Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden, Joel Froomkin
Series: Spellbreaker Duology #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on November 1, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: 9 hours, 47 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
In Victorian England, there are two kinds of wizards: those rich enough to make spells and the rare few born with the ability to break them.
Elsie Camden is a spellbreaker who can pull apart enchantments like the threads of a knot—a fact she learned when she started a workhouse fire at the age of ten. Now twenty-one, Elsie divides her time between serving her beloved employer tea and secretly breaking spells that oppress the common man—she always did love the tale of Robin Hood.
When her clandestine activities are uncovered by a maddening-yet-handsome Barbadian spellmaker named Bacchus Kelsey, he cuts her a deal—work for him on the side and he won’t report her illegal spellbreaking to the authorities. Elsie agrees. Meanwhile, the world of magic is in an uproar over the theft of magicians’ opuses—the priceless spells left behind upon a spellmaker’s death. Working for one spellmaker and falling for another, it won’t take long before the murderous bandit strikes too close to home, and Elsie discovers a shockingly personal connection to the crimes.
Oh how I enjoyed this story! One main point of view is Elsie, who works for a stone mason and artist, Ogden. He has been kind to her and it is a good position. She was abandoned by her family at the age of 5 and put into a workhouse. She got her position with Ogden when she was 10. A fire in the workhouse showed her she was a spellbreaker.
Elsie is hard-working and idealistic. She has been doing little spellbreaking tasks for years based on anonymous notes which she believes are for the good of the people. She is like Robin Hood.
In this world of magic, those who do magic are called aspectors and there are different abilities with physical and spiritual. There are also spellbreakers They need to be registered. There are severe penalties for those doing magic who aren’t registered. Mostly it is men who are allowed to practice magic (of course).
Our other point of view is from Bacchus Kelsey who has come from Barbados to finish his master test as an aspector. He is staying with a Duke and his family who are old friends. He needs a certain type of spell to do his final test. His father was English but he looks more like his mother, and is well-tanned from his life in Barbados. He is just trying to finish up his testing and go home. But that does not go smoothly and he learns about many things he didn’t even realize he needed to know.
Elsie is doing her spellbreaking tasks for the “good of the people” and gets caught. This is life-threatening for her since she is not registered. Thus begins her journey in learning more about her magic, the anonymous taskmasters, and her past.  Her world is turned on its end.  It’s an exciting, terrifying and oddly uplifting story.  Elsie and Bacchus are the good guys, in heart and compassion, if not always following the established rules. I highly recommend this adventure with its lovable characters, fascinating magic system, and suspenseful battles; it’s magic!
Narration:
I have listened to Elizabeth Knowelden in the past and enjoyed her narration. She does very well with Elsie, narrating the chapters from her point of view. Joel Froomkin was new to me but I came to appreciate his voice for Bacchus in the chapters sharing his viewpoint. I always enjoy the regional accents, as this is set in London and the surrounding areas. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Charlie N. Holmberg
Charlie N. Holmberg is an award-winning, best-selling, and internationally published author of fantasy and romantic fiction. She was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters, who also have boy names. She is a proud BYU alumna, plays the ukulele, owns too many pairs of glasses, and finally adopted a dog. She currently lives with her family in Utah.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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This sounds so good, Anne! I hope I have time to read it this month.
I hope so too! I really loved this one.
Oh, yes, that does sound like a good one. I’ve enjoyed a couple of historical fantasies in the past so I’ll have to add this series to the list.
I felt right at home with the historical mystery aspects. The characters were great.
I am always so impressed with your grasp of the essences of world building in this genre. This normally isn’t my cuppa but you had me hooked! You are a master. Fantastic review, Anne?
Thank you! I really try to write something worthwhile without spoiling. This one has some twists.
This just sounds so incredible and a perfect fit for me. I need to find some time to try it out. Thanks!
I really enjoyed the historical mystery aspect. I think you would too. The book was one of the Amazon Prime first reads which I got and then I nabbed the audio for review.
Oooh I love books like that and I didn’t even know about this one. I want to read it as well now! I’ll add it on my wishlist! thank you!!!
I thought this one was really well written and enjoyed it very much. I hope you love it too. And I want the next book, sooner rather than later.
I have the ebook, but perhaps I need to upgrade to the audiobook!
I enjoyed it. I ended up with both. It’s a great story and I recommend it.