“McMahon packs a lot into this beautifully crafted historical novel: an engaging, accessible plot, lavishly furnished with period details and intriguing characters . . . Emilie may be a classic fairy-tale heroine on the surface, but this Sleeping Beauty has depth and an increasingly self-aware intelligence.” —Diana Gabaldon, Washington Post
“Evocative, compelling, and beautifully written…Explosive secrets abound not only in the mysterious alchemy laboratory and in sprawling, seething London during the Age of Reason—but also in the heroine’s heart.” —Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Boleyn
“Impossible to stop thinking about…From the first page, there is a steady building of tension, drawing us deeper and deeper into the layers of secrecy surrounding the reclusive and brilliant Emilie Selden. The reader discovers the truths hidden within the elements of nature and the depth of strength within the soul.” —Linda Holeman, author of The Linnet Bird
“An absolutely wonderful book. A beautifully written story, rich with detail.” —Diane Haeger, author of The Ruby Ring