Newt's Emerald

July 20, 2015
At her 18th birthday party, Lady Truthful, daughter of Admiral the Viscount Newington, is presented with the fabulous Newington Emerald, an heirloom of great magical power—which is immediately stolen by persons unknown. The Admiral is rendered insensible by the loss, and Truthful takes it upon herself to leave for London in pursuit. There she is swept up in the social scene and meets a dashing and mysterious soldier, Major Hartnett. The two take part in magical variations on familiar Regency elements—having adventures, going to balls, quarreling constantly—before recovering the emerald and, of course, falling in love. Nix describes meals and clothing in delicious detail; Truthful’s birthday dinner, for example, consists of “turbot with lobster sauce, several boiled fowls, a turtle, a ham, and a quarter of a lamb with cauliflowers... followed by a gooseberry and currant pie, a soft pudding, and five different sorts of fruit.” Although less memorable than Nix’s Old Kingdom tales, this romance should please the author’s regular readers and Georgette Heyer fans alike. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

July 15, 2015
An author known for his imaginative worldbuilding tackles fantasy Regency romance. Lady Truthful Newington-"Newt" to friends and family-has never seen the family heirloom, a powerful emerald, she'll inherit when she's 25. When her widowed father brings it out to show guests on her 18th birthday, it's stolen. Headstrong and spirited, Truthful (as she is called in the third-person narration) heads to London to get it back. Strict rules govern aristocratic female behavior, so to facilitate her search she poses as a French male cousin, with the help of her great aunt, Lady Badgery, and a little glamour. Truthful's disguise brings her under suspicion as one of Napoleon Bonaparte's secret supporters, who are plotting to free him from imprisonment in Gibraltar. Her ruse also frees her to join forces with the handsome, mysterious Maj. Harnett. Pursuing the powerful, wily enchantress behind the theft, the two are captured and, mostly thanks to Truthful, barely escape drowning. Harnett holds women in low regard but after her true gender's discovered, concerned for her damaged reputation, reluctantly proposes marriage and is indignantly rejected. After a meandering start, the novel, first published as an e-book in 2013, follows genre conventions dutifully, in characterization (plucky Truthful especially), plot, and setting, its aristocratic milieu bolstered by details of food, entertainment, and female dress. Slight but entertaining; even hobbled by cautious storytelling, it should satisfy genre fans. (Regency fantasy. 12-15)

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August 1, 2015

Gr 7 Up-In this delightful romp, Nix turns his considerable fantasy talents to a different milieu, that of the Regency romance. Lady Truthful Newington is the daughter and heir of country gentleman Admiral the Viscount Newington. She is not only heir to his estate but also heir to the fabulous Newington Emerald, which the Admiral displays at a private family dinner on the occasion of her 18th birthday. Storm winds and sprites blow in the windows and when the confusion clears the gem is missing. Truthful resolves to search for the Emerald while spending time with her great-aunt Lady Badgery to be launched into London society. Her great-aunt uses her skills as a sorceress to provide Truthful with a glamour that allows her to go abroad in the guise of her cousin, Chevalier Henri de Vienne. It is as Henri that she meets the captivating Major Harnett, who becomes instrumental in her search. The two follow clues in high and low society to search for the Emerald, which they discover to be far more important than a mere family heirloom. There are dastardly plots and romantic confusions here that would do Jane Austen proud. Truthful is a satisfying heroine, rescuing at least as often as she is rescued. VERDICT Fans of the author and of fantasy or Regency romance will enjoy this tale immensely.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2015
Grades 8-11 *Starred Review* Lady Truthful Newington cannot wait to turn 18. Once of age, she will be introduced to fashionable London society and be shown the Newington Emerald, which she will one day inherit. Unfortunately, a mighty storm blows through on her birthday, dowsing the lights just as the emerald is revealed, and giving a thiefor naughty storm-sprite the perfect cover to steal the gem. Ever the devoted daughter, Truthful leaves early for London to make inquiries into its whereabouts. Thus fantasy pro Nix (To Hold the Bridge, 2015) begins his Regency romance, to which he adds a dash of farce and a sprinkle of magic. With the help of her feisty aunt ( Parkins! My sword cane ) and an ensorcelled false mustache, Truthfulwho possesses a modest bit of weather magicdisguises herself as a gentleman and begins her search for the emerald. Also joining the jewel hunt is the dashing Major Harnett, with whom Truthful butts heads, yet infuriatingly can't stop thinking about. Quick-changes, mistaken identities, treachery, and an evil sorceress make this story an utter delight. Truthful and Harnett's rapport smacks of Austen's Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, as propriety and quips mask their begrudging affection for each other. Part comedy of manners, part fantasy adventure, this lighthearted romp is ridiculous fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)