Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the concept of this world, but the delivery of the story at times was frustrating due to the super detailed and random memories thrown into the plot with no warning. The memories were used to show why the main character feels a certain way towards a situation, but as the reader I never knew what was currently happening or a memory and it was confusing.

The last third of the book was where the action and the pacing of the story got really exciting and I was completely engaged in the story from this part on. The book had a well wrapped up ending with a little bit of a HEA feel to it I am always down for. If you are looking for a book that centers on found families, the bond between sisters of the heart and magic this is a great choice.

I will not be reviewing this title, as significant time has elapsed since I received the ARC and/or I was unable to finish it.

I meant to finish this forever ago but unfortunately lost interest in the premise. From what I read I’d give it 3 stars but it was nothing particularly memorable.

Wow, what a great read! (Listened to the audiobook and highly recommend that format.)

Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "Snow Queen," this YA historical fantasy is set in an alternative 19th-century Denmark where those with magic live in fear of overtaxing their magic and dying of the Firn. Teenage Marit, an orphan with sewing magic, becomes a servant in a wealthy household to stay close to chosen little sister and keep her safe while unraveling a mystery about the mining accident that killed her father.

There's a lot to enjoy in this story from the lovely writing to a well-crafted villain to the surprising twists and turns of the mining mystery. Recommended for YA fantasy readers; it struck me as a good readalike for fans of Juliet Marillier's "Wildwood Dancing."

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All expressed opinions are my own and do not reflect any stance or position held by the author or publisher. This did not affect my rating or review in any way.

I read this one all the way back in April, but am definitely still thinking about it! I really enjoyed this read. First, it was incredibly unique — a historical mixed with a fantasy mixed with a mystery. I love a genre-bending book, and this was definitely one of those! In this novel, we follow Marit, a girl with magic in her veins, as she tries to solve the mystery both of what happened to her father and how she can keep her magic from killing her, as it killed her sister. Her father worked for the Vestergaard family in their mines, and for as long as she can remember, she has wanted revenge. But then a girl who is basically family to her is adopted by the Vestergaard family and she needs to decide where her loyalties lie and how far she will go for the truth.

I thought this was a great read — definitely kept me interested the entire way. I really enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs dynamic between the Vestergaard family and the servants, as well as the concept of found family and how important that can be in our lives. The mystery was well-paced and mixed with just enough background about the fantasy elements to seem realistic. Plus, I loved the historical setting — you don’t read too many novels set in 1800s Denmark, and this was really enjoyable. The writing was incredibly descriptive and I felt I was really there among the gowns and jewels and the cold. Absolutely worth picking up! I rated it four stars.

This was super enjoyable. I love the way its genre bent from historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery, and back again. The pacing was breakneck, and I was absolutely spellbound by Marit’s voice. The setting of 19th century Denmark was palpable, and I loved the way that Marit bonded with Eve, Joseph, and all of the other members of the Vestergaard household.

I also adored the way that political intrigue played out, especially in the second half of the novel. The dark, dangerous promise of magic, of upheaval, of deadly ambition was prevalent throughout, and I loved watching the mystery unfold before Marit’s eyes. She was a really inspiring heroine, and I really liked her and her love for Eve, as well as the fear regarding her magic and the outside world. I also loved Philip’s point of view, especially toward the end; they were two different narrators with very distinct personalities and motives

Emily Bain Murphy has completely outdone herself in this rich second offering! I liked it very much, definitely one of my favorite books of 2020. One of my favorite fairy tale retellings ever. If anything, I wish that there had been a map somewhere so I could actually have an idea of the geography, but that’s but a small quibble. The bottom line: Well-written, emotional, and tautly plotted all at once, I loved Splinters of Scarlet!

If you’re looking for a new young adult book unlike others out there? This book lacks love triangles, romance as the driving force, and many of the other cliches that pop up in other fantasy young adult novels. I really enjoyed reading this and certainly was impressed with the journey to its conclusion. Marit spends most of the book looking after Eve and ensuring her safety in the face of unknown threats and perceived dangers. The story of a sisterly bond and a willingness to sacrifice to prevent against a gruesome future for citizens of Denmark creates the true magic of the story.

Set in 19th century Denmark, this fantasy contemplates issues of class and racial inequality, of making calculated decisions about actions that could cause one irreparable damage, and of exploitation of workers. And a mystery, too! Much to offer here.

4.5

What a great book! The magic system is original, and the story is well-executed. The setting in Denmark is fresh and something you don't see often. I liked how all the puzzle pieces were given and slowly fell together at the end.

I would highly recommend it!

Lovely story! I was instantly intrigued by the magical system of this book, I loved the Denmark setting and the gorgeousness of the writing. I would recommend this to anyone whose looking for a new fantasy story to be swept away in.

I really like the setting of this book! I like the time period, the locations in Denmark, and the house that most of the book takes place in.

The magic was really fun and really interesting. The concept of magic being both life-giving and life-ending really free me in, as did the plot surrounding the mines and jewels.

I didn't feel any stealing draw to any of the characters but I still liked them all. I would have enjoyed more POVs sprinkled throughout the book, however. I think it would've helped me feel closer to the characters.

I would definitely read more from this author! This book was imaginative, had a great mystery, and had some really great points about family.

This book, with its beautifully lush world hinting of forbidden magic and its focus on two orphans as they move into a mansion, will trick you into believing it's a fairytale. But you'd be wrong because this historical fantasy is so much more than that!

There is so much going on in this story, there are no comfy lulls. It is a story of the love that binds siblings and makes a family, of loss and hope, and greed and sacrifice. All told with an undercurrent of unsolved mystery and sliced through with bright ribbons of danger that comes with wielding magic that kills the wielder the more it's used. Told from 2 points of view, you are swept along the kept guessing until the end.

The story takes place in the 1800's in Denmark, and the master himself, Hans Christian Anderson even makes a cameo appearance. The descriptive writing style brings it all to life, to the point I could see the places our characters visit, and could even smell the pine and smoke, and taste all the warm, flaky pastries while watching the snow fall outside.

The characters were wonderful and they all contributed to the story. And I really enjoyed the relationship growth that happened between Merit and Eve. And this book actually made me shed a tear, so it's a five-star read for me! This is an awesome stand-alone YA fantasy and I highly recommend it!

Initial Thoughts

This book was tagged as Downton Abbey set in Denmark with magic. I stopped reading after it said Downton Abbey and added this to my TBR immediately. I LOVE DOWNTON ABBEY. So, when I received an e-ARC via NetGalley I was thrilled.

Some Things I Liked

Downton Abbey vibes. True to the tag, this book had all kinds of upstairs / downstairs, servants / aristocrat vibes and I loved that. I really enjoyed the distinction between the servants quarters and dining area as compared to the other regions of the house. Also, I loved that they groups lived in such different worlds but found ways where their worlds overlapped.
Marit as a morally grey character. She wasn’t typically morally grey, but she had moments where she did questionable things for a bigger goal and I really enjoyed that. She was a fascinating and tragic character.
The romance. I also really liked that this story had a subtle romance. It felt very Downton Abbey.

Series Value

I would love to revisit this world and to see more of the characters here. Marit’s story could be over, but there could also be so much more. Furthermore, Eve would make for an excellent main character in a sequel.

Final Thoughts

I really loved this book. I read it all in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. The tag was completely appropriate and I loved the moral greyness found throughout the story. I would definitely like to read a sequel as well as more from Emily Bain Murphy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

Deadly Curious by Cindy Anstey – if you liked the Downton Abbey vibes plus a little extra, try this standalone by Cindy Anstey. It’s set around the same time in England and features a murder mystery.
The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith – if you liked the concept of Historical Fantasy, try this series by Luanne G. Smith.
Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok – if you liked the idea of historical fiction with just a sprinkle of magic or the supernatural, try this duology by Jodie Lynn Zdrok.

Splinters of Scarlet is the latest standalone from Emily Bain Murphy and many have deemed it ‘Downton Abbey with magic’ and you know what? That’s pretty accurate. This book has a vast array of characters that showcase the upstairs/downstairs divide commonly found in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a story that focuses on Marit Olsen, an orphan with a magical ability that allows her to excel as a seamstress. This isn’t a story about the rich and famous and that’s something I really came to enjoy as I read. The charismatic and cynical outlook from all the servants in the manor reminded me a lot of why I loved Downton Abbey. With their cynical and sarcastic humour that comes with the rich versus poor mentality produces a witty charm that instantly had me entranced. 

I’ve been drawn to fairytales ever since I can remember and so every time I stumble upon a book inspired by them, I’m a moth to a flame. Splinters of Scarlet drew me in by the mentions of Downton Abbey, but I got hooked on this book as Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales started to emerge in the story. His tales are known to be much darker than those we read to our children and that makes them perfect for this story.

“I can’t help but wonder, as I always do when I hear this story, if it was inspired somehow by magic. Maybe Hans Christian Andersen heard about the Firn and made this story, writing a happy ending for us even if we can’t in real life.”

Marit’s life is far from perfect. Her whole life is shrouded in this downward spiral, first with her father being killed and then again when her sister dies from the very magic also running through her veins. It’s a tragic tale and Andersen’s work was well-suited to this darker, 19th century Denmark setting. I also appreciated Murphy’s explanation of the Danish culture. Other novels set in Denmark that I’ve read haven’t explained some of their foreign terms and slang and I was glad that Murphy did as it really helped immerse me into this unfamiliar culture.

“The best stories are always spun around a kernel of truth,’ Helene says. ‘Sometimes it seems like the world has all sorts of glass splinters in its eye. And I want to change that.”

Another similarity between this book and Downton Abbey is the progressiveness of the rich. Helene reminded me a lot of Cora, the lady of the house in the television show, as she respects the staff without taking advantage of her status and power. Helene is the sole person in charge at the manor and she builds it upon mutual respect. The divide between classes isn’t prominent at all between her and the servants and it was a refreshing direction to this depressing setting. Her compassion towards Eve was another great feature to show her true character because I appreciated this turn of events for Eve and their bonding over ballet was beautiful. They just clicked. Nothing came between them, not Eve’s skin colour that would most likely hold her back from being a dancer and not the fact that she shared no blood with her adoptive mother. Helene saw Eve through her dancing and that’s what brought them together. It was raw, emotional, and moving.

There’s an understated, reserved kind of romance that forms between Marit and Jakob which slowly burns over the course of the story. It’s not the focus but it seemed to flow as the plot progressed because they became allies, friends, then lovers. It had a natural progression that made sense with where the plot was heading and the scenes that these two shared.

“Jakob, is one of your ideas being bled by leeches? Oh, for the love of figs, please don’t let that be the cure. Can’t you just invent some nice flavoured medicine for us?’

‘Oh, yes, Liljan, while I’m saving your life, I’ll try to make sure it tastes good,’ Jakob says sarcastically.’

‘And Jakob,’ she says, batting her eyelashes. ‘When the time comes…my favourite flavour is licorice.”

Jakob and Liljan had a great, relatable brother and sister relationship that was incredibly spot on. I’m the third child out of four and to me, what Jakob and Liljan had was like my older brother and me. They would banter back and forth, a battle of wits but it’s always light and humour filled. Murphy captured this dynamic perfectly while still maintaining the vast differences between the two characters’ personalities. The same goes with Brock and Ivy (another brother/sister pairing) as they were definitely different personalities, but still seemed to get along really well. Murphy impressed me with her writing and then when I saw these relationships being formed I was impressed all over again. These are real, honest snapshots into a familial bond that’s been executed with perfection.

Marit’s ability to sew clothes didn’t seem all that special at first, just like ballet, I’m not an expert on sewing so for me it was hard to see how I could get into the story and really resonate with the main character. However, after the idea of Andersen’s fairy tale, The Snow Queen emerged as the story her father raised her up on, my curiosity peaked. With all the tragedy going on in the plot and how early it starts, I wasn’t sure how I would connect to her losses (having not been given the scenes within the story to know how she felt in the moment), Murphy did a very clever thing that tied Marit’s magical ability to the tragedy. She made her sew the memories of her loved ones within her clothes using Morse code in the stitching. Yes, it’s dark and certainly morbid but this story is exactly that. What really ties it in was that moment when she got close to Jakob and he ‘read’ her clothes that had her loved ones deaths written in just had me tearing up.

This was also a creative way for her and Eve to communicate to each other while they were divided in the manor. Like I said, this was hands down the cleverest idea I’ve ever read and it was the absolutely perfect way to communicate unseen while still fitting in the plot and setting of the book itself. 

“For the first time in my life, I am not afraid of it. Perhaps because I willingly chose it—and because choosing it meant someone else is going to live—for the first time, maybe I could actually even find the Firn beautiful.”

To me, this screams a story that’s gone full circle. Like most fairytales, this story concludes with a lesson learned that ties in with the original beginning of the story. Murphy wrapped this story up completely and in a way that was satisfying as it was realistic to the plot and its characters. There was death and tragedy, but then there was also love and new stories of growth. I loved everything to do with Splinters of Scarlet and I highly recommend this dark, Snow Queen inspired tale. It was incredible! Once again this book deserves all the stars!

Review posted across all platforms in my bio, including Edelweiss on 7/22.

Thank you to HMH for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Splinters of Scarlet By Emily Bain Murphy

There was absolutely no reason for me not to like Emily Murphy's Splinters of Scarlet. None. I went in with that expectation, which isn't always good. That can set you up for a load of disappointment. I couldn't help it. Based on the blurb (fine I'll give you the blurb in a minute), it had most of what I look for in sub-genre of fantasy (Young Adult or Adult).

Now that I have read Splinters of Scarlet. I can honestly say that not only did Emily Murphy come through on all the components I expected from the blurb? Splinters of Scarlet have themes that are not mentioned, not discussed and I never saw coming. Bain has embedded rarely touched upon ideas that go beyond the typical meshing of magic and politics that both engrossed and intrigued me.

Splinters of Scarlet By Emily Murphy: Summary

For Marit Olsen, magic is all about strategy: it flows freely through her blood, but every use leaves behind a deadly, ice-like build-up within her veins called the Firn. Marit knows how dangerous it is to let too much Firn build up—after all, it killed her sister—and she has vowed never to use her thread magic. But when Eve, a fellow orphan whom Marit views like a little sister, is adopted by the wealthy Helene Vestergaard, Marit will do anything to stay by Eve’s side.

She decides to risk the Firn and uses magic to secure a job as a seamstress in the Vestergaard household. But Marit has a second, hidden agenda: her father died while working in the Vestergaards’ jewel mines—and it might not have been an accident. The closer Marit gets to the truth about the Vestergaard family, the more she realizes she and everyone she’s come to love are in danger. When she finds herself in the middle of a treacherous deception that goes all the way up to the king of Denmark, magic may be the only thing that can save her—if it doesn’t kill her first.

Do You Believe In Magic

Yes, that's a song.

Emily Murphy developed a magic system for Splinters of Scarlet that is foreboding, brilliant, and deals direct consequences to those who yield it. For two years, Marit hasn't utilized her magic. After watching her sister die from the Firn building up in her veins, she has worn it off. When Eve, who Marit considers an adopted little sister from her former orphanage, has the chance to be adopted, Marit gives in to the magic, making her the most spectacular dress possible.

And it works. Eve, a spectacular dancer, is adopted by a once gifted dancer, in her own right, Helene Vestergaard. Marit does not want to leave Eve, nor miss a chance to investigate the death of her father, who died in the Vestergaard mines. Helene needs a new seamstress and offers Marit the job. Helene knows Marit can only complete such exquisite work through her magical gifts.

Eve has no clue that Marit possesses, let alone is utilizes such a splendid, yet toxic magic to create her dress, the day Helene adopts her. When both arrive at the Vestergaard House, Marit realizes she isn't the only one. Helene's entire staff is gifted (cursed) with the same powerful and deadly magic that allows them to complete their assigned duties at speed and expertise, expected. Marit tells Eve none of this information.

30 Minutes Of Wonderful Or A Lifetime Of Nothing

Does anyone remember the scene in Steel Magnolias where Julia Roberts says that line to her mom about having a baby? I don't want to ruin the end of Steel Magnolias for anyone who hasn't seen it, so I won't. Whether you know the ending or not (I highly recommend the movie, if you haven't seen it), the point is simple. Would you choose to have a short period where you are safe and comfortable or a long period that is full of poverty, hunger, possibly living on the street? This is where Murphy jumps the blurb of the book into levels of depth I did not see coming.

Orphans in Murphy's 19th Century Denmark are put out on the street to find menial labor. Helene's staff see themselves as blessed to live in a warm, beautiful home. They are taken care of, paid, and eat well. Even if that means using a power that takes time away from their life every time they dip into it.

Marit knows Eve would never approve of her choice. Eve would rather not get adopted than have Marit risk the magic in her veins. She would not choose for Marit to travel the same path as her older sister. The road that ultimately killed her. But that begs a much bigger question in Splinters of Scarlet, and life.

Does anyone get to make that choice, but those gifted with that magic? When women end up on the street, it isn't safe. Chances are you will end up dead at some point, anyway. And beforehand? People are victims of human trafficking, rape, robbery, and put in jail. At any time, being in poverty, homeless or transient, is never safe. Who has the right to take that choice away? Who has the right to judge anyone for bettering their life through a dangerous, if not deadly, skill?

Think about it. Deep down, we all make decisions that impact our bodies, to better our lives, achieve goals. Helene recognizes it, and she's tired of the accusations. The truth she finally expresses isn't just her truth. I'd hedge a bet that it is rude for many.

"Everyone makes their choices," she finally says... "if it's worth it to them or not. I pay them well."

"You think I don't know what it's like to pay a price, to give up part of my life for something? What do you think ballet is? It took years of my life that I spent practicing and rehearsing, all for those few moments a night on a stage. It weekend my body, cost me in injury. And now it's gone. It might not have taken years from the end of my life, but it cost me art of my life all the same... Everyone makes their own choices."

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

I have song titles on the mind, tonight.

After arriving with Eve, it isn't long before she realizes they are pawns in a much larger chess game. A chess game that involved her father's death in the mine. It is a chess game that runs deep within Denmark's political and world ambitions among significant powers.

Murphy weaves magic into 19th Century Denmark, building out the world of the wealthy elite, along with decaying streets of poverty. It also plays into the politics of the time, when Denmark looked to war as a path to world domination.

I've now reached a place where nothing delights me more than throwing dark magic on top of dark periods in history (see A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians - although Splinters of Scarlet is Young Adult and Declaration is Adult, to be precise).

Final Summary/Ending

Some hot-takes:

The characters in the story are all easy to root for and have great depth. From the main characters to Vestergaard staff, and political players, everyone has a specific part to play, their own voice and story to tell. The dynamic and dialogue between characters are also brilliant.
The sibling bonds are strong.
The themes are the families we choose, and biological families are brilliant.

Emily Bain Murphy is pure magic. I fell head over heels in love with her first book, THE DISAPPEARANCES, and have been waiting for something new from her ever since. And the wait was worth it because Murphy delivered another gorgeously magical book with SPLINTERS OF SCARLET.

Set in 19th century Denmark, SPLINTERS OF SCARLET was a delightful exploration of sisterhood and family, which centers around magic, ballet, gems, and, fittingly, Hans Christian Andersen. Marit and Eve come from the same orphanage and while Marit has aged out, she doesn’t want the same thing to happen to 11 year old Eve. All that changes when wealthy ballerina Helene Vestergaard sees Eve perform at the orphanage and offers her a home and Marit a position as a seamstress. Marit has history with the Vestergaard’s, as it was their mines that killed her father, and this provides the perfect opportunity to investigate what really happened in those mines. But trouble soon finds Marit and the rest of the household and she finds herself at the center of something far bigger and more dangerous that she could imagine.

“Magic. To excel in a single area since birth, like a savant, and do things others can do only in their dreams. Magic—the gift that comes with a hefty price.”

I absolutely loved everything about this book from the richly imagined historical setting to the magic to the characters and everything in between. And it really did give off vibes of both Downton Abbey and Frozen, which was an absolutely delightful combination. The magic though was definitely a highlight for me because I love when magic has a cost and magic users eventually have to pay a price. In this case, the price is a blue lace similar to frost on a windowpane, that eventually kills the magic user and is known as the Firn. The characters were also very well developed and I loved the little bit of romance that was thrown in, though it’s not the focus of the tale by any means. My only complaint is the story had a tendency to repeat itself and it felt quite unnecessary. Other than that, SPLINTERS OF SCARLET was pure perfection.

Bottom line — Emily Bain Murphy is a magical storyteller who infuses her books with magic and family and palpably real characters, and you should do yourself a favor and read both THE DISAPPEARANCES and SPLINTERS OF SCARLET. 4.5 glorious stars and I can’t wait to see what Murphy graces us with in the future.

*eARC received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”

Murphy you have a new fan. I have to admit that the cover is what drew me in. Didn’t even look at the synopsis just saw the magical words “YA Historical fiction” and knew I wanted to read this beauty.

This was everything I needed it to be. In Denmark in the 19th century magic is seen as an infliction. As magic is used it leaves behind an ice-like build-up in the veins called the Firn. After the loss of her father and sister, Marit befriends Eve at the orphanage who becomes like a sister to her. Hiding her abilities from Eve she does everything in her power to find Eve a forever home until one day the Vestergaard family adopts little Eve. There’s only one problem, her family is dead because of the Vestergaards.

This was such an intoxicating read. There is mystery, history, magic and connection that sucks you in and when you finally come up to breathe you just want to relive it all over again. Marit has a tragic past like most orphans we meet in YA reads. I liked how her past is what drives the mystery behind the Vestergaards. She has a well-crafted MC mold with a flawed and closed off persona that blossoms as she finds her place in life. Murphy did a wonderful job fleshing out each of the characters (even the miniscule ones) to the point you feel as if you have known them all for eternity.

The world building is set in 19th century Denmark and you can easily imagine yourself walking the dilapidated streets of the poor and the avenues for the wealthy. The magic system ties in to the location and war wrought era. It’s a simple magic that is easy to follow. Only towards the end did I question a few things but it all still fits.

I highly recommend this read to individuals who enjoy young adult novels with a bit of magic and mystery tied into historical fiction. Thank you Emily Bain Murphy and HMH Books for Young Readers for the ability to read and review this novel for an honest and unbiased opinion.

True rating 4.5/5, rounded for NetGalley.

Splinters of Scarlet is a YA historical fantasy about the family we choose for ourselves and how far we will go for their welfare. Marit has kept her seamstress magic a secret following the death of her father and her sister Ingrid. She knows that using it too much will end in death, but when her adopted sister Eve has a final chance to be adopted to a good family, she is determined to do whatever it takes to see it happen. But when Eve catches the attention of Helene Vestergaard, the owner of the very mines her father died in, This turn of events leads Marit and Eve into the heart of nineteenth century Denmark, and in the process of ensuring that her sister will thrive in her new life, Marit uncovers a dangerous scheme to use magic to make Denmark a world-power. Will Marit uncover the truth about the Firn and the death of her father, or will her power make it so that she loses everything she's worked so hard to protect---including her very life?
I thought Splinters of Scarlet was a really solid YA historical fantasy. The world-building and magic system in this book was probably my favorite part about it. I absolutely loved being immersed in Marit's world, a time period in a country I don't know that much about. I also loved how the magic system and the rules involved interacted with the real-world elements and history in here. I also love how the concept of found family is presented in this book. Marit has lost her blood family, but her love for Eve leads her to her fellow servants at the Vestregaard estate. It is the family Marit chooses for herself that ends up fulfilling her in the end. Splinters of Scarlet was a really unique historical fantasy that was a delight to read.

I’m sad to say I didn’t enjoy the writing. It felt to young to be YA and I think teens will agree. The cover is awesome though. I love the sewn appearance. This may appeal to young teens but it won’t work for the older students.