A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand – a Review
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Description:
Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She’s young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.
Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.
Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She’ll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud—slay the demon, end the feud.
But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.
Review:
A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand is the first book in her new The Middlemist Trilogy. Each book is expected to follow each of the Ashbourne sisters. We meet Lady Imogen ‘Gemma’ Ashbourne at the start, as she is the youngest sister of three Ashbourne sisters. The Ashbourne family was anointed by the gods, blessed with amazing abilities. Gemma is the only one who does not have magic abilities; instead, her body suffers from chronic illness from magic surrounding her. Gemma is beautiful, and outgoing, but also lonely, since her sister Mara was taken away to the Middlemist, to be a guard protecting Rosewarren. Her father and other sister, Farrin see how much she suffers, and tend to often forget about her; not to mention her mother abandoned the family many years ago.
During a party, Gemma meets Talan d’Astier, a charming handsome man, who immediately forms an attraction to Gemma. Talan is determined to restore his family name and business, and Gemma offers a proposal to help her defeat the Basks (enemies), and she’ll help him redeem the family honor and respect. In a short time, both Talan and Gemma began to have deep passionate feelings for each other. He was so sweet and caring, especially with his ability to take away Gemma’s pain. Gemma will learn more about Talon that will cause her to lose trust in him, especially with a demon called The Man with the Three Eyed Crown having some control over Talon. Can she help him fight this evil demon and save him?
Gemma is kidnapped by evil necromancers, as she shows signs of coming into her powers, with her slowly winning the friendship of some of the Villa group, such as Phaidra, Lulath, Nesset who will help her escape and become part of her group. What follows is the increasing attacks in the Middlemist, which brings Mara and Farrin into the mix to fight the attacks, as well as the Basks (Ryder & Alastrina), who also join in to help defeat the enemies, as well as the demon controlling Talon.
A Crown of Ivy and Glass was a very good story focusing on sisterhood, romance, mystery, gods, demons and magic. I really loved Gemma and Talon together, as well as her wonderful sisters. The secondary characters were very good. The last half of the book was very exciting, especially when Gemma uses her powers to defeat the enemy, and fight the demon inside of Talon. A Crown of Ivy and Glass was very well written by Claire Legrand. I look forward to see which sister is next, as well as Talon hiding from the demon, and when he may return.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
