Review – The Masquerading Magician (An Accidental Alchemist Mystery, Book 2) by Gigi Pandian (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Release Date: January 8, 2016
ISBN-13 : 978-0738742359
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Accidental Alchemist series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“ Deciphering an ancient alchemy book is more difficult than Zoe Faust bargained for. She’d much rather be gardening and exploring her new hometown of Portland, Oregon―but time is running out for living gargoyle Dorian Robert-Houdin. If Zoe isn’t able to unlock an unusual alchemy book’s secrets soon, the French gargoyle will remain awake but trapped in stone forever.
When Zoe gives herself a rare night out to attend a classic magic show, she realizes the stage magicians are much more than they seem. A murder at the theater leads back to a string of unsolved robberies and murders in Portland’s past, and a mystery far more personal than Zoe and Dorian ever imagined.”
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Accidental Alchemist series. I borrowed this book from the library.
Story (4/5): This book picks up right where the last book left off. Zoe has found a temporary fix for Dorian that prevents him from turning fully back to stone but it comes at a great cost to her own health. When Zoe takes a rare night off to attend a classic magic show, she is suspicious of the identities of the magicians and desperate to find other alchemists to talk to about Dorian’s condition. Then a murder at the theater the magic show took place at is tied back to a string of robberies and murders from the past, things really get interesting.
This was another wonderful investigative urban fantasy mystery with an emphasis on alchemy and its history. I enjoy the mystery, which kept me guessing, and enjoy learning all of the history behind alchemy.
Characters (4/5): The characters are definitely a highlight of this series. Zoe is intriguing, she has a long history and is trying to make a new life for herself. She is surrounded by characters that are interesting, likable, and easy to engage with. Both Dorian and Braxton are very fun sidekicks for Zoe’s investigations. We learn a bit more about Max as well and I look forward to spending more time with him in future books. We are also introduced to one of Zoe’s alchemist friends from long ago and this was intriguing; I look forward to meeting more people from Zoe’s history in future books.
Setting (4/5): This book is set in modern day Portland, Oregon. I enjoy the Portland setting but it isn’t the main driver behind the story; it’s fine but nothing special.
Writing Style (4/5): This is well written and easy to read. The mystery is well done and keeps you guessing right up to the end of the book. The characters are easy to engage with and the subject matter is something I enjoy learning about.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I am continuing to enjoy this series. These are fun mystery reads with a bit of a paranormal element to them (alchemists can do “magic” different from what normal people can). I really enjoy the alchemical subject matter and love the characters. I plan on continuing with the series.
