In a world on the verge of war with a reawakening ancient race, the Aesir, the ones who shared magic with the mortals; a professor, and member of the Invisible College, Robinson Hawksley, arrives in a new town. He is there to teach and work on his inventions. One of his students, a deaf girl and daughter of a prominent barrister, McKenna Foster, sparks his interest. But Professor Hawksley has also caught the interest of a member of the military, Joseph Crossthwait. These are the three points of view through which we follow the story. There is rich world-building, with settings reminiscent of late 19th century (just after the Industrial Revolution) North America but fused into a world with magic. The magic system of this world is curious and has a dependence on senses, especially the auditory senses, and not coincidentally, a specialty for the professor. Impending war, a budding romance, and being stalked by Crossthwait blend into a story that weaves suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. This was an interesting read and compelling opener to a new series that I am eager to continue. Readers who enjoy fantasies with an academic setting, a world on the verge of impending doom, a bit of mystery in the magic, and a story that spans multiple books before all the secrets are revealed, should find their way to the Invisible College. (3.5/5)
I received advanced access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, 47North) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.