Evelina Cooper is the fruit of love between mother - after the bourgeoisie - and a soldier. Taken in by her grandmother and raised in a circus, young Evelina had a nice childhood but life moved away of the circus. His maternal grandmother was placed in an institution "properly" for her to learn to become a real lady of high society.
If the girl is a little rebellious, it nevertheless attempt to comply with the wishes of her grandmother and meet a young aristocrat with whom she will forge a strong and deep friendship.
That past is not trivial, since there is frequently alluded: through characters or facts, but also through the character of the young woman.
It is in the family of this young friend that lives in this Evelina. The story begins during the preparation of the season when the girls make their debut, and with the magic growing inside her, Evelina pamper. But when a murder takes place in the house, it does not take much for the instinct of his uncle wakes up in it. It will be difficult to reconcile everything but what the young woman is determined to solve this case. Fortunately, she is not alone and can count on allies and sometimes discreet, but precious.
I liked the subtle mixture of magic and technology that are the substance of this world. The introduction of the "Barons of Steam", underground masters of London, is also interesting and brings a touch of innovation is successful in a world repeatedly replayed.
Political intrigues, maneuvers and personal setbacks lovers will constitute the bulk of the plot.
However, a little flat. The start is very slow to develop. The author tells us about many people, places and ambitions which may initially seem a bit messy. You really have to move forward in the story that links are forged between all the events and the reader fully realize the intention of the author. Everything is related, yet to understand who is behind it - and why.
The introduction of the character of Holmes is discrete at first, but it will take to end the greater part of the story, pushing the poor Evelina secondary. It's a shame too.
Finally, the end turns in life Evelina, although difficult to live for the young woman, take on meaning. It's kind of sad for her, but I feel that the author wishes to exploit these "thin" volumes come in.
So I'm very curious to see what will give the following novels.
A word on the subject, came out at the "Month of Copper" of the editor, the slice is golden, and coverage also has gold inlay. A beautiful object to offer or afford!