Title: Clockwork Scarab
Author: Colleen Gleason
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publishing Date: September 17th 2013
Publishing Date: September 17th 2013
Pages: 358
Genre: YA Steampunk/Historical Fiction/Mystery
Genre: YA Steampunk/Historical Fiction/Mystery
Series: Stoker and Holmes #1
Source: Audio
Source: Audio
Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate.
Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims.
The setting was pretty spectacular too. It’s a definite hit or miss for me with steampunk. I love historical fiction and I love the idea of steampunk, but it doesn’t always work well for me in books. I think it’s a bit for me to handle on the tone of descriptions thrown in. It tends to slow the pace to a speed I can’t handle or its too much or to vague for me to picture. I know that books, especially ones such as steampunk, rely on the descriptions for the setting to come to life, Its just hard to find the satisifying middle for me. This book did just that. I was lost in the descriptions from the steam vehicles to the outfits, I loved it all and it so very clear.
The characters were a hoot. And yes I said hoot. The interactions between Miss Holmes and Miss Stoker were truly entertaining. Its hard to get a very logical and very magical person in the same room much less agree with each other. Miss Holmes always relying on deductions and science has a hard time going on gut feelings. Miss Stoker is a vampire hunter. She is strong, fast, and works on instinct not thought and really doesn’t have much in the deducing talents. So get them together and not only are they entertaining but they balance each other out. Quite well in fact. In the beginning they deal, in the end they were on the verge of friendship. I actually liked Miss Stoker better, She was the fun one, the dangerous one, the one who always ended up in trouble because she acted before she thought it out. Miss Holmes was a bit on the boring side and bit stuck up. She knew she was smart and in her mind was never wrong.
I would like to also mention the narrator for this audio. She was wonderful, there were so many characters and each one had a very unique self owned voice. She did an outstanding job on getting their personalities down and making them clear to the listeners.
The only downer for me was the pacing did get a bit slow a few times. Very few times though, in the beginning. After about 1/3 of the book, it picked up, then about 2/3 of the way it took off at jet speed. Once it started to pick up it didn’t ever slow back down. The beginning was filled with lots of build up so I imagine the next book will not have a problem with pacing at all. I am really looking forward to the next book.
A great story set in a historical steampunk world that gave off an awesome classic mystery vibe.
Sounds interesting--curious to read about Miss Stoker's antics! I don't really listen to audiobooks, which is a shame since I would love to hear this wonderful narrator, as you say. And the trailer is adorable! Glad you liked this one, great review!
ReplyDeleteChristie @ Read by the Undead
Nice review. I read this recently and you echoed many of my thoughts. The steampunk was more of a problem for me than it was for you, I guess I like steampunk more in the background or not so obvious, I don't know, but totally agree on the characters. I liked Stoker more too, she was a lot of fun. And it was entertaining. Kinda wondering what Pix turns out to be. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds crazy interesting. I loved your review. Your blog is really cute too. Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure to check this book out.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have a hard time with the steampunk books too. I'm glad that this sounds like it isn't overly descriptive so it doesn't take away from the story itself. Adding this one. :) Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteI am always looking for a good audiobook and I love the idea that they are related to famous people!
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris