Book: Clockwork Menagerie
Series: Shadows of Asphodel: Novella
Self-published
Publication date: July 11, 2016
Length: 118 pages
Reviewed by Meredith
Synopsis
1914.
Konstantin would love to hide in his laboratory and dissect the
clockwork dragon captured from Russia, but the Archmages of Vienna have
other plans. He finds himself shipped off to St. Petersburg as the
scientific attaché to an ambassador. His orders? Look, but don’t touch.
Of course, he considers this an impossible request with so much enemy
technomancy to explore.
To
make matters worse, Konstantin has to work with the dashing zeppelin
commander Himmel, a man who should also be untouchable. They can’t act
on the smoldering attraction between them without risking it all. Faced
with an illegal relationship and a devious rival technomancer,
Konstantin might not return from this mission in Russia without
conquering the forbidden.
Excerpt
Himmel kissed him as he dragged him inside, his lips silencing his excuses, his hands scorching his cold skin. “You’re frozen.”
Konstantin laughed. “You’re not.”
“Let me warm you.”
This sounded sensible enough, considering—
God,
Himmel’s hands. He slid them under Konstantin’s shirt, his fingers
branding him, and reached lower. Unbuckling his belt, unbuttoning his
trousers. Konstantin backed into the room and fell onto an armchair.
“Careful.” Himmel’s tone invited him to be reckless.
Flames crackled in the fireplace, reflected in his eyes. His chest heaving, Konstantin waited for him to make the next move.
Himmel kneeled before him. “What do you want?”
Konstantin wished the captain would relinquish control. “Kiss me,” he whispered.
Review
Steampunk is touch and go for me. Sometimes they’re good and
sometimes they’re not.. This was a very interesting read. It’s a novella in
Karen Kincy’s Shadow of Asphodel series. Now there’s been a book one and two and
this novella is Konstantin’s POV of those… I believe. I didn’t read the other
books in this series. This is the only one. I got the story in fast forward I
think. I’m gathering that Konstantin’s POV was very much wanted as he has to be
a very important character in the series.
I like Konstantin a lot actually. I can see why his POV
would be welcome. It’s a fast paced novella and he is very smart and he has a
keen curiosity about him. Himmel is another MC in this and he’s quite the
character. He is a Zeppelin Commander who is working with Konstantin.
The attraction between these two is off the charts. But they
have a job to do. It’s a thrilling story and a lot of fun. I wonder if reading
the two books before this would benefit me more or take something away. I might
just read the other two in the hopes it’s not tedious but this is a wickedly
creative story here.
Giveaway
Karen Kincy is doing a giveaway and gifting 5 people
with this wonderful novella!
Enter the rafflecopter below
Contest will end on August 28th!
Thank you!
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My favourite thing about steampunk is the amazing machines that are created and the clothes too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a lot of steampunk, which is strange considering that I really enjoyed the titles I did read. When well done I love that the stories are set in a world I recognise while being different enough to keep me curious.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time separating steampunk from general sci-fi but I do enjoy reading them. Another new author to add to my list - you are not good for my TBR list, Mere, I'll never get thru everything at this rate ;) I love your recs so keep 'em comin' :D
ReplyDeleteI like the mixture between magic and science... That's what makes steampunk special for me!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a lot of steampunk. I suppose it's the technological aspect fused with magic?
ReplyDeleteIt's the combination of clothing style, the machinery and magical stuff. Somehow, on steampunk even the mild character seemed quite bad-ass due to all those. ;-)
ReplyDelete