THE THIEF ON THE WINGED HORSE
KATE MASCARENHAS
*****
When the most expensive and famous magic doll is stolen right from under the Kendrick’s noses, it’s obvious there is family betrayal afoot – who can they trust?
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up The Thief on The Winged Horse but I’m so glad I requested it and I have already begun recommending it to friends! Kate Mascarenhas has really built a well-developed and realistic world of supernatural doll-making in Oxford and it was a pleasure to get to know the characters and be moved and surprised by the plot.
I really enjoyed learning about all of the characters – Persephone in particular is well-rounded and likeable but also has some very human flaws. From the scheming Hedwig and alcoholic Briar through to the aging Conrad, all characters were very well-developed and had their individual progression through the plot. I particularly liked Larkin’s character arc as well and there were a lot of plot points that surprised me and that I did not see coming.
A few reviewers have pointed out that the plot seemed odd when set in modern times but the book does make a point at the beginning that mobile phones didn’t get a signal on the Eyet. The whole village had a cult-like vibe to it and I think the modern setting actually added to the story and allowed for a few modern twists to help the plot.
I liked the way that magic is used and the inherent sexism that runs throughout the community. This only really gets introduced towards the latter half of the book though and I felt like we could have been made aware of it a little earlier, whether explicitly or just with smaller hints. I liked the story of the founding of the company and the fae folklore as well. Although the book is relatively long, I found myself finishing it in 2 sittings – it’s an engaging read and kept me interested throughout.
Overall, I would highly recommend The Thief on the Winged Horse – it’s a well-constructed and interesting read which kept my attention throughout. Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.