"Magic is considered abhorrent to society but so much good can be done as Tory Mansfield will prove."
Reviewed by Leanne Davis
Posted April 23, 2011
Young Adult Paranormal | Historical
Lady Victoria (Tory) Mansfield is on the cusp of a new life.
She has lived a wonderful life as the youngest daughter of the
Earl of Fairmount. She is looking forward to the annual
fete and then her debut in a couple of years. One night, she dreams of flying, and wakes up to find
herself elevated above her bed. Her mother warns her
against letting anyone know about her magic. It's all right
for the common folk but it's not for the aristocracy. Tory
is determined to take control of her magic and is using a
book she found in the library. Events beyond her control will expose her magic to everyone
at the fete and Tory will be sent to Lackland Abbey in
disgrace. Lackland Abbey claims to cure people of the
ability to use magic and Tory is sure she can graduate with
honors. Her future may be dimmer but she won't remain at
Lackland Abbey forever. Once there, Tory realizes that there are students who
rejoice in their ability to use magic and there is even a
group that meets at night to learn more. Tory will follow
the clues and see that she can't give up magic but she can
learn to control it better. One of the members of the group is the young Marquis of
Allarde, and Tory will be drawn to him. His reserve keeps
him away, but she can see that it is hard for him to stay
away. Ms. Putney has written a well-constructed story which will
keep the reader involved in the lives of the young students
at Lackland Abbey who refuse to give up their magic. With
likable characters and an even better plot, the reader will
be drawn into the world she has created. You will agonize
with Tory as she is abandoned by her family before finding
acceptance in a place she least expects it. The historical details are accurate and the
description of the rescue of a group of British soldiers is
heart-wrenching to read. This is Ms. Putney's first foray
into YA fiction, and it is a wonderful debut. I look
forward to the rest of the series as Tory and Allarde deepen
their relationship.
SUMMARY
Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and
countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon
she will be presented during the London season, where she
can choose a mate worthy of her status. Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if
exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her
family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic. When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her
despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is
revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to
Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in
her position. There she will learn to suppress her
deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky
ones, be able to return to society. But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s
ever known or considered important will be challenged. What
lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful
journey into a world where destiny and magic come together,
where true love and friendship find her, and where courage
and strength of character are the only things that determine
a young girl’s worth.
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