'Newt's Emerald' by Garth Nix is a Regency fantasy novel that follows Lady Truthful Newington, also known as Newt, as she embarks on a quest to recover her family's stolen magical emerald. The story is set in a Regency England with a magical twist, where Newt disguises herself as a man to search for the emerald in London. Along the way, she encounters Major Hartnett and together they navigate a world filled with deception, magic, and a dash of romance. The plot moves swiftly, blending elements of mystery, adventure, and fantasy to create a lighthearted and engaging tale that draws inspiration from classic Regency romances and adds a touch of magic.
The writing style of 'Newt's Emerald' is charming and delightful, with a blend of humor, wit, and whimsy that keeps readers entertained throughout the story. Garth Nix infuses the Regency setting with fantastical elements, creating a unique and captivating world where magic and romance intertwine. The characters, especially the protagonist Lady Truthful Newington, are well-developed and endearing, adding depth to the narrative and making it easy for readers to connect with their adventures and misadventures.
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Has Romance?
The romance between Lady Truthful and Major Hartnett is a significant aspect of the story, providing a charming subplot intertwined with their adventure.
From The Publisher:
Inspired by the works of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen, Garth Nix's Newt's Emerald is a Regency romance with a fantasy twist. New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger calls it "charming; quite, quite charming."
After Lady Truthful's magical Newington Emerald is stolen from her she devises a simple plan: go to London to recover the missing jewel. She quickly learns, however, that a woman cannot wander the city streets alone without damaging her reputation, and she disguises herself as a mustache-wearing man. During Truthful's dangerous journey she discovers a crook, an unsuspecting ally, and an evil sorceress-but will she find the Emerald?
Ratings (4)
Loved It (2) | |
Liked It (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (8):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (4) |
1 comment(s)
Updated review, March 17, 2024:
Newt’s Emerald is boring and shallow. I don’t have much to say because even constructing a criticism of the book would suggest that I
care.
Original review, August 30, 2020:
I have somehow managed to go without reading a single Garth Nix novel (despite being a major fantasy reader as a child) until now. And, I must admit, I was not only pleasantly surprised, but delighted with
Newt's Emerald. This read was surprisingly quick and charming.
I liked the concept of the novel and all the elements: cross-dressing, magic, and regency romance. My only criticism is that I wished there had been more explanation behind the whole magic system, but, other than that, I found everything to be perfectly enchanting.
I loved
Newt's Emerald, and I definitely will be reading more Garth Nix novels.
What can you read after
Newt's Emerald?
About the Author:
Garth Nix is a New York Times bestselling novelist and has been a full-time writer since 2001, but has also worked as a literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller, and as a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve.
Garth's many books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series, beginning with Sabriel and continuing to Goldenhand; the sci-fi novels Shade's Children and A Confusion of Princes; the Regency romance with magic Newt's Emerald; and novels for children including The Ragwitch, the Seventh Tower series, the Keys to the Kingdom series, and Frogkisser!, which is now in development as a feature film with Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios. Garth has written numerous short stories, some of which are collected in Across the Wall and To Hold the Bridge. He has also cowritten several children's book series with Sean Williams, including TroubleTwisters and Have Sword, Will Travel.
More than six million copies of his books have been sold around the world and his work has been translated into forty-two languages. You can find him online at www.garthnix.com.
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