Dark Mirror by M. J. Putney

"Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status. 

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, itcould strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth. "- GoodReads.

Paperback, 306 pages

Published March 1st 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Review Request from publisher

M. J. Putney has created such a fun and fantastic world. As a lover of historical fiction I was so excited to receive Dark Mirror. What I really loved about this story is that it is historically accurate, well, except for the magic part. For me that is just so neat that she took real events but added the fun twist of magic and mages being the cause for things that happened.
I really enjoyed the characters, as well. Tory was a really good main character. When she knew she had to do something to help other people she didn't care how it made her look. She did it. Whata woman.
Jack was my favorite though. He was such a scene stealer, so funny and full of himself. I think there should have been more with him. 
The romance was sweet for the most part, but there could have been a little more to it. It was nice that after two pages the characters were not declaring their undying love for each other, but it could have used more than a couple glances and a couple of very short conversations.


My hitch with the story was just how easily everything that they needed to happen, happened. I was always wondering where the conflict was. Where were the hurdles that they had a hard time getting over? It just seemed like every time they decided on a plan, things went accordingly. And I just needed more "Oh my gosh how are we going to get out of this mess. Everything we try is not working. What are we going to do?!"


Other than that it was a sweet, fun, and quick story and I will be reading the second one, Dark Passage, when it is released. I am very interested to see where that one is going to go and what M. J. Putney has in store for the students of Lackland.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, altered my opinion of the story.