Without a Summer: Cold magic in Regency England

Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal

Without a Summer is the third book in Mary Robinette Kowal’s GLAMOURIST fantasy series set in an alternative Regency-era England where magic, or “glamour,” is used as an art form to create intricate visual illusions. Jane and Vincent, both accomplished glamour artists, are visiting with Jane’s parents and younger sister Melody in the country.  It’s an unseasonably cold spring, giving rise to concerns about the harvest. Jane and Melody’s father is concerned that a poor harvest could affect his ability to provide Melody with a suitable dowry; Melody is frustrated with the dearth of interesting and marriageable men in the area.

So when Jane and Vincent are offered the change to create a magical illusion for a London family, they invite Melody to come along and enjoy a stay in London. But some unexpected troubles and complications face them in London. Jane’s relationship with Melody becomes more difficult as Melody resists Jane’s attempts to guide her path. Vincent’s father is strong-willed and domineering, creating some problematic family dynamics, particularly as he attempts to exert his influence in Jane and Vincent’s lives.  And there are societal tensions in London, as the extremely cold spring has led to prejudice against “coldmongers,” lower class magic workers who can control cold air, leading to their increased unemployment, which in turn causes poverty, labor unrest and riots.

As a main character, Jane can be somewhat tiresome, due to her ongoing insecurity issues and tendency to bicker with her sister. When there is a relatively minor disclosure to Jane about Vincent’s past, she overreacts. Although she forgives him quickly, her reaction seemed excessive and unrealistic, given the social mores of Regency-era London.

The plotline about London’s downtrodden coldmongers and the way they are used and discarded by society was interesting and very reflective of actual societal problems. Unfortunately, overall this novel didn’t engage me the way I would have expected from a combination of magical fantasy and a Regency setting, probably because I didn’t fully identify or sympathize with Jane as a main character.  After reading two books in this series, Shades of Milk and Honey and Without a Summer, I don’t plan to read any more. However, Mary Robinette Kowal is a talented author, and other readers have enjoyed this series much more than I have, so if it sounds appealing I encourage you to give it a try.