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The Engine Woman's Light
A mystical vision of an airship appears to fifteen-year-old Juanita. The ethereal captain commands her to prevent California's thrown-away people--including young children--from boarding trains to an asylum. That institution's director plots murder to reduce the inmate population. Yet to save innocent lives Juanita must take lives of the corrupt. How can she reconcile her assignment with her belief in the sacredness of all human life? And will she survive to marry her betrothed? Juanita sets out despite inner trepidation to sabotage the railroad. Her ancestor Billy guides her. Then bit by bit, she discovers the gut-wrenching truths all of her ancestors neglected to reveal. Come visit Juanita's world--an alternate nineteenth-century California--where spirits meet steampunk, where both love and anger emanate from beyond the grave.
352 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2017
44 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Anne Hill
17 books109 followersLaurel Anne Hill—author and former underground storage tank operator—grew up in San Francisco with more dreams of adventure than good sense or money. Her close brushes with death, love of family, respect for honor and belief in a higher power continue to influence her writing and her life. She has authored two award-winning novels, most recently, THE ENGINE WOMAN’S LIGHT. This book, the recipient of thirteen honors and awards, relates the spirits-meet-steampunk, coming-of-age heroic journey of a young Latina in an alternate 19th Century California. Laurel’s published short stories total over thirty. She has served internationally as a program participant at many science fiction/fantasy conventions. She’s the Literary Stage Manager for the annual San Mateo County Fair in California, a speaker, writing contest judge, and anthology editor. And she’s even engineered a steam locomotive. For more about Laurel, go to https://www.laurelannehill.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2018
i don't really have much to say about this one. nothing made me stark-hopping mad, i just didn't like it because it seemed to be in turns either dull, incoherent or both. it seemed to me half-formed, like the author had a good idea but then didn't really know how to execute it or what she was doing, which could have (and should have) been rectified by a good editor.
basically, i didn't really think anything made much sense at all. what was the overall aim and plot, anyway? preventing that dude from killing all those children at the orphanage and raising carla? why didn't they just find the guy and kill him, and get carla and raise her, instead of all this train palaver? i just think everything needed a little bit more work, and thought.
basically, i didn't really think anything made much sense at all. what was the overall aim and plot, anyway? preventing that dude from killing all those children at the orphanage and raising carla? why didn't they just find the guy and kill him, and get carla and raise her, instead of all this train palaver? i just think everything needed a little bit more work, and thought.
February 9, 2020
that was certainly an interesting read.
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May 25, 2017
Jaunita has had an interesting past, she was abandoned and left on a train going to an asylum for the poor. Luckily she was saved by her great grandma Zetta and the ghost of Zetta’s husband, Javiar. She ends up in a small village where at the age of fifteen she has a mystical vision of a dead captain in an airship. She is told that it is her mission to put a stop to trains carrying California’s unwanted masses to an asylum where they will live and work until they die. A plan is in place to murder part of the asylum’s inmates to bring the asylum’s population down and Jaunita may have to murder people to put a stop to it.
Jaunita will not be alone though, she will have the help of her ghost ancestors and will meet other characters with complicated pasts. Jaunita will learn that her family has a dark side and she herself will have to do some horrible things to fulfill her mission. Jaunita is on a path that will change history along with her life, the question being can she live with the new person she will become? Jaunita lives in an alternative nineteenth-century steampunk world where spirits communicate with the living and our loved ones never really leave our sides.
If I was to use one word to describe Laurel Anne Hill’s The Engine Woman’s Light I would use “different.” Laurel Anne has created the world that made me think of an old western with steampunk elements and spiritualism thrown in for good measure. The way the settings are described really bring everything to life and you can see yourself living in this world with its vivid descriptions. Since I haven’t read too many westerns or much steampunk, this book was like entering a new world, which was easy to get hooked on. Right away you are invested in Jaunita’s story since she was a baby she defied all odds. After being abandoned and saved, she is forced into a lifechanging mission that she has to accomplish whether she wants to or not.
One thing I like about this story is that all the characters are shades of gray. Some characters here can be considered good, but sometimes they do bad things. There is a theme of redemption that runs through this book for a couple of the characters and even Jaunita wants to be redeemed for some of the actions she is forced to suffer through. The spirits in Jaunita’s family have done bad things in the past and are looking to get redemption through Jaunita and some of their actions have a bad effect on her.
Another theme in this book I liked was the idea that the people you love or have a connection to, are never far away. Jaunita’s ancestors still talk to her, even though they are dead. Even Jaunita’s dead mother who she never met is always close to her. At one point we discover that two of the men in her life have a connection to her going way back. While reading this I felt that Laurel Anne Hill wanted to get the idea across that we are all connected whether we think it or not and even when someone is gone, they are never really gone.
One of my favorite scenes in The Engine Woman’s Light is when Juanita is starting to have feelings for the man she calls Guide. When Guide reveals who he really is and what he has done in the past, Jaunita’s heart is broken, but they stay together to continue their mission and their relationship changes. Everlasting love is also a theme in this book as well as accepting someone for the good and bad they did in life. If you like books that transport you to a different time and place, then check this one out.
Jaunita will not be alone though, she will have the help of her ghost ancestors and will meet other characters with complicated pasts. Jaunita will learn that her family has a dark side and she herself will have to do some horrible things to fulfill her mission. Jaunita is on a path that will change history along with her life, the question being can she live with the new person she will become? Jaunita lives in an alternative nineteenth-century steampunk world where spirits communicate with the living and our loved ones never really leave our sides.
If I was to use one word to describe Laurel Anne Hill’s The Engine Woman’s Light I would use “different.” Laurel Anne has created the world that made me think of an old western with steampunk elements and spiritualism thrown in for good measure. The way the settings are described really bring everything to life and you can see yourself living in this world with its vivid descriptions. Since I haven’t read too many westerns or much steampunk, this book was like entering a new world, which was easy to get hooked on. Right away you are invested in Jaunita’s story since she was a baby she defied all odds. After being abandoned and saved, she is forced into a lifechanging mission that she has to accomplish whether she wants to or not.
One thing I like about this story is that all the characters are shades of gray. Some characters here can be considered good, but sometimes they do bad things. There is a theme of redemption that runs through this book for a couple of the characters and even Jaunita wants to be redeemed for some of the actions she is forced to suffer through. The spirits in Jaunita’s family have done bad things in the past and are looking to get redemption through Jaunita and some of their actions have a bad effect on her.
Another theme in this book I liked was the idea that the people you love or have a connection to, are never far away. Jaunita’s ancestors still talk to her, even though they are dead. Even Jaunita’s dead mother who she never met is always close to her. At one point we discover that two of the men in her life have a connection to her going way back. While reading this I felt that Laurel Anne Hill wanted to get the idea across that we are all connected whether we think it or not and even when someone is gone, they are never really gone.
One of my favorite scenes in The Engine Woman’s Light is when Juanita is starting to have feelings for the man she calls Guide. When Guide reveals who he really is and what he has done in the past, Jaunita’s heart is broken, but they stay together to continue their mission and their relationship changes. Everlasting love is also a theme in this book as well as accepting someone for the good and bad they did in life. If you like books that transport you to a different time and place, then check this one out.
September 27, 2018
An alternate spiritual world where the ghosts of your ancestors come to visit you, the Moses wears goggles and rides in an airship in your vision, the waters tell the unmasked truth and the spirits with the help of the living are set to rescue the unwanted and abandoned from awaiting wrath and torture.
Juanita, a fifteen year old is the chosen mystic traveler who is assigned to sabotage the train for the asylum and rescue the child of her friend, Magdalene’s sister. Set in the 19th century California, the story focuses on the main character since her birth and her being abandoned by her birth-mother but saved on the train by Zetta, her paternal grandmother who dies later while fleeing towards a safe shelter.
As Juanita grew up in Promise, a safe haven for those like her and an almost family, she learns about the spiritual assessment of her purpose by the help of her teacher Wei and follows up fast to it. She falls in love with the clan’s drummer Galen and cherished genuinely by those around her. But ‘The Cave of Light’ welcomes her in a weird and dangerous way that has her questioning the motives of her ancestors and the rituals of the Shadow World. Yet, the indecent ghost of a family friend, Billy, is assigned to help the young girl to complete the task, has her questioning them even more.
As the story unfolds devastated and dark, she is compelled to know the uncomfortable, hurtful and life- changing truths about her life and what her ancestors cease to uncover sooner than necessary. Moreover, she is faced with challenges more than one could handle and targeted by the lousy men of the population on more than one occasion.
While setting up the plan to action she meets a horrible destiny. But “A mystic doesn’t die until the Shadow World decrees.” Troubled by a stranger and then discovering some terrible glitches along the way, she grows up stronger than ever only to be betrayed by her ancestors for the greater good. The new plan consists of bigger sacrifices, bitter relations, trusting enemies and machines with conscience. But family will save the day.
Pros
I haven’t read steampunk generally but neither does this book make extreme claims of the genre so it was relatively normal to read. However, the plot has been justified and so are the emotions and suspense. Sometimes the indications were rather mind-blowing. I liked the idea and how this dystopian fantasy is written for the target audience of all ages. The characters are so developed in themselves and each have a story of their own and message of their own to show. It was inspiring to say the least.
The balanced stages of the story were carried throughout and it was really hard to put down after about 35% of the reading. The protagonist was a rather strong female character as she matures and so does the story get.
I loved how the subtle hints gradually changed the entire flip of the coin. The sarcasm between Billy, Guide and Antonio give the part a life of its own. You have yet to find out about that. And the romance is not hard to figure. Guide was a genuine character in it because his emotions were so valid at times. I also loved how the author made it general with the homosexual relationships and love at honor.
Cons
But the strangest plot hole was that I found it difficult to imagine the happenings in a time that early. It could be because of the absence of technology in that era or the language, maybe. The writing style was more informal than the dialogues of that age. Either way, I couldn’t get myself to adjust with the story in the beginning as things looked absurd but changed for better. The other weird thing was the unnecessary rape of Juanita. But it does not trigger emotions at all was the reassuring thing about it. Some may find it uncomfortable to believe in the spirits, ghosts and the rituals.
Conclusion
The Engine Woman’s Light has a strong sense of individuality, a coming of age dystopian fantasy, it’s characters were very open to everything real and it made for a good fantasy. It could go for a nice movie and that’s why I’d rate it nothing less than 4 out of 5 stars. And Guide gets 5 out of 5 stars.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a fantasy with some belief in the supernatural.
An alternate spiritual world where the ghost of your ancestors come to visit you, the Moses wears goggles and rides in an airship in your vision, the waters tell the unmasked truth and the spirits with the help of the living are set to rescue the unwanted and abandoned from awaiting wrath and torture.
Juanita, a fifteen year old is the chosen mystic traveler who is assigned to sabotage the train for the asylum and rescue the child of her friend, Magdalene’s sister. Set in the 19th century California, the story focuses on the main character since her birth and her being abandoned by her birth-mother but saved on the train by Zetta, her paternal grandmother who dies later while fleeing towards a safe shelter.
As Juanita grew up in Promise, a safe haven for those like her and an almost family, she learns about the spiritual assessment of her purpose by the help of her teacher Wei and follows up fast to it. She falls in love with the clan’s drummer Galen and cherished genuinely by those around her. But ‘The Cave of Light’ welcomes her in a weird and dangerous way that has her questioning the motives of her ancestors and the rituals of the Shadow World. Yet, the indecent ghost of a family friend, Billy, is assigned to help the young girl to complete the task, has her questioning them even more.
As the story unfolds devastated and dark, she is compelled to know the uncomfortable, hurtful and life- changing truths about her life and what her ancestors cease to uncover sooner than necessary. Moreover, she is faced with challenges more than one could handle and targeted by the lousy men of the population on more than one occasion.
While setting up the plan to action she meets a horrible destiny. But “A mystic doesn’t die until the Shadow World decrees.” Troubled by a stranger and then discovering some terrible glitches along the way, she grows up stronger than ever only to be betrayed by her ancestors for the greater good. The new plan consists of bigger sacrifices, bitter relations, trusting enemies and machines with conscience. But family will save the day.
Pros
I haven’t read steampunk generally but neither does this book make extreme claims of the genre so it was relatively normal to read. However, the plot has been justified and so are the emotions and suspense. Sometimes the indications were rather mind-blowing. I liked the idea and how this dystopian fantasy is written for the target audience of all ages. The characters are so developed in themselves and each have a story of their own and message of their own to show. It was inspiring to say the least.
The balanced stages of the story were carried throughout and it was really hard to put down after about 35% of the reading. The protagonist was a rather strong female character as she matures and so does the story get.
I loved how the subtle hints gradually changed the entire flip of the coin. The sarcasm between Billy, Guide and Antonio give the part a life of it’s own. You have yet to find out about that. And the romance is not hard to figure. Guide was a genuine character in it because his emotions were so valid at times. I also loved how the author made it general with the homosexual relationships and love at honor.
Cons
But the strangest plot hole was that I found it difficult to imagine the happenings in a time that early. It could be because of the absence of technology in that era or the language, maybe. The writing style was more informal than the dialogues of that age. Either way, I couldn’t get myself to adjust with the story in the beginning as things looked absurd but changed for better. The other weird thing was the unnecessary rape of Juanita. But it does not trigger emotions at all was the reassuring thing about it. Some may find it uncomfortable to believe in the spirits, ghosts and the rituals.
Conclusion
The Engine Woman’s Light has a strong sense of individuality, a coming of age dystopian fantasy, it’s characters were very open to everything real and it made for a good fantasy. It could go for a nice movie and that’s why I’d rate it nothing less than 4 out of 5 stars. And Guide gets 5 out of 5 stars.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a fantasy with some belief in the supernatural.
Juanita, a fifteen year old is the chosen mystic traveler who is assigned to sabotage the train for the asylum and rescue the child of her friend, Magdalene’s sister. Set in the 19th century California, the story focuses on the main character since her birth and her being abandoned by her birth-mother but saved on the train by Zetta, her paternal grandmother who dies later while fleeing towards a safe shelter.
As Juanita grew up in Promise, a safe haven for those like her and an almost family, she learns about the spiritual assessment of her purpose by the help of her teacher Wei and follows up fast to it. She falls in love with the clan’s drummer Galen and cherished genuinely by those around her. But ‘The Cave of Light’ welcomes her in a weird and dangerous way that has her questioning the motives of her ancestors and the rituals of the Shadow World. Yet, the indecent ghost of a family friend, Billy, is assigned to help the young girl to complete the task, has her questioning them even more.
As the story unfolds devastated and dark, she is compelled to know the uncomfortable, hurtful and life- changing truths about her life and what her ancestors cease to uncover sooner than necessary. Moreover, she is faced with challenges more than one could handle and targeted by the lousy men of the population on more than one occasion.
While setting up the plan to action she meets a horrible destiny. But “A mystic doesn’t die until the Shadow World decrees.” Troubled by a stranger and then discovering some terrible glitches along the way, she grows up stronger than ever only to be betrayed by her ancestors for the greater good. The new plan consists of bigger sacrifices, bitter relations, trusting enemies and machines with conscience. But family will save the day.
Pros
I haven’t read steampunk generally but neither does this book make extreme claims of the genre so it was relatively normal to read. However, the plot has been justified and so are the emotions and suspense. Sometimes the indications were rather mind-blowing. I liked the idea and how this dystopian fantasy is written for the target audience of all ages. The characters are so developed in themselves and each have a story of their own and message of their own to show. It was inspiring to say the least.
The balanced stages of the story were carried throughout and it was really hard to put down after about 35% of the reading. The protagonist was a rather strong female character as she matures and so does the story get.
I loved how the subtle hints gradually changed the entire flip of the coin. The sarcasm between Billy, Guide and Antonio give the part a life of its own. You have yet to find out about that. And the romance is not hard to figure. Guide was a genuine character in it because his emotions were so valid at times. I also loved how the author made it general with the homosexual relationships and love at honor.
Cons
But the strangest plot hole was that I found it difficult to imagine the happenings in a time that early. It could be because of the absence of technology in that era or the language, maybe. The writing style was more informal than the dialogues of that age. Either way, I couldn’t get myself to adjust with the story in the beginning as things looked absurd but changed for better. The other weird thing was the unnecessary rape of Juanita. But it does not trigger emotions at all was the reassuring thing about it. Some may find it uncomfortable to believe in the spirits, ghosts and the rituals.
Conclusion
The Engine Woman’s Light has a strong sense of individuality, a coming of age dystopian fantasy, it’s characters were very open to everything real and it made for a good fantasy. It could go for a nice movie and that’s why I’d rate it nothing less than 4 out of 5 stars. And Guide gets 5 out of 5 stars.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a fantasy with some belief in the supernatural.
An alternate spiritual world where the ghost of your ancestors come to visit you, the Moses wears goggles and rides in an airship in your vision, the waters tell the unmasked truth and the spirits with the help of the living are set to rescue the unwanted and abandoned from awaiting wrath and torture.
Juanita, a fifteen year old is the chosen mystic traveler who is assigned to sabotage the train for the asylum and rescue the child of her friend, Magdalene’s sister. Set in the 19th century California, the story focuses on the main character since her birth and her being abandoned by her birth-mother but saved on the train by Zetta, her paternal grandmother who dies later while fleeing towards a safe shelter.
As Juanita grew up in Promise, a safe haven for those like her and an almost family, she learns about the spiritual assessment of her purpose by the help of her teacher Wei and follows up fast to it. She falls in love with the clan’s drummer Galen and cherished genuinely by those around her. But ‘The Cave of Light’ welcomes her in a weird and dangerous way that has her questioning the motives of her ancestors and the rituals of the Shadow World. Yet, the indecent ghost of a family friend, Billy, is assigned to help the young girl to complete the task, has her questioning them even more.
As the story unfolds devastated and dark, she is compelled to know the uncomfortable, hurtful and life- changing truths about her life and what her ancestors cease to uncover sooner than necessary. Moreover, she is faced with challenges more than one could handle and targeted by the lousy men of the population on more than one occasion.
While setting up the plan to action she meets a horrible destiny. But “A mystic doesn’t die until the Shadow World decrees.” Troubled by a stranger and then discovering some terrible glitches along the way, she grows up stronger than ever only to be betrayed by her ancestors for the greater good. The new plan consists of bigger sacrifices, bitter relations, trusting enemies and machines with conscience. But family will save the day.
Pros
I haven’t read steampunk generally but neither does this book make extreme claims of the genre so it was relatively normal to read. However, the plot has been justified and so are the emotions and suspense. Sometimes the indications were rather mind-blowing. I liked the idea and how this dystopian fantasy is written for the target audience of all ages. The characters are so developed in themselves and each have a story of their own and message of their own to show. It was inspiring to say the least.
The balanced stages of the story were carried throughout and it was really hard to put down after about 35% of the reading. The protagonist was a rather strong female character as she matures and so does the story get.
I loved how the subtle hints gradually changed the entire flip of the coin. The sarcasm between Billy, Guide and Antonio give the part a life of it’s own. You have yet to find out about that. And the romance is not hard to figure. Guide was a genuine character in it because his emotions were so valid at times. I also loved how the author made it general with the homosexual relationships and love at honor.
Cons
But the strangest plot hole was that I found it difficult to imagine the happenings in a time that early. It could be because of the absence of technology in that era or the language, maybe. The writing style was more informal than the dialogues of that age. Either way, I couldn’t get myself to adjust with the story in the beginning as things looked absurd but changed for better. The other weird thing was the unnecessary rape of Juanita. But it does not trigger emotions at all was the reassuring thing about it. Some may find it uncomfortable to believe in the spirits, ghosts and the rituals.
Conclusion
The Engine Woman’s Light has a strong sense of individuality, a coming of age dystopian fantasy, it’s characters were very open to everything real and it made for a good fantasy. It could go for a nice movie and that’s why I’d rate it nothing less than 4 out of 5 stars. And Guide gets 5 out of 5 stars.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes a fantasy with some belief in the supernatural.
August 28, 2018
This one hit right down the middle for me. Possibly even closer to the lower end. I was promised a coming of age, mystical, steampunk story full of spirits and danger. Though I did get most of those, I didn’t quite get the steampunk aspects (besides the air ship that appeared and was mentioned only a handful of times), and I also got more sexual content and rape than I had expected.
For the most part, the story was dark and powerful. It followed strong, brave Juanita as she fought to fulfill the wishes of her ancestors to stop a terrible travesty that had been happening to undeserving people for years. Trains of people, sick, old, mentally impaired, and unwanted orphans, had been sent to the asylum where poor treatment and murder occurred. Juanita had even once been an unwanted, orphan baby on one of those trains when she was saved by her great grand-mother, destined to become a mystic traveler.
Juanita had the ability to see and communicate with her dead ancestors. She had the ability to travel to the Shadow World, and to even separate her spirit from her body. It was because of these abilities that she received visions of what she needed to do to save the innocent people aboard the trains.
The story was unique and very powerful. I don’t know that I have read anything like it before. It combined mysticism and Mexican culture with the wild west in an alternate reality. I loved the family dynamic and the importance of following your ancestors and respecting them. The problems for me with the story were the unnecessary instances of sexual content, rape, abuse, and misogynistic oppression. There was even a situation after a character had been raped where she was told that she was at least lucky her face hadn’t been beaten in, like that was supposed to be worse than being violated.
I honestly made it to the last 50 pages and kind of skimmed to the end. Though, the ending was kind of sweet, and intriguing, and even a little satisfying. And, though it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the story at all, I did a little bit, I just wish it didn’t have the gratuitous sex and rape, and a somewhat disturbing, abusive relationship. The characters were highly dynamic and very well developed. The world building was quite interesting and very descriptive, and the idea behind the spirits guiding Juanita was what kept me going throughout the story. I’d only recommend it to those over 18 looking for a powerful paranormal journey if you could get past the darkness, the sexual content, and the rape scenes. I’d rate it 2.5 to 3 stars.
Thank you to Black Chateau for providing me with this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
For the most part, the story was dark and powerful. It followed strong, brave Juanita as she fought to fulfill the wishes of her ancestors to stop a terrible travesty that had been happening to undeserving people for years. Trains of people, sick, old, mentally impaired, and unwanted orphans, had been sent to the asylum where poor treatment and murder occurred. Juanita had even once been an unwanted, orphan baby on one of those trains when she was saved by her great grand-mother, destined to become a mystic traveler.
Juanita had the ability to see and communicate with her dead ancestors. She had the ability to travel to the Shadow World, and to even separate her spirit from her body. It was because of these abilities that she received visions of what she needed to do to save the innocent people aboard the trains.
The story was unique and very powerful. I don’t know that I have read anything like it before. It combined mysticism and Mexican culture with the wild west in an alternate reality. I loved the family dynamic and the importance of following your ancestors and respecting them. The problems for me with the story were the unnecessary instances of sexual content, rape, abuse, and misogynistic oppression. There was even a situation after a character had been raped where she was told that she was at least lucky her face hadn’t been beaten in, like that was supposed to be worse than being violated.
I honestly made it to the last 50 pages and kind of skimmed to the end. Though, the ending was kind of sweet, and intriguing, and even a little satisfying. And, though it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the story at all, I did a little bit, I just wish it didn’t have the gratuitous sex and rape, and a somewhat disturbing, abusive relationship. The characters were highly dynamic and very well developed. The world building was quite interesting and very descriptive, and the idea behind the spirits guiding Juanita was what kept me going throughout the story. I’d only recommend it to those over 18 looking for a powerful paranormal journey if you could get past the darkness, the sexual content, and the rape scenes. I’d rate it 2.5 to 3 stars.
Thank you to Black Chateau for providing me with this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 7, 2020
The Engine Woman's Light by Laurel Anne Hill is a fantasy - adventure novel set in the1800s and located in an unusual California referred to as South California. The story revolves around the life of fifteen-year-old Juanita. As the mystic traveler in her village of Promise, Juanita is entrusted with the quest to stop the trains that transport unwanted individuals, especially children, to an asylum where they are killed. As the story progresses, many characters emerge, both alive and dead, to either help or hinder Juanita's pursuits. During her journey which spans close to three years, she encounters many dangers and experiences many emotions as she matures into a woman of determination.
I had mixed sentiments about this book. What I liked most was the descriptive writing style of Ms. Hill. She uses an appropriate amount of detail to describe a person or place without overloading the story with unnecessary description. The characters in the book are unique and interesting. I was extremely intrigued by Juanita's encounters with her dead ancestors of the Shadow World. The book was slow in the beginning as the characters were introduced, but my interest grew as the plot developed and I readily turned pages through to the end.
What I disliked were the scenes of violence against Juanita. She is slapped by her love interest, a man named Guide, because she said something that upset him. Nevertheless, Juanita is falling in love with him and therefore makes excuses for his behavior, and tries to understand his actions. She basically blames herself for his outburst and allows him to comfort her by drawing her close against him as he apologizes. I believe this particular scene sends an unfortunate message that women should overlook a man's violent tendencies for a chance at romance.
Further, in the story, Juanita is sexually abused by a relative and gang-raped by men in a cantina. The scene after the rape was disturbing. When Juanita returns home after the rape, she is consoled by Guide as he intimately bathes her bruised and injured body in a seemingly romantic way. I understand that violence is sometimes unavoidable in a plot in order for the story to be believable. However, the rape did not seem necessary and its setup was predictable.
I would not recommend this book for young adults, since many of them may not fully understand that violence against a woman, especially from her partner, is unacceptable behavior in any case and that making excuses for such behavior leads, in real life, to more abuse, and unhappiness. I recommend this book for an older audience only. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I did not give 5 stars because of the violence against women being depicted with a romantic consequence, and I did not give 4 stars because, despite the scenes of violence, the plot was imaginative; the characters were enjoyable for the most part and the adventure kept my interest to the end.
I had mixed sentiments about this book. What I liked most was the descriptive writing style of Ms. Hill. She uses an appropriate amount of detail to describe a person or place without overloading the story with unnecessary description. The characters in the book are unique and interesting. I was extremely intrigued by Juanita's encounters with her dead ancestors of the Shadow World. The book was slow in the beginning as the characters were introduced, but my interest grew as the plot developed and I readily turned pages through to the end.
What I disliked were the scenes of violence against Juanita. She is slapped by her love interest, a man named Guide, because she said something that upset him. Nevertheless, Juanita is falling in love with him and therefore makes excuses for his behavior, and tries to understand his actions. She basically blames herself for his outburst and allows him to comfort her by drawing her close against him as he apologizes. I believe this particular scene sends an unfortunate message that women should overlook a man's violent tendencies for a chance at romance.
Further, in the story, Juanita is sexually abused by a relative and gang-raped by men in a cantina. The scene after the rape was disturbing. When Juanita returns home after the rape, she is consoled by Guide as he intimately bathes her bruised and injured body in a seemingly romantic way. I understand that violence is sometimes unavoidable in a plot in order for the story to be believable. However, the rape did not seem necessary and its setup was predictable.
I would not recommend this book for young adults, since many of them may not fully understand that violence against a woman, especially from her partner, is unacceptable behavior in any case and that making excuses for such behavior leads, in real life, to more abuse, and unhappiness. I recommend this book for an older audience only. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I did not give 5 stars because of the violence against women being depicted with a romantic consequence, and I did not give 4 stars because, despite the scenes of violence, the plot was imaginative; the characters were enjoyable for the most part and the adventure kept my interest to the end.
June 15, 2019
As an infant, Juanita was given up and put on the asylum train. Destined to be forgotten with the rest of California's unwanted people. But guided by the spirit of her dead husband, Juanita's great grandmother boards the train and rescues her before she ever reaches her destination. Years later, Juanita has inherited her great grandmother's gift of seeing spirits and receives a vision. She must stop the trains and save those trapped in the asylum. If she doesn't not only will her village be wiped out but innocent of the asylum will be murdered one by one.
This is not a story for those who want nonstop action. It's what I call a build up book, taking it's time to develop the characters and the world around them. Unfortunately, it does miss the mark on some key points with its world building. Character backgrounds are left out, and the politics of the world are completely omitted. This leaves the reader wondering how exactly the world works. Juanita's spiritual powers also have no defined rules. They seem to come and go without any apparent pattern.
To see the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
This is not a story for those who want nonstop action. It's what I call a build up book, taking it's time to develop the characters and the world around them. Unfortunately, it does miss the mark on some key points with its world building. Character backgrounds are left out, and the politics of the world are completely omitted. This leaves the reader wondering how exactly the world works. Juanita's spiritual powers also have no defined rules. They seem to come and go without any apparent pattern.
To see the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
December 19, 2018
First up, I should probably do one of those disclaimers about how I got this book free in exchange for an honest review; so—I got this book free, (thanks Books That Make You ) here is my honest review!
Trigger/content warnings:
The full/longer version of this review is also available on my blog , feel free to check it out.
So! On to the review. I was lucky enough to receive a physical copy of The Engine Woman’s Light to review, so I can comment on the physical book, rather than just the words.
The book is a standard sized paperback, with a lovely, matte cover and eye-catching artwork. I’m really glad there was no attempt to shy away from the fact that the narrator is a badass woman of colour, there's no man on the cover to make Juanita seem like a sidekick or eye candy, just two versions of the kickass Latina mystic traveller you’re about to go on an adventure with.
My only complaint about the cover (and it’s ridiculously minor, but in the interests of transparency I’ll include it) is that I assumed the skull would have more of a role in the story than it ended up having. I was wrong.
Moving on now to the book itself, I’ve already mentioned that the main character is a woman of colour, but she’s not the only minority present in the book. Set in 1800s California, the book features a setting and culture with strong Native American and Mexican influences, multiple characters with Native American or Mexican heritage, and includes several characters that are explicitly stated to be members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The world this book is set in is fascinating. The time period alone would be interesting, the addition of supernatural and steampunk touches only add to this. The atmosphere (and coming-of-age style of storyline) of the book reminded me a little of Laura Anne Gilman’s The Devil’s West series, though the forces that propel the plot in The Engine Woman’s Light are more overt.
In the rich world Laurel Anne Hill has created, mystics like Juanita serve the Shadow World (and the spirits that reside there), doing the bidding of such forces in return for wisdom and power from beyond the grave. An intriguing set-up, and not one you encounter often in fantasy. Protagonists usually have more autonomy; but Juanita’s struggle to reconcile the demands of her calling and her own principles, or those of her loved ones, was a key source of emotional conflict that led to her growth over the course of the book (and if you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know I’m a sucker for character development). Juanita’s faith and calling are a core facet of her personality, and serve as a source of strength for her throughout the extremely trying times she experiences in The Engine Woman’s Light.
The book starts with a bang, and doesn’t hesitate to skip ahead to keep the tension high. The characters are the best part of any novel, and untangling the twisted layers of relationships between them is always enjoyable. The Engine Woman’s Light certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front, and connections and entanglements are still being revealed almost to the last pages.
Critiquing the plot itself now—the call to action was very clear, and if you’re a reader who dislikes ambiguity about the end goal of the protagonist, fear not! That is certainly not an issue. The stakes are clear and high, and only increase as the book continues.
The conclusion was satisfying, with several intriguing hooks that could lead to an interesting sequel. I want to read more about Juanita, now that she’s becoming more confident and competent. I want to read more about Guide, now he’s achieved some measure of peace with his past. I want to read more about the person who is revealed to have survived, and the people and places he’s been with over the course of this book. I want to learn more about Ramon, and the Mendozas, and the asylums.
I don’t know if there is a sequel currently being planned, but the ending of the book most certainly cries out for a continuation. Given the number of awards this book has won (found here on the Amazon page for the novel ), I can’t be alone in wishing for more.
So! If you were just scrolling down for the rating, here it is: 4 stars.
If you’re interested in ghosts, steampunk novels, coming of age stories, diverse characters, novels with mystical elements or stories of the old American West: The Engine Woman’s Light could be the novel for you.
Trigger/content warnings:
The full/longer version of this review is also available on my blog , feel free to check it out.
So! On to the review. I was lucky enough to receive a physical copy of The Engine Woman’s Light to review, so I can comment on the physical book, rather than just the words.
The book is a standard sized paperback, with a lovely, matte cover and eye-catching artwork. I’m really glad there was no attempt to shy away from the fact that the narrator is a badass woman of colour, there's no man on the cover to make Juanita seem like a sidekick or eye candy, just two versions of the kickass Latina mystic traveller you’re about to go on an adventure with.
My only complaint about the cover (and it’s ridiculously minor, but in the interests of transparency I’ll include it) is that I assumed the skull would have more of a role in the story than it ended up having. I was wrong.
Moving on now to the book itself, I’ve already mentioned that the main character is a woman of colour, but she’s not the only minority present in the book. Set in 1800s California, the book features a setting and culture with strong Native American and Mexican influences, multiple characters with Native American or Mexican heritage, and includes several characters that are explicitly stated to be members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The world this book is set in is fascinating. The time period alone would be interesting, the addition of supernatural and steampunk touches only add to this. The atmosphere (and coming-of-age style of storyline) of the book reminded me a little of Laura Anne Gilman’s The Devil’s West series, though the forces that propel the plot in The Engine Woman’s Light are more overt.
In the rich world Laurel Anne Hill has created, mystics like Juanita serve the Shadow World (and the spirits that reside there), doing the bidding of such forces in return for wisdom and power from beyond the grave. An intriguing set-up, and not one you encounter often in fantasy. Protagonists usually have more autonomy; but Juanita’s struggle to reconcile the demands of her calling and her own principles, or those of her loved ones, was a key source of emotional conflict that led to her growth over the course of the book (and if you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know I’m a sucker for character development). Juanita’s faith and calling are a core facet of her personality, and serve as a source of strength for her throughout the extremely trying times she experiences in The Engine Woman’s Light.
The book starts with a bang, and doesn’t hesitate to skip ahead to keep the tension high. The characters are the best part of any novel, and untangling the twisted layers of relationships between them is always enjoyable. The Engine Woman’s Light certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front, and connections and entanglements are still being revealed almost to the last pages.
Critiquing the plot itself now—the call to action was very clear, and if you’re a reader who dislikes ambiguity about the end goal of the protagonist, fear not! That is certainly not an issue. The stakes are clear and high, and only increase as the book continues.
The conclusion was satisfying, with several intriguing hooks that could lead to an interesting sequel. I want to read more about Juanita, now that she’s becoming more confident and competent. I want to read more about Guide, now he’s achieved some measure of peace with his past. I want to read more about the person who is revealed to have survived, and the people and places he’s been with over the course of this book. I want to learn more about Ramon, and the Mendozas, and the asylums.
I don’t know if there is a sequel currently being planned, but the ending of the book most certainly cries out for a continuation. Given the number of awards this book has won (found here on the Amazon page for the novel ), I can’t be alone in wishing for more.
So! If you were just scrolling down for the rating, here it is: 4 stars.
If you’re interested in ghosts, steampunk novels, coming of age stories, diverse characters, novels with mystical elements or stories of the old American West: The Engine Woman’s Light could be the novel for you.
August 28, 2017
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book starts with a thrilling story about the escape from a train whose destination is death. The little girl Juanita, who is saved by her grandmother and the ghost of her husband, grows up to be the towns mystic. When she has her first vision at 15, she soon realizes that she has to go on a deadly mission to save many.
This story cleverly combines steam punk, western, ghosts, and romance in a quite elegant fashion. While I'm normally not a fan of relationships with a huge age difference, I actually grew to enjoy the relationship in this story quite a lot, since there was so much build up between these two. There are other relationships however that are more disturbing to read.
What I absolutely loved was that no of the characters were purely white or black. Good characters did bad things, bad characters did good things, it kept the story very interesting. Juanita was also an incredibly great character, I absolutely adored her. She always had a goal that she wanted to achieve and despite her young age, she worked relentlessly to get there.
Another thing I absolutely adored was how lively the side characters were. Despite there being quite a huge cast of supporting characters - the cigar-smoking ghost of a mechanic, a mysterious man with a twisted past, a member of the cruel and feared Mendoza family and a creepy mechanical creature - none of them felt one-dimensional or boring. they were all very fleshed out and even though there were some absolutely despicable characters, there are times where you just can't help but feel for them, at least a bit.
My favorite thing, however, was how incredibly vivid the story telling was. At times I actually felt like I was being transported in that hot desert world and riding beside Juanita and Guide. It was truly an amazing story and it was an absolute joy to read it.
Since none of the other reviewers have mentioned it yet, I thought I'd include a list of trigger warnings before I end my review. There are many mentions of rape throughout the book and there is one attempted rape scene and one rape scene that's shown a bit more. It's not detailed, but I definitely would have liked a warning before I started the book. There is also a short mention of csa. With the theme of murder of the poor and those who the higher classes don't think are useful for society, there is also ableism, racism, violence and murder mentioned. There is also a relationship with a huge age difference (an 18-year-old girl with a slowly aging 100-year-old man, who looks like he's 40)
All in all, this story was definitely different, but in a really, really great way. I absolutely adored it.
This book starts with a thrilling story about the escape from a train whose destination is death. The little girl Juanita, who is saved by her grandmother and the ghost of her husband, grows up to be the towns mystic. When she has her first vision at 15, she soon realizes that she has to go on a deadly mission to save many.
This story cleverly combines steam punk, western, ghosts, and romance in a quite elegant fashion. While I'm normally not a fan of relationships with a huge age difference, I actually grew to enjoy the relationship in this story quite a lot, since there was so much build up between these two. There are other relationships however that are more disturbing to read.
What I absolutely loved was that no of the characters were purely white or black. Good characters did bad things, bad characters did good things, it kept the story very interesting. Juanita was also an incredibly great character, I absolutely adored her. She always had a goal that she wanted to achieve and despite her young age, she worked relentlessly to get there.
Another thing I absolutely adored was how lively the side characters were. Despite there being quite a huge cast of supporting characters - the cigar-smoking ghost of a mechanic, a mysterious man with a twisted past, a member of the cruel and feared Mendoza family and a creepy mechanical creature - none of them felt one-dimensional or boring. they were all very fleshed out and even though there were some absolutely despicable characters, there are times where you just can't help but feel for them, at least a bit.
My favorite thing, however, was how incredibly vivid the story telling was. At times I actually felt like I was being transported in that hot desert world and riding beside Juanita and Guide. It was truly an amazing story and it was an absolute joy to read it.
Since none of the other reviewers have mentioned it yet, I thought I'd include a list of trigger warnings before I end my review. There are many mentions of rape throughout the book and there is one attempted rape scene and one rape scene that's shown a bit more. It's not detailed, but I definitely would have liked a warning before I started the book. There is also a short mention of csa. With the theme of murder of the poor and those who the higher classes don't think are useful for society, there is also ableism, racism, violence and murder mentioned. There is also a relationship with a huge age difference (an 18-year-old girl with a slowly aging 100-year-old man, who looks like he's 40)
All in all, this story was definitely different, but in a really, really great way. I absolutely adored it.
June 4, 2019
Confusing loyalties
Before I tell you what this book is about, let me tell you how confusing the author is. In the beginning of the book a character says a comment about abortion and how single mothers should get them instead of having bastard children. Then in another part of the book a character says she doesn’t know how people can eat eggs because their chickens waiting to be born. This blew me away! How can anyone value the life of an unfertilized egg over the life of a babyBefore you think this was two separate characters and probably the view point of it. No this was the great grandchild of the abortion commentator.
OK the book is about Juanita Elise Jane Navarro she is the mystic of an alternative town in Northern California, not to be confused with the English southern California. It’s an alternative world and when we meet her she is standing by the water shielding her eyes from a great light emanating from her new visitor. Who she thinks is Moses. He has come to bring her a message of dire consequence, if she doesn’t succeed in the mission he lays out for her. When he leaves he is in an airship. Juanita is mesmerized by it, little did she know she will soon be the conductor of her own airship.
With the help of her betrothed Galen, her best friend Magdalena AN her papa she will go on a dangerous quest, because only she can save her people. With the help of her great ancestors and the shadow world will she be able to do it? If she does it will her people have to flee Promise?
I thought this was a really interesting book, with just a few exceptions. I thought the secondary characters could have been better introduced and there were times the author would mention something as if you were already acquainted with that something and it just left me confused. For example she mentioned the shadow world and her great ancestors at the same time and I didn’t know exactly what either one was until a few pages later. Also there was an 18-year-old girl in this book that was married to a man of 100, yes 100 years old. They said he looked 40 which in my opinion if they’re too old to marry an 18-year-old girl, but to each his own. They also had asked us to talk about abortion, and attempted rape and older men with younger girls.
I thought the authors descriptive writing was awesome. She made it easy to picture the strange places Juanita had to go. They also had a few funny parts in the book which I really enjoyed and in spite of having the above mentioned problems with the book I think Juanita is one of my favorite characters in a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes alternative world, the paranormal, and mysticism. I wouldn’t recommend this to any minors or people who are easily triggered.
Before I tell you what this book is about, let me tell you how confusing the author is. In the beginning of the book a character says a comment about abortion and how single mothers should get them instead of having bastard children. Then in another part of the book a character says she doesn’t know how people can eat eggs because their chickens waiting to be born. This blew me away! How can anyone value the life of an unfertilized egg over the life of a babyBefore you think this was two separate characters and probably the view point of it. No this was the great grandchild of the abortion commentator.
OK the book is about Juanita Elise Jane Navarro she is the mystic of an alternative town in Northern California, not to be confused with the English southern California. It’s an alternative world and when we meet her she is standing by the water shielding her eyes from a great light emanating from her new visitor. Who she thinks is Moses. He has come to bring her a message of dire consequence, if she doesn’t succeed in the mission he lays out for her. When he leaves he is in an airship. Juanita is mesmerized by it, little did she know she will soon be the conductor of her own airship.
With the help of her betrothed Galen, her best friend Magdalena AN her papa she will go on a dangerous quest, because only she can save her people. With the help of her great ancestors and the shadow world will she be able to do it? If she does it will her people have to flee Promise?
I thought this was a really interesting book, with just a few exceptions. I thought the secondary characters could have been better introduced and there were times the author would mention something as if you were already acquainted with that something and it just left me confused. For example she mentioned the shadow world and her great ancestors at the same time and I didn’t know exactly what either one was until a few pages later. Also there was an 18-year-old girl in this book that was married to a man of 100, yes 100 years old. They said he looked 40 which in my opinion if they’re too old to marry an 18-year-old girl, but to each his own. They also had asked us to talk about abortion, and attempted rape and older men with younger girls.
I thought the authors descriptive writing was awesome. She made it easy to picture the strange places Juanita had to go. They also had a few funny parts in the book which I really enjoyed and in spite of having the above mentioned problems with the book I think Juanita is one of my favorite characters in a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes alternative world, the paranormal, and mysticism. I wouldn’t recommend this to any minors or people who are easily triggered.
July 11, 2021
As a long term steampunk aficionado, I have always loved the aesthetic of the genre, but I have read relatively few books explicitly in its style. The Engine Woman's Light is one of them, and it's one of my first Wild West steampunk variant novels.
There is a lot to enjoy and savor in this book. The alternate history fully embraces the experiences of marginalized people: Native and African Americans, as well as Latinx people. There are also LGBTQ+ characters who are there and it's not a big deal. The characterization of the primary characters are strong and believable, and the love triangle between the protagonist and the two men she loves is compelling. The details of the setting are fully realized, especially in the train tunnel sequences. And, the ending is moving and made me want to know more about the protagonists moving forward.
I did think that the introduction to the story was a little confusing, and the set-up of all of the plot elements at the beginning of the book a challenge to follow (once you got the living and the dead characters, though, it was smooth sailing...er, riding?). Also, not being very technically minded, I found all the railroad details of the end of the story to be a lot to follow, in addition to the fact that the female lead at the time is possessed (and then not possessed, which is critical) by a dead character. I guess my main criticism is that the novel tries to do so much in 350 pages; I would definitely read more books where all this creativity is fully explored and unfolded. I will definitely read more Wild West steampunk!
There is a lot to enjoy and savor in this book. The alternate history fully embraces the experiences of marginalized people: Native and African Americans, as well as Latinx people. There are also LGBTQ+ characters who are there and it's not a big deal. The characterization of the primary characters are strong and believable, and the love triangle between the protagonist and the two men she loves is compelling. The details of the setting are fully realized, especially in the train tunnel sequences. And, the ending is moving and made me want to know more about the protagonists moving forward.
I did think that the introduction to the story was a little confusing, and the set-up of all of the plot elements at the beginning of the book a challenge to follow (once you got the living and the dead characters, though, it was smooth sailing...er, riding?). Also, not being very technically minded, I found all the railroad details of the end of the story to be a lot to follow, in addition to the fact that the female lead at the time is possessed (and then not possessed, which is critical) by a dead character. I guess my main criticism is that the novel tries to do so much in 350 pages; I would definitely read more books where all this creativity is fully explored and unfolded. I will definitely read more Wild West steampunk!
November 11, 2017
I received this book from NetGalley.
Trigger warnings:
Ok, so I read this book literally in July and I wrote a long, long review about it, but them my internet froze and the browser crashed (I was in China at the time and the internet was...iffy at best) and I lost my paragraphs long review. In frustration, I shut the computer and I haven't mustered up the energy to rewrite my review til now. Although, given that it's months and months later, it's going to be a little bit shorter.
The first thing I want to say is that although I found this book in Netgalley's LGBTQ+ section, I would not consider this an LGBTQ+ book. It does include a character who is LGBTQ+, but he is a supporting character, as are all the other characters who are hinted at being possibly LBGTQ. Now, this is not to say that I'm unhappy about that, because not every book has to have a queer protag (I just tend to seek out books with queer protags), but I think that the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters should be a given for any book, and just simply including an LGBTQ+ character does not a LGBTQ+ book make. What makes a book an LGBTQ+ book for me is one of the following things: at least one of the main protagonists is LGBTQ+, an LGBTQ+ relationship is a significant element of the book, and/or sexual and gender identities other than cis/het are common and normalized in the world that the book is set in. I wouldn't say that this book fits any of those criterion. Now, I don't like the book less for it, but I do feel that billing it as an LGBTQ+ book is a little misleading.
Ok, now onto the actual review.
Things I liked:
The writing of this book is incredibly rich and very sensual. You feel drawn into the world from page one and every place that Juanita goes, you feel like you can picture it very clearly. I really like books that are set in desert settings, and I feel like this was one of the books where I could feel the desert very viscerally.
The characters are interesting and well developed; they are all flawed and all of them do bad things, but they are treated as the nuanced people that they are rather than lionized or vilified. The main character is a wonderful strong and complex and nuanced female character who gets thrown into a lot of terrible situations and gets through it with fortitude and determination, and I really appreciate that.
Several aspects of the worldbuilding were quite interesting. Although I found it a little hard to keep up with, the relationships between the families involved were satisfyingly twisty and kept you interested as the author revealed more and more details. The magical aspects and the spirit world were executed very well; I found the fact that spirit guides are just as variable and sometimes untrustworthy as living people very refreshing.
The author tackles head-on the challenges of being a woman in this novel. Juanita deals with and while some of this is hard to read, it's treated honestly without glossing over the issues or playing them up for shock value (for the most part).
Things I liked a little less:
Although I just said I appreciate how the author tackles tough issues, I did think that the rape and sexual assault got a little gratuitous at some point. Some scenes made my skin crawl and the fact that Juanita had to work with her assaulter later on in the book...I felt for her, a lot. It's not a dealbreaker, but I have a bit of a weak stomach for scenes of sexual assault and they were quite vivid, with the power differential very plain. It's not necessarily a flaw, but something I personally felt hard to read.
Although I found Juanita to be a wonderful character, besides Juanita and there were practically no female characters with a significant role. Again, not necessarily a flaw, but I would have liked more.
I won't go into detail in order to avoid spoilers, but I found the climactic scene to be a little rushed, hard to follow, and resolved too easily. It felt out of place compared to the rest of the novel, and then the novel ended. I really enjoyed the novel as a whole, but I would have to say the ending was the least satisfying part.
Finally, the relationship between Juanita and Guide skeeved me out a little, to be perfectly honest. He was over 100 years old, if I remember correctly, and she was in her teens when they met and barely...seventeen or eighteen, if I remember right? when their relationship veers towards the sexual. Relationships with a large age or power differential make me very uncomfortable, and this relationship had both. Additionally, the way that he treated her upon a few occasions made me very uncomfortable with the relationship as a whole, especially since she is in a vulnerable position compared to him. And the resolution of Juanita choosing that she wants to be with him and raise his baby at the end just felt very...I don't know, I just feel like she was very young and choose to base her entire life upon this man who is not really good for her anyway. This is a matter of personal taste though, and may not put other readers off like it did me.
Some other minor gripes:
However, on the whole I enjoyed the book a lot. The plot was creative, the world was rich and interesting, and the writing was engrossing. Personally, I would say that the writing and the feeling that it created for me as a reader was by far the highlight of this novel.
Trigger warnings:
Ok, so I read this book literally in July and I wrote a long, long review about it, but them my internet froze and the browser crashed (I was in China at the time and the internet was...iffy at best) and I lost my paragraphs long review. In frustration, I shut the computer and I haven't mustered up the energy to rewrite my review til now. Although, given that it's months and months later, it's going to be a little bit shorter.
The first thing I want to say is that although I found this book in Netgalley's LGBTQ+ section, I would not consider this an LGBTQ+ book. It does include a character who is LGBTQ+, but he is a supporting character, as are all the other characters who are hinted at being possibly LBGTQ. Now, this is not to say that I'm unhappy about that, because not every book has to have a queer protag (I just tend to seek out books with queer protags), but I think that the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters should be a given for any book, and just simply including an LGBTQ+ character does not a LGBTQ+ book make. What makes a book an LGBTQ+ book for me is one of the following things: at least one of the main protagonists is LGBTQ+, an LGBTQ+ relationship is a significant element of the book, and/or sexual and gender identities other than cis/het are common and normalized in the world that the book is set in. I wouldn't say that this book fits any of those criterion. Now, I don't like the book less for it, but I do feel that billing it as an LGBTQ+ book is a little misleading.
Ok, now onto the actual review.
Things I liked:
The writing of this book is incredibly rich and very sensual. You feel drawn into the world from page one and every place that Juanita goes, you feel like you can picture it very clearly. I really like books that are set in desert settings, and I feel like this was one of the books where I could feel the desert very viscerally.
The characters are interesting and well developed; they are all flawed and all of them do bad things, but they are treated as the nuanced people that they are rather than lionized or vilified. The main character is a wonderful strong and complex and nuanced female character who gets thrown into a lot of terrible situations and gets through it with fortitude and determination, and I really appreciate that.
Several aspects of the worldbuilding were quite interesting. Although I found it a little hard to keep up with, the relationships between the families involved were satisfyingly twisty and kept you interested as the author revealed more and more details. The magical aspects and the spirit world were executed very well; I found the fact that spirit guides are just as variable and sometimes untrustworthy as living people very refreshing.
The author tackles head-on the challenges of being a woman in this novel. Juanita deals with and while some of this is hard to read, it's treated honestly without glossing over the issues or playing them up for shock value (for the most part).
Things I liked a little less:
Although I just said I appreciate how the author tackles tough issues, I did think that the rape and sexual assault got a little gratuitous at some point. Some scenes made my skin crawl and the fact that Juanita had to work with her assaulter later on in the book...I felt for her, a lot. It's not a dealbreaker, but I have a bit of a weak stomach for scenes of sexual assault and they were quite vivid, with the power differential very plain. It's not necessarily a flaw, but something I personally felt hard to read.
Although I found Juanita to be a wonderful character, besides Juanita and there were practically no female characters with a significant role. Again, not necessarily a flaw, but I would have liked more.
I won't go into detail in order to avoid spoilers, but I found the climactic scene to be a little rushed, hard to follow, and resolved too easily. It felt out of place compared to the rest of the novel, and then the novel ended. I really enjoyed the novel as a whole, but I would have to say the ending was the least satisfying part.
Finally, the relationship between Juanita and Guide skeeved me out a little, to be perfectly honest. He was over 100 years old, if I remember correctly, and she was in her teens when they met and barely...seventeen or eighteen, if I remember right? when their relationship veers towards the sexual. Relationships with a large age or power differential make me very uncomfortable, and this relationship had both. Additionally, the way that he treated her upon a few occasions made me very uncomfortable with the relationship as a whole, especially since she is in a vulnerable position compared to him. And the resolution of Juanita choosing that she wants to be with him and raise his baby at the end just felt very...I don't know, I just feel like she was very young and choose to base her entire life upon this man who is not really good for her anyway. This is a matter of personal taste though, and may not put other readers off like it did me.
Some other minor gripes:
However, on the whole I enjoyed the book a lot. The plot was creative, the world was rich and interesting, and the writing was engrossing. Personally, I would say that the writing and the feeling that it created for me as a reader was by far the highlight of this novel.
June 24, 2017
This book is proof that it pays to read outside one's usual genre. This tale of a young mystic in an alternative California of the late 1800s is full of heart and swashbuckling adventure. Hill brings the reader right alongside Juanita as she is visited by spirits, wrestles with men--living and dead--and struggles to find her identity and fulfill her destiny: sabotaging the railroad to save the most vulnerable from being shipped off to an asylum.
The descriptions of the California landscape and dessert crackle with life; sometimes I felt so dusty I might need to jump in the shower. In "The Engine Woman's Light," Hill creates an unforgettable cast of supporting characters: Juanita's first love, Galen; a cruel and mysterious member of the feared Mendoza family; a cigar-smoking ancestral spirit who inhabits Juanita at a critical moment; and a mechanical man who always seems to be around at the right time.
Don't let the "spirits meet steampunk" description of this book put you off if you usually go for more straight-ahead fare. This is a great story, no matter how you categorize it.
The descriptions of the California landscape and dessert crackle with life; sometimes I felt so dusty I might need to jump in the shower. In "The Engine Woman's Light," Hill creates an unforgettable cast of supporting characters: Juanita's first love, Galen; a cruel and mysterious member of the feared Mendoza family; a cigar-smoking ancestral spirit who inhabits Juanita at a critical moment; and a mechanical man who always seems to be around at the right time.
Don't let the "spirits meet steampunk" description of this book put you off if you usually go for more straight-ahead fare. This is a great story, no matter how you categorize it.
November 27, 2017
Rarely have I read a book that was so imaginative and impossible, yet so logical and real that I was completely inside the characters' heads and the action! In The Engine Woman’s Light, Laurel Anne Hill has virtually given birth to a whole, inter-connected, and believable world of her own imagination. Adhering to the elements of “steampunk,” a sub-genre of science fiction/fantasy, Hill re-creates a late 19th century California that never existed in that time and space, yet both its accurate history and the fabricated aspects come alive. Her strength is in melding detail, imagery, character and overarching theme. Hill has said that she learned to drive a steam locomotive, and as a reader, I enjoyed being along for the action-packed, riveting railroad scenes! Her protagonist, Juanita, is a hero with a clear goal. She finds her journey twisting and turning through a maze of good and evil, flesh and blood villains, and beings from a spiritual world beyond life. The spirits are there to help her, but sometimes have their own unexpected and all-too-human agendas. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy their mystery and adventure.
June 15, 2018
A super dark meandering read that really selves into humanity, right and wrong, spirituality, ghosts, and life’s hard choices. Set in an alternate universe that is a mix of steampunk and cowboy a young girl that can commune with spirits must help her ancestors atone for past wrongs. As she tries to stop trains bringing orphans to warehouses where the unwanted go to “disappear” we watch Juanita come into her own and learn to think for herself. Trigger warning ⚠️ there are rape scenes involving both men and women, as well as the aftermath so if you’re uncomfortable with that then I suggest you steer clear. The story is really intense and dark and not for the faint of heart.
October 3, 2018
This book is all over the place. It's kind of steam punk, set in California in a time that is never established. The story deals with Mexican/native people who are mystics, and the spirits of their ancestors who somehow always save the day. For some reason California is divided in two and unwanted and sick people are sent to mysterious asylums in Southern California (which are never really dealt with). The characters are interesting, and the plot is pretty good, but then after all this build-up, it just ends with about a million questions unanswered. Just not, all in all, a satisfying read. Not for young teens as it deals with rape - a lot.
June 18, 2019
I did not enjoy this book. I thought I could at least give steampunk and try as its nota genre that interests me but just couldn’t get into the story. The character Juanita has many obstacles and challenges in her life but with the help of her great grandmother and the ghost of Javier she overcomes many. The theme is set early on in the book and when she is fifteen she has a vision about a steamship captain and it really takes over the remainder of the book. Just not my type of story but if you’re into time travel, ghost and steampunk then this book will interest you. Happy reading folks.
October 15, 2018
Rough start but interesting.
Trigger warning for excessive use of rape as a plot device.
This book reminded me a bit of Anne Bishop’s writing, like if Daughter of the Blood was about mysticism rather than actual magic, set in the world of the movie Wild Wild West.
Once I got through the first few chapters and understood the narrative flow I was fairy well engrossed. Entertaining enough, very low tech, western steampunk. With some acid trip mysticism thrown in. And ghosts.
Trigger warning for excessive use of rape as a plot device.
This book reminded me a bit of Anne Bishop’s writing, like if Daughter of the Blood was about mysticism rather than actual magic, set in the world of the movie Wild Wild West.
Once I got through the first few chapters and understood the narrative flow I was fairy well engrossed. Entertaining enough, very low tech, western steampunk. With some acid trip mysticism thrown in. And ghosts.
August 28, 2018
Great intense read
The story pulled you in the very moment you began to read the first page. I felt as if I was part of their journey.
The description of each character was so vivid. I could see them as if they were standing right beside me.
Although I didn't really care for the way that assault and rape was portrayed so dismissively.
The story pulled you in the very moment you began to read the first page. I felt as if I was part of their journey.
The description of each character was so vivid. I could see them as if they were standing right beside me.
Although I didn't really care for the way that assault and rape was portrayed so dismissively.
August 25, 2018
The book was a combination of past and future. The beginning story of the baby in the train was interesting but then the story was hard to follow. I continued to read the whole book but wondered what some of the significance was of some of the story.
February 14, 2019
Steampunk vibes? Check. Strong female lead? Check. Ghosts? Check.
Take a look at my full review to see details.
There is a trigger warning for rape and abuse.
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
Take a look at my full review to see details.
There is a trigger warning for rape and abuse.
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
June 1, 2019
Very deep coming of age story!
The familiarity of this story's setting brought each moment to life so poignantly. Rarely is a journey like this easy. The wounds left by it can build great fortitude. They also can destroy. Yet though sorrow and pain Light guides.
The familiarity of this story's setting brought each moment to life so poignantly. Rarely is a journey like this easy. The wounds left by it can build great fortitude. They also can destroy. Yet though sorrow and pain Light guides.
October 13, 2019
An unusual tale that mixed the spirit world with the wild Wild West. It was strange and interesting, and horrible and beautiful, and easy to read and challenging to read, but I liked it ..... mostly. Good if want to read something different.
January 6, 2020
Better than I though
I picked this book to write a review for a book club and I must say it was way better than I thought it was going to be. There are some good lessons in this book. It is worth reading most definitely.
I picked this book to write a review for a book club and I must say it was way better than I thought it was going to be. There are some good lessons in this book. It is worth reading most definitely.
April 24, 2018
Fresh approach to YA steampunk. Love the Native American/Mexican references.
December 15, 2018
Not really my type of book
Not really my kind of book I would recommend to people who enjoy religious writings.. It definitely confused me a bit.
Not really my kind of book I would recommend to people who enjoy religious writings.. It definitely confused me a bit.
June 10, 2019
that was really good! slow to start but then fabulous, even tho it was hard to read in places due to the sadistic nature of the men, yet all too believable
December 15, 2024
DNF. 33% into the audiobook and I’m still not sure about the setting or why the characters do what they do.
October 7, 2018
This book had a lot of potential, but lacks in delivery. There were also issue or uncomfortable scenes that happened like
rape scenes, huge age gap relationships, and sudden character change
More of this review would be posted some time next week. Stay tuned
UPDATE (7 OCT 2018)
You can now read my whole review on this link ---> HERE.
above is a link to Online Book Club . Org, the organization that provided me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
More of this review would be posted some time next week. Stay tuned
UPDATE (7 OCT 2018)
You can now read my whole review on this link ---> HERE.
above is a link to Online Book Club . Org, the organization that provided me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
November 26, 2016
Solid story of a steam powered world where lives collide a n d spirits intervene in the living world to challenge the characters to make a better world for themselves and children yet to come . Sometimes violent in disturbing ways, not gratuitous but , not all "sunshine and puppies" .
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