Audiobook Review – Changeling (Sorcery and Society, Book 1) by Molly Harper, Narrated by Amanda Ronconi (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Length: 8 hours and 21 minutes
Publisher: Audible Studios
Release Date: August 22, 2018
ASIN: B07DDPLJFG
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Sorcery and Society series
Source: Audiobook from Audible.com
Rating: 4/5 stars

“If 14-year-old Cassandra Reed makes it through her first day at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladieswithout anyone discovering her secret, maybe, just maybe, she’ll let herself believe that she really does belong at Miss Castwell’s.

Except Cassandra Reed’s real name is Sarah Smith and up until now, she lived her whole life in the Warren, serving a magical family, the Winters, as all non-magical “Snipes” are bound by magical Guardian law to do. That is, until one day, Sarah accidentally levitates Mrs. Winter’s favorite vase in the parlor…

But Snipes aren’t supposed to have magical powers…and the existence of a magical Snipe threatens the world order dictated during the Guardians’ Restoration years ago. If she wants to keep her family safe and protect her own skin, Sarah must figure out how to fit into posh Guardian society, master her newfound magical powers and discover the truth about how an ordinary girl can become magical.”

This is the first book in the Sorcery and Society series. Harper is writing this series for her daughter. I have read many of Harper’s previous adult series and always enjoy her humor. This was an incredibly fun and cute book. I loved the world, the characters, and the magic. I also really enjoyed the relationship our heroine developed with her fellow classmates.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. I would definitely recommend listening to on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.

This was a very fun and light read that feels like a Victorian fantasy. The world created here is an interesting one where people with magic rule over people without. People without magic are assigned to families to work as servants for them. When Cassandra (originally Sarah) is discovered to have magic, the matron of her household helps her to pass herself off as someone in the magic caste so that she can learn to use her magic.

There is a lot about friendship and family in here, as well as interesting world-building and politics. The book stops at a good spot but this is definitely the first book in a series.

Overall I really enjoyed this. It’s on the lighter side and isn’t super complex but it left me feeling happy and was fun. It is targeted at the middle grade age range which is a bit different for Harper, but she did a great job with it. I plan on continuing with the series and would recommend to those who enjoy light-hearted middle grade fantasy with a lot of magic in it.