Today I have something a little different for you. I know, I've done reviews before, but not this genre. The genre is Steampunk. What is steampunk? According to Wikipedia, a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Therefore, steampunk works are often set in an alternate history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.
Okay, now that we've got that covered, take a look at the 2nd book in The League of Illusion: Prophecy by author Vivi Anna. Prophecy was published March 4th, 2013 by Carina Press in ebook format.
London, 1851
With his brother Sebastian missing,
illusionist Rhys Davenport is running out of time and leads. He knows only that
Sebastian disappeared into Stonehenge and that an incomplete map is the key to
finding him. And that the missing piece is in the possession of the unnervingly
attractive psychic Corina Stratton.
Corina has no intention of giving her
part of the map to the haughty Rhys Davenport. In fact, she needs to steal his
half so she can heal her mother's malevolent spirit. She heads to London, only
to be chased by a revengeful sorcerer right into Rhys's arms. Although touched
by Rhys's plight, she agrees to go on his crazy quest only to get an opportunity
to take what she came for.
With an airship full of fanatic elves
after them, Rhys and Corina are forced into close quarters as they search for a
portal. But to open it in time to find Sebastian, they must reconcile their
differences and their growing feelings, or he'll be lost to them
forever…
For those that have not heard of this series before, take a look at the first book Legacy.
London, 1851
Former thief Jovan Davenport is the black sheep in a family of powerful sorcerers. But when his dying father—head of the League of Illusion—reaches out for help, Jovan has no choice but to accept. He must find his missing brother Sebastian and stop the power-hungry Hawthorne family from taking control of the council. If only they’d appointed someone other than Skylar Vanguard to help him in his quest.
Skylar, a druid and accomplished tracker, has spent three years trying to forget her past, especially Jovan Davenport. Once in love, she left Jovan when she discovered his betrayal. She wants nothing to do with him or his family, but must obey the council’s will by accompanying Jovan and reporting back on his progress.
Forced to work alongside each other, neither of them expects their passion to return so quickly. But as the conspiracy deepens in a steam-powered world of dirigibles and mechanical golems, will their secrets stand in the way of their mission…and their love?
Former thief Jovan Davenport is the black sheep in a family of powerful sorcerers. But when his dying father—head of the League of Illusion—reaches out for help, Jovan has no choice but to accept. He must find his missing brother Sebastian and stop the power-hungry Hawthorne family from taking control of the council. If only they’d appointed someone other than Skylar Vanguard to help him in his quest.
Skylar, a druid and accomplished tracker, has spent three years trying to forget her past, especially Jovan Davenport. Once in love, she left Jovan when she discovered his betrayal. She wants nothing to do with him or his family, but must obey the council’s will by accompanying Jovan and reporting back on his progress.
Forced to work alongside each other, neither of them expects their passion to return so quickly. But as the conspiracy deepens in a steam-powered world of dirigibles and mechanical golems, will their secrets stand in the way of their mission…and their love?
Now, for my review of The League of Illusion: Prophecy
Magic, mystery, maps, spirits, dimensions, elves, sorcerers and more. This is a story that, even if you aren't into this type of book, keeps your interest. The magic that is played out is more evolved than you read in many stories. There is a maturity that surrounds it and you will be delighted. Even with all these things put into one book, it is more of an adventure romance than fantasy.
What I liked was that even with all the different characteristics going through the story, there wasn't too much of any of it. The reader was given a consistent dose of the unusual, but not to the point that it was drowning. I normally don't read this type of book, but I found that it kept my interest throughout and I kept rooting for Corina and Rhys to get together. Now, I haven't read the first book in the series and honestly it didn't feel like I was missing out. The story touched on what happened in the first just enough to keep me from being lost.
You see the story come to life, the characters changing from their own personal goals to ones that encompass others. You learn what makes each of them tick and there is an understanding of why each person is the way they are. Unfortunately, you don't really come to an end result and I found that frustrating.
Now, the story has been tagged as steampunk. The majority of the book barely touches on what you would consider a steampunk book, but the final 1/4 of the book gives you more to go off of. I would have liked to see more throughout the book itself.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. To whom? Anyone who likes adventure, mixed with romance topped off with a touch of cat and mouse.
Buy Links:
Author Bio:
Vivi Anna is an award winning, Canadian multi-published author in paranormal
romance, urban fantasy, and scifi. She’s been writing since 2002, and since
then she’s published close to 23 books and novellas for Harlequin, Kensington,
Avon and others. She also writes YA under the name Tawny Stokes.
Vivi is the current president of CARWA and also a co-founder of the
popular #TVwriterchat on twitter. She’s also an aspiring screen/TV writer and
has won the RWA Script Scene screenplay contest with her adapted script
Vanquished, has finaled in both the Austin Film Festival and Slamdance Film
Festival with her adapted TV pilot, Occult Crime Unit.
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