[Teresa Edgerton]

Melusine by Sarah Monette. A new book (Aug 2005) by an apparently new author.

It sounds quirky (one hopes in a good way) and very original. Reviewers at Publishers Weekly and Booklist both waxed enthusiastic over the story and the characters, so I'm intrigued.

This is part of what Publishers Weekly had to say:

Set in the wondrous city of Mélusine, Monette's novel focuses on two captivating characters from two very different worlds: Felix Harrowgate, a powerful magician at the court of Lord Steven Teverius, and Mildmay the Fox, a cat burglar who has been trained as an assassin. When Felix falls prey to the unscrupulous machinations of a man who's plotting to destroy Mélusine, he's left nearly mad, unable to clear his name or explain his actions. Mildmay, on the other hand, undertakes a simple burglary, thinking it will lead to a bit of extra flash that will keep him going for more than a few days. Instead, the burglary opens the way to a series of unfortunate events that force Felix and Mildmay into a partnership neither of them could have anticipated or desired.