Lady of Steel and Straw by Erica Ivy Rodgers – Three Musketeers inspired fantasy

Lady of Steel and Straw is a gripping and heartbreaking Three Musketeers inspired fantasy with strong world-building and character development.

Synopsis

Star-crossed lovers grapple with forbidden attraction and a growing army of ghostly dead in this swashbuckling YA fantasy debut.

After ten years of exile, following regicide in the House of Tristain, an alarming royal edict is delivered to the immortal scarecrow Guardians who once defended the crown: surrender themselves to the church of the Silent Gods, or stand accused of further treason. But with a puppet prince set to take the throne and vengeful wraiths appearing with alarming frequency, something foul and sinister is at work in the kingdom of Niveaux.

Lady Charlotte Sand was born to calm the restless dead. A headstrong heroine, she refuses to relinquish her family’s lavender Guardian to the Cardinal’s Watch—a rash misstep that costs her brother his life and sets her on a path for revenge.

For pious and handsome Captain Luc de Montaigne, it’s an excruciating predicament. His long-lost, childhood love has triggered a faction war that could tear the realm asunder. Now Charlotte and Luc must choose between killing one another and stepping closer to victory—or yielding to the electricity between them.

Heartily inspired by The Three Musketeers, this multiple-perspective narrative features a unique system of bone and herbal magic, sultry banter, and a feisty cast of well-rounded supporting characters. This rousing first entry in a romantic fantasy duology is a gorgeous read and excellent pick for fans of Rin Chupeco and Margaret Rogerson.

Review

Lady of Steel and Straw is a unique Three Musketeers inspired fantasy set in a France-inspired kingdom, blending familiar tropes with the intriguing magic of Guardians—spirits who return to life in scarecrow bodies to protect kingdom against wraiths—dark spirits of those who died in pain.

The story follows Lady Charlotte Sand, a skilled spirit settler, who defies the Cardinal’s order to return the heart of her family’s Guardian, Parson Worthington. After her brother’s death, Charlotte awakens Parson and, driven by rage and revenge, heads to the capital to aid the Prince who is haunted by wraiths and confront the forces of the ruthless Cardinal, Lorraine the Pure who is not only head of the Church of the Silent Gods but also a regent.

What I particularly loved was the beginning, which offered a clear and detailed view of the world of spirit wielders and settlers, as well as the fascinating origin of the Guardians 200 years ago. How they protected the kingdom of Niveaux, ruled by House of Tristain, from a neighboring kingdom’s attack and served faithfully ever since until their exile 10 years ago, after failing to protect the king and queen during an ambush.

Lady of Steel and Straw, filled with spirits, swords, camaraderie, and necromancy, delves into themes of loss and grief, which run throughout the story, along with politics, the clash between old and new religions, childhood trauma, revenge, and the battle between good and evil.

The plot is captivating, and the writing is both engaging and emotive. The first few chapters evoke a wide range of emotions, from horror to hope to heartbreak. However, the pacing falters in the middle, as the prolonged search for the wraith haunting the Prince becomes frustrating when the culprit is obvious. I also found the connection between Charlotte and Luc predictable. Despite this minor flaw, the characters, world-building, and tension are excellent.

Charlotte is a skilled spirit settler, known for her bravery and loyalty, but she often lets her emotions drive her actions, leading to reckless decisions. It takes time for her to learn to think strategically and control her impulses, focusing on the battles ahead. Once she gains control over her emotions and lets go of her anger and thirst for vengeance, she becomes a formidable heroine, showing compassion and kindness—even toward those who took everything from her.

I never warmed to Luc. I could sympathize with the lost child who struggled to control his abilities and kept running from them, but the man he became—cold, ruthless, and subservient to those who used him—was hard to like.

I understood his pain when Charlotte’s father died and Parson was forced into slumber, taking away his hope. However, turning that pain into anger and blaming Parson didn’t make sense to me. I felt sorry for him when he realized the full extent of his abilities, but his refusal to accept help was frustrating. Still, I’m curious to see where his journey leads in the next book.

The Guardians were fascinating, with each having unique abilities based on their nature. I loved the camaraderie between them and the strong bonds they shared with their partners. Their support for Charlotte was heartwarming.

I wouldn’t call this a romantasy. There is attraction between Luc and Charlotte and there is sizzling chemistry but author skirted romance and kept the focus on the plot. So probable romance never fully develops. There is only one kissing scene in climax that too is complicated by their circumstances.

I really enjoyed the training sessions and the action-packed finale. Charlotte truly shone in the end. I was thrilled to see the Cardinal defeated but frustrated when Charlotte left her alive and then stumped by loss and mission they half failed but there is hope in the end and promise of sequel that I’m already anticipating.

One thing that still puzzles me is how the Cardinal became a regent. She didn’t seem old enough, nor was it mentioned that she had a position in the court. She was simply the head of a religion she created. Shouldn’t the regent have been one of the court ministers?

Overall, Lady of Steel and Straw is a gripping and heartbreaking Three Musketeers inspired fantasy with strong world-building and character development.

You might enjoy Lady of Steel and Straw if you like,

Necromancy
Good Vs evil
Childhood Friends to Enemies to probable Lovers
Clean or almost no romance
Slow burn filled with tension
Layers of loss and grief
Political intrigue
Battle between new and old religion

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

#LadyofSteelandStraw by Erica Ivy Rodgers – gripping and heartbreaking Three Musketeers inspired fantasy. Many thanks @PRHGlobal for review copy. Check out full review –> Share on X

What do you think about this book?
What is your favorite Classic inspired fantasy? Or fantasy with necromancy?

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