Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Magic Under Glass
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub. Date: 12/22/2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Magic, Love, Prejudice, Sorcerers, Fairies
Pages: 240
Plot (from back of arc):
Nimira is a music-hall girl used to dancing for pennies. So when wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing acompaniment to a mysterious piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it will be the start of a better life. In Parry's world, long-buried secrets are about to stir. Unsettling rumors begin to swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry's involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers that the spirit of a dashing fairy gentleman is trapped within the automaton, she is determined to break the curse. But even as the two fall into a love that seems hopeless, breaking the curse becomes a perilous race against time. Because it's not just the future of these star-crossed lovers that's at stake, but the fate of the entire magical world.

Jaclyn Dolamore's debut novel is a quick and engaging read that left me me wanting more. Not only did the slim volume end much to quickly, Dolamore's unique plot line and characters stayed with me even after I finished the last line.

First off, I'm still a bit in awe of the cover art. I thought it was gorgeous when  I first saw it on Jackie's website and when I saw the arc, but it was nothing compared to the bound version when I saw it in the bookstore. It definitely is eye catching!

I was intrigued by the mention of an automaton as I read the plot summary for the novel. I wanted to know how Dolamore would pull off this interesting love story and how the more magical elements would play into the story.

I will say that I did find the explanation of the magical elements of the plot line a bit lacking. I'm hoping that an additional installment will bring some of unexplained details to light. I liked the idea of sorcerers and fairies, but wanted to know more about them. I think may have been the epic fantasy geek in me shining through... I longed for Magic to be a few hundred more pages long with lots of detail about these magical elements.

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 8
Characters: 9
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 47/50 (A)

Dolamore has succeeded in writing a wonderful debut novel! I will definitely be reading her next novel(s). And I am so excited to see the next book's cover!