She can be frustratingly naïve at times, and the reader comes to certain realisations long before Elsie ever connects the dots, leaving us to left to shout at her in vain to make better decision. A reader who wants something challenging and unpredictable may not get much out of this, but someone who just wants to curl up with a feel-good book about likeable characters having adventures with the promise of a happy ending will find a lot to love about Spellbreaker.Įlsie is a charming relatable heroine who takes up her Robin Hood activities out of the need to strike back at pampered aristocrats as well as the very simple and human desire to be valued. It feels ‘safe’ and guarantees a comfortable read where you don’t need to worry about graphic gory scenes or being blindsided by angst and tragedy the way you might in grittier, grimdark fantasy novels. It focuses more on interpersonal relationships rather than the high stakes life-or-death end of the world plots like you typically see in high fantasy stories with elves and dragons or prophecies and Dark Ones. and taking place in a small community with a small cast of characters.
This book falls into the niche category of cosy fantasy, which is similar to the popular cosy mystery sub-genre of amateur sleuths, minimal to no sex or violence.
As more secrets and responsibilities pile up with Elsie struggling to meet her obligations to various masters, her heart becomes engaged and her loyalties are tested like never before. During one of her goodwill assignments, her covert spellbreaking is discovered by another wizard Bacchus Kelsey and she is forced to make a deal with him to avoid prison. Our heroine Elsie Camden is a lowly orphan who happens to be an unregistered spellbreaker and part of a clandestine group she refers to as The Cowls, who undertake altruistic missions to protect common-born folks against the abuse of the magical elite. It’s set in an alternate Victorian-era England where magic is commonplace, although of course it’s primarily only the wealthy white male wizards who are allowed to gain power and prestige through their abilities. Spellbreaker is the first in a new duology by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N.
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