Valour and Vanity

Valour and Vanity continues the Glamourist Histories series, following Jane and Vincent as they travel to Murano, Italy to study the relationship between glassmaking and glamour. Their artistic endeavors take an unexpected turn when they fall victim to a complex scheme, leaving them stranded without resources in Venice. The couple must navigate Venetian society and the mechanics of both glassmaking and glamour while trying to recover what was taken from them. Their marriage faces new tests as they work to solve their predicament, forcing them to rely on their wit and magical abilities in unconventional ways. The story combines historical fantasy, romance, and elements of a heist tale, set against the backdrop of 1817 Venice. The magical system of glamour intertwines with real historical arts and crafts, while political and social tensions of the Regency period influence the characters' circumstances. Beyond the surface adventure, the novel explores themes of trust, resilience, and the nature of partnership in both marriage and craft. The intersection of art and magic raises questions about creativity, innovation, and the price of pursuing one's passions.

Readers found this Ocean's Eleven-style fantasy heist novel livelier than previous books in the series. Several noted it works well as a standalone story. Likes: - Strong character development between Jane and Vincent - Fast-paced plot with high stakes - Integration of magic system with 1800s Venice setting - Balance of romance and adventure elements Dislikes: - Some found the middle section slow - Less focus on glamour magic compared to earlier books - A few readers felt the villains were one-dimensional - Romance scenes occasionally interrupt action flow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (170+ ratings) "The character growth and relationship development hit harder than previous books" - Goodreads reviewer "A fun caper that loses momentum in parts but sticks the landing" - Amazon review "The Venice setting and heist elements breathe fresh life into the series" - LibraryThing review

Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer. A Regency-era epistolary novel combines magic and romance through letters between two cousins who uncover plots in London society.

The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk. A young woman navigates marriage prospects and societal restrictions while secretly pursuing forbidden magic in a world that mirrors Regency England.

The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett. Three characters face magic, romance, and social constraints in a Jane Austen-inspired fantasy world governed by celestial influences.

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik. The Napoleonic Wars unfold with the addition of an aerial corps of dragons, combining military adventure with period manners and social commentary.

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg. A young woman learns the art of paper magic in Victorian London while uncovering dark secrets about her mentor and magical society.

🔮 This novel is part of Kowal's "Glamourist Histories" series, which blends historical fantasy with Jane Austen-style Regency romance, featuring a magical art form called "glamour." 🎨 The author, Mary Robinette Kowal, is not only a writer but also a professional puppeteer who has worked with the Center for Puppetry Arts and on LazyTown. ⚔️ The book's plot was inspired by classic heist stories and draws particular influence from Ocean's Eleven, but set in an alternate magical version of 1817 Venice. 🎭 Venice's famous Carnival serves as a crucial backdrop in the story, with the author incorporating extensive research about historical masquerade traditions and Venetian culture. 📚 While writing the Glamourist Histories series, Kowal maintained a strict rule of only using words that were in use before 1815 to maintain linguistic authenticity.