Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments

Starred review from January 31, 2022
Returning to a magic-infused contemporary Scotland, the outstanding second urban fantasy in Huchu’s Edinburgh Nights series (after The Library of the Dead) takes heroine Ropa Moyo, who can talk to the dead, on a thrilling new adventure. While struggling to overcome the classist boundaries of the magical world, Ropa accepts a job investigating the curious case of Max Wu, whose odd coma mystifies healers at the private hospital Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments. Alongside a colorful cast, including a friendly fox named River, Ropa uncovers a layered conspiracy involving an ancient secret society and one of Scotland’s most prestigious magic schools, Edinburgh Ordinary School for Boys. Huchu captures a distinctly Scottish vernacular that brings vibrancy and verve to this enthralling, fast-paced adventure. Returning readers will be thrilled to revisit familiar faces and settings, while those new to the series will have no trouble jumping into this fantastic world. Witty, suspenseful, and keenly attuned to real-life socioeconomic hierarchies, this equally entertaining and insightful sophomore outing should keep Huchu’s star on the rise.

Starred review from March 1, 2022

Huchu's (Hairdresser of Harare) second "Edinburgh Nights" novel (following the tumultuous The Library of the Dead) finds ghost talker Ropa Moyu in even deeper trouble. She's broke, unemployed, and indebted to both the Director of the (official) magical society and the leader of the criminal gang that controls Edinburgh. She's been roped into finding the source of a magical ailment affecting young men who went somewhere they shouldn't have via astral projection. Meanwhile, her gran is predicting the end of the world and the society's snobs are relentless in trying to kick her off the tiny foothold she's gained in scientific magic. It's all in a season's work for the intrepid Ropa, however, who is doing everything in her power to learn as much as possible, save whatever she can, and keep her family together--regardless of the cost. VERDICT Everything rides on the shoulders of young Ropa in this post-apocalyptic, near-future Edinburgh where magic, science, and monarchy all hold equal sway. Ropa, at only 14, carries an adult's burdens and responsibility with equal parts can-do spirit, stubborn energy, and kicking herself and her friends as necessary. This twisted Edinburgh tries its best to keep her down, but she never stops.--Marlene Harris

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2022
Ropa Moyo has an interview for a proper apprenticeship, a paid position within the Society of Sceptical Enquirers. The interview goes awry, though, and she's downgraded to intern. Unpaid. Ropa isn't going to let that stop her, and when her friend Priya calls for help with some patients whose sickness seems "extranatural," Ropa sees opportunity. There is a tangled web of deceit and gatekeeping before her, though, and her tendency to fling herself headlong into problems will cause even more trouble. Postcatastrophe Edinburgh is full of compelling background characters, villains, and details of everyday life--and Ropa is a delight to read, even as her tumble into danger can turn into a bit of a nailbiter. She may have mercenary digressions--after all, she is the primary breadwinner in her family, and an unpaid internship doesn't help one bit with food or housing--but ultimately she sticks to her ethical principles. Readers will want to be prepared for an ending that opens up more doors than it closes in understanding what's going on in the venerable halls of the society.

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