TEST
I picked this book up because the cover made me giggle. It’s not bad, as romance covers go, but it is so incredibly blatant about the type of story found inside. Look! This guy is wearing a top hat! And there are gears on his lapel! He’s steampunk! And the points on the W! That must be blood! Steampunk Vampire!
Honestly, though, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a good story.
After a messy break-up from an emotionally abusive relationship, Tish Everett has had a hard time getting back into the world. Working full time as an end-of-life nurse is hard enough, but her grandmother, her only support as she gets her life back together, is fighting off cancer. When she (accidentally! really!) steals a locket from an estate sale, she didn’t really expect anything of it. And then she goes to sleep.
When she wakes up, though, Tish isn’t in her bedroom – instead she’s naked on an altar in the middle of nowhere. The gentleman there is looking at her like she’s dinner – and for a Bludman (read: vampire), she is. In a world made up of Pinkys (humans) and Bludcreatures (including the adorable and vicious Bludbunnies), there are distinct and troubling issues regarding rights, religion, and rebellion. Tish must rely on the help of Criminy Stain, Bludman magician extraordinaire, to navigate this new world, and as it turns out, it’s Criminy’s fault she’s there in the first place.
First – completely ignore the fact that the hero is named Criminy Stain. That one fact is the most painful thing about this book. Everything else is pretty darn captivating. The author has built a full-on alternate world, where even the most innocuous of bunnies can be a blood-sucking, carnivorous creature, and it is even believable. On top of that, there is a magical system in play that we and the characters both know little about, but which is straight-forward enough that the reader isn’t full-on confused and wondering if they missed something. There is also a very real sense of the turmoil the country is in, as both the Pinkys and the Blud butt against each other for dominance.
While I was concerned about the whole charming vampire trope, Criminy (even though I shudder at the name) was absolutely fabulous. I love the fact that he is a magician and circus leader, that he is able to control himself and the others with apparent ease (even when it definitely isn’t so easy), and that he was willing to pay some unnamed price for the woman of his dreams. And that when she, almost literally, fell into his lap, he didn’t immediately claim her as “his.” Tish is the only one who has the authority to decide what she wants, and Criminy not only respects that, he encourages it. He is completely devoted to her, regardless of the fact that her decision may end up with them apart, and while he is demonstrably not happy with it (and has no problem letting Tish know how hard it is for him to let her go), he still does everything in his power to help her get what she wants. It’s both idealized and realistic, and I have no idea how the author made that work.
I honestly tried to get frustrated with Tish for being unable to make a decision, but I couldn’t help but sympathize – her previous relationship really was abusive, with a man who slowly but surely took away all her choices and her confidence. It is really no wonder that she struggles with venturing away from her grandmother and making her own choices. In the end, I was strangely proud of her for standing up for herself, and for purposefully turning away from something that would require just one thing from her. She wants to have everything, and while that might not work, how will she know until she tries?
The first in the series, this book came out a couple years ago now, and there are two sequels now (that I really need to get my hands on…) My concern right now is that neither of those sequels seems to be continuing Tish and Criminy’s story – and the end really requires more of their story. That said, I really enjoyed this, will be reading the sequels, and would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy steampunk and alternate universes. The Bludmen are an interesting addition to the vampire lore as well.
Grade: A-
Book Type: Steampunk
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 27/05/14
Publication Date: 03/2012
New Orleans native living in Boston. Yeah, it's a bit cold. Hello, winter.
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.