Muse (Muse #1)

As a major Charlotte Holmes fan, I eagerly awaited this book. While not my typical genre, this alternate history novel with elements of science fiction and feminism grabbed and held my interest, and really picked up the pace at the end. I struggled a bit in the beginning to visualize this America with territories and a monarchy, in addition to the different plot lines, but Holmes does a good job of bringing everything together in the end. I am looking forward to reading the final book in this duology!

Im really glad I didnt know that this was semi-based on a familiar fairy tale going into the book, because I hate that fairy tale.

I was so impressed with the world-building, the writing, the characters, and the story. I especially feel that the books look at politics (regarding women and immigration, in particular) were well-done, not to mention timely.

Muse started out promising: a rare YA where the heroine is understated and has to use her brains in order to navigate a world determined to keep her helpless. But a very slow first half morphed into a second half that built so much momentum that the ending felt both rushed and unsatisfying. There is an arc here but it felt manufactured.

Story: It’s 1893 and Claire Emerson’s province is celebrating – and posturing – through a grand World’s Fair. The province’s governor is young and untested, leaving the area ripe for a war and brutal takeover by a neighboring State. Claire’s father has created a giant canon exhibition for the governor and the fair to discourage a coup or takeover. But unbeknownst to the world, her father believes Claire is the key to the exhibition’s success through her ability to ‘bless’ good fortune. When the canon fails, she comes under the close scrutiny of the young governor and must learn to fight and stand up for herself. For in this game of politics, the stakes are life and death.

So what we have here is an alternate universe America where Washington decided on a monarchy rather than a democracy. Governors and the Kingship are hereditary positions leading to strife and posturing. There is a lot of scheming in the book as various political or non political individuals jockey for favors or prominence. This includes military generals, suffragettes, governors and inventors.

The characters are diverse and each followed their own desires. This led to many twists and turns, betrayals, surprises, and reveals. But it also meant that characters had very abrupt personality changes that felt both unrealistic and disingenuous – there to give a plot change rather than a natural and organic response to events. Several times I was pulled out of the plot because a character did a complete reversal on their stance and I had to reread to confirm the improbable. That said, I did like that characters were neither too good nor too evil – they were all at the mercy of their intellectual desires and needs.

The love story in this first volume was similarly odd. It was an instaluv that never turned into a romance. Very odd – and very unsatisfying. I’m sure it will grow and change in future volumes but for now, I had a hard time believing any of the confessions of affection. Or the abrupt falling out of love. Similarly, this had an odd friendship between Claire and Beatrix; one built more on familiarity than mutual respect and affection.

Finally, a really problematic issue for me is the art deco (1920/1930s) cover image for what is a Victorian era (1890s) setting. It’s like writing a book set in the 1950s and showing an image of 1970s disco balls and leisure suits. Even for an alternate universe where timelines may not match, the setting in the book is clearly Victorian era and not roaring 20s. I have to wonder if the artist mistook the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair for the 1898 Chicago World’s Fair.

In all, I applaud the interesting characters, especially at the beginning. I just wish they were more realistic and consistent in their growth and responses. Similarly, with the plot, I wish it was paced better and without the very abrupt and unsatisfying end of this first volume. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Claire Emerson has never been allowed to decide for herself what she wants in life. Its 1893 in the First American Kingdom, and all Claire can hope for the future is to marry a man who isnt horrible to her. Unfortunately, her inventor father believes that her touch is magical, and he refuses to let her leave. As the young Governor opens the gates of the Worlds Fair and people stream into the province of St. Cloud, Claires father prepares to reveal the vicious weapon hes created. But when the weapon fails to fire on command, Claire is taken captive by the Governor and thrust into a world of political machinations with threats around every turn. Worse still, war is brewing between St. Cloud and their neighbor province, and the womens resistance movement that Claires best friend is a part of is growing more and more dangerous. If Claire wants a chance to shape her future, she must choose her allies carefully, learn to control her mysterious ability, and finally step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Inventive and fiercely feminist, Muse is a bright historical fiction thats not to be missed. With creative characters and a thoroughly developed plot that kept me guessing throughout the novel, I was on the edge of my seat as I devoured the twists and turns of this intriguing story. Claire is an admirable heroine as she fights to find her place in the world, and the push-and-pull romance was maddeningly enticing. Claires best friend Beatrix is also a fantastic character; a queer, feminist inventor full of courage, I found myself smiling every time she made an appearance. Additionally, the world itself is very well-built. The First American Kingdom is a fascinating backdrop, and the Worlds Fair is a fun and innovative setting that made me wish I could explore it myself. Fans of imaginative YA historical fiction novels will love this powerful book.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.)

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