THE NATURALIST SOCIETY by Carrie Vaughn

Fiction, Historical Romance, Paranormal

3***

Blurb: In this magical tale of self-discovery from New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn, a young widow taps into the power that will change the world—if the man’s world she lives in doesn’t destroy her and her newfound friends first. In the summer of 1880, the death of Beth Stanley’s husband puts her life’s work in jeopardy. The magic of Arcane Taxonomy dictates that every natural thing in the world, from weather to animals, can be labeled, and doing so grants the practitioner some of that subject’s unique power. But only men are permitted to train in this philosophy. Losing her husband means that Beth loses the name they put on her work—and any influence she might have wielded. Brandon West and Anton Torrance are campaigning for their expedition to the South Pole, a mission that some believe could make a taxonomist all-powerful by tapping into the earth’s magnetic forces. Their late friend Harry Stanley’s knowledge and connections would have been instrumental, but when they attempt to take custody of his work, they find that it was never his at all. Tied together by this secret and its implications, Beth, Bran, and Anton must find a way for Beth to use her talent for the good of the world, before she’s discovered by those who would lay claim to her rare potential—and her very freedom.

Thoughts: I really wanted to like this story more than I did. This author is a particular favorite of mine, but this wasn’t like other books of hers that I’ve read. It wasn’t a bad story – rather quite fanciful. And I will admit that at times, I felt like stopping – but I’m glad I read on as the ending was worth the read. I just wish something nasty had happened to one particular character (not naming names here).

I liked Beth and her “gumption” – even as it led to her imprisonment in a sanitarium thanks to her family and a rival. But it was that gumption that served her well as she escaped. She was a woman of intelligence—and Arcane abilities (magic), an accepted practice in this universe, though not for women. Her husband used her skills to forward his fame and after his death, her family took her over. But she had two male friends who helped her and became her lovers as they were to each other. And yes, there was a threesome going on here.

So, recommendations – I honestly can’t say I’d ever read something like this again. Parts of it were entertaining, but a lot of it was slogging through stuff that seemed to have nothing to do with the story other than to give background to historical characters in this Arcane universe. There was obviously a lot of research done into ornithology and taxonomy as the characters were naturalists.

Thus – I recommend the book as one that might appeal to historical romance readers with an interest in birds.