A College of Magics

A College of Magics (#1)

"Strikingly set, pleasingly peopled, and cleverly plotted. Stevermer has made a successful transition to adult entertainment; which, as others have discovered, is by no means as easy as it looks."

Kirkus, STARRED Review

"Clever and witty at its best, this is generally a pleasant read."

Publishers Weekly

"One of the most entertaining and satisfying fantasies to come along in some time!"

Locus

"[D]elightful from start to finish. It is a funny, complicated, suspenseful, and magical book"

All About Romance

"College of Magics is full of wit, wisdom and swashbuckling adventure, but there is also a strong feel for atmosphere, and Stevermer has a gift for bringing it to life."

The Book Loon

"Stevermer at her best: synthesizing and playing with bits of other books, while also making something new and beautiful."

By Singing Light

"A College of Magics has everything: a wicked uncle, an evil blonde, obliging highwaymen, an exploding hat, and attempted murder on the Orient Express. It certainly won't be to everyone's tastes, but it's one of the best books I've read this year."

Epiphyte Book Review

A Scholar of Magics (#2)

"In this sequel to Stevermer's charming fantasy of manners, A College of Magics, set in an alternate Edwardian age, the descriptions of life at Glasscastle University, together with the sheer zest of the characters for magic, truth and fashion, make this a sweet, magical romance. This is the perfect read for those who enjoy taking ambling walks in orderly alternate worlds where calling cards and starched collars still help make a man."

Publishers Weekly

"The sequel to A College of Magics takes place in the same magical, Victorian-Edwardian Britain, and shows yet again that Stevermer is a worthy follower of Jane Austen for wit, of Dorothy Sayers for suspense and erudition. This emerging series will likely draw readers from across a very wide spectrum of the fantasy and alternate history audiences, including--indeed, never forgetting--the adult readership for the adventures of the boy named Harry."

Booklist

"A very entertaining romp through an alternate Edwardian England."

New England Science Fiction Association

"Such wonderful atmosphere. This is a very well written book and a pleasure to read."

SF Revu

"One of the best fantasies I've read of the 2004 crop. A wonderfully conceived and described setting, likable characters, worthy villains, a reasonable mystery, and delightful writing."

Chronicle

"It's a very engaging, very fun, novel. The characters are likeable, believable, and unexpected in some ways. The love story is very understated, to good effect. The magic is interesting and nicely handled."

RR Horton Reviews

The Glass Magician Series

The Glass Magician (#1)

"A slow buildup that leads to an exciting and satisfying conclusion."

Kirkus Reviews

"And just like Thalia, the sky’s the limit for where this series can go from here—there are more mysteries to solve, and more of this fantastical world to explore."

Tor.com

"Caroline Stevermer blends stage magic and fantasy magic in The Glass Magician, a fresh coming-of-age mystery set in an alternate version of 1905 New York City."

Shelf Awareness

"The Glass Magician marks Caroline Stevermer’s eagerly awaited return to the fantasy shelves. Longtime fans will recognize her trademark humor, witty dialogue, and sense of the absurd."

The Black Gate

"Stevermer has re-imagined New York's Gilded Age to perfection…pure fantasy and fascinating, a prickly murder mystery, and a bevy of strong women, both young and old."

Jane Yolen, Nebula Award-winning author

"A delicious read—elegant, neat, sprightly, well-defined and likeable characters…I absolutely loved it."

Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library series

The Cecelia and Kate Novels

Sorcery & Cecelia: Or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (#1)

"[T]his clever romp will appeal to fans of Regency romance and light fantasy"

Kirkus Reviews

“Older girls who have outgrown Harry Potter will like their slightly rebellious natures, the magical twists and turns, and especially the humor and quick pace.”

The San Diego Tribune

"So if you're a fan of romance, magic, period dramas, Jane Austen, gloves, chocolate pots or even if you just like good writing, I encourage you to pick up SORCERY AND CECELIA"

YA Books Central

“Witty, light, and funny . . . Regency romance as well as fantasy fans are going to line up for it.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[A] funny, witty, exciting read, filled with magic, interfering aunts, enchanted chocolate pots, romance, adventure and a certain tone that reminds us continually that it is real letters that we are reading"

Fantasy Literature Magazine

"I think it a fair assessment to say that Sorcery and Cecelia is utterly charming and, reading it in your favourite chair perhaps with a cup of tea by your side, leaves you feeling delightfully giddy and cozy. For those of us who love both Jane Austen and fantasy, this book is a match made in literary heaven."

SF Site

"[A]ll lovers of the Regency and fantasy fiction would do well to discover this gem. You are in for a treat."

All About Romance

"This book gave me a ton of Pride & Prejudice vibes, which is probably why I loved it so much."

Leaf's Reviews

"[F]illed with suspense, action, humor and romance that shines through both Cecelia’s and Kate’s letters. [...] from two talented and well-known fantasy writers, what else can a reader expect but perfection?"

Miss Print Reviews

"I found this book delightful in every way."

Sonderbooks Reviews

"If you enjoy fantasy or Regency books, you should love this one!"

Debbie Winkler Reviews

"If you like Jane Austen, Regency tales, historical capers, or heroines who can kick butt without spilling their tea, then you will love Sorcery and Cecelia."

Susan Dennard, NYT bestselling author of the Witchlands Series

“I want to live inside Caroline Stevermer’s books. Her characters are clever, courageous, and charming.”

Holly Black, author of the Spiderwick Chronicles series

The Grand Tour: Or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia (#2)

"This is an enjoyable book with a set of very pleasant characters."

SF Site

"I love these characters unconditionally, in a way I rarely love book characters. Artless, charming, and profoundly entertaining, both Cecelia and Kate are first-rate characters in a first-rate fantasy series."

Miss Print

"Stevermer and Wrede do a really good job with the plot, building it up with little mysteries and hints and then bringing it all together in the end neatly."

Leaf's Reviews

"[T]he bookish equivalent of a frothy cup of hot chocolate"

The Black Letters

The Mislaid Magician: Or, Ten Years After (#3)

"A thoroughly enchanting confection."

Kirkus Reviews

"[A] wonderful blend of magic, mystery, adventure, and romance. [...] The entire series is a wonderful young adult fantasy, and a must read for adults and kids alike."

Historical Novel Society

"The focus is on the characters, well supported by the sheer fun of the plot. Wrede and Stevermer are both superlative character writers."

SF Site

"[A]n absorbing adventure. This is clever, light reading. There are some very fun and surprising bits of magic thrown into the mix."

Sonderbooks Reviews

Standalone

When the King Comes Home

"Beautifully rendered . . . fantasy of a high order."

Kirkus Reviews

"[A] witty tale of what really can happen when legends come to life."

Booklist

"This book is a gem. I like it better every time I read it."

Tor.com

"There's a little bit of Camelot here, subtly drawn characters and a wry humour that makes this new book just a plain good read. There is no predictable pattern here, no cookiecutter formula. Just a spunky hero, a tragic tale reborn (and redeemed) and a clear, clean style reminiscent of the best of young adult classics with depth."

SF Site

"It’s beautifully written, has a unique setting, and is firmly devoted to its overarching theme of a loss of wonder in the world. Worth a read."

The Literary Omnivore

"[E]ntertaining, with very well-drawn characters, an exciting story, a mythical love triangle, and above all, a Renaissance landscape in vibrant colour."

The Book Loon

"The characters are vivid and sympathetic, the musings on art interesting even to a non-artist, the conflicts heartfelt, and the prose lovely. It's a fantasy that's concrete, not in recipe-spells but in the details of the world and the dialogue and the essential grounded nature of Hail. I recommend it highly."

SteelyPips Reviews

“Absolutely the best I’ve read in ages! Each chapter is a new revelation on the nature of art or magic, friendship or creativity, heroism or home . . . Stevermer captures the gritty reality that makes fantasy believable; and also finds magic in the most commonplace details.”

Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award–winning author

“[A] glittering Renaissance triumph set in world an angel’s-wing away from our own. Stevermer brings both hearts and crowns vibrantly to life.”

Rosemary Edghill, New York Times–bestselling author of Book of Moons

The Serpent’s Egg

“To know this book is to love it passionately. I want to live in it. I want to exchange banter with witty ne’er do wells, be boon companion to noble-hearted yet practical ladies, aid a nerdy librarian with her magic, and incidentally save the kingdom. Here is true magic.”

Ellen Kushner, World Fantasy Award–winning author

“I really enjoyed reading The Serpent’s Egg, and delighted in the unusual characterizations and plot.”

Anne McCaffrey, New York Times–bestselling author of the Dragonriders of Pern series

“Sparkling characters, humor, and lots of action . . . A very talented writer!”

R.A. MacAvoy, John W. Campbell Award–winning author of Lens of the World

“A rousing tale of courtly intrigues and chivalrous honor”

Charles de Lint, award-winning author of Widdershins

Middle Grade

Magic Below Stairs

"This cozy tale of household magic, complete with a dash of adventure and a pinch of danger, will have children cheering for Frederick as he finds his way in his new home. Stevermer's readers will enjoy seeing characters from some of her earlier works make an appearance, and fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Patricia C. Wrede will appreciate this delightful Victorian fantasy."

School Library Journal

"The book is gracefully and winningly written, moves at a swift pace and allows Frederick to show himself as both an 11-year-old boy and a budding student of magic. [...] Lovely and lively."

Kirkus Reviews

“Magic Below Stairs is a fun, light book for grade school readers. The plot is amusing, and the depiction of the curse is gritty and made my skin crawl, but this is overall a light read that will delight young readers and amuse older ones. It also made me want a brownie as a companion."

Fantasy Literature Magazine

"The greatest strength of this book is Frederick, who is curious, hard-working, sometimes cranky—much like Lord Schofield, in fact—and courageous. He reads as a very real person, and you'll be happy to see him finding his place in the world."

Book Aunt

"Frederick is an endearing eleven-year-old with charming innocence...Magic Below Stairs is an enjoyable read with a fun character to cheer for."

Damsel in Regress

"[P]eople looking for really good stories, really well told, in which character is central but magic is important, will probably enjoy it lots, just as I did"

Charlotte's Library

River Rats

“Calling to mind such widely disparate writers as Mark Twain, Andre Norton and Peter Dickinson, Stevermer paints a realistic ruin of society.”

Publishers Weekly

“This adventure is too good to miss.

Booklist

“An unusual, compelling futuristic novel . . . wry, sharp, lively, and perceptive.”

The Horn Book (STARRED Review!)

"Stevermer's compelling eye for detail, just the right detail, enabling me to hear a single sound; smell a smell, understand a character's hidden thought. I appreciated how deftly Stevermer makes the characters come alive"

SF Site