The Story is About   +  young adult

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

Release Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 306
Source: ARC
Interest: Debut Author
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge & YA Historical Fiction Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.

Historical fiction... magic... and time travel... and a love story! Is there anything this novel doesn't have!?!? Dark Mirror was a historical fiction, inside of a historical fiction!

The thing that I loved about this novel was the descriptions... talk about being transported back in time, wow, I absolutely felt like I was there, in both instances. Even more interesting was the strangely similar parallels between Tory's own world and the Napoleonic war and the World War II battle she faces in the future. Putney beautifully and accurately depicts both time periods!

The characters while interesting, fell short to the captivating setting. Tory was a wonderful narrator, but it was Jack that really stole the show for me! He was hilarious and layered! I wish we would have gotten to experience more of his story. The romance in the novel was a little unfulfilling... it seemed abrupt. I mean, I expected it to happen, but I didn't really "see" it happen. Despite that, I still enjoyed the romantic aspect of the novel.

Overall, Dark Mirror was a wonderfully written historical fiction! I am very interested in seeing where this series adventures to next.