Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be available on April 7th.

In The Glass Magician, there are three types of castes: Solitaires, Sylvestri, and the top-rung, Traders. Thalia, the stage magician, is a Solitaire, meaning she has no special abilities- until the day she discovers that she is a Trader, part of the caste that can change into animals. That knowledge changes everything for her.

I enjoyed the idea of the three classes and how they interacted. The author obviously put a lot of thought into how things would work in her world. I do wish that the Sylvestri had been explained a little more- I’ve kind of inferred their function, but they weren’t mentioned quite as much as the other two.

I have to be honest, I spent the first third of the book incredibly bored. I kept waiting for something to happen, but not much did for quite a while. Thalia was an uninteresting character, so I struggled to keep my mind from wandering while I read. Thalia both hated and envied the money that others had, which was an understandable juxtaposition. It was honestly the most interesting character trait she had.

Right when I was ready to give up, the book picked up a little. Thalia found herself swept up in a mystery which added a sense of fun that the first part of the book was missing. It kind of wound down again at the end, though. I really felt that the ending was lacking something.

Altogether, this book wasn’t for me. It felt like it was a great idea that just needed to be fleshed out a little more. A teensy bit of work on the pacing would go a long way toward making this book much more enjoyable.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a pretty odd mix of mystery and magic because I wasn't expecting it to have a murder mystery but it was still pretty good! I love murder mysteries so lol right up my ally, I liked the characters for the most part as well and liked the magic in this book even though im not usually into the shifter stuff the way this book did it was really cool!

I really enjoyed this story, it wasn't like anything I'd read before. It was interesting to read about the various classes of the world, the Traders, Solitaires and the Sylvestri the author had incorporated into New York City in the early 1900s. I have to say, it did take a while to get my head around it, I know the author attempted to create a foundation at the beginning when introducing the various factions but it still took time. It wasn't until Thalia accepted her position as a Trader that it all really fit into place for me - others might be quicker on the ball with it. To put it simply, Traders are in the graces of high society with position and status as well as the ability to transform into an animal, a part of their soul, and usually the same type of animal is passed down the family through generations. Solitaires meanwhile, are the bottom of society who tend to serve the Traders in their position, they don't have any special gifts or abilities, I guess the best way to describe them would be Muggles? Sylvestri don't get a lot of mention within the story as they aren't really connected the main characters until the end, but from what I understand, they prefer their own bubble away from both Traders and Solitaires, in all sense, they would rather live in the forest surrounded by nature if the choice was so.

I really liked the setting of the story, New York City in 1905, a wonderful charm full of possibility and prosperity. A chance for a new beginning in the streets of NYC. Not that it didn't have it's darker side, even the characters were wary of walking around the city at night, with or without the threat of the Manticores. Although you didn't get to experience the surroundings in all it's potential, you could still put yourself into the setting easily, whether it was walking down Broadway in the rain, backstage at the theatre or simply looking out to the Hudson river from Riverside house.

I liked the characters in the story, they didn't have much of a back story but the author did a good job in putting them in their place in the present. Thalia was a great main character with a determined purpose and dreams of a life on stage for all the world to see to make her dad proud. She's got a strong disposition, even when she discovers that her entire life is a lie, she doesn't dwell on it, but faces her future one step at a time, determined to find out the truth. Even if that means being accused of an accomplice of murder, her only friend taken away from her and being held prisioner in a strangers home until she comes to terms with who she really is otherwise risking her own life. 

The entire story is written only from Thalia's perspective, which I think could have been adapted to include some of the other characters to really come to terms with their own individual circumstances. There seemed to be a lot going on in the story which I felt we missed being so restricted to Thalia and her limited knowledge. I would have liked to have experienced more from Nutall and even Ryker. 
It would have been interesting to have seen a bit more between Thalia and Nathaniel and whatever their blossoming attachment is, you could see that it was slowly leading to something, but then we were left with nothing. It felt like it was missing something.

The Glass Magician was one for 2020 that I was STOKED to read. The first 3rd was pretty much the bomb. Then I found myself, unfortunately, drifting as the book went on. I tried to get back into it, but couldn't. In fact, while I could tell you what happens in detail in that first 3rd, I couldn't even tell you how it ended. That's how disconnected I became.

What I can tell you is that it's my own fault, and I have every intention of rereading this book come later on. As excited as I was, I don't want to throw it away and say it was awful. Because it wasn't. It just also wasn't the right time for me to read this one. So what I'm gonna do is keep the first third in my brain, and base this review off that. I'll reread it at a later date, come back, and review then too.

The characters were multidimensional, and the story was unique. When I finally understood the idea of the "glass" magician part, I knew it was a book I'd have to come back to. Hopefully this review will let you take a chance on this one. I'll be back!

The Glass Magician comes out 4.7.2020.

3/5 Stars

I wanted to like this book, but I ended up just blah about the whole thing. I rounded up half a star for the creative magic system and world building. Not a bad read, and it may be exactly what you're looking for, I think the book is worth trying.

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The story carries an air of New York somewhere between the 1800s-1900s. In a world where shapeshifting carries prestige and riches, Thalia lives in the show business and tries to prove that being a simple human can also bring joy and magic.

When rivals and secrets try to destroy Thalia and her friends, she will race against all odds to discover who framed her friend and also discover the power within her. While the plot reminded me of Muggles and magicians the idea behind the book was interesting. There's a hint of urban fantasy and the transformations were great.

But I didn't feel invested in the plot and on many occasions I felt that Thalia was thrown into all the hardships of the world, with almost no one to help her. Not to mention that the centuries mentioned above didn't work in favor of women's rights.

Also despite the great magic system and classes, those weren't as detailed explained as I hoped and I ended up guessing most of the time.

Overall, this is an interesting book, and I hope you'll enjoy it.

This was a very intriguing concept and the characters were all very well fleshed out. I mostly enjoyed it but toward the end it got kind of predictable and therefore a bit boring.

This had a sleepy start and resolved too quickly, to the extent that it resolved. Though my unanswered questions are not pressing, I'm left with a general feeling of something slightly incomplete.

Definitely a lot of fun for fans of this genre. If you've liked this author's previous works, you'll enjoy this one. It's not a heavy read, perfect for the holidays or as escapism.

I enjoyed this book from page 1 through the last sentence and still wanted more. There’s a smart and sassy female stage magician protagonist, shape shifting, class conflict and a murder mystery. The characters are all delightfully complex and likable, the world building is organic and convincing, and the plot is fast moving.

This book is well written with a believable setting in a world much like our own. I wasn't so much a fan of the plot as I was the writing. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC egalley.

Thalia is a stage magician in New York during the early 1900s. She believes she is a Solitaire (regular human) rather than. Sylvestri or a Trader (two groups that are powerful and have unique power) but an incident that happens during a performance leads her to question everything she knows.

I’m a fan of Stevermer’s previous YA books and this new novel doesn’t disappoint. The book started a bit slowly, but quickly picked up. The tone is similar to that of Wecker’s “Golem and the Jinni” in that the book keeps true to the historical context in which it’s set, despite containing magical elements. I liked the rich cast of characters and their development over time, and the primary plot relates to (1) Thalia learning more about her past, and (2) solving a crime. The ending was satisfying while leaving the door open for a sequel, which I look forward to.

The Glass Magician is the epitome of beautiful world building. I loved the world that Caroline Stevermer created - the complexity of the different classes of citizens, the magic that permeates the characters' lives, the opinions and stereotypes that certain characters have for others. This is the exciting start to a brand new series.

So when I read a book, I just don't read the chapters, I read the acknowledgements, the preface and stuff. I also read the end pages of references, author's note, about other books by her/him. Also, I usually dive into the book blindly, without knowing anything. And I do judge a book by its cover. Its unfortunate, but its something involuntary to me. So when I started to read this book, the initial pages didn't make me want to keep reading it. The initial pages gave me an impression this is about a circus magician who does shows on stage and amuses people.

Now, after reading the book, I am euphoric. I was so utterly and completely wrong. Actually, I am patting my back while writing this as I chose to continue this book. It surprised me in varied ways, so much so that I couldn't put this book down and read it the whole day and ended up loving it!

Glass Magician is magical fantasy driven with mystery and action. The story envelops around this different world where there are majorly three kinds of people and then there are variations within one kind. Let me be more specific, this world consists of Sylvestri, who are connected with nature, Solitaire, who are the majority, the mass and Traders, who have animalistic magic in them, thereby, the creamy class. Within the traders, there are people who weren't born as traders and live on the magic of traders by killing them called Manticores and the second variation are the traders who kill the manticores called the Skinners. The third variation is the pure Traders who were born right and didnt kill anyone, their souls could transmigrate and they could convert into animals (inner magical souls)

Idk if me writing this review made the idea of what this story revolves around any clear. But yes, the basic storyline consists of how Thalia who is brought up by her dad's friend Nutall practices stage magic, she has to earn her livelihood through that. She knows she is born a Solitaire and thus, she has to work hard for a living rather than practising magic or depending on a wealthy family cuz she has neither of them. Also, she loves being a performer and loves magic. But twist of fate, she and her uncle find their competitor dead one day, Nutall is rendered as the prime suspect, and Thalia, herself as a Trader who can be killed at any moment by a manticore. Another amusing event that takes place is Ryker, a trader reaches out to her to seek help for his sister with stage magic. Thalia becomes the teacher but when she finds she is a trader this family becomes her refuge, teaches her and helps her through this sudden transformation.

I might not be explaining it good so you might just want to read it yourself to know better. Just absorb everything as it is. Push yourself to read it whole. Were my initial thoughts right? Yes, but there's so much more to the stage magic. There's a whole magical world. Could I relate to the characters? Literally, no. But within the lines.. maybe. I might not relate with the ability to change into human, cuz last time I checked am still human, not a trader. But do I connect with Thalia's journey of the transformation, where the world didn't make much sense. Where there is fear, anger within you that you didnt recognize, where friends and family mattered and situations where you felt that because of you someone else might suffer? Maybe, yes?

There's this whole story about her mother and her possibility of being alive and her wanting to find her mother now after knowing she might still be alive. It wasn't revealed here so guessing there might be a sequence to this book (?) If there is I am so ready to read it! I received an arc of this book via Net Galley by Macmillan-Tor/Forge in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of fun magic with great female characters and a real feel for the time. I felt like I got a glimpse into 1900’s New York City and a peek behind the Magicians curtain. It kept me interested and wanting to learn more. I found the different groups of characters a little confusing and would have preferred more background in the beginning of the book but I loved the Traders and what they do. Good plot but maybe a bit more character development. Overall a fun and recommended read!

I am exceptionally fond of other work by this author, and so I was happy to pick up a new book. What a fabulous premise, a young woman who accidentally shifts. The stage magician part of it was rather wonderful. I had a great time reading this book, and I wish that this author had more books out.

Thank you to the publisher, Tor Books, for providing it in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Stevermer hasn't had a novel out since 2010 with the middle grade book, Magic Below Stairs. The setting is new, early 20th century in an alternative America. There are solitaires--ordinary people, traders--who can change to an animal form, and sylvestri--who have an affinity to nature and appear to be, in the Americas at least mostly First Peoples. I'm not sure that made much sense as there should be a bunch from the "Old World" too who had then emigrated to the new world, but it wasn't explained. Traders stick together and create family trusts. There's a throw-away line deep in the book that in addition to trading between their two or split souls (human and animal), they literally were traders, shipping goods around. Which made me wonder if they were supposed to represent Jews.

The main character, Thalia Cutler, is working as a stage magician as part of vaudeville. Her mother died when she was little and she was taught her skills by her father and his friend, David Nutall. Her father has also died. Something strange happens during one of her shows--she seems to change shape when the trick goes wrong. So could she be a Trader? She's also hit with a non-compete for one of her best tricks so she and Nutall have to find, and finance, some new amazing feat.

Thalia, having lived in show business, is generally able to take care of herself which I appreciated. There are many interesting characters. I'd like to know more about the sylvestri. Thalia meets several Traders who end up helping her out and there are hints of a possible future romance...maybe. I thought I caught a hint that Thalia's and father and David Nutall might have been more than just close friends but Thalia resolutely doesn't want to think about that. <rolls eyes> I may have been reading more into it because of the fanfiction binge where I read many stories about characters being in non-canonical relationships (AKA not in the books/source material).

Honestly, if this hadn't been an ARC and by an author that I've loved in the past, I would probably have stopped reading about 1/3 in. It did pick up pace not long after that and it wasn't a hardship to finish. I will likely read the sequel. While the story ends well, there are several open threads that could be picked up.

Why didn't I like it more? I think the worldbuilding didn't seem deep or broad enough. The book felt relatively short (a check shows the hardcover is 288 pages). It felt like it was written a little young. Solidly trying for young adult maybe? Like I said, I will be on the lookout for the next book.

3.5 stars for me. Full review tomorrow.

An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book has all the elements a reader can love in a fantasy novel set in an alternate era, and I was expecting to love this. I ended up just liking it.

First of all, let me talk about the world and the magic system. I LOVE IT. I love the concept of the classes: Solitaire, Traders, and Sylvestri. I love the distinction between the classes and the dangers and intrigues surrounding them which of course make the life of the main characters more interesting as well. In this case, the protagonist Thalia discovered she has powers after a magic trick went wrong. Suddenly, Thalia's life is in danger because having power like hers brings danger.

Right after that first scene, I was so excited. I thought I was really about to read my first 5-star read this year. Not to say, this is also the first book I've read this year. How awesome would it have been if this ended up with 5 stars? Obviously it didn't.

Sure I have the excitement in my heart for quite a while because I love learning about each class. A book with mystery and intrigues surrounding the main concept should be a sure great read. But halfway through the book, I was beginning to realize something, I still don't get what I want from the book. The magic system, the classes aren't still clearly explained. I already know some things about them but there's no explanation as to why there are classes. The author didn't take me deeper into her world, and because of that, I felt like a stranger in the story despite having read most of it.

I don't want to be a stranger, I want to be a part of the book I'm reading. Then overall, I think the book is missing that certain bang. I was expecting more, more revelation, more grandiose. Besides, the heroine is someone who just discovered her power. There should be more shocking revelations, right? Even the last part where there are revelations seem anti-climactic for me. It also felt rushed. Like I said I was looking for a bang,.

But overall I give this one 3.5 stars. I really love the concept and I'm hoping I get more in the next books.

A coming of age quasi-murder mystery, set in an alternate 1920s New York City, where wealthy but short-lived shapeshifters (Traders) live among politically-powerful nature-oriented people (Sylvan) and unmagical humans (Solitaire). A young stage magician finds troubling hints about her heritage make her a target for modern monsters. She must come to grips with new responsibilities, let go of old ties... and solve a murder committed right in front of her.

I love a Victorian/Gilded Age setting, especially for a fantasy. The Glass Magician really used this setting well and incorporated some great worldbuilding. The characters were a little weak in my opinion but I kept reading for the interesting magic system. If you liked the movie The Prestige, you’ll probably like this book. I would be interested in reading more from this world. Thank you to Tor and netgalley for the ARC.