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This was,...I mean,....I don’t know how to,...

“I was never one for endings, but beginnings,—he lifted his shaking hand, and his face crumpled into a smile—“they are the best adventures of all.��

This book chronicles a year, or adventure, in the life of Quincy St. Claire. Quincy is a complex character. She felt so real, and even though I can’t really relate to her, I got to know her so well that I knew what she was going to do next. Not in a predictable kind of way, more in the way you get with a friend. You know what they like and how they will respond in certain situations, but they still manage to surprise you.

“The dimple in Arch’s cheek flickered. He watched her a moment before replying, “And Fisher says you don’t understand people.��
“I don’t,�� Quincy snapped, but it wasn’t at Arch, it was at the air before her. “They’re emotional, unpredictable, and erratic; I don’t like dealing with them. But words, once spoken, can be turned into an equation of sorts in my mind—each word receiving a value depending on its placement or emphasis—and then, I add it up and see what comes out.��

Quincy is brilliant in a mechanical, cogs, gears, and numbers sort of way. She’s very single minded and full of sharp edges. Her past is filled with pain so she pushes forward. Her life is The Q, a newspaper that she runs. Which is why uncle Ezekiel decides not to will her the business unless she can accomplish 12 mystery tasks within a year. Very frustrating for the logical Quincy to comprehend.

And the one who knows what each task is and has to shadow her through the year to witness if she accomplishes them? The handsome and irritating solicitor uncle Ezekiel hired, James A. Arch.
Talking about him is one big spoiler, so I’ll just say that we like him and he’s an equally complex character. *wink*

All the minor characters were good and added so much depth to the plot. This author really knows her stuff.
I read a trilogy by her this year and it was good, but I didn’t love it because there was no levity. Well at some point between writing The Wanderers Mark and The Q she figured out how to do levity. I grinned and laughed out loud more than once.

She also has gems like the following:
“Let the juices of summer come oozing from the press of fall.��
Pure poetry. (Which Quincy naturally scoffs at)
And this:
“I say: Preach! Preach! If you know of a higher ideal, if you see a better way for mankind to exist, then preach! Don’t sit quietly by because of your own imperfections!��
And this:
“No sense in being small because someone else doesn’t have the courage to measure up.��

This was one of those books that while entertaining, it was also deep. A full immersion experience that you can really chew on. I love that kind of read. Especially after all the fluff I’ve been taking in lately. This was decidedly unfluffy, sort of Dickensian.

Get this book. Read it. Follow Quincy’s year. Spend time at the Q. Visit the printing room. Get to know Jade, Fisher, Crow, and Spats. Drink peppermint tea with Quincy. And enjoy your stay in Rhysdon. This book is long and not action packed, but I think it’s worth it.
Just make sure you start with the first chapter. My kindle started me at the second chapter and I was very confused for a while.