The Regency Mage series by Joyce Harmon is delightful. It is a magical sequel to Pride and Prejudice featuring the bookish sister, Mary Bennett. The Regency Mage series has four books in it. Thus far, I have only completed three, but I will update this once I’m done with the fourth.
The Regency Mage Series to Date
The Bingley Code Sets the Stage
In Book 1, Mary Bennett and the Bingley Code, Mary just wants to read her books and learn about the world. Her mother, however, lives to marry her off to anyone with breath in their lungs and a few pounds in their purse. How can Mary escape her manipulative mother? By going off to visit her sister and brother-in-law who live at the Bingley’s estate. Her sister tells her mother that she wants Mary to come with them so that she can meet a new batch of single, wealthy men. In actuality, she will be working to put their library in order, get away from her mother and enjoy reading new books. Little does she know that the books that she discover in this library will change her life.
The Wickham Artifact Jumpstarts Mary’s Magical Education
In Book 2, Mary Bennett and the Wickham Artifact, Mary’s dream comes true — she gets to go to London! She is the most blessed of bluestockings because not only does end up in London, but she works in the British Museum with the Order. Before she can enjoy her newfound ability to earn her own money and not worry about her matchmaking mother. That is until her brother-in-law Wickham arrives with a cursed Egyptian artifact. Mary is dragged into a whole new set of adventures as they try to vanquish the evil magician.
The Beast of Rosings Park Marks Mary’s Personal Growth
Mary Bennet and the Beast of Rosings Park (Regency Mage Book 3) finds Mary recuperating from her experiences in Book 2. She and her escort, Mrs. Courtland, spend time visiting relatives, but when they arrive at Rosings Park they find strange things happening. Animals are being mysteriously killed and people are disappearing or turning up dead. Mary and her group of merry magicians work to find out what’s menacing the small community.
I Can’t Wait to Find Out What Happens Next!
And then, there’s Mary Bennet and the Shades of Pemberley (Regency Mage Book 4), From the description, Mary’s travels take her over to see her sister Lizzie and Darcy (yes, THAT Darcy) for Christmas. When she arrives at Pemberley, she discovers that the place is overrun with ghosts. Worst of all, only Nary and her sister Lizzie can see them. Mary has to sort things out before her sister is put away. I wonder who is sending them, I must read faster so that I can find out!
Why I Like the Mary’s Regency Mage Series
I really like Mary Bennett. If she were real, I think that we would have been good friends. Although her time period and my own are quite different, we have lots in common. For example, I’d rather read a book than go to a dance. I love, love, LOVE learning new things and seeing the world from different angles. When I was growing up I was the weird one. I don’t care about fashion and I choose hairstyles that are easy to maintain because I can’t be bothered. Although I have always wanted to be married and have a family, I didn’t understand the purpose of flirting and play-acting to get a man’s attention. I’d rather read my books, just ike Mary.
Joyce Harmon adheres to the regency era speech patterns, but the writing never feels stuffy or overdone. It’s interesting to see how the English language has shifted over the centuries. I’ve had to crack my dictionary out (okay, I checked on my Kindle while reading) for some of the lesser known names and descriptors of her character’s “modern” lives.
The author does an excellent job of fleshing out the important characters in Mary’s life. As Mary’s circle of friends grows, the reader watches each one grow and change as the story progresses. This is a regency novel, so of course there’s always someone plotting to get married or marry someone else off, but Mary’s personal story is about her growth and not about finding a husband. At some point I’m sure that Mary will find her match, but it’s wonderful that the romance is not the main focus of the series.
Final Thoughts
This is a very well done series. It holds my interest while giving me a glimpse into the Regency era of life. Jane Austen does the same thing, but Joyce Harmon’s influx of magic makes it so much more fun. This book is clean — there is no profanity or sexual situations. It is suitable for all ages. Take a look, I’m sure you’ll be hooked too.
