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Worlds Without End Blog

WoGF Review: Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal Posted at 1:49 PM by Barry F.

bazhsw

WWEnd Women of Genre Fiction Reading ChallengeIn his youth, Barry F. (bazhsw), really enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy, and then stopped for the best part of twenty years. In 2012 Barry made a committment to “read more science fiction” and decided the Women of Genre Fiction Reading Challenge would be his launchpad.


Shades of Milk and HoneyShades of Milk and Honey is an openly acknowledged homage to Jane Austen.  It’s a Comedy of Manners set in the Regency period where pretty much the only thing a young rich woman can do is wait for an eligible suitor.  Young women in the hope of attracting a husband are expected to be proficient in the skills of music, art and Glamour.  Glamour is the magic of the book.  Strands of Glamour are pulled from the ether and used to change the environment.  They can be used to create illusions, create sounds and smells and entertain.  On a day to day basis these skills are used to beautify rooms (and people!) and create a pleasant ambiance.

Jane is exceptionally proficient in the use of Glamour although being of plain appearance and at the ripe old age of 28 (!) feels destined for spinsterhood.  Melody is her beautiful sister who appears to have men queuing for her attentions but herself is insecure at her lack of skill using Glamour compared to her sister.

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WoGF Review: Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal Posted at 4:00 PM by Steff S.

MMOGC

WWEnd Women of Genre Fiction Reading ChallengeSteff S. (MMOGC), is an avid reader with an eclectic taste in books. While just about anything can catch her eye, she has a particular soft spot for fantasy and science fiction, and especially loves space operas and stories with interesting magic systems. Besides reading, she enjoys adventuring in the virtual words of MMORPGs, and first started blogging about games before branching out to contribute her book reviews at The BiblioSanctum with her friends.


Glamour in GlassI think 2013 has seen me branching out into more sub-genres of fantasy than any other year, thanks to participating in events like the Worlds Without End’s Women of Genre Fiction Reading Challenge. Once, Mary Robinette Kowal fell into the category of “An author I’ve never read before, but would really like to” and so the book I chose for the challenge was 2012 Nebula Award nominated Glamour in Glass.

Someone once told me that when writing a review, it helps to think about what makes a book different and why readers should care. For this one, the thing that struck me right away was the setting. But while I may have read fantasy fiction aplenty that takes place in this time period, this is the first time I’ve actually ventured into something with strong elements of Regency romance, complete with the stylistic conventions that bring to mind the works of Jane Austen. This is also the first time I’ve ever heard the term “Fantasy of manners”. Hooray for discovering new things!

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