My Review:
I have to admit. I like Steampunk now. This story was my first introduction to the genre and I like the elements that make up a Steampunk story: steam-powered machinery (cool stuff) and British Victorian era. The story is good. I like the Britishy accents and speak. I could picture the scenes easily (stuck in my favorite British actors). Even though there are three young children in the story it still held my adult attention. The major drawback for me was it needs better editing. The story is strong enough that I still want to check out the rest of the Crown Phoenix series: Devil’s Kitchen and The Lamplighter’s Special.
Book Blurb:
Miriam Pearson’s father has died. Her guardians, The Marchpanes, take over her house and her father’s company. The strong-willed girl instantly clashes with their son, Simon. The Marchpanes hire a governess, Mana, to take care of her. Mana is black, and has magic powers. She and Miriam eventually become friends. With Simon and Neil, his friend, they uncover a plot by the sinister Barbara Cantwell to use Miriam’s father’s company for evil means. Barbara is very beautiful, and at first, Simon is very attracted to her.
Once Barbara realizes that Miriam and Mana are on to her scheme, she forces the guardians to fire the governess. Mana is hustled out of the house by the Marchpanes, but Miriam, Neil and Simon follow her to the Night Watchman Express. However, Miriam and Simon are captured and put on the Night Watchman, bound for a sinister destination. Mana is loaded onto a boat headed to Big Star Island.
Neil manages to steal a boat and follow Mana’s captors to the island. A native girl, Riki, rescues him and brings him to her house. She is spoiled and her mother has no control over her, but Neil manages to become her friend. Her father forces him to stay with the family so Neil can be Riki’s companion and manage her wild behavior.
Neil learns about Atol, the king of the island, who seized power after the last monarch was killed. Atol is plotting with Barbara Cantwell to force the islands to produce drugs instead of bolemor wood, and he is also shipping his people out for use in human experiments. Neil discovers that Mana is the rightful queen of the island, and is being held by Atol. Neil and Riki manage to rescue Mana, and they head back to the mainland to look for Simon and Miriam.
Author Bio:
Alison DeLuca is the author of several steampunk and urban fantasy books. She was born in Arizona and has also lived in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Mexico, Ireland, and Spain.
Currently she wrestles words and laundry in New Jersey.
Tour Dates
- 10/15 - A Book Vacation - Review
10/16 -The Independent Review - Review
10/17 - Splash of Our Worlds - Review
10/19 - Bloggin’ As Author, Librarian, and Geek! - Review
10/20 - The Bookworm Daily - Guest Post
10/21 - Unabridged Andra - Review
10/22 - Author Interrupted - Review
10/23 - Earth’s Book Nook - Character Post
10/24 - Kayla’s Reads and Reviews - Review
10/25 - The Red Headed Bookworm - Review
10/26 - Author Interrupted - Review
10/27 - My Chaotic Ramblings - Character Interview
10/28 - Written by Brittan - Review
10/29 - Library Girl Reads and Reviews - Guest Post/Excerpt
10/30 - Lost Inside the Covers - Review
10/31 - Author Interrupted - Review
11/01 - The Roaring Mouse - Interview
11/02 - Illusions of Intimacy – Interview/Excerpt
11/03 - A Few Words - Review
11/05 - Motherhoot - Guest Post
11/06 - Fictional Candy - Character Post
11/07 – Carlie M A Cullen – Review
11/08 - Lost Inside the Covers - Review
11/09 - Window on the World - Review and Interview
11/11 - Books,Writing,Tea- Review
11/12 - Bunny’s Review - Interview/Excerpt
11/13 - Walking on Bookshelves - Character Interview
11/14 - Kara Loves Reading - Review
11/15 - Book Reviews and More - Review and Interview
11/16 - Momma Joan Explains It All - Character Post
11/17 - Wickedly Bookish -Review
11/19 - Jade Kerrion - Character Interview/Excerpt
11/20 - Split Horizons - Review and Interview
11/22 - Lost Inside the Covers - Review
11/23 - Best in Fantasy Blog - Character Post
11/24 - The Cabin Goddess - Review
11/26 - Miraculous - Review
11/27 - Workaday Reads - Review
11/28 - Alchemy of Scrawl - Review
11/29 - Stuck in Books - Guest Post
11/30 - Darlene’s Book Nook – Character/Excerpt
12/01 - The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia - Review
12/02 - Mary’s Cup of Tea - Review
12/03 - Miraculous - Review
12/04 - Reader Girls -Review
12/05 - Bee’s Knees Reviews - Review
12/06 - Reading Away the Days - Review
12/07 - Book Lover’s Hideaway - Review
12/08 - Full Moon Bites - Interview
12/09 - Sapphyria’s Book Reviews - Character Post
12/10 - Miraculous - Review
12/11 - Celtic Lady’s Reviews - Guest Post
12/12 - Night Owl Reads - Review
12/13 - Book and Movie Dimension - Review
12/14 - Jess Resides Here - Review and Excerpt
12/15 - Ali’s Bookshelf – Review - 12/16 - Me and Reading - Guest Post
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from First Rule Publicity from the author as part of a virtual book tour. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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This book was my first brush with the steampunk genre too! I have to say I loved every book in the series but book #2, The Devil’s Kitchen, was my favourite (so far)!