Publisher: Grymm and Epic
Publishing Date: September 2014
ISBN: 9780473305581
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.6/5
Publisher Description: In the heart of London lies the Engine Ward, a district forged in coal and steam, where the great Engineering Sects vie for ultimate control of the country. For many, the Ward is a forbidding, desolate place, but for Nicholas Thorne, the Ward is a refuge. He has returned to London under a cloud of shadow to work for his childhood friend, the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Review: This was a really good steampunk alternate reality novel set in the late 19th century England, that combined dragons, flesh eating weirdo’s and a vampire King. The character development was exacting which was woven into a compelling story-line with plenty of movement.
The novel begins near the end, which I am usually not a fan of as it detracts from the story line. In this case it works. The three main characters back story’s are written really well and flows wonderfully into the present. I was surprised that this was written by a woman as the perspectives within the novel are mainly male. I think a writer has truly arrived when they can write in any voice, especially male or female.
While the novel is lengthy, you really will not want it to end. Get this.