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The Baskerville Affair #2
A Study in Darkness
When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her uncle Sherlock's world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card. Before Evelina's even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe. As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting grounds of Jack the Ripper.
513 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
49 people are currently reading
1356 people want to read
About the author
Emma Jane Holloway
18 books244 followersEver since childhood, Emma Jane Holloway refused to accept that history was nothing but facts prisoned behind the closed door of time. Why waste a perfectly good playground coloring within the timelines? Accordingly, her novels are filled with whimsical impossibilities and the occasional eye-blinking impertinence—but always in the service of grand adventure.
Struggling between the practical and the artistic—a family tradition, along with ghosts and a belief in the curative powers of shortbread—Emma Jane has a degree in literature and job in finance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house crammed with books, musical instruments, and half-finished sewing projects. In the meantime, she’s published articles, essays, short stories, and enough novels to build a fort for her stuffed hedgehog.
Struggling between the practical and the artistic—a family tradition, along with ghosts and a belief in the curative powers of shortbread—Emma Jane has a degree in literature and job in finance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house crammed with books, musical instruments, and half-finished sewing projects. In the meantime, she’s published articles, essays, short stories, and enough novels to build a fort for her stuffed hedgehog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
October 5, 2013
I freaking love this series. I only wish there was longer between the books to give a sense of... I dunno, tension, suspense, anticipation? It doesn't seem right publishing them one after another over just a few months.
But on to the book itself.
The start of this book is so incredibly different from the start of the first one. And the ending? GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE NOW! You're dragged in by Steampunk pirates and a story that flows different from the first in the series - the writer has matured. The pace is different too. Where A Study In Silks was a little slow to start, this one is all action.
This series is really into the whole building of the world thing that can make or break a book. And it does it extraordinarily well. You learn more and more with each page but there are never any info-dumps or boring bits. This Steampunk world is so complex and so real.
The ending was just... Wow. It was so shocking and totally unexpected. I actually gasped out loud.
But on to the book itself.
The start of this book is so incredibly different from the start of the first one. And the ending? GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE NOW! You're dragged in by Steampunk pirates and a story that flows different from the first in the series - the writer has matured. The pace is different too. Where A Study In Silks was a little slow to start, this one is all action.
This series is really into the whole building of the world thing that can make or break a book. And it does it extraordinarily well. You learn more and more with each page but there are never any info-dumps or boring bits. This Steampunk world is so complex and so real.
The ending was just... Wow. It was so shocking and totally unexpected. I actually gasped out loud.
January 8, 2015
Much darker than the first book in the trilogy. I have enjoyed this series since I started book 1. The short story collection, Baskerville Tales, adds depth. All I can say about ending of this book is "I didn't see that coming.". I was going to read something else next, but need to dive into book 3 right away.
July 26, 2020
3.5 stars
An interesting addition to the series. I had read the first one quite awhile back and it did take me a little to get re-acclimatized to the world created here. This is an alternative Victorian London with steampunk elements. There are airships and all kinds of mechanical gizmos, all of which are quite neat.
"Difficult times do not last. Difficult, obstinate. and impertinent people do."
I loved the pirates, Nick and his daeva Athena, Striker, Digby and the rest of them all make for strong characters. I love the relationship Nick has forged with his crew and the ways he uses his magic to communicate with the air creatures around him. My favourite parts of this story were probably the ones in which air battle was taking place as it was described so well it was easy to feel a part of it.
The barrons, particularly the Gold one are their usual conniving selves. I did think Keating's ability to turn the tide his way was rather impressive at times. Also was good to see more of Bancroft and his past treachery and understand better why he is what he is.
Holmes was fun and I enjoyed his increased page time in this one. Imogen I will forever feel bad for, she has had a rough life in a lot of ways. Her parts were not always the best though. At times as much as I wanted to love her she kind of bored me. I did appreciate her strength and resolve to fight for what she wanted and not give in to all of her father's wishes.
Now Evelina, I loved learning more about her magic. The choices she made were often not very intelligent but that partly goes with her age so I try to accept those. Most of the times I understood why she did what she did but I do wish she had trusted more information with people sooner as it could have stopped some of the fallout. That being said I loved that Evelina did not have all the answers, did not become all powerful out of no where and was not always the greatest sleuth. It's always refreshing when the character has to work for it.
While I figured some things had to happen to keep the story moving, I was not the biggest fan of the ending of A Study in Darkness. When I have waited for a couple to get their mess together, which was done well, only to have them separated again right after it can be frustrating. I wanted more page time for them before things happened.
"You're my port, Nick. Any other place is just exile"
All that being said, good book I look forward to finishing up the third one in the near future
An interesting addition to the series. I had read the first one quite awhile back and it did take me a little to get re-acclimatized to the world created here. This is an alternative Victorian London with steampunk elements. There are airships and all kinds of mechanical gizmos, all of which are quite neat.
"Difficult times do not last. Difficult, obstinate. and impertinent people do."
I loved the pirates, Nick and his daeva Athena, Striker, Digby and the rest of them all make for strong characters. I love the relationship Nick has forged with his crew and the ways he uses his magic to communicate with the air creatures around him. My favourite parts of this story were probably the ones in which air battle was taking place as it was described so well it was easy to feel a part of it.
The barrons, particularly the Gold one are their usual conniving selves. I did think Keating's ability to turn the tide his way was rather impressive at times. Also was good to see more of Bancroft and his past treachery and understand better why he is what he is.
Holmes was fun and I enjoyed his increased page time in this one. Imogen I will forever feel bad for, she has had a rough life in a lot of ways. Her parts were not always the best though. At times as much as I wanted to love her she kind of bored me. I did appreciate her strength and resolve to fight for what she wanted and not give in to all of her father's wishes.
Now Evelina, I loved learning more about her magic. The choices she made were often not very intelligent but that partly goes with her age so I try to accept those. Most of the times I understood why she did what she did but I do wish she had trusted more information with people sooner as it could have stopped some of the fallout. That being said I loved that Evelina did not have all the answers, did not become all powerful out of no where and was not always the greatest sleuth. It's always refreshing when the character has to work for it.
While I figured some things had to happen to keep the story moving, I was not the biggest fan of the ending of A Study in Darkness. When I have waited for a couple to get their mess together, which was done well, only to have them separated again right after it can be frustrating. I wanted more page time for them before things happened.
"You're my port, Nick. Any other place is just exile"
All that being said, good book I look forward to finishing up the third one in the near future
June 17, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Sherlock Holmes’ niece finds herself in the midst of another investigation, having to work for the Gold King in order to protect her uncle. While the story had some dragging moments, it is still a good follow up to book one and leaves the reader eager for book 3.
Opening Sentence: What if the skies never cleared and his quarry slipped past, swathed in cloud like a bride beneath her veil?
The Review:
I enjoyed the first book in this series featuring Sherlock Holmes’ niece, so I was looking forward to seeing where book 2 would take me. For the most part, I enjoyed it just as much as book 1, although I did feel it dragged a bit more, and I had some issues with Evelina this time around. With the way it ended though, this book did away with any misgivings I had and left me very eager to see what was going to happen next.
Evelina has spent the last few months avoiding thinking about Tobias Roth and the heartbreak she is going through, especially once news of Tobias’ engagement to the Gold King’s daughter reaches her ears. While spending time with her Uncle Sherlock, she helps stop a man from killing Sherlock with a bomb. While dealing with the aftermath of that incident, Evelina receives an invitation from her best friend (and Tobias’ sister) Imogen inviting her to a hunt. She swears Tobias will not be present, so Evelina jumps at the chance to spend time with her friend. Of course, all can’t go as planned, and Evelina ends up running into Tobias. They end up being caught in a compromising position by the Gold King himself, who blackmails Evelina into doing some investigative work for him. He wants to know who the Blue King’s secret employee is. Evelina has until Tobias’ wedding to find out, or something awful with happen to Sherlock. Her investigation will lead her into the dangerous part of London, where a madman who calls himself Jack the Ripper has begun a killing spree. Will Evelina be able to meet the Gold King’s deadline? Will she be able to keep herself safe?
Imogen, meanwhile is having problems of her own. Not only has she been forbidden to see the man she loves, but she has begun having nightmares again. The nightmares put her in the body of a killer, and she must watch each horrific murder as a silent spectator. She then sees in the newspaper that the killing actually happened. Will she be able to figure out what’s going on? Will she be able to keep her sanity?
I was most entranced with Imogen’s storyline and wish it had gotten a little more focus. I really love how Imogen, despite her physical ailments, is strong willed and refuses to let her family stand in the way of her happiness with Bucky. Granted, nightmares coming true has been done before, but it felt fresh here in the way it was presented, and the actual cause for Imogen’s link to the killer is truly unique, and I did not see it coming.
Evelina, on the other hand, really annoyed me this time around. She’s supposed to be a smart girl, and yet, some of her actions here struck me as really naïve, especially in regards to her actions toward Magnus. I found myself often asking out loud “What are you doing” and then rolling my eyes when Evelina inevitably discovers that the action she took was not a wise move. Also, it seemed like her feelings flipped pretty easily from Tobias to Nick. In the first book, I felt like the readers were being led towards preferring Tobias over Nick. In this installment, that’s completely reversed, and it just felt a little abrupt to me.
While there were definitely times where the story lagged and the book felt a little long, for the most part, this was another enjoyable tale about Sherlock Holme’s niece. There are many characters here, and some of their fates are left in the balance by the end of the novel. What better way to set up the final installment of this trilogy? I for one am very excited to see what happens!
Notable Scene:
Before her was a gate about ten feet high, and something was on the sidewalk before it, almost at her feet. Imogen could see the shape, but she didn’t want to look closely. She concentrated instead on other things–the row housing to one side, the big building, maybe a school or a hospital, to the other. Some part of her knew with gut-churning urgency that looking would be bad. But this was a nightmare, and so her chin tilted down, her eyes refusing to squeeze shut.
I looked inside, said the presence, and I couldn’t find anything that answered my question.
The thing on the ground was–had been–a woman, her skirts pulled up to show a savage wound to her belly. Imogen squinted, her mind not making sense of the shadowy ruin, and her gaze quickly skittered away to the woman’s face. Like the woman from the other dream, this person wasn’t young. Her black straw bonnet had rolled a little distance away, and Imogen could see gray in the woman’s hair.
And she could see the seeping slash at the woman’s throat. She’s still bleeding! That meant there was a chance she was still alive.
Imogen knelt, bending over the woman’s face. She heard a faint gasp of breath, and saw the glitter of her eyes. Imogen lifted her hand to cover the wound, maybe stop the bleeding, and saw that it was already covered in blood. The woman’s eyes flared in panic, a horrible sound emerging from her ruined throat. Reflexively, Imogen looked down at her own body.
Her other hand held a knife.
FTC Advisory: Del Rey/Random House provided me with a copy of A Study in Darkness. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Sherlock Holmes’ niece finds herself in the midst of another investigation, having to work for the Gold King in order to protect her uncle. While the story had some dragging moments, it is still a good follow up to book one and leaves the reader eager for book 3.
Opening Sentence: What if the skies never cleared and his quarry slipped past, swathed in cloud like a bride beneath her veil?
The Review:
I enjoyed the first book in this series featuring Sherlock Holmes’ niece, so I was looking forward to seeing where book 2 would take me. For the most part, I enjoyed it just as much as book 1, although I did feel it dragged a bit more, and I had some issues with Evelina this time around. With the way it ended though, this book did away with any misgivings I had and left me very eager to see what was going to happen next.
Evelina has spent the last few months avoiding thinking about Tobias Roth and the heartbreak she is going through, especially once news of Tobias’ engagement to the Gold King’s daughter reaches her ears. While spending time with her Uncle Sherlock, she helps stop a man from killing Sherlock with a bomb. While dealing with the aftermath of that incident, Evelina receives an invitation from her best friend (and Tobias’ sister) Imogen inviting her to a hunt. She swears Tobias will not be present, so Evelina jumps at the chance to spend time with her friend. Of course, all can’t go as planned, and Evelina ends up running into Tobias. They end up being caught in a compromising position by the Gold King himself, who blackmails Evelina into doing some investigative work for him. He wants to know who the Blue King’s secret employee is. Evelina has until Tobias’ wedding to find out, or something awful with happen to Sherlock. Her investigation will lead her into the dangerous part of London, where a madman who calls himself Jack the Ripper has begun a killing spree. Will Evelina be able to meet the Gold King’s deadline? Will she be able to keep herself safe?
Imogen, meanwhile is having problems of her own. Not only has she been forbidden to see the man she loves, but she has begun having nightmares again. The nightmares put her in the body of a killer, and she must watch each horrific murder as a silent spectator. She then sees in the newspaper that the killing actually happened. Will she be able to figure out what’s going on? Will she be able to keep her sanity?
I was most entranced with Imogen’s storyline and wish it had gotten a little more focus. I really love how Imogen, despite her physical ailments, is strong willed and refuses to let her family stand in the way of her happiness with Bucky. Granted, nightmares coming true has been done before, but it felt fresh here in the way it was presented, and the actual cause for Imogen’s link to the killer is truly unique, and I did not see it coming.
Evelina, on the other hand, really annoyed me this time around. She’s supposed to be a smart girl, and yet, some of her actions here struck me as really naïve, especially in regards to her actions toward Magnus. I found myself often asking out loud “What are you doing” and then rolling my eyes when Evelina inevitably discovers that the action she took was not a wise move. Also, it seemed like her feelings flipped pretty easily from Tobias to Nick. In the first book, I felt like the readers were being led towards preferring Tobias over Nick. In this installment, that’s completely reversed, and it just felt a little abrupt to me.
While there were definitely times where the story lagged and the book felt a little long, for the most part, this was another enjoyable tale about Sherlock Holme’s niece. There are many characters here, and some of their fates are left in the balance by the end of the novel. What better way to set up the final installment of this trilogy? I for one am very excited to see what happens!
Notable Scene:
Before her was a gate about ten feet high, and something was on the sidewalk before it, almost at her feet. Imogen could see the shape, but she didn’t want to look closely. She concentrated instead on other things–the row housing to one side, the big building, maybe a school or a hospital, to the other. Some part of her knew with gut-churning urgency that looking would be bad. But this was a nightmare, and so her chin tilted down, her eyes refusing to squeeze shut.
I looked inside, said the presence, and I couldn’t find anything that answered my question.
The thing on the ground was–had been–a woman, her skirts pulled up to show a savage wound to her belly. Imogen squinted, her mind not making sense of the shadowy ruin, and her gaze quickly skittered away to the woman’s face. Like the woman from the other dream, this person wasn’t young. Her black straw bonnet had rolled a little distance away, and Imogen could see gray in the woman’s hair.
And she could see the seeping slash at the woman’s throat. She’s still bleeding! That meant there was a chance she was still alive.
Imogen knelt, bending over the woman’s face. She heard a faint gasp of breath, and saw the glitter of her eyes. Imogen lifted her hand to cover the wound, maybe stop the bleeding, and saw that it was already covered in blood. The woman’s eyes flared in panic, a horrible sound emerging from her ruined throat. Reflexively, Imogen looked down at her own body.
Her other hand held a knife.
FTC Advisory: Del Rey/Random House provided me with a copy of A Study in Darkness. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
October 11, 2013
This second installment of the Baskerville Affair picks up a few months after the first story ends. It leaped right in giving a check in with each plot thread and each of them more exciting and intriguing that the one that came before it. As with the first story, there are a multitude of perspectives and storylines that just left me reeling. Apparently I've gotten used to it and learned to appreciate the storytelling style because I was enthralled with the zinging here and there I did in this book trying to work out the plotting, the mystery, the romances and how in the world all my favorites were going to come through it alive and unscathed.
Fair warning, this absolutely positively must be read in order or you will think you tumbled into a loony bin.
For the sake of sanity, I'm going to summarize the main storyline here and not try to follow each storyline that is there. Evalina Cooper has spent a few months of peace and quiet with her Grandmother Holmes in the country recovering from all that went on before, but now she is back in London to sort her life out. It all seems so dismal- she's lost Nick, she's lost the Roth family including her love interest to be sacrificed to the Gold King Jasper Keating's ambition, and she's lost her purpose. But then there is a bomb blast at Uncle Sherlock's and Imogene requests her to come to her because something odd is happening and enemies are becoming friends. Her uncle sends her to nose out what's going on.
Spying only gets her in trouble and into the Gold King's clutches. They strike a deal. Evalina agrees to go into the Blue King's territory to hunt down his mechanical genius and right into the dark streets where a murderer is loose and the rebels plot sedition. Keating gives her a time limit and an ultimatum. So many people have their fingers in the pie and the stakes just get higher.
The plot on this one just drove forward at a punishing pace because of all the threads that were going on at once. I picture the author like one of those six-horse team carriage drivers who have to keep so many animals under control and going in the right direction. Admirable to say the least. Evalina is still the main character though other narrators are Nick, Imogene, Sherlock Holmes, Lord Bancroft, Alice Keating and Jasper Keating. See? A boatload of storytellers. While I found it overwhelming in the first story, I was able to hang with it and enjoy the pacing and tone it created this time.
The atmosphere on this one grew decidedly darker even from the first one. If the gruesome murders don't do it, the Roth's vile secret with the automatons and the Steam Council's slimy ploys will do it. Evalina really gets herself into a bad spot in this one and she is totally on her own. She's young and impetuous, but she's also smart and courageous. Her decisions bothered me, but then again I couldn't think of better solutions either. It just bugs me that it always comes down to her throwing herself on the sacrificial altar and it just ends up making stuff worse.
This book was definitely a transition book. I could tell that things were being lined up and readied for some big stuff that is still to come. The steam barons are allies against the rebels, but also enemies to each other. There is the shadowy rebel movement and the mysterious black wraiths controlling the depths of London that hopefully will get some more page time in the next book. Evalina has learned a bit more about her powers and to have a healthy respect for them. The situation with Nick and that last bit about Imogene has me rabid to find out what happens next.
This series is a dark gritty Sherlockian Paranormal Steampunk Romantic Suspense that offers something for everybody. The romance is slow building as is the plot. Totally delicious series that fans of these blended genres should give a look-see at.
My thanks to Net Galley for providing the book for review purposes.
Fair warning, this absolutely positively must be read in order or you will think you tumbled into a loony bin.
For the sake of sanity, I'm going to summarize the main storyline here and not try to follow each storyline that is there. Evalina Cooper has spent a few months of peace and quiet with her Grandmother Holmes in the country recovering from all that went on before, but now she is back in London to sort her life out. It all seems so dismal- she's lost Nick, she's lost the Roth family including her love interest to be sacrificed to the Gold King Jasper Keating's ambition, and she's lost her purpose. But then there is a bomb blast at Uncle Sherlock's and Imogene requests her to come to her because something odd is happening and enemies are becoming friends. Her uncle sends her to nose out what's going on.
Spying only gets her in trouble and into the Gold King's clutches. They strike a deal. Evalina agrees to go into the Blue King's territory to hunt down his mechanical genius and right into the dark streets where a murderer is loose and the rebels plot sedition. Keating gives her a time limit and an ultimatum. So many people have their fingers in the pie and the stakes just get higher.
The plot on this one just drove forward at a punishing pace because of all the threads that were going on at once. I picture the author like one of those six-horse team carriage drivers who have to keep so many animals under control and going in the right direction. Admirable to say the least. Evalina is still the main character though other narrators are Nick, Imogene, Sherlock Holmes, Lord Bancroft, Alice Keating and Jasper Keating. See? A boatload of storytellers. While I found it overwhelming in the first story, I was able to hang with it and enjoy the pacing and tone it created this time.
The atmosphere on this one grew decidedly darker even from the first one. If the gruesome murders don't do it, the Roth's vile secret with the automatons and the Steam Council's slimy ploys will do it. Evalina really gets herself into a bad spot in this one and she is totally on her own. She's young and impetuous, but she's also smart and courageous. Her decisions bothered me, but then again I couldn't think of better solutions either. It just bugs me that it always comes down to her throwing herself on the sacrificial altar and it just ends up making stuff worse.
This book was definitely a transition book. I could tell that things were being lined up and readied for some big stuff that is still to come. The steam barons are allies against the rebels, but also enemies to each other. There is the shadowy rebel movement and the mysterious black wraiths controlling the depths of London that hopefully will get some more page time in the next book. Evalina has learned a bit more about her powers and to have a healthy respect for them. The situation with Nick and that last bit about Imogene has me rabid to find out what happens next.
This series is a dark gritty Sherlockian Paranormal Steampunk Romantic Suspense that offers something for everybody. The romance is slow building as is the plot. Totally delicious series that fans of these blended genres should give a look-see at.
My thanks to Net Galley for providing the book for review purposes.
October 3, 2013
If you liked Emma Holloway’s A Study in Silks, book two of The Baskerville Affair series, A Study in Darkness is going to burst your corset as we head back into Evelina’s alternate Victorian world. The political battles still rage, growing darker by the minute as the niece of Sherlock Holmes gets ensnared in the world of dark magic and must decide where her loyalties will take her. Will she survive the call of dark magic as she goes undercover for Uncle Sherlock? What evil villain has her in their sights?
Emma Holloway has a special style that is completely suited to the Steampunk theme, while creating a world that is growing far darker, far more dangerous and far more intriguing. Was I hooked? Oh yes! Ms. Holloway’s ability to mesh historical fiction with magic and machines, while still keeping things mysterious is a pleasure to read. From the start, through the twists and up to a brilliantly devious finish, I was deep into this fantasy world. The cast is fabulous, from our charming heroine to our nasty villains, the action non-stop and the feel, pure Steampunk!
I received an ARC edition from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Baskerville Affair, Book 2
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra
ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0345537195
Page Count: 544
Genre: Steampunk, Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Connect with the Author: Emma Holloway's Site
Available to Purchase From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Emma Holloway has a special style that is completely suited to the Steampunk theme, while creating a world that is growing far darker, far more dangerous and far more intriguing. Was I hooked? Oh yes! Ms. Holloway’s ability to mesh historical fiction with magic and machines, while still keeping things mysterious is a pleasure to read. From the start, through the twists and up to a brilliantly devious finish, I was deep into this fantasy world. The cast is fabulous, from our charming heroine to our nasty villains, the action non-stop and the feel, pure Steampunk!
I received an ARC edition from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Baskerville Affair, Book 2
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra
ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0345537195
Page Count: 544
Genre: Steampunk, Historical Fiction, Paranormal
Connect with the Author: Emma Holloway's Site
Available to Purchase From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
April 4, 2017
If you read my review of the first book of the series, A Study in Silks, you’d get a good idea of why I was taken in with the first book and in turn the series, to the point that I wanted to continue the series immediately. I had a feeling I would be best served if I were to just continue on with the next book, A Study in Darkness, while all the plotting and subterfuge was still fresh in my mind.
All the things that I mentioned in the A Study in Silks review were still (happily) present in this installment. There’s no drop in the quality of the writing, plotting and characters that I praised in the first book. In fact, I’m happy to see that Emma Jane Holloway further developed that characters that she introduced to us which includes Evelina, Nick, Tobias, etc while also expanding that cast to include more page-time to characters that made their appearances (e.g. The Schoolmaster) or characters that you would expect to show up considering it revolves around the Holmes family (e.g. Mycroft).
But more importantly, the story and plot points that were hinted at in the first book, really expanded in this installment. And it’s highly appropriate to use the onion layer metaphor since there really are layers to the plots and subplots sprinkled through the story. Just when you feel you got a grip of what’s going on, a wrench is thrown in which changes the direction of the story and adds another layer to the overall arching story. And with the different subplots going, you would think it’d be easy to get confused, but somehow Holloway managed to organize the story in a way where you get enough information in a certain period and then get a break so as to prevent you from getting confused while still remembering what has happened so far. I can’t tell you exactly how that works. All I know is that I’m still able to follow the differing plot threads, knowing that they all connect and combine to the overall bigger plot. And I quite enjoyed how Holloway incorporated the Whitechapel/Jack the Ripper murders into the story. It had its own unique take that managed to evoke a sense of the creepiness.
Like any good series, the next installments should add to what the first has laid out, with the same consistency and attention to detail that was involved from the start. A Study in Darkness managed to do just that, adding depth to an already interesting story. There’s a sense of buildup, leading to the main story that was hinted at in the first book. To go along with the story and character developments, Holloway threw in some plot twists that even if you saw it coming, there’s still a satisfaction in knowing another puzzle piece has clicked into place, adding to the intrigue. This book was a great follow up and just made me look forward to how the whole series will end.
All the things that I mentioned in the A Study in Silks review were still (happily) present in this installment. There’s no drop in the quality of the writing, plotting and characters that I praised in the first book. In fact, I’m happy to see that Emma Jane Holloway further developed that characters that she introduced to us which includes Evelina, Nick, Tobias, etc while also expanding that cast to include more page-time to characters that made their appearances (e.g. The Schoolmaster) or characters that you would expect to show up considering it revolves around the Holmes family (e.g. Mycroft).
But more importantly, the story and plot points that were hinted at in the first book, really expanded in this installment. And it’s highly appropriate to use the onion layer metaphor since there really are layers to the plots and subplots sprinkled through the story. Just when you feel you got a grip of what’s going on, a wrench is thrown in which changes the direction of the story and adds another layer to the overall arching story. And with the different subplots going, you would think it’d be easy to get confused, but somehow Holloway managed to organize the story in a way where you get enough information in a certain period and then get a break so as to prevent you from getting confused while still remembering what has happened so far. I can’t tell you exactly how that works. All I know is that I’m still able to follow the differing plot threads, knowing that they all connect and combine to the overall bigger plot. And I quite enjoyed how Holloway incorporated the Whitechapel/Jack the Ripper murders into the story. It had its own unique take that managed to evoke a sense of the creepiness.
Like any good series, the next installments should add to what the first has laid out, with the same consistency and attention to detail that was involved from the start. A Study in Darkness managed to do just that, adding depth to an already interesting story. There’s a sense of buildup, leading to the main story that was hinted at in the first book. To go along with the story and character developments, Holloway threw in some plot twists that even if you saw it coming, there’s still a satisfaction in knowing another puzzle piece has clicked into place, adding to the intrigue. This book was a great follow up and just made me look forward to how the whole series will end.
December 14, 2013
Following her role in uncovering the forgery scandal that implicated the patriarch of the Roth family, under advice from the steam baron Jasper Keating, Evelina Cooper shuns the continuation of her longed-for Season and retires to the country and the (maddening) ministrations of her Grandmother Holmes. As the months pass and rumors dissipate, she returns to London, determined to make an attempt to reclaim something of the life and future her previous investigations imperiled. But when she arrives at the home of her Uncle Sherlock, she barely foils an ill-timed assassination attempt. Recognizing her one-time love Tobias Roth's -- now in the employ of Keating -- fingerprints on the trigger device, Evelina reluctantly acquiesces to her uncle's request to rejoin the Roth household, allowing her to re-establish her friendship with Imogen Roth all while seeking to ascertain the Gold King's plans for Holmes, the Roth family, and the country at large.
But returning to the Roth fold is more difficult than Evelina anticipated, and in a moment of weakness a careless blunder with Tobias places both Evelina's future -- and more worryingly, the fate of her beloved Uncle Sherlock -- in Keating's power. Desperate to redeem her mistake and protect Sherlock from the fallout of her foolish mistake, Evelina agrees to become the Gold King's eyes and ears in his attempt to implement a coup against the Blue King, the steam baron residing over London's poverty-ridden East End. Forced to return to the hardscrabble living she thought she'd left behind forever, Evelina loses herself in the East End in search of the Blue King's maker, the genius responsible for the machines and weapons that could turn the tide of a steam baron war. But a killer stalks the streets, and when an old adversary resurfaces with a tantalizing proposition, Evelina faces a difficult choice -- the life she's always wanted may just be the one she thought she'd left behind forever, and the cost of embracing her magical side may cost her more than she'd ever dreamed.
While I enjoyed Holloway's debut, A Study in Silks, despite its meandering plotlines and padded prose, its sequel is SO MUCH BETTER. I've never read a sophomore release that so improved on an author's debut strengths that it felt almost as if it had been written by another writer entirely. There were moments were I was tempted to wonder if pressing through to finish the first volume of Evelina's adventures was worth it -- and I'm happy to say that thanks to this installment my perseverance has been amply rewarded. Everything about this novel improves on its predecessor -- with tighter plotting, stronger characterizations, and oft-times chilling stakes, A Study in Darkness is a wildly entertaining steampunk adventure ride from start to finish.
Holloway took the risky move at the conclusion of Silks by taking both of Evelina's potential love interests and by their actions in the concluding chapters seemingly writing each off as a possible potential partner. She plays with the fallout brilliantly here -- for not only must Evelina come to terms with the apparent loss of two men, each holding a piece of her heart and representing very different -- yet equally alluring -- futures, but must face her own culpability, her own role in leading each possible romantic interest to the brink of destruction. Safely ensconced in the world of "respectable" society, her future seemingly assured by a social debut sanctioned by no less a personage of note than the Queen herself, in the aftermath of her adventures here is a humbled Evelina -- this is a woman undone. Her journey throughout this installment forces Evelina to confront her darkest dreams and most dangerous impulses, and when faced with the temptation of such power, she's left with a choice: embrace the darkness, or learn the grace to forgive both herself and others, respond to weakness in those she loves with mercy, and craft a future for herself that weaves the best elements of her less-than-savory past with the bright hope of her future.
World-building was one of Holloway's greatest strengths in her debut. Here she takes Evelina's world to dizzying new imaginative heights. I LOVED the glimpse into Nick's world as the fearsome captain of an airship without equal, powered by no less than an air deva of unimaginable power. The elements devas have more personality here, threatening to steal every scene in which they appear. And the glimpse of Evelina's magical capabilities, honed to previously unimaginable heights under Magnus's dark tutelage, provides a fascinating, fantastical counterpoint to the mechanical side of this steampunk version of Victorian England.
While Holloway builds suspense surrounding Evelina's illicit training with Magnus, she dives into the dangerous real-life history of late nineteenth-century Whitechapel by exploring the dangerous mystique of the Jack the Ripper slayings. I LOVED Holloway's steampunk spin on the Ripper killings -- just when I thought she was taking a straight historical approach, incorporating that unsavory, dangerous chapter of the East End's history in order to heighten the sense of danger surrounding Evelina's presence there, she pivots -- and the Ripper becomes a threat the like of which I'd never imagined. I was alternately enthralled as the mechanics of Holloway's plotting played out and genuinely, deliciously creeped out -- the Ripper was a twist I wasn't expecting, and the manner in which Holloway weaves the killer's actions and identity into both novels is just genius. Well played, Holloway, well played.
A Study in Darkness proves that Holloway is a force to be reckoned with in the world of steampunk fiction. She takes genuine, heart-breaking risks with characters I thought I knew, and with the reveal of the Ripper's identity proves that she's more than capable of weaving a heady web of red herrings and false clues that readers will love to lose themselves in. For those coming to the series thanks to the Holmes connection, Holloway's characterization feels pitch-perfect, and Evelina is proving to be a worthy heir to the Holmes name -- though more emotionally volatile than her famously logical uncle. While I enjoyed Holloway's debut I adored her sophomore effort, and with the heartbreaking conclusion of A Study in Darkness, I cannot wait to see how the long-simmering Baskerville Affair -- and Evelina's future -- plays out in the final installment, releasing at the end of December!
But returning to the Roth fold is more difficult than Evelina anticipated, and in a moment of weakness a careless blunder with Tobias places both Evelina's future -- and more worryingly, the fate of her beloved Uncle Sherlock -- in Keating's power. Desperate to redeem her mistake and protect Sherlock from the fallout of her foolish mistake, Evelina agrees to become the Gold King's eyes and ears in his attempt to implement a coup against the Blue King, the steam baron residing over London's poverty-ridden East End. Forced to return to the hardscrabble living she thought she'd left behind forever, Evelina loses herself in the East End in search of the Blue King's maker, the genius responsible for the machines and weapons that could turn the tide of a steam baron war. But a killer stalks the streets, and when an old adversary resurfaces with a tantalizing proposition, Evelina faces a difficult choice -- the life she's always wanted may just be the one she thought she'd left behind forever, and the cost of embracing her magical side may cost her more than she'd ever dreamed.
While I enjoyed Holloway's debut, A Study in Silks, despite its meandering plotlines and padded prose, its sequel is SO MUCH BETTER. I've never read a sophomore release that so improved on an author's debut strengths that it felt almost as if it had been written by another writer entirely. There were moments were I was tempted to wonder if pressing through to finish the first volume of Evelina's adventures was worth it -- and I'm happy to say that thanks to this installment my perseverance has been amply rewarded. Everything about this novel improves on its predecessor -- with tighter plotting, stronger characterizations, and oft-times chilling stakes, A Study in Darkness is a wildly entertaining steampunk adventure ride from start to finish.
Holloway took the risky move at the conclusion of Silks by taking both of Evelina's potential love interests and by their actions in the concluding chapters seemingly writing each off as a possible potential partner. She plays with the fallout brilliantly here -- for not only must Evelina come to terms with the apparent loss of two men, each holding a piece of her heart and representing very different -- yet equally alluring -- futures, but must face her own culpability, her own role in leading each possible romantic interest to the brink of destruction. Safely ensconced in the world of "respectable" society, her future seemingly assured by a social debut sanctioned by no less a personage of note than the Queen herself, in the aftermath of her adventures here is a humbled Evelina -- this is a woman undone. Her journey throughout this installment forces Evelina to confront her darkest dreams and most dangerous impulses, and when faced with the temptation of such power, she's left with a choice: embrace the darkness, or learn the grace to forgive both herself and others, respond to weakness in those she loves with mercy, and craft a future for herself that weaves the best elements of her less-than-savory past with the bright hope of her future.
World-building was one of Holloway's greatest strengths in her debut. Here she takes Evelina's world to dizzying new imaginative heights. I LOVED the glimpse into Nick's world as the fearsome captain of an airship without equal, powered by no less than an air deva of unimaginable power. The elements devas have more personality here, threatening to steal every scene in which they appear. And the glimpse of Evelina's magical capabilities, honed to previously unimaginable heights under Magnus's dark tutelage, provides a fascinating, fantastical counterpoint to the mechanical side of this steampunk version of Victorian England.
While Holloway builds suspense surrounding Evelina's illicit training with Magnus, she dives into the dangerous real-life history of late nineteenth-century Whitechapel by exploring the dangerous mystique of the Jack the Ripper slayings. I LOVED Holloway's steampunk spin on the Ripper killings -- just when I thought she was taking a straight historical approach, incorporating that unsavory, dangerous chapter of the East End's history in order to heighten the sense of danger surrounding Evelina's presence there, she pivots -- and the Ripper becomes a threat the like of which I'd never imagined. I was alternately enthralled as the mechanics of Holloway's plotting played out and genuinely, deliciously creeped out -- the Ripper was a twist I wasn't expecting, and the manner in which Holloway weaves the killer's actions and identity into both novels is just genius. Well played, Holloway, well played.
A Study in Darkness proves that Holloway is a force to be reckoned with in the world of steampunk fiction. She takes genuine, heart-breaking risks with characters I thought I knew, and with the reveal of the Ripper's identity proves that she's more than capable of weaving a heady web of red herrings and false clues that readers will love to lose themselves in. For those coming to the series thanks to the Holmes connection, Holloway's characterization feels pitch-perfect, and Evelina is proving to be a worthy heir to the Holmes name -- though more emotionally volatile than her famously logical uncle. While I enjoyed Holloway's debut I adored her sophomore effort, and with the heartbreaking conclusion of A Study in Darkness, I cannot wait to see how the long-simmering Baskerville Affair -- and Evelina's future -- plays out in the final installment, releasing at the end of December!
May 20, 2022
Génial et brillant...Emma Jane Holloway signe une histoire captivante. Le Londres Victorien Steampunk offre un environnement passionnant à cet excellent roman, suite du premier épisode. Quel plaisir de retrouver cette héroïne ''Miss Cooper'', la nièce de Sherlock Holmes. Les personnages sont savoureux. L'ombre de Jack l'éventreur plane dans ce roman.
Magnifique !!!!
Magnifique !!!!
May 13, 2019
Complicated, interesting, can’t wait to read the third book.
November 5, 2013
Second instalment in The Baskerville Affair series and an explosive episode! These books are best read in order starting with A Study in Silks but this second offering was very easy to follow.
Evalina is the niece of Sherlock Holmes and just like her famous uncle possesses an incredibly curious mind. A smart woman constrained by Victorian attitudes she nevertheless refuses to be downtrodden. Having experienced a less than auspicious childhood she's grown up to be a loyal and courageous young woman.
Evalinas returning to her uncles home when an explosion rocks Baker Street and it's plain that someone is up to no good. Realising that Evalina could find out useful information if she joins her friend Imogen at the Gold Kings country house she reluctantly agrees to her uncles request that she go. The so called Gold King Jasper Keating is a man determined not to lose control and he has teemed up with the Scarlet King to somehow overthrow those who would undermine him. His daughter is engaged to Tobias , the man that Evalina believes loves her! Tobias had agreed to marry Alice to save his father from prosecution but when Evalina and Tobias are caught kissing its clear that she has fallen for Keatings underhand plot. He knew of her feelings for Tobias and used that against her. Now blackmailed by him as she doesn't want Tobias or Sherlock hurt she must travel to the seedier side of London to uncover just what the Blue King has planned.
This story is set in a world where steam is everything and no other power available, a world that hasn't yet got electricity and those who control the provision of steam are living like Kings. Indeed areas are divided up and and colours used to show which of the so called Kings is in charge. Magic is feared as it could be used to wrest control away from the Steam Barons and Evalina is a possessor of magic. She has unique abilities that enable her to create clockwork animals and then imbue them with Devas (spirits) to bring them to life.
The author has cleverly set this story in Whitechapel at the time of the so called Ripper murders and as Evalina gets pulled into the harsh underbelly of London danger is all around her. She's closer to the Ripper than she realises and finds herself working for Magnus a man she had previously thought dead. Magnus is no ordinary man though as like Evalina he can use magic but he's a user of dark magic and soon he will tempt Evalina with it.
Her task to find information for Keating has a time limit though and time is running out. Desperate to keep her loved ones safe she runs into Nick her childhood sweetheart unexpectedly and sees a difference in him. Nick has undergone many changes and although now a pirate with an airship he's still as devoted to Evalina as he ever was. Like Evalina he possesses a wild magic but now Nick finds himself helping the rebels who would abolish the steam barons. Why is Mycroft, Sherlocks brother involved with the rebels? Can Evalina find information for Keating in time? As for Magnus his agenda cannot bode well and is Evalina set to be the next victim in the Whitechapel murders?
I absolutely loved this book. Just so much going on. I adored the Victorian world with the twist of magic and it's just such fun to read about Sherlock Holmes and his niece Evelina. She's a brave and loyal sort but still has a lot of growing up to do. Clearly fascinated by dark magic and yet strangely so innocent at times. I'm not always sure about her taste in men though as I've always thought Tobias a weak and shallow individual. Nick is definitely becoming more of a love interest and I do hope that we get to see more from him.
As for the plot and the steam barons well it's fair to say that odious does not begin to describe them or their actions! These are evil men who will stop at nothing to cement their power and do not care how many suffer. I really want them to get their comeuppance and would dearly love for the rebels to triumph.
The writing and world building is truly amazing. It was so unexpected to have airship battles amidst all the magic and mayhem. There is so much going on in this book that it's impossible to categorise it. Magic, action, romance, adventure, pirates and the most famous murderer of all time!
I can't wait to read the next instalment!
Evalina is the niece of Sherlock Holmes and just like her famous uncle possesses an incredibly curious mind. A smart woman constrained by Victorian attitudes she nevertheless refuses to be downtrodden. Having experienced a less than auspicious childhood she's grown up to be a loyal and courageous young woman.
Evalinas returning to her uncles home when an explosion rocks Baker Street and it's plain that someone is up to no good. Realising that Evalina could find out useful information if she joins her friend Imogen at the Gold Kings country house she reluctantly agrees to her uncles request that she go. The so called Gold King Jasper Keating is a man determined not to lose control and he has teemed up with the Scarlet King to somehow overthrow those who would undermine him. His daughter is engaged to Tobias , the man that Evalina believes loves her! Tobias had agreed to marry Alice to save his father from prosecution but when Evalina and Tobias are caught kissing its clear that she has fallen for Keatings underhand plot. He knew of her feelings for Tobias and used that against her. Now blackmailed by him as she doesn't want Tobias or Sherlock hurt she must travel to the seedier side of London to uncover just what the Blue King has planned.
This story is set in a world where steam is everything and no other power available, a world that hasn't yet got electricity and those who control the provision of steam are living like Kings. Indeed areas are divided up and and colours used to show which of the so called Kings is in charge. Magic is feared as it could be used to wrest control away from the Steam Barons and Evalina is a possessor of magic. She has unique abilities that enable her to create clockwork animals and then imbue them with Devas (spirits) to bring them to life.
The author has cleverly set this story in Whitechapel at the time of the so called Ripper murders and as Evalina gets pulled into the harsh underbelly of London danger is all around her. She's closer to the Ripper than she realises and finds herself working for Magnus a man she had previously thought dead. Magnus is no ordinary man though as like Evalina he can use magic but he's a user of dark magic and soon he will tempt Evalina with it.
Her task to find information for Keating has a time limit though and time is running out. Desperate to keep her loved ones safe she runs into Nick her childhood sweetheart unexpectedly and sees a difference in him. Nick has undergone many changes and although now a pirate with an airship he's still as devoted to Evalina as he ever was. Like Evalina he possesses a wild magic but now Nick finds himself helping the rebels who would abolish the steam barons. Why is Mycroft, Sherlocks brother involved with the rebels? Can Evalina find information for Keating in time? As for Magnus his agenda cannot bode well and is Evalina set to be the next victim in the Whitechapel murders?
I absolutely loved this book. Just so much going on. I adored the Victorian world with the twist of magic and it's just such fun to read about Sherlock Holmes and his niece Evelina. She's a brave and loyal sort but still has a lot of growing up to do. Clearly fascinated by dark magic and yet strangely so innocent at times. I'm not always sure about her taste in men though as I've always thought Tobias a weak and shallow individual. Nick is definitely becoming more of a love interest and I do hope that we get to see more from him.
As for the plot and the steam barons well it's fair to say that odious does not begin to describe them or their actions! These are evil men who will stop at nothing to cement their power and do not care how many suffer. I really want them to get their comeuppance and would dearly love for the rebels to triumph.
The writing and world building is truly amazing. It was so unexpected to have airship battles amidst all the magic and mayhem. There is so much going on in this book that it's impossible to categorise it. Magic, action, romance, adventure, pirates and the most famous murderer of all time!
I can't wait to read the next instalment!
October 17, 2013
This is the second book in the Baskerville Affair series by Holloway I really enjoyed the first book in this series and this book was even better than the first. It is an excellent steampunk mystery read, with a fascinating world and wonderful characters. The third book, A Study in Ashes, is set to release in December 2013.
Evelina is barred from Imogen’s house and presence following the events in A Study of Silks. She finds herself living with her Uncle Sherlock and contemplating finally making her dreams of attending college come true. That is until Uncle Sherlock’s house is bombed. Shortly following this scare Evelina is invited out to a summer party in the country where Imogen, Tobias, and Alice will all be in attendance. When Evelina disgraces herself there (not entirely her fault) she finds herself in the power of the Gold King. The Gold King wants Evelina to spy for him in the desruptible area of Whitechapel.
The danger grows for Evelina when she hears news of the horrific killer, Jack the Ripper, mutilating and murdering young women in the streets of Whitechapel. Then Evelina runs into a person from the past that she thought was dead and hopes to learn more about controlling her magic from him while surviving the streets and trying to hunt down the Gold King’s foe.
The book switches point of view mainly between Evelina and Nick. Nick has turned to a sort of steampunk pirating in hopes of making a fortune that he can use to impress Evelina. Of course he gets drawn into the Rebellion and, as a side effect, becomes a target of the Steam Barons (Gold and Blue Kings especially).
This is one of the best steampunk series I have read yet. The world building here is phenomenal. There is a lot going on, but it is never confusing and I never felt like the author was info-dumping. This is just a completely believable and amazingly complex world. I love how the Steam Barons run London society and have pieced up London between themselves. There is a lot of intrigue and politics between the Steam Barons and the poor people that get drawn into their machinations.
Additionally the Rebel group that is trying to oppose the Steam Barons has a greater presence in this book. We meet some interesting new characters in connection to the Rebellion; The Schoolmaster and Mycroft Holmes. Both are mysterious and bring more questions than answers with them.
This book is much more gory than the first. The murders done by the supposed Jack the Ripper are gruesome and explained in detail. It fit well with the story (and the end of October release date). But there were a few moments where I was like...eeewwweee.
The characters themselves are easy to relate to and engaging. Evelina is an excellent heroine. She still strives to be a Victorian lady but she has no trouble doing what needs to be done. She is smart, witty, and really fun to read about.
Nick was also a fun character to read about. The steampunk pirating life fits him well. I enjoyed how he tried to support Evelina as he could, but also assumed that she knew how to take care of herself. He can be cocky, but he is also funny and amazingly tough.
As for the steampunk aspects; this book has a bit of everything. There are airships, aether powered weapons, fun mechanical devices, dazzling new inventions, and automatons. And of course the whole concept to steam-power running society. It is just exceedingly well done.
The book is beautifully written. It flows well, is paced well, and was very hard to put down. The main story line around the mystery behind the Gold King’s maker and Jack the Ripper is resolved. However many other questions remain and a new storyline is opened up at the end of this book.
Overall I enjoyed this book even more than the first book in the series. This is a spectacularly done steampunk series, with some magic, lots of mystery, and wonderful world-building. The characters are all very well done and easy to engage with. This is seriously one of the best steampunk books I have ever read and I really really loved it. I can’t wait to read A Study in Ashes! Highly recommended to steampunk fans!
Evelina is barred from Imogen’s house and presence following the events in A Study of Silks. She finds herself living with her Uncle Sherlock and contemplating finally making her dreams of attending college come true. That is until Uncle Sherlock’s house is bombed. Shortly following this scare Evelina is invited out to a summer party in the country where Imogen, Tobias, and Alice will all be in attendance. When Evelina disgraces herself there (not entirely her fault) she finds herself in the power of the Gold King. The Gold King wants Evelina to spy for him in the desruptible area of Whitechapel.
The danger grows for Evelina when she hears news of the horrific killer, Jack the Ripper, mutilating and murdering young women in the streets of Whitechapel. Then Evelina runs into a person from the past that she thought was dead and hopes to learn more about controlling her magic from him while surviving the streets and trying to hunt down the Gold King’s foe.
The book switches point of view mainly between Evelina and Nick. Nick has turned to a sort of steampunk pirating in hopes of making a fortune that he can use to impress Evelina. Of course he gets drawn into the Rebellion and, as a side effect, becomes a target of the Steam Barons (Gold and Blue Kings especially).
This is one of the best steampunk series I have read yet. The world building here is phenomenal. There is a lot going on, but it is never confusing and I never felt like the author was info-dumping. This is just a completely believable and amazingly complex world. I love how the Steam Barons run London society and have pieced up London between themselves. There is a lot of intrigue and politics between the Steam Barons and the poor people that get drawn into their machinations.
Additionally the Rebel group that is trying to oppose the Steam Barons has a greater presence in this book. We meet some interesting new characters in connection to the Rebellion; The Schoolmaster and Mycroft Holmes. Both are mysterious and bring more questions than answers with them.
This book is much more gory than the first. The murders done by the supposed Jack the Ripper are gruesome and explained in detail. It fit well with the story (and the end of October release date). But there were a few moments where I was like...eeewwweee.
The characters themselves are easy to relate to and engaging. Evelina is an excellent heroine. She still strives to be a Victorian lady but she has no trouble doing what needs to be done. She is smart, witty, and really fun to read about.
Nick was also a fun character to read about. The steampunk pirating life fits him well. I enjoyed how he tried to support Evelina as he could, but also assumed that she knew how to take care of herself. He can be cocky, but he is also funny and amazingly tough.
As for the steampunk aspects; this book has a bit of everything. There are airships, aether powered weapons, fun mechanical devices, dazzling new inventions, and automatons. And of course the whole concept to steam-power running society. It is just exceedingly well done.
The book is beautifully written. It flows well, is paced well, and was very hard to put down. The main story line around the mystery behind the Gold King’s maker and Jack the Ripper is resolved. However many other questions remain and a new storyline is opened up at the end of this book.
Overall I enjoyed this book even more than the first book in the series. This is a spectacularly done steampunk series, with some magic, lots of mystery, and wonderful world-building. The characters are all very well done and easy to engage with. This is seriously one of the best steampunk books I have ever read and I really really loved it. I can’t wait to read A Study in Ashes! Highly recommended to steampunk fans!
November 5, 2013
4.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I confess that I haven’t read the summary of the book before starting it and I discover it now that I’m doing my post. Indeed, after the first volume, I was so curious about the further adventures of our dear Evelina that I got into it as soon as possible.
With the first book I got used to the sudden changes of perspectives in the story. It was so much easier this time to figure out who we were talking about. And at the contrary of the previous story, I was much moere interested in the other different characters than Evelina. Indeed, I enjoyed this time to follow them all. We learn a lot about each persons and every change brings something important to the story. And of course, all the protagonists we knew are here! You surely understand it now, I was much more conquered by this new novel and I hope it will be the same for the third volume.
After trying to forget Tobias, Evelina is ready to return into society. Especially when Imogen calls her and asks her to keep her company. Being convinced that she would not meet her former love, our young heroine only thinks she will have to take care of Alice, the future wife (something that is hard enough). Yet just arrived, and during the big party, Tobias shows up after knowing the arrival of the young woman and when she thought she could resist, she finds herself compromised while kissing him before Imogen and Keating. Not to soil her reputation and her family name, Evelina has no other choice but to put herself under the yoke of this infamous man who expects to be able to use her. And for that, she will be sent on the streets of Whitechapel with a difficult plan to execute despite the talents she has acquired from her uncle missions. And while everybody looks for her, Evelina will have to withstand very dark temptations, working for a man she thought was dead and hunt without knowing it a killer raging around her. But more than that, she will have to think about her relationship with Nick and Tobias and she really wants.
I admit that I was sad to see what happened between Alice and Tobias. It is true that I would have loved to see Evelina and Tobias have a nice story together, but of course, this also goes for Nick as I particularly appreciate him. Yet when we see how Tobias leaves his wife and the mother of his child behind, my heart can only be broken for her, given the consequences. Because although he does not like Alice, she hoped to have a different life. And despite the plans that were made for them, I was hoping for Tobias to see her as the woman with whom he will spend his life and at least try to help her to adapt. Regarding Evelina, we understand her actions and yet she doesn’t share her burden and takes everything on her shoulders even if it is not her job to do that. But she doesn’t really think of the fact that she could share her burden and endangers herself. Fortunately, her friends are still always there for her, and I admit that I was very happy to see Nick here for her too. He wants to protect and secure her, yet everything is more complicated than expected. But their relationship is very cute and we can only hope that this will change to the next novel.
I did not expect either to meet Jack the Ripper, and it is true that I am always very interested by books about him. I do not really expect to find such a guilty although the name has passed through my mind a few times. But this is not the only revelation that we have here and we will learn more about the automatons as we discovered them in the first novel. Many things happen in this novel and I’m pretty excited to learn more now! The end was pretty explosive and I look forward to see where the author will take us! Very impatient to follow the adventures of Evelina now that her life took a course that we could never have predicted.
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I confess that I haven’t read the summary of the book before starting it and I discover it now that I’m doing my post. Indeed, after the first volume, I was so curious about the further adventures of our dear Evelina that I got into it as soon as possible.
With the first book I got used to the sudden changes of perspectives in the story. It was so much easier this time to figure out who we were talking about. And at the contrary of the previous story, I was much moere interested in the other different characters than Evelina. Indeed, I enjoyed this time to follow them all. We learn a lot about each persons and every change brings something important to the story. And of course, all the protagonists we knew are here! You surely understand it now, I was much more conquered by this new novel and I hope it will be the same for the third volume.
After trying to forget Tobias, Evelina is ready to return into society. Especially when Imogen calls her and asks her to keep her company. Being convinced that she would not meet her former love, our young heroine only thinks she will have to take care of Alice, the future wife (something that is hard enough). Yet just arrived, and during the big party, Tobias shows up after knowing the arrival of the young woman and when she thought she could resist, she finds herself compromised while kissing him before Imogen and Keating. Not to soil her reputation and her family name, Evelina has no other choice but to put herself under the yoke of this infamous man who expects to be able to use her. And for that, she will be sent on the streets of Whitechapel with a difficult plan to execute despite the talents she has acquired from her uncle missions. And while everybody looks for her, Evelina will have to withstand very dark temptations, working for a man she thought was dead and hunt without knowing it a killer raging around her. But more than that, she will have to think about her relationship with Nick and Tobias and she really wants.
I admit that I was sad to see what happened between Alice and Tobias. It is true that I would have loved to see Evelina and Tobias have a nice story together, but of course, this also goes for Nick as I particularly appreciate him. Yet when we see how Tobias leaves his wife and the mother of his child behind, my heart can only be broken for her, given the consequences. Because although he does not like Alice, she hoped to have a different life. And despite the plans that were made for them, I was hoping for Tobias to see her as the woman with whom he will spend his life and at least try to help her to adapt. Regarding Evelina, we understand her actions and yet she doesn’t share her burden and takes everything on her shoulders even if it is not her job to do that. But she doesn’t really think of the fact that she could share her burden and endangers herself. Fortunately, her friends are still always there for her, and I admit that I was very happy to see Nick here for her too. He wants to protect and secure her, yet everything is more complicated than expected. But their relationship is very cute and we can only hope that this will change to the next novel.
I did not expect either to meet Jack the Ripper, and it is true that I am always very interested by books about him. I do not really expect to find such a guilty although the name has passed through my mind a few times. But this is not the only revelation that we have here and we will learn more about the automatons as we discovered them in the first novel. Many things happen in this novel and I’m pretty excited to learn more now! The end was pretty explosive and I look forward to see where the author will take us! Very impatient to follow the adventures of Evelina now that her life took a course that we could never have predicted.
October 30, 2013
*Genre* Historical Fantasy, Steampunk
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
A Study in Darkness is the second installment in The Baskerville Affair series by Emma Jane Holloway and takes place between the months of August and November 1888. This is a world where steam barons run the utility companies, the railways, dockyards, and most factories that product weapons of mass destruction. The use of magic is severely punished in the United Kingdom and anyone claiming to use real magic is subjected to jail and execution as well as a stay in her Majesty's labs where they test magic users before determining their fate.
Once again, the story surrounds Evelina Cooper, Sherlock Holmes intrepid niece who understands magic and is able to put Deva's (elementals) into clockwork animals like mouse and bird. Evelina is also an interesting character in that she didn't come from riches, and struggled just for a bit of respectability in society. This time, Evelina finds herself fighting not just for herself, but to keep Jasper Keating away from her uncle after a bomb goes off at his home and she is caught freely kissing Tobias Roth who is to wed Alice Keating.
Poor Alice. I should just say that I've come to like Alice along with Imogen since they really get put through the wringer. I felt for Alice because she's stuck in the middle between her father and being married to Tobias who obviously still cares for Evelina. I felt for Imogen because there is a huge revelation that you can see coming if you pay attention about what happened to her when she was younger, that makes so much sense, and she really does love Bucky even though her disgusting father doesn't want the union to happen. I can honestly say that the cliffhanger pertaining to Imogen needs to be fixed asap.
A Study in Darkness is a rather long and drawn out story that surrounds various characters like Niccolo, and even Imogen. Evelina faces a harsh reality mostly because of her silly decisions and actions that lead her into making a deal with the deal himself. There were times I would have liked to strangle Evi for making more problems for herself instead of relying on others like Sherlock, Imogen, or even Nick who many people don't like for some reason or the other. Although Nick left a bad taste in my mouth in the first installment, he more than makes up for them in this installment. Like it or not folks, Nick and Evi belong together.
A Study in Darkness reveals a deeper look into the so called resistance and the Baskervilles. In A Study in Silk, they were briefly mentioned but we didn't know whether or not Sherock or his brother Mycroft were involved. We get introduced to a new character named the Schoolmaster who is obviously someone extremely important to the resistance and needs to be watched closely. The steam barons are also having an interesting tug of war to see who is the most powerful, and this can only lead to an interesting third installment to this series.
Steampunk is often a hit or miss for me, but in The Baskerville Affair series, EJH puts it in the forefront along with magic and the fact that Jack the Ripper might be roaming the streets killing women haphazardly. Readers will groan along with me when they learn there is a really heart stopping cliffhanger ending to this story. Luckily, I don't have to wait until December to find out what happens next since A Study in Ashes in already loaded on my Kindle and read to go!
*Recvd via NetGalley 07/01/2013* Released: October 29th 2013 by Del Rey
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
A Study in Darkness is the second installment in The Baskerville Affair series by Emma Jane Holloway and takes place between the months of August and November 1888. This is a world where steam barons run the utility companies, the railways, dockyards, and most factories that product weapons of mass destruction. The use of magic is severely punished in the United Kingdom and anyone claiming to use real magic is subjected to jail and execution as well as a stay in her Majesty's labs where they test magic users before determining their fate.
Once again, the story surrounds Evelina Cooper, Sherlock Holmes intrepid niece who understands magic and is able to put Deva's (elementals) into clockwork animals like mouse and bird. Evelina is also an interesting character in that she didn't come from riches, and struggled just for a bit of respectability in society. This time, Evelina finds herself fighting not just for herself, but to keep Jasper Keating away from her uncle after a bomb goes off at his home and she is caught freely kissing Tobias Roth who is to wed Alice Keating.
Poor Alice. I should just say that I've come to like Alice along with Imogen since they really get put through the wringer. I felt for Alice because she's stuck in the middle between her father and being married to Tobias who obviously still cares for Evelina. I felt for Imogen because there is a huge revelation that you can see coming if you pay attention about what happened to her when she was younger, that makes so much sense, and she really does love Bucky even though her disgusting father doesn't want the union to happen. I can honestly say that the cliffhanger pertaining to Imogen needs to be fixed asap.
A Study in Darkness is a rather long and drawn out story that surrounds various characters like Niccolo, and even Imogen. Evelina faces a harsh reality mostly because of her silly decisions and actions that lead her into making a deal with the deal himself. There were times I would have liked to strangle Evi for making more problems for herself instead of relying on others like Sherlock, Imogen, or even Nick who many people don't like for some reason or the other. Although Nick left a bad taste in my mouth in the first installment, he more than makes up for them in this installment. Like it or not folks, Nick and Evi belong together.
A Study in Darkness reveals a deeper look into the so called resistance and the Baskervilles. In A Study in Silk, they were briefly mentioned but we didn't know whether or not Sherock or his brother Mycroft were involved. We get introduced to a new character named the Schoolmaster who is obviously someone extremely important to the resistance and needs to be watched closely. The steam barons are also having an interesting tug of war to see who is the most powerful, and this can only lead to an interesting third installment to this series.
Steampunk is often a hit or miss for me, but in The Baskerville Affair series, EJH puts it in the forefront along with magic and the fact that Jack the Ripper might be roaming the streets killing women haphazardly. Readers will groan along with me when they learn there is a really heart stopping cliffhanger ending to this story. Luckily, I don't have to wait until December to find out what happens next since A Study in Ashes in already loaded on my Kindle and read to go!
*Recvd via NetGalley 07/01/2013* Released: October 29th 2013 by Del Rey
November 1, 2013
Evelina Cooper has lost everything that is important for her. Forced to remove herself from society to endure her grandmother's attempts to find her a husband, Evelina still aches over the separation from her best friend, and the loss of the two men that she loves. Little does she know that soon she will be drawn back into the world of intrigue when a bomb goes off at her uncle Sherlock's flat. Evelina will soon find herself forced to work for the nefarious gold king as all around her, ladies of the night are being murdered most brutally. For the first time, Evelina is also tempted by black magic when she works closely with Magnus. So much is at stake and Evelina quickly realises that will have to risk all, if she is to have any hope of saving the people she loves.
I must admit that I am a bit of a fanpoodle when it comes to this series and my only real regret is that it the Baskerville Affair only has three books. It is so easy to lose one's self in the story and the strong steam punk aspect that Holloway has infused into this series. The writing is very vivid and the pacing could not be more perfect.
As protagonists go, Evelina is absolutely selfless. She is intelligent and extremely empathetic. With everything going on, it would have been very easy for Holloway to turn Evelina into a spunky agent but she very directly has Evelina avoid this by thinking through each aspect of the challenges presented to her. Sherlock could have overwhelmed Evelina but instead, he forces her to challenge her assumptions and think through each lesson that she has learned.
A Study in Darkness has a strong class element in that Holloway explores what it is like for those who were not born into privilege. This is a rare element in steampunk as much of it is focused on the upper classes and drawing room intrigue. People do what they need to do survive at the hands of those determined to horde all of the wealth for themselves.
A Study in Darkness includes a new twist on Jack the Ripper. Normally when it comes to sex trade workers, there is a lot of slut shaming but Holloway makes it clear that these women are forced by circumstance into their trade and actively asserts their humanity and right to live a life free of violence.
Women in this series are strong and even the constantly ill Imogen is made of stern stuff. Imogen is very aware that her father plans to marry her off to a steam baron and rather than consent to a marriage with someone she can barely stand, Imogen attempts to elope. It doesn't end well for her but even in the worst of circumstances Imogen does not give up. Imogen does not have the skills of Evelina but rather than waiting passively for rescue, she looks around for a way to defend herself.
I know that I have fanpoodled and that even the greatest jewel has some sort of flaw. A Study in Darkness did engage in vicious unnecessary fat shaming when it came to King Coal.
Read More
I must admit that I am a bit of a fanpoodle when it comes to this series and my only real regret is that it the Baskerville Affair only has three books. It is so easy to lose one's self in the story and the strong steam punk aspect that Holloway has infused into this series. The writing is very vivid and the pacing could not be more perfect.
As protagonists go, Evelina is absolutely selfless. She is intelligent and extremely empathetic. With everything going on, it would have been very easy for Holloway to turn Evelina into a spunky agent but she very directly has Evelina avoid this by thinking through each aspect of the challenges presented to her. Sherlock could have overwhelmed Evelina but instead, he forces her to challenge her assumptions and think through each lesson that she has learned.
A Study in Darkness has a strong class element in that Holloway explores what it is like for those who were not born into privilege. This is a rare element in steampunk as much of it is focused on the upper classes and drawing room intrigue. People do what they need to do survive at the hands of those determined to horde all of the wealth for themselves.
A Study in Darkness includes a new twist on Jack the Ripper. Normally when it comes to sex trade workers, there is a lot of slut shaming but Holloway makes it clear that these women are forced by circumstance into their trade and actively asserts their humanity and right to live a life free of violence.
Women in this series are strong and even the constantly ill Imogen is made of stern stuff. Imogen is very aware that her father plans to marry her off to a steam baron and rather than consent to a marriage with someone she can barely stand, Imogen attempts to elope. It doesn't end well for her but even in the worst of circumstances Imogen does not give up. Imogen does not have the skills of Evelina but rather than waiting passively for rescue, she looks around for a way to defend herself.
I know that I have fanpoodled and that even the greatest jewel has some sort of flaw. A Study in Darkness did engage in vicious unnecessary fat shaming when it came to King Coal.
Read More
May 23, 2016
So I was really disappointed in this book, especially after having really enjoyed the first one. I feel like the author completely abandoned the characters she had created in the first novel, and let them become flat clichés. The plot also seemed to take a hit with even more angles and complications added to an already complicated story. And then it didn't seem very tied together. I felt like I was jumping from one random situation to the next.
I really didn't like how Evelina just seemed to completely collapse on herself and forget her logical mind and personal aspirations. The first book ended very well I thought, with neither Nick nor Tobias having her heart because they were both proper jerks. But then this book started with her mooning over Tobias and their "star-crossed love". When exactly did she change her mind about him?! Like she found out he shot her uncle and was willing to lie to her about it and she was rightly done with him. But now she utterly loves him again?? Gross.
And then Nick, the bastard who forced himself on her angrily at the end of the first book; the jerk who displayed abusive behaviour, Mr. I-killed-a-man-for-you-so-you-owe-me-your-love - this is the guy who she ends up with?! What the eff?! It's not like there was even any character development with him to show that he's changed. Just "oh, btw four months has passed and now Nick's a pirate and clearly becoming a man outside the law has made him a more moral person, yup."
I expected so much better of Evelina given how she was portrayed in the first book. And not just in terms of romance. She seemed to lose all her detective skills in this book as well, with the majority of the mystery solved by her happening to be in the right place at the right time, or being solved by other people entirely. I felt she was super awesome in the first book, sneaking out at night and battling magical fire dragons and whatnot, and now she just goes to live in a poor neighbourhood and supposedly questions people and investigates for an entire month and finds out utterly nothing. Of course, a month really isn't that long, after all she's in a coma for that long and it's not like anything has changed in that time, because everyone was just waiting for her to get better before starting to plot their evil deeds again. Seriously?
I have other issues with the book too, but I don't feel like ranting about them. I don't really wanna bother with the third book, but I might have to just to find out what happens, although I'm not sure there is any reasonable explanation as to how Imogen's soul would get trapped in the magical clock.
I really didn't like how Evelina just seemed to completely collapse on herself and forget her logical mind and personal aspirations. The first book ended very well I thought, with neither Nick nor Tobias having her heart because they were both proper jerks. But then this book started with her mooning over Tobias and their "star-crossed love". When exactly did she change her mind about him?! Like she found out he shot her uncle and was willing to lie to her about it and she was rightly done with him. But now she utterly loves him again?? Gross.
And then Nick, the bastard who forced himself on her angrily at the end of the first book; the jerk who displayed abusive behaviour, Mr. I-killed-a-man-for-you-so-you-owe-me-your-love - this is the guy who she ends up with?! What the eff?! It's not like there was even any character development with him to show that he's changed. Just "oh, btw four months has passed and now Nick's a pirate and clearly becoming a man outside the law has made him a more moral person, yup."
I expected so much better of Evelina given how she was portrayed in the first book. And not just in terms of romance. She seemed to lose all her detective skills in this book as well, with the majority of the mystery solved by her happening to be in the right place at the right time, or being solved by other people entirely. I felt she was super awesome in the first book, sneaking out at night and battling magical fire dragons and whatnot, and now she just goes to live in a poor neighbourhood and supposedly questions people and investigates for an entire month and finds out utterly nothing. Of course, a month really isn't that long, after all she's in a coma for that long and it's not like anything has changed in that time, because everyone was just waiting for her to get better before starting to plot their evil deeds again. Seriously?
I have other issues with the book too, but I don't feel like ranting about them. I don't really wanna bother with the third book, but I might have to just to find out what happens, although I'm not sure there is any reasonable explanation as to how Imogen's soul would get trapped in the magical clock.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
A Study in Steampunk.
Back with the fantastically entertaining Evelina Cooper, niece to Sherlock Holmes, in this second instalment of the Steampunk mysteries - The Baskerville Affair. This time we start with the main characters all scattered hither and thither after the events at the end of the last book. It's fair to say I was bitterly, bitterly disappointed in Tobias' character in A study in Silks. Not all the way through, of course. Just the spineless move he pulled at the end. He let me down, in particular, because he was my pick for Evelina. Now, I don't think he deserves her if he's unable to man up when it counts. I probably best not go into more detail in case you haven't read in order or are peeking ahead to this review, but he was not in my good books as I set out to read A Study in Darkness, put it that way. And I was therefore hoping to see a great deal less of him in this book. And, hopefully, the swift return of childhood friend Nick. Or should I say, The Indomitable Niccolo!
Well, Nick's return wasn't quite as swift as I'd liked, as it turns out. In fact, he seemed to take an inordinate amount of time to make an appearance, but I loved every scene he was in when he finally did! The love triangle, if you can call it that, has taken such an interesting turn. My own loyalties have been hoodwinked and bamboozled, so God only knows how poor Evelina must feel! I think the romance aspect of these books, while small, is so well done. So subtle and yet so full of feeling. Really clever stuff!
As for the rest of the plot, Holloway ingeniously found a way to work in, with a bit of jiggery-pokery and a whole load of imagination and flair - real life serial murderer Jack the Ripper to her Steampunk world. I thought this aspect - the way she made it fit her plot - was truly fantastic! I honestly cannot fault the worldbuilding side of things at all. It seems water tight and is highly enjoyable to read.
So, why am I being a miserable cow and only giving it 3.5 stars? Well, simply because the beginning, before Nick reappeared, was rather slow-going. These are big books, five-hundred some pages, so it doesn't take much for it to feel like you're hardly moving. And indeed, this time, it felt like we were purposely delaying the action. Therefore, I have to in all honesty give it less than I gave book one, which moved at a much smoother tempo. Still, I found much to enjoy, as ever, and can't wait for book three!
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Back with the fantastically entertaining Evelina Cooper, niece to Sherlock Holmes, in this second instalment of the Steampunk mysteries - The Baskerville Affair. This time we start with the main characters all scattered hither and thither after the events at the end of the last book. It's fair to say I was bitterly, bitterly disappointed in Tobias' character in A study in Silks. Not all the way through, of course. Just the spineless move he pulled at the end. He let me down, in particular, because he was my pick for Evelina. Now, I don't think he deserves her if he's unable to man up when it counts. I probably best not go into more detail in case you haven't read in order or are peeking ahead to this review, but he was not in my good books as I set out to read A Study in Darkness, put it that way. And I was therefore hoping to see a great deal less of him in this book. And, hopefully, the swift return of childhood friend Nick. Or should I say, The Indomitable Niccolo!
Well, Nick's return wasn't quite as swift as I'd liked, as it turns out. In fact, he seemed to take an inordinate amount of time to make an appearance, but I loved every scene he was in when he finally did! The love triangle, if you can call it that, has taken such an interesting turn. My own loyalties have been hoodwinked and bamboozled, so God only knows how poor Evelina must feel! I think the romance aspect of these books, while small, is so well done. So subtle and yet so full of feeling. Really clever stuff!
As for the rest of the plot, Holloway ingeniously found a way to work in, with a bit of jiggery-pokery and a whole load of imagination and flair - real life serial murderer Jack the Ripper to her Steampunk world. I thought this aspect - the way she made it fit her plot - was truly fantastic! I honestly cannot fault the worldbuilding side of things at all. It seems water tight and is highly enjoyable to read.
So, why am I being a miserable cow and only giving it 3.5 stars? Well, simply because the beginning, before Nick reappeared, was rather slow-going. These are big books, five-hundred some pages, so it doesn't take much for it to feel like you're hardly moving. And indeed, this time, it felt like we were purposely delaying the action. Therefore, I have to in all honesty give it less than I gave book one, which moved at a much smoother tempo. Still, I found much to enjoy, as ever, and can't wait for book three!
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2013
Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
A STUDY IN DARKNESS has a much darker and more gruesome tone than its predecesor, A STUDY IN SILKS. While I liked the lighter tone in the previous book I enjoyed the fact that Holloway ramped up the danger since that meant more fun battle scenes with steampunk technology and thrilling chases. I was also amazed at just how dark and gory this book gets with the murders done by Ripper explained in stark detail. The worldbuilding continues to be amazing and becomes even more complex as the story goes on. A STUDY IN DARKNESS is not the best book to read as a standalone as the complexity of this world is much easier to wrap your head around if you read the first book.
Before reading A STUDY IN DARKNESS I hoped there would be more pages spent on the steam barons and I was not disappointed. The steam barons who rule London with iron fists are ambitious, calculating, and ruthless. Reading about their backstabbing and the political intrigue almost made it seem like I was reading a political thriller at times. I like that The Baskerville Affair series has so many villains and people who you don’t know whether to trust or not as it helps make the story that much more dangerous and perilous as Evelina is entangled in the webs of the steam barons.
Evelina continues to be an amazingly strong character for her age considering how much trouble she gets into in A STUDY IN DARKNESS. I liked that she learns how to use more of her magic as the magic in this series is pretty unique in its specificity to certain elements. While most of the secondary characters take a back seat to the action, Nick gets practically half of the book in his POV and I loved it. Nick basically plays ‘steampunk pirate captain’ wielding his wild magic to amazing effect while also becoming entangled in the war against the steam barons.
A STUDY IN DARKNESS brings more darkness to The Baskerville Affair with a whirlwind of steampunk fueld fights and dark political intrigue. Being the middle book in a trilogy is hard with no real beginning or end but A STUDY IN DARKNESS does a good job ramping up the anticipation for the finale A STUDY IN ASHES available December 31, 2013 from Del Rey.
A STUDY IN DARKNESS has a much darker and more gruesome tone than its predecesor, A STUDY IN SILKS. While I liked the lighter tone in the previous book I enjoyed the fact that Holloway ramped up the danger since that meant more fun battle scenes with steampunk technology and thrilling chases. I was also amazed at just how dark and gory this book gets with the murders done by Ripper explained in stark detail. The worldbuilding continues to be amazing and becomes even more complex as the story goes on. A STUDY IN DARKNESS is not the best book to read as a standalone as the complexity of this world is much easier to wrap your head around if you read the first book.
Before reading A STUDY IN DARKNESS I hoped there would be more pages spent on the steam barons and I was not disappointed. The steam barons who rule London with iron fists are ambitious, calculating, and ruthless. Reading about their backstabbing and the political intrigue almost made it seem like I was reading a political thriller at times. I like that The Baskerville Affair series has so many villains and people who you don’t know whether to trust or not as it helps make the story that much more dangerous and perilous as Evelina is entangled in the webs of the steam barons.
Evelina continues to be an amazingly strong character for her age considering how much trouble she gets into in A STUDY IN DARKNESS. I liked that she learns how to use more of her magic as the magic in this series is pretty unique in its specificity to certain elements. While most of the secondary characters take a back seat to the action, Nick gets practically half of the book in his POV and I loved it. Nick basically plays ‘steampunk pirate captain’ wielding his wild magic to amazing effect while also becoming entangled in the war against the steam barons.
A STUDY IN DARKNESS brings more darkness to The Baskerville Affair with a whirlwind of steampunk fueld fights and dark political intrigue. Being the middle book in a trilogy is hard with no real beginning or end but A STUDY IN DARKNESS does a good job ramping up the anticipation for the finale A STUDY IN ASHES available December 31, 2013 from Del Rey.
November 27, 2025
Evalina Cooper has recently returned to London after a stint at her grandmothers. She is recuperating from a near disastrous first season. But trouble quickly finds Evalina, when a bomb is set in Uncle Sherlock's apartment. Sherlock requests Evalina's help by attending an event thrown by Jasper Keating.
Evalina is a smart young woman but quickly finds herself entrapped in Jasper Keating's plans. She is sent on a secret mission into the impoverished realm of the Blue King. Traversing the life of a poor working young lady, Evalina must infiltrate and join forces with one of her darkest enemies. Will temptation and power corrupt Evalina? Can she save her family or loose everything?
A Study in Darkness is a mind twisting, thought provoking, action adventure. Much darker than the first installment in this series, the story delves deep into the pure evil mechanizations on all sides of this political game. Torn by her responsibilities to duty, honor, and family values, Evalina must make some very difficult and pulse inducing decisions.
I am not a big fan of cliff hangers and this book does provide one doozy of a cliff hanger. That being said, I still loved this story.
Emma Jane Holloway's descriptive writing style pulls you in and keeps you glued till the end. She creates a completely original story based on other famous Victorian era characters while she masterfully adds her own paranormal/steampunk flare. If you are looking for a dark and enthralling, mind engaging, complex, heart pounding story, I highly recommend A Study in Darkness.
I received this ARC copy of A Study in Darkness from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 29, 2013.
Evalina is a smart young woman but quickly finds herself entrapped in Jasper Keating's plans. She is sent on a secret mission into the impoverished realm of the Blue King. Traversing the life of a poor working young lady, Evalina must infiltrate and join forces with one of her darkest enemies. Will temptation and power corrupt Evalina? Can she save her family or loose everything?
A Study in Darkness is a mind twisting, thought provoking, action adventure. Much darker than the first installment in this series, the story delves deep into the pure evil mechanizations on all sides of this political game. Torn by her responsibilities to duty, honor, and family values, Evalina must make some very difficult and pulse inducing decisions.
I am not a big fan of cliff hangers and this book does provide one doozy of a cliff hanger. That being said, I still loved this story.
Emma Jane Holloway's descriptive writing style pulls you in and keeps you glued till the end. She creates a completely original story based on other famous Victorian era characters while she masterfully adds her own paranormal/steampunk flare. If you are looking for a dark and enthralling, mind engaging, complex, heart pounding story, I highly recommend A Study in Darkness.
I received this ARC copy of A Study in Darkness from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 29, 2013.
dnf
August 27, 2016I have liked the first book in the Baskerville Affair, and was happy when the publisher kindly offered the Arc for A Study in Darkness.
I knew from experience that the pace would not be action-like. But I guess I wasn't prepared to the excruciatingly slow-motion feel of it.
Around midway there still nothing happening, oh you get a glimpse of things, you already know the truth of many others (including the supposed mystery of the "dead" sister). But the plot hasn't moved from the beginning.
Moreover I was surprised (and in a very unpleasant way) by the turn-face the heroine was compelled to do to let the story moving. And this is my biggest complain: the authorish deus-ex-machina
--of transforming a very cool heroine in a dumb one. Evangeline makes one mistake after an other and moves from a very clever young woman, conscious of her place in society, to a naive and silly girl. Just for the sake of the story. And I couldn't for a moment believe that she has forgotten he's tried to kill her uncle. Meh.
--of giving magic no explanation. I believe even magic has a system that needs internal logic.
As I said, when at half the book nothing had happened except her "indiscretion" and her move to London, I put the book apart. I still plan to finish this series. But I'll need some stronger motive.
ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley
I knew from experience that the pace would not be action-like. But I guess I wasn't prepared to the excruciatingly slow-motion feel of it.
Around midway there still nothing happening, oh you get a glimpse of things, you already know the truth of many others (including the supposed mystery of the "dead" sister). But the plot hasn't moved from the beginning.
Moreover I was surprised (and in a very unpleasant way) by the turn-face the heroine was compelled to do to let the story moving. And this is my biggest complain: the authorish deus-ex-machina
--of transforming a very cool heroine in a dumb one. Evangeline makes one mistake after an other and moves from a very clever young woman, conscious of her place in society, to a naive and silly girl. Just for the sake of the story. And I couldn't for a moment believe that she has forgotten he's tried to kill her uncle. Meh.
--of giving magic no explanation. I believe even magic has a system that needs internal logic.
As I said, when at half the book nothing had happened except her "indiscretion" and her move to London, I put the book apart. I still plan to finish this series. But I'll need some stronger motive.
ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley
November 18, 2013
A rich steampunk world to get lost in, part two
In a steampunk version of London Evelina Cooper is forced to work for one of the city’s tyrannical steam barons after a broken heart leads her into a compromising situation. A Study in Darkness is book two of The Baskerville Affair trilogy, and while just as long and lush with detail as its predecessor, it is grimmer.
In spite of her mistake Evelina has brains, mechanical aptitude, and a touch of magical ability, no surprise since she’s a former circus performer and the niece of Sherlock Holmes. She needs all those skills now that she’s living semi-undercover in one of the worst parts of the city while trying to gather information for a man she has every reason to fear. Her circumstances have changed greatly since the last book when Evelina and her best friend Imogen were being presented to society and having their first season, but given Evelina’s vagabond background it’s something of a homecoming and even with the danger she finds herself enjoying the increased freedom.
Though featuring Evelina, these stories are told from multiple points of view and I love that so many of the characters have their say and are important to the plot. Even Imogen’s younger sister Poppy and neglected sister-in-law Alice play active roles, and Nick, Evelina’s circus friend/boyfriend, really shines. Book three of the series is set to come out at the end of December and I can’t wait. Meanwhile, there are free prequel/sequel short stories on author Emma Jane Holloway’s website that fill the time gaps before and between the novels.
In a steampunk version of London Evelina Cooper is forced to work for one of the city’s tyrannical steam barons after a broken heart leads her into a compromising situation. A Study in Darkness is book two of The Baskerville Affair trilogy, and while just as long and lush with detail as its predecessor, it is grimmer.
In spite of her mistake Evelina has brains, mechanical aptitude, and a touch of magical ability, no surprise since she’s a former circus performer and the niece of Sherlock Holmes. She needs all those skills now that she’s living semi-undercover in one of the worst parts of the city while trying to gather information for a man she has every reason to fear. Her circumstances have changed greatly since the last book when Evelina and her best friend Imogen were being presented to society and having their first season, but given Evelina’s vagabond background it’s something of a homecoming and even with the danger she finds herself enjoying the increased freedom.
Though featuring Evelina, these stories are told from multiple points of view and I love that so many of the characters have their say and are important to the plot. Even Imogen’s younger sister Poppy and neglected sister-in-law Alice play active roles, and Nick, Evelina’s circus friend/boyfriend, really shines. Book three of the series is set to come out at the end of December and I can’t wait. Meanwhile, there are free prequel/sequel short stories on author Emma Jane Holloway’s website that fill the time gaps before and between the novels.
July 11, 2014
A Study in Darkness takes magical steampunk to a new level. Holloway's descriptions left me breathless, horrified, apprehensive, worried, relieved and distraught. Nick and Evelina's precarious relationship may stand a chance, now that Tobias has promised himself to Alice, but what of Nick's wild magic? Where is the middle ground where a Gypsy and an almost-lady could meet?
There are some hard truths revealed here, and some hard lessons learned as tempting offers prove to be nothing but a lure, but internal honesty allows honesty with others. The truth about Anna, previously hinted at, is now revealed, and the stakes are higher than I imagined.
Evelina is rightfully the heroine in this story, and I love her honesty and sense of humor. Her thoughts about her famous uncle (including wondering how on earth Dr. Watson managed to live with him all these years) reveal a quick wit and incisive observations. Drawn to her new world of comfort and ease, she still desires the freedom of her childhood, and isn't too proud to admit it... at least, not to Nick.
The political intrigue almost takes a back seat here, but its thread is constant, nonetheless, as is the threat from the Steam Barons and the growing threat from the rebels. I'm looking for book 3 now.
There are some hard truths revealed here, and some hard lessons learned as tempting offers prove to be nothing but a lure, but internal honesty allows honesty with others. The truth about Anna, previously hinted at, is now revealed, and the stakes are higher than I imagined.
Evelina is rightfully the heroine in this story, and I love her honesty and sense of humor. Her thoughts about her famous uncle (including wondering how on earth Dr. Watson managed to live with him all these years) reveal a quick wit and incisive observations. Drawn to her new world of comfort and ease, she still desires the freedom of her childhood, and isn't too proud to admit it... at least, not to Nick.
The political intrigue almost takes a back seat here, but its thread is constant, nonetheless, as is the threat from the Steam Barons and the growing threat from the rebels. I'm looking for book 3 now.
January 2, 2014
This was an excellent second book in the Baskerville Affair series, with the further adventures of Evelina Cooper and friends. The story is definitely darker, with a brutal killer preying on women loose in the city and Evelina, as well as her uncle Sherlock Holmes, trying to put a stop to the murders by finding the killer. Evelina’s friend Imogene has a role to play in the mystery, as well as the two men she loves, Tobias and Nick. Evelina has been forced by one of the steam barons to act as a spy in his rival’s territory, which is the seedy Whitechapel area of London. The sinister Dr. Magnus is hard at work with his diabolical plans, enticing Evelina to work with him by promising to teach her more about using her magic. We get a fascinating, suspenseful, exciting story, including glimpses into Nick’s new life as an airship pirate, and I am looking forward to the next book with much anticipation. There are so many threads that we have followed through both books and I love seeing them weave in and out of all the character’s lives. While one thread may reach a conclusion, another one moves on to elicit more questions of where it will end up. This is such a great series and I can’t get enough of Evelina Cooper and the rest of the great characters I’ve grown so attached to in this steampunk world.
December 27, 2014
The end doesn't justify the means.
A STUDY IN DARKNESS concluded smashingly but it took a long time to get there. Although I liked that the love triangle was finally resolved however it felt like the parties involved are settling because they can't have who they want. The business involving Keating and his clever manipulations took the longest to come into fruition and the return of Magnus the evil sorcerer was conflicting at first, fell flat midway, then ended in a cliffhanger of some sort. Magnus made another strike against Bancroft that will put the good guys in a very sticky situation.
I know I'm speaking in riddles for those of you who haven't read this series. The short of it is A STUDY I DARKNESS is a good follow up, slow moving compared to the first one, it ended a few existing conflicts but opened up new ones, the characters are being shuffled around nicely, I'm curious to see how this is all going to end.
A STUDY IN DARKNESS concluded smashingly but it took a long time to get there. Although I liked that the love triangle was finally resolved however it felt like the parties involved are settling because they can't have who they want. The business involving Keating and his clever manipulations took the longest to come into fruition and the return of Magnus the evil sorcerer was conflicting at first, fell flat midway, then ended in a cliffhanger of some sort. Magnus made another strike against Bancroft that will put the good guys in a very sticky situation.
I know I'm speaking in riddles for those of you who haven't read this series. The short of it is A STUDY I DARKNESS is a good follow up, slow moving compared to the first one, it ended a few existing conflicts but opened up new ones, the characters are being shuffled around nicely, I'm curious to see how this is all going to end.
flounced
November 3, 2013DNF at 40%
THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A STAND ALONE BOOK!!
Having not read the first one in the series, I was lost in the overall plot of the story and with the relationships between the characters. Yes, the author did give a sort of recap, but it didn't work enough for me. And honestly, I did not like Tobias AT ALL for what he did to Evelina in book one and then came back "just to see her one more time" in this one.
Will I pick this up again? Yes, but I'll make sure to read book one first because the world building was interesting and it seems like a good overall story plot with magic and machines :)
ARC received from publisher via Netgalley
THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A STAND ALONE BOOK!!
Having not read the first one in the series, I was lost in the overall plot of the story and with the relationships between the characters. Yes, the author did give a sort of recap, but it didn't work enough for me. And honestly, I did not like Tobias AT ALL for what he did to Evelina in book one and then came back "just to see her one more time" in this one.
Will I pick this up again? Yes, but I'll make sure to read book one first because the world building was interesting and it seems like a good overall story plot with magic and machines :)
ARC received from publisher via Netgalley
November 28, 2013
I remember that I had a slight complaint after the first book. It was to do with too many inner monologues to explain the world building to the reader. Well, it's all gone now. A Study in Darkness is extremely intense and utterly awesome. There, I said it. Wonderful steampunk read, and I even didn't mind a unique spin on Jack The Ripper. Wholly recommended, what an adventure!
May 23, 2016
In really getting into her characters.
May 16, 2019
A Study in Darkness (The Baskerville Affair Book 2)by Emma Jane Holloway
Following up from the first book is the long awaited (I was waiting for the paper copy to show up in the mail) sequel. This one is no disappointment. But be prepared this is for lovers of epic tales who have the time for an epic book that makes the reader turn each page with anticipation.
We return to the world of Evelina Cooper, niece to Sherlock Holmes. Her lover from the circus, Nick, has stolen Athena, the air spirit, and has made an airship to give Athena the skies while he becomes a pirate. While her lover from society, Tobias, has forged an alliance with the Gold King, and is soon to marry the Gold Kings daughter to further cement that relationship. Imogen, Tobias's sister and Evelina's best friend, is further troubled by nightmares and soon to be ever more troubled that they might not just be nightmares. Evelina, betrayed on both sides, has removed herself from London, and now is returning to resume her life and hopefully avoid the trouble of marriage in hopes of gaining further education. She returns to find that her uncle is under attack from several of the various ‘kings’ of England.
These are only a few of the threads that weave through this novel and I can assure you that you will need a stack of 3 by 5 cards to keep track of everything and everyone in this story. Evelina will have the usual struggles and challenges that would hamper any independent minded young woman in 1888 England, but she will also be faced with some tough choices involving her friends.
Following the same tradition of Steampunk aka GasLamp and paranormal fiction Emma Jane Holloway has crafted a strange new world of magic and mechanics that thrust the reader forward in unstoppable motion.
I love the writing, the tone and even the moderate bit of romantic intrigue that help drive the characters past fortune and folly through a slightly altered yet familiar landscape.
Definite must for lovers of Paranormal Gaslite Romances and even a few of the Sherlock Holmes aficionados should love this bit of diversion in the Canon.
J.L. Dobias
Following up from the first book is the long awaited (I was waiting for the paper copy to show up in the mail) sequel. This one is no disappointment. But be prepared this is for lovers of epic tales who have the time for an epic book that makes the reader turn each page with anticipation.
We return to the world of Evelina Cooper, niece to Sherlock Holmes. Her lover from the circus, Nick, has stolen Athena, the air spirit, and has made an airship to give Athena the skies while he becomes a pirate. While her lover from society, Tobias, has forged an alliance with the Gold King, and is soon to marry the Gold Kings daughter to further cement that relationship. Imogen, Tobias's sister and Evelina's best friend, is further troubled by nightmares and soon to be ever more troubled that they might not just be nightmares. Evelina, betrayed on both sides, has removed herself from London, and now is returning to resume her life and hopefully avoid the trouble of marriage in hopes of gaining further education. She returns to find that her uncle is under attack from several of the various ‘kings’ of England.
These are only a few of the threads that weave through this novel and I can assure you that you will need a stack of 3 by 5 cards to keep track of everything and everyone in this story. Evelina will have the usual struggles and challenges that would hamper any independent minded young woman in 1888 England, but she will also be faced with some tough choices involving her friends.
Following the same tradition of Steampunk aka GasLamp and paranormal fiction Emma Jane Holloway has crafted a strange new world of magic and mechanics that thrust the reader forward in unstoppable motion.
I love the writing, the tone and even the moderate bit of romantic intrigue that help drive the characters past fortune and folly through a slightly altered yet familiar landscape.
Definite must for lovers of Paranormal Gaslite Romances and even a few of the Sherlock Holmes aficionados should love this bit of diversion in the Canon.
J.L. Dobias
October 28, 2013
I would like to thank NetGalley for offering me access to works published by Del Rey, and Del Rey for granting me the chance to read this ARC all in exchange for an honest review. Though I received the e-book for free that in no way influences this review.
NOTE: If you have not yet read the first book in this series, "A Study in Silks," I strongly urge you to stop reading right here, and return only after you have read the first book. Unlike some series the individual books in this series do not work well as stand-alone books. There is far too much explained and set up in the first book for the second to make much sense without that information. You certainly can read this as a stand-alone if you wish, but you will be missing out on large portions of the story.
Thankfully the sequel in the series doesn't suffer from the dreaded sequel-itis that frequently afflicts the second book in a series. This book effortlessly continues the story, picking things up again not too long after book one ended. Instead of spending what was to have been her first Season in London with her best friend Imogen, Evelina had been banished to her grandmother Holmes' country estate. However, with the Season over and much of the summer over, Evelina is invited out to Maggor's Close to spend time with her best friend Imogen. Of course it just so happens that Maggor's Close is the Gold King's country estate. Unfortunately for Evelina, before she even is there for 24 hours the Gold King, a.k.a. Jasper Keating, comes upon Tobias and Evelina kissing. Being the cold-hearted bastard he is Keating uses this indiscretion to not only threaten to ruin Evelina but to physically threaten her family, subsequently forcing her to become another one of his unwilling tools, just like Tobias before her. Too bad her task is far more dangerous than anything Tobias encounters. But then Keating needs Tobias alive to work as a maker for him, not too mention as the husband of his pregnant daughter.
Meanwhile Imogen wilts, suffering from terrible nightmares almost every evening. They are the same nightmares that plagued her so as a child. Though a few things changed over the years the real terror came from a feeling of her very soul leaving her body & being unable to return. She is also worried about her family, from the things she suspects her father may be doing, to watching her beloved brother suffer in a loveless marriage, to worrying about her younger sister's future. And she has recently been dwelling more and more on the past, back when she and her twin sister where both young and sick - before her sister died. Her thoughts, and discoveries later in the story, are the sound foundation upon which the answers to all the questions piling up stand. For such a fragile character I think that Imogen has more strength than anyone, herself included, gives her credit for. And I suspect that by the end of this series this will be visible to all.
Evelina moves into the Whitechapel district of London to better discover the answer to the task that Keating has set for her - to discover the maker working for the Blue King, a.k.a. King Coal. Everyone knows he has one, but no one seems to know who. Even the ever intrepid Evelina struggles to discover this vital piece of news. At the same time she is struggling internally, for a dark sorcerer has found her, and he is more than willing to teach her how to use her magic. As terrified of becoming like him as she is, it isn't quite enough to keep her from returning for regular lessons. Not even her fear of Nick discovering what she is doing can stop her.
Nick is back, still in love with his Evelina, regardless of the fact that she is no longer the same young hoyden he knew while they were young friends in Ploughman's Circus. But then neither is he the same boy that Evelina remembers. They have both grown up and walked their different paths, yet the paths keep crossing, and finally they succumb to the temptation to try to make a life together. The very thing that kept them apart, their wild magic, is now drawing them together as each has learned more about controlling their powers. However Nick can feel the growing strength of the darker side of Evelina's power, but is his evident concern going to be enough to sway Evelina from the dark sorcerer's side when he still has so much more to teach her?
By the end of the book several mysteries are solved for the reader, yet circumstances keep all the necessary parties from coming together to solve the mysteries for themselves. Hopefully in the next book that will change, saving several people from terrible endings, releasing Evelina & her family from Keating's clutches, and freeing the Bancroft family as well. Will all the right parties get to live full and happy lives on their own terms, or will they forever be trapped by circumstances beyond their control? This question is especially powerful given the startling, and terrifying, end to this book.
NOTE: If you have not yet read the first book in this series, "A Study in Silks," I strongly urge you to stop reading right here, and return only after you have read the first book. Unlike some series the individual books in this series do not work well as stand-alone books. There is far too much explained and set up in the first book for the second to make much sense without that information. You certainly can read this as a stand-alone if you wish, but you will be missing out on large portions of the story.
When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her Uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.
Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.
As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting ground of Jack the Ripper.
Thankfully the sequel in the series doesn't suffer from the dreaded sequel-itis that frequently afflicts the second book in a series. This book effortlessly continues the story, picking things up again not too long after book one ended. Instead of spending what was to have been her first Season in London with her best friend Imogen, Evelina had been banished to her grandmother Holmes' country estate. However, with the Season over and much of the summer over, Evelina is invited out to Maggor's Close to spend time with her best friend Imogen. Of course it just so happens that Maggor's Close is the Gold King's country estate. Unfortunately for Evelina, before she even is there for 24 hours the Gold King, a.k.a. Jasper Keating, comes upon Tobias and Evelina kissing. Being the cold-hearted bastard he is Keating uses this indiscretion to not only threaten to ruin Evelina but to physically threaten her family, subsequently forcing her to become another one of his unwilling tools, just like Tobias before her. Too bad her task is far more dangerous than anything Tobias encounters. But then Keating needs Tobias alive to work as a maker for him, not too mention as the husband of his pregnant daughter.
Meanwhile Imogen wilts, suffering from terrible nightmares almost every evening. They are the same nightmares that plagued her so as a child. Though a few things changed over the years the real terror came from a feeling of her very soul leaving her body & being unable to return. She is also worried about her family, from the things she suspects her father may be doing, to watching her beloved brother suffer in a loveless marriage, to worrying about her younger sister's future. And she has recently been dwelling more and more on the past, back when she and her twin sister where both young and sick - before her sister died. Her thoughts, and discoveries later in the story, are the sound foundation upon which the answers to all the questions piling up stand. For such a fragile character I think that Imogen has more strength than anyone, herself included, gives her credit for. And I suspect that by the end of this series this will be visible to all.
Evelina moves into the Whitechapel district of London to better discover the answer to the task that Keating has set for her - to discover the maker working for the Blue King, a.k.a. King Coal. Everyone knows he has one, but no one seems to know who. Even the ever intrepid Evelina struggles to discover this vital piece of news. At the same time she is struggling internally, for a dark sorcerer has found her, and he is more than willing to teach her how to use her magic. As terrified of becoming like him as she is, it isn't quite enough to keep her from returning for regular lessons. Not even her fear of Nick discovering what she is doing can stop her.
Nick is back, still in love with his Evelina, regardless of the fact that she is no longer the same young hoyden he knew while they were young friends in Ploughman's Circus. But then neither is he the same boy that Evelina remembers. They have both grown up and walked their different paths, yet the paths keep crossing, and finally they succumb to the temptation to try to make a life together. The very thing that kept them apart, their wild magic, is now drawing them together as each has learned more about controlling their powers. However Nick can feel the growing strength of the darker side of Evelina's power, but is his evident concern going to be enough to sway Evelina from the dark sorcerer's side when he still has so much more to teach her?
By the end of the book several mysteries are solved for the reader, yet circumstances keep all the necessary parties from coming together to solve the mysteries for themselves. Hopefully in the next book that will change, saving several people from terrible endings, releasing Evelina & her family from Keating's clutches, and freeing the Bancroft family as well. Will all the right parties get to live full and happy lives on their own terms, or will they forever be trapped by circumstances beyond their control? This question is especially powerful given the startling, and terrifying, end to this book.
June 6, 2017
An intriguing second instalment in this series. With appearances by Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, the ultimate cast of whores, guttersnipes and malingerers, the return of evil sorcerer Magnus, as well as the "truth" behind the identity of Jack the Ripper (it's certainly not someone that's been guessed before!!) this book is crammed with characters to bring alive the story. It's utterly engrossing, and certainly keeps you hooked - I couldn't stop from page 1 to the very end, and the audiobook has been listened to many times over! With only the thrilling conclusion to the trilogy to go, I'm definitely going to miss this world when I'm finished - and am not sure how they're going to fit everything in! But in the meantime, I highly recommend both this book and the whole series to all readers, especially magic and steampunk lovers.
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