Truthful Newington is a young heiress looking forward to her first season in London in an alternative Regency period England. At her 18th birthday party, her grandfather shows her part of her inheritance, a large emerald rumored to have great magical powers. During the party the lights go out and someone steals the emerald. Truthful's grandfather falls instantly ill and Truthful worries that he might die unless the stone is returned. It is decided she will go to London a little early and search for possible leads to its whereabouts. She also decides she can accomplish her goals much more easily dressed as a man, but the deception lands her into more trouble and excitement than she could have ever imagined. My daughter checked this one out to listen to on ta road trip and when she got back she said I would probably like it. I really did. It is like Georgette Heyer meets... well... Garth Nix. Nix shows that he has a least a little familiarity of the time period, talking about dresses, and balls, and the "ton". But he adds in an evil sorceress, necromancers (of course) and pirates to make it a little more interesting. It reminded me of Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. Anyway, it is a delight and, although it is a teen/adult book, it has no objectionable element at all. (291 p)
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