Magic Under Glass
Release Date: December 22, 2010
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 240
Source: Publisher
Interest: Debut Author
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author Challenge
Nimira is a foreign music-hall girl forced to dance for mere pennies. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing with a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new and better life. In Parry’s world, however, buried secrets are beginning to stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumors swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry’s involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. Then Nimira discovers the spirit of a fairy gentleman named Erris is trapped inside the clockwork automaton, waiting for someone to break his curse. The two fall into a love that seems hopeless, and breaking the curse becomes a race against time, as not just their love, but the fate of the entire magical world may be in peril.
(Description from Amazon.com)
Was I the only person that didn’t know what an automaton was?
From the Merriam Webster Dicionary:
Automaton
Main Entry: au·tom·a·ton
Pronunciation: \ȯ-ˈtä-mə-tən, -mə-ˌtän\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural au·tom·atons or au·tom·a·ta \-mə-tə, -mə-ˌtä\
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, neuter of automatos
Date: 1645
1 : a mechanism that is relatively self-operating; especially : robot
2 : a machine or control mechanism designed to follow automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond to encoded instructions
3 : an individual who acts in a mechanical fashion
Now that’s interesting! And even more so an automaton that is housing the spirit of a fairy prince! That sounds like one heck of a story!
The premise was fantastic, but that is about as far as fantastic went for me and this novel. The story was enchanting, especially the first half of the novel, where we are introduced to Nimira, her past and follow her onto a new adventure to Hollis’s estate.
That being said, I just didn’t connect with Nimira as a character, and not only that but I didn’t seem to witness the the relationship between Erris, the fairy prince, and Nimira develop into love. It seemed unbeliveable that a few strained conversations could result in such deep feelings. I could understand Nimira wanting to help Erris, because it was the right thing to do, not because she was in love with him.
The story was beautifully written, but the last quarter of the novel flew by rather too quickly. The ending doesn’t give the reader much closure but leaves it open for another novel.
Overall, an enchanting story, but lacking on characterization and substance. Hoping to see this story develop into something fantastic in the next novel, the potential is there, I really hope it is reached!
Related posts:
I'm still looking forward to reading this one. At the very least, it's well-written.
I'm still looking forward to reading this one. At the very least, it's well-written.
That's to bad to here the you didn't like it.
I only knew what a automaton was from reading The Red Necklace & The Silverblade by Sally Gardner.
That's to bad to here the you didn't like it.
I only knew what a automaton was from reading The Red Necklace & The Silverblade by Sally Gardner.
There's only one reason I knew what an automaton was–I once played a game called Syberia about a man who made them! Great honest review—I'll be reading this one when I can get my hands on a copy to see what I think!
There's only one reason I knew what an automaton was–I once played a game called Syberia about a man who made them! Great honest review—I'll be reading this one when I can get my hands on a copy to see what I think!
Ugh, more unbelievable romance books!!! Noooo I was so looking forward to this one. I'll still read it though!!! Great Review!!!
P.S I really thinks its awesome you didnt include the cover for this book, the littlest things make that biggest statements!!!
Ugh, more unbelievable romance books!!! Noooo I was so looking forward to this one. I'll still read it though!!! Great Review!!!
P.S I really thinks its awesome you didnt include the cover for this book, the littlest things make that biggest statements!!!
I get when you say that the relationship between Nimira and the automaton suddenly grew into love over like 2 conversations but other than that I loved this! x
I get when you say that the relationship between Nimira and the automaton suddenly grew into love over like 2 conversations but other than that I loved this! x
Great review! I completely agree with you that the premise and whole automaton thing was intriguing, but I just didn't find myself connecting with Nimra. I don't know why, but it's true. As for the ending, there better be a sequel! P:
Great review! I completely agree with you that the premise and whole automaton thing was intriguing, but I just didn't find myself connecting with Nimra. I don't know why, but it's true. As for the ending, there better be a sequel! P:
This is my first time to your blog. I didn't know what an automaton was. It's too bad that this book didn't live up to your expectations, because it sounds good. I hate when that happens!
Check out my blog at jennifermnunes.com
This is my first time to your blog. I didn't know what an automaton was. It's too bad that this book didn't live up to your expectations, because it sounds good. I hate when that happens!
Check out my blog at jennifermnunes.com
I thought this one was a great read. The speed of the love story didn’t irk me too much because I thought that the deep feelings arose out of their being in such a dire situation. Also, I thought Nimira remained a little uncertain till the very end. What I loved most about this book was the unconventional aspect of the romance. What a gutsy move to make your lead male romantic interest an automaton! This story struck my fancy in the same way Edward Scissorhands did. Definitely worth the read.
I thought this one was a great read. The speed of the love story didn’t irk me too much because I thought that the deep feelings arose out of their being in such a dire situation. Also, I thought Nimira remained a little uncertain till the very end. What I loved most about this book was the unconventional aspect of the romance. What a gutsy move to make your lead male romantic interest an automaton! This story struck my fancy in the same way Edward Scissorhands did. Definitely worth the read.
I started off reading good reviews of this book and now they are getting to be more along the whole 'it's decent' phase. I'll still read this book (have to support them changing the cover!). And I agree with iluvhersheys, sometimes the littlest things make the biggest statements so thank you for not showing the cover, no post was needed
Thank you for your review, and I had no idea what an automaton was, I assumed it was some robot hid under a glass jar. lol
I started off reading good reviews of this book and now they are getting to be more along the whole 'it's decent' phase. I'll still read this book (have to support them changing the cover!). And I agree with iluvhersheys, sometimes the littlest things make the biggest statements so thank you for not showing the cover, no post was needed
Thank you for your review, and I had no idea what an automaton was, I assumed it was some robot hid under a glass jar. lol
hehe you weren't the only one! I too didn't like this whole book yet loved the last half & wanted more of that part of the story to continue. I think it was hard to really get a feeling for the automon as,well, he's mostly a machine in the book! I'm curious to read more & did see her tweet about book 2
hehe you weren't the only one! I too didn't like this whole book yet loved the last half & wanted more of that part of the story to continue. I think it was hard to really get a feeling for the automon as,well, he's mostly a machine in the book! I'm curious to read more & did see her tweet about book 2
I simply loved this book. Maybe I like the unrealistic romance plots
And I loved Nimira–I connected with her more than most of the MCs in YA books I've read. Then again, I tend to like YA fantasy or historicals more than contemporaries–especially the "realistic" ones where the teens are all potty mouth. It's funny because I never really read YA as a teen and now as a twenty-five year old I've been reading it more than any other genre. Well, at least the fantasy/historicals in the YA genre.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series! Thanks for your review; it's interesting to see other readers opinions of it.
I simply loved this book. Maybe I like the unrealistic romance plots
And I loved Nimira–I connected with her more than most of the MCs in YA books I've read. Then again, I tend to like YA fantasy or historicals more than contemporaries–especially the "realistic" ones where the teens are all potty mouth. It's funny because I never really read YA as a teen and now as a twenty-five year old I've been reading it more than any other genre. Well, at least the fantasy/historicals in the YA genre.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series! Thanks for your review; it's interesting to see other readers opinions of it.
[...] HarveyThe Iron King by Julie Kagawa Firespell by Chloe Neill The Naughty List by Suzanne YoungMagic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore A Match Made in High School by Kristin WalkerThe Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth [...]