STEAMPUNK REVIEW: The Chronicles of Light and Shadow 2 and 3: A Clockwork Heart, Sky Pirates - Liesel Schwarz

Release Date: 05/06/14
Publisher:  Del Rey

SYNOPSIS:

The honeymoon is over...A plague of clockwork zombies is afflicting London, and as more people mysteriously disappear, so grows the panic. For Eleanor Chance, she is still figuring out her abilities as the oracle, and how to keep the dark designs of the Shadow realm at bay. But then Marsh, her newly-wed husband, is abducted. Can she save him from the fate of a clockwork heart before it's too late? Book two in The Chronicles of Light and Shadow series, from the award-winning author of A Conspiracy of Alchemists.


REVIEW:

To be honest for me, this book felt a little flat, the storyline wasn’t really that sure on where it was going and when the reader looks deeper into the overall arc, it felt that a few things were added to bulk the book out rather than something dynamic and to the point. What occurred within was a tale that whilst Steampunk could easily have been any sort of UF type of tale out there which also felt that the reader was being treated with kid gloves almost as if the author had to quickly get it dealt with due to deadlines.

Add to this a lead character that didn’t gel with me, a villain that never really reached full potential and all round I was very disappointed with this offering. A great shame.

Release Date: 05/06/14
Publisher:  Del Rey

SYNOPSIS:

Whatever it takes...Eleanor Chance has made it her mission to find her husband who has been cursed to roam the netherworld. But her plans are scuppered when a band of sky pirates attack, led by a man hell-bent on revenge. And rumour has it the Council of Warlocks has fallen under the sway of the nefarious Shadow Master - who wants her dead at any cost. Being chased from all sides, Elle will have to channel all of her powers as the Oracle to try to save the man she loves...


REVIEW:

Sadly for me whilst the original story was pretty solid, these last two so far have felt flat. They never seem to grip the glory of the original and whilst they’re so so, they’re not something that really gets going throughout almost as if writing to deadline has not allowed the pieces to become as polished or fixed as they perhaps should have been.

Whilst some out there will enjoy them, for me, I just couldn’t get into the story within, due to the same sort of problems that I’ve had previously of not being able to get a firm grip with the principle player. All round a great shame for me as I did have high hopes for the series.

STEAMPUNK REVIEW: A Conspiracy of Alchemists - Liesel Schwarz

Release Date: 07/02/13

SYNOPSIS:

When dirigible pilot Elle Chance accepts an unusual cargo in Paris she finds herself in the middle of a deadly war between the Alchemists and Warlocks. The Alchemists will stop at nothing to acquire the coveted carmot stone and its key, and Elle must do everything in her power to thwart their diabolical plans. Embarking on a perilous cross-continental adventure with the mysterious Mr Marsh, Elle is forced to question everything she ever knew about herself to fulfil her destiny and prevent a magical apocalypse..."A Conspiracy of Alchemists" is a superb adventure, combining the best elements of 19th century gothic fiction with contemporary Steampunk and supernatural themes.


REVIEW:

I love a bit of Steampunk that takes me away from the real world, I love the mechanisation of clockwork, the feeling that these things really should work and when thrown in with a writers imagination with solid prose, great outline and a kick ass lead character really works on so many levels for me.

Add to this a vulnerability to the character that allows a fully roundedness and all round its more than hits the spot. Back this up with a solid plot, some wonderful twists and all round I was more than glued to the adventure from the opening paragraph to the last sentence. Great stuff.