Eclipse: a 1920s historical fantasy romance (Mysterious Powers Book 3)

It's kind of like hanging out in the teacher's lounge at Hogwarts, hearing the teachers of various magic disciplines talk about student issues and school politics. It's a very gentle and restful read with a slow burn love story. Re: my cozy fantasy rating… Technically this is set in historical England, but most of the plot takes place at a magical school, so it feels like a fantasy world.

First, be assured no copyrighted volumes were harmed in this work — but an HP reference gives the flavor of this magical Albion where Schola exists. Lots of world building is required and skillfully delivered. The two protagonists are professors who slide quietly from friendship to love while coping with strange doings, academic wrangling, and the issues in their own lives. These people have many layers and so does this world.I have now made my way through nearly all of the author’s works — it’s the same universe but the books stand alone, with some characters which interconnect. I really really like them, but ECLIPSE is my favorite, with GOBLIN FRUIT running second. Unlike the Potter universe, sex is mentioned and described, though not graphically.These are fab comfort reads, and since this world is quite complicated, a lot of rereading is worthwhile. (THANK you)Dorothy L. Sayers fans, please sign up here. FYI I found these books through the site Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. I commend them to your attention.

This is a more complex book than the first two in the series, and the focus is different -- it's about politics, both internal and external, in a lot of ways that reflect against each other. Our hero and heroine are from vastly different stations, and it shows in ways that haven't as much yet: this book starts making it clear that the world of Albion has a lot of politics going on in the background that haven't made it to the page yet (or at least not in the ones I've read!) and starts making you look a little crosswise at what has gone before. Which, if I'm not clear enough, I really love in a book! I also appreciate that the romance is slower to develop, in a way that feels really authentic to the characters, and (as I'm coming to expect!) that everyone involved is an adult with their own priorities that don't necessarily involve a tidy wrapped package at the end of it but do result in a satisfying happy ending.One caveat: as befitting a book set at a largish school, there are A LOT of names, made more complex by different people addressing people differently. The author has helpfully included a dramatis personae, but if you're name-blind like me, some additional notes might help!

I loved this book but it is leisurely, has a lot of school politics and a very slow-burning romance so your mileage may vary. Set in a magical England following World War I. The protagonists care deeply about the students they are guiding although there's not that much faculty-student interaction. As a Harry Potter fan, the author has obviously put a lot of thought into what she thinks a magical school should be. Recommended.

Intriguing characters, and I have very much enjoyed the previous books in the series. This book is nicely done, the characters grow and develop during the story arc. I enjoy the premise of the series, but more so, I appreciate that there's growth and change in the world building. Thesan is one of the more delightful characters in a series filled with well-written and strong feminine main characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I started reading Celia Lake because I like my genres thoroughly mixed. I continue because she is a fine storyteller.Her "Mysterious Powers" books are rather meditative puzzles. I don't know how other people have reacted to them, but they've made me think. The romance and history and magic elements are certainly there; but the focus of the story is on power of various kinds and how different people deal with it.Eclipse is actually my favorite of the three in this series that have come out so far, but all of them are well worth reading, and re-reading.

I like Thesan, the young master astronomy professor at Schola, who is from a modest family and has risen due to talent, without family assistance. Her friend Isembard is a temporary professor from a prominent political family. There is a mystery about students doing unauthorized magic on campus to solve, and for the most part I enjoyed this part. However a huge part of the book is about teaching, school curricula testing etc etc, and as someone who isn't a teacher this part dragged for me. Eventually I was skimming these parts, and would like ~40% less!! I have read all of Celia Lake"s books and have loved visiting this very particular world, but this time all the circuitous discussions just seemed like too much.Again part of this is the world and style, but this time it seemed a bit tedious.

3.5I am a fan of this author but a word of warning - the pace in her novels is very slow and plot usually quite meandering. If you like slice-of-life stories, you'll enjoy her books. If you like engaging , fast, tightly plotted reads - stay away!This book is not one of my favorites of hers, I found the plot almost non-existent and vague and to top off my annoyance, the resolution was more vaguely alluded to than shown.If you came here for the romance though, I think you will leave satisfied. The main couple have a very believable and solid friends to friends with benefits to lovers arc. Again, expect a lovely slow burn not instalust and boner-led heroes.So it's 2.5 for plot and 4.5 for the romance really. Do with it what you will.

I like this author, and this trope. Teachers at a college for magic deal with student plots, a political kidnapping attempt and a push to get the curriculum changed to favour wealthier students- while the headmaster does nothing. Gentle romance in a fantasy Britain between the wars.

A slow, steadily growing romance between two teachers at a magical school, set in 1920 on an island in Wales.There are several mysterues they have to solve together, and only one of them is wether a relationship between rhem might work..