great characterization in this series. I love how the characters develop and the surprises we get-that the characters end up so different than the first impression.
the h definitely becomes a kick-ass heroine. ( )

I received a free copy of this book via the Early Reviewer program on Librarything.

It was very hard for me to get into this book and continue reading it. I would read it for a few chapters then put it down for a couple of days. I just could not get into it. Finally, after some time, I was able to stay interested. I enjoyed the plot twists and all the characters in the book. Once you get past the first half of the book, it is a real page-turner. I would read the second book, because I feel it would not go as slow as this one did. ( )

This book was quite good but I was reading other books in parallel, and it has slipped down the list. Several months after starting it seems to have stuck at the 42% mark on my Kindle. I have a bunch of things I want to read, so I'm setting this aside for now, with regrets.

This Crumbling Pageant is a bodice ripper that's marketed as historical fantasy. Patricia Burroughs throws convoluted worldbuilding and magic into her story, but it remains a rote romance, minus the stock HEA.

Persephone possesses magic powers that she must learn to control. So naturally, she is blackmailed into marriage with an older man who emotionally and verbally abuses her. Of course, this leads to sex and then pregnancy. The rest of the plot revolves around minor Greek gods who live in a parallel Regency England and find themselves embroiled in a battle for the throne of their world. This throne is to be held by an Arthurian king. Perhaps Burroughs explains why the two mythologies intersect, and why they are in Regency England, but I missed it if she does. ( )

Amazing.

October 4, 2015

I've decided that since the second book, The Dead Shall Live, is coming out December 28th, I should write a review that's actually longer than one word, despite the fact that one word still sums up how I feel about This Crumbling Pageant.

This is an incredibly detailed, intricate tale centering around Persephone Fury, taking place in an alternate Regency England. Some families have magic, others don't. The Fury family is especially gifted, except for Persephone. Or so they think. The people in her family are fully drawn out individuals who make you feel like you really have just stepped into their house and their fantastical wondrous world of magic and music.

But the boys in the family have had a mysterious tutor, one whom Persephone is sure is up to no good, and one night she switches places with her twin when the tutor comes to take him out for the night...

It's the beginning of what will be, for Persephone, the first of many defining moments of her life. Who is good, who is evil. And, as is so often true, sometimes it's hard to tell which is which. Her decisions have consequences that seem truly dreadful. Maybe they are. I don't know so can't even be spoilery about it. Sigh. I am so glad it's only a few more months until the second book!

This Crumbling Pageant is a thick book, but I read it in just a couple of sittings; it is riveting. The characters are fascinating, the story is convoluted--in a good way. There are mysteries, worrisome characters, and then characters that are even more worrisome. The Fury family is lovely--I ended up caring about them deeply by the time I'd finished.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. There are many fantasies out there, but I found it unique, with a wonderful narrative style, fantastic world building, and really excellent characters. There are lots of surprises and twists, and I didn't find it predictable, which I really liked as well. ( )