This Crumbling Pageant by Patricia Burroughs

For the first time in a while, I've started reading a novel as soon as it arrived in my post-box, rather than adding it to my to-be-read pile. More of a matter of timing, really, the fact that I'm on holidays and had just finished re-reading "The Twenty" when it arrived.

This fantasy novel was recommended as something that an SS/HG fan would like, and I can certainly see the resemblance.

Vespasian Wyltt (aka Vespasian Jones), dark, despicable, thin, ugly, bastard (literally as well as figuratively), brilliant, driven, wielder of dark magics.
They would all be kindling to the fire of his ambition, and he would glory in their burning.

Persephone Fury, thin, plain, bluestocking, defiant, brave, troubled by dark and powerful magic that she cannot control.

This must be good, because I am only up to chapter nine, and I want to make notes!
So here follows my very SPOILERY notes, ponderings and speculations about the book so far.
( there be SPOILERS here! )

Has anyone else around here read this novel? What did you think?