ARC Book Review > Homecoming

Cloaked Devices 0.5

By:  Cecilia Robert
Published By: Cecilia Robert
Published Date: October 25th 2013 
Pages:  121 ebook
Tags:  Adult, Steampunk, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Fantasy Fiction, Series 

Source:  NetGalley (Save A Tree)

Homecoming is a new imaginary world by Cecilia Roberts which is full of shapeshifters & steampunkery combined with swoon worthy lads. An introductory novella for the coming Cloaked Devices series.

Sera Czedar was mated with Levian Grayson five long years ago. Five long years ago, Sera ran away from her wedding bed, her home & family without leaving a snippet of a clue as to where or why. 

Dear Lev's tormented panther paced around in need of his mate. He would do anything to bring her home, to have the other part of his soul home.  The time has come to do just this after finally finding a clue to where abouts. 

"Soul mates aren't supposed to break their partner's heart. They should be the ones holding it, guarding it against the world."

Vanezia is a city known for its outcast citizens. Sera made herself home among the rift raft as a tenacious woman not to be trifled with less you want to fell the hurt. Known as Storm in the underground fighting ring she has solidly brought down robust opponents in order to bring in extra income. 

"He rubbed his neck, curbing his wayward thoughts, then watched her as she swung her hands and punched tiny fists into the air, looking completely harmless."

Source

Here is how I picture Sera:

Even more has changed when Sera shocks Levian with some most shocking news. The Mad Scientist was most surly shocked with the spinning twist of the plot. Pleasantly so!

Get ready to flutter your fan and blush as the alpha male panther makes you swoon through some raw emotional desire and primal hotness. *Prr* Seriously, he is one intense dominate kitty that made me grin on more than one occasion. Leve even had stead fast Sera swooning and weak at the knees... several times over. 

Primarily a shifter genre novel, however, there are notes and dashes of steampunkery elements sprinkled through the pages. Leaving this novella to be a most desirable fast fun read with some forbidden steam. Luckily for us there will be more to this series to enjoy in the coming future.



The only note of negative thought from the Mad Scientist has to be that the novella is just too short. MS wanted more. With this being just a glimpse MS eagerly awaits the series. 

** Thanks to NetGalley for the ability to read this ebook which so ever did not influence or bend my thoughts in any manner. All Mad thoughts are presented in the right mind of a twisted brain of the Mad Scientist!**

Steampunkery All Hallows Eve

Steampunk Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood from ETSY

Victorian Red Riding Hood

Iron Man Steampunk Style

Flash Flash Flash

Cat Woman... Prr

Extra Large Hot Tea

Black and White Alice

Adorable Little Alice

Halloween is the perfect time to add a little timeless to your wardrobe. 

A few futuristic guns, some lace, and perhaps a ribbon or two.

Enjoy your All Hallows Eve.

To See Even more Steampunkery Costumes stop by
http://www.madsteampunkery.com/
over the next three days!

Book Review ---> Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

By:  Cassandra Clare
Series:  The Infernal Devices #1
Published By: Margaret McElderry - 2010
Pages:  476 Hardcover
Rating:  4
Book Cover Rating:  4
Read:  August 2011
Genre:  Steampunk, Young Adult, Paranormal, Historical Fiction

First Line: The demon exploded in a shower of ichor and guts.

Black Disaster Fairy's Take:
This Fairy was in love with the City of Bones so I had to give this prequel Steampunk wonder a whirl!!  Plus I am ashamed to admit this beauty was perched on my shelf for way too long.


Tessa Grey is our damsel in distress if you will.  In the beginning she leaves America and heads for London to meet up with her older brother, Nate.  Shortly after she arrives she gets herself kidnapped by a crazy duo appropriately named the Dark Sisters!  These ladies push her to do painful tasks that reveal to us and her that she is not as human and normal as she thought.


It seems dramatic, however, don't let that fool you.  The beginning of this novel is very much on the slow pace.  Skip 50 pages if you will.


Aha!  Now we get to meet the dashing silver haired Jem, the mouthy bad boy you want to slap and kiss at the same time is Will, and a handful of other shawdowhunters.  Now Clare is getting somewhere!  These boys make the pages fly and I hope more of their stories appear in the following books.  


Now please do not fret.  If you did not pick up the City of Bones or any of the following in the series.  It is very much ok, at least a little bit.  You would have a bit more of an understanding if you have read the Mortal Instruments first.  Tessa does a good job at bringing the Shadowhunter world to the reader.  As she struggles to find out more of the world and of how her origins fit into it the reader is given information slowly.  Tessa is also wonderfully strong and confident which was intriguing giving the time frame.  I was expecting more of a daffodil who had to have matching parasols and shoes.


This is a prequel I remind myself but there were so many similarities between this book and The Mortal Instruments.  The characters are about the same.  Tessa resembles Clary for me.  As Will does Jace and Jem is like Alec.  I would even say Jessamine is Isabelle.  I was hoping for more of a jump into something that did not seem like a remake.


Overall, Clockwork Angel was a good read. Truly.  Victorian London, clockwork automons, and the mysterious twist add enough to make it a dark Steampunk read.

WoW - No. 2

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

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Beautiful Beings --->  Black Disaster Fairy's Pick

    Author: Kailin Gow

         Publisher:  theEDGEbooks.com

                Subject:   Paranormal, Fantasy, & Angels

                        Binding:  Paperback

                                   Genre:  Young Adult

GoodReads Blurb:

Hmm, there is no blurb on Goodreads... I guess we will be finding out what this one is about together.

This cover is Gorgeous with the fluffy wings but also with the script all across the cover.  How unique?  I'm really curious to see what this book is about.

What Book Are You Waiting On?

The Fairy Wants To Know!


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Infernal Devices --->  Mad Scientist's Pick

    Author:  K.W. Jeter

         Publisher:  Angry Robot Books  --->  April 26th 2011

                Subject:   Steampunk, Science Fiction, Fantasy

                        Binding:  Paperback

                                  Pages:   416

GoodReads Blurb:

HE INHERITED A WATCHMAKER'S STORE - AND A WHOLE HEAP OF TROUBLE. But idle sometime-musician George has little talent for clockwork. And when a shadowy figure tries to steal an old device from the premises, George finds himself embroiled in a mystery of time travel, music and sexual intrigue. A genuine lost classic, a steampunk original whose time has come.

Steampunkery delight!  Look at that cover!  It came out yesterday & I just found out about it.  Lucky timing for me :)



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Divergent ---> Zakiya LadyWing's Pick

Author:  Veronica Roth

    Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

        Subject:  Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

            Binding:  Hardcover

                Genre:  Young Adult

                    Pages:  496

GoodReads Blurb:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

 This book has had my attention for weeks and weeks. I'm anxioius to get out there and buy it! Next thing I need to get: money to pay for it. LOL!

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Happy Steampunkery Reading to you All!

Happy Easter & A Hop To Boot!

Happy Hoppy Mechinal

Steampunkery Easter to all!

How to Make a Steampunkery Egg brought to you by Instructables!

Source

Source

Steampunkery Egg is a Must!

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Curious Oddities



Blog Hopping is Must!!!

Blog Hop Friday is hosted by Crazy-for-books, Thank you For that!   This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses. She asks:

 "If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"

The Mad Scientist

I would have to say that sometimes this is a yes and sometimes this is a no.  I don't always read a series straight through but I do gradually.

I admit I loved one historical writer, Margaret George, so much that after reading one of her books I rand out and bought another one.  Today I own her whole library including Elizabeth I that has recently come out.  As well as that I am very lucky to say that I made it a point to meet her and get every single book of hers signed!  Oh yes, that is some author <3

Kimberly Derting author of The Body Finder series is another author that I would go out and buy every book.  I'm very please to say that she has another coming out in November, The Pledge!  I also admit that I drover 5 hours to meet this dear author as well!  Love my signed Body Finder books!

Zakiya LadyWings
For me, "hunt" isn't really the correct word. If I happen to see something by the same author, I immediately take the time to figure out what it's about. I don't necessarily go looking and searching for another of their books, though.

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Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee, also a big thank you for that!

Caitlin @ The Cait Files asks:

"What is on your current playlist right now?"

The Mad Scientist

On my Playlist I'm currently listening to some Korean Pop!  I know!  Not very Steampunkish but it is not always wise to stay constricted in one genre.  It opens your mind to a genre in the beginning but closes it once you are consumsed.  Reach for something different every once in a while.  Keep the box open.  Much better is don't even get in the box!

Plus I love to through everyone for a loop every once in a while.

Zakiya LadyWings
Right now my playlist consists of Kelly Clarkson, anything Pop, and a few rock songs. I am also still sing-songing to the music we used Thursday in my dance team's annual recital. All of that, plus just a tad bit of R&B, keeps me going. It's not all the same stuff, but I love listening to some of the songs repetitively :).

Happy Easter to Everyone!

Enjoy Family, Friends, & Good Books Always!

Vampire Empire - Book One: The Greyfriar

Vampire Empire - Book One:  The Greyfriar

By:  Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith

Series:  Vampire Empire Book One

Published By:  PYR - November 2010

Pages:  301 Paperback

Rating:  5

Book Cover Rating:  3

Read:  January 2011

Genre:  Steampunk, Adult, Paranormal, Alternate History

First Line:  Your Highness would be safer below.

Review:

This Fairy was surprised by such a great ride!!  I must tell you right away; this is NOT your average ordinary bland bandwagon vampire novel.  You will see no sparkle here.  The Fairy devoured this book because it was so good, yet I wanted to read slowly because I didn’t want it to end.  When Greyfrair finally did come to an end I honestly was sad to know I was going to have to shut the cover.  However, when I did I quickly swooped up this book into a huge bear hug.  I was so happy to have read a book this wonderful!

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is a mess of genres in such a way that it works.  Steampunk is why I wanted to read this book but it didn't take long to find out that it was choked full of horror, including horrid politics, action/adventure, romance, and some bloody war.  I think I have to admit I'm fond of bloody wars.  Yes, indeed!

However, this book was not amazing just because of the genre mess... which made for different reading.  Clay and Susan Griffith have a gift for stringing words together to provide minimal but optimal images.  I was right there with Greyfriar the whole way!  The images that were floating around in my head were amazing... if I do say so myself.  Not only did the imagery of the world blow me away (& I have wings) but the fight scenes had me all up in a huff of excitement!  Blood, gore, mayhem.  I was in heaven.  A bloody hero *sigh*.

  

The Northern Hemisphere was attacked in 1870, nearly killing and destroying what we know to be the Western Civilization.  The Great Killing!

Princess Adele, the heir of Equatoria is due to wed a renowned vampire killer, Senator Clark (whom I didn't care for at all), which would unite her Empire with America.  This arrangement of merging both of the biggest human empires together now posed a huge threat to the vampires that live in the northern areas of the world.  Adele and her younger brother, Simon, are on their way to Marseilles when their dirigible is intercepted by a larger than normal ban of vampires lead by Flay.  Her master, Cesare, is known for his human massacres & is the youngest son of King Kimitry, Flay follows his orders to capture the heir.  Now the heir of Equatoria, Adele, is running from… Flay.  These vampires are parasitic with very powerful physical characteristics whom roam freely in the colder areas, feedlot humans for dinner, and terrorize others so they are afraid of being enslaved by them. 

Classic damsel in distress... I think not.  She takes out a few vampires before the hero enters.  The Greyfriar swoops in to save her.  I fell in love with this dark cloaked man right when he pulled out all of these weapons and started hacking up the vampires on top of him in a gory morbid way.  *sigh*  It must of been a beautiful sight.  

It is also quite a shock to Adele because The Greyfriar is a man whose stories of heroism and acts of battle are all thought to be fables.  He ended up being this strong yet mysterious man who drew in not only me but our lovely Adele as well.  He is mine, back off Adele! (I should mention that she is crafty with a weapon as well!)  

Ultimately she captured by the war crazed Flay albeit her best efforts of flight and the efforts of her masked mystery fighter, by Flay who brings her to England for Cesare.  I love that the head warrior is a female.  How hot is that!?!

Enter… Gareth, the oldest son and heir to the Vampire Empire once King Dimitry becomes ash.  He lives in Scotland away from his role of heir to the supposed throne.  Drum Roll.... Gareth now swoops in to save Adele by pulling the heir card and takes Adele away from Cesare’s hand.  He starts to learn more about “human” culture through Adele.  It ended up being a cute situation.

Surprise!  Yes, there is a surprise twist.  **Spoiler**  I was doing the dreamy thing and thought maybe it would be awesome if he was he.  Oh, that is code for trying to cover up the surprise twist.  But my dreamy manner ended up shocking me anyway.  **Spoiler Over**  It is something that makes this story just that more incredible.  I urge you to read this one because if you don’t you are missing out on some yummy twist!

The growth and development between Adele and Greyfriar was well played.  I was so happy to watch them become a tender relationship throughout the book instead of right away.  It was refreshing not to have them jump in the sac by page 5.  Gradual is more believable and needed at times.  

Overall, Vampire Empire: The Greyfrair was amazing.  Truly.  A Fairy even a Black or a Disaster of a Fairy would lie.  It is a favorite book and will be forever.  My copy will become greatly ragged from love.  No... I will not borrow it out.  

Get your own!

Rating:  Personal Favorite

More then 5 Kisses!

You can find this utterly wonderful tale at these web locations:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Borders


*Thanks to the wonderful people behind PYR I received a copy of this fabulous Steampunkery novel.  However, this has not affected my actions, feelings, or review of this book.*