Shades of Milk and Honey
Nebula Award nominee 2010, Locus Award nominee 2011.
The fantasy novel you’ve always wished Jane Austen had written
Shades of Milk and Honey is exactly what we could expect from Jane Austen if she had been a fantasy writer: Pride and Prejudice meets Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It is an intimate portrait of a woman, Jane, and her quest for love in a world where the manipulation of glamour is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality.
Jane and her sister Melody vie for the attentions of eligible men, and while Jane’s skill with glamour is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face. When Jane realizes that one of Melody’s suitors is set on taking advantage of her sister for the sake of her dowry, she pushes her skills to the limit of what her body can withstand in order to set things right — and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.
“A beautiful, lyrical, tightly-woven meld of Jane Austen, Jane Eyre, and Beauty and the Beast — I couldn't put it down!” — Lilith Saintcrow
"Simply enchanting, and another great advance in an already impressive literary career. You're going to love this." — John Scalzi
"Shades of Milk and Honey is a lovely, smart, strange novel with everything on earth (and elsewhere) to recommend it. Smoothly crafted with a flair for romance and mystery, this story is one part meticulous manners and one part wild magic — composing a whole that's utterly irresistible." — Cherie Priest
“Kowal's first novel is a beautifully told story of being true: true to love, true to family, and true to art, even when it seems that one of them must give. It's a marvelous and promising debut, and hints at more wonders to come.” — Cory Doctorow
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Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal writes stories where the boundaries of science fiction and fantasy blur, creating worlds that feel both fantastical and grounded in human experience. Known for her lyrical prose and insightful explorations of technology, emotion, and society, Kowal’s work invites readers into captivating, thought-provoking realms, where the magic of storytelling is intricately woven with real-world issues.
A proud graduate of the prestigious Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, Kowal’s early career in puppetry and voice acting helped shape her storytelling style, infusing it with rich character voices and a tactile sense of the physical world. She’s a multi-talented creator, with experience both on stage and behind the scenes in theater. This deep appreciation for the art of performance manifests in her writing, where characters come to life with the same vividness as a puppet brought to life on stage.
The Glamourist Histories
Hugo Award-winner Mary Robinette Kowal’s Regency romance fantasy series, The Glamourist Histories, chronicle the adventures of Jane Ellsworth. Gifted with the magical ability to cast glamours, she and her husband travel Europe and become embroiled in intrigues.
The Glamourist Histories consists of five books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Reviews and Comments
I loved the idea that in Jane Austen's world there is magic to be used and it's not to do in dark places, but it is a part of everyday life. Gives a nice touch to quickly read, light and romantic novel. :)