Charlotte is a guest of her sister who is currently the mistress of a prince. So, while I still think this is a lighter read as far as tone overall, do be prepared for some darker elements–to be expected when summoning demons, really.Īs for the plot, there are quite a few things going on here. Having read some other books by Stephanie Burgis I didn’t expect it to be quite as dark as it was, but that was actually a pleasant surprise! Actions have real consequences in this one. But aside from the intrigue there was an added element of danger with the supernatural elements. I love all the scheming among the courtiers. Stephanie Burgis is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. It’s a fun historical fantasy with some romance on the side. Music, magic, and blackmail mingle in a plot to assassinate the Habsburg Emperor and Empress–a plot that can only be stopped if Carlo and Charlotte can see through the masks worn by everyone they meet. Now, she must overcome the ingrained rules of her society in order to uncover the dangerous secrets lurking within the palace’s golden walls. Charlotte has retreated to the countryside to mourn her husband’s death.

Already at Eszterháza is Charlotte von Steinbeck, the very proper sister of Prince Nikolaus’s mistress. With Carlo in Prince Nikolaus Esterházy’s carriage, ride a Prussian spy and one of the most notorious alchemists in the Habsburg Empire. The year is 1779, and Carlo Morelli, the most renowned castrato singer in Europe, has been invited as an honored guest to Eszterháza Palace.

Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis