Book : The Twelfth Enchantment A Novel - Liss, David

-Titulo Original : The Twelfth Enchantment: A Novel

-Fabricante :

Ballantine Books

-Descripcion Original:

Lucy Derrick is a young woman of good breeding and poor finances. After the death of her beloved father, she becomes the unwanted boarder of her tyrannical uncle, fending off marriage to a local mill owner. But just as she is resigned to a life of misery, a handsome stranger-the poet and notorious rake Lord Byron-arrives at her house, stricken by what seems to be a curse, and with a cryptic message for Lucy. With England on the cusp of revolution, Lucy inexplicably finds herself awakened to a world where magic and mortals collide, and the forces of ancient nature and modern progress are at war for the soul of England . . . and the world. The key to victory may be connected to a cryptic volume whose powers of enchantment are unbounded. Now, challenged by ruthless enemies with ancient powers at their command, Lucy must harness newfound mystical skills to preserve humanity’s future. And enthralled by two exceptional men with designs on her heart, she must master her own desires to claim the destiny she deserves. Look for special features inside. Join the Circle for author chats and more. Review “Tremendously appealing characters . . . a thoroughly enjoyable, satisfying read.”-Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches “A fascinating netherworld weaves through David Liss’s intoxicating new novel, The Twelfth Enchantment. Set in Regency England, it tells the story of Lucy Derrick, a vivacious heroine in the tradition of Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet. It takes a cunning novelist, indeed, to tell a story this gripping-and magical.”-Katherine Howe, author of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane “Truly a magical, mystical tour de force . . . Liss, in fanciful English prose, fans the flames into a literary conflagration that eventually engulfs us.”-San Antonio Express-News “A unique and fascinating story, compelling characters, and the delicious combination of realism and mythical.”-Pittsburgh Historical Fiction Examiner “A tale of mystery, intrigue, and magic that leaves the reader wanting more.”-Austenprose “An enthralling tale of romance and the supernatural-with a heroine for the ages.”-Stephanie Barron, author of Jane and the Canterbury Tale About the Author David Liss is the author of The Devil’s Company, The Whiskey Rebels, The Ethical Assassin, A Spectacle of Corruption, The Coffee Trader, and A Conspiracy of Paper, winner of the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and children. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. 1 The house was astir with activity, which was something most unusual, for its owner, Mr. Richard Lowell, preferred his home to remain a very dour and torpid place. Accordingly, what transpired was activity without delight-that of a graveyard in which the sexton erects a particularly large or novel tombstone. Metaphors of this sort came easily to Miss Lucy Derrick, on whose behalf this commotion centered, for it was her intended husband whom the house prepared to receive. Lucy had no wish to entertain that gentleman. None at all. It was not that Lucy did not wish to marry Mr. Olson, for she had no doubt that marrying him was the most practical thing to do. Nevertheless, she would very much rather avoid the necessity of making conversation with him. Marriage, as Lucy understood it, involved only infrequent dialogue upon the most essential of subjects, but today her role would be to think of all sorts of engaging things to say, which would not be easy, for Mr. Olson was no great talker. She had not yet discovered how to hold his interest, for their previous exchanges had been at gatherings and assemblies, where dancing or the consumption of punch could stand in for anything resembling an actual exchange of ideas and sentiments. Mr. Olsons social charms, such as they were, had no bearing on her decision to marry him. More than anything else, Lucy wished to be free of her uncle