DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE delves into the lives of a few characters introduced in THE ILLUSIONISTS. I agree with the assessment that you don’t need to read the first to enjoy the second --- it’s very easy to become captivated by Rosie Thomas’ latest novel.

Zenobia “Nancy” Wix, who simply goes by Nancy, is the daughter of stage performers. Her father is the proprietor of a playhouse in London, and while her parents are ardent performers, Nancy is the one with the true and valuable talent --- she is a gifted medium. Nancy always referred to her gift as the Uncanny, and as a child, she hid it well and learned to live with it until one fateful childhood event. When her family is involved in a deadly ferry accident, she comes in contact with a man named Lawrence Feather, who calls her out on her talent pushing her to places she never wanted, or expected, to go. The unnerving encounter with Feather, along with the horror of the accident, stays with Nancy for years --- in some ways never leaving her and changing who she is.

"The story comes together in a wonderful tale of love, sadness and growth. The spiritualism aspect is handled so well that it doesn’t feel out of place but rather is an integral part of the characters’ lives and the story itself. It’s a perfect mix."

As Nancy grows older, and London and its residents feel the full impact of World War I, family life takes a hard turn. With the world at war, there isn’t much call for silly, eclectic shows that are the focus of her family’s playhouse. Spiritualism is gaining in popularity, and Nancy decides she needs to seek out Feather, who unmasked her talent as a child, and ask for his help in growing her gift.

Nancy, who now goes by Zenobia on stage, rises in popularity as the war goes on. It’s this newfound fame that brings love, of a complicated sort, into her life. A woman who is more than willing to step out of her comfort zone, Nancy goes where life takes her, even though she understands that the choices she’s making are unconventional and may change her life forever.

This is one of those books that you fall into and only come up for air every once in a while. It’s easy to be swept away by the Wix family and all they endure. I also loved that Nancy was willing to go against, and challenge, societal rules and accepted norms. Her relationships and work life make her stand out, but she goes in with open eyes and accepts the consequences of her choices.

The story comes together in a wonderful tale of love, sadness and growth. The spiritualism aspect is handled so well that it doesn’t feel out of place but rather is an integral part of the characters’ lives and the story itself. It’s a perfect mix. DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE is a long book but feels entirely too short when you get to the end. These are characters who will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.