*sighs* I'm loving these books... The style is very Jane Austen, but with magic. I like how the author keeps quite faithful to the style, even when she digresses from the typical Jane Austen subjects. And how she sticks to those subjects, even when magic or war are discussed. Jane's outlook remains firmly Jane-Austen like, even though she does change her mind about things due to her new profession and circumstances. For instance, Jane remains very conscious of propriety, even if she is sometimes annoyed by people who dismiss her because she is a woman, or when she observes different social rules in Belgium.
What I almost always dislike in books is when being pregnant diminishes a woman's capability of performing magic. Although that is also the case in Glamour in glass, I must admit that in this case, it makes sense. In other books it often seems just a ploy to introduce weakness for a woman, particularly if that woman is strong and powerful (in some cases, even a period results in weakness, for instance in the Daughter of the blood books by Anne Bishop.) Here though, it seems inevitable that performing glamour is a bad idea if you are pregnant, since already in the first book it was made quite clear that it can be dangerous to your health if overdone. Both Vincent and Jane are overcome by excessive glamour use before the author every thought of having anyone become pregnant.
Although I didn't really like the pregnancy, I love both Jane and Vincent, and even lack of glamour didn't stop Jane from contributing to science and to the war efforts. The glitches in their marriage that Jane and Vincent experience are natural to their characters and situation, and I like that even though it results in momentary unhappiness, their arguments are honest and performed with mutual respect, without unnecesary misunderstandings. And I definitely like how Jane grows character-wise, losing her pain over being plain and becoming more secure in her relationship with Vincent.
I've already started part 3 in this series, and I can totally see me reading all of them. If they keep up this level, that won't be any problem! ( )

Once again, ran into a due date I couldn't renew. Luckily, YA is easily digestible in an evening. This takes place within a year after Shades of Milk and Honey, when the Vincents decide to take a delayed honeymoon to Belgium... right when Napoleon returns to France. I enjoyed this more than SoMaH, but can't put my finger on why. Maybe the expanded universe- no longer a sleepy British town, but a sleepy Flemish town like a powderkeg?

Jane's pregnancy and miscarriage in the last chapter were well done, I thought. As Kowal mentions in the afterward, it's not a subject that comes up often in fiction of the time but something that would've been present in the era. I appreciated that our heroine had the feeling of relief that she could form glamours again instead of just grief- pregnancy and loss of are often nuanced and not as black and white as some would like to believe. ( )

Another enjoyable read from Mary Robinette Kowal. Like [b:Shades of Milk and Honey|7295501|Shades of Milk and Honey (Shades of Milk and Honey, #1)|Mary Robinette Kowal|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312059646s/7295501.jpg|8624218], I wouldn't usually find myself attracted a story set in the Regency period, with all of the preaning society and fussing over propriety and fashion and such. I would much rather read books with action, maybe with spies and science fiction. But I enjoyed the first book of the series and felt like I was invested in it, so onward!

Happily, not only does this book deliver on the period details and characters, it also brings in some action and spies, and takes the fantasy almost into science fiction (Jane comes up with the idea of capturing the effects of glamour/magic in glass, hence the title).

Napolean is in exile and peace has broken out on the continent. The recently married Jane and Vincent head for Belgium to spend time with his glamour mentor. This gives Jane a new set of societal, political and personal problems to navigate. Then Napolean goes on the move again and things heat up.

The writing is top-notch. The author has a deft touch with character and dialog. Settings are distinct and vivid. I'm looking forward to the next book. ( )

Another re-read! The newly married Jane and Vincent head to the Continent to enjoy a honeymoon. However, even though Napoleon is exiled there still seems to be uncertainty and tension in Belgium. Is everything and everyone as they seem? ( )

Good one! I liked it more than the first book in the series, and I loved the author’s notes at the end.
The magic in this historical fantasy is so different than what I’ve read in other fantasies, and the fact that it’s used for art, mainly by women, is just wonderful. Vincent and Jane still manage to get mixed up in life-threatening adventures though, even if they really just want to pursue their art and hang out and enjoy marriage.
I admire the author’s commitment to avoiding anachronisms (they “vex” her, as she says in the afterward), and she balances Jane’s conventional upbringing with her unconventional lifestyle nicely. I’m not an expert on the period, but Jane’s thoughts and actions ring true.
This is a series I will definitely continue and recommend. ( )