Hummingbird

4.5/5.0
Wow! What an awesome start to a new series! Usually the first book in a developing series takes a bit to warm up to, build the world and get things in order (translation moves slow). This one does not do that at all! Somehow the author succeeds in achieving all those things while plunging the reader into the action and intrigue almost immediately. It was AWESOME!
Mairi, the main character, is a young, mute girl who works as an indentured servant by day and studies by night to achieve her dream of becoming an apothecary. When she discovers children are going missing and tragically loses her dearest friend, who is trying to find the children, Mairi dives into the vicious world of the mages in order to bring their treachery down and avenge their victims.
The story deepens and develops at a fast pace while never losing the nuances that make the reading enjoyable and riveting. There’s even a hint at a possible romance that will definitively keep readers wanting to grab the next book. I know I will be anxiously waiting and checking more of this new-to-me author’s books!

Unfortunately, due to the fact that I had to move houses I missed the deadline for downloading the ARC copy that was so graciously granted to me.
Nonetheless, I bought my copy of the book because I was intrigued and I want to leave my review, despite being late.

The writing style and storytelling were impeccable and fluid and made the perfect foundation for the wonderful series to bloom.
I adored the fresh idea of Mairi - the main character being mute and all her challenges and adding to that living in a society of only male mages and their superiority.
Strong and courageous character that I loved how she faces fiercely all that comes her way and not only that, but she stands up all others that cannot stand for themselves.
The story is gripping all the way and one of those that you can't put down and make you stay up late for that one more chapter!
Can't wait for the next installment to read what is coming next for Mairi.

This fantasy magic-based class struggle adventure is set in a version of Glasgow in an approximation of the early Victorian period. Harper’s feisty heroine, Mairi, has had a tough time of it. Raised in an orphanage and determined to better herself, she is currently working as a shopgirl/general servant to an unpleasant couple who run a shop selling tartan cloth. The other thing to know about her is that she cannot speak.

Having a mute heroine could have really got in the way. But Harper’s clever writing and skill in getting us to care about her main character meant that it didn’t in any way slow down the action. The scene setting is excellent. Tension crackled off the pages as Mairi tries to keep a low profile in a city where anyone different is immediately at risk.

There is a zombie element – the Afflicted who roam the streets at night looking for anyone to snack on. Obviously there is also a curfew in place for the protection of everyday folk, who are understandably terrified of the Afflicted. Especially as no one really knows how they are made. Do they become infected by being scratched or bitten by an Afflicted? Is it an illness? Or is it magic? The Mages claim to protect the general population, but then they claim to work for the service of the city. And as far as everyone else is concerned, they live a life of luxury shrouded in secrecy and if anyone tries to get too close – the consequences are dire.

This one grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end. And now, I’m desperate to know what is going to happen next. Very highly recommended for fans of gripping historical fantasy stories featuring a gutsy heroine. While I obtained an arc of Hummingbird from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

Having never read a Helen Harper book before I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one. The blurb ticked all the right boxes and thankfully the book didn't let me down either. This first instalment of Mairi's story grasped my attention from the very first page and never let me go until the very last line. I am thoroughly enraptured by this delightful story and will be waiting on tenterhooks until the next book is out.


Set in an alternate reality that felt to be somewhere in the late Victorian or Edwardian period, Hummingbird is written in the first person from the heroines' point of view. With themes of oppression, misogyny, poverty and greed we journey with Mairi from indentured servant through to inexperienced spy and finally watch as she becomes a revolutionary ingenue. I had expected somewhat of a cross between a cosy, witchy mystery and urban fantasy. This turned out to be a little harsher, darker and with the inclusion of both swearing and a sex scene is definitely aimed at the 18+ audience.


I warmed immediately to Mairi, she is a fighter, resilient and caring, with huge inner strength and a strong sense of moral duty. Despite being occasionally rash, belligerent and fool-hardy, she is the kind of heroine that feels real and is easy to relate to. The wide range of side characters adds depth and colour to the story but also the conundrum of who to trust and who is dangerous.


The writing style was very easy to read, the prose flowed smoothly and very easily held my attention. I was delighted with how many times the author threw a little plot twist in, taking me completely by surprise. The book ends on a very soft cliffhanger, with a lot more adventuring to be had and story to be told. I will most assuredly be continuing with this series.

Loved this series start!

I thoroughly enjoyed this refreshing step into a new world. From the first page, the story started and I could not put it down.

There is no info dump, no long, drawn out world build. This story had a graceful entrance into the world, and built throughout. Extra refreshing that the spice involved was well planned and fit into the story.

As you follow Maree through, you develop an emotional connection to her character that’s hard to shake. She’s relatable, mature, and grew within her arc.

My only ask overall, would be some more development of the secondary characters, as they were great as well, but we only saw small snippets of growth that could come across as bouncy.

This is number one in A Charade of magic books, and it is leading to being a great series if they are all as strong as number one.

This is well written, and you can’t help but feel for Mairi, and want to take her struggle from her, but she shows us just how strong she is. What a phenomenal story. This book was incredible. Could not put it down for a second and I can not wait for the next book to come out.

Delve into the port city of Glasgow, Scotland, where the power of mages is absolute, and the people are suffering.

You’re first introduced to Mairi; a young woman who works at a small clothing boutique, but secretly studies herbal medicine in the hope of opening her own apothecary. Her small world is turned upside down when she ventures out after dark one night save the life of a small, orphaned girl at St. Mags, a place she has intimate familiarity with.

A strict curfew is set in place as a safety net against the “Afflicted,” diseased, feral savages with a penchant for human-flesh.

Babies are being stolen, the cruelty of the mages is mounting, and public executions incite tension. Especially for Mairi, as the death of her loved one propels her into acting as a spy for the rebellion, from within the viper’s nest.

This novel is a journey of self-discovery, finding your magic, and the beginning of a revolution. The premise is unique in that magic is fueled by intent, and Mairi is mute. She is literally without voice, and yet is one of the most powerful mages to come into existence. Helen Harper builds a world with dynamic characters, a gorgeous gothic atmosphere, and a brilliant plot. The story is tense, fast-paced, dark and gritty.

“Jane’s voice was different when she addressed Fee, suggesting she was desperate for Fee’s approval…I saw how Flora looked inextricably sad when she thought nobody was looking and rubbed her thumb absently across a tiny birthmark on her wrist” (chapter 10).

The level of detail that Harper gives, cadence of voices, physical imperfections, and the surrounding scenery all allow you to really visualize what you’re reading. You are drawn into Mairi’s world, rather than being a mere spectator.

“You’ve fucked things up for yourself now, lassie. If you’d known what was good for you, you’d have stayed out there with the Afflicted” (chapter 12).

At this point, we’re already aware of Mairi’s inner strength, impulsiveness, and loyalty (that fact alone conveys Harper’s talent in building complex characters). But in the face of Mairi’s willingness to throw herself into an incredibly dangerous situation for what she believes in; this is the moment I truly connected with her character. Mairi overcomes her burdens, and thrives in the face of adversity, making her the type of person we all wish to emulate.

“A sudden vision of my fingernails clawing out his eyes before I stabbed him in the heart over and over and over again flashed into my mind” (chapter 13).

The surprising level of ferocity brandished by Mairi isn’t to her detriment. It only serves to make her stronger, formidable, even. I appreciate that Mairi is no soft-spoken princess, or a woman depending on a male protagonist to bolster her. She swears like a sailor, frequently makes mistakes, has self-doubt, and all this makes her relatable (to me at least).

“The magic choked and spluttered inside me, but it didn’t do what I needed it to” (chapter 18). Mairi is just beginning to understand her magic, and I was so pleased that an endless stream of luck and instant success with newfound magic powers didn’t apply here.

“I tightened my body and felt the mouse resist” (chapter 25).

An amazing aspect of witchcraft in this novel is the ability to shapeshift! But Harper takes it a step further. This is unique in that not only is transformation possible, but the mind and emotions of the host can still be sensed when the mage takes over.

“She always was slow to react and get her work done, wasn’t she?”... “‘Fucking run Mairi,’ he ordered. So I did” (chapter 27).

There’s nothing better than previously hated characters swooping in to save the day. Redeemable qualities are just another level of complexity Harper ties-in. My only suggestion is an elaboration on the "Afflicted," and some background on the vise-like hold the mages have on the city. It is more than likely Harper already planned on expanding on these things in the future series novels, but we were not given much information on these in Hummingbird.

I fell in love with both the author and the novel after this remarkable debut. This is definitely a series that you cannot miss out on. I want to extend my undying gratitude to the publisher and netgalley for providing this copy to me.

“Fuckety-bye, darling.”

***I was given a free advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

P.S. A few teeny editing notes I found: “Mairi has duties to attend to, and it looks to me as if you’re getting her way…. You ken, I heard that when she first came here, she had a thing with Ascendant” (chapter 19, missing a word in both sentences here). “On the face it they’d merely been doing charity work, though there must be more to it than that” (chapter 24, missing a word here). “It don’t think anyone got any sleep that night” (chapter 25, grammatical mishap).

Hummingbird is the first book in an incredible new series from Helen Harper. Only men can do magic, everyone knows that, right? In the city of Glasgow that’s what everyone has been raised to believe. The Mages rule the area with an iron fist. And for most life can be rough, but for some it’s rougher than others. Much of the populace live lives of quiet desperation. That’s especially true for Mairi, an orphaned mute who has modest dreams of making a better life for herself, but when a horrible incident occurs vengeance becomes her driving force. The Mages have secrets and she’s determined to discover them and burn them to the ground.

I enjoyed the heck out of this book. The characters are all well fleshed out and believable, especially Mairi. I got completely lost in her struggles. Her fiery spirit and impetuous actions had me truly worried for her, and of course cheering for her to succeed as well. I really enjoyed the world building and the magic system Ms. Harper created for the series, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for our young heroine.

I’d like to thank HarperFire and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an eARC of Hummingbird ( A Charade of Magic).

https://www.amazon.com/review/RLW7A7Q41CHIB/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hummingbird-helen-harper/1141316662?ean=9781913116385&bvnotificationId=24b06b70-c890-11ec-b817-128786875163&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/207632894

Thank you to Netgalley and the author, Helen Harper, for providing a copy of Hummingbird (A Charade of Magic book 1). I have reviewed honestly.

Hummingbird features, but is not limited to, the following themes:
○ Adult fantasy
○ Magic
○ Mages
○ Daemons
○ Revenge
○ Light romance
○ Scotland

My overall rating for Hummingbird is…

5 Stars!

If you're in need of a brand new fantasy tale with magic, a male dominant society, zombie-like beings, daemons, mages, mystery and revenge, look no further. Hummingbird is simply incredible! Right from the start the author snares you into this fantastic, dark fantasty. Mairi, the MC, was such a potent character to bond with and I loved the added mystique of her muteness. The Scottish setting created an alluring flavour to the story. Overall, Harper has demonstrated her master storytelling abilities in this outstanding book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars and almost one spicy pepper!

I am in love with this story, with this book...everything about it is amazing.

Scotland, magic, mystery...this book has it all! Mairi lives in a time where Mages rule (men who posses magic). They swear they're protecting their people from the Afflicted (zombie-like creatures) and other awful things. but are they really? Or are they just instilling fear?

Mairi, a mute young woman, tries to find out the truth about the mages as well as herself. Why? Women aren't allowed to have magic but apparently, she has it by the bucketloads....

I can't wait for the second one!

PLEASE GO BUY THIS BOOK NOW. PLEASE. JUST GO. STOP READING THIS REVIEW AND GO ALREADY.

This is an unusual read! I found it to be engrossing and kept me wondering what was next. Mairi is so much more than she appears. Her strength and determination ran through the entire book. The "mouse" spell was a shocker!

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think I pretty much devoured this novel in a day and a half. The story was fresh, the characters were intriguing, and you never knew what was about to happen. Full of magic, action, intrigue, and romance, this novel keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This was such a great start to the series and I absolutely can’t wait to read the next one. I’m on pins and needles to see what happens.

<i>Hummingbird</i> is the start of a new series, set in an alternative Glasgow. Mages rule the people. They control ravens which they use as their eyes and ears, and if needed even as an attack force. They also control Daemons, a more or less humanoid race with some extras, like horns. For the people of Glasgow, leaving their houses after dark is dangerous, because then the Afflicted wander around. Afflicted are people who were once normal, but who got affected by a disease of unknown origin, after which they turned into wild savages that will hunt and eat people. Last but not least, Glasgow has Mairi Wallace, a young woman who grew up in an orphanage, but now lives under poor circumstances at Twister and Belle’s, husband and wife, sellers of clothes and fabric.

The story starts when Mairi is called to the orphanage by her friend Isla, to cure a sick child, because Mairi knows a thing or two about apothecary. At that moment, Isla tells about the disappearance of yet another baby. It has been a while since that happened, and in the days after, Isla starts snooping around to find out who is behind that. Shortly thereafter she is publicly hanged, officially because of treason against the Mages. Mairi witnesses the hanging and this changes her. She has lived an anonymous life so far, but now leaves the house of her employer. The death of her best friend makes her wanting to infiltrate the Mages and she becomes determined to conquer them. It’s time to fight for the freedom of her people.

<i>Hummingbird</i> is urban fantasy, and some of the typical fantasy tropes are clearly present. There is a battle between good (Mairi) and evil (the Mages), a society resembling our late nineteenth century, and of course a chosen one (Mairi) who, against all odds, appears to possess certain powers that help her grow from a little nobody to someone with the ability to lead people and change things. But with these tropes, <b>Helen Harper</b> has baked a tasty cake. Mairi is a women who can’t speak, for one. This changes the dynamics of her conversations, because whatever Mairi thinks, expressing herself is still another matter. How much variety can you bring into the fact that Mairi only has her hands and facial expression available to make herself clear? Well, a whole book full of it, so it seems. There is literally never a moment at which you think: <i>okay, I know it by now</i>. Harper remains original en finds nice solutions to problems related to Mairi’s absence of a voice, like for instance how to use spells that have to be spoken out loud.

<i><blockquote>"I’ve heard the Afflicted folks screaming and seen the body bags arriving. But whit could I do? They’d as soon as set me on fire as anything. I keep my heid down and get on with my job as best as I can."</blockquote></i>

The local Glasgow accent is well integrated into the story. You literally hear how words sound by just reading them. Most of it is easy to understand, even though you might need to read a sentence a second time sometimes. The author has not overdone this either, so it remains fresh and fun. But, the most important of all is the plot of course, and that is attractive. Mairi goes through interesting times, jumps from one little adventure to the next without much pause. The pace of the book remains steady. I don’t often call a book a page turner but in this case I kept reading and found it difficult to take a break from the story. The narrative style is entertaining, with several original moments, and I believe Mairi’s character has enough potential to last for one or more sequels. A recommended read.

(Thanks to NetGalley and BookBuzz for providing an ARC of this book.)

Hummingbird is a wonderful fantasy book about a mute woman who learns she can wield magic. It is everything I look for in a fantasy story and more. It has a great plot with lots of twists and turns and evil mages ruling a city with an iron fist. It has strong characters like Mairi our heroine, who is smart and cunning. I also really loved Laoch and the resistance that had her back. The dialogue was perfect and quite funny at times. The magic spells were intriguing and fun to learn. It even had a bit of transfiguration! This is really a great book and a fantastic start to what I hope will be a long series.

I loved this book. The story is wonderful and I couldn’t put the book down. There is great character development with a lot of very likable characters and great portrayals of despicable characracters. There are even delightfully ambiguous characters. There are some great action sequences. And even though the story takes place in Scotland, there is a minimum of eye dialect, which I have trouble dealing with. The book has some humor and some wording that is so good, I would re-read several passages. I look forward to reading the other books in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and HarperFire for the advance reader copy.

This book really truly surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.

Firstly there’s something so satisfying about reading a book set in Scotland as a fellow Scot. The use of Scots words felt authentic and added some humour to the story, definitely was not over done or stereotyped.

Secondly I loved Mairi she felt relatable, likeable and I’m pretty sure she’s gonna be incredibly kick ass in the sequels.

Jam packed with action, adventure, a hint of romance and a really great magic system!

There were a couple of big unanswered questions by the end but I’m not worried, they were addressed in such a way that they will likely be answered in future books all of which I WILL be reading.

I really enjoyed this read. I liked the writing, I liked the story, I liked the characters but the best thing about this book was by far the world building. I am so looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.

Yes I know this is the beginning of a series so many would rate a four but I enjoyed this so much for its originality that for me this is a definite five ! There are numerous books that use magical words that have to be imbued with intent to get the desired results but what if the person who has the magic inside them were mute ? That’s exactly the difficulty that faces Mairi when she discovers that she’s a rare female who possesses magic. Surrounded by powerful men you would think that she would kowtow and be subservient but Mairi is a strong character with backbone, courage and as dark secrets become revealed she’s unafraid to stand up for those who cannot do it themselves. Prepare to stay up late my fellow bibliophiles because this story will grab you by the throat and keep you eagerly turning the pages !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I have always enjoyed a good fiction story and this one did not disappoint. With such strong and thoughtful characters, you can’t help but love how thing unfolds. Hope that there is going to be a next book in this series.

Another great example of worldbuilding and showing over telling. Although this is labelled as Urban Fantasy, I think it leans more heavily in the Fantasy genre than Urban Fantasy.

Mairi’s begins her story with next to no power as a mute orphan who became an indentured servant. She is attempting to study to become an apothecary and make something of herself as she also sticks to her principles and values. I like the fact that her muteness was both a plot point that didn’t disappear when it became inconvenient for much of Book 1, and other characters struggled to communicate with her. Mairi is resourceful, canny, practical, and resilient. All the best things in a protagonist, it was also nice to take a break from the “sassy strong woman-skinned man” protagonist, (which I love too)… There’s still a “chosen one” element but only due to a process of elimination… Harper’s worldbuilding choices could be seen as a feminist piece.

This is a world full of shades of grey - the Afflicted, mages, familiars, daemons, and secret rebels. Be careful who you root for and hold off snap judgments! I’ve always liked how Harper manages to make her supporting characters have depth… This is a promising beginning and I liked how Mairi’s motivation managed to just about avoid the fridging trope - Isla did have agency, her own origins, and she made her own choices.

If you like gritty dystopian world building and sensible but gutsy protagonists, give this a go! I finished it off in one sitting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. What follows is my honest review.

I am a big fan of Helen Harper. Her books all are in the fantasy genre but range from cute, light fantasy to vampires. This book is a bit darker but no less interesting.

It takes place in a dystopian Edinburgh where all is controlled by male mages using magic and fear to control the populace.

Maire is of the servant class, raised in an orphanage and mute. When her only friend is wrongly executed by the mages, Maire decides to avenge her.

The world building is spot on and readily believeable. The real interest was seeing Maire grow into her own and discover her power.

The second book can't come out soon enough.