A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand
A daring introductory novel in The Middlemist Trilogy, A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand sets the stage for a magical world on the brink of ruin by a dark, mystical force. The novel focuses on a lively-yet-chronically-ill protagonist, Lady Gemma Ashbourne, the oft neglected daughter of an important magical family. When Gemma meets Talan d’Astier, a handsome stranger with a dark past, the novel kicks off and pulls the reader along for a wild ride. Read on to learn more about Claire Legrand’s newest novel!
*Content note: this book deals with issues relating to suicide, ideation, and self harm*
Release Date: June 13, 2023
Available from Amazon & Bookshop.org
About the Author, Claire Legrand
A musician before turning to writing, Claire Legrand has eleven published novels, with this start of a trilogy coming out in June 2023. From her first publications, Legrand has earned rave reviews and accolades from the New York Times, the New York Public Library, the Bram Stoker Awards, and more. Until A Crown of Ivy and Glass, Legrand has focused on young adult epic fantasy. A Crown of Ivy and Glass is book one in Legrand’s debut author series, the Middlemist Trilogy.
About A Crown of Ivy and Glass
This novel focuses on Lady Gemma Ashbourne, a wealthy (and confident!) young woman in a magical world who, herself, seemingly lacks magical powers. She is a fierce protagonist, eager to live freely despite physical limitations. Gemma is chronically ill, her body not only lacking the magic her family possesses, but actively rebelling against it.
When Gemma meets a handsome stranger, the story really kicks off. Talan is everything you would expect in a fantasy drama, down to the tragic past and hidden secrets. His family has been destroyed, and his reputation in the gutter. Through some *spicy* scenes, Gemma and Talan form a sort of alliance, where he helps Gemma destroy an antagonist family in their world, while Gemma helps Talan regain his honor and reputation among society.
All of this occurs against a backdrop of evolving and destructive dark magic coming closer and closer to Gemma’s home. The joining of all these dramatic plot points brings Gemma to her breaking point…or to a new beginning?
Plot Summary
Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She’s young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.
Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.
Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She’ll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud—slay the demon, end the feud.
But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.
My Thoughts on A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand
Oh, this was a wild read. Claire Legrand does a great job world building, overall, and creates beautifully flawed characters.
It took me a few chapters to get oriented in the novel, since the action picks up right from the start, but it quickly becomes apparent that Legrand’s imagination really thought of everything when creating the world in this novel.
Overall, I’m really looking forward to future books in the series. This first novel in the trilogy did a really great job setting the stage for future drama in this fantastical world.
Where to Buy A Crown of Ivy and Glass
A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand is set for publication on June 13, 2023. It is available for pre-sale from both Amazon and Bookshop.org.
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*This novel was gifted to me as part of a review program that Cats & Coffee is a part of. I was not required to post about the novel in exchange for getting a copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my honest own.
