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Steampunk, Young Adult, Urban
In a past that never was... The year is 1869. Earth experiences the close pass of a comet never before seen. In its wake, many of Terra's inhabitants find themselves changed. Among men, prodigies rise in unprecedented numbers, while many ordinary adults suddenly find themselves possessed of preternatural genius. Likewise, non-hominid animals become self-aware and intelligent. Fast forward to 1875. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become the world's foremost inventor. He travels to England to deliver his latest brilliant invention to a famous explorer, until Fate intervenes. Meanwhile, a lovely young Bluestocking, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death. Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth.
3 out of 5 (good)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
6 years after a comet passed earth, technological advance are fast and furious. Ichabod Temperance races across the Atlantic in a steam boat to hand deliver his latest invention. Persephone Plumtartt is the daughter of a previous recipient of his inventions. Together they fight the ghost her father pulled forth before he died. I liked the IDEA of this book, that a comet released the inner scientist of a huge amount of people all at once. I didn't like the way it's told. It's told in the first person, present tense, and it flips between the two characters. Each change is clearly headed and occurs as the chapters change BUT some of those chapters are very very short, and it got dizzy at points. I struggled with the dialogue and narration. I figure the author tried to use language of the time, 1875, but it didn't quite work for me. It is heavy on the steampunk. Very heavy. Far too much for me. It is totally clean, but it does get a bit messy fighting the monsters, and not a single profanity was uttered. It's not showing on Amazon as young adult, but I would class it as such. That, and steampunk and urban. There are 5 more books in this series, however they are not for me. Sorry, Mr Temperance, but thank you for the opportunity to read them. 3 stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Ichabod Temperance is a silly little fellow living in historic Irondale, Alabama, USA, with his lovely muse, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, and their furry pack family.