The Shadow Revolution

Crown & Key #1

by Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith

They are the realm’s last, best defense against supernatural evil. But they’re going to need a lot more silver.

As fog descends, obscuring the gas lamps of Victorian London, werewolves prowl the shadows of back alleys. But they have infiltrated the inner circles of upper-crust society as well. Only a handful of specially gifted practitioners are equipped to battle the beasts. Among them are the roguish Simon Archer, who conceals his powers as a spell-casting scribe behind the smooth veneer of a dashing playboy; his layabout mentor, Nick Barker, who prefers a good pub to thrilling heroics; and the self-possessed alchemist Kate Anstruther, who is equally at home in a ballroom as she is on a battlefield.

After a lycanthrope targets Kate’s vulnerable younger sister, the three join forces with fierce Scottish monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane—but quickly discover they’re dealing with a threat far greater than anything they ever imagined.

Genres: Steampunk, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Historical, Werewolves

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

About the author

Clay and Susan Griffith are the authors of THE FLASH: THE HAUNTING OF BARRY ALLEN and ARROW: A GENERATION OF VIPERS, as well as the creators of the VAMPIRE EMPIRE series and authors of the CROWN & KEY trilogy.

"Vampire Empire is transforming genre fiction." Paul Goat Allen, B&N Explorations.

If you're on Facebook, please think about going to www.facebook.com/vampireempire and clicking LIKE. If you done it already...Thank you.

Clay & Susan Griffith are a married couple who have written and published together for more than a decade. Their credits not only include two novels for Bantam Doubleday Dell in the mid-1990s and another novel for Pinnacle Entertainment Group in 2002 but also numerous short stories published in many anthologies, some featuring noted genre characters like Kolchak the Night Stalker and The Phantom. They've also written scripts for television and published graphic novels.

Reviews

[Mogsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/05/26/b...

If summer blockbuster action movies existed back in the Victorian era, they would look a lot like The Shadow Revolution. This book doesn’t mess around. It makes its goals very clear right from the beginning, and that is to stuff as much fun and excitement as it can into its three hundred or so pages.

Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith take readers on a wild ride through Victorian London in this feisty, ass-kicking adventure about magic and alchemy and werewolves and mad science. Spell-casting scribe Simon Archer and his mentor Nick Barker have an unfortunate run-in with a lycanthrope one night, and the hunt for it leads them to discover something bigger and so much more disturbing stirring within the city’s shadows. Meanwhile, the brilliant alchemist Kate Anstruther’s younger sister Imogen is snatched by a werewolf, prompting Kate to join forces with Simon, Nick, and a Scottish monster hunter named Malcolm in order to stage a daring rescue.

Being a fan of the authors, I was really excited when I first heard about this book. I saw the kind of magic the Griffiths worked with historical fiction, fantasy and adventure in their Vampire Empire series, and it looks like they’ve dialed things up even higher here for Crown & Key. This first installment wastes no time throwing readers into the thick of things, going straight for pure fast-paced and unadulterated fun. Sometimes it felt like the story only took breaks long enough to push things along, and then we’re plunging right back into the action again. As you’d expect, this makes for quite a page-turner.

Of course, this also makes the book a bit weaker in other areas, most notably in the character development and world building departments. That’s not to say these aspects are completely lacking, just that we get the minimum to satisfy the story and to care about our protagonists. In spite of this, I still found the characters fascinating and memorable, and a great air of intrigue permeates the setting. Simon Archer captured my attention with his roguish charm, and I loved Kate’s cleverness and stalwart determination. The story even leaves plenty of room for characters to grow and relationships to develop. Already I’m looking forward to finding out what secrets Nick might be hiding from Simon, or whether or not Kate and Imogen will ever be the same again, or how Malcolm will fit into the equation in future books.

So maybe it’s not a terribly deep or sophisticated experience, but so what? It’s not really meant to be. Entertainment value is what this novel is all about, complete with snappy dialogue, tons of throwaway violence and a sweet little romantic subplot. It’s fun as hell. The book and its two sequels following right on its heels will make the perfect 2015 summer beach reads for lovers of steampunk gaslamp fantasy and urban paranormal mysteries, count on it. The story might not stay with you for very long, it’s true, but you’ll definitely want to pick up the next book straight away and get right back into the world.

All told, The Shadow Revolution is an exciting introduction to a series that knows exactly what it wants to be, and it’s scarily good at what it does. If you’re willing to go with that, then you’ll probably enjoy this one as much as I did. I’m already excited to dive into book two, The Undying Legion. Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for something fast, pulpish and wicked cool to brighten up your day.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well crap.

I can't say I wasn't warned.

I saw this, it looked interesting (I'm pretty much always looking for good new Urban Fantasy) so I looked up the reviews here. Mostly those from people I often agree with were...well they were at best, "lackluster".

Look, if you've read many of my reviews you know I'm a huge fan of Jim Butcher's Dresden series and Benedict Jacka's Alex Verus series. I wanted to like this/these books. I had hopes.

Sadly they were dashed and the opinions of the people whose reviews I had read proved to be accurate.

The book is as noted...lackluster.

This is one of those books that inspires a question. How can a book that jumps from action scene to action scene be yawn worthy?

The answer seems to me to be that while the writer can write an action scene (and I give Clay Griffith that) there is very little actual story here. There's no plot, or at least very little plot.

I found that I was anything but drawn in. In the midst of a lycanthrope fight scene I was bored and thinking of laying the book aside.

Look, if you like straight up action then this may be your book. I see some like it. Personally I was pretty bored. Eventually I gave up and sort of "jumped forward" through the book. It's not really got an intricate plot line...or much of one at all really.

Just my opinion. The writer's voice isn't bad. he can write a sentence. As I said the action gives a good picture of what's going on. This is why the book escapes a 1 star rating. I probably won't look up more by the author though I won't rule out picking up something later to see if things change.

Can't recommend this one.

[❀Aimee❀ Just one more page... · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters:
Simon is a playboy and a cocky young magical scribe. His mentor, Nick is a somewhat melancholy and introverted bachelor. Penny is a tinkerer of all things mechanical and weaponized - the bigger and fiery-er the better. Kate is an unconventional woman in charge of a huge estate that spends all her time experimenting with alchemy. They are drawn together to fight a growing threat of werewolves in the city.

The authors did a great job with the perfect amount of steampunk. I like me a little bit of mechanical weapons, some gear-ific mode of transportation, and if the crafter is a woman - so much the better.


The villains were interesting, the scientist certainly mad, and his creations oh-so-repulsive.

There was wit, sarcasm, and action galore. Throw in some alchemy, a curmudgeonly Scottish werewolf hunter, and some magic.

Well, I certainly had fun.

Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Revolution: Crown & Key #1 by Clay and Susan Griffith
Published 2015,Del Ray
Stars: ★★★★☆
Review also posted at: Slapdash & Sundry

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Seriously, thanks.

Like my first status update on Goodreads for this book said, I have two words to describe this book: "hell" and "yes." This book was a complete and utter fun-tastic bookgasm of action, adventure, and magic. Like steampunk? It's got a bit of that. How's about urban fantasy? That's in the mix. Love a little magic? Prepare for lots. Enjoy supernatural creatures, insane asylums, creepy ass experiments, alchemy, explosives and firearms, betrayals, redemptions, twists, turns, revelations, snarky male leads and kickass female ones, or a great supporting cast? Well, welcome to the world of Crown & Key, where the pace is fast, the women are fiesty, and witty repartee abounds. It's kind of like an HP Lovecraft or a Maplecroft (by Cherie Priest) had an illicit affair with a Dresden Files or a Hollows and birthed this love child.


Not to say the book is perfect. The characters are developed enough to carry the story, but not as much as I wanted -- they intrigued me and I wanted more. Thankfully there are more books forthcoming. Also, the villains certainly could have used some extra fleshing out. Overall, a solid romp that falls firmly in the FUN column. If you want a fast, fun, quick read that's chock full of urban fantasy and gaslight steampunk, this is your book. Do yourself a favor and get this one, going in ready to have a little fun. :)

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this new series by the Griffths' since I'd enjoyed the Vampire Empire series so much. Unfortunately this book failed to live up to my high expectations. It was not a bad book, it was just a bit...lacklustre.

The steampunk Victorian London setting was quite intriguing. As was the fact that paranormal creatures prowled the city, but kept their existence hidden from the masses. We had everything from mages and alchemists to werewolves.

The story was also mildly intriguing. Roguish playboy Simon Archer and his mentor Nick Barker are mages who are investigating the murder of one of Simon's old friends by what appears to be a werewolf. Their investigation indicates that some members of the nobility might be involved. The pair cross the path of the brave and capable alchemist Kate Anstruthe when it appears her sister might be the next intended victim.

I'm not quite sure why this one flopped. The story and the setting were OK and the characters were mostly a likeable bunch. There was tons of action and magic and even a hint of romance and mystery. It all just felt a little uninspiring. While I liked the characters, I did not ever really grow attached enough to care for them which sort of killed the tension of the action scenes. The mystery was never more than mildly interesting and the romance, if one could call it that, was so slooooow that I actually thought one of the revelations we were going to get was that Kate and Simon were secretly siblings! I think it also did not help that the story was pretty much devoid of any humor.

I must admit I'm a bit disappointed with this one.

Rating: 3 stars.

Audio Note: Nicholas Guy Smith was well spoken, but his dull monotone reading of this story certainly did not help to inject any excitement into an already lacklustre story.

[Molly Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me longer than I expected since I couldn't read it at night. (Nightmares) It's rather violent, gruesome, and has scary monsters. (Although I am a wuss.)

At the beginning some of the lines were so over the top I couldn't tell if the authors were serious, (Grins that blazed in the darkness, and striking cavalier poses) but the writing quickly improved.

Simon's a party boy, and a womanizer, and at first I couldn't stand him, but over the course of the book he grew on me.

Malcolm said it best:

"Once I thought little of you, but I was wrong. You are an honorable man, and while there are times I would as soon throw you through that window, I’d stand with you if you need me."

Kate's fiery and strong, and exactly my kind of heroine. I wasn't sure about her judgment, being attracted to Simon and all, but she proves herself to be a smart woman. My favorite character was Simon's best friend Nick. He's a slob who would rather use magic to change his appearance than dress up and he always calls Simon on his failings. I wish he had a point of view too! He's a much needed bit of comic relief. Malcolm the solemn werewolf hunter and Penny the spunky mechanic were also nice additions.

Simon's potentially the last scribe, and uses runes to invoke magic. Nick's a jack of all trades when it comes to magic and is Simon's teacher. Kate practices alchemy, but despite her father's vast travels, she's never encountered magic before. If you ask me, magic needs limits. Those limits were unique here, as Simon acts drunk when he's used too much magic!

There wasn't much mystery, but I didn't have a clue what the villains were up to. (And still mostly don't) I prefer a little more story with my action, but the action well done so I can't complain.

All three books of this trilogy come out in the month of June!

I probably should've rated this higher, but the gruesomeness was a bit much for me.

Point of View: Third (Simon, Kate, Gretta, Malcolm)

Predictability: 3 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)

My Summary:

A werewolf is loose in London and Simon, a magician and playboy, is after it for personal reasons.

Kate, the daughter of a rich adventurer, intends to discover what's been done to her sister.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't expecting alot from this book, but honestly its one the best steam punk books I have read.

Well thought out plotlines and believable technology, it also has believable charact3rs who not perfect.

nice and quick read filled with tension and brilliantly written combat scenes.

Hoping they havent killed Greta.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

When I saw the premises of this and the fact that this would be told through the male voice as well as the female, I knew I had to try it. Let's face it, male point of views in the urban fantasy genre are truly few and far between.

Throw in a deliciously dark London Victorian era, a mystery, and supernaturals up the wazoo and you have one hell of a read.

This was so much fun. In fact, I loved everything about it, from it's darker theme to it almost adult Infernal Devices feel, to the surprise steampunkish atmosphere, simply put, was an excellent start to what I'm pretty sure is going to be a well written, well plotted out, action packed fantasy.


I adored that not only do we have a whole cast of characters, but two of those, Penny and Kate are also brilliant head strong women, set in a time when women were still suppose to be meek and mild. Fierce determined, smart and sassy, I adored these women.

Action packed with a plot set at a heart pounding pace, and keep you on the edge of your seat adventure, this truly was an outstanding jump right into the very heart of urban fantasy.

Unforgettable characters and magic around ever bend, this truly was a breath of fresh air.

I'm so excited about this trilogy and can't wait to dig in and read book two.

[Bookwraiths · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.

Other reviewers have compared The Shadow Revolution to a summer blockbuster movie, which is an apt description. However, I personally like to think of it as a Victorian Era roller coaster; it bursts from the pages going full speed, slows down long enough for you to catch your breath before plunging you down into the next pulse-pounding adventure. Werewolves, magic, mad science and alchemy zip by in a whirlwind, as our cast of colorful characters speed from the beginning to the end of this first installment of Crown & Key with nary a stop along the way.

Sound like exactly what you have been waiting for? Well, keep reading then.

The hero here is spell-casting scribe Simon Archer and his mentor Nick Barker. Simon is that handsome rogue with the impeccable manners of a gentleman; you know, the one who is always turning the ladies eyes, even as he thumbs his nose at conventions. His sidekick . . . I mean, mentor is Nick, who is as disheveled as Simon is impeccable and as negative as Simon is positive. (These two have a strange relationship for mentor/student.) And lastly, there is Kate Anstruther; this independent, Victorian lady is as beautiful as she is intelligent and naturally catches Simon’s eye very quickly.

In chapter one, this ride creaks off from the start with Simon and Nick running afoul of a lycanthrope, who kills an old friend of Simon. This act triggers our gentleman rogue to begin a search not only for who was behind this vicious supernatural murder, but also what is causing evil things to stir within the dark alleys of the city.

Meanwhile, Kate Anstruther finds herself embroiled in the rearing of her younger sister Imogen; a young woman who has become involved with an unseemly ex-soldier and who refuses to act appropriately for a girl her age. Something that Kate feels the need to put to a halt, especially since she finds her sister’s suitor not only troublesome but suspiciously troublesome. And did I mention, Kate is one hell of an alchemist, who uses her own concoctions to drive away unwanted male advances upon her person? I didn’t. Well, I just did.

From this beginning, the authors bring the three companions together under intriguing circumstances, setting the story into full motion. One act of daring-do leads to another and then another until eventually the story is at an end. Or rather, I should say this part of the tale is at an end and the next two are soon forthcoming, since books two and three will be released within the coming months!

Of course, all this non-stop action comes at a price. With so many pages dedicated to thrilling urban fantasy adventure, the character development and world building are sparse in this tale. Oh, there are still mentions of Simon’s inner turmoil or explanations about where this cities magical arts arose, but they are few and far between, serving as bookmarks between the action sequences.

All in all, though, The Shadow Revolution was an entertaining novel; it definitely grabbed my attention and held it, packing as much excitement as it could into its relatively short three hundred pages. However, it was a little too action oriented for my current tastes. I’ve been drawn to more character driven stories lately, and while Simon and Katherine hold lots of potential for growth in their individual persons and their relationship, I just can’t envision the next two books pulling back on the brakes and slowing this urban fantasy coaster down long enough to delve into those things. Nope, for good or bad, this feisty story is a non-stop action tour de force. So if you’re dying for some roller coast thrills, pick this one up, strap yourself in, and hold on, because this is book is going take you on a bumpy ride through urban fantasy-land.

I received this book from Del Rey and Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

[atmatos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in trade for an honest review.

The farther I got into this the more, and more I kept thinking of Full Metal Alchemist.



Which is cool, cause I love FMA! The first anime, when you get to that scene...if you have seen it you know the one...I balled my eyes out. This book has homunculus, alchemy, gadgets galore, a guy that can start fires with his hands, a woman who loves guns...



...so yeah FMA!

Anyways this book started off rough, but once you get past the forced beginning it smooths out pretty quickly. The storyline is interesting, and the characters are realistically flawed, but smart.

I really enjoyed Simon, Kate, and Penny. I am hoping in book two Penny and Simon get some face time together, cause I think their banter would be epic.

So if you are looking for a book with a lot of action packed werewolf fights, and creepy insane asylum dungeon crawls you have found the right book!

Now off to read book two, and hope that Netgalley loves me enough to give me book three!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book for free from (Del Rey) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Genre* Steampunk, Science Fiction
*Rating* 4.0

*My Thoughts*

Clay & Susan Griffith, best known for their Vampire Empire series, returns with a new trilogy called Crown & Key. Set in Victorian London, this is an entirely different world from Vampire Empire. Vampires don't rule here, and humans aren't being subjugated into obscurity. But, werewolves are thick as thieves and hiding in the shadows waiting to strike. The series lead characters are Simon Archer, Kate Anstruther, and Malcolm MacFarlane.

*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 05/23/2015*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

*Recvd via NetGalley 04/06/2015* Expected publication: June 2nd 2015 by Del Rey

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon and Nick are two sorcerers living it up in London. When they stumble upon a beautiful woman who is an alchemist named Kate whose sister Imogen is threatened by Werewolves and Homunculi android monsters, it is up to them and a werewolf hunter named Malcolm Macfarlane to help her. Will they succeed or is there something darker waiting for them in the shadows? Read on and find out for yourself.

This was a pretty good supernatural horror adventure story that is a first of a trilogy so I can't wait to continue this trilogy in the future. If you like the show Penny Dreadful and supernatural historical fiction books, be sure to check this one out at your local library and wherever books are sold.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Victorian London, home of steampunk, alchemy, spell casters, and werewolves on the prowl. No one is safe and few are able to fight the vile evil and transformation their bites will bring. An unlikely alliance must be formed to combat the beasts, who have already made victims of the brilliant Kate Anstruther’s sisters. Will the strength and determination of a true hunter be needed to end this overpowering threat? Will magic prevail or will every piece of silver in London be needed to concoct both a cure and a weapon?

The Shadow Revolution by Clay and Susan Griffith brings together the feel of a foggy night in London, the mist chilling the reader to the bone, while injecting a touch of the fabled Sherlock Holmes as answers must be sought out. This writing duo has created a warp in time that takes us back to an alternate reality, dresses us in period costume and places in the thick of the brainstorming, fear, and sometimes awkward moments as the battle of good versus evil is waged from both the laboratory and the streets of London.

There is nothing better than being lost in a tale of great imagination and daring when an author seems to create an atmosphere and cast of characters that fit the era, while being slightly ahead of their times. Brilliant and strong leading ladies, quirky, yet good-hearted male leads, and enough action and mystery to make returning to the twenty-first century almost regrettable!

I received this ARC edition from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for my honest review.

Series - Crown & Key - Book 1
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN: 9780345539502
Genre: Scifi | Fantasy
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Ami]

DNF at 26%

The biggest issue for me is that the world building is practically non-existent. I know that some readers dislike info dump, but I am not one of them. Especially for fantasy/paranormal books, I don't want authors to just assume that I will already know the world or how it works, even with some familiar supernatural beings like werewolves. I think there is a way to write a balanced beginning, between info-dumping and going straight into the plot. In this case, however, I felt like a spectator being pushed into an on-going drama on stage, and I wasn't even given the script.

For example, The main character, Simon said, "What am I doing with my life? I came to London to become a scribe.", in which his mentor replied "You are a scribe, and an excellent one...." ... ugh, what is scribe?? How is this different to magicians that I know of (from other literature)? Then all the players; I couldn't help to feel like they knew each other's name and roles, except for me. It wasn't a feeling I like when I was reading.

Maybe the information will be given more throughout the book. But then I read this review and I thought, nope, I'm not going to bother finishing. There are other books that could be a better company for me.

[Diana Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, I got the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book. And there was a lot that I did like. First, it's set in a late regency/early Victorian period. Griffith really captured the world in his descriptions and clearly he researched London. It really felt real. I thought the language and the cadence of the language reflected the period and made it feel more realistic. The steampunk elements of the book were fun, if a little modern--a motorcycle, an RPG, and grenades, for instance. I still bought them. I liked Simon, Kate, and Malcolm. I thought they were well painted.

So if I liked all that, why only two stars? It was a number of things.

* * * Spoiler alert* * *

Trying not to spoil much, but the rest might be a little bit spoilerish.

First, so much of the story was non-stop action, but repetetive. The same thing happened over an over with the werewolf attacks. And then, if two werewolves in London were so amazing and unusual, where did they find hundreds to bring together? It didn't make any sense. Then fighting one or two took just about everything our doughty heroes had, and then they managed to stave off multiple massed werewolf attacks with pretty much the same effort.

Second, as much damage as the heroes took, they survived a lot better than you'd think. Or at all. Plus some werewolves were totally unkillable, and others died like redshirts. It didn't make sense. Totally tossed me out of the story.

Third, their family backstories. When it was convenient, everybody knew about Kate's father. When it wasn't, they seemed hardly aware of who or what he was. The mystery of the two fathers is also confusing. What happened to her father and how did his father die? Both are raised with little interest in answering. Maybe that's coming, I don't know, but it seemed like it would have impact on this story, and it petered out.

Fourth, a lot of things got raised as important and then petered out to nothing. Some of the artifacts at Kate's house, for instance. And then there's the macguffin that White and Gretta wanted (why? What for? no one seemed to care).

Fifth, while the homonuculi were very very cool, I'm not sure I buy that White could make them so quickly.

Sixth, Imogen got turned fast, and frankly, I didn't care. I don't know why Kate cared so much either. Imogen was a snotty bitch, as far as I was concerned, and the emotional scenes at the end felt forced to me.

Seventh--now this one is going to sound odd, but it seemed to me that there's an underlying sense of Imogen getting what she deserved because she ran off with Hibbert and let him do sexual things to her. That she was tainted. Now this is obviously a Victorian sentiment, and makes sense, but it didn't feel like it was presented that way. It felt more like it was shorthand for actual character development and as a reader, it felt squicky.

Eighth--There's tons of action. Tons of fighting. I usually like this. But I reached the point where I felt like I was reading the same thing again and again and I just start skimming to where something new happened.

I never did figure out if Nick was really a bad guy. I don't know why he was set up the way he was. He confused me a lot and to no good purpose.

On another note, Bedlam was an excellent setting. I enjoyed the way it was portrayed.

So for me, this book wasn't as successful as it could have been. On the other hand, I think there's a lot of potential here and I know there's going to be a lot of people who like this for the very reasons I don't.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Revolutions delves deep into a dreary steampunk Victorian London where werewolves, demigods, monsters, magic and mayhem are running a mock. Simon Archer, spell-casting scribe, Kate Anstuther, Alchemist and genius, and Malcolm MacFarlane, monster hunter,have taken on the battle to defeat the evil that has infiltrated England.

The story holds a dark and sinister feel even while the rag tag team shuffles through the niceties of society.

Unlikely allies and even more unusual family dynamic is formed creating marvelous character interactions. Even though each character has made rash decision, the family like unit rallies together to fix the problem.

This was a story I could really dive into and not want to come up until I was done. Pack full of originality, The Shadow Revolution is a highly imaginative plot. I especially enjoyed the powerful roles of the ladies in this adventure. I found this to be a great adventure and would highly recommend this story to any steampunk fantasy fan.

I received this ARC copy of The Shadow Revolution from Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication June 2, 2015.

Written by: Clay Griffith
Series: Crown & Key
Publication Date: Book 1
Page Count: 320 pages
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Rating: 4 Stars
ISBN-10: 0345539508
ISBN-13: 978-0345539502
Genre: Steampunk | Fantasy
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

For Reviews and More Check out: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[All Things Urban Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

There be monsters here; amid the gas lamp laden walkways of Victorian era London in THE SHADOW REVOLUTION and just a few magic practitioners stand in defense against the darkness. I loved the setting and the world building set up in this story and the idea of a order of magical practitioners with various sorts of skills really peaked my interest. I kept hoping they'd delve more into each and every type of ability available because the ones introduced just sounded so interesting. Luckily this is a series and the set up of a mysterious magical order (from the readers perspective) and other even more mysterious revelations about this magical world will be expanded upon in future books!

I loved the werewolf mythology and it was refreshing for me to read a story with werewolves being scary monsters. These werewolves are not nice or nice looking and I loved it.Though while the werewolves were scary they were small fries compared to the horror the characters discover. The actual bad guy is mad scientist creepy and some of the visuals belong in some sort of horror movie.

Our intrepid hero Simon Archer is a scribe or magic user who works his magic through spells and writing curses. I liked how he poses as a dashing playboy in order hide his abilities and to infiltrate high society. Oh, and he has awesome magical tattoos and a sword hidden in a walking stick because he's awesome. His team up with alchemist Kate Anstruther to solve the pesky werewolf problem and they work really well together. Kate really is a true match for Simon as she is intelligent, competent, and makes life hard for Simon. There are a few other characters that are pretty cool and have their own awesome skill sets. I would have liked to learn more about all of these characters as each character seemed so cool and interesting.

THE SHADOW REVOLUTION is a fun blend of urban fantasy, steampunk and alternate history. Its fast paced, action packed, and filled with magical greatness. I am looking forward to more action packed thrills in this magic filled series.

[Snarktastic Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure about this one. I enjoyed it. But, I didn't LOVE it. It starts off with a bang and a half and set me up for more than I feel I received. Simon meets up with an old love, Beatrice. A battle ensues. His feelings for Beatrice here made me think there were going to be more relationships in the book than I think I actually got - and that is my problem.

The book is definitely action packed - battle after battle. It is definitely well-written and enjoyable. Victorian London came alive for me and I had images of stage coaches, street lamps, men in long coats, and women in long dresses flowing through my head throughout. But, what I missed was relationships. Oh, there were people about. And, there were relationships SHOWN, but I didn't really feel a connection to any of the characters. The main characters didn't seem to actually have relationships with each other - I think they were intended to, but I didn't feel it, nor did I actually see the development of such. Kate has many around her that could definitely have been explored - between her butler, her sister, and her dog - but there presence is limited enough to have ultimately left me unsatisfied.

The book is the first of a trilogy - that has all been released. I am unsure if I will continue - though I likely will just to see where it goes. If you are searching for an action packed, steam punky urban fantasy, you will not be disappointed. But, if you crave relationships, you might find little to draw you in.

I give this one 3.5 stars - down to 3 because I felt let down by the lack of relationships.

[Yzabel Ginsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I was given a copy through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)

Magic, werewolves, Victorian London, crazy inventions, and alchemy: what could go wrong, right?

Well, I did like this novel, but not as much as I had hoped and wished. Perhaps because I remembered liking these authors' Greyfriar book a lot, and was expecting something similar? I'm not sure. It has a nice mix of adventure, banter, fights and magic, but somehow I found it a bit lacking. Not bad per se, just lacking.

I really liked the descriptions and the London depicted in this first installment. I could easily imagine its streets, its rookeries, the characters as they were introduced, Penny's inventions, and the various supernaturals (I'll add the homunculi to this category, not only the werewolves). The Bedlam part was creepy and terrific. The atmosphere reflected what I'd imagine as an early gaslight/steampunk urban fantasy backdrop, and while some of the contraptions were maybe a tad bit too modern, I didn't really care, because they integrated well enough within the overall picture.

The characters had a nice dynamics going, too. They were somewhat cliché (the dashing gentleman magician, his friend who seems to spend his time in less commendable places, the Scottish werewolves hunter, the inventor, the feisty alchemist), but again, for some reason, I thought they worked well together. I will easily forgive tropes if I manage to find them exciting, and in this case, they fit the theme and what I expected of it.

I found the writing style a bit too rough in general, though, in that the action scenes especially seemed like they could've benefitted from more editing, in order to be less confusing. Same with the first chapters: the reader's quickly thrown into it, which is usually good, yet something felt abrupt and slightly jarring. It got better in some parts, and not in others. There were a lot of such scenes, perhaps too many, and they got repetitive after a while. The werewolves were also a bit too squishy depending on the moments: the first one looked so impressive and hard to kill, while others could be shredded like paper. At some point, the weres got described as not being all the same, with a lot of them being 'runts' of sorts, that couldn't very well control their powers; in this case, it would make sense... only the way it was explained wasn't too clear.

Second, I wondered why the authors hadn't made up more concepts and words. Sure, too much techno- (or mystico-) babble can get old pretty fast; however, whenever I read something like "he muttered strange words (to create a spell)", I couldn't help but ask myself: "What words are those, andwhy would they be strange to him, since he's a magician?" In such instances, I'd definitely have appreciated some made-up "babble".

Third, a lot of threads were left dangling. This is both a good and a bad thing. The book is clearly presented as volume 1 in a trilogy, no secrets here, so everything can't be solved at once, and these threads are obviously openings into books 2 and 3. On the other hand, they'd better not be forgotten then, otherwise they'll look like sloppy work.

I'd rate this book 2.5 stars: lots of fun, with the clear aim of being entertaining, and definitely good potential in terms of character dynamics and family stories, but only if it gets realised and not bogged down in confusing scenes. Reading the next volume, which I also have, will likely tell if what I'm hoping for will become true.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

After falling in love with Adele and Gareth and the world of Vampire Empire, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Clay & Susan Griffith’s newest series, Crown and Key. And let me just say The Shadow Revolution does not disappoint.



One of the Griffiths' greatest strengths lies in their fantastic characterization, and in The Shadow Revolution they've created a wonderfully diverse, independent, flawed, sometimes mercenary, group of characters who must band together against the otherly darkness threatening London. From the roguish scribe, Simon (who's facing a bit of an existential crisis) to the fiery ingenuity of alchemist Kate, to the gruff, no-nonsense werewolf hunter, Malcolm, to the enigmatic and unscrupulous Nick, to the irrepressible and resourceful Penny, to the silent and steady Hogarth, the personal growth, alliances, relationships, and potential romances between all of these characters are really what make this story compelling. While the story is arguably more about Simon and Kate, at the same time, it's also very much an origin story for this, hopefully, (superawesomemagicalmonsterfighting) team. An early-Victorian, steampunk, mystery/adventure, urban fantasy origin story? I mean, seriously. How awesome is that? It definitely fills a much-needed niche.



Also falling under the characterization umbrella… the villians, oh my. Creepy and terrifying as all get out. I'm of the opinion that it can be harder to create a credible villain than a credible hero, and the Griffiths certainly have a talent for creating truly, spine-tinglingly evil villains without them being in the least cardboardian, mustache-twirling caricatures. And the monsters? Shudder-inducing in the way they are portrayed. I mean… *shudder*. The vividly, cinematic descriptiveness is excellent, and this extends beyond just the characters, villains and monsters to the larger setting of the novel. The Griffiths’ 1830s London jumps off the page with their depiction, a darkly beautiful, dangerous living, breathing entity all its own.



And how was the story? Something dark is afoot on the grimy, unforgiving streets of London, and what begins as something of random werewolf attack and a Lydia-Wickhamesque quest to rescue Kate’s younger sister from ruination quickly morphs into something far more sinister. The story is pretty fast-paced, the mystery intriguing and refreshingly surprising, and the action thrilling. It pulls you in and barely lets you up for air, and I love the intensity of that kind of storytelling. The build up to and eventual confrontation is satisfying and earned, and there are plenty of interesting long-game plot points that are put into motion for the rest of the trilogy, and I for one cannot wait to discover how those resolve.


Overall. On to The Undying Legion!

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to The Shadow Revolution: 

Told from both the male perspective as well as the females this gritty urban fantasy with its steampunk vibe and magical mayhem quickly pulled me in. The tale is action packed and gory at times but it made me shiver and I became caught up listening to the clever narrations. While this is a series, the reader will be instantly rewarded as the stories release about a month apart.
The characters were phenomenal, although admittedly with all the intense, nail-biting action I did not get to know them as much as I wanted. Griffith gave us a yummy hero in Simon Archer. He is a scribe and ever the gentlemen. Dressed to the nines with his walking stick that doubles as a sword and covered in hidden tattoos he was at times overly confident and had a tendency to be forward but I loved the devil. Nick Barker is Simon’s teacher/friend. He seems like a playboy on the surface but the man has numerous talents. Kate was a personal favorite for me. I love strong, educated women and she does everything from Alchemy to running her father’s estate. Did I mention the gal is kick-ass? Malcolm McFarlane is a huge Scotsman with a sharp tongue who made me laugh. Secondary characters like Penny added to the mix and only increased my enjoyment as they grounded the tale.
Magic, battles and squeamish moments with unthinkable beasts had me looking for excuses to continue listening. A powerful darkness whispers from the underbelly of London and our hero must step up his game and his education to save the day. The author does a great job with foreshadowing and has me excited about the next installment.
Griffith blends paranormal and steampunk elements brilliantly. From the gadgets and alchemy to the magic in this world. Simon uses runes to perform his spells and I liked the twist the author added. In this world, magic has a cost and it is something I appreciate when delving into these magical worlds. I love the idea of balance.
The Shadow Revolution is suggested for fans of Sherlock Holmes and Penny Dreadful. These type of references usually scare the hell out of me but in this, they were spot on. Nicholas Guy Smith beautifully narrated this tale, and I hope he continues throughout the series. From his accents to his ability to evoke subtle emotions he made listening a pleasure.

Audio provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Desinka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed with this one:( It lacked spirit and was nothing like Vampire Empire. I could hardly finish it!

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Come riuscire a rendere noioso un libro steampunk. Riducendo lo steampunk al minimo. Certo, ci sono molte scene di azione, che però vengono intervallate da scene lentissime e che servono a ben poco. Del mondo, della magia e del background dei personaggi ne so pochissimo.
Una parte del problema si sarebbe risolta se avessero scelto Kate come protagonista principale, e non come co-protagonista. Qui abbiamo un trio composto da due uomini molto diversi tra loro e Kate appunto, che mi è piaciuta moltissimo. E' intelligente, coraggiosa, brillante. Starebbe a pennello nella serie di Holmes e Stoker della Gleason, che, peraltro, è molto più steampunk di questa. E verrebbe esaltata molto di più vicino ad altre due donne piuttosto che insieme ad un protagonista maschile che non è mi piaciuto e uno che si vede pochissimo.
Non continuerò questa serie.

[Kimberly (Book Swoon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you kick-off a new urban fantasy series with a fantastic setting and unique characters, and you throw in some dangerous, supernatural creatures, evil madmen, murder & mayhem? You get a kick-ass book to read. As a first in a series, the Crown and Key is off to a great start. The Shadow Revolution caught my eye with its references to the Sherlock Holmes movies and Showtimes Penny Dreadful series, I'm happy to say that the book delivered great entertainment. I want more, please!

The story opens up with a great setting. You can feel the dark, grittiness of Victorian London's underbelly, the one where gas lamps filter everything in a hazy fog. The danger comes in the form of some supernatural creatures, werewolves. But, these lycanthropes have infiltrated polite society and have a dangerous plan. There's a kidnapping, a trip to Bethlehem Hospital - better know as "Bedlam" asylum, as well as drinking and strategic planning in dark corners of unsavory pubs. We're treated to a few brawls, ballrooms, and shootouts. They're dark scientific experiments gone wrong, magic and alchemy. Needless to say - I was not bored!

Each character offers something unique to the story, and together they make an exciting if an unconventional gang of heroes. Rallying together they stand ready to take out the next supernatural threat to the realm. The Crown and Key has its moments of darkness and danger that kept me on edge, but the authors also did a great job of including humor and terrific banter between the characters that really made the book enjoyable to read. More than a few punches are thrown, and not just at the enemy, which had me smile on more than one occasion.

Simon Archer is a winning combination of rogue and gentleman. As the last know living Scribe he holds the powerful and dangerous ability to use runes to amplify his magic which he uses to hunt down supernatural creatures. He's charming and dangerous - just how I like my heroes.

-he rolled his sleeve up over his biceps and whispered a word. Against the night, a bright green pinpoint appeared on his forearm. In the blink of an eye, the light moved along his arm as if writing on of the tattoos anew. The entire arcane pattern glowed and Simon waved his arm, creating a weird blur of emerald in the night. 

Kate Anstruther is both beautiful and smart. She can as easily move across the ballroom as she can create alchemy in her lab. She also knows how to handle a gun and brandish a sword when needed. Her father is missing, her sister is being hunted by two very dangerous groups, and there's a mysterious Golden Key that ties her family to Simon Archer's. The danger is intense for Kate and I loved the fact that she remains strong. She has a fun repartee with Simon that I'm hoping grows into a romance in the upcoming books.

Kate wore her bandolier of vials, carried a sword in her hand, and sported a pistol in her belt. Her face showed no fear, only the resolve to protect those in the house-

Scottish monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane has no problem wielding a claymore with one hand and firing pistol with the other. He considers silver bullets a must. I loved the fact that he doesn't need to use magic to take down these creatures, rather good, old-fashioned cunning and brawn allow him to kick some supernatural-ass. Quick tongued, blunt and honest - he has your back.

"Shut it!" snapped the sharp retort in a thick Scottish brogue- "You came to a werewolf fight without silver. I've been tracking that beast for days. I won't have you two mucking things up with your petty sorcery. That beastie belongs to me, and me alone!"

The Shadow Revolution is off to a great. I've been looking for a new urban fantasy to dive into and this met all my expectations. And, with the books being published back-to-back, there's no long waiting time to find out what happens next.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars. I really liked it!

PLEASE NOTE:  A courtesy review copy of this book was provided by  Del Rey   in exchange for my fair review. Thank you,  Del Rey  fo r the review opportunity!

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover caught my eye and then I read the blurb and then I grabbed this one up eagerly. Steampunk paranormal, historicals with paranormal elements, historical urban fantasies are where it's at with me. This was the start of a new series by new to be authors so I eagerly dove into this dark, gritty tale that both sets up the trilogy and offers an intriguing story that in the end has a 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' vibe going on. It offers elements of Steampunk and Urban Fantasy with a hint of romance though the focus is on the group as a whole and their mission to stop a dangerous plot.

The story revolves around 'rake about town' and secret magic user, Simon Archer. Simon is going about, business as usual, when he encounters a woman from his past. She asks for his help, but then is killed by a werewolf before his very eyes. A werewolf hunter, Malcolm McFarlane, appearing at the right time is the only thing that kept him and his fellow magic user alive. This is a wake up call for Simon. He has gotten lazy in pursuing his magic education and in his purpose. He was already concentrating on hunting down the whispers about something powerful and dark stirring in the underbelly of London. Now he has something more immediate on his mind. Revenge.

Kate Anstruther, daughter of the famous world explorer and alchemist researcher, is at wit's end when it comes to her sister and the cad trying to court her. Talking sense into her sister does nothing so therefore, she'll have to get this shady Colonel out of their lives. At a society evening affair while in pursuit of her sister's unwelcome admirer, she crosses paths with Simon Archer and discovers there is quite a bit to the world that she hadn't know of up to this point when she helps slay a werewolf and sees Simon and his friend use magic to do it. She hopes to forget the whole thing and pretend it didn't happen particularly with a man with a reputation involved, but soon after, her sister disappears to be with the Colonel and Kate's only recourse is to get Simon's help.

From there, they discover that her sister is part of a great plot and it takes, Kate, Simon, Malcolm, and a small band of others to fight against the danger and keep her sister safe. They are all more than they seem and it takes them working as a team to defeat a formidable opponent. And in the end one makes the ultimate sacrifice.

This story jumped in and paced forward fast and steady with exciting, breathtaking moments in between. This is very much an action-driven piece, but the characters are not neglected. Each has a backstory and a chance to grow. Simon and Kate are the main players, but others like Malcolm, Nick and the inventor gal (whom I can't recall her name) have large secondary roles. The focus of the story is on Simon as he comes into his own as a magic wielder, a leader, and a man who can be respected. There is a whiff of romance, but just that as this story didn't lean that way though I can see it developing especially after that big scene of sacrifice near the end. Things get brutal in parts and there is a total mad-scientist laboratory part that was horrific though thankfully it wasn't so much gory description as my own imagination filling things in.

The mystery element was captivating. I enjoyed following along as they tried to track down who was behind things and why. There is foreshadowing to an even bigger intrigue building beyond their view. I love that feeling that there is more coming.

The steampunk is a noticeable element, but doesn't hold a place in the forefront. There are gadgets and alchemy involved and it was fun that it was the ladies who were the scientists and inventors on team Simon. Okay, well, one of the villains, but he doesn't count since he was team bad guy.

The more noticeable blended element was the paranormal. This is an interesting paranormal world and I get the distinct impression that there are more reveals to come on that score as things progress. At the moment, magic-wielders and werewolves are involved. Simon is known as a 'Scribe' and possibly the last of his kind of magic user. He powers his spells by writing runes on any surface and he has permanent rune spells tattooed into his skin that are like quick spells. I appreciated that magic has a cost and has to be treated with respect in this world. The users grow fatigued and some magic, like what Nick wields, can take something out of a person.

So, all in all, this was a great start to the trilogy and I look forward to more of this group particularly Simon. As to recommendations, Historical Paranormal Romance and Steampunk lovers might want to give this one a go.

My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victorian-era urban fantasy is a genre which piques my interest. New to me authors Clay and Susan Griffith kick off an interesting series. There are werewolves, sorcerers and alchemists moving about without polite society's knowledge. For those who picked this book up because of the reference to Penny Dreadful, be forewarned, there is no underlying dark sexual tension. This book contains no character like the Eva Green. This book is more about mystery and horrors perpetuated by an evil mad scientist.

Simon Archer is a spell-caster who can use ether to perform amazing feats of magic. Relegated to the shadows, he's been enjoying life between the legs of loose women. When an encounter with a former lover ends in bloodshed, it becomes a defining moment in his life. Simon examines what he has accomplished and determines to change his life. To his surprise, wingman, Nick Barker disagrees.

The world building in this book is good. I really liked how Victorian London is set up with the mystical world neatly woven in. It reminds me a little bit of Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters series. Unlike that series, the focus for The Shadow Revolution is on the mysteries and conspiracies. This story is grittier and darker with less emphasis on the romantic aspect which is to be expected for an urban fantasy. This is actually what makes it good. The lack of romance and sex help keeps this book focused. The plot is well done and tighten written. Whilst there may be no sex, there is a possible love interest in Kate Anstruther.

The characters in this story are well done. They are well designed characters with a complexity I enjoy. Kate is admirable and the quintessential Bluestocking. Her interactions with Simon and Nick are amusing as she doesn't behave as they expect. What I like about Kate is that she still retains her femininity to balance her masculine like traits. The secondary characters in this story are also engaging. What is truly captivating is the evil villain and the monsters he creates. The book takes quite a bit to finally reach the exciting part. Once it does, the book moves at a fast pace. The conclusion arrives all too fast with a tragic ending. This ending is marvelously done because it hooks the reader in for the next book. After finishing this tale, I immediately yearn for the next. The duo Griffith authors are ones I'm going to watch. Recommended to readers who are looking for more substance to their urban fantasies.

*provided by NetGalley

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book to review through NetGalley. This is the first book in the Crown and Key trilogy. This whole trilogy is being released very rapidly over the course of June/July of 2015. I really loved the Vampire Empire series by the Griffiths, so I was excited to see that they had a new series releasing.

This was a very fun Victorian steampunk paranormal read. It is described as a blend of the Iron Druid Chronicles, Sherlock Holmes, and Penny Dreadful (the TV series)...this is a very apt description of this book.

Werewolves have infiltrated the nobility of London and only those who have special powers and know of their existence are equipped to fight them. Enter Simon Archer, self proclaimed playboy who hides his abilities as a spell casting scribe and his sidekick of sorts Nick Baker (who can bash heads just as well as he can wield fire). During their hunt for werewolves they cross paths with Kate Anstruther, who is an alchemist who is as dangerous as she is beautiful. When Kate’s sister disappears Simon vows to help find her and solve the mystery behind the increase in werewolf activity once and for all.

This was a highly entertaining steampunk/paranormal romp. There were a lot of werewolves, mystery solving, druidic-type magic, and alchemy in this story. It was an incredibly fun and entertaining to read.

I enjoyed the balance of strong female and male characters and really loved the alternate history feel to the story as well. Simon Archer reminded a lot of Sherlock Holmes with his rakish and reckless behavior. I loved the character of Kate as well; she is tough but still feminine and has some wonderful alchemy tricks up her sleeve.

The world created here was well done and I enjoyed the magic and alchemy. The story is action-packed and fast-paced and I really loved it.

Overall I thought this book was incredibly entertaining and lots of fun to read. It’s a wonderful blend of paranormal, steampunk, and alternate history at a fast-paced urban fantasy type style. I would recommend to urban fantasy fans and steampunk fans! I can’t wait to see what volume 2, The Undying Legion, has in store for us.

[Viking Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://koeur.wordpress.com/2015/05/0...

Publisher: Random House

Publishing Date: June 2015

ISBN: 9780345539502

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 2.8/5

Publisher Description: As fog descends, obscuring the gas lamps of Victorian London, werewolves prowl the shadows of back alleys. But they have infiltrated the inner circles of upper-crust society as well. Only a handful of specially gifted practitioners are equipped to battle the beasts.

Review: An intriguing blend of steampunk and magic set in the Victorian era.

The characters were well developed and the pace was constant. A very creative foray into the depths of reasoning. Kate is the only insufferable character. Headstrong, stubborn, claiming high intelligence yet her actions are impulsive. By all accounts a very handsome woman that behaves like a spinster. The fight scenes are lengthy and lack believability.

Still, an entertaining read.

[RachelW (BamaGal) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Well written, if not quite my thing. Reminded me very much of an episode of 'Penny Dreadful' with a dash of Steampunk and without the ubiquitous nudity. There was even an older gentleman on the monster hunting team named Malcolm; as well as an alchemist, and a werewolf...

I may read the next book at some point.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nitty-gritty: A big, boisterous and bloody adventure tale with non-stop action and monsters, and just a touch of romance.

From the edge of the woods, a figure stepped forth into the moonlight and Malcolm exhaled sharply. The giant creature’s light grey fur shone almost white, as did the enormous battle-axe clenched in her right hand like a banner of war. It stood almost as tall as she. Her howl of rage shook the glass in front of Simon. An exclamation slipped unintentionally from his lips. Simon took in the heavily scarred leather armor that Gretta wore and the huge helmet adorned with a terrifying wolf’s head.

“She won’t stop till she gets what she wants,” Malcolm warned.

Even though I haven’t yet read the Griffiths’ Vampire Empire series, I’ve been meaning to read it, and so when a review opportunity came up for this new series, I was anxious to check it out. Don’t let the dignified Victorian cover fool you: this story has teeth, and I’ll admit it was not quite what I expected. However, I did have a great time reading it, despite the sometimes over-the-top violence. The story is a crazy mix of urban fantasy, horror and steampunk, set within the confines of the Victorian era. There are plenty of ghastly monsters to offset the heroes, enough action for those who crave it, and even some delicious, sexy banter between our main character Simon and several of the female characters. In other words, there’s something for just about everyone.

This is the first of three books, which will all be released by the end of July this year, so if you’re a fan of series but you hate waiting between books, you really should consider this one. Simon Archer is not only a playboy in London society, but he’s also a scribe, a rare type of magician who is able to perform magic by inscribing ancient runes onto objects. He lives with his friend Nick who also has magical powers, but of a different sort. One night, after Simon receives a plea for help from an old flame named Beatrice, he and Nick go to meet her, only to be ambushed by a werewolf, the same creature that Beatrice was trying to hide from. The werewolf, an unpleasant man named Lord Oakham, ends up killing Beatrice, and Simon vows to avenge her death.

As Simon and Nick go on the hunt to kill Lord Oakham, they are joined by a young alchemist named Kate, a Scottish monster hunter named Malcolm MacFarlane, and a weapons forger named Penny Carter. But the danger is far worse than the threats of just one werewolf, as the gang soon find out. At the heart of the mystery is Gretta, a crazed and dangerous werewolf, who is searching for an old and powerful object. And she won’t let anyone get in her way.

The writers really know how to evoke the Victorian era, and I thought their language and dialog was spot on. You won’t find any annoying references to pop culture or modern slang popping up in this story (which sometimes happens in steampunk books!). The chapters are short and punchy, and the pacing is excellent. You may be wondering what the “key” in Crown & Key is all about, but you won’t find out everything about it in this first installment. The Griffiths have written a tantalizing mystery surrounding the key that is only partially revealed in this book.

The best parts of The Shadow Revolution for me were the strong female characters. Kate is a plucky heroine who isn’t afraid of the danger she’s suddenly thrust into, or if she is afraid, she keeps her head and does what needs to be done. When her sister Imogen finds herself a target of the werewolves, Kate does everything in her power to keep her safe, even if Imogen is a slightly annoying and empty-headed young girl. I also loved the character of Penny Carter, a ball-busting woman who puts the “steam” in steampunk with her crazy mechanical inventions and weapons. I hope we get to see more of her in the next book.

This truly was an ensemble cast, and I loved many of the side characters as well. Kate’s butler, a resourceful man named Hogarth, doesn’t play a big part in the story, but I grew quite fond of him. As for our leading man Simon, what can I say? I loved the air of mystery surrounding him. We discover that his ability as a scribe goes further than simply writing runes on pieces of paper. He’s got both light and dark sides to him, and I’m looking forward to learning more about his dark side in particular.

I adored Simon and Kate together, and you can clearly see the beginnings of a romance brewing, but it certainly doesn’t overwhelm the story. I also felt some romantic tension between Malcolm and Penny, although I may have imagined it. Hopefully both potential romances will be further explored in the next book.

The Griffiths’ unique world was so much fun. I loved that there are different types of magic and each character has his own strength. The authors also throw alchemy into the mix, and we get to see some fascinating creations that Kate’s father invented before he died, like the “lampflies,” flying mechanical bugs that light the many gas lamps throughout Hartley Hall, the estate where Kate lives.

If you’re the squeamish sort, you may have some issues with the amount of violence in The Shadow Revolution. Be prepared for beheadings, eviscerations, stabbings and melting bodies, not to mention gruesome encounters between werewolves and humans. If I had any issues at all with the story, it would probably be the endless action scenes, which leave little time for quieter moments.

But all in all, this was a great beginning to the series, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book, The Undying Legion.

Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy. The above quote was taken from an uncorrected proof and may differ in the final version of the book.

This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy.