This book cover promises you: Love. Magic. Revolution.
What you get: 30% Love. 30% Magic. 5% Revolution. 20% gambling. 15% hot air (balloons).
The Plot:
Paris 1789 (revolution is waiting around the corner). Camille Durbonnes parents have died from small pox, her older brother drinks and gambles and her younger sister is sick. Out of the siblings she was the only one capable to learn some magic from her mum. The maximum that magic can do is turn scraps of metal into coins. But the magic is fading and the coins transform back to metal scraps faster and faster. In the desperation of finding another way to provide for her sister she turns to dark magic her mother forbade her to use…
In the end this book just felt like the build up for the show down that will happen in the sequel. Historically it was very accurate how the situation was in Paris (and Versailles) right before the French Revolution. Most of the characters are likeable, though I couldn‘t always understand the decisions Camille made. By far my favourite character was Rosier (hope nothing will happen to him in the sequel (although that would be very in character for him)). The plot and writing felt medium to slow paced.
I will still be reading the sequel… some day, maybe.
A quote I liked (by Rosier): „Don‘t mind me. It‘s my role in life to exaggerate.“
