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Broken Gears #1
Out of the Shadows
The New Age The darkness of the Old World is gone. No more deadly creatures or magic to keep the people subjugated in fear. The world today is rife with opportunities for progress. The technologies of the Old World can be rediscovered and built upon, cities are maintained, people have the freedom to forge their own paths, and order is kept by the Enforcers. The light of the Dawn Age has burst forth in a brilliant blaze, illuminating the possibilities of the future. Happy New Year!
D1 of the Air
Y1 of the New Age
Springhaven Newsheet
Homeless, orphaned, living in secret as a thief Lenore Crowley just wants to survive, but the city of Springhaven has no sympathy for cases such as hers. She chose her path, and the consequences are hers alone. Being caught would mean certain death; her odds of survival are beginning to look bleak. When she meets the Allens, she s offered a new life. In a world where debts and oaths carry very real weight, however, this second chance comes at a price. Lives entangle, and Lenore soon find that her secrets aren t so secret. Someone is looking for her, someone who knows who she really is. One wrong move and everything around her might fall.
D1 of the Air
Y1 of the New Age
Springhaven Newsheet
Homeless, orphaned, living in secret as a thief Lenore Crowley just wants to survive, but the city of Springhaven has no sympathy for cases such as hers. She chose her path, and the consequences are hers alone. Being caught would mean certain death; her odds of survival are beginning to look bleak. When she meets the Allens, she s offered a new life. In a world where debts and oaths carry very real weight, however, this second chance comes at a price. Lives entangle, and Lenore soon find that her secrets aren t so secret. Someone is looking for her, someone who knows who she really is. One wrong move and everything around her might fall.
434 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2016
159 people are currently reading
1340 people want to read
About the author
Dana Fraedrich
16 books107 followersDana Fraedrich is a dog lover, self-professed geek, and author of the steampunk fantasy series Broken Gears, which includes the Amazon bestseller, "Out of the Shadows." Dana's books are full of secrets and colorful characters that examine the many shades of grey that paint the world.
Having ten-plus years under her belt as an indie author, Dana strives to provide education to her fellow writers through her blog and seminars at conventions and festivals. She has contributed to multiple short story anthologies, including but not limited to Espec Books' Forgotten Lore series and the limited edition Distorted Fates collection. When she isn't busy writing or attending conventions and book festivals, she can be found co-hosting the podcast "Steam-Powered Movies," playing D&D and video games, and exploring new interests.
Even from a young age, she enjoyed writing down the stories that she imagined in her mind. Born and raised in Virginia, she earned her BFA from Roanoke College and is now carving out her own happily ever after in Nashville, TN with her husband. Dana is always writing; more books are on the way!
Having ten-plus years under her belt as an indie author, Dana strives to provide education to her fellow writers through her blog and seminars at conventions and festivals. She has contributed to multiple short story anthologies, including but not limited to Espec Books' Forgotten Lore series and the limited edition Distorted Fates collection. When she isn't busy writing or attending conventions and book festivals, she can be found co-hosting the podcast "Steam-Powered Movies," playing D&D and video games, and exploring new interests.
Even from a young age, she enjoyed writing down the stories that she imagined in her mind. Born and raised in Virginia, she earned her BFA from Roanoke College and is now carving out her own happily ever after in Nashville, TN with her husband. Dana is always writing; more books are on the way!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 5, 2017
I was initially drawn to this book, I must admit, by the steampunk cover. Interested in the whole steampunk genre, I thought it might be worth a look, and boy was I right. A long book, the story starts with Lenore, street rat, surviving on her wits and little else, forced to hide and steal after the arrest of her parents, and their subsequent vanishing into the Enforcers headquarters, never to be seen again. An unfortunate encounter with one of the said enforcers, catapults her into the custody of the Allens, an apparently nice, normal, respectable, wealthy family. However, Lenore soon comes to realise her saviours are anything but, and it's then that the fun begins.
Discovering she has an interest in and a talent for engineering, Lenore is taken on as an apprentice to Neal Allen, and there are lots of lovely steampunk references to machinery and gadgets we almost, but not quite recognise; and Lenore begins to relax in her new home, enjoying a family life for the first time since the disappearance of her parents. However, this a dangerous world she lives in, a world where vampires exist, and an oath made is inviolate and unbreakable. Lenore must be constantly on vigil, wary of who to trust, feeling her way through the web of intrigue, lies and political machinations which abound, ever ready to catch her out.
The author has created a very convincing world, richly populated with complex, three dimensional, characters with very real emotions and conflicting behaviour, reflecting true life where no person is ever completely good or completely bad.
I especially liked, the little pieces of normal life, the author cleverly litters throughout the plot, the parties, food and social customs, that colour in the background of her landscape. They added a depth and credibility to the story that would, perhaps, have been less achievable in a shorter book.
One tiny observation, is that the pace in the first half of the book could possibly have done with being a tad brisker. Impatient to move the plot along, I sometimes chaffed at the slowness of its development. However, this is not a criticism, merely a personal comment, and the pace of the book sped up quite considerably until events were practically flying at me, full tilt. I see this is book one in a sequence, and the advantage of this, is the author will be able to jump straight into the story, without having to set up again the complex, fascinating and intricate world, as she had to with this novel.
Overall, an excellent read, one I thoroughly enjoyed and would greatly recommend.
Discovering she has an interest in and a talent for engineering, Lenore is taken on as an apprentice to Neal Allen, and there are lots of lovely steampunk references to machinery and gadgets we almost, but not quite recognise; and Lenore begins to relax in her new home, enjoying a family life for the first time since the disappearance of her parents. However, this a dangerous world she lives in, a world where vampires exist, and an oath made is inviolate and unbreakable. Lenore must be constantly on vigil, wary of who to trust, feeling her way through the web of intrigue, lies and political machinations which abound, ever ready to catch her out.
The author has created a very convincing world, richly populated with complex, three dimensional, characters with very real emotions and conflicting behaviour, reflecting true life where no person is ever completely good or completely bad.
I especially liked, the little pieces of normal life, the author cleverly litters throughout the plot, the parties, food and social customs, that colour in the background of her landscape. They added a depth and credibility to the story that would, perhaps, have been less achievable in a shorter book.
One tiny observation, is that the pace in the first half of the book could possibly have done with being a tad brisker. Impatient to move the plot along, I sometimes chaffed at the slowness of its development. However, this is not a criticism, merely a personal comment, and the pace of the book sped up quite considerably until events were practically flying at me, full tilt. I see this is book one in a sequence, and the advantage of this, is the author will be able to jump straight into the story, without having to set up again the complex, fascinating and intricate world, as she had to with this novel.
Overall, an excellent read, one I thoroughly enjoyed and would greatly recommend.
January 9, 2021
A firm 4.5 out of 5!
I went into this book blind, only knowing that it had a steampunk element, but it's so much more than that. Yes, there is steampunk, but there's also a criminal underworld, the supernatural, and a healthy dose of girl power thrown in to the bones of a post apocalyptic world.
Lenore Crowley is a thief on the streets, but a chance encounter one evening turns her life upside down, when she is given the chance to become someone else. But she never loses who she once was, and this thread runs throughout the book, weaving threads together as it goes. I love the world the author created, it's very easy to fall in to. The descriptions of Lenore's work are delightful, and her struggle to fit in with a male dominated world had me cheering her on.
One of my favourite characters was Rook (I won't say who he was for risk of spoiling) he's definitely someone I'd want on my side in an argument!
The pacing is good, especially in the latter part of the book (although it did take me a few chapters to get in to), the dialogue spot on for genre and the characters multi-dimensional with true motives to fuel their actions.
This is the first in a series and I very much look forward to seeing where the author takes this.
I went into this book blind, only knowing that it had a steampunk element, but it's so much more than that. Yes, there is steampunk, but there's also a criminal underworld, the supernatural, and a healthy dose of girl power thrown in to the bones of a post apocalyptic world.
Lenore Crowley is a thief on the streets, but a chance encounter one evening turns her life upside down, when she is given the chance to become someone else. But she never loses who she once was, and this thread runs throughout the book, weaving threads together as it goes. I love the world the author created, it's very easy to fall in to. The descriptions of Lenore's work are delightful, and her struggle to fit in with a male dominated world had me cheering her on.
One of my favourite characters was Rook (I won't say who he was for risk of spoiling) he's definitely someone I'd want on my side in an argument!
The pacing is good, especially in the latter part of the book (although it did take me a few chapters to get in to), the dialogue spot on for genre and the characters multi-dimensional with true motives to fuel their actions.
This is the first in a series and I very much look forward to seeing where the author takes this.
August 3, 2018
What an amazing read this was! I absolutely LOVED every part of it. The characters were real and complex and relatable. The setting was imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable. The underlying mystery and intrigue and sub-plots were extremely well crafted and introduced. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Well done Dana Fraedrich. Well done indeed!
Well done Dana Fraedrich. Well done indeed!
January 14, 2023
I knew nothing about this book or this author going in, but something about the cover caught my eye, and while I'm not always sure about steampunk books, something about the description made me think I would enjoy it. It turned out to be a slow burn story that immersed me into a world that felt a bit like Victorian England, except for the public torture and display of power that took place in this story. There is an element of magic in this story (besides the Vampyre), but it's more referential than anything else. Something happened in the past and magic no longer seems to exist, but there are remnants of the past that Lenore and her fellow scientists find fascinating, including items that are familiar to us. Throughout this story, there is an element of mystery (in addition to the Vampyre who shows up from time to time) about Lenore herself and why people seem to be out to get her (and no, it's not all in her head). There is what seems to be a magical oath bond that connects her to Rook, but medicine and science (and the power of the Enforcers) are what make their society function.
Despite its length, I was never bored, although I was impatient at times, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Unlike the novella (technically book 4), which is a standalone story, this book leaves many unanswered questions and I ended up buying the trilogy on Kindle as soon as I finished this because I now feel invested in Lenore and her found family and I want to know how it's going to work out.
In some ways, this could be considered YA, but this story includes torture and violence, so sensitive readers might want to give this a pass. Still, the violence fits in with the iron fist that the Enforcers have used to control society, and I imagine that things are going to get worse before they start to get better. But good people are speaking up and I'm planning on following Lenore and her found family to the hopefully not bitter end.
I received an advance review copy from Book Sirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I'm really glad this cover caught my eye and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, including a standalone novella about one of the side characters in this first book.
Despite its length, I was never bored, although I was impatient at times, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Unlike the novella (technically book 4), which is a standalone story, this book leaves many unanswered questions and I ended up buying the trilogy on Kindle as soon as I finished this because I now feel invested in Lenore and her found family and I want to know how it's going to work out.
In some ways, this could be considered YA, but this story includes torture and violence, so sensitive readers might want to give this a pass. Still, the violence fits in with the iron fist that the Enforcers have used to control society, and I imagine that things are going to get worse before they start to get better. But good people are speaking up and I'm planning on following Lenore and her found family to the hopefully not bitter end.
I received an advance review copy from Book Sirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I'm really glad this cover caught my eye and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, including a standalone novella about one of the side characters in this first book.
June 3, 2017
Fantastically riveting
Old World or New World? Fantasy, steampunk style, underground gangsters, magic, vampires, and travel.This is a page turning adventure of epic proportions!
Old World or New World? Fantasy, steampunk style, underground gangsters, magic, vampires, and travel.This is a page turning adventure of epic proportions!
February 15, 2019
I had heard a bunch of good things about “Out of the Shadows” by fellow authors, so when the books popped up as a bundle sale I immediately bought all three in one go… and then let them sit on my kindle forever because I suck. But I did it! I finally read the first book! “Out of the Shadows” follows Lenore as she tries to hide from the sins of her parents, rejected by society and forced to steal for a living in a world where such crimes could land you in prison and tortured for the rest of your days. The land Lenore lives in is post-apocalyptic, but not set in a broken city like most other books. Instead, the people remember the great war that led to the end of magic and wondrous contraptions, and gave rise to the brutal peacekeepers known as the Enforcers. Lenore is barely surviving, when a chance encounter that could be ruinous turns into a blessing and opens a world of opportunity, as long as no one ever finds out who Lenore really is.
If you have never read a steampunk novel before, I think this is an excellent place to start as the touches of steampunk elements are rather subtle and are more true to what steampunk is at its core. There aren’t gears and what not everywhere, this is more a Victorian period piece then a full tilt steam and gears steampunk book like others I’ve read in the genre. It’s subtly was well done, and thus makes it a great introduction into the genre for new comers. Fraedrich is masterful with creating well rounded, complex, three-dimensional characters that fit flawlessly into the world she has created, so reading about these characters, how they interact with one another, and how they survive in this stunning but unforgiving world was a treat. Fraedrich’s writing is both smooth and vibrant; a hard feat to pull off for sure in the first book in a new series!
While I genuinely enjoyed the writing as a whole, this is a rather long and slow book to get through, which makes me believe the next books in the series are just going to fly by—but still. I wasn’t sure what the main plot was after a bit: was it just for Lenore to survive? Because when she’s with the Allens that doesn’t seem like the problem anymore, then I thought it was to solve the mystery as to why people were hunting for Lenore, and who, but that comes in so late and doesn’t get answered that I’m mostly just left unsure. There were a ton of sub plots as well; between what character was going to court who, how Lenore was going to prove herself as a mechanic and scholar of Old World technology, what would happen between her and Rook and their unbreakable bond, what Camilla would do with her low-key dangerous relationship, what exactly happened to make the Enforcers so powerful, why Rook does, well, pretty much anything outside of protecting Lenore. Did I mention there’s a vampire who hangs out in the basement sometimes? Because there is… Anyway, point is, there’s a ton of little intrigues going on between all the characters that I lost the thread of what the greater purpose of the story was. That’s not to say what I read wasn’t interesting, it was! But it did make the pacing rather slow until the end, where things ramp up in preparation for the next book. Plus, I was starting to get a bit annoyed each time Lenore made a comparison that she wasn’t like the other girls, but then she gets frustrated when she wasn’t respected in her field because she is a woman. It was a bit of a double standard that had the feminist in me both proud that Lenore was trying to change gender norms, but aggravated that she so often viewed her fellow females as fluff heads.
While the writing style was a treat, and the characters and their dialogue were all a joy to read, I did feel as if things could have been focused a bit more so the ending didn’t feel as if not much was accomplished in this first book. The truth is, a lot was accomplished, but with the sheer amount of sub plots, it felt a bit disproportionate to me, which is why I am giving this 4 stars. Am I still happy that I bought all three books at once? Absolutely! I enjoyed getting immersed in this new world, even with the love triangle that’s present—it’s done well so I won’t hold it against the book, even though I’m still not a fan of love triangles in general. I can’t wait to see what Lenore, her friends, and her protectors find in this new adventure they are embarking on!
If you have never read a steampunk novel before, I think this is an excellent place to start as the touches of steampunk elements are rather subtle and are more true to what steampunk is at its core. There aren’t gears and what not everywhere, this is more a Victorian period piece then a full tilt steam and gears steampunk book like others I’ve read in the genre. It’s subtly was well done, and thus makes it a great introduction into the genre for new comers. Fraedrich is masterful with creating well rounded, complex, three-dimensional characters that fit flawlessly into the world she has created, so reading about these characters, how they interact with one another, and how they survive in this stunning but unforgiving world was a treat. Fraedrich’s writing is both smooth and vibrant; a hard feat to pull off for sure in the first book in a new series!
While I genuinely enjoyed the writing as a whole, this is a rather long and slow book to get through, which makes me believe the next books in the series are just going to fly by—but still. I wasn’t sure what the main plot was after a bit: was it just for Lenore to survive? Because when she’s with the Allens that doesn’t seem like the problem anymore, then I thought it was to solve the mystery as to why people were hunting for Lenore, and who, but that comes in so late and doesn’t get answered that I’m mostly just left unsure. There were a ton of sub plots as well; between what character was going to court who, how Lenore was going to prove herself as a mechanic and scholar of Old World technology, what would happen between her and Rook and their unbreakable bond, what Camilla would do with her low-key dangerous relationship, what exactly happened to make the Enforcers so powerful, why Rook does, well, pretty much anything outside of protecting Lenore. Did I mention there’s a vampire who hangs out in the basement sometimes? Because there is… Anyway, point is, there’s a ton of little intrigues going on between all the characters that I lost the thread of what the greater purpose of the story was. That’s not to say what I read wasn’t interesting, it was! But it did make the pacing rather slow until the end, where things ramp up in preparation for the next book. Plus, I was starting to get a bit annoyed each time Lenore made a comparison that she wasn’t like the other girls, but then she gets frustrated when she wasn’t respected in her field because she is a woman. It was a bit of a double standard that had the feminist in me both proud that Lenore was trying to change gender norms, but aggravated that she so often viewed her fellow females as fluff heads.
While the writing style was a treat, and the characters and their dialogue were all a joy to read, I did feel as if things could have been focused a bit more so the ending didn’t feel as if not much was accomplished in this first book. The truth is, a lot was accomplished, but with the sheer amount of sub plots, it felt a bit disproportionate to me, which is why I am giving this 4 stars. Am I still happy that I bought all three books at once? Absolutely! I enjoyed getting immersed in this new world, even with the love triangle that’s present—it’s done well so I won’t hold it against the book, even though I’m still not a fan of love triangles in general. I can’t wait to see what Lenore, her friends, and her protectors find in this new adventure they are embarking on!
August 6, 2017
I am always on the lookout for steampunk novels, but I really don't read enough of them. I have Carriger and Priest at home, but haven't touched them yet. Reading this makes me excited to try them - that's a compliment, in case you didn't know ;)
Lenore is a girl of the streets. She's taught herself to survive, but every day brings new dangers, and when she' offered a new life, a safer one, she accepts. It's a choice that leads her to discover new skills, new friends, and dangerous secrets.
Plot - A very intriguing, genre-bending narrative, blending together steampunk, paranormal and Going in, I expected more fantasy, but most of the plot turned around Lenore integrating into society. It was a happy overturn of expectations, as those moments were very engaging. My one quibble with the narrative was the pacing, especially in the beginning. It took a while for the plot to really take off. But once it did, it was gripping.
Character - Lenore was a fantastic character, with a full arc, acclimating to her new family, and learning to trust people. On the side of the secondary characters, the Allens, Rook, and Camilla were well realized. Characters like Eamon and Dempsey, however, were a little one-note however, and it was hard to feel the relationship that Lenore developed with the former.
Theme - It was great to see Lenore struggling in a world that was male-dominated. Alongside Mina and Camilla, she strove throughout the narrative to prove that being a woman didn't make her less worthy. It was an element that remained constant throughout.
Worldbuilding - Another strength of this novel was the world that Dana created. Full of interesting dynamics and powerful oaths, it was easy to get lost in and was expertly realized on the page so that you could believe it was as real as our world.
Style - Finally, Dana's style of writing was fantastic. Her prose was sharp and succinct and helped to keep the story going, even during the lagging bits at the beginning.
Overall, a very well written story, full of interesting characters, an intriguing world, and potential for an exciting sequel. Can't wait to see what comes next!
Lenore is a girl of the streets. She's taught herself to survive, but every day brings new dangers, and when she' offered a new life, a safer one, she accepts. It's a choice that leads her to discover new skills, new friends, and dangerous secrets.
Plot - A very intriguing, genre-bending narrative, blending together steampunk, paranormal and Going in, I expected more fantasy, but most of the plot turned around Lenore integrating into society. It was a happy overturn of expectations, as those moments were very engaging. My one quibble with the narrative was the pacing, especially in the beginning. It took a while for the plot to really take off. But once it did, it was gripping.
Character - Lenore was a fantastic character, with a full arc, acclimating to her new family, and learning to trust people. On the side of the secondary characters, the Allens, Rook, and Camilla were well realized. Characters like Eamon and Dempsey, however, were a little one-note however, and it was hard to feel the relationship that Lenore developed with the former.
Theme - It was great to see Lenore struggling in a world that was male-dominated. Alongside Mina and Camilla, she strove throughout the narrative to prove that being a woman didn't make her less worthy. It was an element that remained constant throughout.
Worldbuilding - Another strength of this novel was the world that Dana created. Full of interesting dynamics and powerful oaths, it was easy to get lost in and was expertly realized on the page so that you could believe it was as real as our world.
Style - Finally, Dana's style of writing was fantastic. Her prose was sharp and succinct and helped to keep the story going, even during the lagging bits at the beginning.
Overall, a very well written story, full of interesting characters, an intriguing world, and potential for an exciting sequel. Can't wait to see what comes next!
September 2, 2018
Out of the Shadows by Dana Fraedrich
(Broken Gears #1)
My review…
Although I knew a little about steampunk, I’d not actually read a steampunk book. Out of the Shadows was a pleasant surprise.
Besides the steampunk elements, there is mystery, danger, subterfuge, vampires and a strong, feisty female ready to fight for her survival in her post-apocalyptic world.
Since the disappearance of her parents, Lenore Crowley is a homeless orphan. She lives by her wits as a street thief, but in Springhaven being caught could mean certain death. Then she meets the Allens, who offer her a new life and a new identity.
At first, I felt skeptical that the Allens acted in Lenore’s best interest. However, they wanted to see her prosper and it’s through them that Lenore discovers her interest and talent in engineering. I enjoyed the steampunk element of Lenore discovering machinery and gadgets. Yet there is a secret in their household, another identity that has to be protected.
Then there is Rook. He’s a complex character and I did struggle to understand him until I realised he didn’t want to be understood. He’s sworn an oath to protect Lenore and oaths in Springhaven are bound by blood and death.
Lenore’s world becomes entangled with more secrets. At every turn she wonders if the Enforcers will uncover her secret life. When she learns news of her parents’, more secrets are exposed.
It took me a few chapters to really get into the story but that’s just me, not a criticism. Otherwise, the pace was good, the characters well developed, and the world building was great.
My favourite character was Lenore.
Overall, an excellent read, one I thoroughly enjoyed and would greatly recommend.
It’s a 4 Star read.
(Broken Gears #1)
My review…
Although I knew a little about steampunk, I’d not actually read a steampunk book. Out of the Shadows was a pleasant surprise.
Besides the steampunk elements, there is mystery, danger, subterfuge, vampires and a strong, feisty female ready to fight for her survival in her post-apocalyptic world.
Since the disappearance of her parents, Lenore Crowley is a homeless orphan. She lives by her wits as a street thief, but in Springhaven being caught could mean certain death. Then she meets the Allens, who offer her a new life and a new identity.
At first, I felt skeptical that the Allens acted in Lenore’s best interest. However, they wanted to see her prosper and it’s through them that Lenore discovers her interest and talent in engineering. I enjoyed the steampunk element of Lenore discovering machinery and gadgets. Yet there is a secret in their household, another identity that has to be protected.
Then there is Rook. He’s a complex character and I did struggle to understand him until I realised he didn’t want to be understood. He’s sworn an oath to protect Lenore and oaths in Springhaven are bound by blood and death.
Lenore’s world becomes entangled with more secrets. At every turn she wonders if the Enforcers will uncover her secret life. When she learns news of her parents’, more secrets are exposed.
It took me a few chapters to really get into the story but that’s just me, not a criticism. Otherwise, the pace was good, the characters well developed, and the world building was great.
My favourite character was Lenore.
Overall, an excellent read, one I thoroughly enjoyed and would greatly recommend.
It’s a 4 Star read.
November 22, 2017
The length of time it took me to read this book is by no means a reflection of its quality! Just wanted to put that out there before jumping into my review :)
I had been looking for more steampunk to read as it is a genre I'm very interested in but am also slightly intimidated by. So when Dana Fraedrich approached me and asked if I would be interested in reading her book, I jumped at the chance!
Out of the Shadows is a very enjoyable read and provides the perfect entrance into the world of steampunk. Dana's writing style works perfectly for the genre and I really liked her attention to detail. The book was clearly very well-researched and I was often impressed by the level of knowledge displayed on certain topics. I was also really happy to see Dana correctly use the phrase "couldn't care less" - (a minor point, I know, but I hate seeing "could care less"; it makes no sense!!)
Lenore is a feisty heroine with lots of sass, so obviously that means I loved her. I wanted to join in her adventures! She is a strong-willed woman who fights for her rights and doesn't let anyone belittle her, which I think is a fantastic message for the book to convey. We might not be living in the Victorian times but there are definitely still men out there who act like pigs!!
The reason I refrained from giving a 5-star rating is because, as other reviewers have pointed out, the book does take a while to get going. However, I think this was due to the fantastic world-building! Dana has created a highly detailed world that feels completely believable and really drew me in. I did feel that Lenore was a little too accepting of certain things at first (I can't really say which things without spoilers!) But maybe that's me being naïve or showing my lack of familiarity with the steampunk genre?
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and the ending has me really looking forward to reading the second book!
I had been looking for more steampunk to read as it is a genre I'm very interested in but am also slightly intimidated by. So when Dana Fraedrich approached me and asked if I would be interested in reading her book, I jumped at the chance!
Out of the Shadows is a very enjoyable read and provides the perfect entrance into the world of steampunk. Dana's writing style works perfectly for the genre and I really liked her attention to detail. The book was clearly very well-researched and I was often impressed by the level of knowledge displayed on certain topics. I was also really happy to see Dana correctly use the phrase "couldn't care less" - (a minor point, I know, but I hate seeing "could care less"; it makes no sense!!)
Lenore is a feisty heroine with lots of sass, so obviously that means I loved her. I wanted to join in her adventures! She is a strong-willed woman who fights for her rights and doesn't let anyone belittle her, which I think is a fantastic message for the book to convey. We might not be living in the Victorian times but there are definitely still men out there who act like pigs!!
The reason I refrained from giving a 5-star rating is because, as other reviewers have pointed out, the book does take a while to get going. However, I think this was due to the fantastic world-building! Dana has created a highly detailed world that feels completely believable and really drew me in. I did feel that Lenore was a little too accepting of certain things at first (I can't really say which things without spoilers!) But maybe that's me being naïve or showing my lack of familiarity with the steampunk genre?
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and the ending has me really looking forward to reading the second book!
June 8, 2019
Lenore is a thief, constantly on the run from the brutal Enforcers who imprisoned her parents and still subject them to torture. Fleeing one encounter, she is catapulted into the lives of the upper class Allens and thus begins a life of intrigue, romance, engineering and danger.
Fraedrich has created an extraordinary world with elements of steampunk Victoriana, fantasy and romance. The characters are well rounded and entertaining, particularly the bad boy whose oath physically binds him to Lenore.
Whilst the narrative unfolds at a leisurely pace early on, this enables a depth of character and world building that gives the book a feeling of authenticity before throwing those we know now into extreme peril.
This is clearly the first book in a series, leaving many unanswered questions, but I enjoyed it so much that I would definitely read part 2.
Fraedrich has created an extraordinary world with elements of steampunk Victoriana, fantasy and romance. The characters are well rounded and entertaining, particularly the bad boy whose oath physically binds him to Lenore.
Whilst the narrative unfolds at a leisurely pace early on, this enables a depth of character and world building that gives the book a feeling of authenticity before throwing those we know now into extreme peril.
This is clearly the first book in a series, leaving many unanswered questions, but I enjoyed it so much that I would definitely read part 2.
November 3, 2017
I wanted to like this book and it started off very well. I enjoyed the steampunk and the world building but as it progressed it became more about the relationship between the teenage girl and the slightly older street wise kid who is secretly protecting her. There was just too much game playing among the characters and who was going to date who. The writing was good, just not my type of book.
July 3, 2018
Out of the Shadows by Dana Fraedrich really scratched the steampunk itch I’ve been having lately. I especially enjoyed that the book was set in a unique steampunk world, rather than Victorian England. In fact, the unique world that it is set in means that one could also classify it as magicpunk.
The book takes place in Springhaven, a London-esque city in the small country of Invarnis. While Springhaven appears idyllic and tranquil on the surface, in reality, it is a dystopian society run by Enforcers who take a zero-tolerance policy to what they deem criminal activity. Criminal activity includes your usual—theft, rape, murder—but also means any sort of resistance against the established order. This includes befriending or assisting anyone deemed a criminal.
The main character, Lenore Crowley, has been an orphan for around a year at the start of the book because her parents were taken away for defying those in charge. She believes them to be dead, but learns later on
What I found especially interesting about the world building in Out of the Shadows is that Lenore’s society is built upon the remains of the Old World. Nobody is entirely certain what the Old World was or what happened to it, but they do know that in the Old World, magic, supernatural creatures, and fantastical events occurred which no longer exist (or so everyone believes). As readers, we are not even entirely sure how long ago the Old World ended. Thousands of years, hundreds, or just decades? It is my guess that the end of the Old World may have been brought about by the same iron hand that now rules Lenore’s society.
The remains of the Old World is where the magicpunk comes in. While Invarnis does run on new steampunk technology, tech from the Old World still pops up from time to time, and nobody can discern what powered it or how it works. When Lenore is taken in by the Allens, she begins to work as an assistant for her surrogate father Neal at a museum. His department is dedicated to Old World artifacts and the exploration of such. Late in the book, Lenore even comes into possession of a nifty artifact
I especially love when steampunk stories tie in Gothic and supernatural elements, and Out of the Shadows does so perfectly. If you couldn’t tell by Lenore’s name (and the names of many other characters), the tone of the novel is heavily influenced by the works of Poe and other Gothic writers. In addition to the Gothic tone, the supernatural features prominently in the story. While most of the population of Invarnis believes that the supernatural creatures of the Old World no longer exist, the Allens know that they do still reside, hiding in the shadows on the fringes of society.
One such creature is a newly-turned (within the past few decades) vampire and friend of the family, Kieran. Kieran is very much a traditional vampire, sleeping in a coffin, allergic to sunlight, drinking blood, and magically bound by any oath he makes.
In fact, oaths play a particularly important role in this novel. In the Old World, one’s oath had magically binding effects. That is no longer true in Invarnis, with a few notable exceptions. The criminal leader Rook accidentally made a binding oath to Lenore’s father to protect Lenore at all costs. He is now magically tied to her, able to sense whenever she is in danger or pain, and feels her injuries as his own. This has led to him becoming both obsessive with and possessive of Lenore, and the romantic tension between them is great fun. The tension is heightened because neither of them is entirely certain how much of Rook’s feelings for Lenore are genuine and how much are caused by his unbreakable oath.
Another element that I especially love in fantasy fiction is morally grey characters. I appreciate when the bad guys are not entirely villainous and the good guys are imperfect and flawed. I think Dana Fraedrich does a good job of presenting all of her protagonists as flawed individuals who make and must learn from their mistakes. The villains (mainly the government and Enforcers) are perhaps a bit too stereotypical, but at least one Enforcer is not cackling evil (though he is a mole among their group, so he can’t even really be counted as a villain). It would have been interesting to see more from the point of view of an Enforcer who genuinely believes that they are doing the right thing, to make them feel more human.
Probably my biggest issue with the novel is the love triangle. I have never been a fan of love triangles, and must of the time they feel contrived. Lenore finds herself falling for two men
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series, Into the Fire, especially because we will be journeying to a new part of Invarnis, Bone Port on the southern coast, as Lenore and her family are to be part of an Old World expedition there. Hopefully the next novel will explore the Old World further and the mystery behind its downfall.
The book takes place in Springhaven, a London-esque city in the small country of Invarnis. While Springhaven appears idyllic and tranquil on the surface, in reality, it is a dystopian society run by Enforcers who take a zero-tolerance policy to what they deem criminal activity. Criminal activity includes your usual—theft, rape, murder—but also means any sort of resistance against the established order. This includes befriending or assisting anyone deemed a criminal.
The main character, Lenore Crowley, has been an orphan for around a year at the start of the book because her parents were taken away for defying those in charge. She believes them to be dead, but learns later on
What I found especially interesting about the world building in Out of the Shadows is that Lenore’s society is built upon the remains of the Old World. Nobody is entirely certain what the Old World was or what happened to it, but they do know that in the Old World, magic, supernatural creatures, and fantastical events occurred which no longer exist (or so everyone believes). As readers, we are not even entirely sure how long ago the Old World ended. Thousands of years, hundreds, or just decades? It is my guess that the end of the Old World may have been brought about by the same iron hand that now rules Lenore’s society.
The remains of the Old World is where the magicpunk comes in. While Invarnis does run on new steampunk technology, tech from the Old World still pops up from time to time, and nobody can discern what powered it or how it works. When Lenore is taken in by the Allens, she begins to work as an assistant for her surrogate father Neal at a museum. His department is dedicated to Old World artifacts and the exploration of such. Late in the book, Lenore even comes into possession of a nifty artifact
I especially love when steampunk stories tie in Gothic and supernatural elements, and Out of the Shadows does so perfectly. If you couldn’t tell by Lenore’s name (and the names of many other characters), the tone of the novel is heavily influenced by the works of Poe and other Gothic writers. In addition to the Gothic tone, the supernatural features prominently in the story. While most of the population of Invarnis believes that the supernatural creatures of the Old World no longer exist, the Allens know that they do still reside, hiding in the shadows on the fringes of society.
One such creature is a newly-turned (within the past few decades) vampire and friend of the family, Kieran. Kieran is very much a traditional vampire, sleeping in a coffin, allergic to sunlight, drinking blood, and magically bound by any oath he makes.
In fact, oaths play a particularly important role in this novel. In the Old World, one’s oath had magically binding effects. That is no longer true in Invarnis, with a few notable exceptions. The criminal leader Rook accidentally made a binding oath to Lenore’s father to protect Lenore at all costs. He is now magically tied to her, able to sense whenever she is in danger or pain, and feels her injuries as his own. This has led to him becoming both obsessive with and possessive of Lenore, and the romantic tension between them is great fun. The tension is heightened because neither of them is entirely certain how much of Rook’s feelings for Lenore are genuine and how much are caused by his unbreakable oath.
Another element that I especially love in fantasy fiction is morally grey characters. I appreciate when the bad guys are not entirely villainous and the good guys are imperfect and flawed. I think Dana Fraedrich does a good job of presenting all of her protagonists as flawed individuals who make and must learn from their mistakes. The villains (mainly the government and Enforcers) are perhaps a bit too stereotypical, but at least one Enforcer is not cackling evil (though he is a mole among their group, so he can’t even really be counted as a villain). It would have been interesting to see more from the point of view of an Enforcer who genuinely believes that they are doing the right thing, to make them feel more human.
Probably my biggest issue with the novel is the love triangle. I have never been a fan of love triangles, and must of the time they feel contrived. Lenore finds herself falling for two men
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series, Into the Fire, especially because we will be journeying to a new part of Invarnis, Bone Port on the southern coast, as Lenore and her family are to be part of an Old World expedition there. Hopefully the next novel will explore the Old World further and the mystery behind its downfall.
October 1, 2017
I rate this book 4.5/5.
Steampunk is not usually my genre of choice, but after reading Jay Kristoff’s Stormdancer, I jumped at the chance to read Dana Fraedrich’s Out of the Shadows. Fraedrich’s worldbuilding is extensive. The world of enforcers, thieves, magic, oaths, the old world- new world dynamic, and the society, is carefully woven together to bring a strong visual and emotional element to the reader.
The characters were well-rounded and distinctive. Rook was the character to keep me intrigued, even more so than mysterious Kieran. No spoilers, but I like me some Rook. Lenore’s character had that anxious, never fully relaxed edge to her that suited her personality and circumstance brilliantly.
Fraedrich’s prose is smooth and easy to read. Questions are answered, and then more are peppered into the plot. I enjoy reads that don’t give everything away in one swoop. The sub plots running alongside Lenore’s main narrative were subtly guided along without hindering the reading experience. The pacing at the start was a little slow, and it took me a while to get into the meat of the story, but once you’re in, the pace picks up, and you’re sucked into Lenore’s world.
Do you like steampunk, strong main characters, and fabulous worldbuilding? Then, this is the book for you.
Steampunk is not usually my genre of choice, but after reading Jay Kristoff’s Stormdancer, I jumped at the chance to read Dana Fraedrich’s Out of the Shadows. Fraedrich’s worldbuilding is extensive. The world of enforcers, thieves, magic, oaths, the old world- new world dynamic, and the society, is carefully woven together to bring a strong visual and emotional element to the reader.
The characters were well-rounded and distinctive. Rook was the character to keep me intrigued, even more so than mysterious Kieran. No spoilers, but I like me some Rook. Lenore’s character had that anxious, never fully relaxed edge to her that suited her personality and circumstance brilliantly.
Fraedrich’s prose is smooth and easy to read. Questions are answered, and then more are peppered into the plot. I enjoy reads that don’t give everything away in one swoop. The sub plots running alongside Lenore’s main narrative were subtly guided along without hindering the reading experience. The pacing at the start was a little slow, and it took me a while to get into the meat of the story, but once you’re in, the pace picks up, and you’re sucked into Lenore’s world.
Do you like steampunk, strong main characters, and fabulous worldbuilding? Then, this is the book for you.
July 3, 2019
This was an interesting experience for me. I read Book 3 first because I'm editing it, so I loved seeing how everything started in Out of the Shadows! It was a little like reading a prequel for me, and I do love those!
Don't let me give you the wrong idea though. This is the start of a fantastic steampunk trilogy in every way!
Dana's world-building is strong, but it's her characters that will make you turn the pages. They're relatable, realistic, and super likable (especially Rook and Lenore <3) On top of that, her writing is easy to read and just *flows* from one chapter to the next.
If you love strong female leads who won't take sh*t from anyone (with a dash of handsome criminals and a side of humour), then you'll love this!
Don't let me give you the wrong idea though. This is the start of a fantastic steampunk trilogy in every way!
Dana's world-building is strong, but it's her characters that will make you turn the pages. They're relatable, realistic, and super likable (especially Rook and Lenore <3) On top of that, her writing is easy to read and just *flows* from one chapter to the next.
If you love strong female leads who won't take sh*t from anyone (with a dash of handsome criminals and a side of humour), then you'll love this!
April 24, 2017
Took me long enough...
Out of the Shadows was a book I didn't know too much about going into it. I'm not gonna lie, it took me awhile to get into it (I think it's partially because I had so many other books happening at the same time, and the small font killed me at first). So I was able to get back to it and focus on just on this book. I did start over, so that it would have a fair opinion of it. I'm so glad I did!
This was a genre bending book. Equal parts steampunk, fantasy, with some underground grit and vampires thrown in. It's a very intriguing read and once I finally sat down and gave it the attention it needed, I really enjoyed it. All the elements made it incredibly unique.
Lenore Crowley is trying to survive. However, living the life of a thief in Springhaven, there is no sympathy for her kind - this was her life choice and she must live with those consequences. After the Allens rescue Lenore from certain torment, she's offered a new life, a life that can save her from the underworld of crime. The universe is keeping score, however, and Lenore isn't the only one caught in this web of debt. With someone from her past looking for her, her entire new start at life becomes at risk and she must tread carefully, because one wrong move could mean the end of her world.
It was a good paced read and kept my interest throughout. I definitely would pick up more from Dana! I'm excited to see what other unique stories she comes up with. I didn't think these elements would be able to mesh well, but she did it wonderfully!
I give this a solid 4/5 stars!
A big thanks to the author, Dana Fraedrich, for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review!
Out of the Shadows was a book I didn't know too much about going into it. I'm not gonna lie, it took me awhile to get into it (I think it's partially because I had so many other books happening at the same time, and the small font killed me at first). So I was able to get back to it and focus on just on this book. I did start over, so that it would have a fair opinion of it. I'm so glad I did!
This was a genre bending book. Equal parts steampunk, fantasy, with some underground grit and vampires thrown in. It's a very intriguing read and once I finally sat down and gave it the attention it needed, I really enjoyed it. All the elements made it incredibly unique.
Lenore Crowley is trying to survive. However, living the life of a thief in Springhaven, there is no sympathy for her kind - this was her life choice and she must live with those consequences. After the Allens rescue Lenore from certain torment, she's offered a new life, a life that can save her from the underworld of crime. The universe is keeping score, however, and Lenore isn't the only one caught in this web of debt. With someone from her past looking for her, her entire new start at life becomes at risk and she must tread carefully, because one wrong move could mean the end of her world.
It was a good paced read and kept my interest throughout. I definitely would pick up more from Dana! I'm excited to see what other unique stories she comes up with. I didn't think these elements would be able to mesh well, but she did it wonderfully!
I give this a solid 4/5 stars!
A big thanks to the author, Dana Fraedrich, for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review!
June 20, 2022
This is such a cool world. It’s a bit of a mix of fantasy/steampunk/paranormal set in a rule-heavy time period like regency or Victorian. There isn’t much “steam” power in the steampunk, but it’s definitely heavy on technology and engineering, which I found really interesting. I loved the idea of them trying to reverse-engineer machines they had found. I also loved the discussions of women in traditionally men’s fields.
The characters were all unique and intriguing. I like all the grey area between who’s a criminal or lawful or moral. I want to say more but don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just say I really like the characters the way they are. I kept thinking of a popular male character from another series who seems like a “bad guy” and turns out to be the “justifiable and always perfect good guy” and I always felt I liked him more with the evil edge. I like the evil edges and imperfections here. :)
Another thing I liked was how the story takes its time. It isn’t like every second danger is lurking and you start wondering “how can all of this happen and they endure so much stress in such a short time?!” I’ve seen other reviews mention pacing but it worked fine for me. It made the evolution seem more reasonable.
It does end a bit cliffhangerish, but I was ok with that because I’m happy to spend more time in this world. ;)
I had a lot of other stuff going on when I was trying to read this, so I didn’t read it nearly as fast as I wanted to! I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and characters. I had read Raven’s Cry, a stand-alone prequel, so I was also looking forward to possibly revisiting characters.
*Reread this and loved it even more the second time.
The characters were all unique and intriguing. I like all the grey area between who’s a criminal or lawful or moral. I want to say more but don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just say I really like the characters the way they are. I kept thinking of a popular male character from another series who seems like a “bad guy” and turns out to be the “justifiable and always perfect good guy” and I always felt I liked him more with the evil edge. I like the evil edges and imperfections here. :)
Another thing I liked was how the story takes its time. It isn’t like every second danger is lurking and you start wondering “how can all of this happen and they endure so much stress in such a short time?!” I’ve seen other reviews mention pacing but it worked fine for me. It made the evolution seem more reasonable.
It does end a bit cliffhangerish, but I was ok with that because I’m happy to spend more time in this world. ;)
I had a lot of other stuff going on when I was trying to read this, so I didn’t read it nearly as fast as I wanted to! I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and characters. I had read Raven’s Cry, a stand-alone prequel, so I was also looking forward to possibly revisiting characters.
*Reread this and loved it even more the second time.
May 8, 2018
It has been some time since I have had the pleasure of reading a book that I couldn't bear to put down! The author masterfully eased this reader into the world of steampunk with such vivid imagery and attention to detail that I found myself unwittingly immersed, feeling quite at home in this new-to-me genre. I adore Lenore; she's the kind of protagonist that allows others to shine at times - a true reflection of her strength, and some seriously brilliant writing. I imagine this is why all of the characters came to life in such a way that I couldn't get them out of my head even when I wasn't reading the book...trying to sort out their problems, crossing my fingers that certain plot twists would work out in their favor. And just when I had my opinion about one particular male character set in stone - Ms. Fraedrich busted it with a three-pound hammer. Well done! I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster ride, and I cannot wait to dig into Book 2!
March 23, 2021
I read this a while ago and totally forgot to put up my review. So, I’ve not read a lot of steam punk but this really engaged me to want to read more. I really loved Lenore from the outset. She has a kind yet determined personality which I really gelled with. I was delighted with the paranormal element and the rich visual story. I could really picture Lenores world very well. I found the names and year dates very unique and imaginative. The plot was interesting and rich. A thoroughly entertaining book.
May 14, 2017
Uppity women unite!
Set in a time of set roles and manners, this is a story of women who refused to be held in thrall by tbe prejudices of their times. With the addition of supernatural and criminal elements and a touch of steampunk, this is a story full of rewards for the reader. Well-edited and professionally laid-out, there is nothing to disturb the reader during this engrossing tale.
Set in a time of set roles and manners, this is a story of women who refused to be held in thrall by tbe prejudices of their times. With the addition of supernatural and criminal elements and a touch of steampunk, this is a story full of rewards for the reader. Well-edited and professionally laid-out, there is nothing to disturb the reader during this engrossing tale.
September 29, 2018
I was intrigued by the blurb for this book and thought it would be fun to read a steampunk fantasy. The story pulled me in right away with great characters, a fascinating setting, and an intriguing premise. As the story unfolded, though, I became TOTALLY HOOKED! I'm normally a slow reader, but I couldn't put this book down. I loved all the characters so much, I kinda just wanted to jump into the story!
February 19, 2020
There's an interesting world here populated by fascinating characters and a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat; in essence, there isn't a lot not to love about this book. This seems to have been categorised as steampunk, however whilst I would agree that there are certainly some steampunk elements to the novel, it is more fantasy based than historical based. The dystopian world set-up is immersive, with an authoritarian and draconian ruling elite that both set the rules and carry out the punishments for breaking them. Lenore, as the daughter of two 'convicted' criminals, finds herself out on a limb at the beginning of the book, having to steal to survive but knowing that she is always only steps away from discovery, imprisonment and torture. When Lenore is almost captured by the Enforcers her entire life changes and she finds herself treading into the world of the upper class, with identity papers and a new background to match.
There is a huge amount going on throughout this book with multiple narrative threads and various sub-plots going on throughout. By and large the writing really brings both the characters and the events to life and it is easy to get sucked into both the minutiae of Lenore's life and the more important events occurring throughout. There is plenty of detail and you really get a sense of the characters lives; how they work, think and act on a day to day basis. The interactions between characters are largely well played as well with relationships being just as murky and grey as they are in the real world. Quite impressively, all of the characters come across as fully realised with none falling into the trap of becoming cardboard cut outs. Even the love triangle angle wasn't overly annoying, although personally I'd have been tempted to thump both blokes over the head with something heavy and tell them to take a hike.
Because there is so much going on, it's difficult to know where this is leading which means that it can catch you unawares at points by going in a completely different direction to where you had judged. Lenore's life becomes ever more complex as she assumes life as an adopted family member of the Allens, finds work, navigates the social tightrope of the time and fumbles through her first experiences of courtship all the while trying to stay out of the firing zone of the Enforcers and to stay alive. Yet Lenore isn't the only character you are following and other characters very different and more dangerous lives are brought to the fore at crucial points, keeping you constantly guessing and engaged with all of the characters.
My only complaint is that periodically the writing falls into a 'tell rather than show' style which breaks the smoothness of the dialogue and the majority of the narrative. There were also narrative threads that seemed to get dropped like the hazing of one of Lenore's colleagues; considering his nature, it would seem more natural for him to make a huge song and dance about it, but you actually learn very little about it. Personally, I'd have appreciated less of the romance and love triangle, but I recognise that is a personal choice. Thankfully is wasn't too sappy but the possessiveness and inability to accept the word 'no' as a valid response grew old rather quickly. Either way though, these are three minor niggles with an overall excellent novel.
This novel has a lot to offer and not just for fans of steampunk writing; there is an immersive and compelling world here with a variety of politics lurking in the background. There is a solid cast of characters who are all interesting and individual in their own rights and Fraedrich writes well, capturing emotions and dialogue without losing track of the main narrative.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for my free review copy of this novel. I have already meandered over to Amazon and bought the sequel.
There is a huge amount going on throughout this book with multiple narrative threads and various sub-plots going on throughout. By and large the writing really brings both the characters and the events to life and it is easy to get sucked into both the minutiae of Lenore's life and the more important events occurring throughout. There is plenty of detail and you really get a sense of the characters lives; how they work, think and act on a day to day basis. The interactions between characters are largely well played as well with relationships being just as murky and grey as they are in the real world. Quite impressively, all of the characters come across as fully realised with none falling into the trap of becoming cardboard cut outs. Even the love triangle angle wasn't overly annoying, although personally I'd have been tempted to thump both blokes over the head with something heavy and tell them to take a hike.
Because there is so much going on, it's difficult to know where this is leading which means that it can catch you unawares at points by going in a completely different direction to where you had judged. Lenore's life becomes ever more complex as she assumes life as an adopted family member of the Allens, finds work, navigates the social tightrope of the time and fumbles through her first experiences of courtship all the while trying to stay out of the firing zone of the Enforcers and to stay alive. Yet Lenore isn't the only character you are following and other characters very different and more dangerous lives are brought to the fore at crucial points, keeping you constantly guessing and engaged with all of the characters.
My only complaint is that periodically the writing falls into a 'tell rather than show' style which breaks the smoothness of the dialogue and the majority of the narrative. There were also narrative threads that seemed to get dropped like the hazing of one of Lenore's colleagues; considering his nature, it would seem more natural for him to make a huge song and dance about it, but you actually learn very little about it. Personally, I'd have appreciated less of the romance and love triangle, but I recognise that is a personal choice. Thankfully is wasn't too sappy but the possessiveness and inability to accept the word 'no' as a valid response grew old rather quickly. Either way though, these are three minor niggles with an overall excellent novel.
This novel has a lot to offer and not just for fans of steampunk writing; there is an immersive and compelling world here with a variety of politics lurking in the background. There is a solid cast of characters who are all interesting and individual in their own rights and Fraedrich writes well, capturing emotions and dialogue without losing track of the main narrative.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for my free review copy of this novel. I have already meandered over to Amazon and bought the sequel.
August 21, 2019
Why, though?
I have incredibly strong, yet mixed, feelings about this book.
The story is excellent and very well told. Tthe characters are wonderful, and the world building is great. The central character is vivacious and intelligent, and her position as someone who is highly individual in a world where conformity is prized is highly relatable for many in this day and age. Through the characters and events of the story, the reader is challenged to consider the complexities of life, loyalty, overcoming prejudice and being true to ones own identity and values.
There is nothing not to love about this book, except the ending.
There is no resolution to the questions and complications of the story. It’s not a well-executed cliffhanger.
It .
Just.
Stops.
To be reading a brilliant story and then just have it stop dead in its tracks is most disappointing, to say the least. It actually took me a week to write this review because I was so annoyed. It’s fair to say that my disappointment at the end of the book overwhelmed and outweighed all the enjoyment I had derived from it, and left me feeling quite resentful and angry.
It was clearly designed for readers to progress straight to the next book, as one sometimes does with a series, and if readers chose to do so, then the nature of the ending probably doesn’t matter so much. The story is certainly interesting and engaging enough that readers might want to do that.
The problem is that many readers don’t read a series sequentially like that. I prefer to vary my reading across genres and styles, and I know I am not by any means the only one who does so.
When I buy a book, it’s with the understanding that I’m going to get a complete story with some closure and a proper ending. It’s actually enough to put me off buying the next book, even though I really want to know what happens, simply because I believe the same thing will happen again.
If you are a reader who is willing to move straight into the sequel, then by all means consider this to be a five star review. Read this book and make sure you’ve got the next one ready to go at the end of it.
If you are a reader who will be frustrated by the absence of any decent ending or resolution, then no matter how good the story is, this is not the book for you.
I have incredibly strong, yet mixed, feelings about this book.
The story is excellent and very well told. Tthe characters are wonderful, and the world building is great. The central character is vivacious and intelligent, and her position as someone who is highly individual in a world where conformity is prized is highly relatable for many in this day and age. Through the characters and events of the story, the reader is challenged to consider the complexities of life, loyalty, overcoming prejudice and being true to ones own identity and values.
There is nothing not to love about this book, except the ending.
There is no resolution to the questions and complications of the story. It’s not a well-executed cliffhanger.
It .
Just.
Stops.
To be reading a brilliant story and then just have it stop dead in its tracks is most disappointing, to say the least. It actually took me a week to write this review because I was so annoyed. It’s fair to say that my disappointment at the end of the book overwhelmed and outweighed all the enjoyment I had derived from it, and left me feeling quite resentful and angry.
It was clearly designed for readers to progress straight to the next book, as one sometimes does with a series, and if readers chose to do so, then the nature of the ending probably doesn’t matter so much. The story is certainly interesting and engaging enough that readers might want to do that.
The problem is that many readers don’t read a series sequentially like that. I prefer to vary my reading across genres and styles, and I know I am not by any means the only one who does so.
When I buy a book, it’s with the understanding that I’m going to get a complete story with some closure and a proper ending. It’s actually enough to put me off buying the next book, even though I really want to know what happens, simply because I believe the same thing will happen again.
If you are a reader who is willing to move straight into the sequel, then by all means consider this to be a five star review. Read this book and make sure you’ve got the next one ready to go at the end of it.
If you are a reader who will be frustrated by the absence of any decent ending or resolution, then no matter how good the story is, this is not the book for you.
June 26, 2018
[Originating from my tumblr/book review site fromthelibrarycatalog.tumblr.com]
I was at BookCon in NYC at the beginning of the month, and I happened across author Dana Fraedrich’s booth. Noted as being similar to “Pride and Prejudice,” but with a steampunk twist, I was immediately intrigued. Upon reading the first few pages, I was drawn into the Broken Gears world, and proceeded to return the next day, in order to buy the rest of the titles that she was selling.
Set in the Broken Gears world, Lenore has fallen upon hard times. Having lost both her parents to the law, she is forced to live as a thief on the streets. In a town where law and punishment is held to the strictest degree by the police (Enforcers), getting caught means almost guaranteed death. However, one unlucky, but lucky, day, Lenore is caught by the Allen family. Rather than turning her in, they make a deal: Live with them, and start anew. At first overjoyed with the opportunity to restart her life, Lenore begins to find he familial past catching up with her, and a mysterious figure with an unquestioned bond to her is seeking her out.
I absolutely loved this book. The steampunk aspect of the book is well-balanced with the plot and the characters; not overpowering the rest of the story. In addition, I liked how the world is created in the book. Not all the rules are introduced at once. Rather, aspects of this world that differ from our reality are introduced when they happen to Lenore herself. As such, this world’s workings is not fully outlined until about a third of the way in. For me, this writing style kept me intrigued to read more, and propelled me throughout the story. Lastly, I was very pleased with the way that the character development was created. For all the characters in the story, there is growth, as well as a trajectory of their mindset and emotions. While the story takes place mostly from Lenore’s perspective, to ensure that the reader understands the other characters, Fraedrich switches perspectives to all the other main/secondary characters. In doing so, she allows us to empathize with all the characters, including the ones that are not so nice.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes adventure and romance, wrapped in a layer of steampunk.
I was at BookCon in NYC at the beginning of the month, and I happened across author Dana Fraedrich’s booth. Noted as being similar to “Pride and Prejudice,” but with a steampunk twist, I was immediately intrigued. Upon reading the first few pages, I was drawn into the Broken Gears world, and proceeded to return the next day, in order to buy the rest of the titles that she was selling.
Set in the Broken Gears world, Lenore has fallen upon hard times. Having lost both her parents to the law, she is forced to live as a thief on the streets. In a town where law and punishment is held to the strictest degree by the police (Enforcers), getting caught means almost guaranteed death. However, one unlucky, but lucky, day, Lenore is caught by the Allen family. Rather than turning her in, they make a deal: Live with them, and start anew. At first overjoyed with the opportunity to restart her life, Lenore begins to find he familial past catching up with her, and a mysterious figure with an unquestioned bond to her is seeking her out.
I absolutely loved this book. The steampunk aspect of the book is well-balanced with the plot and the characters; not overpowering the rest of the story. In addition, I liked how the world is created in the book. Not all the rules are introduced at once. Rather, aspects of this world that differ from our reality are introduced when they happen to Lenore herself. As such, this world’s workings is not fully outlined until about a third of the way in. For me, this writing style kept me intrigued to read more, and propelled me throughout the story. Lastly, I was very pleased with the way that the character development was created. For all the characters in the story, there is growth, as well as a trajectory of their mindset and emotions. While the story takes place mostly from Lenore’s perspective, to ensure that the reader understands the other characters, Fraedrich switches perspectives to all the other main/secondary characters. In doing so, she allows us to empathize with all the characters, including the ones that are not so nice.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes adventure and romance, wrapped in a layer of steampunk.
November 1, 2022
I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens which I am so grateful for. I really enjoyed this book! It has such an intricate world and storyline! There is a city controlled by Enforcers which reminds me of The Hunger Games, a very detailed yet mysterious criminal underworld, vampires, relics from the Old World, bonds that magically bind people together, and traditional class systems with courting, chaperones and ideas. The book has the steampunk aesthetic and is set in an alternative and fictional world that I picture as somewhat similar to Victorian England. It’s so fun!
The main character, Lenore, was a thief after her parents were captured by the Enforcers. After a series of chance encounters, she is ‘adopted’ into the home and family of Neal, Mina and Camilla, who are wonderful characters. Lenore also has a bond with a criminal called Rook, as he promised her father that he would protect her. I love most of the characters in this book, but Lenore and Rook are the main characters for a reason, as they are my favourites. Their romantic friends who wish they could be more relationship is so sweet, and they both truly care for each other and I hope in the following books they are able to begin an official relationship.
The book ended quite abruptly and I definitely still have questions about a few aspects of the plot, such as; Why did Rook hand himself in if he was going back to the crime world as it didn’t seem to help his situation with Lenore? Why was Dmitri a mole as he seems to be more in favour of the Enforces? What’s happened to Lenore’s mother? Who wants to kill Lenore? and finally, why is it so extremely bad for Rook and Lenore to date? They’re already friends and there’s suspicious feelings towards Eamonn as well. I’m sure these questions will be answered and I can’t wait to read the next book!
The main character, Lenore, was a thief after her parents were captured by the Enforcers. After a series of chance encounters, she is ‘adopted’ into the home and family of Neal, Mina and Camilla, who are wonderful characters. Lenore also has a bond with a criminal called Rook, as he promised her father that he would protect her. I love most of the characters in this book, but Lenore and Rook are the main characters for a reason, as they are my favourites. Their romantic friends who wish they could be more relationship is so sweet, and they both truly care for each other and I hope in the following books they are able to begin an official relationship.
The book ended quite abruptly and I definitely still have questions about a few aspects of the plot, such as; Why did Rook hand himself in if he was going back to the crime world as it didn’t seem to help his situation with Lenore? Why was Dmitri a mole as he seems to be more in favour of the Enforces? What’s happened to Lenore’s mother? Who wants to kill Lenore? and finally, why is it so extremely bad for Rook and Lenore to date? They’re already friends and there’s suspicious feelings towards Eamonn as well. I’m sure these questions will be answered and I can’t wait to read the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2019
I picked up this book after meeting the lovely author at a convention. I am not generally a fan of female lead fiction, especially ya, but I was intrigued by the world design enough to give it a shot.
Off the bat, I was not disappointed by the world design. It is different and designed well enough it holds up under basic scrutiny. I hope more details will be revealed as the series continues, such as just what happened with the War and how the Enforcers came to such power.
The writing style is solid and enjoyable, and the dialogue feels natural and entertaining.
Where I felt the story didn't quite reach a fifth star for me was in the plot -- or lack there of. There is plenty going on in the double dozen subplots happening, but there is a distinctive lack of an overarching plot, which creates a feeling at the close of the novel that nothing had actually happened. There were lots of charactersnintroduced, many of which felt unnecessary to the current plot threads and transparently seemed to have been introduced for the sole reason of using them in plots of sequels
Other things I disliked are merely my own tastes conflicting with the narrative. I prefer very logical characters, and Lenore is the epitome of an emotionally driven character, as is the norm for a young girl in a ya, hence my usual distaste for novels featuring them. Inevitably, the novel brought in the standard love triangle, a point at which I actually groaned aloud.
I will likely read the sequels, to find out more about the universe, if nothing else, and perhaps to see if any of my predictions about certain things come true. Hopefully, this novel length setup will pay off in faster pacing down the line.
Off the bat, I was not disappointed by the world design. It is different and designed well enough it holds up under basic scrutiny. I hope more details will be revealed as the series continues, such as just what happened with the War and how the Enforcers came to such power.
The writing style is solid and enjoyable, and the dialogue feels natural and entertaining.
Where I felt the story didn't quite reach a fifth star for me was in the plot -- or lack there of. There is plenty going on in the double dozen subplots happening, but there is a distinctive lack of an overarching plot, which creates a feeling at the close of the novel that nothing had actually happened. There were lots of charactersnintroduced, many of which felt unnecessary to the current plot threads and transparently seemed to have been introduced for the sole reason of using them in plots of sequels
Other things I disliked are merely my own tastes conflicting with the narrative. I prefer very logical characters, and Lenore is the epitome of an emotionally driven character, as is the norm for a young girl in a ya, hence my usual distaste for novels featuring them. Inevitably, the novel brought in the standard love triangle, a point at which I actually groaned aloud.
I will likely read the sequels, to find out more about the universe, if nothing else, and perhaps to see if any of my predictions about certain things come true. Hopefully, this novel length setup will pay off in faster pacing down the line.
December 5, 2019
Let me start by saying that I really enjoy the cover art of this novel; that’s actually one of the reasons why I chose it, that and I have a hard time turning down a steam punk theme.
It had a cool premise, one of a steam punk world after the war of light where magic and technology no longer exist in the traditional sense. The world seems to be governed by Enforcers, those who maintain order sometimes through brutal means. To be honest I’m not totally clear who’s in charge and how.
This novel went all over the place and some things were not made clear. I have so many basic questions about the world itself, the past, the characters, the dynamics...
I felt this was a really long read, much longer than necessary. It jumped around a lot, the dialogue was a bit rough and cheesy in spots, there was no clear indication when a different character took over the narration of the story, and I thought it was repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m team Rook all the way and I wanted more focus on him, his story, Lenores story. I didn’t really care for the overabundance of family dynamics. Dig in and get to the good stuff. I’m definitely not satisfied with the ending.
I want to know what happens and I’d read the second book. I just hope that it flows better than the first.
I received an advanced readers copy for free and all the opinions expressed are my own.
It had a cool premise, one of a steam punk world after the war of light where magic and technology no longer exist in the traditional sense. The world seems to be governed by Enforcers, those who maintain order sometimes through brutal means. To be honest I’m not totally clear who’s in charge and how.
This novel went all over the place and some things were not made clear. I have so many basic questions about the world itself, the past, the characters, the dynamics...
I felt this was a really long read, much longer than necessary. It jumped around a lot, the dialogue was a bit rough and cheesy in spots, there was no clear indication when a different character took over the narration of the story, and I thought it was repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m team Rook all the way and I wanted more focus on him, his story, Lenores story. I didn’t really care for the overabundance of family dynamics. Dig in and get to the good stuff. I’m definitely not satisfied with the ending.
I want to know what happens and I’d read the second book. I just hope that it flows better than the first.
I received an advanced readers copy for free and all the opinions expressed are my own.
August 27, 2020
Lenore is rescued from her thieving ways by the Allens and is given a new life with a whole new code of conduct. Eventually a stranger appears, somehow knowing everything about her and her past, risking her exposure. Lenore is forced to continue on with the second chance that she has been given, despite new threats to reveal the truth.
What I liked:
- The world that Dana Fraedrich created. It's one where magic and wondrous contraptions, long-since forgotten, are now unveiled from excavating, making you want to know more about the world that once was.
- The character interactions. I loved the quick quips, the sweet romance, the friendship... At first, I didn't like how quickly Lenore was to trust the Allens (that came out of nowhere) and Rook (can you say "creep"?), but they eventually grew on me.
- The non-stereotypical gender roles. Mina Allen is a Doctor, and Lenore gets a job in Engineering.
What I didn't like:
- The confusing Point of Views. There were clear scene breaks within the chapter to distinguish changing POVs, but then there also seemed to be a little omniscient POV sprinkled within.
Overall:
I loved this book. Despite having my shipping heart broken (it was bound to happen...) and how much of a creep I found Rook to be in the beginning, I was always looking forward to what was bound to happen next. I can't wait to read the second book to find out more!
What I liked:
- The world that Dana Fraedrich created. It's one where magic and wondrous contraptions, long-since forgotten, are now unveiled from excavating, making you want to know more about the world that once was.
- The character interactions. I loved the quick quips, the sweet romance, the friendship... At first, I didn't like how quickly Lenore was to trust the Allens (that came out of nowhere) and Rook (can you say "creep"?), but they eventually grew on me.
- The non-stereotypical gender roles. Mina Allen is a Doctor, and Lenore gets a job in Engineering.
What I didn't like:
- The confusing Point of Views. There were clear scene breaks within the chapter to distinguish changing POVs, but then there also seemed to be a little omniscient POV sprinkled within.
Overall:
I loved this book. Despite having my shipping heart broken (it was bound to happen...) and how much of a creep I found Rook to be in the beginning, I was always looking forward to what was bound to happen next. I can't wait to read the second book to find out more!
April 17, 2020
I happened to walk into a bookstore where the author was signing, so I walked into this one wanting to support a smaller author and it sounded like the books would be my style. The concept was interesting--I haven't read any steampunk fiction before but I do love all things fantasy.
Even walking into this totally blind, I really enjoyed Out of the Shadows. All of the characters are significantly more interesting and complicated that when you meet them at first, which makes you want to keep reading to figure them out. Characters I didn't like at all on first introduction grew on me and now I'm deeply invested in them. It also feels like there's a deep history to the world and I want to know more. I have so many questions and theories.
There are twists and turns that keep you guessing and trying to figure out what'll happen next, and I'm pretty excited to start the next one. Very glad I bought the whole set when I had the chance.
Overall I think it's a quite good introduction to steampunk fiction as a whole; the world building makes it easy to pick up and get started and the fantasy elements keep it spicy and interesting.
5 out 5, ready to read the next!
Even walking into this totally blind, I really enjoyed Out of the Shadows. All of the characters are significantly more interesting and complicated that when you meet them at first, which makes you want to keep reading to figure them out. Characters I didn't like at all on first introduction grew on me and now I'm deeply invested in them. It also feels like there's a deep history to the world and I want to know more. I have so many questions and theories.
There are twists and turns that keep you guessing and trying to figure out what'll happen next, and I'm pretty excited to start the next one. Very glad I bought the whole set when I had the chance.
Overall I think it's a quite good introduction to steampunk fiction as a whole; the world building makes it easy to pick up and get started and the fantasy elements keep it spicy and interesting.
5 out 5, ready to read the next!
July 9, 2022
a Victorian-like world but seems to be set somehow in a post-apocalyptic event and a martial law-type state. The whole environment is a bit confusing- the backstory explaining how they got here is not too clear. I liked the characters for the most part but even their back stories are vague.
For a story that seem to not go into backstory detail it was long, slow read and incomplete - looks like #2 and #3 are required to finish the story which automatically knocked it down a star for me. I did get this via the Amazon First Read program. Strong women characters even though the men try to be overprotective they are put in place when they overstep. Just enough science to make it more interesting.
For a story that seem to not go into backstory detail it was long, slow read and incomplete - looks like #2 and #3 are required to finish the story which automatically knocked it down a star for me. I did get this via the Amazon First Read program. Strong women characters even though the men try to be overprotective they are put in place when they overstep. Just enough science to make it more interesting.
February 27, 2021
Intriguing But Slowmoving
I give the author high marks for excellent world-building. Most of the book is devoted to building the world in which Lenor lives and it is a fascinating one. The characters are well drawn and the reader is introduced gradually to each one. It is easy to get caught up in the characters day to day lives and many sub plots are created. However, No real resolution to the story is reached by the end of the book. We don’t find out who or why someone is attempting to kill the heroine or why the other strange things have happened. Despite this I will probably continue reading the series.
I give the author high marks for excellent world-building. Most of the book is devoted to building the world in which Lenor lives and it is a fascinating one. The characters are well drawn and the reader is introduced gradually to each one. It is easy to get caught up in the characters day to day lives and many sub plots are created. However, No real resolution to the story is reached by the end of the book. We don’t find out who or why someone is attempting to kill the heroine or why the other strange things have happened. Despite this I will probably continue reading the series.
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