The Clockwork Cathedral (The Time Corps Chronicles)

The Clockwork Cathedral

by Heather Blackwood

Medical student Felicia Sanchez is only trying to help an injured man when she slips through a time rip and into 19th century New Orleans, one very different than the one she knows from history books. 

The only person who can get her home is Professor Seamus Connor, a former convict seeking a quiet life of obscurity. But even the “mad Irishman” knows that recreating a freak accident is next to impossible. 

With the help of a local street urchin, they discover that their problems run deeper than solely getting Felicia back to her own time. The three of them must unravel the secrets of a steam engine that operates upon a scientific impossibility and the mysteries of a grand cathedral at the center of town, where clockwork automatons perform for rapt audiences. 

But can a convict, a guttersnipe and an accidental time traveler prevent the destruction of a city and the death of thousands? Others are watching, and Felicia may not be the only time traveler in New Orleans.

****

4 Stars

I found this book to be pretty entertaining. I have a love for steampunk so it was no question on if I would read this book when I came across it. It was nice to see a steampunk book that actually had a lot of steampunk creations in it. I find that a lot of books in this genre don't actually have all the fun clockwork, steam run machines in them.

It is defiantly an interesting concept of time travel. I liked how Felicia was able to come to grips with her situation pretty quickly. Also that she still spoke her mind even though she was trapped in a time when women weren't suppose to do that.

The Professor was like icing on the cake. Just what I would expect someone that is passionate about the things he does to act. It was pretty fun listening to him talk about everything, even if it was on the hard side to follow at times.

Henry was a great character as well. I wasn't to sure what I expected from him in the beginning, but his back story is so sad that I couldn't help but root from him. But he was also pretty vital to the success of everything that Felicia and the Professor were working for.

The plot of the book was good as well. Just enough mystery to keep you wondering what was going to happen next, but getting enough answers at the same time that it wasn't frustrating waiting for everything to unravel itself. I really liked the ending, even though I could guess what Felicia was going to do, it still made me smile. I want to think that this is the first in a series. Everything wrapped up nicely, but there was a few minor loose end that are left hanging that make me think there will be a second book sometime in the future.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you like steampunk and a little mystery you will like this book.

On a side note: I really want to know what the big mystery about every ones feet is.

I Bring the Fire Part I : Wolves (A Loki Story)

I Bring the Fore Part I : Wolves (A Loki Story)

by C.Gockel

In the middle of America, on Route 44, Amy Lewis has a plan — to get to her grandma’s house in time for dinner. Galaxies away Loki is waking up in a prison cell, strangely without a hangover, and with no idea what he’s done wrong — this time anyway. But he does know Thor is hiding something, Odin is up to something wicked, and there seems to be something he’s forgotten...

In this tale that is equal parts “Another Fine Myth,” “American Gods,” and “Once Upon a Time,” a very nice midwestern girl and a jaded, still very mischievous Loki must join forces to outwit gods, elves, magic sniffing cats, and nosy neighbors. If Loki can remember exactly what he’s forgotten and Amy can convince him not to be too distracted by Earthly gadgets, her boobs, or three day benders, they just might pull it off...

This first volume of "I Bring the Fire" is for anyone who suspects chaos and mischief makers might have their own redeeming qualities, and anyone who just wants a good fantasy romp through modern Earth, ancient Asgard, and beyond!

***

3 stars

I've always had a strange fascination with Loki, not enough of one to really look into the myths that surround him, but to me he always seemed misunderstood and well, like he would be a kind of fun person to be around. This book hits on that feel for me, he is portrayed just as I would imagine he would.

I can't say that I understood everything going on. I think you really need to have some knowledge on the background of Loki and Asgard to really enjoy it. Since I don't things were on the confusing side, the author did try to explain this out through flash backs with Loki but I still found myself feeling lost at lot of the time.

I can't claim to have really liked Amy character I think she fit in pretty well in the scheme of things, and I did like Loki a lot and Amy's grandmother.

The plot was okay, nothing to complicated, it was pretty straight forward with everything that was happening. Things wrap up really nice in the end with just enough loose ends to justify another book. The questions bought up in this book are answered, but new ones are bought up that will make you want to read the next one to see how things are going to work out.

Would I recommend this book? I get an "Eh" feeling. It was good, but not great but if I found someone into Norse Mythology I would probably tell them to give it a peek.

The Spirit Rebellion (Eli Monpress Book 2)

The Spirit Rebellion (Eli Monpress Book 2)

by Rachel Aaron

Eli Monpress is brilliant. He's incorrigible. And he's a thief.

He's also still at large, which drives Miranda Lyonette crazy. While she's been kicked out of the Spirit Court, Eli's had plenty of time to plan his next adventure. But now the tables have turned, because Miranda has a new job -- and an opportunity to capture a certain thief.

Things are about to get exciting for Eli. He's picked a winner for his newest heist. His target: the Duke of Gaol's famous "thief-proof" citadel. Eli knows Gaol is a trap, but what's life without challenges? Except the Duke is one of the wealthiest men in the world, a wizard who rules his duchy with an iron fist, and an obsessive perfectionist with only one hobby: Eli.

It seems that everyone is hunting for Eli Monpress.

*****

5 Stars

Things are just as exciting the second time around when it comes to Eli Monpress. Things are a little bit more involved when it comes to the political side of the spirit court, but it doesn't put a damper on the action that happens. If anything it makes things more interesting as you get to see the inner workings of everything and get a slightly better understanding of why Miranda is the way she is.

You also get a little more of a glimpse into Eli's past. Though it isn't everything you get a better understanding of his connection with The White Lady and what his roots are. You also get to see a different side of Nico and Joesph this time as well. Things aren't what they seem with the two of them, and I'm really looking forward to learning more about them.

I like how everything was handled in this book, and how things where a lot harder for Eli to handle this time around. Not that he had it easy the last book, but he really has to think on his feet. I really enjoyed seeing a different side of Eli as well, were he stood up for the things he believes in instead of taking the easy way out. 

The world is just as different, I still can't get over the way the different spirits are portrayed. How each and everyone has a distinct personality, that in and of itself is what has made me really enjoy these books. Rachel had to put a lot of thought into everything and her hard work really paid off.

Would I recommend this book? Oh yeah. If you are looking for a new and exciting read these books are the ones to pick up. I'm off to continue reading the third one now.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Favorite Books With X Setting

So I have missed like a million of these, but I'm pretty sure I predicted this behavior in myself. Now that I'm doing another one doesn't necessarily mean that I will actually keep up with it now. No promises on my part.

But any way to this weeks Top Ten Tuesday meme, which is bought to you by the lovely people over at The Broke and the Bookish is "Top Ten Favorite Books With X Setting." If you are interested in doing this meme yourself just pop on over there first.

The Spirit Thief- I'm actually rereading this book at the moment, probably why it comes to mind first, the world itself is something built from nothing more than the authors imagination. I want to go there and sit down and have a conversation with a tree (read the book and you'll understand).

Just One Damn Thing After Another- I feel like I've fallen in love with this book. But damn I wanna be able to live in a place like St Mary's and just jump into a time machine and go visit the dinosaur's to.

Sora's Quest (Cat's Eye Chronicle's)- Not so much for the world itself, but more for the different races that live in the world. They are interesting and its the kind of book I want to literally jump into so I can get a hands on feel for everything.

Kojiki- Here its more because this book read like I was watching a good anime, and I've always been fascinated with Japanese myths and gods.

Kingdom of Hero's- This one because it has freaking super hero's and super villains in it. To top it off they all started off as normal people first, so hell if I went here I might leave with an awesome super power myself.

Melforger- I wanted to literally see for myself the trees that these people live in and to climb and jump from limb to limb a long with them. This was a new world to me, and I loved it.

Zelda Pryce: The Razor's Edge (Book 1)- I loves me some steampunk and this book is loaded down with fun little devices and I wanted to play with them all. 

 Indigo & Iris (An Indigo Lewis Novel)- I just want to jump on the crazy steampunk train visit the strange world that Indigo was taken to. Well I guess I did when I read the book, but it was awesome.

Eville- I don't think this world would have seemed as much fun without Serene, but it was definitely interesting. One of those world's hidden in the background of our own without us knowing.

Dragons Away- It has magic and dragons, can't get more interesting than that in my mind. Plus most people came across as pleasantly clueless so I'm sure it would be fun to take a trip there.

Well that is it my friends. Hopefully I got the idea of this Top Ten right, but hey it was fun looking back at all the books I have read within the last year and remembering them all and that is good enough for me.

My Interview is Live

Remember that post I made about being interviewed? Well today is the day so head on over to A Place on the Bookshelf to check it out.

If you are interested in being a part of Talking Tuesday just contact Charl and let her know. 

The Spirit Thief

The Spirit Thief

by Rachel Aaron

Eli Monpress is talented. He's charming. And he's a thief.

But not just any thief. He's the greatest thief of the age - and he's also a wizard. And with the help of his partners - a swordsman with the most powerful magic sword in the world but no magical ability of his own, and a demonseed who can step through shadows and punch through walls - he's going to put his plan into effect.

The first step is to increase the size of the bounty on his head, so he'll need to steal some big things. But he'll start small for now. He'll just steal something that no one will miss - at least for a while.

Like a king.

*****

5 Stars

This book was so much fun reading. Not only do you have a whole new world but the main character Eli Monpress is awesome. Right from the very first sentence I knew I was going to be going for a ride and I wasn't disappointed. This is actually the second time I have actually read it and it was just as fun, if not more this time around.

The world is awesome, I want to live in a world where you can talk to rocks and trees, or in the case of this book spirits, and every single one of them have their very own personalities. No one spirit is the same and it makes everything so much more fun to read. To watch the way Eli is able to sweet talk them into doing things for him is even better.

There is such a cast of characters and every single one of them is different but adds so much more to the story itself. Here your going to find at least one person that you like and want to follow around. You have your swordsman and his magic sword that he doesn't want to use so he can become better at what he is, the demon that hides herself away, the charmer that can just about talk anybody into doing something for him, and the quick to anger and passionate one that stands by her beliefs no matter what.

I can say that even though I have read this one before I was still surprised by the ending, I can guarantee you won't see it coming, and that you will enjoy it the entire time. It keeps you on your toes, you really don't know what to expect from page to page. 

Would I recommend this book? Oh yeah, I love the entire series and plan on rereading them all.

I Got Interviewed

Exciting news here. Blogger Charl from A Place on the Bookshelf has something called Talking Tuesday where she interviews fellow readers/writers, and she interviewed me. I know I feel slightly famous myself.

So all of you should head on over to her blog Tuesday morning and check it out. Not only will you be learning new and exciting things about me, you'll be helping Charl out by going to her blog.

If you are interested in being interviewed for Talking Tuesday just contact Charl and I'm sure she can work something out with you

Don't forget to check out her blog come Tuesday!