What a tense read! I read the whole book clutching my proverbial pearls, worried desperately for Ropa and her family. I loved the lush descriptions in this book!

I was disappointed by T.L. Huchu's The Library of the Dead, but I liked the world that he built so I was cautiously optimistic that my issues with the book would iron themselves out in future installments. After reading the sequel, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, I think I need to put this series to rest. The books lies in this crossroads of genres, with elements of urban fantasy, horror, comedy, and mystery, but it never coheres in a satisfying way. While overall this one was and improvement on the first installment, I still left the novel wanting more.

I've enjoyed learning the styles of T.L Huchu.

Library of the Dead was a solid read for me and I liked that Ropa is back in the fray of things. The magic in this series is super intricate and engaging and I love the world that was created for her. She's complex and fierce. Her struggles feel real and it's something I found myself relating to a lot.

I left this series excited to hear more about book 3. As much that has happened seems to be setting up for more to be revealed and more character development. I hope it comes in slow and steady. Ropa is exactly what you want from a heroine. A super enjoyable read!

Thanks Netgalley for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this book better than the first one. I think there were too many moving parts in the first one and it felt a little convoluted. This one was much tighter and more cohesive. It was easier to keep track of the story elements. The main character and the world were great as always and I liked learning more about the magic system and the library of the dead.

interesting and engaging, i enjoyed it quite a bit.

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an early review.

This book is the second in the Edinburgh Nights series. Ropa is still trying to keep her Gran and younger sister afloat in post-catastrophic (after reading book one and two, I'm still kinda confused on what the catastrophe is) Scotland. She has a new unpaid internship and she is trying to solve a new mystery on the side, to make the dash. I like the character and her friends but there is just something missing that makes me not love the characters, but I can't put my finger on what it is at the moment. I like the magic and the setting of the story but some of the mystery solving felt forced a the end. 3.5 for an interesting read and I will be looking for the next book as there are too many questions that need answers.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ropa, everyone’s favorite ghost-talking, samurai-quoting, amateur sleuth is back! I was hesitant to pick this up at first after loving the first one, and I am so, so glad that it felt easy and natural to slip back into Ropa’s narrative voice and the world of scientific Scottish magic and the more natural Zimbabwean magic. We get characters and scenarios from the first book that were lovely (and/or skin-crawling) to see, and this book sets up a lot of cool stuff for the next book as well.

There are some scenes in this story (some taking up entire chapters) that seemed unnecessary towards the plot as a whole, but based on the previous book, I wonder if they’re to be used in later installments. At some point there are so many side plots and red herrings and actually valuable clues to keep track of that my head was spinning alongside Ropa’s. But in the end the disparate storylines pulled together and had me turning the pages to find out what happened next.

While a lot of second books in series feel stagnant and only feel useful as a bridge to the third book, this book did not disappoint me! I eagerly await the next Edinburgh Nights book and won’t wait so long to pick it up because I know it’s going to be good! Fingers crossed that we get more about the four magic schools in the next book, since I love me a good magic school story.

It's clear that I needed to read this series in order so I could have the necessary background and understand some of the nuances. The tale itself is fun, as is the structure of the magical society built between these covers. The lead character is sassy and has lots of heart, as well as determination to climb the ladder to success without a lot of the benefits of a financially stable beginning. Her friends are also lovely characters, with both strengths and flaws, and the plot kept me reading despite some of the challenges I had with the colloquialisms and the backstory. A fun read.

Another solid installment in the Edinburgh Nights series. You get much more world building and backstory on the library of the dead and magical hierarchy in this second book.

The plot was a little hard for me to follow, because I kept getting interrupted and it took me so long to finish. This is a book you have to focus on. Huchu has a stream of consciousness, fast-paced writing style that sucks you in keeps you on the edge of your seat, but you have to get used to it. Ropa's "voice" as a narrator is so unique and interesting. You feel like you're inside her head (like an earworm! - another delightful detail we discover in this book).

This book made me fall even more in love with the characters in this series. River her fox friend, Priya & Jomo her magician pals, Ropa's mysteriously gifted Gran and thank goodness we get more Sir Callander interaction in this book too. Ropa is investigating a magical mystery this time, so the ghost-talking element is less a part of the plot than in the first book. I still want to knit her scarf, which now has a name - Cruickshank! So, Cruikshank knitting pattern here I come!

Edinburgh Nights combines dystopian YA, magic, the supernatural, mystery and a colorful cast of characters into one big, delicious reading experience. A good fit for fans of Harry Potter, The Invisible Library or Rivers of London series readers.

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is book two in the Edinburgh Nights series, and my feelings toward the book were similar to the first.

I really like the lore of the story and the diversity of the cast of characters. I think the writing really shows Ropa Moyo as a very distinct character, and even though at times I don't agree with her, I can always understand where her reasoning is coming from. I think her character is important in fantasy as it shows her struggles as not only someone who is looked down upon because of her status but also because of her upbringing and "lack of" education. Ropa Moyo is clearly not an uneducated character, but the magical world sees her as such because of her status. It brings up some interesting ideas and morals around judging someone based on their upbringing that started in the first book and is continuing through this one.

I enjoyed having the return of Priya as I have read very little fantasy with those who are differently abled included in the story as a kick butt and take names type of character. Priya is not helpless, in fact, she is very much more competent in certain areas than Ropa. I think this is important and glad that it sounds like the author will be keeping her around.

The story itself was interesting with, again, a small lull that was about the halfway mark. However, the lull was then explained why it was important to the story which I felt was necessary. There were some callbacks to the first book that also gave a little more understanding as to why it was included at all. I still think the whole subplot could have been reworked to flow better, but I will admit now that I've read the second book, I understand a bit more why it was placed in the first book. I also want to add that I understand why there was a lot of talk about the swordsman and philosopher Musashi, as it was something that Ropa had recently read I think. However, I felt that the talk of Musashi's philosophy was a bit overkill for my tastes. I'm sure there was a very good reason for the author to add so much of Musashi's quotes in the book, but by the 4th mention of him, it took me out of the world because of the repetition.

All in all, I think this is an important piece of fantasy. One that has an inclusive and diverse cast of characters, situations, and magical realism. I'll most likely continue to read the series and recommend the read to anyone who wants to read a fantasy that includes these elements.

Thank you Tor and NetGalley for this Arc.

I went straight in with reading book 1 and 2, back to back. You know what? I had a blast!
Loved the setting of Edinburg, loved how witty, funny, quirky Ropa Moho is. Magic system that really interesting with additions of science and mathematics, ghosts, I mean it’s seriously fun to read.

So while I did enjoy this installment I did feel like we are getting rather for the next one rather that feeling satisfied with this book, but I guess that’s often the problem with book 2.

Still, would highly recommend this series and can’t wait to see where the story takes us next!

Ropa Moyo is back in all her badass nerdy glory, expanding her business opportunities with an apprenticeship that turns out to be an unpaid internship in actuality (ugh). Ropa's busy investigating the cause of a mysterious magical ailment, chasing a secret society at a prestigious boys' school, and helping the heir of a lost fortune follow the paper trail to his treasure (with a retainer for Ropa, of course). She's juggling it all while taking care of her grandmother and sister and ending up in sticky situations when her multiple projects conflict. She has to deal with uppity magicians and a malignant ghost on her adventures, but she's assisted by her stalwart friends Jomo and Priya at each step. Add in her trusty fox sidekick, River, and you've got a full party. This book gives us our first visit to the heart of the Library of the Dead, its name placed in context. We come to understand more about magical politics and life after the Catastrophe. Plus, Gran has a new beau, and it's the cutest.

Ropa continues to be the main draw for me in this series. I enjoy the mysteries at play and the mathematical/physics explanations for magic, but Ropa is such a larger-than-life heroine, and I love being in her head best of all. She may be 15, but I aspire to be half as reliable and savvy at twice her age. I love the way she devours new knowledge, and I would read the Ropa Moyo summary of any text. In this one, her paraphrased learnings were delightful whether I was familiar with the original or not. Her superhero references were on point. Ropa's unique blend of pragmatism and optimism is compelling, and I honestly wish I had a bit more of that energy.

This is a worthy followup to The Library of the Dead, and Ropa continues to stand out in a field of protagonists that often follow a similar blueprint. The latest mystery has been resolved, but I am curious about where the larger story is going and what Ropa's role will be. Larger forces are lurking ominously, and there's some foreshadowed growth and learning to come Ropa's way, as well. Thanks to Tor for my copy to read and review!

"Thing about my sister is, when she blows her gasket, hot lava fizzes out, and that sh*t scalds like nothing else. But when that lava cools, our island grows a little larger and we find we have new fertile soil in which to grow our relationship."

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Ropa our ghost-talker is back! Now she has an official-ish internship with a magical school and she's ramped up her investigations beyond delivering the messages of the recently deceased. She's immediately put on a new case where a young boy is in a coma under her friend, Priya's care. She begins to unravel what may be causing his illness and finds herself embroiled in the politics of an all boys magic school and in pursuit of a dark spirit that is threatening to destroy them all.

Like the first, this story has all sorts of interesting ghosties and unusual magic. Ropa is as kind-hearted, hard working and clever as ever. She will do anything to take care of her family, protect her friends and earn a buck or two in the process. The same beautiful language as the first novel, carries us through this one, the quote above is apropos of nothing, but it just struck me. I love Huchu's writing style balancing beauty with Scottish street slang. I've spent quite a lot of time in Edinburgh so I appreciate his descriptions of the city and the little bits of history we get along the way. My criticism of the first one was that we didn't get enough of The Library of the Dead in this one, but this time we get some amazing scenes and explanations of the library and its power. Can't wait for Ropa's next adventure.

Thanks to Netgalley for advanced access to this novel. All opinions above are my own. I went on to purchase after reading.

This second book in the Edinburgh Nights series is just as adventurous, trippy and fun as the first one. Ropa Mojo and friends are at it again - finding magic, mystery, and malevolence. Her sharp sense of humor shines as always - like when she says "…. the lord says in a voice so posh it's practically folding its own napkin."
Can't stand the wait for the third book!

I’m absolutely enamored with the fantastical version of Edinburgh that Huchu has created in this ongoing series. Reading both of the installments back to back was a delight, and I’m so very anxious to read even more! At the core of this story and series, you’ll find Ropa to be a strong protagonist with a wonderful, inquisitive mind and colorful personality. It’s the perfect blend of supernatural horror with dark fantasy and a little dash of dystopian fiction, and I could hardly put it down! The rotating cast of spectral characters, nefarious dark magicians, occult extremists and cult leaders, and even the local citizens make every page more interesting than the next, providing plenty of entertainment and foils for our heroine. I am delighted with the use of the mbira as a communication device, and the fact that it helps translate the ghosts to another frequency that ghosttalkers and mediums can understand.

There is science, philosophy, and math built into the lore and logistics of the magic in this world, and many of the supernatural skill sets also tie in to global cultural references. I love that it’s an intelligently crafted, thoughtful system and that while many of the characters express innate abilities there’s always room to learn and improve. Rosa and her friends are always interested in challenging themselves, seeking more knowledge, learning from their errors and misjudgments, and thinking outside the box. I appreciate the ways this book also challenges the world of traditional academia and its many prejudices and biases, too. It handles the ableism, classism, and nepotism of academic and scientific fields with wit and brutal honesty. I love to see it! I also appreciate that our heroine comes from a less than stellar financial position, and the author tackles this subject with such grace, respect, and candor. I don’t think all books need to have “life lessons” included in order to be successful, but when a writer can so expertly blend them into the story where they just make sense, fit the vibe, and occur naturally? Bless it!! That makes the book next level awesome to me! Having a solid good series of adventures, ongoing mysteries, and being able to blend it in to relatable and empathetic characters and issues is top tier reading.

The series has incredibly wonderful disability representation without becoming inspiration porn. At least two of the characters are disabled, but these are just facts of existence, and not maladies for which to pity them. Lord it is incredibly refreshing! These characters have agency, wit, power, creativity, and have equal billing to their abled counterparts. I also argue that our beloved MC Ropa has some neurodivergence stuff going on, because I can truly relate to a lot of her thought processes. And dare I say, I’m picking up some queer coded vibes here as well, which would be a delight (and is my head canon either way right now, hah!)

While I do not love comparing series or fantasy worlds to one another, I do think it can help a book series find the right audience. This story and world be perfect for those who want to step away from Harry Potter, and into an inclusive and diverse world of magic. It’s great for those who are fans of New Adult fantasy fiction with a twinge of supernatural, such as The Magicians.

T.L. Huchu is certainly carving out a niche in fantasy fiction, and I would love to see this series raised to such iconic heights as other YA and New Adult series have been. It’s just wonderful. I’m sure this is the most redundant review hahaha! But I can’t sing enough praises. It’s just so, so much fun to read and so cheeky and witty and entertaining and smart. It’s the kind of book I was craving for so long, and I’m eager to devour the next installment!!! Get your hands on this book.

This is the fabulous second instalment in the Edinburgh Night series and we pick up with Ropa Moyo our complex and street wise MC from Library of the Dead.
Ropa is taken under the wing of Sir Ian Callander Scotland's premiere magician and though expecting to be a paid apprentice ends up as an unpaid intern, which is still unprecedented. Ropa is always scheming to make money to keep her grandmother and sister in comfort and this book finds her juggling many plans towards this aim - including helping her friend Priya find the cause of a patients coma, helping an heir to find his money and general grifting are all part of her life.
Ropa is self-sufficient, always looking for opportunities and willing to grasp the nettle if it achieves her aim of protecting her family. If she gets in trouble she finds her own way out and although she sometimes makes unwise choices she acknowledges this and does what is needed to rectify the situation, a character with a great deal to admire.
The plot is well paced, full of mystery and intrigue and definitely leaves you wanting more!
My thanks to the publisher Tor and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

While I loved returning to this world and the beloved characters who live there, I feel like this book didn't deliver what I expected. To me, it felt like a book that was more concerned with setting up future stories and leaving breadcrumbs for readers to follow later rather than focusing on the story at hand.

I loved getting more of the lore and backstory behind the conflicts in Scotland and the strained relations between the various magical societies. Getting to experience more of the Library, including the very literal Library of the Dead, was amazing! I eagerly look forward to exploring this even further in future books, but am glad Huchu finally let us peek behind the curtain a little. Ropa and her crew are always fantastic to read about and I'll gladly tag along for whatever mischief they're into. Ropa's voice as a protagonist is just so incredibly compelling - I could read about her forever.

But for all the captivating characters, deeply layered worldbuilding, and intriguing mysteries, the plot felt a bit haphazard. Events occurred that didn't quite make sense in context of everything else Huchu shows us. Twists and turns felt like there was little to no foreshadowing. Plot lines tied up somewhat suddenly in ways that felt underwhelming rather than satisfying. One of the things I enjoyed about the first book in the series is that although it was a wild ride, I always felt like I was right alongside Ropa jumping from one thing to the next. This book felt more like being dragged along from the backseat without a clear view of the where or why or what's next. Full disclosure: this could absolutely be on me as a reader, missing clues or misreading something, but the feeling was constant throughout the book and it impacted my enjoyment, so it merits mention in my personal commentary regardless.

All said, I still enjoyed this read. With such an engaging cast of characters in a rich, magical world, I could only be so disappointed when struggling with the plot. I will absolutely be continuing the series, but may need to reread this one in hopes of fully grasping what happened so I can truly appreciate whatever happens next.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed T. L Huchu’s The Library of the Dead, so I was interested in seeing where Huchu took cheeky protagonist Ropa Moyo in book two. Ropa isn’t even 16 years old, but her parents have passed away, leaving her responsible for caring for her aging grandmother and her younger sister. A gifted student, Ropa’s dropped out of school to focus on earning enough to keep food on the table.

Things are looking up for Ropa in Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments. She’s supposed to start a paid apprenticeship, but an adversary forces her into an unpaid internship instead. Ropa starts taking side gigs to pay the bills, and they soon become enmeshed with her internship. Students are left comatose, unresponsive, and they’ll die if Ropa doesn’t find the source of their ailments. It’s soon apparent there’s dark magic at work, putting Ropa’s life and the lives of her friends in jeopardy as they search for the truth. The main point of mentioning some of the plotlines is to highlight the fact that there’s a lot going on, which serves to keep you engaged and on your toes as the story develops.

The premise for this book is solid, and one of the perks of a sequel is that a lot of worldbuilding was established in book 1. While readers are still learning about the magic system, because Ropa’s learning herself, it doesn’t slow the action at all. Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments moves at a brisk pace, with plenty of developments that leave you guessing until the end.

It was fun getting back into Ropa’s world and reconnecting with her friends. At the same time, Huchu pushes Ropa in new ways, and she faces personal and professional challenges that lead to significant changes. It felt fresh and engaging and, although Huchu wraps up the core plots in this book, it feels there are some dangling threads that can be explored in future installments. I truly hope Ropa’s back for more because she’s one of the most interesting protagonists in recent years, and Huchu’s got a knack for developing complex plots that lead to surprising, yet satisfying, resolutions.

An apprenticeship with the Society's Secretary should've been the stroke of good fortune and steady paycheck it promised. Unfortunately for Ropa, life always likes to kick her hard. With her ghosttalker business no longer alive, Ropa takes on another case, one with mysteriously comatose students, secret private magic school societies, mad spirits, and a good heap of danger, all the while trying to keep her local street gang and her new boss happy in their own ways.

Ropa has always had it hard, putting in ten times the effort just to pull her grandmother and sister through each day. Now, she not only has to continue to support her family, but she also has to prove herself to a Society who considers her unworthy of her new position. Trying to keep up with private magic school graduates while she's still trying to teach herself the basics is just another hill Ropa has to bike up. 

Even though the book is set in an alternate slightly dystopian future Scotland, there's still plenty of Scottish culture and history sprinkled liberally throughout the book. It adds a lot of flavor, and is enhanced by Ropa's own unique voice. I really enjoy her perspective, which is very practical and witty. I don't often say this, but I'd really like to meet Ropa in real life. She's so optimistic despite her challenges and so smart. I feel like she'd make a great friend.

With one friend who thinks a wheelchair works like a skateboard and another who works for a library with a slightly disturbing obsession with dead bodies, Ropa has a great team (plus her fox) at her beck and call. From hospitals to morgues, banks, kings, and ghosts, this book was a fun journey with a good mystery, close friends and family, and plenty of spooky and fun magic.

Another adventure with Ropa. She’s still sassy and still living on the edge. I love her posse of slightly off center friends. I love how she cares so much for her family. It’s an enjoyable read and will be on the look out for her next rite of passage!