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Lady of Steel and Straw
Star-crossed lovers grapple with forbidden attraction and a growing army of ghostly dead in this swashbuckling YA fantasy debut.
After ten years of exile, following regicide in the House of Tristain, an alarming royal edict is delivered to the immortal scarecrow Guardians who once defended the crown: surrender themselves to the church of the Silent Gods, or stand accused of further treason. But with a puppet prince set to take the throne and vengeful wraiths appearing with alarming frequency, something foul and sinister is at work in the kingdom of Niveaux.
Lady Charlotte Sand was born to calm the restless dead. A headstrong heroine, she refuses to relinquish her family’s lavender Guardian to the Cardinal’s Watch—a rash misstep that costs her brother his life and sets her on a path for revenge.
For pious and handsome Captain Luc de Montaigne, it’s an excruciating predicament. His long-lost, childhood love has triggered a faction war that could tear the realm asunder. Now Charlotte and Luc must choose between killing one another and stepping closer to victory—or yielding to the electricity between them.
Heartily inspired by The Three Musketeers, this multiple-perspective narrative features a unique system of bone and herbal magic, sultry banter, and a feisty cast of well-rounded supporting characters. This rousing first entry in a romantic fantasy duology is a gorgeous read and excellent pick for fans of Rin Chupeco and Margaret Rogerson.
After ten years of exile, following regicide in the House of Tristain, an alarming royal edict is delivered to the immortal scarecrow Guardians who once defended the crown: surrender themselves to the church of the Silent Gods, or stand accused of further treason. But with a puppet prince set to take the throne and vengeful wraiths appearing with alarming frequency, something foul and sinister is at work in the kingdom of Niveaux.
Lady Charlotte Sand was born to calm the restless dead. A headstrong heroine, she refuses to relinquish her family’s lavender Guardian to the Cardinal’s Watch—a rash misstep that costs her brother his life and sets her on a path for revenge.
For pious and handsome Captain Luc de Montaigne, it’s an excruciating predicament. His long-lost, childhood love has triggered a faction war that could tear the realm asunder. Now Charlotte and Luc must choose between killing one another and stepping closer to victory—or yielding to the electricity between them.
Heartily inspired by The Three Musketeers, this multiple-perspective narrative features a unique system of bone and herbal magic, sultry banter, and a feisty cast of well-rounded supporting characters. This rousing first entry in a romantic fantasy duology is a gorgeous read and excellent pick for fans of Rin Chupeco and Margaret Rogerson.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
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March 16, 2024
All right, time to admit it: I've finally reached that point where I'm heartily sick and tired of Fantasy Catholicism.
It was fine, and even funny and entertaining (for those of us who know it from the inside and can laugh at it), in the beginning, especially when done by Catholic authors such as George R. R. Martin or Margaret Rogerson or even Rosamund Hodge, amongst others. But since it became an overused trope in recent years, it's no longer funny and entertaining. It's become irritating, bothersome due to the stereotypes, and even contributes to reinforce historical myths that should've died long ago.
True, it's Fantasy, so the distortions are permissible as it's not meant to reflect reality. But I have to ask: why the Hell do you always pick up Catholicism? It's not the only religion in the bloody world! Where's my Fantasy Jews? My Fantasy Muslims? My Fantasy Buddhists? My Fantasy Hindus? My Fantasy Mormons? My Fantasy Amish? My Fantasy Pastafarians?
Time to go all diversity and equality on Fantasy religions, and spread the bigotry and the myths and stereotypes around equally, I say.
Rant over, now let's get down to the book itself: it was completely forgettable. It tries to be The Three Musketeers in a fictional country meant to be pretend-France but that feels more like the usual idea Anglophones have of France and its history and culture, which is: select bits and morsels of words and names and some cultural hallmarks as salad dressing. There's too much Englishness for this to feel like France, and giving some characters Frenchy names doesn't make a difference. I'd even say it's more of an Anglophone's idea of Dumas' France than anything. Which was disappointing to me, I expected a richer world and more credible, not a collage of French classics with a dash of religious tripe.
As for the characters . . . where have I seen this pair of walking tropes called Charlotte and Luc before? In many, many books. YA books in special. They're the usual grump/tormented soldier tasked by the king/ruler to go after a woman/someone that has something/a power that the king/ruler considers a threat. Dutiful soldier boy goes to fulfill his orders, but on meeting the lady his brain between his legs makes a different decision and angsty "I can't love her!" hand-wringing and erection-hiding ensues. Am I supposed to feel compelled by this riveting plotline? Well, I am not. But at least there wasn't erection-hiding to drive me up the wall, thank Fantasy Jesus.
The only thing that was nice in this, for me, was the magic system based on scarecrows that have the power to ward off the dangerous wraiths that threaten to take over Niveaux. It feels a bit like a darker Wizard of Oz at times, so not a wholly original concept but an interesting and refreshing one that I was roped in by this alone into reading the book. If the Guardian and the Captain weren't such a risible trope of a protagonist duo, I'd have been happy with the world. To an extent, because as Charlotte and Luc's story takes precedence, the world isn't very developed (remember what I said about pseudo-Frenchiness) in order to prioritise their story, and as is common in these YA débuts, so much is left up in the air that I suspect there might be (or was) an intention to write another book. The ending doesn't make this feel as standalone as I was led to believe, and whilst I can't swear that there will be another book, the loose threads sure do make me think this is either a first book in a series or a not very tight and compact standalone due to the plotholes and hanging threads.
Well, I guess I'm left without a pretend-France to love. What a pity!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was fine, and even funny and entertaining (for those of us who know it from the inside and can laugh at it), in the beginning, especially when done by Catholic authors such as George R. R. Martin or Margaret Rogerson or even Rosamund Hodge, amongst others. But since it became an overused trope in recent years, it's no longer funny and entertaining. It's become irritating, bothersome due to the stereotypes, and even contributes to reinforce historical myths that should've died long ago.
True, it's Fantasy, so the distortions are permissible as it's not meant to reflect reality. But I have to ask: why the Hell do you always pick up Catholicism? It's not the only religion in the bloody world! Where's my Fantasy Jews? My Fantasy Muslims? My Fantasy Buddhists? My Fantasy Hindus? My Fantasy Mormons? My Fantasy Amish? My Fantasy Pastafarians?
Time to go all diversity and equality on Fantasy religions, and spread the bigotry and the myths and stereotypes around equally, I say.
Rant over, now let's get down to the book itself: it was completely forgettable. It tries to be The Three Musketeers in a fictional country meant to be pretend-France but that feels more like the usual idea Anglophones have of France and its history and culture, which is: select bits and morsels of words and names and some cultural hallmarks as salad dressing. There's too much Englishness for this to feel like France, and giving some characters Frenchy names doesn't make a difference. I'd even say it's more of an Anglophone's idea of Dumas' France than anything. Which was disappointing to me, I expected a richer world and more credible, not a collage of French classics with a dash of religious tripe.
As for the characters . . . where have I seen this pair of walking tropes called Charlotte and Luc before? In many, many books. YA books in special. They're the usual grump/tormented soldier tasked by the king/ruler to go after a woman/someone that has something/a power that the king/ruler considers a threat. Dutiful soldier boy goes to fulfill his orders, but on meeting the lady his brain between his legs makes a different decision and angsty "I can't love her!" hand-wringing and erection-hiding ensues. Am I supposed to feel compelled by this riveting plotline? Well, I am not. But at least there wasn't erection-hiding to drive me up the wall, thank Fantasy Jesus.
The only thing that was nice in this, for me, was the magic system based on scarecrows that have the power to ward off the dangerous wraiths that threaten to take over Niveaux. It feels a bit like a darker Wizard of Oz at times, so not a wholly original concept but an interesting and refreshing one that I was roped in by this alone into reading the book. If the Guardian and the Captain weren't such a risible trope of a protagonist duo, I'd have been happy with the world. To an extent, because as Charlotte and Luc's story takes precedence, the world isn't very developed (remember what I said about pseudo-Frenchiness) in order to prioritise their story, and as is common in these YA débuts, so much is left up in the air that I suspect there might be (or was) an intention to write another book. The ending doesn't make this feel as standalone as I was led to believe, and whilst I can't swear that there will be another book, the loose threads sure do make me think this is either a first book in a series or a not very tight and compact standalone due to the plotholes and hanging threads.
Well, I guess I'm left without a pretend-France to love. What a pity!
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2024
Lady of Steel and Straw
by Erica Ivy Rodgers
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Peachtree
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
Ages: 15+
Charlotte Sand has the gift to calm the restless dead, the same gift her grandmother has, but what she wishes is to become the partner of the lavender Guardian, instead her older brother gets that honor when the Guardian wakes after the ten years of exile the Guardians were punished with for failing to stop the murder of the King and Queen of Tristain is over.
But when a royal edict declares that the Guardians are no longer needed and orders Charlotte's older brother to deliver the heart of the immortal Guardian, (spoiler).
In the capital, rumors of wraiths, which were what the Guardians protected the people from, are appearing in the kingdom and something is tormenting the Prince of Tristain, and as he gets closer to sitting on the throne, the more frequent the torments become.
It took me a few tries to get into this story because I would doze off, but once things started to fall into place, and become somewhat different than other books, it started to go at a decent pace. It was an interesting concept of putting 'hearts' into scarecrows, but I think there needs to be a little bit more depth about the scarecrows and their hearts also. It's explained but a little more detail/history would make them more relatable/supernatural.
The blurb claims this to be inspired by The Three Musketeers, but I'm not making that connection because honestly, I see more of pirates or Zorro, but that just could be me. (Plus, there's not an overabundance of swordplay.) And the who/what/why was a little too simple.
The romance between Charlotte and Luc is ehh, but the connection between her and her Guardian is questionable. There was one interaction that made me question. And I'm not a big fan of Charlotte. I knew right away she was going to be 'spoiler'... And she kept doing it, but when she had her epiphany, it was lame. It needed more character reflection.
Because of a little bit of content, I don't think this is suitable for readers under 15.
I will be looking for the next book, but I hope within those pages more of this world will be revealed, with history and depth.
3 Stars
by Erica Ivy Rodgers
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Peachtree
Pub Date: June 4, 2024
Ages: 15+
Charlotte Sand has the gift to calm the restless dead, the same gift her grandmother has, but what she wishes is to become the partner of the lavender Guardian, instead her older brother gets that honor when the Guardian wakes after the ten years of exile the Guardians were punished with for failing to stop the murder of the King and Queen of Tristain is over.
But when a royal edict declares that the Guardians are no longer needed and orders Charlotte's older brother to deliver the heart of the immortal Guardian, (spoiler).
In the capital, rumors of wraiths, which were what the Guardians protected the people from, are appearing in the kingdom and something is tormenting the Prince of Tristain, and as he gets closer to sitting on the throne, the more frequent the torments become.
It took me a few tries to get into this story because I would doze off, but once things started to fall into place, and become somewhat different than other books, it started to go at a decent pace. It was an interesting concept of putting 'hearts' into scarecrows, but I think there needs to be a little bit more depth about the scarecrows and their hearts also. It's explained but a little more detail/history would make them more relatable/supernatural.
The blurb claims this to be inspired by The Three Musketeers, but I'm not making that connection because honestly, I see more of pirates or Zorro, but that just could be me. (Plus, there's not an overabundance of swordplay.) And the who/what/why was a little too simple.
The romance between Charlotte and Luc is ehh, but the connection between her and her Guardian is questionable. There was one interaction that made me question. And I'm not a big fan of Charlotte. I knew right away she was going to be 'spoiler'... And she kept doing it, but when she had her epiphany, it was lame. It needed more character reflection.
Because of a little bit of content, I don't think this is suitable for readers under 15.
I will be looking for the next book, but I hope within those pages more of this world will be revealed, with history and depth.
3 Stars
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February 23, 2024A note from the book's author!
This book is my Three Musketeers inspired fantasy. Swords, banter, a bit of necromancy, and a hefty dose of unrequited energy. If that strikes a chord with you, please add!
Charlotte and Luc's story is one of revenge and mercy, of old legends come to life and an army of the dead amassing. When her family's legacy comes under attack, Charlotte's defiance and skill to calm restless dead put a target on her back. Tasked with shutting down Charlotte's rebellion, Luc struggles as his feelings for her and his opposing commitment to his gods threaten to tear him apart.
This book has truly been a labor of love. Charlotte, Luc, and the immortal Guardian, Worth, have been with me for nine years. Actually, in Worth's case, it's closer to eleven. The process of writing (revising, rewriting, revising again, editing, and SELLING) a book is a long one, but I am SO excited to finally share this story with readers.
Step into a world of wraiths and immortal warriors, of bone magic and herbal lore, swords and daggers. I hope you love it.
Content warnings: these kinds of things can make stories sound more worrisome than they are, but I firmly believe that readers (especially younger readers and their parents) should know what they might encounter when discovering a new book or author! Feel free to ask questions!
Violence (duels, swordplay, small battles, recollection of attack), occasional cursing, attraction and budding romance (no sex), addiction seen and discussed (alcohol and intravenous drugs), religious manipulation, corporal punishment.
This book is my Three Musketeers inspired fantasy. Swords, banter, a bit of necromancy, and a hefty dose of unrequited energy. If that strikes a chord with you, please add!
Charlotte and Luc's story is one of revenge and mercy, of old legends come to life and an army of the dead amassing. When her family's legacy comes under attack, Charlotte's defiance and skill to calm restless dead put a target on her back. Tasked with shutting down Charlotte's rebellion, Luc struggles as his feelings for her and his opposing commitment to his gods threaten to tear him apart.
This book has truly been a labor of love. Charlotte, Luc, and the immortal Guardian, Worth, have been with me for nine years. Actually, in Worth's case, it's closer to eleven. The process of writing (revising, rewriting, revising again, editing, and SELLING) a book is a long one, but I am SO excited to finally share this story with readers.
Step into a world of wraiths and immortal warriors, of bone magic and herbal lore, swords and daggers. I hope you love it.
Content warnings: these kinds of things can make stories sound more worrisome than they are, but I firmly believe that readers (especially younger readers and their parents) should know what they might encounter when discovering a new book or author! Feel free to ask questions!
Violence (duels, swordplay, small battles, recollection of attack), occasional cursing, attraction and budding romance (no sex), addiction seen and discussed (alcohol and intravenous drugs), religious manipulation, corporal punishment.
April 15, 2024
I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a chance at reading this before release.
In High School Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers was my jam. I loved the book, I loved the 60's film. So, reading this was a real treat since it was inspired by the book.
Set in a fantasy world where guardians (in the form of scarecrows) bind themselves to a child within the family (or in on case, someone who is worthy), these scarecrows help their bound one vanquish wraiths. The wraiths are unset ghosts of those who passed on who feed off the vibes of anger and hatred from others. 10 years ago, our FL (Charlotte) had a father who was part of an elite guard of those who worked with their guardians. Then, one day, someone killed the King and Queen, leaving our FL's father the blame. He was killed, and in result the guardians were shut away for ten years as punishment.
In this new world regime 10 years later, the prince is now grown and is being plagued by nightmares and visitations of wraiths. The cardinal who serves the crown wishes to put an end to the guardians because of religious views that the wraiths are actually being controlled by the guardians and not put to rest. Charlotte becomes a guardian when her brother (who was next to take the role her father once had) is slain.
And so begins the story.
I liked the characters, the guardians were interesting and had good camaraderie with one another. You had one that was big and strong, another who was fast and flighty. And you had Charlotte's who is like a father figure. Each of them assist Charlotte while they are on a mission to protect the order / guardians and the throne from a person or persons who are up to no good.
You have the romance interest, a boy who had grown up once trained under her father, who then fell into the clutches of the cardinal who had grown up through the ranks and has become the second in command to the crown's army (and under the control of the cardinal). He has doubts regarding the faith (the gods who gave the powers to the guardians), his own faith, and the past / present history he has with his mentor's daughter. I enjoyed their moments together - lots 0f sexual tension and debate within himself.
Now why did I rank it a three star read? I wanted more world building, I wanted to know about the gods and the angst our ML (Luc) was having with himself. Why did he feel so dependent on the cardinal? Why did he believe that here was where he would put his life and oath? We really didn't really get that. Which is wrapped up in the whole story of the gods and their powers they entrusted on the guardians. The guardians have been around for hundreds of years. But yet, we never really understood the gods and their purposes. Which in turn, makes me not quite understand Luc's dedication to the cardinal.
I felt that while I enjoyed the group (the guardians), their roles felt kind of there as propping up the FML instead of having goals, dreams of their own. We didn't really get a strong backstory on them either besides what they tell you throughout the book. I just want to know more about them and for a book that requires such a backstory - especially one where the crown is in danger - of scarecrows coming to life and protecting the crown? Yeah. I want to care about the crown instead of feeling ready to off it because someone is telling me the cardinal's control is bad.
There is a villain that killed the FML brother which spurs the story into motion. I liked him and it was sad that his role was only at the beginning and end of the book.
Overall, there is promise in the book and in the tale if it moves forward. While I did enjoy myself, and I am curious for book two, I want more than what I got. I don't know if the author is withholding or certain things are not to be told at all in the story, it does hurt when you have to fill in the blanks and or craft rules to a story that requires them.
In High School Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers was my jam. I loved the book, I loved the 60's film. So, reading this was a real treat since it was inspired by the book.
Set in a fantasy world where guardians (in the form of scarecrows) bind themselves to a child within the family (or in on case, someone who is worthy), these scarecrows help their bound one vanquish wraiths. The wraiths are unset ghosts of those who passed on who feed off the vibes of anger and hatred from others. 10 years ago, our FL (Charlotte) had a father who was part of an elite guard of those who worked with their guardians. Then, one day, someone killed the King and Queen, leaving our FL's father the blame. He was killed, and in result the guardians were shut away for ten years as punishment.
In this new world regime 10 years later, the prince is now grown and is being plagued by nightmares and visitations of wraiths. The cardinal who serves the crown wishes to put an end to the guardians because of religious views that the wraiths are actually being controlled by the guardians and not put to rest. Charlotte becomes a guardian when her brother (who was next to take the role her father once had) is slain.
And so begins the story.
I liked the characters, the guardians were interesting and had good camaraderie with one another. You had one that was big and strong, another who was fast and flighty. And you had Charlotte's who is like a father figure. Each of them assist Charlotte while they are on a mission to protect the order / guardians and the throne from a person or persons who are up to no good.
You have the romance interest, a boy who had grown up once trained under her father, who then fell into the clutches of the cardinal who had grown up through the ranks and has become the second in command to the crown's army (and under the control of the cardinal). He has doubts regarding the faith (the gods who gave the powers to the guardians), his own faith, and the past / present history he has with his mentor's daughter. I enjoyed their moments together - lots 0f sexual tension and debate within himself.
Now why did I rank it a three star read? I wanted more world building, I wanted to know about the gods and the angst our ML (Luc) was having with himself. Why did he feel so dependent on the cardinal? Why did he believe that here was where he would put his life and oath? We really didn't really get that. Which is wrapped up in the whole story of the gods and their powers they entrusted on the guardians. The guardians have been around for hundreds of years. But yet, we never really understood the gods and their purposes. Which in turn, makes me not quite understand Luc's dedication to the cardinal.
I felt that while I enjoyed the group (the guardians), their roles felt kind of there as propping up the FML instead of having goals, dreams of their own. We didn't really get a strong backstory on them either besides what they tell you throughout the book. I just want to know more about them and for a book that requires such a backstory - especially one where the crown is in danger - of scarecrows coming to life and protecting the crown? Yeah. I want to care about the crown instead of feeling ready to off it because someone is telling me the cardinal's control is bad.
There is a villain that killed the FML brother which spurs the story into motion. I liked him and it was sad that his role was only at the beginning and end of the book.
Overall, there is promise in the book and in the tale if it moves forward. While I did enjoy myself, and I am curious for book two, I want more than what I got. I don't know if the author is withholding or certain things are not to be told at all in the story, it does hurt when you have to fill in the blanks and or craft rules to a story that requires them.
April 8, 2024
I love the worldbuilding in this. You can tell that a LOT of thought went into it. I appreciated how some seemingly innocuous events came full circle in the end. You can smell the oranges in the grove on the Sand Estate and feel the neverending grief of some of the characters. The idea of using someone’s bones to wield a wraith that wreaks havoc on your enemies—that’s horrifying. However, a force rises up to take on this threat, which you will learn about in the first few pages.
It did lag a bit in the middle, but I was hooked once the true action got going, and then I was metaphorically flipping pages like a madwoman (it’s an ebook 😄). I’m looking forward to see what Erica Ivy Rodgers comes up with next! I will definitely recommend that my library acquire some copies, and I’m curious to see what the finished product looks like! I think both teens and adults would enjoy reading this.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
(Psst…there’s a hint of romance in here, but I very much appreciate that the author kept it clean. I hope it stays that way!)
It did lag a bit in the middle, but I was hooked once the true action got going, and then I was metaphorically flipping pages like a madwoman (it’s an ebook 😄). I’m looking forward to see what Erica Ivy Rodgers comes up with next! I will definitely recommend that my library acquire some copies, and I’m curious to see what the finished product looks like! I think both teens and adults would enjoy reading this.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
(Psst…there’s a hint of romance in here, but I very much appreciate that the author kept it clean. I hope it stays that way!)
June 28, 2024
This is a YA romantasy. The MMC and FMC come to life on the pages. The magic system is interesting and I enjoy the herbalism that goes into the scarecrows. I would like to see a bit more of the world in the next installment but there is enough in it for this story. This is a great debut novel and I cannot wait to see what Erica comes up with next.
March 15, 2024
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson, this YA fantasy contains:
⚔️ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🩶 Light x Dark
🩷 Slowburn Full of Tension
🍀 Heartwarming Chosen Family
⚜️ Three Musketeers-inspired Setting
🪦 A Thoughtful Approach to Death and Mourning
✨An Extremely Unique Magic System
It's not everyday that you jump into an ARC, expecting to have a good time but not much else, to find yourself completely enamored by a beautifully crafted story that deals with sensitive themes and crafts emotionally compelling, vivid characters in such a way that you cannot seem to put the book down. Even when you have a university paper due the next day, true story.
I'll try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible because I'd like other readers to have the same experience I did. I went into the book blind, and it was as if I were transported to the world within. Erica's prose is absolutely lovely, with none of the well-known clunkiness of some YA titles to be seen. It flows naturally and gracefully without being pompous or try-hard. The dialog is realistic, and each character has a tone of their own. I can fully recommend this book to adult readers; you will not have the feeling of being talked down to, and I'm sure more mature readers will appreciate the way certain topics are approached in the story.
I would also like to highlight a few stand-out aspects of the story, starting with Charlotte and Worth's relationship. It's very rare to see in a YA book a main character who has their growth and discovery journey accompanied by a parental figure instead of a love interest. This book does it impeccably; their care and love for each other is palpable from the moment we are introduced to them, but the rocky patches and frustrations are also emotional and realistic. The other characters that make up the core cast are also refreshing. St. Claire and Lorraine were highlights to me, as we rarely get older female characters so well written and fleshed out, and in an YA book, a main character has their growth and discovery journey accompanied by a parental figure instead of a love interest. This book does it impeccably; their care and love for each other is palpable from the moment we are introduced to them, but the rocky patches and frustrations are also emotional and realistic. The other characters that make up the core cast are also refreshing. St. Claire and Lorraine were highlights to me, as we rarely get older female characters so well written and fleshed out and in such prominent roles in fantasy.
That doesn't mean the love interest is sidelined; Luc is a main character of his own, boasting of his own point of view in the book (which I always appreciate). Something that made me realize from the get-go I was in for a fantastic book was the way his first meeting with Charlotte is described and how he's, well, not a copy paste of every chiseled jawline brooding impossibly perfect love interest; Luc feels real. And so do his struggles, mainly his grapple with his own religion, which puts him against Charlotte and her friends. And yes, the book does deal with religious themes, but another thing that elevates the writing and worldbuilding to me is that none of the two religions have a 1:1 real-life counterpart, which I feel can sometimes unecessarily make readers feel demonized. Both religions in the book are unique in their beliefs and societal arrangements, and the religious conflict is written with sensibility and care.
And the twists! The mysteries that slowly unraveled themselves left me gripping at my seat, especially during the latter half of the book and everything that surrounded the villain.
Lady of Steel and Straw is an uncontested five-star read to me that's going straight into my favorites shelf and my heart. You should definitely read it. The only complaint I have is that I don't have the second book on my hands to continue reading right away.
Perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson, this YA fantasy contains:
⚔️ Childhood Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🩶 Light x Dark
🩷 Slowburn Full of Tension
🍀 Heartwarming Chosen Family
⚜️ Three Musketeers-inspired Setting
🪦 A Thoughtful Approach to Death and Mourning
✨An Extremely Unique Magic System
It's not everyday that you jump into an ARC, expecting to have a good time but not much else, to find yourself completely enamored by a beautifully crafted story that deals with sensitive themes and crafts emotionally compelling, vivid characters in such a way that you cannot seem to put the book down. Even when you have a university paper due the next day, true story.
I'll try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible because I'd like other readers to have the same experience I did. I went into the book blind, and it was as if I were transported to the world within. Erica's prose is absolutely lovely, with none of the well-known clunkiness of some YA titles to be seen. It flows naturally and gracefully without being pompous or try-hard. The dialog is realistic, and each character has a tone of their own. I can fully recommend this book to adult readers; you will not have the feeling of being talked down to, and I'm sure more mature readers will appreciate the way certain topics are approached in the story.
I would also like to highlight a few stand-out aspects of the story, starting with Charlotte and Worth's relationship. It's very rare to see in a YA book a main character who has their growth and discovery journey accompanied by a parental figure instead of a love interest. This book does it impeccably; their care and love for each other is palpable from the moment we are introduced to them, but the rocky patches and frustrations are also emotional and realistic. The other characters that make up the core cast are also refreshing. St. Claire and Lorraine were highlights to me, as we rarely get older female characters so well written and fleshed out, and in an YA book, a main character has their growth and discovery journey accompanied by a parental figure instead of a love interest. This book does it impeccably; their care and love for each other is palpable from the moment we are introduced to them, but the rocky patches and frustrations are also emotional and realistic. The other characters that make up the core cast are also refreshing. St. Claire and Lorraine were highlights to me, as we rarely get older female characters so well written and fleshed out and in such prominent roles in fantasy.
That doesn't mean the love interest is sidelined; Luc is a main character of his own, boasting of his own point of view in the book (which I always appreciate). Something that made me realize from the get-go I was in for a fantastic book was the way his first meeting with Charlotte is described and how he's, well, not a copy paste of every chiseled jawline brooding impossibly perfect love interest; Luc feels real. And so do his struggles, mainly his grapple with his own religion, which puts him against Charlotte and her friends. And yes, the book does deal with religious themes, but another thing that elevates the writing and worldbuilding to me is that none of the two religions have a 1:1 real-life counterpart, which I feel can sometimes unecessarily make readers feel demonized. Both religions in the book are unique in their beliefs and societal arrangements, and the religious conflict is written with sensibility and care.
And the twists! The mysteries that slowly unraveled themselves left me gripping at my seat, especially during the latter half of the book and everything that surrounded the villain.
Lady of Steel and Straw is an uncontested five-star read to me that's going straight into my favorites shelf and my heart. You should definitely read it. The only complaint I have is that I don't have the second book on my hands to continue reading right away.
September 6, 2023
I adored this incredibly unique fantasy! It seems that French history inspired the world—so here for all things Les Mis-ish. The plant lore/magic with the scarecrow warriors was unlike anything I'd read. Five stars all the way.
March 16, 2024
I enjoyed Lady of Steel and Straw. It contains many standard YA fantasy tropes, but the premise of the Guardians brings a wonderful freshness which makes it still manage to stand out from others in the genre. The idea of these spirit-powered scarecrow warriors really struck a chord with me: it was compelling and new and worked really well within the plot. Charlotte annoyed me a little at times as she caused so many issues simply by her own erratic behaviour, but her development within that sphere and her relationships with the other characters were well portrayed. Luc felt somewhat of a stereotype at first, but towards the end of the book we learnt more about his background which helped to flesh him out. Overall, the book held my interest from start to finish and when I closed the last page I was left wanting to read on in the series. As such, I am giving this one 4.5 stars and would recommend it to fans of YA fantasy looking for something with a new twist.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
February 29, 2024french-inspired fantasy with plant magic and scarecrow warriors? hell yeah
Want to read
September 14, 2023Very excited to read this one! The author and I share the same editor!
June 2, 2024
ok wow!!
a three musketeers inspired fantasy with one of the most interesting magic systems i’ve ever come across in the genre. the guardians are magic infused scarecrows partnered with worthy human counterparts to lay unsettled spirits (or wraiths) to rest. after a dire misfortune befalls the kingdom, the guardians were locked away and for ten years, their human partners have been left alone to fend for themselves against the wraiths…until the current time of need calls for them to awake again!
charlotte’s brother was next in line to be partnered with a guardian but his opportunity is taken away too soon, leaving charlotte as the heir apparent to take on this role. together, they must join forces with an unlikely team to stop the Cardinal, Her Eminence Loraine the Pure, from wiping the guardians existence as part of her plan to use them as an easy scapegoat and seize more power for herself.
charlotte is a spitfire of an fmc! she’s dedicated, fiercely protective but still a young woman and i loved that her youth wasn’t compromised for the daunting quest she finds herself on. piggybacking off of that, the relationship with her guardian was so wholesome, almost fatherly and unexpectedly really funny as the two were quite the comedic duo.
the cardinal (who i tried so hard to picture as a beautiful young woman but could only see as female tim curry sryyyy!) sends Captain Luc Montaigne to oversee the execution of her plan but his previous ties to charlotte from their childhood continue to still his hand. his anguish and inner turmoil from his convictions are so clearly felt in the writing and i found myself rooting so hard for him to ditch the red and run! i really enjoyed his pov chapters and get the feeling that parts of his development are being purposefully withheld for the next book so i didn’t feel too frustrated with some aspects of his character being left in the dark.
i was livinggggg for the tension between the two leads and will always love a yearning mmc! i’m really excited to see where their story goes after that ending! knocked off a star for some slower pacing at times but overall, i devoured this!
thank you so much to the team at peachtree publishing for my digital arc!
a three musketeers inspired fantasy with one of the most interesting magic systems i’ve ever come across in the genre. the guardians are magic infused scarecrows partnered with worthy human counterparts to lay unsettled spirits (or wraiths) to rest. after a dire misfortune befalls the kingdom, the guardians were locked away and for ten years, their human partners have been left alone to fend for themselves against the wraiths…until the current time of need calls for them to awake again!
charlotte’s brother was next in line to be partnered with a guardian but his opportunity is taken away too soon, leaving charlotte as the heir apparent to take on this role. together, they must join forces with an unlikely team to stop the Cardinal, Her Eminence Loraine the Pure, from wiping the guardians existence as part of her plan to use them as an easy scapegoat and seize more power for herself.
charlotte is a spitfire of an fmc! she’s dedicated, fiercely protective but still a young woman and i loved that her youth wasn’t compromised for the daunting quest she finds herself on. piggybacking off of that, the relationship with her guardian was so wholesome, almost fatherly and unexpectedly really funny as the two were quite the comedic duo.
the cardinal (who i tried so hard to picture as a beautiful young woman but could only see as female tim curry sryyyy!) sends Captain Luc Montaigne to oversee the execution of her plan but his previous ties to charlotte from their childhood continue to still his hand. his anguish and inner turmoil from his convictions are so clearly felt in the writing and i found myself rooting so hard for him to ditch the red and run! i really enjoyed his pov chapters and get the feeling that parts of his development are being purposefully withheld for the next book so i didn’t feel too frustrated with some aspects of his character being left in the dark.
i was livinggggg for the tension between the two leads and will always love a yearning mmc! i’m really excited to see where their story goes after that ending! knocked off a star for some slower pacing at times but overall, i devoured this!
thank you so much to the team at peachtree publishing for my digital arc!
July 1, 2024
The novel features perfect fantasy, thrill, suspense and action. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t want to put it down for a second.
The uncertainty, especially in the middle, made me eager to see what would become of guardians’ hearts and when the villain would be exposed. Although, it was pretty obvious who the villain was, the crucial point was that the public wasn’t aware of the villain.
Next, the fantasy and the world building was so rich. The concept seemed new and intriguing to me. I want to share so much about it but I fear I’ll end up giving a spoiler here. The action scenes were nicely portrayed.
Regarding the characters, I think they had depth, including the villain. Charlotte’s character is especially well-depicted. Despite losing so much, she remained steadfast and resilient, albeit emotional. I believe these qualities made her a perfect character.
About Luc, he was a gentleman to some extent if only he could have freed himself fully from the clutches of darkness. But still it was nice to see him trying at least.
Guardian Worth was also a nice character. He taught Charlotte so much and was a perfect mentor. The villain also had a sad story. Overall, in my opinion, the novel conveys a message of remaining optimistic and not succumbing to fear or hopelessness.
The novel ended on a cliffhanger. I’m so excited to see what will happen in the next book. This is the first book in the duology, and it’s already out.
The uncertainty, especially in the middle, made me eager to see what would become of guardians’ hearts and when the villain would be exposed. Although, it was pretty obvious who the villain was, the crucial point was that the public wasn’t aware of the villain.
Next, the fantasy and the world building was so rich. The concept seemed new and intriguing to me. I want to share so much about it but I fear I’ll end up giving a spoiler here. The action scenes were nicely portrayed.
Regarding the characters, I think they had depth, including the villain. Charlotte’s character is especially well-depicted. Despite losing so much, she remained steadfast and resilient, albeit emotional. I believe these qualities made her a perfect character.
About Luc, he was a gentleman to some extent if only he could have freed himself fully from the clutches of darkness. But still it was nice to see him trying at least.
Guardian Worth was also a nice character. He taught Charlotte so much and was a perfect mentor. The villain also had a sad story. Overall, in my opinion, the novel conveys a message of remaining optimistic and not succumbing to fear or hopelessness.
The novel ended on a cliffhanger. I’m so excited to see what will happen in the next book. This is the first book in the duology, and it’s already out.
May 29, 2024
I received an advanced copy of Lady of Steel and Straw from the publisher through Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Have you ever been absolutely blown away by a book that you read on a whim? Lady of Steel and Straw is that book for me. I found the cover intriguing and the synopsis tantalizing, but I wasn't sure how I would feel about the story. I am astounded by what I just read.
The world-building? Flawless. Erica Ivy Rodgers has created a world that, if I closed my eyes, I could step into. The history was fascinating, and I found myself wanting to know everything there was to know. I would read this world's history book with no complaints. It was so interesting and fleshed out, and I'm hoping that there's even more to come in the next book.
The characters? The characters. The depth that they had and the emotions they felt were so real and so raw. I'm not always a fan of multiple perspectives, but I adored Charlotte and Luc, and the story would not have been the same if either of their points of view were missing. They were gloriously flawed characters, and their growth was beautiful yet heartbreaking. We didn't get much of Luc's backstory, and I'm hoping we'll see more of it in the future because I am so intrigued by what led him down the path he took. All the side characters were wonderfully fleshed out, their personalities shining in contrast to our main characters. Even the characters who received much less page time felt just as real as those we knew significantly more about.
The plot? Wow. What a story. I don't know what else to say other than I was on the edge of my seat, my eyes moving faster than my brain could process the words. I was hooked.
The writing? Beautiful.
Lady of Steel and Straw was perfection. No notes. Drop the mic. Highly recommend.
Have you ever been absolutely blown away by a book that you read on a whim? Lady of Steel and Straw is that book for me. I found the cover intriguing and the synopsis tantalizing, but I wasn't sure how I would feel about the story. I am astounded by what I just read.
The world-building? Flawless. Erica Ivy Rodgers has created a world that, if I closed my eyes, I could step into. The history was fascinating, and I found myself wanting to know everything there was to know. I would read this world's history book with no complaints. It was so interesting and fleshed out, and I'm hoping that there's even more to come in the next book.
The characters? The characters. The depth that they had and the emotions they felt were so real and so raw. I'm not always a fan of multiple perspectives, but I adored Charlotte and Luc, and the story would not have been the same if either of their points of view were missing. They were gloriously flawed characters, and their growth was beautiful yet heartbreaking. We didn't get much of Luc's backstory, and I'm hoping we'll see more of it in the future because I am so intrigued by what led him down the path he took. All the side characters were wonderfully fleshed out, their personalities shining in contrast to our main characters. Even the characters who received much less page time felt just as real as those we knew significantly more about.
The plot? Wow. What a story. I don't know what else to say other than I was on the edge of my seat, my eyes moving faster than my brain could process the words. I was hooked.
The writing? Beautiful.
Lady of Steel and Straw was perfection. No notes. Drop the mic. Highly recommend.
June 13, 2024
WELL WRITTEN ENTERTAINING ROMANTASY
I began this book with the audiobook on audible. It was very well done and really allowed me to imagine the world the author had created.
About halfway through, I purchased a physical copy. Her writing displays a thoughtfulness other fantasy books tend to lack. I could so vividly imagine the characters in every setting, knowing exactly what they’re thinking and how they smell. I absolutely loved the use of olfactory imagery. Another thing that really stood out to me was the author’s manipulation of emotion. The portrayal of emotion was a perfect balance between melodramatic and realistic.
Overall, I got through this so quickly because it was truly a page-turner. I cannot wait for this author to release her next novel!!!
I began this book with the audiobook on audible. It was very well done and really allowed me to imagine the world the author had created.
About halfway through, I purchased a physical copy. Her writing displays a thoughtfulness other fantasy books tend to lack. I could so vividly imagine the characters in every setting, knowing exactly what they’re thinking and how they smell. I absolutely loved the use of olfactory imagery. Another thing that really stood out to me was the author’s manipulation of emotion. The portrayal of emotion was a perfect balance between melodramatic and realistic.
Overall, I got through this so quickly because it was truly a page-turner. I cannot wait for this author to release her next novel!!!
June 30, 2024
A high 3.5/5 stars
The world-building in this book was the highlight. I loved the concept and execution of the Guardians and how they each have unique auras. Charlotte and Luc are so intriguing and compelling as characters; they give Rey and Kylo Ren energy - specifically their storyline from The Last Jedi.
I'm not sure if there will be a follow-up, I'm assuming there is that has yet to be added to GR, but I'm really intrigued to see where the story goes for Charlotte and Luc as well as the loose ends that are left at the end of this.
The world-building in this book was the highlight. I loved the concept and execution of the Guardians and how they each have unique auras. Charlotte and Luc are so intriguing and compelling as characters; they give Rey and Kylo Ren energy - specifically their storyline from The Last Jedi.
I'm not sure if there will be a follow-up, I'm assuming there is that has yet to be added to GR, but I'm really intrigued to see where the story goes for Charlotte and Luc as well as the loose ends that are left at the end of this.
May 10, 2024
Fantasy is a genre I don’t usually gravitate towards, but I was so excited to get to read an advance copy of “Lady of Steel and Straw” from NetGalley for review. Within a few chapters, I was so wrapped up in the story of Guardians, Wraiths, Charlotte, Luc and light and dark.
The story is told from multiple points of view, clearly noted at the beginning of every chapter. The world they live in is carefully laid out without wasting the readers time not losing their interest. It flows at a steady pace, and I never wanted to put the book down and leave the world behind.
Young Adult, but any one of any age would enjoy this book. Loved it from start to finish! Thank you NetGalley for letting me peek into this world in exchange for review before it went out into the word.
The story is told from multiple points of view, clearly noted at the beginning of every chapter. The world they live in is carefully laid out without wasting the readers time not losing their interest. It flows at a steady pace, and I never wanted to put the book down and leave the world behind.
Young Adult, but any one of any age would enjoy this book. Loved it from start to finish! Thank you NetGalley for letting me peek into this world in exchange for review before it went out into the word.
July 4, 2024
I am biased because I've read earlier versions of this story having been in Erica's critique group for several years, but HOLY MOLY I LOVED THIS FINAL VERSION!!!!!! The characters! The action! the mythology and magic! I dont even usually like historical fantasy but this book sucked me in right away to the beautiful, unique world she has created. And the characters!! I'm a sucker for stories of found families and reveled in the dynamics of this Muskateerish group. The story, at times brutal and violent, at others sad and heartbreaking, also featured fast paced and exciting plotting with some truly scary villains and motivations. I'm eager to see how the main romance will play out in Book 2 given the events of Book 1, and cant' wait to follow our heroine of steel and straw to the end.
May 21, 2024
Oh, loved reading this book, I loved the concept, and the story was just so good!
June 14, 2024
Imaginative and well written. It's like The three Musketeers with hints of the Wizard of OZ. If I was basing the rating on my tastes I would have put a 3. I like a bit more Drama. However I feel it deserved 4 stars when taking my personal preference out of it.
June 19, 2024
Rodgers does an incredible job world building. I loved her use of wraiths in this story. It's unlike most fantasy stories out there right now. The uniqueness of creating a world where power is within the use of the dead is like a poke in the ribs at Christianity. This book seeps in religion and the fight between good and evil. But of course, you have to view Christianity as being a bunch of people worshipping the dead (and worshipping a necromancer, at that) in order to fully understand this world. Moving from the old gods to the new, yet it's all the same gods, just rebranded. At least, that's how I read this. It made me kind of snigger because it's kind of funny if that's what she's doing. I could be completely wrong, but it just rang like that to me.
There's an ill-fated love story in this. I'm curious where that story will lead in future books. Lots of turmoil ahead for these two not yet lovers.
There's an ill-fated love story in this. I'm curious where that story will lead in future books. Lots of turmoil ahead for these two not yet lovers.
February 6, 2024
3.5 ma c'è del potenziale
June 11, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5
I tore through this! Even though it took me a minute to adjust to reading a book in which the main character’s name is my own, this book sucked me in!
Though clearly inspired by it, it’s not a heavy-handed retelling of the 3 Musketeers and the magical system is totally unlike anything I’ve read before. The book really succeeded in giving me everything I want from an ensemble fantasy: great characters, glimpses of humor, intrigue, ANGST, and a deeply thought out world that you can’t wait to explore more of.
The only thing right now that I don’t like is that I have to wait for the next book! Oh and maybe the next book can have Worth POV chapters pretty plleeeeaassse? 😂
I tore through this! Even though it took me a minute to adjust to reading a book in which the main character’s name is my own, this book sucked me in!
Though clearly inspired by it, it’s not a heavy-handed retelling of the 3 Musketeers and the magical system is totally unlike anything I’ve read before. The book really succeeded in giving me everything I want from an ensemble fantasy: great characters, glimpses of humor, intrigue, ANGST, and a deeply thought out world that you can’t wait to explore more of.
The only thing right now that I don’t like is that I have to wait for the next book! Oh and maybe the next book can have Worth POV chapters pretty plleeeeaassse? 😂
June 9, 2024
I want to say thank you to NetGalley and the publisher to have this amazing opportunity to receive this arc.
When I first got this arc, I didn’t think I was even going to get one.
Now to my review.
I literally loved this book. I could not put this down. The different point of views, the strong minded and character of charlotte. Love.
To get to know more about Luc and Worth,
Can’t wait to actually get the physical copy.
When I first got this arc, I didn’t think I was even going to get one.
Now to my review.
I literally loved this book. I could not put this down. The different point of views, the strong minded and character of charlotte. Love.
To get to know more about Luc and Worth,
Can’t wait to actually get the physical copy.
April 26, 2024
Thank you to Peachtree Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lady of Steel and Straw by Erica Ivy Rodgers is a Wizard of Oz-inspired YA fantasy that will appeal to adult readers as well. The story is told from a dual 3rd person POV, focusing on Lady Charlotte Sand and Captain Luc de Montaigne. Charlotte has the magical power to stop dead spirits who have turned into wraiths. Luc de Montaigne is from a rival religion and he meets Charlotte while on a mission to collect the hearts of guardians from Charlotte's religion. When the two meet, sparks fly, but since they are from rival religions, their relationship is absolutely forbidden. Will the pair learn to look past their differences or will they be killed by the wraiths around them?
Here is a beautiful excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from Charlotte's point of view:
""Every creature from here to town can feel the discontent rolling off you," called Grandmother. "You'll wake the wraiths on your own, if you aren't careful."
"It's not discontent," grumbled Charlotte. But Charlotte didn't know what to call it either-this feeling akin to emptiness. Maybe it was emptiness, just not the desolate kind. It was a vessel waiting to be filled. A place in her chest, wide open and ready for possibilities.
From the ground, a shard of white caught the sun, and Charlotte knelt to touch the bleached bone. The wraith inhabiting it gave a small shiver. Charlotte forced a smile, encouaging the wraith to rest. Its weak consciousness grasped greedily at the edges of the peace she offered before quieting as Charlotte pressed the bone deeper into the loam."
Overall, Lady of Steel and Straw is a YA fantasy that I think will appeal more to adult readers, especially fans of The Witcher. From the title and cover art, I was expecting something like Syfy's Tin Man mini-series or NBC's Emerald City series. Instead, the Oz references were far and few between, which was a bit disappointing. One highlight of this book is the premise. After reading the summary, I was so excited to dive into this fantasy world. I was so excited to start reading.
I did take off 1 star because I had to force myself to keep reading through a lot of this book. It's very long, for starters, which is one of the reasons why I think that this book would appeal more to adult readers in general. I took off another star, because I felt like I couldn't connect to any of the characters. The book is told from a dual 3rd person POV, focusing on the male and female leads. Although I prefer 3rd person when the POV has to be told from dual perspectives, I didn't particularly like Charlotte or Luc. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, you can check out this book when it comes out in June.
Lady of Steel and Straw by Erica Ivy Rodgers is a Wizard of Oz-inspired YA fantasy that will appeal to adult readers as well. The story is told from a dual 3rd person POV, focusing on Lady Charlotte Sand and Captain Luc de Montaigne. Charlotte has the magical power to stop dead spirits who have turned into wraiths. Luc de Montaigne is from a rival religion and he meets Charlotte while on a mission to collect the hearts of guardians from Charlotte's religion. When the two meet, sparks fly, but since they are from rival religions, their relationship is absolutely forbidden. Will the pair learn to look past their differences or will they be killed by the wraiths around them?
Here is a beautiful excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from Charlotte's point of view:
""Every creature from here to town can feel the discontent rolling off you," called Grandmother. "You'll wake the wraiths on your own, if you aren't careful."
"It's not discontent," grumbled Charlotte. But Charlotte didn't know what to call it either-this feeling akin to emptiness. Maybe it was emptiness, just not the desolate kind. It was a vessel waiting to be filled. A place in her chest, wide open and ready for possibilities.
From the ground, a shard of white caught the sun, and Charlotte knelt to touch the bleached bone. The wraith inhabiting it gave a small shiver. Charlotte forced a smile, encouaging the wraith to rest. Its weak consciousness grasped greedily at the edges of the peace she offered before quieting as Charlotte pressed the bone deeper into the loam."
Overall, Lady of Steel and Straw is a YA fantasy that I think will appeal more to adult readers, especially fans of The Witcher. From the title and cover art, I was expecting something like Syfy's Tin Man mini-series or NBC's Emerald City series. Instead, the Oz references were far and few between, which was a bit disappointing. One highlight of this book is the premise. After reading the summary, I was so excited to dive into this fantasy world. I was so excited to start reading.
I did take off 1 star because I had to force myself to keep reading through a lot of this book. It's very long, for starters, which is one of the reasons why I think that this book would appeal more to adult readers in general. I took off another star, because I felt like I couldn't connect to any of the characters. The book is told from a dual 3rd person POV, focusing on the male and female leads. Although I prefer 3rd person when the POV has to be told from dual perspectives, I didn't particularly like Charlotte or Luc. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, you can check out this book when it comes out in June.
April 12, 2024
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink | Peachtree Teen, in exchange for an honest review.
In her YA fantasy debut, Lady of Steel and Shadow, Erica Ivy Rodgers wrote a swashbuckling and captivating story inspired by the Three Musketeers. This brisk-paced adventurous novel follows two protagonists (and POV characters) whose stories and fates are intertwined: the feisty Lady Charlotte Sand and the pious but tormented (those things tend to go hand in hand) Captain Luc de Montaigne.
Both Charlotte and Luc are interesting and (more importantly for me) flawed characters and I enjoyed discovering more about them, the world they inhabit and seeing how they develop. Charlotte as a character was particularly interesting to follow. She was not portrayed as this perfectly capable infallible heroine, but (true to her age in the novel) as a young woman who is starting her life journey. Like almost every person her age, she has strong convictions and firm ideas about how the world is supposed to be, she can be impulsive and makes mistakes... This made following her journey relatable and interesting.
Luc's character development was equally intriguing to follow, despite some predictabilities in the themes there which did not bother me. His struggles and anguish regarding his past, faith, choices and actions he made in addition to his attraction to Charlotte were well written and captured the reader's attention.
Regarding the fantasy world and setting the author created, the inspiration from The Musketeers and 17th-century France is there, however, the author brings her ideas and imagination to the story and creates a fascinating world. However, the author chose not to burden the readers with a lot of details about the world, its history or the magic system. Keeping in mind the target audience - younger readers who might just be dipping their toes into the SFF genre, this is not something I would hold against the author.
Lady of Steel and Straw was a gripping and enjoyable novel that would be a good fit for (younger) readers who are making their foray into the SFF genre. The story and the characters are engrossing enough to keep the readers interested and more. However, by not providing huge amounts of lore the author managed to keep the pace and avoided overburdening the novel and her readers with lore and (other) details that would undeniably be interesting, but perhaps mess up the novel's pace.
In her YA fantasy debut, Lady of Steel and Shadow, Erica Ivy Rodgers wrote a swashbuckling and captivating story inspired by the Three Musketeers. This brisk-paced adventurous novel follows two protagonists (and POV characters) whose stories and fates are intertwined: the feisty Lady Charlotte Sand and the pious but tormented (those things tend to go hand in hand) Captain Luc de Montaigne.
Both Charlotte and Luc are interesting and (more importantly for me) flawed characters and I enjoyed discovering more about them, the world they inhabit and seeing how they develop. Charlotte as a character was particularly interesting to follow. She was not portrayed as this perfectly capable infallible heroine, but (true to her age in the novel) as a young woman who is starting her life journey. Like almost every person her age, she has strong convictions and firm ideas about how the world is supposed to be, she can be impulsive and makes mistakes... This made following her journey relatable and interesting.
Luc's character development was equally intriguing to follow, despite some predictabilities in the themes there which did not bother me. His struggles and anguish regarding his past, faith, choices and actions he made in addition to his attraction to Charlotte were well written and captured the reader's attention.
Regarding the fantasy world and setting the author created, the inspiration from The Musketeers and 17th-century France is there, however, the author brings her ideas and imagination to the story and creates a fascinating world. However, the author chose not to burden the readers with a lot of details about the world, its history or the magic system. Keeping in mind the target audience - younger readers who might just be dipping their toes into the SFF genre, this is not something I would hold against the author.
Lady of Steel and Straw was a gripping and enjoyable novel that would be a good fit for (younger) readers who are making their foray into the SFF genre. The story and the characters are engrossing enough to keep the readers interested and more. However, by not providing huge amounts of lore the author managed to keep the pace and avoided overburdening the novel and her readers with lore and (other) details that would undeniably be interesting, but perhaps mess up the novel's pace.
April 1, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House / Peachtree for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"Lady of Steel and Straw" by Erica Ivy Rodgers offers a rich and immersive YA fantasy world filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists. Set against the backdrop of a society inspired by French history, the book introduces you to a unique blend of magic and political intrigue that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the unique world that Rodgers created. I have never read a book quite like this one before with the worldbuilding and the specific plot. While there were some cliché troupes throughout the book, the world in which they were established was so engaging and fresh that I fell in love with those troupes all over again.
I found this book to be a refreshing take on the YA fantasy genre. I’ve found myself growing a bit tired of YA fantasy books recently as they all seem the same. However, in this book, the use of scarecrow warriors imbued with magical powers adds a fresh twist to the story, offering something new to explore within the familiar landscape of fantasy literature. The characters, particularly Charlotte and Luc, had excellent depth and development throughout the story. As a reader, you were able to see these characters grow and transform before your eyes, and I absolutely loved the dynamic between these two. Also, the relationship between Charlotte and her parental figure, Worth, offered a welcome departure from the typical focus on romantic relationships, which I definitely enjoyed.
The pacing of the novel was on point as it was a fast read despite being over 400 pages long. At several points throughout the book, I found myself unable to put the book down as I found myself immersed in the worldbuilding while also still being engaged with the plot points. The story's twists and mysteries were well written. I did think the ending was a bit hasty, though that may be due to the author wanting to set up for a sequel, which I wasn’t expecting. I think a little more time could have been spent on the ending, but I am definitely eagerly waiting for the sequel.
Overall, "Lady of Steel and Straw" was such a fun and imaginative YA fantasy! Despite some familiar tropes, the book stands out as a must-read for fans of YA fantasy looking for a fresh take on the genre.
"Lady of Steel and Straw" by Erica Ivy Rodgers offers a rich and immersive YA fantasy world filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists. Set against the backdrop of a society inspired by French history, the book introduces you to a unique blend of magic and political intrigue that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the unique world that Rodgers created. I have never read a book quite like this one before with the worldbuilding and the specific plot. While there were some cliché troupes throughout the book, the world in which they were established was so engaging and fresh that I fell in love with those troupes all over again.
I found this book to be a refreshing take on the YA fantasy genre. I’ve found myself growing a bit tired of YA fantasy books recently as they all seem the same. However, in this book, the use of scarecrow warriors imbued with magical powers adds a fresh twist to the story, offering something new to explore within the familiar landscape of fantasy literature. The characters, particularly Charlotte and Luc, had excellent depth and development throughout the story. As a reader, you were able to see these characters grow and transform before your eyes, and I absolutely loved the dynamic between these two. Also, the relationship between Charlotte and her parental figure, Worth, offered a welcome departure from the typical focus on romantic relationships, which I definitely enjoyed.
The pacing of the novel was on point as it was a fast read despite being over 400 pages long. At several points throughout the book, I found myself unable to put the book down as I found myself immersed in the worldbuilding while also still being engaged with the plot points. The story's twists and mysteries were well written. I did think the ending was a bit hasty, though that may be due to the author wanting to set up for a sequel, which I wasn’t expecting. I think a little more time could have been spent on the ending, but I am definitely eagerly waiting for the sequel.
Overall, "Lady of Steel and Straw" was such a fun and imaginative YA fantasy! Despite some familiar tropes, the book stands out as a must-read for fans of YA fantasy looking for a fresh take on the genre.
June 3, 2024
Girl with sword and some grumpy, over-sized herbal sachets save the kingdom from emotionally distraught ghosts.
I wouldn’t trust Charlotte or her companions with grocery shopping, let alone any real decision making. But their hearts are in the right place, and if I squint through a spray of lavender oil I can forget about evaluating their plans (plural because, well, they need the practice) and enjoy the real star of the show - the Guardian scarecrows. These legendary fighters are strawmen come to life with herbs and the spirits of noble spirits of the dead. I’ve never read anything quite like this before, and in addition to just being plain cool, the long life of the guardians also opens the door for profound mentor/mentee moments, odd-duck pairings (small child and gentle giant, etc), and old warriors grumping about adapting to changing times.
Other tags include band of misfits, oh-no-the-enemy-is-hot, and political leaders who are so sus the general populace honestly deserves to live in terror for a bit for failing to identify the real bad guy. The content is appropriately YA, and the author’s post contains helpful warnings.
Where I struggled with this book was the plot and style consistency. I forgive Charlotte for impulsive decisions, but I’d expect the immortals and adults to have a better sense of self-preservation. As to style, some descriptions blew me away. Beautifully gut-wrenching. Creepy and horrific. Perfectly bittersweet. But then there was everything in between, which had nowhere near the same mastery of tone and seemed reliant on telling rather than showing.
What’s the Three Musketeers inspiration? Try a sword fight in the first three chapters. Also, a scheming Cardinal and a sprinkle of French flavor. However, the story as a whole may appeal more to fans of Heartless Hunter or The Night of the Witch, two other YA duologies with protagonists on opposing sides of a religious/supernatural conflict.
**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**
I wouldn’t trust Charlotte or her companions with grocery shopping, let alone any real decision making. But their hearts are in the right place, and if I squint through a spray of lavender oil I can forget about evaluating their plans (plural because, well, they need the practice) and enjoy the real star of the show - the Guardian scarecrows. These legendary fighters are strawmen come to life with herbs and the spirits of noble spirits of the dead. I’ve never read anything quite like this before, and in addition to just being plain cool, the long life of the guardians also opens the door for profound mentor/mentee moments, odd-duck pairings (small child and gentle giant, etc), and old warriors grumping about adapting to changing times.
Other tags include band of misfits, oh-no-the-enemy-is-hot, and political leaders who are so sus the general populace honestly deserves to live in terror for a bit for failing to identify the real bad guy. The content is appropriately YA, and the author’s post contains helpful warnings.
Where I struggled with this book was the plot and style consistency. I forgive Charlotte for impulsive decisions, but I’d expect the immortals and adults to have a better sense of self-preservation. As to style, some descriptions blew me away. Beautifully gut-wrenching. Creepy and horrific. Perfectly bittersweet. But then there was everything in between, which had nowhere near the same mastery of tone and seemed reliant on telling rather than showing.
What’s the Three Musketeers inspiration? Try a sword fight in the first three chapters. Also, a scheming Cardinal and a sprinkle of French flavor. However, the story as a whole may appeal more to fans of Heartless Hunter or The Night of the Witch, two other YA duologies with protagonists on opposing sides of a religious/supernatural conflict.
**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**
May 4, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable page turner featuring a unique "magic" system (calling it that for lack of a better term), believable characters, and a heavy dose of corrupt religion-politics. Let me start with a disclaimer, though: the heroine here is flawed with a capital F. Passionate and headstrong, Charlotte Sand is a person who acts before she thinks. She makes so many mistakes and regrettable decisions, and the repercussions are anything but mild. This might be frustrating to some readers, but it is all handled with so much realism and truth that you can't help but empathize with her. You feel the ache of her regret and bitterness of her shame, and you burn for revenge along with her.
The rest of the cast is appropriately lovable or loathsome, and all are written with enough complexity and depth that they stand on their own. The relationships between them are dynamic and generally intriguing. I can't quite say I'm shipping the main maybe-romance, but I am certainly interested in seeing how these two sort everything out.
The plot starts at a steady pace that gradually quickens before really taking off in the latter half of the book. The last few chapters are bonafide page-turners that reach can't-put-down territory. Truly action packed and full of suspense. And while several of the book's twists are not exactly unexpected, they stick their landing-- satisfactorily hitting home and nailing their emotionally beats. I honestly can't wait for the sequel!
As for the world-building, I really love the concept of the spirits and Guardians. The lore re: the scarecrow's stuffing has me hoping for a full chart with the name of each Guardian, the herbs used for their scarecrow, and their abilities. As for the setting itself, I feel like some might wish for greater detail. We aren't told that much about the workings of the larger world or given explicit details about how each of the religions function, and indeed, I do have some questions. (For example, there are characters named something along the lines of Name St. Name. But neither religion mentions saints? So what's up with that?) But on the whole, I think Rodgers does a good job of giving us just enough information to set the stage and orient the story while also giving a sense of a wider, deeper world we've yet to explore. It's enough to feel on solid ground while also leaving room for the imagination. (No info dumps or excruciatingly detailed meal descriptions here.)
Overall, a suspenseful, if not heartbreaking, fantasy that treads some familiar territory, while being elevated by it's unique "magic" concepts and the complex relationships of it's characters. I'll anxiously be awaiting the next one. ARC provided by NetGalley.
The rest of the cast is appropriately lovable or loathsome, and all are written with enough complexity and depth that they stand on their own. The relationships between them are dynamic and generally intriguing. I can't quite say I'm shipping the main maybe-romance, but I am certainly interested in seeing how these two sort everything out.
The plot starts at a steady pace that gradually quickens before really taking off in the latter half of the book. The last few chapters are bonafide page-turners that reach can't-put-down territory. Truly action packed and full of suspense. And while several of the book's twists are not exactly unexpected, they stick their landing-- satisfactorily hitting home and nailing their emotionally beats. I honestly can't wait for the sequel!
As for the world-building, I really love the concept of the spirits and Guardians. The lore re: the scarecrow's stuffing has me hoping for a full chart with the name of each Guardian, the herbs used for their scarecrow, and their abilities. As for the setting itself, I feel like some might wish for greater detail. We aren't told that much about the workings of the larger world or given explicit details about how each of the religions function, and indeed, I do have some questions. (For example, there are characters named something along the lines of Name St. Name. But neither religion mentions saints? So what's up with that?) But on the whole, I think Rodgers does a good job of giving us just enough information to set the stage and orient the story while also giving a sense of a wider, deeper world we've yet to explore. It's enough to feel on solid ground while also leaving room for the imagination. (No info dumps or excruciatingly detailed meal descriptions here.)
Overall, a suspenseful, if not heartbreaking, fantasy that treads some familiar territory, while being elevated by it's unique "magic" concepts and the complex relationships of it's characters. I'll anxiously be awaiting the next one. ARC provided by NetGalley.
March 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this and found myself eagerly turning the pages. I hadn't realised it was the start of a series though so had thought everything would be wrapped up although hastily admit I'd definitely read the next book. Apparently the author was inspired by the ideas behind the Three Musketeers by Dumas and having finished it I can quite see what she has tried to incorporate.
A world were once Spirits were trapped as Wraiths and controlled by those who understood the Dark. Yet into this came Immortals who literally gave their lives to lay those tormented and used to rest. Fast forward though and those of the Order ( imagine they are trapped as scarecrows while sleeping) are apparently not needed but about to have their hearts quite literally ripped out and given to the Prince and his Cardinal who advises him. Yet Worth, the first of these Immortals is woken by a grieving, vengeful Charlotte who saw the evil the Cardinals men are capable of and there fellow reader is were this story truly begins !
Yes things happen very quickly in the beginning and it held my attention but honestly the second half definitely ups the ante. I really enjoyed the banter and obvious affection between these characters and it was always obvious just who the big bad was but even then there's surprises waiting. Good versus evil is a definite theme and if you enjoy magic then the ideas here involving bone magic will most assuredly be entertaining. This ends with hope as heroes live to fight another day but there's about to be monumental change amongst those who protect although sadly my lips are sealed. Honestly I look forward so much to what happens next and hope the wait won't be too long.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
A world were once Spirits were trapped as Wraiths and controlled by those who understood the Dark. Yet into this came Immortals who literally gave their lives to lay those tormented and used to rest. Fast forward though and those of the Order ( imagine they are trapped as scarecrows while sleeping) are apparently not needed but about to have their hearts quite literally ripped out and given to the Prince and his Cardinal who advises him. Yet Worth, the first of these Immortals is woken by a grieving, vengeful Charlotte who saw the evil the Cardinals men are capable of and there fellow reader is were this story truly begins !
Yes things happen very quickly in the beginning and it held my attention but honestly the second half definitely ups the ante. I really enjoyed the banter and obvious affection between these characters and it was always obvious just who the big bad was but even then there's surprises waiting. Good versus evil is a definite theme and if you enjoy magic then the ideas here involving bone magic will most assuredly be entertaining. This ends with hope as heroes live to fight another day but there's about to be monumental change amongst those who protect although sadly my lips are sealed. Honestly I look forward so much to what happens next and hope the wait won't be too long.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
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