novel! The love between sisters is ever present and believable!

I thought this was quite good! It took a relatively light spin on pre/early Revolution Paris and Versailles that kept things quick and interesting but was also heavy enough to have heart. The magic system was unique and added a lot to the story without overshadowing the characters and the historical aspects. Overall, I'm impressed by this debut!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I was really excited to get a copy of this book because the cover is stunning and the description immediately hooked me. I loved the characters and how the magic of story was explained to the reader at the same time the main character, Camille. The biggest problem I had with the novel was that there were times when I could easily put the book down because the plot was dragging in some sections. Overall. the book didn't hook me as well as the description did but the setting and the characters saved this book many times I felt myself being pulled away. I loved the relationship between Camille and Sophie, Chandon, Rosier, and Lazare and those relationships often kept me pushing forward when I felt the plot started to drag.

Overall, this book is between and 3.5 to 4 star book for me.

So, this novel is in a way a Cinderella - type plotline. Our main character, Camille, after losing her parents her family struggles to keep up with money, due to their brothers gambling problems. Camille has magic, the ability to change things to something else - so she uses a magical gown and her abilities to pose as a new identity, and go into the city and gamble and get money. There, she finds herself involved in danger. And then there's an absolutely adorable romance.

What I liked about this book - was mostly the beginning of the novel. The way the first part of the book was written, I felt I was watching a magical Studio Ghibli movie, and I adored it (especially a scene in the beginning with the hot air balloon). I loved the writing, Camille, and I loved Lazare - the love interest. Everything about the first half of this book was amazing. And then, maybe once I hit the 50% - the book took a new turn and it felt like almost an alternate story. I didn't realize this until I had finished and had time to think over everything that happened. But more on that in a bit. I really liked the magic system, the setting of the Palace of Versailles, and Camille's double life. It was fun to see the two worlds, the two sides, and I was so zoned into the story, wanting Camille to succeed. And I wanted her and Lazare to be together so bad, I shipped the HECK out of them. 

As for the rest of the plot-line, I feel as if most of the setting went right over my head. I'm not really familiar with the French Revolution, and so to me, the background setting felt very disconnected to what was happening with the author's fantasy storyline. I feel like my lack of knowledge probably didn't help - but I felt a very strong disconnect between the plot and the setting. Especially at the end where things were happening very fast and alongside the climax and I just, didn't understand.

In regards to the villain of the story - I also felt a big disconnect. This villain was a bit odd, and creepy, but I felt like everything about them being the villain felt off to me, and very very rushed at the end. Everything about the climax at the end happened way too quickly, and the resolution all just felt too quick as well. I am torn between having enjoyed what happened, as well as not. The whole end of the book just confused the heck out of me and I probably could use a re-read to really understand what happened. 

And again, I loved most of this book and the way it felt while reading it. It was beautiful, magical, and I had trouble putting the book down, even through the last half of the book where things got confusing and rushed. I still wanted to finish to the end, still wanted to find out if everything was going to be resolved and if my ship was going to sail. The end of the book, which brought everything full circle with Lazare, was also one of my favorite parts. 

I do recommend this if you like historical fiction fantasy. I may have been a little confused - but that is probably part of my own lack of knowledge. I think this is still going to be a favorite book of 2019, and I will be out there on twitter suggesting this read for sure. As for representation - Lazare is bi-racial, half Indian I believe, and there is a supporting LGBT+ couple (side characters, but integral to the plot). This book comes out on February 5th, so keep an eye out for this magical journey.