Title: Valour and Vanity
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
First published April 29, 2014
405 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780765334169 (ISBN10: 076533416X)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
In Mary Robinette Kowal’s Valour and Vanity, readers are transported to a world where magic and glamour are an everyday reality. Join glamourists Jane and Vincent on a thrilling adventure that could have been written by Jane Austen herself, with a twist of Ocean’s Eleven.
After a beautiful wedding, the newlyweds embark on a grand tour of the continent with the Ellsworths and Vincents. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship is attacked by Barbary corsairs, leaving Jane and Vincent destitute when they reach Murano.
With the help of a local, they begin to piece their lives back together. But when Vincent decides to take matters into his own hands, their plans unravel, and they find themselves in the midst of a dangerous heist.
Set against the backdrop of 19th century glamour and intrigue, Valour and Vanity is a must-read for fans of magical fantasy and thrilling capers.
About the Author
Mary Robinette Kowal is a talented author who has written books in both the Lady Astronaut Universe and historical fantasy genres. Her works include The Glamourist Histories series and Ghost Talkers, which have earned her many awards, including the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, four Hugo awards, the RT Reviews award for Best Fantasy Novel, the Nebula, and Locus awards.
She has also had stories published in various publications such as Strange Horizons and Asimov’s, and has released collections of her work, including Word Puppets and Scenting the Dark and Other Stories.
One of Mary Robinette’s novels, Calculating Stars, is an exceptional piece of work. It has achieved the rare feat of winning the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards all in the same year, which is a testament to her writing ability.
When Mary Robinette is not writing, she is a professional puppeteer and voice actor. She has lent her voice to productions such as LazyTown (CBS), and has worked with the Center for Puppetry Arts and Jim Henson Pictures.
She even founded her own production company, Other Hand Productions, which has received two UNIMA-USA Citations of Excellence, the highest award an American puppeteer can receive. In addition to her puppetry work, Mary Robinette is also a skilled narrator and has recorded works for authors like Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, and John Scalzi.
Mary Robinette and her husband Rob reside in Nashville, where they share a love for manual typewriters.
Editoral Review
Valour and Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal is a historical fiction novel that combines elements of romance, mystery, and adventure. Kowal is an award-winning author who is best known for her “Glamourist Histories” series, which explores an alternate Regency England where magic is real.
Valour and Vanity is the fourth book in this series and was first published on April 29, 2014.
Set in Venice during the Napoleonic Wars, Valour and Vanity follows the adventures of Jane and Vincent, a married couple who are accomplished glamourists (magicians who use their skills to create illusions). After a robbery aboard their ship leaves them penniless, Jane and Vincent must navigate the treacherous waters of Venetian society to regain their wealth and clear their names.
Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a handsome but mysterious artist, a ruthless nobleman, and a group of masked conspirators.
Kowal’s writing is impeccable, transporting the reader to the sumptuous setting of Venice with vivid descriptions of its architecture, art, and culture. She also weaves in historical details about the city’s role in the Napoleonic Wars, as well as its complex political and social hierarchies.
The use of glamour as a form of magic adds an intriguing layer to the story, allowing Kowal to explore themes of illusion, deception, and self-discovery.
One of the strengths of Valour and Vanity is its character development. Jane and Vincent are a well-matched couple who complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Their relationship is tested throughout the novel, as they grapple with issues of trust, loyalty, and sacrifice. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with each character having their own motivations and secrets.
The romance subplot is handled with sensitivity and authenticity, making it a satisfying element of the story rather than a distraction.
The pacing of the novel is also well-managed, with Kowal balancing moments of action and intrigue with quieter scenes of introspection and reflection. The plot structure is complex, with several interweaving storylines that converge in a satisfying resolution.
The mystery element adds an extra layer of tension, keeping the reader guessing until the very end.
While Valour and Vanity is an entertaining and engaging read, it does have some limitations. The use of glamour as a form of magic may not appeal to all readers, and some may find the world-building too dense.
Additionally, the novel’s themes of privilege, class, and gender may feel somewhat anachronistic to modern readers, although Kowal handles these issues with sensitivity and nuance.
Overall, Valour and Vanity is a well-crafted and enjoyable novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. Kowal’s writing is superb, and her characters are memorable and multidimensional.
While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate a well-told story with strong world-building and compelling characters will find much to enjoy in this book.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
