Review by Booklist Review
The first book in Saintcrow's new steampunk series introduces Emma Bannon, a prime-level sorceress with a troubled past, and Archibald Clare, a mentath-class genius with a talent for Holmesian-style deductions who just happens to be unregistered due to some recent unfortunate events. Which makes it rather easy for the Crown to lure him into its service after someone, or something, starts killing London-based mentaths. Set in an alternate early-Victorian-era Britain ruled by young Victrix, the novel offers an abundance of steam- and clockwork-based gadgets that may overwhelm readers unfamiliar with the trappings of the genre, but fans will be thrilled with Saintcrow's atmospheric settings. A well-developed world and a large cast of characters set the stage for several sequels featuring the intriguing duo of Bannon and Clare. Fast paced and full of plot twists, this is a lightweight summer read for fans of Gail Carriger and Meljean Brooks.--Moyer, Jessica Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Multigenre talent Saintcrow (Angel Town) launches a delicious steampunk alternate London that pays more than a little stylistic homage to Sherlock Holmes, adding additional excitement in the form of magical duels, backstreet chases, battles with giant mecha, and confrontations with ancient wyrms and gryphons. Emma Bannon, a sorceress working for the spirit of Britannia and her current physical vessel, Queen Victrix, is given two tasks: collect and protect Dr. Archibald Clare, an unregistered but skilled mentath (logic genius), and find out who's behind the recent deaths of several mentaths and sorcerers. Bannon slowly begins to trust Clare, and as he uses his significant mental powers to work through the nonmagical pieces of the investigation, they become a strong team based on mutual respect. The absence of romance means a tighter focus on both action and deduction, and keeps the story appropriate for Saintcrow's younger fans. Sensual writing, intricate plotting, and sympathetically quirky, satisfyingly competent characters make this series one to watch. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
