Cover design / graphic elements: 4/5
Character development: 3/5
Overall story: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Who I would recommend this book to / what it reminds me of: fans of Victorian literature, historical fiction, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, mysteries, suspense novels

I originally read this back in the fall of 2010 and, while I did not remember the entire storyline, I remembered that I really enjoyed the book overall. I decided to pick it up once again when I saw that there was a sequel written a few years ago that I had not read. Overall, I did enjoy this book. I love historical fiction, particularly historical fiction set in Victorian England featuring castles, royalty, drama, and mystery. In fact, that's kind of my thing. While I did feel it was pretty unnecessary for this book to be 700 pages, I found myself enjoying it and not hoping it would be over soon. The writing was frequently long and drawn out, but not insufferable. Some of the "twists," if they were supposed to be twists, I caught onto right away. I'm not sure whether or not that has to do with the fact that I'd read it once before and subconsciously remembered what happened or if they just weren't that great of twists anyway, but that didn't bother me too much. As for the characters, I think the author did a nice job of developing them and creating people who we both have empathy for and yet don't condone the actions of. Overall, I enjoyed this read and will keep it in my collection to read again in the future. I also plan on picking up the sequel from my local library soon.

Never has a book caused me so much blinding white rage. Phoebus Daunt is easily my most HATED literary character!

The Meaning of Night is actually one of the best books ive ever read. It was captivating from the first page, and held my attention throughout all the 600 pages.
Not only is it a good thriller and (murder?) mystery book, but new things keep popping up!

Hobbies such as photography and bibliography are described well, with good information, enough to light my own heart on fire. I sit and read the discussion on these matters that the characters have and wish that I, too, could join in instead of just listening.
Most characters feel well-rounded and alive, if not a bit 2d at times where plot development is important. But that's okay, I didn't mind it, though I did like the feel of the MC constantly going on side quests - but in the end, it all added up.

I dont know if the ending felt a bit rushed because it was written with a slightly poorer quality than the rest, or because it was fast and up-beat itself. Either way the ending was both as one would and would not imagine - satisfactory AND surprising!

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I will look into getting a copy of the sequel, The Glass of Time.

Cox is by far the greatest writer I have read. The absolute eloquency of his wording is amazing. He speaks in a way that is so profound yet so simple. He takes the most mundane sentence and turns it into a piece of art.
Absolutely the most splendid, engaging, and memorable book I have read.

Slow to start. It had enough in it to keep me going until the end but was tedious in places. A low3, possibly 2.5 star book for me.

Had this book been 200 to 300 pages shorter, it would likely deserve the full 5 stars, but alas, its length drags it down a star. It's a class act of a Victorian thriller, with our unreliable and very criminal protagonist on the hunt for the inheritance stolen from him long ago. Much of the book concerns the history of how all of this came to be, starting from when he was a mere infant through present day, a tour that takes us through magnificent estates, law offices, houses of prostitution, the London underbelly, and a host of great and unsavory characters. Much of the tale is told through Edward's interaction with others as he unravels his mystery, and this is where the novel shines, as every character he meets is well-drawn and interesting and full with his or her own history and ambitions. Well done, old chap, well done.