ARC Review: Edinburgh Nights #4

The Legacy of Arniston House by T. L. Huchu

Publication Date: November 12, 2024

Summary from NetGalley:

A dangerous cult craves a dark power. The Legacy of Arniston House is the spellbinding fourth instalment of the USA Today bestselling Edinburgh Nights series by T. L. Huchu

Ropa Moyo is a wannabe magician, can speak to the dead, and has officially given up being an intern. Leaving Scottish magic behind, she now works for the English Sorcerer Royal. But just as she adjusts to working for the English, an old enemy reveals a devastating secret about her Gran, and Ropa’s world falls apart.

Outraged, she rushes home, but finds her grandmother dead – murdered – with no killer in sight. What’s more, she’s the prime suspect. In her quest to find the true murderer, Ropa becomes caught in the dark tendrils of a cult, hell-bent on resurrecting an ancient power. Ropa must use her wits, her magic, and call in all favors to stop the ritual – and clear her name.

ARC provided by Tor Publishing via Netgalley for an honest review.

Confession:

I really enjoyed this fourth installment in this fantasy/supernatural series. I went into this book thinking it was the finale, and was a bit surprised that it ended on a huge cliffhanger. But that is ok, because to be honest I wasn’t quite ready for this series to end.

I have enjoyed following Ropa as she grows in her abilities and as she learns more about her past. Her devotion to her family is wonderful, and she will do anything to keep them safe, even at times doing the dangerous things that no one else is willing to do. She is also a very good thinker, and is able to put things together and figure out what is really going on. She is a loyal friend, even when those friends are perhaps not loyal to her. She goes through a lot in this story and I felt every bit of it along with her. Her ability to talk to ghosts and to take care of people who are possessed by them is really scary at times, but an important part of who she is.

The other characters in this book are also well done. I love Priya, especially the fact that she has never let her disability get in the way of doing what she loves. She is a fierce adversary and a loyal friend who always has Ropa’s back. The rest of the characters are a nice eclectic mix of old and young and very diverse. It is this diversity that makes this urban fantasy feel a little bit more realistic.

This book does feel a little bit slower than the other three, but I think that is because there is more backstory being given out not only on the characters, but also this world’s history. All of this was fascinating and it answered many questions I had from the previous books, but it did slow down the main story a bit. I do love the world building here, and the writing and dialogue are also excellent. The magical battles are well done, and I just adore the underground libraries, especially the Library of the Dead, where the books can kill you.

I highly recommend that you give this series a try, especially if you are into urban fantasy. I do, however recommend that you start with the first book. The world is full of magic and science as well as ghosts, and the characters are ones that you will easily find yourself rooting for.