This book enticed me with a promise of magic/magical realism (enchanted dolls, magic spells) and an entangled family saga but failed to deliver on both accounts. Both premises are used just as a decor for a feminist story/love story. In this day and age, a story about girls being denied access to something is growing boring. Especially seen that the story is set in modern day Britain - maybe such a narrative would have worked if based in Asia or Africa or something, but certainly not in Western Europe.
I've given it 2* for a few reasons: the writing which is definitely promising, the fact that features a couple of strong female characters (even if Persephone seems to be a bit of a Cinderella, or maybe better said a Little Mermaid) and especially because we don't have a happy ending. Well we do in a way, but it's definitely a very realistic positive ending, rather than a "happy" one, that I've very much welcomed.

absolutely loved the premise
There is something so unique about Mascarenhas’ stories and this was true for The Thief on the Winged Horse. I find the concept of a family that makes and sells magic dolls so cool. There is an air of whimsy that underlines this story and I quite enjoyed the way magic was interwoven into the narrative. There is a underling fae myth of The Thief on the Winged Horse in here, and I love how the myth sustains the family business, but also how the magic of the dolls feels more tangible and real, while the Thief feels more mythical and undefined. I felt like this allowed the existence of folklore within a world where magic is possible and I quite enjoyed that. I also quite enjoyed the way Masceranhas depicted the workshop and its hierarchy.

exploration of themes of privilege, power and family
The themes explored in this novel were really well done, and in a clever way. I really loved how the magic was depicted in this novel, because it was a metaphor for privilege. The magic of the dolls is limited to the Sorcerers, who are the only people who know how to lay an enchantment on them. And despite the fact that the business was founded by four women, sorcery had become a man’s privilege through time. However, Mascarenhas cleverly depicts how the magic in here is not about ability or any special skill even – it’s purely about privilege and knowledge. She uses sorcery to discuss how people in power hold knowledge hostage and refuse to share it with anyone, and then subsequently talk about skill and talent as if it’s the reason they have power. I really enjoyed that. Moreover, this novel explores themes of family and duty and belonging, and I quite enjoyed the way they were handled.

the characters were really interesting
The characters were quite interesting in here as well. Especially Larkin. I enjoyed both Persephone and Hedwig and I quite like how different they were but how they were both trying to establish there place in this family’s narrative and to gain respect, but in very different ways. Hedwig is really interesting because she is a morally grey character, who looks after herself first and I really like that. I especially enjoyed Larkin because he is awful, he’s one of those characters I dislike but appreciate their characterization, and I quite enjoyed reading about him. Overall, I found all of the characters to be interesting to read about. Plus, as with Mascarenhas’ first book, there’s a lot of queer rep in here!

some minor issues
The pacing did not quite work at all times. I did not mind it, but I do think that the book could have been shorter and still had the same impact and told the same story in a more concise way. I also felt like this book had all of these really great elements that were brilliant on there own, but they did not fully come together in a satisfying way at all times. One minor thing as well is that I did not fully get a sense of time with this book. It felt very Victorian at times, but then the mention of a phone would completely throw me off.

Nonetheless, I still very much enjoyed this story, and found it to be utterly charming and unique, despite these minor issues I had with it.

To Sum Up
Like I said, I found the premise and the themes explored in here really well done, and I had a lot of fun with this novel. It was charming, with a sense of whimsy and it was a really enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend. If you are someone who likes contemporary with a magical twist, and quiet stories that explore larger themes of family and life, I think this book would be perfect for you!

Four sisters have formed in 1820 a company making dolls. But not your usual dolls, oh no, every single one of them has been given an enchantment, a specific feeling that the owner of the doll could feel when picking it up. The so – called sorcery (the laying of the enchantments) is a privilege that only those born in, or married into the Kendrick’s family possess, although now it’s a solely male privilege. 19 – year – old Persephone, a shop assistant, wishes with all her heart to be acknowledged and recognized as a doll maker and sorcerer – but she’s only allowed to work at the shop, processing orders. But then Larkin arrives – a stranger who claims not to be a stranger at all but a long – lost relative and they both start a friendship that could be to both their benefits. However, shortly after his arrival, the family’s most valuable doll, made in memory of one of the founding sisters, Jemima, is stolen. Rumours and suspicions start to spread through the Eyot. Who is the thief? One of their own? Or the legendary Thief on the Winged Horse?

It is not the genre that I usually read but after reading and absolutely, totally enjoying Kate Mascarenha’s debut novel „The Psychology of Time Travel“ I simply couldn’t say no to „The Thief on the Winged Horese“. I had great expectation from this book, that’s true, but I’m also happy to report that the expectations were met! So there.

The author can create brilliant characters, and no matter if you like them or not, you just want to keep reading about them, to get to know them, to see what’s going to happen. They all have colourful personalities – and names as well. Though, because of relatively many of them being introduced to us, I had a feeling they are a bit too superficial and also, because the plot itself was so strong, they dissolved a bit among the vivid and thrilling events. Nevertheless, there is enough information to get those unique figures and their motivations.

Kate Mascarenhas is also great at storytelling and cooking up the most intriguing plots. The whole secrecy and the doll making business were so intriguing and so refreshing and I kept forgetting that the story is set in the modern day Oxford, it was sometimes confusing to be honest because the atmosphere of this story and the whole idea were indicating at older times. There was simply something archaic in the story, I’m not sure what, the atmosphere? The magic? The doll making? The way the characters behaved and talked? Can’t tell you exactly what it was but the moments when they took their mobile phones or travelled by tube were brutally bringing me back to reality.

The ending, though, felt a bit too rushed and hasty for me, which is a shame really, I’d love the story to be folded more neatly. It is also a rather slow – burner, though with the beautiful and captivating writing it didn’t feel like that, and also the author kept her focus on the family’s personal problems, which added so much tension to this book. And, of course, me and my super – duper detective skills, I didn’t guess the thief. What I’d really, really like more is the magical side of things. I mean, they could infuse the dolls with all kinds of emotions, and that’s great. But – why? How come? Why this kind of magic? And why so little of this in the book? It felt a bit like an addition, like an after – thought while in fact the story was built around this magic. I did have a feeling that the subplot with the Thief on the Winged Horse is a little too underdeveloped and the end needed more fireworks, the potential was not capitalized compeltely but on the other hand the way the book was written, the world the author has created and the ability to bring the sense of place and situation is extremelly well.

„The Thief on the Winged Horse“ was a great mix of reality, fantasy and mystery. Very atmospheric and the Thief legend was fascinating. However, the author also touches about very present issues, such as domestic abuse, alcoholism, sexism and feminism, to name only a few. It sometimes gritted with the overwhelming feeling of magic but nevertheless, Kate Mascarenhas has written a refreshing, unique and imaginative story that I enjoyed immensely. Highly recommended!

Oh, but how I loved this novel. I was completely swept away with Kate with The Psychology of Time Travel. She is a incredibly talented writer and so I was so excited to read The Thief on the Winged Horse. It has been sitting on my tbr list for a long time and I have been itching to read it. Oh my goodness, it was so worth the wait. It was wonderful. Kate weaves such a wonderful story. There is that feel of timelessness surrounding her writing. Throughout the novel I felt slightly surprised each time an element of modern life popped up. The tale has such an aged feel to it, like it was a historical novel but of course it is actually set in present day. This feeling I put down to the quality of the writing. It is rich, clever and steeped in the most beautiful use of language.

Kate explores many themes here, and there is an element of fantasy throughout which only adds to the wonderful surrealities of it. Of course if you choose to you can see the underlying nod to feminist issues. It did frustrate me that a company founded by three women could be so heavily influenced by men…but that, I think, is a nod to the reality of life that still surrounds us, no matter how much we feel we have progressed as women.

I am so excited by this author. This novel couldn’t be more different to The Psychology of Time Travel but it is uniquely Kate. It was wonderful and I enjoyed every moment that I spent amongst it’s pages. I thoroughly recommend it but enter it with an open mind and heart and you will escape into a wonderful story that will sweep you away.

A magical story full of sorcery, strong women and folklore. The writing seems as if it's historical fiction but is actually set in modern times, but I loved it all the more for the feelings of the past it gave me.
Persephone is a wonderful lead character; flawed and complex, her desire to be a sorcerer in the family business, previously only allowed to male relations, burns so strongly, it changes all who touch her.
I loved the descriptive details of the doll and doll house making, and felt the magic involved in the feelings associated with each doll was so real and emotional.
A must read for all those who love magic.

The Thief on the Winged Horse is a contemporary fantasy novel set in a subtly different world where magic applies only to the emotions engendered by mysterious antique dolls. I had read and adored The Psychology of Time Travel last year, so was happy to receive an ARC of this at the start of the year. Strangely, I then didn’t feel any great rush to read it, partly because my limited interest in fantasy tends more towards time travel and superpowers than magic and monsters, and in part because of the publisher’s request to hold reviews until a week before publication. Once I did finally start it, I found it easy to put aside - even towards the end - and while I don’t regret reading it, at best I can say I liked it for its originality but was disappointed by the plot and characters.

Kendricks’ is a world famous doll-making company based on a small island in a river in Oxford. Originally founded by four sisters two hundred years earlier, who discovered the magic needed to imbue each doll with an emotion transmitted by touch, the business has passed on down the family and only descendants or their spouses may work there and know the secret - and only men are now allowed to become Sorcerors - those who create the valuable antique style dolls. When an attractive stranger arrives claiming to be a long lost relative, and is allowed a position because of his skill but more importantly his gender, frustrated Sorcerer Persephone, whose talents are wasted in the shop, is both jealous of and drawn to him, and sees him as the key to her ambitions, but then the most valuable doll of all goes missing: is the mysterious Thief - family mascot and legend - responsible, or did one of the family betray their own?

Mascarenhas is a talented writer who creates unique worlds - just slightly different to our own - then explores the implications of the fantastical elements on society - especially gender politics.
.“Life experience doesn’t matter,” he said. “You just have to know what the expected tropes and symbols of a story are, and comply with or subvert them.”
In TPOTT the women were in charge, which I enjoyed, whereas here they have allowed the patriarchy to persist because of fear and tradition.
“She had brought with her a Frozen Charlotte, the little bridal doll enchanted with Selflessness. More men would benefit from a Selflessness enchantment, she believed.”
The two central female characters, Persephone and Hedwig, are both bitter and resentful of their lot, which is understandable but their underhanded scheming makes them difficult to like - they were also so similar that I had to keep checking who was in play. Larkin was interesting but “off” from the start, I felt we missed enough backstory to really understand his motivations, and Conrad and Briar were just awful. I was expecting more of a surprise from the reveal of the mystery, and then felt the ending was a bit rushed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review.

I think this book will have something for every type of reader. It was a really interesting, wholesome read. I loved the writing, the story and the characters. If you like the blurb, you won't be disappointed.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

This book may be fantasy, rather than science fiction, but there were a couple of aspects of the writing that I recognised in common with The Psychology of Time Travel. The main protagonists were women and they weren’t innately likeable. However, that didn’t stop me bonding with both Hazel and, in particular, Persephone. Mostly because she has had a very raw deal.

Ironically, although the founders of the Kendricks famous doll-making business were all women, these days it is the men who get to be Sorcerers and take the key roles for themselves. Persephone is convinced that she is destined to become a doll-maker – including adding the vital magical ingredient that is denied all the women now working within the business, no matter how talented they are. However, she is only permitted to work in the shop and when she isn’t, it is taken for granted by the rest of the Family that she will, somehow, keep her embittered and drunken father, Briar, in check. The gamechanger is the sudden appearance of a handsome stranger, who claims to be the long-lost descendant of the sister who was thought to have died in childbirth.

Larkin is taken on, though treated with great suspicion by the current CEO of Kendricks, and is expected to work on more mundane tasks while he proves his worth. I love the accumulation of incidents and details – until a certain event crashes across this small, close-knit community with the force of a grenade. I was thoroughly caught up by the fallout and stayed up far too late to discover what happened next – and no… Whatever else this book is, it isn’t remotely predictable.

I loved the passion and ambition exhibited by the two main female protagonists. Persephone is socially awkward – the last person you’d want to be the face of Kendricks – but she is tenacious, clever and doggedly persistent. All the characters in this intriguing, different story ping off the page with their almost Dickensian vividness. I’m going to remember this one for a very long time – an accomplished story which went in an unexpected direction and took me to a surprising ending, that nonetheless was very satisfying. Highly recommended for fans of unusual fantasy tales in a contemporary setting. While I obtained an arc of The Thief on the Winged Horse from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

That cover caught my attention as soon as I saw it, and once I read the synopsis I knew I had to read this! (It was only after that I realised this is by the same author as The Psychology of Time Travel)

First up the setting. This has a wonderful, slightly Gothic atmosphere to it that makes it feel almost like a historical setting (it’s not though, it’s set in the modern day). The small town vibes added to that slightly eery tone, although in this case rather than everyone simply knowing each others business, they’re literally all related to each other. That gave us the perfect setting for this mystery, and the hints of magic along with the legend of the thief on the winged horse really came together to deliver a rich atmosphere.

Persephone Kendrick is a wonderful main character. Despite the patriarchal system that gave the men of the family all the power, she was still determined to become a doll maker and follow her dream.

As well as this Persephone is working through problems within her house. After her mother left, she has been left to deal with her alcoholic father by herself.

Overall I really enjoyed this read. I’ll definitely be looking out for future books by Kate Mascarenhas!

Change has been on my mind this week. We can easily accept unnatural situations as normal despite how that puts some segments of our world down but eventually something can upset that situation. Those moments can be unpredictable and transformative. In Kate Mascarenhas’ intriguing The Thief on the Winged Horse we get a strange magical situation in miniature where tradition, family secrets and a desire for change bring down the status quo.

From the first page you’ll notice a small hint that this book is a world that isn’t quite our own. It outlines the family history of Kendricks Workshop that we are told sells magic dolls and amongst the family members we have a Head Sorcerer. In the 19th century four sisters in Oxfordshire created a workshop and became famous for selling dolls that offered charms – intense feelings of emption you experience once you touch them – courage, fear, delirium. Perhaps not quite what everyone would give their children, but they became highly prized – in the wars many young men would get a courage doll, so they are these days highly valuable pieces of merchandise that many would love to have secrets of. Now the firm is run by men and all it’s sorcerers are men – that’s just based on merit of course. Women are valuable to the running of the firm just not in charge or handling the magic.

This all changes when we get a strange interloper Larkin arriving out of nowhere claiming to be a lost family descendent and wanting to start learning the art of dollmaking. This puts him in the orbit of two women Persephone and Hedwig. Persephone is the daughter of the black sheep of the family Briar, a violent drunk, yet she stays resolute on the island and hungers desperately to learn the magical side of the business and is gently but firmly refused by the management. Hedwig works for the current owner of the business but in the role of housekeeper which as well as petty cleaning also looks at accounting, investments and she desperately wants more but Cedric the business owner politely tolerates her ideas to a point – his love of tradition means she can’t really go much further too in the family firm and her role is based on her boss deciding to tolerate her. But Larkin’s arrival leads to conflict, relationships and a theft that upsets the dynamics that run this firm and potentially suggest a family myth based around the fae has been awakened.

What I loved about this novel is that strangely appropriate for a tale of dolls it looks at the world in miniature. We have this strange cut-off community that lives on a small island and is primarily all related working on one key industry. It has a feel of quaintness with an old-fashioned till and store and everything Kendricks make is handmade. But look closely and Mascarenhas shows us a small c conservative mindset – women are very firmly in their place; heterosexuality is encouraged and domestic violence while disproved of may lead to a blind eye rather than condemnation. As many characters note a business that started with four women is now a distinctly male governed world. In some ways this may feel old-fashioned to our eyes but women’s ideas being openly taken over by men and glass ceilings in companies are not yet consigned to our history either.

To make this tale come alive we have this triumvirate of three characters. Persephone, Hedwig, and Larkin who decide to take the situations that follow their arrival on the island. Hedwig at 19 is wonderfully ready to do a lot more I the world bright, a tad ruthless and yet trapped as a housekeeper and committed to a parent that gambles money away. Persephone is a woman who saw the breakup of her family caused by her father Briar’s alcoholism and she was never allowed to learn any skills despite some natural talent towards making dolls. She could easily have a quitter and less disruptive life away from the island but stays fixed on her goal even if this means she can’t really find any relationships (or admit openly to her bisexuality). Finally we get the mysterious Larkin – who knows the family history; is very skilled already and is secretive about his own past. We know he has an agenda but not sure if it is revenge for a family slight or something more mercenary, Hedwig can see his slightly duplicitous nature can aid a scheme to possibly make her rich enough to get a life of her own while Persephone sees someone who can help her improve her craft and explore magic. Larin sees in both opportunities for his own ends. These relationships are for me the hook of the novel as you want to find out how their schemes will finally change things.

I loved the dynamics of the relationships in the novel. Very much focused on the subtext of what people do and say rather than what they may openly tell each other. Hedwig’s ideas are criminally minded but considering how she has been dismissed you may end up admiring rather than disproving while with Persephone what appears devotion to the family firm becomes more a case of a woman who wants to prove that she herself has value and skill. Which may inspire more to follow suit. This is a tale of intrigue, secrets and family rivalries that have created a toxic world that is about to finally shift and the changes to come will be marked.

The last element that pulls you in is the atmosphere that Mascarenhas creates. Its primarily a world like ours but the magic of the dolls is linked to a tale of a strange character known as the The Thief who appears often to cause trouble for the family and has a focus on certain women. Its never quite clear if The Thief is an actual fae power linked to the power or perhaps a family myth used to explain women who don’t follow the rules. It makes the tale feel unworldly and just perhaps Hedwig and Persephone have a hidden ally. Another piece of intrigue to pick apart as the story unfurls.

This is a very accomplished piece of contemporary fantasy exploring sexism and a desire to be more than what the world tells you to be. I was wowed by Mascarenhas’ previous novel The Psychology of Time Travel and again we get a tale of innovative worlds, strong characters in orbit around each other and some sharp and perceptive explorations of our own world. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Head of Zeus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Thief on the Winged Horse’ by Kate Mascarenhas in exchange for an honest review.

Since 1820 the Kendrick family have been making their world-famous dolls in Oxford on a small river island named Paxton’s Eyot. These dolls are coveted as each one is enchanted with a specific emotion that is transmitted by touch. Although the company was founded by four sisters and only their descendants are permitted to work for them, only men are granted the title of Sorcerer and allowed to know the secrets of the workshop.

The novel’s protagonist is Persephone Kendrick, who longs to break tradition and learn her ancestors' craft. Then Larkin, a handsome stranger, arrives claiming both doll-making talent and blood ties to the family. Persephone sees in Larkin an opportunity to obtain all she desires.

During an elaborate party the firm's most valuable doll, the Paid Mourner, is stolen. It is clear that only someone with knowledge of the Kendrick magic could have taken her. Suspicion falls on various family members, including Persephone’s drunkard father.

Kate Mascarenhas’ debut, ‘The Psychology of Time Travel’, was science fiction with a strong feminist theme. This second novel is also feminist and incorporates elements of magic and folklore. The thief of the title is believed to be one of the faerie folk, who granted the secret of enchantment to the sisters. Like Susanna Clarke’s Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair, the Thief’s influence is felt throughout the novel.

As noted in the synopsis, there is also the mystery of the stolen doll. Was their patron Thief involved in the theft or is there a more mundane explanation?

The narrative point of view moves between Persephone, Larkin, and Hedwig, who serves as housekeeper for Persephone’s uncle, Conrad. Despite the fantastical elements this is also a family drama that explores the complex relationships within this insular extended family.

One slight issue I had was that while the novel is set in 2020, every time a mobile phone or the like was mentioned it felt slightly odd, especially given the degree of male domination within the family. Certainly there are communities that embrace such archaic values; it was just a little unexpected in Oxford.

Throughout Kate Mascarenhas’ writing was excellent and I found it an engaging tale with strong, well-rounded characters.

Basically I loved it!

The Kendricks' doll making business has been operating since the early 1800s. Shrouded in secrecy, only family members are permitted to work for the firm, and only the most trusted learn the most closely guarded secrets.  The enchantments that are so heavily guarded are what makes the Kendricks' dolls so coveted.  When the most famous enchanted doll of all is stolen, suspicion hits everyone in the town.  The worst thing is, only a Kendrick could have taken her.

I loved Mascarenhas' last novel, The Psychology of Time Travel, so was quick to request this from NetGalley.

I've thought a while on this review and rating, I has some mixed feelings whilst reading this book.  The first half to three quarters had be enthralled and eager to see what happened, but I felt it lost it's way a bit towards the end.

I think Mascarenhas did a brilliant job of creating a place and people that stuck you in and really make you feel like you're there.  Set in Oxford, I could picture the village and the people so clearly. 
I found the characters to be incredibly well drawn too.  None of them are particularly trustworthy, and most not even remotely likeable.  Larkin had some redeeming qualities, and Persephone was my favourite for her refusal to be cowed.  Hedwig, Conrad, Briar and Alastair to name just a few were not people I would like to have in my life.  In fact to be honest The Eyot is one of the few bookish places I wouldn't really like to visit, purely and simply because of how awfully the characters treat each other!

The 2 main issues I had with the book and the reason I've given 3* and not higher, were the timing and the ending.  Timing wise I felt the book seemed out of place set in present day Oxford.  It felt more like it should have been the early 1900s.  I kept having to remind myself that it was present day, especially with things like the London Underground being mentioned. 

In terms of the ending I felt things went off course after about the 70% mark.  Things seemed to fizzle out, and the ending became a bit too neat and tidy for me, whilst not quite explaining all of the things I wanted explained.  I'm being deliberately vague here so as not to give away any spoilers, but let's just say I thought some people needed a comeuppance, and although I know who stole the doll I still don't really know why.

There is a lot to like about this, and I'd definitely say Kate Mascarenhas is on my 'one to watch' list.  I enjoy her writing style and her ideas, and will be excited to see what she writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for approving me to read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 by Kate Mascarenhas.
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𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯.
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I LOVED this book. From the synopsis I knew it would be a magical read, but I didn't expect it to be such a feminist book - and it was all the better for it.
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𝘈𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘣𝘣𝘦𝘥 , 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩. 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴, 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴 – 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 – 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.
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I have a real love of folklore and mythology, and there were lots of references to this throughout the book.
This included stories of traditional folklore such as the Thief, the fae folk, and changelings, but also the folklore and tales within the four families of Botham, Kendrick, Jackson and Ramsay.
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“𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘴𝘮𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.”
“𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺?”
“𝘠𝘦𝘴. 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘴,” 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥. “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 –𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦."
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I also loved the details of different 'doll lore' and this encouraged me to do some research into the different dolls and doll houses mentioned within the book.
I found the Japenese doll culture to be particularly interesting, and I love when books teach me something about other cultures.
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“𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘐𝘯 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴.”
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The plotting itself was very well executed, and I especially loved the sub-plot of Persephone and her dream of becoming a Sorcerer.
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𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘫𝘰𝘣.
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There are a number of powerful women throughout the novel, but it feels like a real coming of age story for Persephone, who leads the changes for the other women who are confined in their existing roles and positions within the society.
Her character arc is particularly noteworthy, especially in how she relates to other characters throughout the novel.
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“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴,” 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥, “𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.
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I would highly recommend this novel, and will definitely be reading more from Kate Mascarenhas in the future.

Thank you to Head of Zeus for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Recommends it for: Fans of The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, mystery lovers that want a touch of fantasy.

A beautifully written unique book that combines different genres, but does it work?

The family of Kendrick, Jackson, Ramsay and Botham , the original founding sisters that made dolls with magic – magic that can infuse feeling into the dolls so that when you pick it up you might feel a very strong emotion. Persephone longs to break the tradition and become the female Sorcerer. A stranger with secrets arrives, claiming to be a long-lost relative with a talent for crafting dolls , both of them use each other to seize the chance to get what they want.

After seeing the cover and synopsis I could not help myself from requesting it, this cover is gorgeous.

The writing is really beautifully done and the novel is interesting enough to continue reading however it really lacks in action and only halfway through does a plot actually start to develop – so it’ really slow. It was also very easy to forget it was set in modern day Oxford , I feel it would have been better with an older era setting.
The pacing and characters were well thought out, I really did want to know more about the magical side of things and I felt that was almost an after-thought, it wasn’t an integral part of the story and I felt it either should not of been included or more should have been explained.

This will appeal to a certain audience that love magical and mysterious elements but maybe less actual fantasy.

Overall it’s part mystery, part reality and a touch of fantasy for those that love a very atmospheric, character driven and yes, it works!

Rating: 3.6
The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas
Standalone
Publish Date:
Cover Rating: 8/10
Adult – Fantasy – Magic – Mystery – Romance- Magical Realism – Contemporary

When the most expensive and famous magic doll is stolen right from under the Kendrick’s noses, it’s obvious there is family betrayal afoot – who can they trust?

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up The Thief on The Winged Horse but I’m so glad I requested it and I have already begun recommending it to friends! Kate Mascarenhas has really built a well-developed and realistic world of supernatural doll-making in Oxford and it was a pleasure to get to know the characters and be moved and surprised by the plot.

I really enjoyed learning about all of the characters – Persephone in particular is well-rounded and likeable but also has some very human flaws. From the scheming Hedwig and alcoholic Briar through to the aging Conrad, all characters were very well-developed and had their individual progression through the plot. I particularly liked Larkin’s character arc as well and there were a lot of plot points that surprised me and that I did not see coming.

A few reviewers have pointed out that the plot seemed odd when set in modern times but the book does make a point at the beginning that mobile phones didn’t get a signal on the Eyet. The whole village had a cult-like vibe to it and I think the modern setting actually added to the story and allowed for a few modern twists to help the plot.

I liked the way that magic is used and the inherent sexism that runs throughout the community. This only really gets introduced towards the latter half of the book though and I felt like we could have been made aware of it a little earlier, whether explicitly or just with smaller hints. I liked the story of the founding of the company and the fae folklore as well. Although the book is relatively long, I found myself finishing it in 2 sittings – it’s an engaging read and kept me interested throughout.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Thief on the Winged Horse – it’s a well-constructed and interesting read which kept my attention throughout. Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just like Mascarenhas' first novel 'The Psychology of Time Travel' this book was an absolute delight. Her stories are so magical and unique. The story is set in the modern day in Oxford but I kept forgetting this - it could easily have been set anywhere and at any past point in time. It was really hard to place down which added to the magic. I loved how like her previous book it had an underlying feminist theme and I thought all the characters were great in their own way. I think if you like other magical dollmaking books e.g. The Miniaturist then you would really enjoy this. Highly recommend for a big of escapism.

I was sent a copy of The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas to read and review by NetGalley. This novel was an enjoyable read. There was an array of characters, some of which were more well-formed than others, and plenty of dolls! The basis of the story was set around a family doll making business that had been passed down through generations, with enchantments set on the dolls making them unique. There was plenty of family rivalry, aspirations and a good dose of magic and folk lore, but for me this read had more of a young adult feel about it and didn’t quite capture me as much as I would have hoped. Having said that I still feel that it was worthy of the 4 stars that I have given it.

I received a free Ecopy of the book in return for an honest review. Many thanks to NetGalley and to Head of Zeus for the opportunity.

The Thief on The Winged Horse is Kate Mascarenhas second novel. Her first, The Psychology of Time Travel, pulled apart time travel and looked at it in new and exciting ways so I was keen to see what she would do with different subject matter. Although this book has a magic component, it is treated with the lightest touch.

The Thief on the Winged Horse is about a family that makes dolls and magically imbues them with real emotions. The titular Thief is a fae who likes to come and steal emotions. By creating dolls with emotions, the women of the family could protect themselves from him. Though the knowledge of magic was originally developed by the women of the family, it is now held only by the men, and used to maintain their positions of power over the women. Until a young man arrives claiming kinship to the family and a valuable heirloom goes missing.

It took me a little while to get into this book. The main characters are not very likeable; Persephone is prickly, Hedwig is manipulative and Larkin is mysterious, but in a way that makes you curious yet doesn’t really draw you in. In spite of this the story kept pulling me back. The women of the family are subjugated and no amount of talent or intelligence will change this. It takes an outside element to provide an opportunity for change. Larkin appears to be that element. Despite not particularly liking the women in this book I was rooting for them.

This is one of those books where small moments from early in the story keep coming back to me and make me question the real nature of the story. I feel like I’m still trying to figure it out in my head even weeks later. I’m still not sure if the developments were wrought by magic or human perseverance and manipulation.

Although this isn’t a creepy book, I have to say I was a little unnerved at the image of all these silent dolls, watching events play out. This is an interesting book to while away a winter day, especially if you like to see power play between women and men.

Ooh, I loved this.

Magic, family feud, heart break, the power of the patriarchy, theft... this book is packed with things to keep you reading!

Persephone Kendrick works in the Kendrick family workshops, which create enchanted dolls - holding each one of them offers the experience of a different emotion. Persephone wants to become a doll maker and sorcerer, but is held back by being female to working behind the shop counter. Enter Larkin, a young and charming man, claiming family ties, who secures himself employment within the workshop. The relationship between the two fizzes throughout the novel.

Everything I love in a book - this is a great read.

The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas combines fantasy and sorcery set in a little backwater Payton’s Eyot that remains little changed in 200 years. Kendrick Magic Dolls is a family business where only family members can be employed as doll makers, interior decorators or sorcerers. And, despite having been established by three sisters, only men now occupy the privileged positions. Each doll has a unique hex, or enchantment, which evokes such sentiments as fear, paranoia, love and pride. Kendrick’s current head is Conrad and he has a thorn in his side in his twin brother Briar. All the names in Paxton’s Eyot are gorgeously evocative such as Hedwig, Persephone and the newcomer and pretender Larkin. It’s an intriguing tale but where I struggled was the introduction of the present day with the London tube and mobile phones. For me the tale would have been much more convincing left in its fantastical past. A satisfying ending though. Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus.