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Decisive Devices Steampunk #1
The Gaslight Girl
Halloran Frost lives a nearly non-existent life after the death of her beloved father, and her stepmother assumes control of the Willoughby household and estate.Relinquished to living in the summer kitchen of the grand estate that once belonged to her family, Halloran's only happiness in life is the gaslight company her father founded at which is a controlling shareholder. But as time passes, she quickly discovers that her father left her much more than just the gaslight company and that living as a cinderwench to her stepmother and stepsisters is far from what her father would have wanted. Is the key to what Halloran's father wanted her to decipher locked away inside the vault at Carnaby Bank or is it just a final farewell to a daughter greatly adored? Halloran must find the strength to follow her destiny while staying one step ahead of those who would take it from her and destroy her life forever. In a world filled with fantastic machines, steamhorses, and the power of gaslight, Halloran embarks on a dangerous quest that could change not only her life but the lives of all she loves in the process, if she can stay alive long enough to share it.
140 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
About the author
Hargrove Perth
55 books15 followersHargrove Perth is an award winning author of fantasy, paranormal, horror, and para-romance. A virtual night-owl and lover of all things horror related, Hargrove finds inspiration in the most unlikely places. A penchant for research and a dedication to creating literary indulgences that the reader is unable to forget, Hargrove spends a great deal of time researching the larger than life characters of history to formulate characters unforgettable, despised, and strangely adored. She also writes erotica under the persona of Angelique Dark. 2014 Author of Year Historical Horror Dark Days Remy Broulette Double Decker Books Awards. Nominee Author of Year Horror for Coven Wives and Fantasy Miss Crabtree's School for Unnaturals. 2011 Most Prolific Author of the Year AKG Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 19, 2018
JA Stone
Great storytelling with a lovable cast: the Wickers, the White Chapel Gang, and our heroine, Halloran Frost, (such a cool name). Perth uses historical actuaries and brings a steam powered London to life from the Old World writing style, to the geography to the language of the Victorian Era.
With the help of her friends, Frost battles monumental tyranny and, well I can't tell you what happens other than it kept me turning the pages and left me with a smile.
Great storytelling with a lovable cast: the Wickers, the White Chapel Gang, and our heroine, Halloran Frost, (such a cool name). Perth uses historical actuaries and brings a steam powered London to life from the Old World writing style, to the geography to the language of the Victorian Era.
With the help of her friends, Frost battles monumental tyranny and, well I can't tell you what happens other than it kept me turning the pages and left me with a smile.
June 28, 2025
I liked it.
April 6, 2017
A fascinating take on the old Cinderella story with a steampunk punch. The heroine in this story is Halloran Frost; she has assumed control of her father's gaslight company after this untimely death. But there are many questions to be answered and puzzles to be solved.
"She turned toward the gaslight lamp behind her, and pulled the expanding ladder from her bag, giving it a toss to unfold, climbed the contraption, opened the small glass door, and trimmed the wick. Such were the actions of her life now and possibly forever."
"Just marry me, arrangement or not, what can they do about it, Halloran? Not a bloody thing. I love you. Isn't that enough?"
"Halloran pulled the key free from beneath the lace of her black blouse and twisted it between her forefinger and thumb as she stared at the stone Irish cross donning the grave ahead of them."
This author writes with creativity and colour. Her descriptions paint a vivid picture of life in this time, from the societal traditions to the economy and the resources available to them. This was an exciting book to read and I will be reading more from this young and talented author!
"She turned toward the gaslight lamp behind her, and pulled the expanding ladder from her bag, giving it a toss to unfold, climbed the contraption, opened the small glass door, and trimmed the wick. Such were the actions of her life now and possibly forever."
"Just marry me, arrangement or not, what can they do about it, Halloran? Not a bloody thing. I love you. Isn't that enough?"
"Halloran pulled the key free from beneath the lace of her black blouse and twisted it between her forefinger and thumb as she stared at the stone Irish cross donning the grave ahead of them."
This author writes with creativity and colour. Her descriptions paint a vivid picture of life in this time, from the societal traditions to the economy and the resources available to them. This was an exciting book to read and I will be reading more from this young and talented author!
May 1, 2017
Steampunk is a subgenre to behold in the science fiction and fantasy world. It’s the stuff of clockwork wonder and corseted amazement and, for many; it’s something readers can’t get enough of. Many, however, don’t quite get it. Exactly what is steampunk?
The best way to describe the steampunk life is to imagine a futuristic world with fantastic mechanical creatures, airships and weaponry, but rather than advance technology, picture it made with iron and copper, gears and cranks, and powered with steam. Picture men and women of the future, but in a setting more closely comparable to old London, of the time when Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper skulked around.
Author Hargrove Perth has steampunk down. In her fast-paced novella, The Gaslight Girl, she’s taken a story familiar to all of us and injected hot steam in its veins. The Cinderella story, full of despair and ugly-on-the-inside stepsisters, forms the bare bones in this the story of young Halloran Frost. Cinderella she is not, for this girl is armed, corseted, and chock full of attitude, not to mention the heir of her father’s gas company and his dark secrets. The Gaslight Girl has all the gears, mechanical creatures, airships and steam-fueled spirit that have enamored readers to the genre across the world.
Perth’s novella is part one of the Decisive Devices series, with more excitement sure to come. This exciting ride is surely not over yet.
For those with a taste for authors such as Gail Carriger and Kevin J. Anderson, not to mention the classics by H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, you’ll want to get to know Halloran Frost and Perth’s Decisive Devices series.
The best way to describe the steampunk life is to imagine a futuristic world with fantastic mechanical creatures, airships and weaponry, but rather than advance technology, picture it made with iron and copper, gears and cranks, and powered with steam. Picture men and women of the future, but in a setting more closely comparable to old London, of the time when Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper skulked around.
Author Hargrove Perth has steampunk down. In her fast-paced novella, The Gaslight Girl, she’s taken a story familiar to all of us and injected hot steam in its veins. The Cinderella story, full of despair and ugly-on-the-inside stepsisters, forms the bare bones in this the story of young Halloran Frost. Cinderella she is not, for this girl is armed, corseted, and chock full of attitude, not to mention the heir of her father’s gas company and his dark secrets. The Gaslight Girl has all the gears, mechanical creatures, airships and steam-fueled spirit that have enamored readers to the genre across the world.
Perth’s novella is part one of the Decisive Devices series, with more excitement sure to come. This exciting ride is surely not over yet.
For those with a taste for authors such as Gail Carriger and Kevin J. Anderson, not to mention the classics by H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, you’ll want to get to know Halloran Frost and Perth’s Decisive Devices series.
June 12, 2017
I downloaded this book because who doesn't want to read a story about Cinderella in Steampunk?
The e-book was not edited. Trust me on this, whoever put it on Amazon, please fix it.
The story is acceptable. The plot could use some work as it is a bit simplistic. Yes, the evil folk get their comeuppance, but can we have a bit more complications and twists please? Even young adults will want that.
I liked the steampunk aspect but some of it was more fantasy than anything else. Also, ummm riddle-solving should engage the reader and take her hand and guide her through the process - Dan Brown had the same problem.
The e-book was not edited. Trust me on this, whoever put it on Amazon, please fix it.
The story is acceptable. The plot could use some work as it is a bit simplistic. Yes, the evil folk get their comeuppance, but can we have a bit more complications and twists please? Even young adults will want that.
I liked the steampunk aspect but some of it was more fantasy than anything else. Also, ummm riddle-solving should engage the reader and take her hand and guide her through the process - Dan Brown had the same problem.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews