Title: This Crumbling Pageant
Author: Patricia Burroughs
Series: The Fury Triad #1)
Edition: Digital Review Copy, 606 pages
Publication Details: May 6th 2014 by Story Spring Publishing
Genre(s): Fantasy
Disclosure? Yep! I received a free copy in exchange for an HONEST review.
Get ready to be swept away into a dark fantasy series that combines swashbuckling adventure, heart-pounding romance and plot-twisting suspense in equal measures.
Expect to hear more about Persephone Fury. A lot more.
England, 1809. As fashionable Society streams toward London for the start of a new social season, they are unaware of a hidden magical England existing alongside. The Magi cathedrals are temples to the old gods. Reigning on their throne is not poor mad George, but the ailing King Pellinore of the House of Pendragon. But their wars are no less deadly.
The Furys are known for their extraordinary music, their powerful magic, and their historic role as kingmakers. But the Furys have their secrets as well, none so dangerous as the daughter whose Shadow magic spills from her, unchecked. Unless her powers are concealed, she’s not only ruined in Society, but marked as a target for those who would use and abuse her magic.
Persephone Fury is the Dark daughter, the one they hide.
But desperate times call for desperate measures, and a good marriage for this frightening daughter is desperately needed. On the night of her debut, her world comes crumbling down around her when she is abducted from the man she loves by the man she most loathes.
Evil powers circle, calling her to the destiny foretold at the moment of her birth, drawing her to the source of her power, to the one place she can finally be free.
By embracing the Shadows.
Persephone is ruthless, devious, and clever, but when confronted with the truth, she must make horrifying choices.
Can she defy destiny and seize her own fate?
Review
This Crumbling Pageant is as epic as the lengthy synopsis suggests! It’s a high fantasy romp through recency England and beyond.
There are two Englands in Burroughs’ world. An Original, regular, England, and also Magi England where our protagonist Persephone lives, and is part of the powerful Fury family.
When Persephone is abducted by her brother’s tutor, she discovers that she possesses an almighty shadow magic, something which her family have kept hidden from her. Unfortunately for her, her kidnapper Vespasian holds the same power, and he takes her through the fog to the other England and threatens to use his powers against the Magi throne, and Persephone’s family.
I don’t think I could explain any more than that if I wanted to. This Crumbling Pageant has a complex, intricate and elaborate plot in which I was often confused about where it was going only to be completely taken in another direction. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
As with a lot of high-concept fantasy, I found it really hard to get into this book, but I’m so glad I kept with it, the beautiful writing is definitely what carried me through.
I loved Persephone’s character and the point at which I did get hooked was her romance with the guy who helps her back to Magi England. It was a heart-pounding, intense romance and I loved it.
I also really enjoyed the setting, regency London -both Ordinary and Magi -was described perfectly and I loved the social commentary on what being in that time meant for Persephone.
Overall, I was really impressed with This Crumbling Pageant, but I can’t say I loved it. I spent way too much time confused and being frustrated about being confused but I don’t want that to be a bad reflection on the book – if you love epic, complex and surprising fantasy you should definitely give it a go.