Most scientists seem to believe that taxonomy is one of the less thrilling fields of study. I was entranced with it when I first encountered it in Grade 7. If I had seen any way to turn it into a career, I might have tried harder to stay in the sciences in university. Carrie Vaughn has invented a way to make taxonomy a far more useful practice. The Arcanists in her world can harness the characteristics of the species that they know to change their environments. For example, channeling coolness by connecting with the Snowy Owl.
Beth Stanley was courted by and married to a man who appreciated her bird expertise and her Arcane ability. Of course, in this formal society, it is believed that women are incapable of either scientific interest or arcane talents. Harry Stanley has neither talent, but he covers for his wife, publishing her work under his name. They are a team until his unexpected death. Then Beth is stymied by the Old Boys Club, which can't be bothered to listen to a mere woman. This made me think of Mary Anning who mentored so many male paleontologists, Rosalind Franklin's work on DNA or Margaret Hamilton at NASA who was responsible for the Apollo program software. None of them were properly acknowledged for their expertise.
Beth feels intolerably hemmed in by propriety and her family's expectations. They don't want her to go birding, to travel on her own, to do the things that bring her joy. They are pressuring her to marry again. Some men from her husband's naturalist society have also figured out her secrets and want to take advantage of her by marriage. Well, except for one of her husband's best friends and his partner, who start out wanting her “husband's“ research, but become Beth's supportive friends .
If the suppression of women in historical times makes you irrationally angry, you may want to skip this book, because Beth experiences a lot of mistreatment. But if you are open to an unconventional and beautiful love triangle, this book may be just your thing. I loved that Beth rescues herself several times and claims her own happiness.
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