City of Iron and Ivy

Shannon S.

An Outstanding Debut Novel!

"City of Iron and Ivy is an impressive debut from Thomas Kent West, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. While I appreciated that this is a standalone with a complete ending, I also found myself wishing I could spend more time in this richly built world. Overall I rated this book 4.5 out of 5 stars for the story and the audiobook performance was a solid 5 stars! The audiobook narration by Chloe Campbell was excellent! Although I typically gravitate toward duet narration, Chloe’s solo performance fully held my attention. The audio quality was crisp and polished, and each character felt distinct through the narrators tone and inflection. I especially loved her portrayal of Mrs. Rose, which perfectly captured the energy of a matchmaking presence in a Bridgerton-style London setting, as well as Chloe’s performance of Elswyth, whose curiosity and defiance of societal expectations came through clearly throughout the book. This story blends several elements I love, murder mystery, historical inspiration, and fantasy in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. The Jack the Ripper inspiration was particularly well done, with enough originality to keep the mystery engaging during the whole book. I also appreciated how the author kept me questioning every character, shifting suspicion throughout the story in a very effective way. The magic system, floromancy, was another standout element for me. It added a unique and atmospheric layer to the story, complementing the dark academia tone and Elswyth’s academic ambitions. The nods to real UK history, such as the War of the Roses reimagined as the War of Three Roses, further grounded the world while still allowing it to feel original. My only issue came in the final portion of the book, causing me to drop the overall rating by a half star. The last 20% took some unexpected turns that felt a bit jarring compared to the rest of the story. While I understand the choices and appreciated how the character arcs ultimately resolved, some of those moments pulled me out of the otherwise immersive experience. Overall, City of Iron and Ivy is a strong and memorable debut with a compelling blend of mystery, magic, and historical atmosphere. I’m excited to see what Thomas Kent West writes next! ["

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May 4, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kindle Customer

Spicy Jack the Ripper meets Botany magic

"Absolutely loved this Jack the Ripper meets Bridgerton spicy murder mystery. It was lush and immersive. The use of botany and magic was completely new and refreshing. The characters are flawed and complex. Great read. Highly Recommend. ["

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April 21, 2026 Verified Purchase

The Boozy Bookworm

Dark Bridgerton meets Jack the Ripper with whimsical flower magic

"City of Iron and Ivy by Thomas Kent West was such a lovely surprise. Blending elegant social intrigue with dark suspense, the story combines unique magic, murder investigation, and a touch of whimsy into something that felt both fresh and deeply immersive. Think dark Bridgerton meets Jack the Ripper—with botanical magic woven through it all—and you’ll have a good sense of the vibe. Set in a regency-inspired world with flower-based magic, the story follows Elswyth Elderwood as she navigates the London courting season. Despite her noble birth, Elswyth is an outsider: a woman with facial scars who is focused on scholastic pursuits rather than the glamor and etiquette of high society. But to save her family from financial ruin, she’s forced to abandon her studies to take up her murdered sister’s place in high society to search for a wealthy husband. At the same time, Elswyth investigates her sister’s mysterious death. These intertwined subplots created a gripping story. The world and magic system were two of the book’s biggest strengths. There’s a lush, almost enchanted quality to the regency-inspired city, but it’s balanced by a darker undercurrent of fear and intrigue. The contrast between polished social etiquette and the ever-lurking menace made the story hard to put down. I also loved the floral magic elements. They added beauty and originality without overpowering the central mystery. And, surprisingly, the floral magic was used in some fascinatingly gruesome ways, too. This was a well-executed magic system. The audiobook narration also deserves special praise because it absolutely elevated the story. Chloe Campbell captured the regency-era tone and whimsical atmosphere perfectly, bringing the setting to life with elegance and charm while still delivering the darker suspenseful moments with the right amount of tension. Her British accent was perfection! Listening felt like the ideal way to absorb this story, which says a lot coming from someone who often struggles with single-narration audio. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle and made the story longer than necessary, which is the main reason I rate this closer to 4 stars (rounded down from 4.25 stars). It is also far less romance-heavy than my typical read (but there is still a small romantic subplot). I found myself wishing the male love interest was more dimensional and developed rather than just a sexy rake. It felt like there was unexplored depth left on the table—both in terms of his past and his relationship with Elswyth. Overall, the mood, originality, and immersive storytelling more than made up for these minor critiques. If you love historical fantasy filled with dangerous mystery, whimsical and gothic undertones, and a high-society fantasy atmosphere, this one is well worth picking up. My thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Thomas Kent West for this ALC! ["

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May 5, 2026

Helen

Victorian murder mystery in an enchanting, mystical, and uncanny world

"I could not put this book down. This author is a great writer. They draw you in slowly, in the best of ways, like an invisible thread is slowly wrapping around you and pulling on you. Before you realize it, you are completely enraptured. ["

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May 2, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kathleen West

Great read

"The book is beautifully written. A very talented author. ["

May 7, 2026 Verified Purchase