Murkmere

Reader reviewed by Brenda

Aggie is offered a job at Murkmere manor to be a ladys companion to the Lords ward, Leah. She accepts the job because she can then send money back to her Aunt Jennet. Her mother worked at Murkmere before her death and she thinks that if she knows more about Murkmere, shed know more about her mother. But Leah is so strange, wild and moody and she has a strange bond with the swans on the estate. The Master is trapped in a caged wheelchair and has blasphemous books. Silas, the steward, rules over the servants with an iron hand but is really pious, or is he? No one is who he or she seems to be and whom can Aggie trust? How can she protect Leah?

This is one of those books that reads like historical fiction then all of a sudden you realize that it has major fantasy elements. Kind of a whoops, I guess were not in Kansas after all moment. In this case, this reads like the late 19th century until you learn that most books are blasphemous and theres an alternate religion based on birds. Really, birds the Great Eagle is the Almighty. The political structure is different too, as the aristrocrats are Ministers in the government that is considered the mouthpiece of the gods on Earth. The Lord Protector is the head of the Ministration and is involved in the plot as he comes to Murkmere for Leahs debut birthday.
This book is historical fiction/fantasy/mystery with some retold fairy tale (the swan maiden) too! Theres also political intrigue and questions about religion. I really enjoyed it quite a bit. Its well written and the plot soars along.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes any of the above genres!