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Magic & Machinery #1
Wolves of the Northern Rift
In a world of science, magic is an abomination.
Magic is an abomination. It spread from the Rift, a great chasm hundreds of miles long that nearly split the southern continent in two. The Rift was a portal, a gateway between their world of science and the mythological world of magic.
On the northern continent of Ocker, King Godwin declared that no magical monstrosity would be allowed within their borders. The Royal Inquisitors were formed to investigate reports of mystical occurrences and, should they be found, to destroy them.
Inquisitor Simon Whitlock knows his responsibilities all too well. Along with the apothecary, Luthor Strong, they’ve spent two years inquiring into such reports of magical abominations, though they’ve discovered far more charlatans than true magical creatures. When assigned to investigate Haversham and its reports of werewolves, Simon remains unconvinced that the rumors are true. What he discovers in the frozen little hamlet is that the werewolves are far more real than he believed; yet they’re hardly the most dangerous monster in the city.
Magic is an abomination. It spread from the Rift, a great chasm hundreds of miles long that nearly split the southern continent in two. The Rift was a portal, a gateway between their world of science and the mythological world of magic.
On the northern continent of Ocker, King Godwin declared that no magical monstrosity would be allowed within their borders. The Royal Inquisitors were formed to investigate reports of mystical occurrences and, should they be found, to destroy them.
Inquisitor Simon Whitlock knows his responsibilities all too well. Along with the apothecary, Luthor Strong, they’ve spent two years inquiring into such reports of magical abominations, though they’ve discovered far more charlatans than true magical creatures. When assigned to investigate Haversham and its reports of werewolves, Simon remains unconvinced that the rumors are true. What he discovers in the frozen little hamlet is that the werewolves are far more real than he believed; yet they’re hardly the most dangerous monster in the city.
300 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2015
721 people are currently reading
3201 people want to read
About the author
Jon Messenger
28 books304 followersJon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps. Since graduating from the University of Southern California in 2002, writing Science Fiction has remained his passion, a passion that has continued through multiple combat and humanitarian deployments. Jon wrote the "Brink of Distinction" trilogy, of which "Burden of Sisyphus" is the first book, while serving a 16-month deployment in Baghdad, Iraq.
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April 13, 2020
This review can be found on Amaranthine Reads.
Wolves of the Northern Rift follows Inquisitor Simon and his aide, Luthor the apothecary, as they pursue rumours of magical and supernatural beings that have begun appearing after the Rift opened. Werewolves have been reported attacking a frozen hamlet on the outskirts of civilisation, but what they find might not be the normal hoax they've become used to.
This is a very quick and simple read with a fairly obvious plot; an intriguing story-line that is sadly let down by rather atrocious writing. Billed as steampunk, the only steampunk things we encounter are a pocket watch (standard) and a zeppelin. Aside from that, it is purely a supernatural fantasy novel with sci-fi elements.
The characters are decidedly two-dimensional and really lacking in all areas. There's really nothing to choose between them all and they're inter-changeable at any given moment. All female characters are there to either look pretty, say stupid things or be romantic possibilities for the men.
The humour and dialogue were the worst parts of this book: the humour was so forced and lacking that it was almost funny with how pathetic it really was. The dialogue was some of the worst I've read in a long while: everything was a cliché, everything was attempted humour. It felt so childish and unreal throughout.
The setting is fairly ambiguous, as well, as we never really get a sense other than it's bloody freezing here in this frozen wasteland and it's hardly explored. The book itself is full of The-Gun-That-I-Have-In-My-Right-Hand-Is-Loaded kind of obviousness that continually frustrates you as you read, and clichés are abound. There is a writing rule that runs along the lines of "show don't tell" and sadly everything was trying to be shown and not told that it was all completely forced to the point that we are shown everything, and it is pushed up to our eyes so that we don't miss it completely. I will say that the writing improved slightly as the novel went along, but not enough for it to warrant more than a comment.
It is fine if you're after something incredibly quick and simple to read, though if you're hankering after some steampunk I would give this a relatively wide berth. It's nothing to shout about, but it is a round peg that fits nicely in to the round peg of generic fiction for the masses. I won't be reading the rest of the series as there really wasn't much to hold on to, either.
Wolves of the Northern Rift follows Inquisitor Simon and his aide, Luthor the apothecary, as they pursue rumours of magical and supernatural beings that have begun appearing after the Rift opened. Werewolves have been reported attacking a frozen hamlet on the outskirts of civilisation, but what they find might not be the normal hoax they've become used to.
This is a very quick and simple read with a fairly obvious plot; an intriguing story-line that is sadly let down by rather atrocious writing. Billed as steampunk, the only steampunk things we encounter are a pocket watch (standard) and a zeppelin. Aside from that, it is purely a supernatural fantasy novel with sci-fi elements.
The characters are decidedly two-dimensional and really lacking in all areas. There's really nothing to choose between them all and they're inter-changeable at any given moment. All female characters are there to either look pretty, say stupid things or be romantic possibilities for the men.
The humour and dialogue were the worst parts of this book: the humour was so forced and lacking that it was almost funny with how pathetic it really was. The dialogue was some of the worst I've read in a long while: everything was a cliché, everything was attempted humour. It felt so childish and unreal throughout.
The setting is fairly ambiguous, as well, as we never really get a sense other than it's bloody freezing here in this frozen wasteland and it's hardly explored. The book itself is full of The-Gun-That-I-Have-In-My-Right-Hand-Is-Loaded kind of obviousness that continually frustrates you as you read, and clichés are abound. There is a writing rule that runs along the lines of "show don't tell" and sadly everything was trying to be shown and not told that it was all completely forced to the point that we are shown everything, and it is pushed up to our eyes so that we don't miss it completely. I will say that the writing improved slightly as the novel went along, but not enough for it to warrant more than a comment.
It is fine if you're after something incredibly quick and simple to read, though if you're hankering after some steampunk I would give this a relatively wide berth. It's nothing to shout about, but it is a round peg that fits nicely in to the round peg of generic fiction for the masses. I won't be reading the rest of the series as there really wasn't much to hold on to, either.
February 26, 2015
***Disclaimer: I received a copy in exchange for a review.***
First off- the cover is gorgeous, absolutely amazing. It's what a cover should do: draw my interest. The blurb's also intriguing and since I love steampunk I was ready to go.
Whitlock and Strong form a Holmes/Watson sort of tandem; playing off each other's strengths at times and clashing egos at others. Whitlock demonstrates Holmes-like powers of observation and deduction... but only when the plot dictates. Strong is more than what he seems; he harbors a few secrets from his partner that'll have you wondering. Whitlock often comes off as an arrogant prig, with Strong being the long-suffering companion. By design, I'm sure, but their interactions don't always flow and at times you're wondering why Strong even puts up with it all. At times it actually hinders their progress in the investigation.
The world sounds interesting but we don't see much of it yet; we're restricted to the city and it's environs for the duration of this, the first book. Wild magic spills into the world via the Rift, but we don't get much more of an explanation than that. The passage on how the werewolves came into being is a prime example of this: a lot has to be inferred simply because the author doesn’t provide a full explanation for it.
The biggest complaint is the excessive verbiage and filler. I know we're all used to proper British gentlemen waxing eloquently about the tea they had for breakfast or the cut of their waistcoat, but this was too much. I'm waiting for something to happen yet all I'm reading is two men keeping a stiff upper lip... This supposed to be a paranormal investigation? Where's the action? Or at least some backstory? The story practically happens in a vacuum since there's little to no context for any of the events. Too much time is spent on everything else but the unexplained, let alone the steampunk.
If it seems like I have a lot of complaints it's because yes- I was disappointed. I'd expected more of the elements the blurb described and got far less of them. Not that there isn't a story here or a wealth of potential- especially with what the ending hints at- but it needs revising. And editing. There's too much minutae here and not enough magic, machines and monsters.
First off- the cover is gorgeous, absolutely amazing. It's what a cover should do: draw my interest. The blurb's also intriguing and since I love steampunk I was ready to go.
Whitlock and Strong form a Holmes/Watson sort of tandem; playing off each other's strengths at times and clashing egos at others. Whitlock demonstrates Holmes-like powers of observation and deduction... but only when the plot dictates. Strong is more than what he seems; he harbors a few secrets from his partner that'll have you wondering. Whitlock often comes off as an arrogant prig, with Strong being the long-suffering companion. By design, I'm sure, but their interactions don't always flow and at times you're wondering why Strong even puts up with it all. At times it actually hinders their progress in the investigation.
The world sounds interesting but we don't see much of it yet; we're restricted to the city and it's environs for the duration of this, the first book. Wild magic spills into the world via the Rift, but we don't get much more of an explanation than that. The passage on how the werewolves came into being is a prime example of this: a lot has to be inferred simply because the author doesn’t provide a full explanation for it.
The biggest complaint is the excessive verbiage and filler. I know we're all used to proper British gentlemen waxing eloquently about the tea they had for breakfast or the cut of their waistcoat, but this was too much. I'm waiting for something to happen yet all I'm reading is two men keeping a stiff upper lip... This supposed to be a paranormal investigation? Where's the action? Or at least some backstory? The story practically happens in a vacuum since there's little to no context for any of the events. Too much time is spent on everything else but the unexplained, let alone the steampunk.
If it seems like I have a lot of complaints it's because yes- I was disappointed. I'd expected more of the elements the blurb described and got far less of them. Not that there isn't a story here or a wealth of potential- especially with what the ending hints at- but it needs revising. And editing. There's too much minutae here and not enough magic, machines and monsters.
January 20, 2016
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This book is free. It’s a steampunk/fantasy book. It’s different than other steampunks because I don’t recall them having magic in them as well. The pace of this book started out slow for me. It was entertaining but it was a little hard to get into. It was very formal and the characters were very proper to me but I think that’s what it was supposed to be. About halfway through the story started to pick up a little more. The story was well written but for some reason I couldn’t get in to it. It didn’t have enough action and intrigue in it for me. I will say that the dialogue in this book was great. The manner of speaking was kinda funny at times because it was like insults masked with proper speaking.
Some of the character quirks were amusing as well. The way that Simon always had his top hat canted to the side was a clear indication of his minor buck to conformity. He was a bit like Sherlock Holmes in his manner and deductions.
Luther, the apothecary, had a deliberate subtleness to his character. He was working hard in the background, allowing others to think he was less knowledgeable. The author had me fooled in the beginning with Luther. Kudos to him for that.
The big bad was written well because I had no idea he was going to be so monstrous in the end. And the way the author described magic was very original. His grasp of world building and descriptive writing is firm. There was nice give and take with the action, the ups and downs gave me a real sense of the difficulty of their plot. All in all, I enjoyed this read. It’s outside of my normal genre’s and I’m glad I read it.
Favorite quotes:
“Nothing personal, but I’m not overly concerned about her physical well-being at the moment. I’m far more concerned with your physical well-being. Bleeding or not, if she comes around while you’re treating her wounds, nothing will stop her from reverting to her previous murderous intent, which, in case I need to remind you, was trying to eat your face.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll leave tonight, collect Mr. Orrick, send the telegram, steal a flamethrower, create an aerosolized version of your concoction, and free the werewolves.” Simon sighed. “We have a busy night ahead of us.”
This book is free. It’s a steampunk/fantasy book. It’s different than other steampunks because I don’t recall them having magic in them as well. The pace of this book started out slow for me. It was entertaining but it was a little hard to get into. It was very formal and the characters were very proper to me but I think that’s what it was supposed to be. About halfway through the story started to pick up a little more. The story was well written but for some reason I couldn’t get in to it. It didn’t have enough action and intrigue in it for me. I will say that the dialogue in this book was great. The manner of speaking was kinda funny at times because it was like insults masked with proper speaking.
Some of the character quirks were amusing as well. The way that Simon always had his top hat canted to the side was a clear indication of his minor buck to conformity. He was a bit like Sherlock Holmes in his manner and deductions.
Luther, the apothecary, had a deliberate subtleness to his character. He was working hard in the background, allowing others to think he was less knowledgeable. The author had me fooled in the beginning with Luther. Kudos to him for that.
The big bad was written well because I had no idea he was going to be so monstrous in the end. And the way the author described magic was very original. His grasp of world building and descriptive writing is firm. There was nice give and take with the action, the ups and downs gave me a real sense of the difficulty of their plot. All in all, I enjoyed this read. It’s outside of my normal genre’s and I’m glad I read it.
Favorite quotes:
“Nothing personal, but I’m not overly concerned about her physical well-being at the moment. I’m far more concerned with your physical well-being. Bleeding or not, if she comes around while you’re treating her wounds, nothing will stop her from reverting to her previous murderous intent, which, in case I need to remind you, was trying to eat your face.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll leave tonight, collect Mr. Orrick, send the telegram, steal a flamethrower, create an aerosolized version of your concoction, and free the werewolves.” Simon sighed. “We have a busy night ahead of us.”
April 25, 2019
This has a great premise let down by some iffy execution. It’s never awful, but the author has a tendency to pick the most obvious and cliched story choices. Aside from the two main characters, characterization is pretty thin. World-building is largely confined to what is needed for the plot; this can feel thin as well.
Overall, I really like what this was trying to do, and because of that, I forgave most of its issues. It’s also a pretty quick read.
Overall, I really like what this was trying to do, and because of that, I forgave most of its issues. It’s also a pretty quick read.
November 18, 2018
I realize I'm going way against the ratings grain here, and I typically prefer not to leave ratings below 3 stars, but after waiting two weeks from finishing this book, I felt I needed to.
The story is a 4-star story. Two men are sent to investigate tales of werewolves in a northern province. One is a Royal Inquisitor (think government-funded Sherlock Holmes-type) and the other is his apothecary/sidekick (who also happens to have a secret up his sleeve). The report turns out to be true, but there also is something far more fishy and sinister going on. It's up to these two to figure it out before things get really bad. Sounds good, right? I thought so.
Here are my problems. First, the characters are not defined. One minute they're brave and strong, the next weak and confused. Literally. Our Royal Inquisitor is supposed to be highly trained and cool as a cucumber, but then he gets easily flustered, messes up the most obvious things, and doesn't proceed as one would expect. His sidekick is just as flip-floppy.
Second, the editing was atrocious. And I mean atrocious. Misspelled words, wrong words, poor punctuation. As the author or publisher, this would book would embarrass me.
And third, it got so darn cliche at the end. As in, "this guy was bad, but there's a much badder more sinister guy in the wings" who also talks in cliches. Awful.
This had potential, but it just didn't deliver for me. If it gets edited, you might want to take a gander at it if the summary gets your attention. Otherwise, stay away.
The story is a 4-star story. Two men are sent to investigate tales of werewolves in a northern province. One is a Royal Inquisitor (think government-funded Sherlock Holmes-type) and the other is his apothecary/sidekick (who also happens to have a secret up his sleeve). The report turns out to be true, but there also is something far more fishy and sinister going on. It's up to these two to figure it out before things get really bad. Sounds good, right? I thought so.
Here are my problems. First, the characters are not defined. One minute they're brave and strong, the next weak and confused. Literally. Our Royal Inquisitor is supposed to be highly trained and cool as a cucumber, but then he gets easily flustered, messes up the most obvious things, and doesn't proceed as one would expect. His sidekick is just as flip-floppy.
Second, the editing was atrocious. And I mean atrocious. Misspelled words, wrong words, poor punctuation. As the author or publisher, this would book would embarrass me.
And third, it got so darn cliche at the end. As in, "this guy was bad, but there's a much badder more sinister guy in the wings" who also talks in cliches. Awful.
This had potential, but it just didn't deliver for me. If it gets edited, you might want to take a gander at it if the summary gets your attention. Otherwise, stay away.
May 18, 2015
I really wish Amazon would allow half ratings. Wolves of the Northern Rift is a very well deserved 4.5 stars!
I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review...
Wolves of the Northern Rift is the first book in the genre Steampunk that I have read. I don't really know how I feel about the genre of Steampunk, but I did enjoy this story very much.
Simon Whitlock and his partner Luther Strong are sent to the very Northern edge of Ocker to investigate a magical sighting. Since the rift divided the Continent the Royal Inquisitors are sent to investigate all claims of magic. When the rift appeared, the King decided that magic was evil and should not be in the kingdom.
Simon is not like all the Royal Inquisitors. He prefers to research everything before making a final decision. Luther Strong is considered Simon's assistant and an apothecary. He tries to believe that magic doesn't exist while keeping a secret.
Once reaching the far northern part of the kingdom Simon and Luther are not sure what to make of everything. All of the trouble seems to be centered around one person. What they discover is more then either of them can believe.
Wolves of the Northern Rift is a well developed story. The story started out a little slow, but picked and made it a very exciting read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review...
Wolves of the Northern Rift is the first book in the genre Steampunk that I have read. I don't really know how I feel about the genre of Steampunk, but I did enjoy this story very much.
Simon Whitlock and his partner Luther Strong are sent to the very Northern edge of Ocker to investigate a magical sighting. Since the rift divided the Continent the Royal Inquisitors are sent to investigate all claims of magic. When the rift appeared, the King decided that magic was evil and should not be in the kingdom.
Simon is not like all the Royal Inquisitors. He prefers to research everything before making a final decision. Luther Strong is considered Simon's assistant and an apothecary. He tries to believe that magic doesn't exist while keeping a secret.
Once reaching the far northern part of the kingdom Simon and Luther are not sure what to make of everything. All of the trouble seems to be centered around one person. What they discover is more then either of them can believe.
Wolves of the Northern Rift is a well developed story. The story started out a little slow, but picked and made it a very exciting read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
April 6, 2015
A very interesting story with unpredictable twists and turns. While I thought the opening was perhaps a bit on the slow side, I found the characters very intriguing and people I was interested in. They play off each other very well, and I greatly enjoy the banter (something many books seem to lack). Additionally, I appreciate how the characters aren't given away immediately. Important additions are slowly parceled out through the chapters, and I feel like I have plenty more to learn in future stories, as well.
As the novel progressed, the pace picked up rapidly. By the last third of the book, I couldn't put it down! I had to know what would happen -- as an avid reader, I often find I can prediction what will happen or how the 'mystery' will fall out, but am I am happy to say Wolves of the Northern Rift kept me guessing and turning each page wondering how the protagonists would free themselves from dire straights, how all the loose ends would come together, and if the big baddie would even be caught. I found the entire book to be very satisfying, and look forward to another addition with the heroes of this tale!
As the novel progressed, the pace picked up rapidly. By the last third of the book, I couldn't put it down! I had to know what would happen -- as an avid reader, I often find I can prediction what will happen or how the 'mystery' will fall out, but am I am happy to say Wolves of the Northern Rift kept me guessing and turning each page wondering how the protagonists would free themselves from dire straights, how all the loose ends would come together, and if the big baddie would even be caught. I found the entire book to be very satisfying, and look forward to another addition with the heroes of this tale!
December 13, 2015
On GoodReads, they have a rating system involving stars. One star means 'did not like' while two stars means 'it was okay.' For me, this is a two star book. Because of me.
This was pretty much my first foray into the steampunk genre, but it wasn't a memorable journey and so I must say that this genre is not for me. That is not a criticism on the book, just the fact that it is a personal preference.
Summary:
In a kingdom that fears magic above everything else, the Royal Inquisitors are on the hunt for anything that may have drifted in from the Rift. Devoted to science and innovation, Inquisitor Simon Whitlock lives in a kingdom that has no patience for what they cannot understand. Knowing full well his duty and obligations, Simon travels from place to place looking for magical abominations, dragging along his friend, Luthor Strong, the apothecary.
When the town of Haversham reports werewolves haunting its tundra homeland, Simon is skeptical. Experience has taught him that reports are typically exaggerated, and humans often prove to be behind the monsters people see. Yet, a strange mystery awaits Simon and Luthor on the frozen wastelands. It seems that the werewolves are very much real, and have a very decided grudge against one man in particular. All too soon, Haversham proves to Inquisitor Whitlock that not all is as it seems, and some monsters are more dangerous than others.
Initial Thoughts:
I'd never gotten into steampunk, but when this book kept getting talked about around me, I knew I would have to find out for myself what was going on. It is a decision I do not regret, as it was a learning experience. One in which I learned that I do not enjoy steampunk settings much and the balance of the fantasy and the mechanical aspects of this world did not interest me much.
Characters:
Simon Whitlock is cunning, confident, and a bit of an idiot sometimes. At times, Simon was a condescending prat. If there is a fault to be given to any character, that would be his. The most frustrating part of this was that he had every right to be condescending. He was surrounded by people who were inferior to him in ability and wit. At times, Simon made the book. Other times, he was the reason I can't rate it above 'it was okay.' I think he's a very hit-or-miss kind of character for that reason.
Don't get me wrong, he's intelligent and witty which made him a smart, cohesive main character. There were very few things you wanted to yell at him for during the course of the novel. Yet, he also reminded me too much of Sherlock Holmes. (The forever-calm, less passionate novel/short story version, not the fun Robert Downey Jr. version.) In that way, whatever Simon is working on is always the focal point of the story, and any personal characteristics are left by the wayside. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no feeling of having the 'whole' story as opposed to having the 'conflict resolved' … if that makes any sense.
Also much like a character in Sherlock Holmes, we are given Luthor Strong. Except, his character more closely resembles the Dr. Watson played by Jude Law instead of the very placid portrayal given by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He's responsive, useful, and has a few tricks of his own up his sleeves. Luthor, in my opinion, was a far more worthy character than his counterpart. Where Simon acts out of his need to solve the case, Luthor acts with a much greater motive: to help. Luthor wants to help the werewolves, he wants to help Haversham, and he most especially wants to help Simon. All the while, he has to do his best to help himself. The dynamics of Luthor's character were much more intriguing than what Simon offered, I think.
Of course there are more characters, but I feel to expand on any of them would sort of spoil the book. As I am unwilling to do that, we'll just move on…
Plot & Setting:
Okay, so here's the thing about Steampunk: you HAVE to get the setting right. Habits, mannerism, dress, technology, etc. And Wolves delivered on that front.
Given that we get one city and a frozen tundra as our setting, one wouldn't expect that a lot could be done with that. Wolves sees your skepticism and raises you frozen hell! Keeping in mind the things that would be most likely to occur in a city stuck in a frozen wasteland, the author produced a realistic, practical way in which the people survived the obstacle known as the elements. Whether it be convenient tunnels beneath the city that were far more alive than the upper streets, or the need to unthaw the doors that led out of the city, it was everything you expected to happen in a city that sees more snow than sun.
The setting here was very properly portrayed and led to a realistic view of the city of Haversham.
Now let's talk plot. It was intriguing and full of potential. Without giving away spoilers, there's not much I can say. Yet, the way in which Simon and Luthor work to uncover all of the mysteries Haversham has to offer is a journey in itself. There were elements of the plot I enjoyed a great deal, but they were spread out so far that the momentum of one point was often diluted before it met up with its brethren. Though the plot in itself had a solid foundation, the pacing for it could have used some work.
Writing Style:
Other than the setting of a Steampunk, there's one other element that must be represented: writing in the style of the era. Jon Messenger also accomplishes this, but not in a way that induced me to want to continue. Honestly, this is my real barb as far as Steampunk goes. I do not like books that prattle on and on about details that hold no use to the plot. Unfortunately, in the Victorian Era, where Steampunk derives its roots, novels were often written with an excess amount of detail. They didn't trust their readers to use such nuisance things like imaginations, so the writers of that time gave them every detail so that they might see it as the author envisioned and in no other way. While the author does not pay us that great a disservice, to keep with the era, there were excessive, useless details shared with the readers. And while I appreciate that he kept to his genre and expressed it well enough, I know that it is not to my taste. So this is a case of: it's me, not the author.
Overall Opinion/Rant Column:
As far as the book itself goes, it just wasn't for me. While I love my paranormal, I couldn't get past the excessive detail enough to like the book itself. That simply means that this genre is not for me, and is not a reflection on the quality of the book in itself.
However …
And this is a BIG one …
What IS a reflection on this book is the very poor editing job that it received. Personally, I am tired of having to point this out every time I read a CTP book. When I read a book from either Clean Teen or Crimson Tree Publishing, my first thought upon noticing SEVERAL errors should not be that 'this is standard fare from this company.' That is unacceptable. And while it has no bearing on this book, the fact that I found so many simple problems is enough for me to want to scream.
At this point, I am just going to point it out at the end of every review where I find issues such as these and hope that this company realizes that it needs a few more editors on staff before they publish. Or they need to give the books more time before their signing date and release date in order to do a proper job of it. This is no reflection on the people devoting their lives to giving their readers stories, but quality must come before quantity or speed. As a business, this needs to be a requirement. *End of Rant*
This was pretty much my first foray into the steampunk genre, but it wasn't a memorable journey and so I must say that this genre is not for me. That is not a criticism on the book, just the fact that it is a personal preference.
Summary:
In a kingdom that fears magic above everything else, the Royal Inquisitors are on the hunt for anything that may have drifted in from the Rift. Devoted to science and innovation, Inquisitor Simon Whitlock lives in a kingdom that has no patience for what they cannot understand. Knowing full well his duty and obligations, Simon travels from place to place looking for magical abominations, dragging along his friend, Luthor Strong, the apothecary.
When the town of Haversham reports werewolves haunting its tundra homeland, Simon is skeptical. Experience has taught him that reports are typically exaggerated, and humans often prove to be behind the monsters people see. Yet, a strange mystery awaits Simon and Luthor on the frozen wastelands. It seems that the werewolves are very much real, and have a very decided grudge against one man in particular. All too soon, Haversham proves to Inquisitor Whitlock that not all is as it seems, and some monsters are more dangerous than others.
Initial Thoughts:
I'd never gotten into steampunk, but when this book kept getting talked about around me, I knew I would have to find out for myself what was going on. It is a decision I do not regret, as it was a learning experience. One in which I learned that I do not enjoy steampunk settings much and the balance of the fantasy and the mechanical aspects of this world did not interest me much.
Characters:
Simon Whitlock is cunning, confident, and a bit of an idiot sometimes. At times, Simon was a condescending prat. If there is a fault to be given to any character, that would be his. The most frustrating part of this was that he had every right to be condescending. He was surrounded by people who were inferior to him in ability and wit. At times, Simon made the book. Other times, he was the reason I can't rate it above 'it was okay.' I think he's a very hit-or-miss kind of character for that reason.
Don't get me wrong, he's intelligent and witty which made him a smart, cohesive main character. There were very few things you wanted to yell at him for during the course of the novel. Yet, he also reminded me too much of Sherlock Holmes. (The forever-calm, less passionate novel/short story version, not the fun Robert Downey Jr. version.) In that way, whatever Simon is working on is always the focal point of the story, and any personal characteristics are left by the wayside. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no feeling of having the 'whole' story as opposed to having the 'conflict resolved' … if that makes any sense.
Also much like a character in Sherlock Holmes, we are given Luthor Strong. Except, his character more closely resembles the Dr. Watson played by Jude Law instead of the very placid portrayal given by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He's responsive, useful, and has a few tricks of his own up his sleeves. Luthor, in my opinion, was a far more worthy character than his counterpart. Where Simon acts out of his need to solve the case, Luthor acts with a much greater motive: to help. Luthor wants to help the werewolves, he wants to help Haversham, and he most especially wants to help Simon. All the while, he has to do his best to help himself. The dynamics of Luthor's character were much more intriguing than what Simon offered, I think.
Of course there are more characters, but I feel to expand on any of them would sort of spoil the book. As I am unwilling to do that, we'll just move on…
Plot & Setting:
Okay, so here's the thing about Steampunk: you HAVE to get the setting right. Habits, mannerism, dress, technology, etc. And Wolves delivered on that front.
Given that we get one city and a frozen tundra as our setting, one wouldn't expect that a lot could be done with that. Wolves sees your skepticism and raises you frozen hell! Keeping in mind the things that would be most likely to occur in a city stuck in a frozen wasteland, the author produced a realistic, practical way in which the people survived the obstacle known as the elements. Whether it be convenient tunnels beneath the city that were far more alive than the upper streets, or the need to unthaw the doors that led out of the city, it was everything you expected to happen in a city that sees more snow than sun.
The setting here was very properly portrayed and led to a realistic view of the city of Haversham.
Now let's talk plot. It was intriguing and full of potential. Without giving away spoilers, there's not much I can say. Yet, the way in which Simon and Luthor work to uncover all of the mysteries Haversham has to offer is a journey in itself. There were elements of the plot I enjoyed a great deal, but they were spread out so far that the momentum of one point was often diluted before it met up with its brethren. Though the plot in itself had a solid foundation, the pacing for it could have used some work.
Writing Style:
Other than the setting of a Steampunk, there's one other element that must be represented: writing in the style of the era. Jon Messenger also accomplishes this, but not in a way that induced me to want to continue. Honestly, this is my real barb as far as Steampunk goes. I do not like books that prattle on and on about details that hold no use to the plot. Unfortunately, in the Victorian Era, where Steampunk derives its roots, novels were often written with an excess amount of detail. They didn't trust their readers to use such nuisance things like imaginations, so the writers of that time gave them every detail so that they might see it as the author envisioned and in no other way. While the author does not pay us that great a disservice, to keep with the era, there were excessive, useless details shared with the readers. And while I appreciate that he kept to his genre and expressed it well enough, I know that it is not to my taste. So this is a case of: it's me, not the author.
Overall Opinion/Rant Column:
As far as the book itself goes, it just wasn't for me. While I love my paranormal, I couldn't get past the excessive detail enough to like the book itself. That simply means that this genre is not for me, and is not a reflection on the quality of the book in itself.
However …
And this is a BIG one …
What IS a reflection on this book is the very poor editing job that it received. Personally, I am tired of having to point this out every time I read a CTP book. When I read a book from either Clean Teen or Crimson Tree Publishing, my first thought upon noticing SEVERAL errors should not be that 'this is standard fare from this company.' That is unacceptable. And while it has no bearing on this book, the fact that I found so many simple problems is enough for me to want to scream.
At this point, I am just going to point it out at the end of every review where I find issues such as these and hope that this company realizes that it needs a few more editors on staff before they publish. Or they need to give the books more time before their signing date and release date in order to do a proper job of it. This is no reflection on the people devoting their lives to giving their readers stories, but quality must come before quantity or speed. As a business, this needs to be a requirement. *End of Rant*
December 17, 2017
It’s always gratifying to take a chance on a novel from an author you’ve never heard of, and to discover that you truly enjoyed not only the story but the writing style. Such is the case with Jon Messenger, whose Wolves of the Northern Rift is the first in his Magic and Machinery series.
This fantasy fits into the steampunk genre although, unlike many novels in the genre, trains aren’t really featured in the story. Things like zeppelins, pocket watches, oil lamps, top hats, and so forth certainly sets the book in the steam engine time period.
The characters, Simon Whitlock and Luthor Strong, are intelligent and interesting. Messenger’s done a great job of foreshadowing the many layers still to be peeled back from those two. He also added a fresh take to werewolves, by portraying people who were exposed to contagious magic and became werewolves with intelligence and not the insatiable need to kill and devour humans.
The pacing works well and there’s just enough complexity to the story to make it intriguing without being confusing. Kudos to Jon Messenger for introducing us to such a captivating world.
This fantasy fits into the steampunk genre although, unlike many novels in the genre, trains aren’t really featured in the story. Things like zeppelins, pocket watches, oil lamps, top hats, and so forth certainly sets the book in the steam engine time period.
The characters, Simon Whitlock and Luthor Strong, are intelligent and interesting. Messenger’s done a great job of foreshadowing the many layers still to be peeled back from those two. He also added a fresh take to werewolves, by portraying people who were exposed to contagious magic and became werewolves with intelligence and not the insatiable need to kill and devour humans.
The pacing works well and there’s just enough complexity to the story to make it intriguing without being confusing. Kudos to Jon Messenger for introducing us to such a captivating world.
May 29, 2019
Nice quick read. There were some errors, spelling and such. But I enjoyed the banter betweent the two main characters. Thanks to a book challenge, i read a book that I would have never considered reading before. Probably a 3.5 star read. A very different view on werewolves to be sure.
March 2, 2018
Loved the steampunk tropes (zeppelin, diesel-fueled flamethrower, dandy-style Victorian dress). Really enjoyed the dialogue!
Want to read
April 23, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/23/2019)! 🎁
September 4, 2024
Billed as steampunk, this is more fantasy in a setting with some steampunk elements, which does make for an unusual setting. The setting is equivalent to early 20th-century England in its technology and social mores, except the world contains a rift to another dimension that is letting in magical creatures - generally considered to be a bad thing.
The two protagonists do have a very Holmes / Watson type of relationship, which works pretty well, and do have some depths which are revealed during the course of the novel. The world-building is mostly confined to the local area where the story is set, but there is some level of exposition on what the wider world is like. The supporting characters are developed commensurate with their importance to the story, but even then, some of the major characters are a bit thin.
Some earlier reviews complained about a lack of spelling and grammatical errors, but I didn't notice a huge number, so I assume the ebook (at least) has had some editing to correct them.
Overall, it's a fun, easy read, and the start of a series that could prove to be interesting.
The two protagonists do have a very Holmes / Watson type of relationship, which works pretty well, and do have some depths which are revealed during the course of the novel. The world-building is mostly confined to the local area where the story is set, but there is some level of exposition on what the wider world is like. The supporting characters are developed commensurate with their importance to the story, but even then, some of the major characters are a bit thin.
Some earlier reviews complained about a lack of spelling and grammatical errors, but I didn't notice a huge number, so I assume the ebook (at least) has had some editing to correct them.
Overall, it's a fun, easy read, and the start of a series that could prove to be interesting.
June 25, 2017
I came very close to finishing this book (over 80% on Kindle), but now I think I'm done.
I give the book three stars, because the plot is intriguing, and the two central characters are admirable in their bromantic way, and the villain is a truly repulsive creature, and the stakes are worth caring about. If you're a fan of, say, BBC's "Sherlock," I'm sure you'll enjoy this book. In fact, I think that with the wonderfully detailed setting, most fans of fantasy and steampunk will like it, if they don't really care about female characters.
The trouble is, I do. Despite the gorgeous cover art featuring the book's only significant female character (who is only in the thing for maybe 20% of the page time), this book is about men and for men.
1) First, the author chooses to stick to traditional Victorian gender roles in his alternate-world steampunk setting. Unknown are female Inquisitors, female apothecaries, female characters in any significant public role. Women in the "civilized" world are wives, daughters, and sweethearts, and as a result we don't get even the tiniest glimpse of them in the book's first half, unless the scene is set at a dinner or a ball. Only when we meet Mattie, when the book is nearly half over, do the male leads enter an actual conversation with a female character. So it shouldn't surprise the reader that our heroes regard women in general with the amused bewilderment with which a scientist in a sci-fi book might regard an alien race. (Of course Luthor doesn't like Veronica, Simon's maybe-girlfriend. Men in bromances never approve of any woman in whom their BFF shows an interest. She'll spoil everything, after all.)
2) When our heroes enter the werewolf society, they're shocked and a little horrified to find it so gender-egalitarian, with male and female warriors and a female chieftain. Since in this story the werewolves are treated sympathetically, this might be a good thing. Yet alas, the female chieftain is characterized as a bigoted idiot who leads her people straight into disaster. So much for female leadership.
3) Mattie, the only developed female character, might have been a heroine worth rooting for, if she'd been given sufficient page time. She's a female Other who isn't evil, something I always appreciate. She's not passive. She's standing up for her people. She can kick butt. I think, I sort of think, the author wants me to like her. True, our heroes treat her with the same bemused contempt with which Sherlock and Watson treat poor hapless Molly Hooper in the BBC series, but still, maybe I'm meant to like her? ... maybe?
Then comes a scene in which Mattie, under the villain's evil influence, attacks Luthor, something that Mattie in her right mind would never dream of doing. This is a horrifying, tragic situation, and would be presented as such if we were actually meant to care about her. Yet when Simon shoots her with intent to kill and then kicks her in the head, it's played for laughs. Played for LAUGHS -- when just a few minutes before, Simon had qualms about using deadly force against a group of men who were similarly acting against their will. He didn't even know these men but had compassion for their situation, yet he would have seen Mattie dead without a second thought. If we're meant to find it funny when she gets hurt -- like the cartoonish violence repeatedly inflicted on Jennifer Jason Leigh in "The Hateful Eight" -- I have a hard time thinking we're supposed to like and root for her. This is the scene I really can't get past.
Aside from these issues, it's an entertaining read, and I would recommend it to fans of steampunk and refined, intellectual male heroes. (It is good to see a speculative-fiction hero who relies on brains more than brawn.) But this series just isn't for me.
I give the book three stars, because the plot is intriguing, and the two central characters are admirable in their bromantic way, and the villain is a truly repulsive creature, and the stakes are worth caring about. If you're a fan of, say, BBC's "Sherlock," I'm sure you'll enjoy this book. In fact, I think that with the wonderfully detailed setting, most fans of fantasy and steampunk will like it, if they don't really care about female characters.
The trouble is, I do. Despite the gorgeous cover art featuring the book's only significant female character (who is only in the thing for maybe 20% of the page time), this book is about men and for men.
1) First, the author chooses to stick to traditional Victorian gender roles in his alternate-world steampunk setting. Unknown are female Inquisitors, female apothecaries, female characters in any significant public role. Women in the "civilized" world are wives, daughters, and sweethearts, and as a result we don't get even the tiniest glimpse of them in the book's first half, unless the scene is set at a dinner or a ball. Only when we meet Mattie, when the book is nearly half over, do the male leads enter an actual conversation with a female character. So it shouldn't surprise the reader that our heroes regard women in general with the amused bewilderment with which a scientist in a sci-fi book might regard an alien race. (Of course Luthor doesn't like Veronica, Simon's maybe-girlfriend. Men in bromances never approve of any woman in whom their BFF shows an interest. She'll spoil everything, after all.)
2) When our heroes enter the werewolf society, they're shocked and a little horrified to find it so gender-egalitarian, with male and female warriors and a female chieftain. Since in this story the werewolves are treated sympathetically, this might be a good thing. Yet alas, the female chieftain is characterized as a bigoted idiot who leads her people straight into disaster. So much for female leadership.
3) Mattie, the only developed female character, might have been a heroine worth rooting for, if she'd been given sufficient page time. She's a female Other who isn't evil, something I always appreciate. She's not passive. She's standing up for her people. She can kick butt. I think, I sort of think, the author wants me to like her. True, our heroes treat her with the same bemused contempt with which Sherlock and Watson treat poor hapless Molly Hooper in the BBC series, but still, maybe I'm meant to like her? ... maybe?
Then comes a scene in which Mattie, under the villain's evil influence, attacks Luthor, something that Mattie in her right mind would never dream of doing. This is a horrifying, tragic situation, and would be presented as such if we were actually meant to care about her. Yet when Simon shoots her with intent to kill and then kicks her in the head, it's played for laughs. Played for LAUGHS -- when just a few minutes before, Simon had qualms about using deadly force against a group of men who were similarly acting against their will. He didn't even know these men but had compassion for their situation, yet he would have seen Mattie dead without a second thought. If we're meant to find it funny when she gets hurt -- like the cartoonish violence repeatedly inflicted on Jennifer Jason Leigh in "The Hateful Eight" -- I have a hard time thinking we're supposed to like and root for her. This is the scene I really can't get past.
Aside from these issues, it's an entertaining read, and I would recommend it to fans of steampunk and refined, intellectual male heroes. (It is good to see a speculative-fiction hero who relies on brains more than brawn.) But this series just isn't for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2016
Dark fantasy and steampunk collide in Wolves of the Northern Rift, the first in the Magic and Machinery novels by Jon Messenger. Detailing the exploits of a royal inquisitor named Simon and his apothecary companion named Luthor, Simon—under the request of the king—is dispatched to the northern continent of Ocker and the city of Haversham to investigate claims that werewolves have appeared from something known as the Rift: an immense magical portal which has spilled into the world to let loose demons and other monstrosities. Though Simon and Luthor have spent the past two years debunking such claims of the supernatural, something about this case seems different. A veneer of secrecy lies throughout the beginnings of the investigation, as the man whose mining properties are under attack seems hesitant to reveal certain information, and it is only a matter of time before they realize that magic—an abomination that must be removed from the world—holds a far greater case than they could possibly imagine.
Wolves of the Northern Rift is undoubtedly fantasy at its best. Told in an omniscient perspective not often found in fantasy novels, it details the happenings of two very unique and completely dynamic characters in a way that shows a practiced writer who has obviously honed his craft. As the first book in a series, it’s always important to hold the attention of the reader, and Wolves of the Northern Rift does all that, and more. The world-building is immense, the writing is crisp, the execution flawless. Its blending of steampunk and magic is utterly enjoyable and is done without making it come across as cheap. The world is fully integrated with both magic and machinery (as its title states,) and though we don’t see much of the latter in the novel, we definitely see a lot of the former, especially when the book begins to speed up at the end.
If you like fantasy with a sense of mystery along with your adventure, then Wolves of the Northern Rift is the kind of book you’ll love.
Wolves of the Northern Rift is undoubtedly fantasy at its best. Told in an omniscient perspective not often found in fantasy novels, it details the happenings of two very unique and completely dynamic characters in a way that shows a practiced writer who has obviously honed his craft. As the first book in a series, it’s always important to hold the attention of the reader, and Wolves of the Northern Rift does all that, and more. The world-building is immense, the writing is crisp, the execution flawless. Its blending of steampunk and magic is utterly enjoyable and is done without making it come across as cheap. The world is fully integrated with both magic and machinery (as its title states,) and though we don’t see much of the latter in the novel, we definitely see a lot of the former, especially when the book begins to speed up at the end.
If you like fantasy with a sense of mystery along with your adventure, then Wolves of the Northern Rift is the kind of book you’ll love.
March 26, 2015
Wolves of the Northern Rift is the first in bestselling Author Jon Messenger’s supernatural/steampunk Magic & Machinery series.
Spanning across genres, Wolves of the Northern Rift delves into a world where science rules and magic runs rampant. The Rift – a portal between the normal world, and the magical world – has split the southern continent in two, spewing out bursts of magic and monsters. In response to this new threat, the King ordered the creation of the Inquisitors – a collection of men who are given the sole mission of hunting down and destroying any and all sightings of magic.
One of these Inquisitors, Simon Whitlock, and his associate Luthor Strong, have been assigned to investigate werewolf sightings in the snowy city of Haversham. Believing the mission to be nothing more than a hoax like many others, Simon and Luthor head into the city wanting nothing more than to solve the case and get out of the icy tundra. But, as their investigation progresses, they discover more than they could have ever thought possible. Are the werewolves really the worst that Haversham has to offer?
In the vein of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Author Jon Messenger has introduced to his readers a story of suspense, mystery, and harrowing danger. All too well does the story suck you in, keeping you up at night as you try to figure out the mystery revolving around the werewolves and their reasons for attack alongside Simon and Luthor. It’s a truly exceptional experience, one I recommend for all readers of steampunk, supernatural, mystery, drama, action, and adventure!
Spanning across genres, Wolves of the Northern Rift delves into a world where science rules and magic runs rampant. The Rift – a portal between the normal world, and the magical world – has split the southern continent in two, spewing out bursts of magic and monsters. In response to this new threat, the King ordered the creation of the Inquisitors – a collection of men who are given the sole mission of hunting down and destroying any and all sightings of magic.
One of these Inquisitors, Simon Whitlock, and his associate Luthor Strong, have been assigned to investigate werewolf sightings in the snowy city of Haversham. Believing the mission to be nothing more than a hoax like many others, Simon and Luthor head into the city wanting nothing more than to solve the case and get out of the icy tundra. But, as their investigation progresses, they discover more than they could have ever thought possible. Are the werewolves really the worst that Haversham has to offer?
In the vein of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Author Jon Messenger has introduced to his readers a story of suspense, mystery, and harrowing danger. All too well does the story suck you in, keeping you up at night as you try to figure out the mystery revolving around the werewolves and their reasons for attack alongside Simon and Luthor. It’s a truly exceptional experience, one I recommend for all readers of steampunk, supernatural, mystery, drama, action, and adventure!
January 1, 2016
As I read the closing words of The Wolves of the Northern Rift, I had a huge smile on my face. It was a great read, and one I enjoyed immensely. At this point, it's among the front runners for my favorite book I've read this year. It's not a book that starts off with a bang, dropping you into the flow of the action right away. Instead, it builds slowly, and takes off at about two-thirds of the way in to what I felt was a very satisfying conclusion. As far as genre? It's a mixture of steampunk with a very Victorian feel which reminded me a lot of Sherlock Holmes, in that it's more mystery based.
And what can I say about the characters? This is what really made the book for me. Both Simon Whitlock, the Royal Inquisitor and Luthor Strong, his apothecary assistant were both perfectly drawn and I took a liking to them from the very first chapter. There was a great sense of camaraderie between the two, and they made a great team. Some of their dialogue was absolutely brilliant, and had me laughing out loud a number of times. What I thought was a great choice was for both men to have their moment to shine at different points in the action.
I'm a self-professed fan of vampires, but in this book, I really liked Mattie and Kidnip both. They weren't the stereotypical werewolves I've seen in other books, movies and TV shows, which was a very refreshing change. This is the first book, and I'm looking forward to book two in the Magic and Machinery series so I can read more about Luthor and Simon.
My rating is a well-deserved 5/5 platypires.
And what can I say about the characters? This is what really made the book for me. Both Simon Whitlock, the Royal Inquisitor and Luthor Strong, his apothecary assistant were both perfectly drawn and I took a liking to them from the very first chapter. There was a great sense of camaraderie between the two, and they made a great team. Some of their dialogue was absolutely brilliant, and had me laughing out loud a number of times. What I thought was a great choice was for both men to have their moment to shine at different points in the action.
I'm a self-professed fan of vampires, but in this book, I really liked Mattie and Kidnip both. They weren't the stereotypical werewolves I've seen in other books, movies and TV shows, which was a very refreshing change. This is the first book, and I'm looking forward to book two in the Magic and Machinery series so I can read more about Luthor and Simon.
My rating is a well-deserved 5/5 platypires.
April 13, 2015
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Jon is a magnificent writer and I really enjoyed this book. Although steampunk isn't really my genre I really found myself drawn into the story and I think it all has to do with Jon's genius creativity and beautiful flow when it comes to his writing. I never felt once left behind by the characters and loved every twist and turn that presented itself.
I really came to like the character Mattie, she is a strong and very likeable character and I really hope to get to know her better in the next book. Luther for all his secrets also intrigued me a lot and I really liked him, I would really like to see what he could really do if he ever comes clean to Simon...lol
The weres in this one were very cool and reminded me a lot of the werewolves in Van Helsing who were also the skin ripping sort. However there origins and back story are genius and gives the story a great twist that I never would have seen coming for sure as Simon is a definite Van Helsing type.
The city itself is described amazingly as well as the surrounding area, there were many times when I got cold just reading the book!...lol....I loved the battles as well they were all amazingly set and epic in scale and I felt myself cringe when a blow was struck or a shot fired. Luther fights amazingly well in the battle in the end and I hope he gets to show more of his talents in the next book.
Jon is an incredibly gifted writer and I can't wait to read more of his work. don't miss out on this new series!
Jon is a magnificent writer and I really enjoyed this book. Although steampunk isn't really my genre I really found myself drawn into the story and I think it all has to do with Jon's genius creativity and beautiful flow when it comes to his writing. I never felt once left behind by the characters and loved every twist and turn that presented itself.
I really came to like the character Mattie, she is a strong and very likeable character and I really hope to get to know her better in the next book. Luther for all his secrets also intrigued me a lot and I really liked him, I would really like to see what he could really do if he ever comes clean to Simon...lol
The weres in this one were very cool and reminded me a lot of the werewolves in Van Helsing who were also the skin ripping sort. However there origins and back story are genius and gives the story a great twist that I never would have seen coming for sure as Simon is a definite Van Helsing type.
The city itself is described amazingly as well as the surrounding area, there were many times when I got cold just reading the book!...lol....I loved the battles as well they were all amazingly set and epic in scale and I felt myself cringe when a blow was struck or a shot fired. Luther fights amazingly well in the battle in the end and I hope he gets to show more of his talents in the next book.
Jon is an incredibly gifted writer and I can't wait to read more of his work. don't miss out on this new series!
November 1, 2016
Overall, I liked it.
This was my first steam-punk novel, taking place somewhere with zeppelins and lots of machinery. I appreciated the difference from my normal fantasy fare that generally seems to all take place in the same place (medievalish time, but with magic, with inns that could be moved from one novel to another and would fit equally). While there is magic in this world and the time period is previous to now, it felt a world away from what I’ve been reading, very refreshing. I also really liked the novel’s comment on what is a monster and the role magic has in this land.
There was a short part that I was annoyed: the ball. The “day” was far too long, unless this is an alien planet that has really really long days, and Mr Strong was for this night only the less diplomatic and charismatic of the two primary protagonists, stating (uncharacteristically) that he doesn’t understand humans.
The primary lead character is a bit too similar to Sherlock Holmes. I’m glad that his sidekick brings a little more than Watson’s awe and comraderie. While there are strong females in the book, they aren’t apparent in the first half and in general are treated by the protagonists as less than men- should be protected and cared for but are not as brave or intelligent as men. You could attribute this to the time period, but the world of this novel did not have to take that part of our world at any part in our history, it is a choice. There are hints however that this perspective may be explored more in the series.
This was my first steam-punk novel, taking place somewhere with zeppelins and lots of machinery. I appreciated the difference from my normal fantasy fare that generally seems to all take place in the same place (medievalish time, but with magic, with inns that could be moved from one novel to another and would fit equally). While there is magic in this world and the time period is previous to now, it felt a world away from what I’ve been reading, very refreshing. I also really liked the novel’s comment on what is a monster and the role magic has in this land.
There was a short part that I was annoyed: the ball. The “day” was far too long, unless this is an alien planet that has really really long days, and Mr Strong was for this night only the less diplomatic and charismatic of the two primary protagonists, stating (uncharacteristically) that he doesn’t understand humans.
The primary lead character is a bit too similar to Sherlock Holmes. I’m glad that his sidekick brings a little more than Watson’s awe and comraderie. While there are strong females in the book, they aren’t apparent in the first half and in general are treated by the protagonists as less than men- should be protected and cared for but are not as brave or intelligent as men. You could attribute this to the time period, but the world of this novel did not have to take that part of our world at any part in our history, it is a choice. There are hints however that this perspective may be explored more in the series.
June 23, 2016
Simon Whitlock is Royal Inquisitor being sent to Haversham along with his partner Luthor Strong, an apothecary, to investigate whether werewolves exist. Simon is a skeptic and believes that science will hold the answers he seeks. Meanwhile Luthor believes in magic and mysticism when working these cases with Simon. Arriving in Haversham presented unique challenges for the investigative team. They knew that the governor is a cousin to the king and must be treated with proper respect. Governor Goodwin greets them with all due courtesy and presents them with the reason for their investigation~a dead werewolf. Both are taken aback that someone else started the investigation without them being present. Their meeting of Gideon Dosett doesn't sit well with either investigator. It appears that something is amiss in Haversham but Simon can't quite put his finger on what it is. Will Simon accept that there are werewolves? Will Gideon Dosett help or hinder the investigation? What is really going on here? Your answers await you in Wolves of the Northern Rift.
This new to me author really brought a mixture of fantasy and steampunk together in an unique I've not seen before. The characters and story were compelling, intriguing, real, gritty, raw, and flawed in a good way. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This new to me author really brought a mixture of fantasy and steampunk together in an unique I've not seen before. The characters and story were compelling, intriguing, real, gritty, raw, and flawed in a good way. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 1, 2015
*This book was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
I will be brutally honest. I will not mince words. This is not the time nor will I ever deny the Nerd Girl fans the truth behind my words. Mark them here and mark them now. Watch John Messengers Series. If a writer progresses with each book in a series and writes better in each book then I can not wait until the next.
If magic is not to exist in the world he built within those pages then a magician he must be to have written this book! The world he has built is impeccable and I fell in love with each turn of the page. The characters are well developed and of course the intrigue was captivating!! One sitting was all I needed to finish it as I coveted this book since I first laid eyes on the cover. Lovers of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir and Melissa Marr grab this book and read it!!! I would never stray you wrong!
Do you dare open the pages and find what Habersham has found?? Or would you lay in wait not knowing? I think not! No sleeping people, please!! Jon, I tip my Nerd Girl hat to you and bow to your greatness!! If I could give you 10 Stars and the Moon I would!!
*This review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
I will be brutally honest. I will not mince words. This is not the time nor will I ever deny the Nerd Girl fans the truth behind my words. Mark them here and mark them now. Watch John Messengers Series. If a writer progresses with each book in a series and writes better in each book then I can not wait until the next.
If magic is not to exist in the world he built within those pages then a magician he must be to have written this book! The world he has built is impeccable and I fell in love with each turn of the page. The characters are well developed and of course the intrigue was captivating!! One sitting was all I needed to finish it as I coveted this book since I first laid eyes on the cover. Lovers of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir and Melissa Marr grab this book and read it!!! I would never stray you wrong!
Do you dare open the pages and find what Habersham has found?? Or would you lay in wait not knowing? I think not! No sleeping people, please!! Jon, I tip my Nerd Girl hat to you and bow to your greatness!! If I could give you 10 Stars and the Moon I would!!
*This review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
March 29, 2015
I've been excited about this book for a little while, so I had to get it from Amazon the day it was released. Sara had already listed it as one of her favorite reads for the year, thus far, so I knew I was going to enjoy it. (She's got good taste)
From the beginning I was pulled in to the story. I had no problem adjusting to this new world, and it was quite easy to visualize everything happening. This was wonderfully written and the story itself was fantastic.
My one real issue is there are a few times where a word was used inappropriately. One word, in specific, was used twice. The word "nubile", which means sexual awakening in a young girl. But it was used to explain a newly lit fire that had been just extinguished and a family immigrating to a new town.
I was quite impressed with the take of werewolves in this story. It wasn't something I had read before and I'm very much looking forward to continuing this series.
4.5/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
From the beginning I was pulled in to the story. I had no problem adjusting to this new world, and it was quite easy to visualize everything happening. This was wonderfully written and the story itself was fantastic.
My one real issue is there are a few times where a word was used inappropriately. One word, in specific, was used twice. The word "nubile", which means sexual awakening in a young girl. But it was used to explain a newly lit fire that had been just extinguished and a family immigrating to a new town.
I was quite impressed with the take of werewolves in this story. It wasn't something I had read before and I'm very much looking forward to continuing this series.
4.5/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
February 26, 2015
As a steampunk I found that the Victorian side of it was impressive! The mannerisms, the dress, and the subtle language filled with barbs. I loved how well the atmosphere was pulled off. Probably the best portrayal of the Victorian side of steampunk I've ever read. The steampunk side however was lacking for me. I like new, inventive mechanics when it comes to this genre and didn't find much.
Moving on. We're introduced to two characters, Simon and Luthor. Their bickering is brotherly and endearing. I couldn't help but like them immediately. Even when it becomes known that there's secrets between them.
There was a bit of action though I found the pacing at the beginning to be a tad slow. This is where it felt like a Sherlock mystery as they deduced and spoke with the people of Haversham. It becomes clear that something is wrong and, as the cover suggests, werewolves are real. The lore put into it had a few twists that I enjoyed and I think others will too.
Full Review @ www.thereadershollow.com
Moving on. We're introduced to two characters, Simon and Luthor. Their bickering is brotherly and endearing. I couldn't help but like them immediately. Even when it becomes known that there's secrets between them.
There was a bit of action though I found the pacing at the beginning to be a tad slow. This is where it felt like a Sherlock mystery as they deduced and spoke with the people of Haversham. It becomes clear that something is wrong and, as the cover suggests, werewolves are real. The lore put into it had a few twists that I enjoyed and I think others will too.
Full Review @ www.thereadershollow.com
February 27, 2015
Jon Messenger wrote a wonderful book. I enjoyed reading it and found it to be very interesting. There are twists and turns at every point and people with secrets. I found myself trying to piece everything together with Simon and attempting to solve the mysteries upon mysteries. I loved the way the book was written. There was great detail that made the story jump off the page. The book answered enough questions to make me feel satisfied at the end but also left enough unanswered that I'm excited and can't wait for the next book. The friendship between Simon and Luthor can be hilarious at time but you know that they would do anything for one another. Jon Messenger has a refreshing new take on fantasy creatures I already knew of. It was different from anything I've ever read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and steampunk because this book was great!
March 25, 2015
This book encompasses so many story elements that make up some of my favorite kinds of books to read. There is fantasy, science fiction, mystery, steam punk, a hint of a magical apocalypse, and just a touch of romance. I personally could have handled a little more romance, but everything else was so well blended that I didn't have time to miss the romance. Jon Messenger is such a good story teller. His writing is easy to get lost in because it's so well executed. I so appreciate a well-written story. I also thoroughly enjoyed this story for the fun Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson type characters. I loved their friendship, verbal arguments, and mystery solving skills. This is a totally fun read if you love mysteries that involve fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk magic.
December 2, 2015
I liked this book more than I was expecting to, even if it was a little over-the-top steampunk in the beginning; one of those books that mentions top hats, zeppelins, and pocket watches all within the first few paragraphs in case one wasn't enough. As the story progressed, the author was able to build the world without too many references to such obvious cliches, a world where the central government fears the spread of magic entering through a Rift. As a Royal Inquisitor, it is up to Simon and his apprentice Luthor to investigate all alleged instances of magic and destroy any that turn out to be more than hoaxes. But Simon will soon discover, magic has become more deeply rooted in the kingdom than he thought possible and the divide between good and evil is not as simple as it seems.
August 25, 2015
Steampunk is one of my newer pleasures in my literary collection and this series could fast become a favorite. Now my followers will know that generally I avoid "wolf" titles like the plague but this author convinced me that his was different and he was right!! I mean these "wolves" carry machine guns! How awesome is that?
Add in a great blend of costumes, magic, and an entertaining mystery underneath and you sir have my attention!
I hear Book 2 will feature vampires .... OK Bring it on!!
An easy 5 stars from me! V""V
Add in a great blend of costumes, magic, and an entertaining mystery underneath and you sir have my attention!
I hear Book 2 will feature vampires .... OK Bring it on!!
An easy 5 stars from me! V""V
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August 30, 2015I wasn't sure what I was getting into with this book, but I found it to have the best parts of a paranormal and mystery all wrapped up together. I'm a stickler for characters, and Simon and Luther are up there with the best written characters I've read. I enjoyed their personalities and their banter, and I liked the way that some of the mysteries in the book were not revealed until the middle or end. Looking forward to the next in the series.
August 24, 2016
I have to say the title fooled me a little. I didnt read where it was going to be a steampunk kind of read but then again I like to try new things and this was really something new for me. It gave a good mental picture of what Victorian Steampunk might have looked like back in the day. I have to admit that it was a very interesting story with twist and turns I didnt see coming. For someone who thought that they wouldnt like steampunk it held my interest very good.
March 16, 2015
This isn't a book that starts off with a bang but instead slowly builds up as you gain more knowledge of what is going on. The relationship between the two main characters is addictive and a smile never left my face while reading this. After all, who doesn't like wolves with guns? (Nice twist Jon)
A must-read and I can't wait for book two :) Happy reading everyone!!
A must-read and I can't wait for book two :) Happy reading everyone!!
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