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Edinburgh Nights #2
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments
“Alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in, but it’s Ropa - a hard knocks ghostalker on her paranormal grind to pay the rent - who grabs hold. The moment you meet her, you’ll follow wherever she goes.” - Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six
T.L. Huchu returns with the gripping Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, the next in the Alex-Award-winning Edinburgh Nights series.
Some secrets are meant to stay buried
When Ropa Moyo discovered an occult underground library, she expected great things. She’s really into Edinburgh’s secret societies – but turns out they are less into her. So instead of getting paid to work magic, she’s had to accept a crummy unpaid internship. And her with bills to pay and a pet fox to feed.
Then her friend Priya offers her a job on the side. Priya works at Our Lady of Mysterious Maladies, a very specialized hospital, where a new illness is resisting magical and medical remedies alike. The first patient was a teenage boy, Max Wu, and his healers are baffled. If Ropa can solve the case, she might earn as she learns – and impress her mentor, Sir Callander.
Her sleuthing will lead her to a lost fortune, an avenging spirit and a secret buried deep in Scotland’s past. But how are they connected? Lives are at stake and Ropa is running out of time.
Edinburgh Nights series:
Library of the Dead
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments
T.L. Huchu returns with the gripping Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, the next in the Alex-Award-winning Edinburgh Nights series.
Some secrets are meant to stay buried
When Ropa Moyo discovered an occult underground library, she expected great things. She’s really into Edinburgh’s secret societies – but turns out they are less into her. So instead of getting paid to work magic, she’s had to accept a crummy unpaid internship. And her with bills to pay and a pet fox to feed.
Then her friend Priya offers her a job on the side. Priya works at Our Lady of Mysterious Maladies, a very specialized hospital, where a new illness is resisting magical and medical remedies alike. The first patient was a teenage boy, Max Wu, and his healers are baffled. If Ropa can solve the case, she might earn as she learns – and impress her mentor, Sir Callander.
Her sleuthing will lead her to a lost fortune, an avenging spirit and a secret buried deep in Scotland’s past. But how are they connected? Lives are at stake and Ropa is running out of time.
Edinburgh Nights series:
Library of the Dead
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2022
About the author
T.L. Huchu
22 books577 followersT. L. Huchu (he/him) has been published previously (as
Tendai Huchu
) in the adult market, but the Edinburgh Nights series is his genre fiction debut. His previous books (The Hairdresser of Harare and The Maestro, The Magistrate and the Mathematician) have been translated into multiple languages and his short fiction has won awards. Tendai grew up in Zimbabwe but has lived in Edinburgh for most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
February 14, 2022
TL Huchu follows his dystopian future, post-catastrophe, Edinburgh based The Library of the Dead fantasy with this entertaining and engaging sequel, that sees the return of the brash and street smart teen ghoststalker, Ropa Moya, living with her beloved and wise grandmother and bright younger sister, Izwi, in the Hermiston slum. Older than her years, she faces the constant and unrelenting pressure of having to provide for them, and no longer having a ghoststalking business, she thinks she has this covered. Expecting to become a paid apprentice to Sir Ian Callander, the most important magician in Scotland, she finds there is opposition to her appointment from Frances Cockburn that culminates in her becoming an unpaid intern instead.
Unhappy, but still seeing advantage in this position, such as improving her magical education, she must look elsewhere to secure the money she so desperately needs, only it is not so simple, as she has to pick herself up time and time again as nothing turns out according to her expectations. Her bestie, Priya Kapoor, adrenaline junkie and healer at the exclusive Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, asks Ropa to investigate the circumstances surrounding a sick teenage boy in a coma, Max Wu, so that they can find a cure for him, but time is short. This leads her to one of the 4 registered schools of magic in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Ordinary School for Boys run by Rector Montgomery Wedderburn and a secret society, Monks of the Misty Order. Additionally, she gets involved with Thomas Mounsey and his plans for the restoration of the Paterson family fortune.
With further teenage victims of the mysterious sickness, astral travel and strange deaths, Ropa, armed with her mbura, katty, dagger and her scarf, Cruickshank, and with help from her pals, finds herself facing deadly danger as she uncovers surprising connections, dark magic and an angry, malevolent ancient spirit. Huchu's world building is stellar with the colourful and vibrant criminal and magical underbellies of Edinburgh, gang wars, the privileges associated with the schools of magic, Scottish history, the various libraries, and so much more. There is significant character development in this sequel with Ropa as she makes several error of judgement, there is more to her grandmother than she was aware of, and there is the quandry of wanting her sister, Izwi, close whilst wanting her to benefit from a surprising opportunity that comes up. A wonderful addition to this terrific series! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Unhappy, but still seeing advantage in this position, such as improving her magical education, she must look elsewhere to secure the money she so desperately needs, only it is not so simple, as she has to pick herself up time and time again as nothing turns out according to her expectations. Her bestie, Priya Kapoor, adrenaline junkie and healer at the exclusive Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, asks Ropa to investigate the circumstances surrounding a sick teenage boy in a coma, Max Wu, so that they can find a cure for him, but time is short. This leads her to one of the 4 registered schools of magic in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Ordinary School for Boys run by Rector Montgomery Wedderburn and a secret society, Monks of the Misty Order. Additionally, she gets involved with Thomas Mounsey and his plans for the restoration of the Paterson family fortune.
With further teenage victims of the mysterious sickness, astral travel and strange deaths, Ropa, armed with her mbura, katty, dagger and her scarf, Cruickshank, and with help from her pals, finds herself facing deadly danger as she uncovers surprising connections, dark magic and an angry, malevolent ancient spirit. Huchu's world building is stellar with the colourful and vibrant criminal and magical underbellies of Edinburgh, gang wars, the privileges associated with the schools of magic, Scottish history, the various libraries, and so much more. There is significant character development in this sequel with Ropa as she makes several error of judgement, there is more to her grandmother than she was aware of, and there is the quandry of wanting her sister, Izwi, close whilst wanting her to benefit from a surprising opportunity that comes up. A wonderful addition to this terrific series! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
June 7, 2022
I do enjoy spending time with Ropa Moyo. She is not-yet-sixteen, but is so responsible. Her grandmother and sister depend on her and she leans on them as a reason to keep going. They live in a crappy old caravan in a slum area of post-apocalyptic Edinburgh, negotiating the poverty, crime, and lack of opportunity. Ropa is a ghostalker with a talent for magic, but she is held back by lack of education and the need for paid employment. When she finally catches the eye of a significant magician, she is disgusted to realize that she'll be an unpaid intern, not a salaried apprentice.
However, Ropa knows an advantage when she has it in her hands, and she is determined to make it work. She juggles the intern work and side hustles while attempting to keep her family fed and together. Ropa's outlook is obviously more mature than we are used to and her vocabulary is colourful and varied. You can't help but root for her and Huchu really puts her through a lot. Just when she thinks that she's made a breakthrough, there's a hitch that sets her back.
I just kept reading, wanting to see how things worked out, if they worked out. Huchu portrays a family living in hard circumstances so well. They love one another and manage to keep body and soul together, but they also have to deal with people who have resources but no empathy. If hard work always resulted in wealth, the Moyos would be very comfortable. Still, they continue to do the work in front of them and hold their heads high. I do hope there will be more adventures to come.
However, Ropa knows an advantage when she has it in her hands, and she is determined to make it work. She juggles the intern work and side hustles while attempting to keep her family fed and together. Ropa's outlook is obviously more mature than we are used to and her vocabulary is colourful and varied. You can't help but root for her and Huchu really puts her through a lot. Just when she thinks that she's made a breakthrough, there's a hitch that sets her back.
I just kept reading, wanting to see how things worked out, if they worked out. Huchu portrays a family living in hard circumstances so well. They love one another and manage to keep body and soul together, but they also have to deal with people who have resources but no empathy. If hard work always resulted in wealth, the Moyos would be very comfortable. Still, they continue to do the work in front of them and hold their heads high. I do hope there will be more adventures to come.
May 5, 2022
This was one of my most anticipated reads of this year! I was lucky enough to get my hands on the special Goldsboro edition too.
To be honest, I had high expectations, and I’m still coming to terms about how I felt about this sequel. We start the story right where we left off, with Ropa Moyo ex-ghost talker, as she finds herself tangled deeper with the library.
-
First thing’s first, the titles of these books do NOT match the contents. In book 1 we were very briefly introduced to the library of the dead, and I felt like this book had much more happening at the library itself. The title of this book, likewise, does not match. Granted, it sounds cool, but Our Lady is not even a central setting in the story. Yes, there’s some aspects of it, but this wasn’t enough to bother me, but I still wanted to mention it.
Moving on to the plot, we actually have a clearer plot than the first book. Ropa is investigating school boys who go missing and dark magic is coating all the mysterious things going on in Edinburgh. However, although I like the way the story unfolded (minus the big ‘reveal’), there was so much more that could be explored. This book is a case of one cool idea and little to no sub plot. It did make me pause and not to want to continue on about 30% through, because it just felt wishy washy. We were introduced to the astral planes, dark magic, and all the interesting concepts, but none of it was executed? It was mentioned and some history behind it, so it felt more telling than showing. Which brings us to the writing...
I love being in Ropa’s head. She’s funny, witty and smart, but it felt like this book was written differently, and it SHOWS. We have instances where Ropa’s voice completely disappears i.e. the beginning of the book sounds the most like her- the colloquialisms and the language made me love being back inside her head. However, this quickly faded, and then there were bouts of her witty language in and out of the story. It felt so stilted and sort of ‘fake’- in the sense that she would be herself and the next few chapters would be SO formal, it made NO sense? There was no development to Ropa’s character, and no more information on other characters except Jomo.
Also, there was a prominent section of this book, where about for 20% of it, we get strong, vulgar language and jokes for no reason? I get it, Ropa’s a teenager and honestly I don’t mind reading rude words or jokes, but to have a whole chunk of it and then completely cast it aside? Made NO sense. Again, this made the narrative so messy and felt like it had been written by different people. It got annoying fast.
And then the repetition. There was so much of it, and so consistently too. The dialogue especially was the most visible with the repetition. The constant monologue of how much Ropa loves her family was repeated one too many times. And although I love them, it was very frustrating to read the same lines over and over. If you read this book over a long period of time, I guess you wouldn’t really notice it. But it’s not too long and I did enjoy it enough to finish it quickly, despite its many flaws.
Moreover, the world building was flimsy at best I really thought we’d get to know more about this dystopian Edinburgh, but alas. We just get constant religious names thrown in for no reason- this doesn’t tell us anything about the world! It was just annoying!
In conclusion, I would recommend this one, although it has MANY flaws. I did enjoy it, but if you like characters who take action and do things of their own accord, maybe go in with low expectations. Much of the stuff in here happens TO Ropa. She is almost replaceable in that sense, which is sad because I LOVED book 1. Still, I liked this one, but at times it felt like the author was projecting his own views to the reader through the characters...
To be honest, I had high expectations, and I’m still coming to terms about how I felt about this sequel. We start the story right where we left off, with Ropa Moyo ex-ghost talker, as she finds herself tangled deeper with the library.
-
First thing’s first, the titles of these books do NOT match the contents. In book 1 we were very briefly introduced to the library of the dead, and I felt like this book had much more happening at the library itself. The title of this book, likewise, does not match. Granted, it sounds cool, but Our Lady is not even a central setting in the story. Yes, there’s some aspects of it, but this wasn’t enough to bother me, but I still wanted to mention it.
Moving on to the plot, we actually have a clearer plot than the first book. Ropa is investigating school boys who go missing and dark magic is coating all the mysterious things going on in Edinburgh. However, although I like the way the story unfolded (minus the big ‘reveal’), there was so much more that could be explored. This book is a case of one cool idea and little to no sub plot. It did make me pause and not to want to continue on about 30% through, because it just felt wishy washy. We were introduced to the astral planes, dark magic, and all the interesting concepts, but none of it was executed? It was mentioned and some history behind it, so it felt more telling than showing. Which brings us to the writing...
I love being in Ropa’s head. She’s funny, witty and smart, but it felt like this book was written differently, and it SHOWS. We have instances where Ropa’s voice completely disappears i.e. the beginning of the book sounds the most like her- the colloquialisms and the language made me love being back inside her head. However, this quickly faded, and then there were bouts of her witty language in and out of the story. It felt so stilted and sort of ‘fake’- in the sense that she would be herself and the next few chapters would be SO formal, it made NO sense? There was no development to Ropa’s character, and no more information on other characters except Jomo.
Also, there was a prominent section of this book, where about for 20% of it, we get strong, vulgar language and jokes for no reason? I get it, Ropa’s a teenager and honestly I don’t mind reading rude words or jokes, but to have a whole chunk of it and then completely cast it aside? Made NO sense. Again, this made the narrative so messy and felt like it had been written by different people. It got annoying fast.
And then the repetition. There was so much of it, and so consistently too. The dialogue especially was the most visible with the repetition. The constant monologue of how much Ropa loves her family was repeated one too many times. And although I love them, it was very frustrating to read the same lines over and over. If you read this book over a long period of time, I guess you wouldn’t really notice it. But it’s not too long and I did enjoy it enough to finish it quickly, despite its many flaws.
Moreover, the world building was flimsy at best I really thought we’d get to know more about this dystopian Edinburgh, but alas. We just get constant religious names thrown in for no reason- this doesn’t tell us anything about the world! It was just annoying!
In conclusion, I would recommend this one, although it has MANY flaws. I did enjoy it, but if you like characters who take action and do things of their own accord, maybe go in with low expectations. Much of the stuff in here happens TO Ropa. She is almost replaceable in that sense, which is sad because I LOVED book 1. Still, I liked this one, but at times it felt like the author was projecting his own views to the reader through the characters...
April 14, 2022
Being a ghostalker never exactly brought in the big bucks and “certain shenanigans which I daren’t recall saw that business go kaput.” But now Ropa is seeing dollar signs. She’s just scored an apprenticeship at the General Discoveries Department with her mentor, Sir Callander. Fancy.
Only, before she even begins, her apprenticeship is downgraded to an unpaid internship. Dammit!
Ropa’s not one to sit around waiting for the money to find her. There’s some mysterious goings on at the appropriately named Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, the clinic where Priya, Ropa’s friend, works. Max Wu, a student from the Edinburgh School, has an illness of unknown origin and Ropa’s particularly skill set is just what the doctor ordered.
While she’s tough as nails on the outside, Ropa’s heart goes all mushy when she thinks about her family.
Now, you know this series had me at ‘library’. This one keeps getting better and better. The location is fantastic, the card system is unique and the books really want you to read them.
Favourite no context quote:
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read this book. Bring on book 3!
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Only, before she even begins, her apprenticeship is downgraded to an unpaid internship. Dammit!
Ropa’s not one to sit around waiting for the money to find her. There’s some mysterious goings on at the appropriately named Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, the clinic where Priya, Ropa’s friend, works. Max Wu, a student from the Edinburgh School, has an illness of unknown origin and Ropa’s particularly skill set is just what the doctor ordered.
‘Snooping around’s my thing, and if the kid’s parents pay well, then that’s me sorted’In between scoffing as many Jammie Dodgers as she can get her hands on, Ropa begins her investigation. It involves the Monks of the Misty Order and the One Above All, and takes her all over Edinburgh, from a school and a bank to a whole other realm. Ropa may not have a fancy magical education but she has street smarts, River (her vulpine companion) and a scarf called Cruickshank.
While she’s tough as nails on the outside, Ropa’s heart goes all mushy when she thinks about her family.
Me, Gran and Izwi. That’s my real fortune, and I wouldn’t place it in any bank in the world, ‘cause I keep it right here in a vault in my heart.Come to think of it, this family makes me a bit mushy too. I also love Ropa’s friends: Priya, who has some brilliant moves, and Jomo, who works in the Library.
Now, you know this series had me at ‘library’. This one keeps getting better and better. The location is fantastic, the card system is unique and the books really want you to read them.
‘I will meet you at the Library.’I am enjoying getting to witness how magic works in Ropa’s world but it very much feels like I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. I’m looking forward to seeing how the new developments with Gran and Izwi unfold and want to spend more time with the Hamster Squad. Obviously I also need to learn more about the Library of the Dead.
Favourite no context quote:
I don’t think anything in life quite prepares you for the experience of trying to load a stiff onto a tricycle hearse on a hot summer’s night in Edinburgh, that’s for sure.Readers with emetophobia may have trouble with a couple of scenes.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read this book. Bring on book 3!
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
March 13, 2022
Such a cool concept when we learn more about the library of the dead. Great set of characters. great series.
March 13, 2024
I really enjoyed the first book in this series; I absolutely loved this one. Huchu’s post-catastrophe urban fantasy keeps reeling me in deeper thanks to its wonderful characters, mix of academic and spiritual approach to magic, and a setting that’s pitch perfect for its mix of mystery, intrigue, and just trying to get through the day vibes. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read book three.
March 5, 2022
This book picks up where book one (Library of the Dead) left off and our girl Ropa Moyo is back in action once again in this complex magical world that she lives in. She is just as smart, kind, feisty, strong and fierce as she was in the first book while she tries to juggle providing for her family that rely on her, and making her own future into something she needs it to be.
I loved revisiting the magical world in Edinburgh, which who knows might actually happen one day, and I loved getting to know Ropa more throughout the course of this book as she’s such an interesting character. Definitely check out this book and the first book in the series as they’re both very enjoyable reads!
Thanks Black Crow PR for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved revisiting the magical world in Edinburgh, which who knows might actually happen one day, and I loved getting to know Ropa more throughout the course of this book as she’s such an interesting character. Definitely check out this book and the first book in the series as they’re both very enjoyable reads!
Thanks Black Crow PR for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
REVIEW: Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments by T.L Huchu (Edinburgh Nights 2)
Plot 4
Action 3
Characters 4
Writing 5
World Building 5
Spoiler free reviews!
14
Read this if you like:
- Complex magical world
- Astral travel
- Sarcastic MC with a companion fox that talks to ghosts
- Mysterious evil ancient spirit
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:After teenage Ropa’s ghostalking practice tanks, she must accept a job to investigate a teenage coma patient whose illness has confounded medicine and magic – Ropa’s investigation leads her to magic all boys’ school with a suspicious headmaster and a malevolent entity.
BRING ON THE NEW MYSTERY
If you know me, I will read anything that mentions fantasy – this series is such a unique mishmash of genres – its feels completely fresh and exciting.
I didn’t think it was possible like our MC Ropa more than I already did, but I love her. Snarky, brave, wise beyond her years – we can’t help but fall in love with her as she powers on through her struggles in life yet always loving her family irrevocably.
I loved that we got to see so much more of this world (we do need more though) as well as a lot of new character development with Ropa, her grandmother and sister. I also love Ropa’s friend Priya and Jomo. With Ropa you definitely feel her mature voice coming through and at times this book doesn’t feel YA at all.
I really love the magic system here and I feel like there must be more to come!
Although it’s possible to read this one as a standalone, I would encourage you to pick up book 1 in this series.
We finally learn more about the Library of the Dead! YAS!
RECOMMEND IT FOR: YA and Adult lovers that want a unique new mystery, badass MC and an entertaining read!
Overall Rating: 4/5
Publish Date: 2022
Format: Trade Paperback
Number of Pages: 372
Young Adult/ Urban Fantasy/Mystery/Paranormal /Horror
Thank you to @panmacmillansa and @panmacmillansakids for the review copy, opinions are my own.
Review by Tammy-Leigh @book.barbarian
Plot 4
Action 3
Characters 4
Writing 5
World Building 5
Spoiler free reviews!
14
Read this if you like:
- Complex magical world
- Astral travel
- Sarcastic MC with a companion fox that talks to ghosts
- Mysterious evil ancient spirit
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:After teenage Ropa’s ghostalking practice tanks, she must accept a job to investigate a teenage coma patient whose illness has confounded medicine and magic – Ropa’s investigation leads her to magic all boys’ school with a suspicious headmaster and a malevolent entity.
BRING ON THE NEW MYSTERY
If you know me, I will read anything that mentions fantasy – this series is such a unique mishmash of genres – its feels completely fresh and exciting.
I didn’t think it was possible like our MC Ropa more than I already did, but I love her. Snarky, brave, wise beyond her years – we can’t help but fall in love with her as she powers on through her struggles in life yet always loving her family irrevocably.
I loved that we got to see so much more of this world (we do need more though) as well as a lot of new character development with Ropa, her grandmother and sister. I also love Ropa’s friend Priya and Jomo. With Ropa you definitely feel her mature voice coming through and at times this book doesn’t feel YA at all.
I really love the magic system here and I feel like there must be more to come!
Although it’s possible to read this one as a standalone, I would encourage you to pick up book 1 in this series.
We finally learn more about the Library of the Dead! YAS!
RECOMMEND IT FOR: YA and Adult lovers that want a unique new mystery, badass MC and an entertaining read!
Overall Rating: 4/5
Publish Date: 2022
Format: Trade Paperback
Number of Pages: 372
Young Adult/ Urban Fantasy/Mystery/Paranormal /Horror
Thank you to @panmacmillansa and @panmacmillansakids for the review copy, opinions are my own.
Review by Tammy-Leigh @book.barbarian
November 30, 2022
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments is the second in the Edinburgh Nights series, which is set in a compelling future with magic after British society has mostly collapsed. As the author interview at the end mentions, the vibes are very similar to the Rivers of London series. Both series have a young black magician as the protagonist, shaking up Britain's traditional white magical establishment. In Edinburgh Nights, however, Ropa the protagonist is a broke teenage girl rather than a cop. I appreciated her anger at being offered an unpaid internship when she is the breadwinner of her family. The tension in the plot comes from her need to hustle for some cash, rather than from the magical shenanigans. Indeed, the plot wasn't as spooky this time around, although I enjoyed the ingenious way it incorporated the founding of the Royal Bank of Scotland. There are some fun details concerning magic and its history; I was particularly taken with the explanation for the Library of the Dead.
What delighted me most, though, was the adept use of the Edinburgh setting. I love how Huchu (who has lived here for 15 years) incorporates less than glamorous corners of the city. The magical archive in South Gyle industrial estate, Ropa's home in Hermiston, and the school by Tipperlin Road are all examples. The picturesque city centre also features, of course, in scenes at Dundas House and on Arthur's Seat. But there is a particular charm to finding yourself in a place you last visited to get a covid vaccination, or one you pass frequently on the way to a favourite library. This alternate Edinburgh is really fun to explore and Ropa is a great guide around it. The mysterious ailments of the title turned out to be the least interesting thing about the book, which overall I enjoyed a lot. There are hints of an overarching plot arc and I look forwarding to seeing where they go.
What delighted me most, though, was the adept use of the Edinburgh setting. I love how Huchu (who has lived here for 15 years) incorporates less than glamorous corners of the city. The magical archive in South Gyle industrial estate, Ropa's home in Hermiston, and the school by Tipperlin Road are all examples. The picturesque city centre also features, of course, in scenes at Dundas House and on Arthur's Seat. But there is a particular charm to finding yourself in a place you last visited to get a covid vaccination, or one you pass frequently on the way to a favourite library. This alternate Edinburgh is really fun to explore and Ropa is a great guide around it. The mysterious ailments of the title turned out to be the least interesting thing about the book, which overall I enjoyed a lot. There are hints of an overarching plot arc and I look forwarding to seeing where they go.
May 13, 2022
I am really saddened to say this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022 and I was extremely disappointed. The first book in this series was unique, fresh, funny, and highly entertaining. Book 2 was missing all that made the first amazing. I loved in the first book all of the times Ropa communicates with the dead with music, there was little to none of that in this book. Far too much of the plot was focused on money or talking about money. We didn’t really get much progression with Ropa learning magic or with learning more about the magic system in her universe. While we do find out the reason behind the naming of The Library of the Dead, very little is told to us about the magical clinic the book is titled after. I found this book a bit more unnecessarily vulgar as well as completely lacking in the humor the first held for me. Unfortunately I will not be picking up the next book in this series.
Thank you to Tor for the gifted copy!
Thank you to Tor for the gifted copy!
April 12, 2022
Really enjoyed the first book in the series, and had a blast being back in slightly dystopian Edinburgh with Ropa. This is how you do the first person pov!
Loved learning more about the world building and the many connections and secrets just waiting to be uncovered. Can't wait for the next book, soon please!
Loved learning more about the world building and the many connections and secrets just waiting to be uncovered. Can't wait for the next book, soon please!
April 5, 2022
Ich liebe diese Serie. Schauplatz ist Edinburgh in einer moderat-post-apokalyptischen, nahen Zukunft. Viel Lokal-Kolorit, eine starke Prise Harry-Potter-Magie und eine rotzige, sympathische Teenagerin als Ich-Erzählerin.
March 21, 2022
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments sees a welcome return for Ropa Moya, a fifteen year old girl of living in a near-future Edinburgh in the wake of a cataclysm that has changed society. There has also been a civil war of sorts, perhaps an attempt at secession, which has left Edinburgh stricken and firmly under London's heel. Everyone is nervously determined to perform their loyalty:
'God save the King!'
'Long may he reign'
The city is poorer, in something like its 18th century state with carts in the streets and only the wealthy able to drive motor vehicles. Ropa lives in a caravan on the city's fringes with her Gran and little sister, Izwi. The site they live on is half slum, half refugee camp, and Ropa's their main provider, so at the start off the book considers herself fortunate to have landed herself an apprenticeship with Sir Ian Callender, Secretary to the Society of Sceptical Enquirers, Scotland's leading magical society. It's a development that has put noses out of joint at Scotland's elite magical Schools, and unfortunately Ropa is in for a fall, one that leaves her in desperately needing cash and puts her in the way of a little private business helping out her mate Priya.
Huchu writes this book very much from the perspective of those at the bottom. Ropa has a magical mystery to solve, but she easily spends as much time trying to keep her head above water and her family fed. Grabbing the odd gig at her old role conveying messages form the recently departed. Scrounging food (foraging for plums, killing an unlucky rabbit with her catapult). Trading the results with a web of contacts. Preparing meals. Negotiating with the Edinburgh gangs, whose perpetual Cold War has flared hot. And in the course of this we're shown many of the outcasts on the "informal" side of this magical Edinburgh, as well as the lofty ones who dominate it.
With the basics introduced in the previous book, The Library of the Dead, Huchu combines the mystery which is the ostensible subject here - a posh schoolboy who's fallen into a perplexing magical coma, one the skilled staff at the Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments hospital are baffled by - with a lot more backstory about Ropa, the Society and even Roma's Gran. It seems she has connections with the travelling people as well being known to Sir Ian. Exactly how and why we don't learn, Gran's not talking (I sensed a certain Granny Weatherwax stubbornness in her...) but it seems to have done Ropa no favours with the formal magical world. (In this series of books, prejudice is alive and well, and certain forms of magic are definitely considered less prestigious).
We also learn more about the history of this world, which is tantalisingly entwined with our own. A sub-plot exposes the Society's links to Scotland's shot at colonialism, the doomed Darien schemes, making the point (in an understated way) that many of our institutions have blood at their roots. But history has a way of biting back, and the goings-on in Edinburgh are also mixed up with high politics...
I loved this book, perhaps even more than The Library of the Dead. Ropa is an engaging main character, apt to quote philosophy one moment, philosophy the next and then quantum physics down the page. She's a restless, bright mind, seeing through the superficiality of society and in her magical learning, impatient with having to go through the basics when she's so much more talented than many around her. Which, of course, doesn't make her very popular - she's definitely attracted one Nemesis already.
There's also a sharp eye for injustice here. When all is revealed about who has been pulling strings, old school ties and friends-of-friends are enough to ensure that they dodge trouble and that a scapegoat is found instead. Magic may be fun and powerful, but it's bound up with a net of privilege and influence which is taken more or less for granted. I'm guessing that Ropa's patience with this situation (never abundant) isn't going to last through many more books and I look forward to fireworks ahead.
Overall, an inventive, engaging read, a book with great heart and passion and which is, above all, FUN from first page to last. Do read this - you don't have to have read The Library of the Dead first, but you will want to read it when you are done, I think.
'God save the King!'
'Long may he reign'
The city is poorer, in something like its 18th century state with carts in the streets and only the wealthy able to drive motor vehicles. Ropa lives in a caravan on the city's fringes with her Gran and little sister, Izwi. The site they live on is half slum, half refugee camp, and Ropa's their main provider, so at the start off the book considers herself fortunate to have landed herself an apprenticeship with Sir Ian Callender, Secretary to the Society of Sceptical Enquirers, Scotland's leading magical society. It's a development that has put noses out of joint at Scotland's elite magical Schools, and unfortunately Ropa is in for a fall, one that leaves her in desperately needing cash and puts her in the way of a little private business helping out her mate Priya.
Huchu writes this book very much from the perspective of those at the bottom. Ropa has a magical mystery to solve, but she easily spends as much time trying to keep her head above water and her family fed. Grabbing the odd gig at her old role conveying messages form the recently departed. Scrounging food (foraging for plums, killing an unlucky rabbit with her catapult). Trading the results with a web of contacts. Preparing meals. Negotiating with the Edinburgh gangs, whose perpetual Cold War has flared hot. And in the course of this we're shown many of the outcasts on the "informal" side of this magical Edinburgh, as well as the lofty ones who dominate it.
With the basics introduced in the previous book, The Library of the Dead, Huchu combines the mystery which is the ostensible subject here - a posh schoolboy who's fallen into a perplexing magical coma, one the skilled staff at the Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments hospital are baffled by - with a lot more backstory about Ropa, the Society and even Roma's Gran. It seems she has connections with the travelling people as well being known to Sir Ian. Exactly how and why we don't learn, Gran's not talking (I sensed a certain Granny Weatherwax stubbornness in her...) but it seems to have done Ropa no favours with the formal magical world. (In this series of books, prejudice is alive and well, and certain forms of magic are definitely considered less prestigious).
We also learn more about the history of this world, which is tantalisingly entwined with our own. A sub-plot exposes the Society's links to Scotland's shot at colonialism, the doomed Darien schemes, making the point (in an understated way) that many of our institutions have blood at their roots. But history has a way of biting back, and the goings-on in Edinburgh are also mixed up with high politics...
I loved this book, perhaps even more than The Library of the Dead. Ropa is an engaging main character, apt to quote philosophy one moment, philosophy the next and then quantum physics down the page. She's a restless, bright mind, seeing through the superficiality of society and in her magical learning, impatient with having to go through the basics when she's so much more talented than many around her. Which, of course, doesn't make her very popular - she's definitely attracted one Nemesis already.
There's also a sharp eye for injustice here. When all is revealed about who has been pulling strings, old school ties and friends-of-friends are enough to ensure that they dodge trouble and that a scapegoat is found instead. Magic may be fun and powerful, but it's bound up with a net of privilege and influence which is taken more or less for granted. I'm guessing that Ropa's patience with this situation (never abundant) isn't going to last through many more books and I look forward to fireworks ahead.
Overall, an inventive, engaging read, a book with great heart and passion and which is, above all, FUN from first page to last. Do read this - you don't have to have read The Library of the Dead first, but you will want to read it when you are done, I think.
August 10, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Panmacmillan, Tor for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
When I first requested this, I must admit I picked it on title alone and didn't realise it was a sequel - I groaned. So, I decided to pluck up the courage to read the first instalment. I read both books in 2 days. I was utterly engrossed and had to dive into OLoMA as soon as I'd finished Library of The Dead.
What I liked;
- The writing style is so good. At first it was jarring; I'm not used to an accurate portrayal of a 14/15yr old girl via stream of consciousness. But, Huchu throws you in at the deep end - you have no choice but to immerse yourself and in no time at all you're in Edinburgh in a not-so-distant magical future.
- Ropa had my heart from the get-go. She is smart and unyielding. She doesn't make the best decisions, but does any teenager? She loves her sister and grandmother fiercely and she's willing to sacrifice anything to give them a crumb of normality.
- The history of our main character is expanded upon more here and I really appreciated that. Ropa is not often an open book herself and we're still piecing together her puzzle throughout this.
Misc thoughts;
- I think that this book, despite being from the perspective of a 14/15yr old, it feels like it's for an older audience with some of the content.
- I would adore a map in the book as a reference!
When I first requested this, I must admit I picked it on title alone and didn't realise it was a sequel - I groaned. So, I decided to pluck up the courage to read the first instalment. I read both books in 2 days. I was utterly engrossed and had to dive into OLoMA as soon as I'd finished Library of The Dead.
What I liked;
- The writing style is so good. At first it was jarring; I'm not used to an accurate portrayal of a 14/15yr old girl via stream of consciousness. But, Huchu throws you in at the deep end - you have no choice but to immerse yourself and in no time at all you're in Edinburgh in a not-so-distant magical future.
- Ropa had my heart from the get-go. She is smart and unyielding. She doesn't make the best decisions, but does any teenager? She loves her sister and grandmother fiercely and she's willing to sacrifice anything to give them a crumb of normality.
- The history of our main character is expanded upon more here and I really appreciated that. Ropa is not often an open book herself and we're still piecing together her puzzle throughout this.
Misc thoughts;
- I think that this book, despite being from the perspective of a 14/15yr old, it feels like it's for an older audience with some of the content.
- I would adore a map in the book as a reference!
May 9, 2022
"Thing about my sister is, when she blows her gasket, hot lava fizzes out, and that sh*t scalds like nothing else. But when that lava cools, our island grows a little larger and we find we have new fertile soil in which to grow our relationship."
----------------------------------------
Ropa our ghost-talker is back! Now she has an official-ish internship with a magical school and she's ramped up her investigations beyond delivering the messages of the recently deceased. She's immediately put on a new case where a young boy is in a coma under her friend, Priya's care. She begins to unravel what may be causing his illness and finds herself embroiled in the politics of an all boys magic school and in pursuit of a dark spirit that is threatening to destroy them all.
Like the first, this story has all sorts of interesting ghosties and unusual magic. Ropa is as kind-hearted, hard working and clever as ever. She will do anything to take care of her family, protect her friends and earn a buck or two in the process. The same beautiful language as the first novel, carries us through this one, the quote above is apropos of nothing, but it just struck me. I love Huchu's writing style balancing beauty with Scottish street slang. I've spent quite a lot of time in Edinburgh so I appreciate his descriptions of the city and the little bits of history we get along the way. My criticism of the first one was that we didn't get enough of The Library of the Dead in this one, but this time we get some amazing scenes and explanations of the library and its power. Can't wait for Ropa's next adventure.
Thanks to Netgalley for advanced access to this novel. All opinions above are my own. I went on to purchase after reading.
----------------------------------------
Ropa our ghost-talker is back! Now she has an official-ish internship with a magical school and she's ramped up her investigations beyond delivering the messages of the recently deceased. She's immediately put on a new case where a young boy is in a coma under her friend, Priya's care. She begins to unravel what may be causing his illness and finds herself embroiled in the politics of an all boys magic school and in pursuit of a dark spirit that is threatening to destroy them all.
Like the first, this story has all sorts of interesting ghosties and unusual magic. Ropa is as kind-hearted, hard working and clever as ever. She will do anything to take care of her family, protect her friends and earn a buck or two in the process. The same beautiful language as the first novel, carries us through this one, the quote above is apropos of nothing, but it just struck me. I love Huchu's writing style balancing beauty with Scottish street slang. I've spent quite a lot of time in Edinburgh so I appreciate his descriptions of the city and the little bits of history we get along the way. My criticism of the first one was that we didn't get enough of The Library of the Dead in this one, but this time we get some amazing scenes and explanations of the library and its power. Can't wait for Ropa's next adventure.
Thanks to Netgalley for advanced access to this novel. All opinions above are my own. I went on to purchase after reading.
June 6, 2022
Still love Ropa's narrative voice (although at times she seemed a little too naive here) and I liked getting to see more of this version of Edinburgh. The audiobook has a new narrator, but I felt that she lived up to the high bar set by the first book. Plot continues to be the weakest part of this series for me, but while I felt that the first book was predictable, in this book I didn't feel like the conclusion was built to strongly enough. However, I'm enjoying the writing, characters, and audiobook narration enough that I am likely to continue the series.
May 5, 2023
3.25 but rounding up cause I still enjoyed it. This felt like a bit of a filler book and we really didn't move that much forward in the overall plot which is fine if the series is going to be broader but if it's just a trilogy should have really picked up the pace. But it was still an enjoyable journey and mystery with Ropa and if this is a broader series I would continue to check them out.
July 1, 2023
Ropa, a ghost-talker, is moving up in the world. With a prestigious magical apprenticeship and a lead on a massive fortune, everything should be going well - except that not everything is as it seems, and her investigation of a schoolboy's mysterious illness seems set to stir up even more trouble.
This is the second book in the Edinburgh Nights series, which follows a budding magician through a fantastical, almost dystopian Edinburgh. I thought this book retained the strong voice and setting of the first book, with the added bonus of a stronger plot, with a lot of side stories that eventually were woven into a surprising climax. I look forward to the release of the next book!
This is the second book in the Edinburgh Nights series, which follows a budding magician through a fantastical, almost dystopian Edinburgh. I thought this book retained the strong voice and setting of the first book, with the added bonus of a stronger plot, with a lot of side stories that eventually were woven into a surprising climax. I look forward to the release of the next book!
July 15, 2022
Beautiful, thrilling, entertaining.
The setting in the beautiful and historical city of Edinburgh is wonderful.
The setting in the beautiful and historical city of Edinburgh is wonderful.
June 22, 2022
Ropa is really desperate to find a way to make a living after the events of the last book ruined her ghostalking business, so she accepts a job looking into the mystery of a teenaged boy’s mystery illness. Along with her friends, Priya and Jomo, Ropa gets into all sorts of mischief and danger, and spends more time in the glorious Library of the Dead. I love the Edinburgh setting, the humour, pathos, action, and characters; looking forward to the next one.
June 6, 2022
YA fantasy category.
I enjoyed the great creativity built into this read. It was very visual in my mind. I loved the practical no nonsense point of view, from the hard bitten and open minded leading character - a 15 year old girl. A voracious reader and energetic, family loving rebel. Lots of interesting characters populate this dystopian setting after the catastrophe! A solid friendship group you come to know and like. There’s a lot of scope for more to come. References within the story kept me looking up historic figures, places and times in Scotland. It’s a rich place.
I enjoyed the great creativity built into this read. It was very visual in my mind. I loved the practical no nonsense point of view, from the hard bitten and open minded leading character - a 15 year old girl. A voracious reader and energetic, family loving rebel. Lots of interesting characters populate this dystopian setting after the catastrophe! A solid friendship group you come to know and like. There’s a lot of scope for more to come. References within the story kept me looking up historic figures, places and times in Scotland. It’s a rich place.
March 19, 2022
Ropa is back - this time with a gig with the actual Magic Society, with Sir Callander as her mentor. Unfortunatley, it's an unpaid internship and Ropa has to figure out a way to get some money. Priya needs her help with a patient - and Ropa is just the person to figure out the cause of the mysterious illness.
Of course, things being as they are, everything is somehow connected and the case she is working for the Society becomes tangled up in her investigation for Priya.
The second book throws some light on what happend to Scotland back then and the relationship to England now (way too little in my opinion - I need an entire book about this!) and teases with hints and things half-said about Ropa's Gran (I also need to know so much more).
I love Ropa's unique voice and the way she tells the story. However, I thought I would get more information on England and Scottish magic as well as Ropa's Gran.
The case is solved in the end (with some turns and connections I did not really see coming) but there are some things that are left slightly open for another time.
Of course, things being as they are, everything is somehow connected and the case she is working for the Society becomes tangled up in her investigation for Priya.
The second book throws some light on what happend to Scotland back then and the relationship to England now (way too little in my opinion - I need an entire book about this!) and teases with hints and things half-said about Ropa's Gran (I also need to know so much more).
I love Ropa's unique voice and the way she tells the story. However, I thought I would get more information on England and Scottish magic as well as Ropa's Gran.
The case is solved in the end (with some turns and connections I did not really see coming) but there are some things that are left slightly open for another time.
January 4, 2023
Last year I listened to the audiobook of book one in the Edinburgh Nights series. The narrator Tinashe Warikandwa did such an outstanding job that while reading book two, Or Lady of Mysterious Ailments, I felt as though I could hear Tinashe’s voice as I was reading.
Book two starts shortly after book one has finished. I would recommend reading the first book to fully understand the magic world and what Edinburgh is like in the series. There is a lot going on in the books and with Ropa’s street slang the cadence of the narrative takes time to get used to. That said, the author nails their portrayal of Ropa as a street smart girl trying to hustle to make money for her family.
The story is full of action and Ropa takes us through her days as she is trying to unravel what is making a boy mysteriously sick. She has also started her new internship and gotten herself entwined in a plan to make money. Ropa’s friends, Priya and Jomo, are both great characters and help keep the story moving forward. Many of the other characters from the first book make appearances again, including Gran and Izwi.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. It feels like we are building to a major event.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge
Book two starts shortly after book one has finished. I would recommend reading the first book to fully understand the magic world and what Edinburgh is like in the series. There is a lot going on in the books and with Ropa’s street slang the cadence of the narrative takes time to get used to. That said, the author nails their portrayal of Ropa as a street smart girl trying to hustle to make money for her family.
The story is full of action and Ropa takes us through her days as she is trying to unravel what is making a boy mysteriously sick. She has also started her new internship and gotten herself entwined in a plan to make money. Ropa’s friends, Priya and Jomo, are both great characters and help keep the story moving forward. Many of the other characters from the first book make appearances again, including Gran and Izwi.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. It feels like we are building to a major event.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge
February 25, 2022
Welcome back, Ropa Moyo. I’ve missed you.
In this second installment of the Edinburgh Nights series by T.L. Huchu, Ropa Moyo, ghostalker and magical protégé returns to solve another mystery, this time involving a comatose magical student, money from an old Scottish venture, and an enigmatic king. We meet a few new friends along the way with some old, familiar faces.
Unlike many sequels, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments picks up exactly where The Library of the Dead left off and takes off running from the first page. No momentum is lost and the witty banter that streams from Ropa is even more delightful this time around. As a reader, we get thrust back into the magical underground of Edinburgh against a backdrop of a post-catastrophe Scotland.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what she does or what mysteries she solves, Miss Moyo is the breath of fresh air that we all need and deserve and I feel privileged to be able to go along for the ride. The colorful cast of characters that also accompany Ropa are an added bonus.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this second installment of the Edinburgh Nights series by T.L. Huchu, Ropa Moyo, ghostalker and magical protégé returns to solve another mystery, this time involving a comatose magical student, money from an old Scottish venture, and an enigmatic king. We meet a few new friends along the way with some old, familiar faces.
Unlike many sequels, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments picks up exactly where The Library of the Dead left off and takes off running from the first page. No momentum is lost and the witty banter that streams from Ropa is even more delightful this time around. As a reader, we get thrust back into the magical underground of Edinburgh against a backdrop of a post-catastrophe Scotland.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what she does or what mysteries she solves, Miss Moyo is the breath of fresh air that we all need and deserve and I feel privileged to be able to go along for the ride. The colorful cast of characters that also accompany Ropa are an added bonus.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
April 1, 2022I was very much looking forward to this second installment in this Edinburgh Nights series. I wasn’t in love with the first book by the end only because I wanted it to be built on and continued in this second book. Unfortunately the story so full of slang that is not fully explained and hard to understand. It is a very dark story with little hope for the character or for her future in the business she was doing. The main character is likable and I love how she is but I’m not sure she was developed to a way that is possible. The magic is lacking and the dread is too overpowering.
🎉 Thanks to NetGalley & Tor Books for the opportunity to review this advanced copy!
🎉 Thanks to NetGalley & Tor Books for the opportunity to review this advanced copy!
April 5, 2022
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After finishing The Library of the Dead, I immediately picked up Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, because I needed to know what trouble main character Ropa would get herself into next. Before I knew it, Ropa was on the case of yet another magical mystery, this time involving hospitalized high school students who have gotten wrapped up in a notorious secret society. With her on the case is her new friend and healer, Priya, her best friend, apprentice librarian Jomo, and her beloved fox River. But as a new member of Edinburgh’s magical Society, and the clock ticking on the lives of the high school students, the stakes are higher for Ropa than ever before.
From the title, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, I expected much of the story to take place in or to focus on the magical eponymous hospital. Imagine my surprise when instead, I actually found myself learning more about the Library of the Dead, and why exactly it has the name that it does. I really enjoyed this reveal, as this was something I was really wondering about in the entire first novel in the Edinburgh Night series, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bit let down that there wasn’t more of a focus on the magical hospital with the eye-catching name.
Though Ropa visits the hospital and its patients once or twice, there’s not a whole lot of substance involving the world-building of the facility, other than that it’s for the wealthy. But at large, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments does not do much more than allude to world-building. For instance, the novel references something known as a “Great Catastrophe,” which was literally a first mention for the series the whole way in the sequel, but doesn’t explain it at all. I have absolutely no idea what this catastrophe was or how it affected the world at large. Kind of seems like it might be a little important from the name though.
Similarly, while Ropa somehow tracks the bread crumbs surrounding the strange condition that befell these high school students, I found myself completely lost. Somehow, there’s a secret society, a lost fortune, astral travelers, demonology, and magic involved in all of this, but I had absolutely no earthly idea at how it all connected. For awhile, Ropa seems confused about the connection herself, but then magically figures out how it’s all intertwined, but I couldn’t see these interrelations even if I had a magnifying glass and a deerstalker hat. My inability to come even remotely close to a guess at what the heck was going on involving the main mystery of the story made it rather disheartening for me.
Despite feeling like I could never see the whole picture of Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, whether in regards to the mystery, the titular hospital for Edinburgh’s elite, or other world-altering events like the aforementioned Great Catastrophe, I still really enjoyed the novel. Though I definitely don’t think Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments is nearly as strong as the first entry in the series, The Library of the Dead, I just think these books are so much fun. I always get sucked into Ropa’s challenges, whether it’s struggling to find food for her family or to solve a giant magical mystery, I am always invested.
Though I have to say, I think the series of Edinburgh Nights truly shines the most not when its handling the subject of magic, but during Ropa’s day-to-day life and interacting with her friends and family. Ropa is such a compelling character, who though being street-smart and sassy, always takes the time to appreciate what she has and the people she loves. Though she doesn’t always make the wisest decisions—she is after all, only fifteen—her empathy and gratitude for what she has going for her really sets her apart from other young female protagonists, and is especially admirable as she lives in the slums without a dollar to her name. So often we see young heroines making horrific and rash decisions with no thought for those around them, but not so with Ropa, which I think is a breath of fresh air.
Despite loving Ropa, as well as her family and friends, and this return to all of their adventures, I don’t think the plot or the world-building of Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments is the strongest. Even if you squint, there just isn’t enough exposition for the readers to solve the mystery along with the heroine or to figure out exactly how Ropa’s magical world works or came to be. That being said, I still had fun reading this novel and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up any future entries in the series.
After finishing The Library of the Dead, I immediately picked up Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, because I needed to know what trouble main character Ropa would get herself into next. Before I knew it, Ropa was on the case of yet another magical mystery, this time involving hospitalized high school students who have gotten wrapped up in a notorious secret society. With her on the case is her new friend and healer, Priya, her best friend, apprentice librarian Jomo, and her beloved fox River. But as a new member of Edinburgh’s magical Society, and the clock ticking on the lives of the high school students, the stakes are higher for Ropa than ever before.
“Now I have some prior experience with dealing with kids who’ve experienced ‘extranatural’ health issues, and so that’s why Priya roped me in on this. Plus, I know how to spot an opportunity. If I nail this case, I might find myself with more work in the long run – maybe I can get Gran seen. I deffo gotta behave myself now.”
From the title, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, I expected much of the story to take place in or to focus on the magical eponymous hospital. Imagine my surprise when instead, I actually found myself learning more about the Library of the Dead, and why exactly it has the name that it does. I really enjoyed this reveal, as this was something I was really wondering about in the entire first novel in the Edinburgh Night series, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bit let down that there wasn’t more of a focus on the magical hospital with the eye-catching name.
Though Ropa visits the hospital and its patients once or twice, there’s not a whole lot of substance involving the world-building of the facility, other than that it’s for the wealthy. But at large, Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments does not do much more than allude to world-building. For instance, the novel references something known as a “Great Catastrophe,” which was literally a first mention for the series the whole way in the sequel, but doesn’t explain it at all. I have absolutely no idea what this catastrophe was or how it affected the world at large. Kind of seems like it might be a little important from the name though.
Similarly, while Ropa somehow tracks the bread crumbs surrounding the strange condition that befell these high school students, I found myself completely lost. Somehow, there’s a secret society, a lost fortune, astral travelers, demonology, and magic involved in all of this, but I had absolutely no earthly idea at how it all connected. For awhile, Ropa seems confused about the connection herself, but then magically figures out how it’s all intertwined, but I couldn’t see these interrelations even if I had a magnifying glass and a deerstalker hat. My inability to come even remotely close to a guess at what the heck was going on involving the main mystery of the story made it rather disheartening for me.
Despite feeling like I could never see the whole picture of Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments, whether in regards to the mystery, the titular hospital for Edinburgh’s elite, or other world-altering events like the aforementioned Great Catastrophe, I still really enjoyed the novel. Though I definitely don’t think Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments is nearly as strong as the first entry in the series, The Library of the Dead, I just think these books are so much fun. I always get sucked into Ropa’s challenges, whether it’s struggling to find food for her family or to solve a giant magical mystery, I am always invested.
“I’d rather be grateful for what I got. Izwi, Gran, that’s all I need, and them two keep me busy enough, like. Some folks out there ain’t got no one at all, and that’s pretty scary. Others can’t stand their own, and that’s a major baw ache. Me, I got the best two in the world, and great friends, so as far as I can see, I’m winning at this life thing.”
Though I have to say, I think the series of Edinburgh Nights truly shines the most not when its handling the subject of magic, but during Ropa’s day-to-day life and interacting with her friends and family. Ropa is such a compelling character, who though being street-smart and sassy, always takes the time to appreciate what she has and the people she loves. Though she doesn’t always make the wisest decisions—she is after all, only fifteen—her empathy and gratitude for what she has going for her really sets her apart from other young female protagonists, and is especially admirable as she lives in the slums without a dollar to her name. So often we see young heroines making horrific and rash decisions with no thought for those around them, but not so with Ropa, which I think is a breath of fresh air.
Despite loving Ropa, as well as her family and friends, and this return to all of their adventures, I don’t think the plot or the world-building of Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments is the strongest. Even if you squint, there just isn’t enough exposition for the readers to solve the mystery along with the heroine or to figure out exactly how Ropa’s magical world works or came to be. That being said, I still had fun reading this novel and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up any future entries in the series.
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March 28, 2022
Rounded to 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: murder, blood
This was such a fun and interesting book that I couldn’t wait to start. It’s been a while since I read book 1, and I remembered that there was a lot that happened, so I had to start with a reread of that one before starting OLMA. And I’m so glad I did, because there was so much that I forgot.
We pick up shortly after the events of book 1, and Ropa is still on her grind — trying to support herself, her younger sister, and her disabled grandmother. And just when things start to look up, she manages to get herself caught up into a few new things that derail her plans.
Let’s start with Ropa. She’s such an awesome character — brilliant, snarky, and hilarious, as well as incredibly loyal to the people she cares about. She’s always ready to jump on an opportunity, although she doesn’t always think through the consequences fully and always seem to wind up in trouble. This time, she gets hooked up with an apprenticeship at the Society of Sceptical Enquirers and a lucrative side job, but things definitely don’t go as planned.
Ropa relies on the help of her two besties, Jomo who works in the Calton Hill Library, and Priya, a healer, to make headway on her missions, both for the Society and the side job. As well as getting roped into another case involving an unexplained illness affecting several students at the Edinburgh Ordinary School for Boys. We really get to know more about Priya in this story, and how truly awesome she is. Priya is probably the most badass character in the story, and never lets her wheelchair get in her way — in fact, there’s a scene with her rocking out at a skatepark.
There’s a lot going on in this story, and it made for a fast read because I simply couldn’t put it down at all. I was always wondering what would happen next, and how everything tied together. And no matter how hard I tried, I was always surprised by the next plot twist, which I never successfully predicted. There’s a lot of Scottish slang involved in the story, and while I had to stop and look up a few words, I was mostly able to figure it out through context.
I love this series so much. It’s innovative, incorporating elements of a dystopian society with paranormal elements and magic, which made it completely unusual, at least in terms of the books that I typically read. It strongly reminds me of a younger version of Rivers of London, another series I love. It’s hard not to fall in love with the characters as well as the story, and I am really hoping for more books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: murder, blood
This was such a fun and interesting book that I couldn’t wait to start. It’s been a while since I read book 1, and I remembered that there was a lot that happened, so I had to start with a reread of that one before starting OLMA. And I’m so glad I did, because there was so much that I forgot.
We pick up shortly after the events of book 1, and Ropa is still on her grind — trying to support herself, her younger sister, and her disabled grandmother. And just when things start to look up, she manages to get herself caught up into a few new things that derail her plans.
Let’s start with Ropa. She’s such an awesome character — brilliant, snarky, and hilarious, as well as incredibly loyal to the people she cares about. She’s always ready to jump on an opportunity, although she doesn’t always think through the consequences fully and always seem to wind up in trouble. This time, she gets hooked up with an apprenticeship at the Society of Sceptical Enquirers and a lucrative side job, but things definitely don’t go as planned.
Ropa relies on the help of her two besties, Jomo who works in the Calton Hill Library, and Priya, a healer, to make headway on her missions, both for the Society and the side job. As well as getting roped into another case involving an unexplained illness affecting several students at the Edinburgh Ordinary School for Boys. We really get to know more about Priya in this story, and how truly awesome she is. Priya is probably the most badass character in the story, and never lets her wheelchair get in her way — in fact, there’s a scene with her rocking out at a skatepark.
There’s a lot going on in this story, and it made for a fast read because I simply couldn’t put it down at all. I was always wondering what would happen next, and how everything tied together. And no matter how hard I tried, I was always surprised by the next plot twist, which I never successfully predicted. There’s a lot of Scottish slang involved in the story, and while I had to stop and look up a few words, I was mostly able to figure it out through context.
I love this series so much. It’s innovative, incorporating elements of a dystopian society with paranormal elements and magic, which made it completely unusual, at least in terms of the books that I typically read. It strongly reminds me of a younger version of Rivers of London, another series I love. It’s hard not to fall in love with the characters as well as the story, and I am really hoping for more books in this series.
March 12, 2022
“Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments” is the second in the magically paranormal ‘Edinburgh Nights’ series by Zimbabwe born author T.L.Huchu (Tendai Huchu). Raised in Scotland himself, the author has written a brilliant story, combining a very sassy and street smart young girl called Ropa, with the atmospheric streets of a post-catastrophe Edinburgh, set in the not so distant future.
Ropa is a paid Ghostalker but after things went wrong in the first book “The Library of the Dead” she no longer connects with the dearly departed and is looking to gain an apprenticeship with Scotland’s leading magician Sir Ian Callander. However, she only gets accepted as an unpaid intern and desperately needing money to support her grandmother, younger sister Izwi and pet fox River, she turns to helping her friend Priya Kapoor (who is a healer at ‘Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments’) discover why a teenage boy is in a coma for no apparent reason. This takes Ropa and her friends on a dangerous journey - tracking down a lost fortune, a malevolent and angry spirit, a secret Monk society, an occult library and much more.
The characters in this series are simply spell-binding. All distinct, diverse and intriguing in their own right. Ropa’s attitude is spot on for the environment she lives in, nobody knows the area and inhabitants better than her. One character I would like to see developed further is her Grandmother, I suspect she has many layers and a past I’d like revealing. There’s also some really hair-raising and disturbing villains which add a true darkness to the story.
Although aimed at a young adult audience because of the characters ages and their direct thoughts and feelings, as an older reader myself, I still felt I connected to the story with the adult themes and often strong language. I instantly found it compelling, highly entertaining and engaging.
Although I would recommend reading the first in the series, purely for entertainment and introduction to the main characters personas, I read this as a stand-alone and it worked perfectly. There’s a very handy reference guide at the beginning of principal characters and places etc to familiarise yourself with before reading.
I definitely want to read more in the ‘Edinburgh Nights’ series, especially now Izwi has moved on to a new adventure. Being a sucker for magical fantasy/paranormal stories, these are right up my street and if you are too, they are well worth reading!
#OurLadyOfMysteriousAilments
Thank you to Stephen Haskins at Black Crow books for inviting me on the blog tour for #OurLadyOfMysteriousAilments and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Ropa is a paid Ghostalker but after things went wrong in the first book “The Library of the Dead” she no longer connects with the dearly departed and is looking to gain an apprenticeship with Scotland’s leading magician Sir Ian Callander. However, she only gets accepted as an unpaid intern and desperately needing money to support her grandmother, younger sister Izwi and pet fox River, she turns to helping her friend Priya Kapoor (who is a healer at ‘Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments’) discover why a teenage boy is in a coma for no apparent reason. This takes Ropa and her friends on a dangerous journey - tracking down a lost fortune, a malevolent and angry spirit, a secret Monk society, an occult library and much more.
The characters in this series are simply spell-binding. All distinct, diverse and intriguing in their own right. Ropa’s attitude is spot on for the environment she lives in, nobody knows the area and inhabitants better than her. One character I would like to see developed further is her Grandmother, I suspect she has many layers and a past I’d like revealing. There’s also some really hair-raising and disturbing villains which add a true darkness to the story.
Although aimed at a young adult audience because of the characters ages and their direct thoughts and feelings, as an older reader myself, I still felt I connected to the story with the adult themes and often strong language. I instantly found it compelling, highly entertaining and engaging.
Although I would recommend reading the first in the series, purely for entertainment and introduction to the main characters personas, I read this as a stand-alone and it worked perfectly. There’s a very handy reference guide at the beginning of principal characters and places etc to familiarise yourself with before reading.
I definitely want to read more in the ‘Edinburgh Nights’ series, especially now Izwi has moved on to a new adventure. Being a sucker for magical fantasy/paranormal stories, these are right up my street and if you are too, they are well worth reading!
#OurLadyOfMysteriousAilments
Thank you to Stephen Haskins at Black Crow books for inviting me on the blog tour for #OurLadyOfMysteriousAilments and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
March 5, 2022
Stop what you're doing and go buy this series now. Seriously. Why are you still reading my review? Go!
If you love Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series, you'll be captivated by T. L. Huchu's Edinburgh Nights. Ropa Moyo might finally have gotten a break after the disastrous events in the first book led to an unpaid internship and the loss of her primary ghostalking clientele. Her friend Priya offers her a job investigating the victim of a mysterious new magical illness. Ropa has to navigate post-catastrophe Edinburgh and, even worse, a high-society magical boarding school to get the answers. But what she uncovers is a threat hundreds of years old, and no one today may have the power to stop it.
Ropa is doing her best to stay under the radar of the various Edinburgh gangs, keep food on the table for her gran and her younger sister, and not get into any more trouble with the Library. She's an amazing character, and you'll root for her even as you marvel and the wonderful (and awful) world Huchu has created. While there are similarities to Aaronovitch's series, Ropa is very much her own character and has had a much rougher time of it than Peter Grant. She meets every challenge head-on, and will undoubtedly change the magical society of Edinburgh before they change her.
4.5/5 stars Highly recommended
I received an advance copy from Tor Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
If you love Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series, you'll be captivated by T. L. Huchu's Edinburgh Nights. Ropa Moyo might finally have gotten a break after the disastrous events in the first book led to an unpaid internship and the loss of her primary ghostalking clientele. Her friend Priya offers her a job investigating the victim of a mysterious new magical illness. Ropa has to navigate post-catastrophe Edinburgh and, even worse, a high-society magical boarding school to get the answers. But what she uncovers is a threat hundreds of years old, and no one today may have the power to stop it.
Ropa is doing her best to stay under the radar of the various Edinburgh gangs, keep food on the table for her gran and her younger sister, and not get into any more trouble with the Library. She's an amazing character, and you'll root for her even as you marvel and the wonderful (and awful) world Huchu has created. While there are similarities to Aaronovitch's series, Ropa is very much her own character and has had a much rougher time of it than Peter Grant. She meets every challenge head-on, and will undoubtedly change the magical society of Edinburgh before they change her.
4.5/5 stars Highly recommended
I received an advance copy from Tor Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 26, 2023
Intriguing tale of the supernatural in a not-quite post-apocalyptic Scotland. It's the second book in the Edinburgh Nights series and reminds me strongly of the Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud.
I really enjoyed listening to Tinashe Warikandwa narrate the audiobook edition.
I had originally thought this book would be appropriate for middle grade readers, but the content and language push it solidly into young adult. Which is too bad, because typically middle grade readers like to read about characters slightly older than themselves and this might have otherwise been a good fit.
I really enjoyed listening to Tinashe Warikandwa narrate the audiobook edition.
I had originally thought this book would be appropriate for middle grade readers, but the content and language push it solidly into young adult. Which is too bad, because typically middle grade readers like to read about characters slightly older than themselves and this might have otherwise been a good fit.
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