Magic, mystery, and maybe even love?  This story charmed me and drew me in. Elsie is an orphan that has the ability to break spells, a powerful trait in this parallel Victorian society where magic flourishes. Elsie is enlisted by a secret group to use her spell breaking skills illegally for the good of the common man. But just who is this secret society, and is this mission really dictated by good? While on a mission, Elsie is discovered by Bacchus, a master spell maker. He’s bold and brash and hard headed. Yet they strike a deal. He will not turn her in if she uses her skills to help him. Their partnership challenges them both and reveals the power, both good and ugly, in magic. 

I found this to be a fun, light, easy read. I enjoyed the characters, especially Elsie, and this magical world was captivating. Goldberg uses immense creativity to create a magical system that seems believable. 

But the ending is disappointingly messy. And this isn’t so much of a first novel in a series as it is a partial novel. Knowing there’s a follow on book, I expected a “satisfying” cliffhanger. There was nothing satisfying in this mess. I would have rated this book higher had the ending been given more attention.