Stephanie Burgis's latest novel, CONGRESS OF SECRETS,
combines intrigue, alchemy and love during the 1814
Congress in Vienna to divide up Europe after Napoleon's
downfall. Lady Caroline Wyndham traveled to Vienna for the
festivities, but she had little interest in the pageantry
and balls however. She wanted to find her father, lost to
her 24 years ago when the Secret Police arrested him.
They'd arrested her too, but rather than having her
languish in a prison cell, Count Pergen, head of the secret
squad, had user her as his alchemical plaything. As
Karolina Vogl, she'd learned her lessons well and would do
anything to rescue her father even if it meant employing
the dark arts.
Disguise and plans in place, Caroline runs into a friend
from all those years ago who immediately recognizes her.
She hadn't seen Michael Steinhuller for years and blamed
him for not saving her, likely not thinking what she
expected her father's young apprentice to do.
Michael has survived with his wits, playing con games of
his own and has hatched his riskiest but most promising
scheme yet, posing as Prince Kalishnikoff, a displaced
Russian noble.
Burgis brings Vienna to life on the pages of CONGRESS of
SECRETS. She paints equally vivid pictures of the
glittering balls and glamorous costumes as well as the
dingy back alleys and grubby child pickpockets roaming the
streets. Burgis's strongest characters are those pulled
from real life such as Prince de Ligne. Michael and
Caroline resonated reasonably well although personally I
would have liked to have lived a bit of their lives before
Karolina's father was arrested as well as the arrest. This
backstory would have tugged more emotion from me. Lest you
think I'm heartless, it isn't that there wasn't any, I just
wanted more.
Burgis takes an interest look at alchemy in this novel, and
while not going into detail to spoil anything, I would have
liked more of an explanation as to how it worked. A few
supplemental characters could have had more backstory as
well to give their characters more explainable reasons for
their actions. I rarely finish a book and have no quibbles,
so this is par for the course. I will definitely explore
more of Burgis's work, and if you're a fan of historical
fiction with fantasy elements, then give this one a read.
In 1814, the Congress of Vienna has just begun. Diplomats
battle over a new map of Europe, actors vie for a chance at
glory, and aristocrats and royals from across the continent
come together to celebrate the downfall of Napoleon…among
them Lady Caroline Wyndham, a wealthy English widow. But
Caroline has a secret: she was born Karolina Vogl, daughter
of a radical Viennese printer. When her father was arrested
by the secret police, Caroline's childhood was stolen from
her by dark alchemy.
Under a new name and nationality, she returns to Vienna
determined to save her father even if she has to resort to
the same alchemy that nearly broke her before. But she isn’t
expecting to meet her father's old apprentice, Michael
Steinhüller, now a charming con man in the middle of his
riskiest scheme ever.
The sinister forces that shattered Caroline's childhood
still rule Vienna behind a glittering façade of balls and
salons, Michael’s plan is fraught with danger, and both of
their disguises are more fragile than they realize. What
price will they pay to the darkness if either of them is to
survive?
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