Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Clockwork Scarab (Stoker & Holmes, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I got a copy of this book to review through Librarythings Early Reviewer program. This is the first book in the Stoker and Holmes series and Gleasons debut young adult book. I had previously read Gleasons Gardella Vampire Chronicles (an adult series) and really enjoyed it. This was a fun and light read that, while not being spectacular, was entertaining.
The book is told from two points of view. The first is that of Mina Holmes (Sherlocks niece) and the second is from that of Evaline Stoker (Bram Stokers sister and a descendent of the Gardellas). Both girls are contacted by mysterious means to look into a number of deaths of young women. The deaths are staged as suicides and all involve a clockwork scarab at the scene of the death. Added to the mix is the strange appearance of a young man who says he is from the future.
Reading this book was weird because I just read A Study in Silks in which the main heroine Evelina is also the niece of Sherlock Holmes...kind of a strange coincidence. So I couldnt help but compare this book to that one. A Study in Silks has a much more creative and well thought out world, as well as a much more complex mystery...but it is also a very very long read. Overall I think I enjoyed A Study in Silks more.
This book is a very light steampunk read. It was fun and had a lot of interesting characters. Both of the heroines have separate love triangles of their own. Mina is drawn to the young man who says he is from the future but also has a lot of heated interactions with a certain Inspector she constantly runs into. Evaline mixes it up with a charming young thief who keeps showing up to get her out of sticky situations, yet she is also involved with a young nobleman.
The characters are fun, witty, and entertaining. Gleason does an excellent job of giving the two young women very distinct voices. However the voices are very stereotypical. Evaline is very hot-headed and wants to solve everything by attacking it physically, Mina is very logical and wants to overthink everything.
There is however pretty much no world-building here. The whole story is set in historical London. Some of the Gardella background and history comes into play but not much. The plot is predictable and a bit silly. I thought the whole time-traveling storyline was a bit awkward and contrived. Things are tied up fairly well in this book but not completely solved.
Overall a fun and light steampunk read. There are some excellent characters here and some witty conversation, however dont expect a lot of depth. There isnt much world-building and things are pretty predictable. I still had fun reading this book, it was a quick read that didnt take a lot of effort and was entertaining. Recommended to steampunk fans who dont mind their books a bit light and silly. I would actually recommend A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway as a more entertaining, serious, and creative steampunk read. I might read future books in this series, right now I am unsure.
The book is told from two points of view. The first is that of Mina Holmes (Sherlocks niece) and the second is from that of Evaline Stoker (Bram Stokers sister and a descendent of the Gardellas). Both girls are contacted by mysterious means to look into a number of deaths of young women. The deaths are staged as suicides and all involve a clockwork scarab at the scene of the death. Added to the mix is the strange appearance of a young man who says he is from the future.
Reading this book was weird because I just read A Study in Silks in which the main heroine Evelina is also the niece of Sherlock Holmes...kind of a strange coincidence. So I couldnt help but compare this book to that one. A Study in Silks has a much more creative and well thought out world, as well as a much more complex mystery...but it is also a very very long read. Overall I think I enjoyed A Study in Silks more.
This book is a very light steampunk read. It was fun and had a lot of interesting characters. Both of the heroines have separate love triangles of their own. Mina is drawn to the young man who says he is from the future but also has a lot of heated interactions with a certain Inspector she constantly runs into. Evaline mixes it up with a charming young thief who keeps showing up to get her out of sticky situations, yet she is also involved with a young nobleman.
The characters are fun, witty, and entertaining. Gleason does an excellent job of giving the two young women very distinct voices. However the voices are very stereotypical. Evaline is very hot-headed and wants to solve everything by attacking it physically, Mina is very logical and wants to overthink everything.
There is however pretty much no world-building here. The whole story is set in historical London. Some of the Gardella background and history comes into play but not much. The plot is predictable and a bit silly. I thought the whole time-traveling storyline was a bit awkward and contrived. Things are tied up fairly well in this book but not completely solved.
Overall a fun and light steampunk read. There are some excellent characters here and some witty conversation, however dont expect a lot of depth. There isnt much world-building and things are pretty predictable. I still had fun reading this book, it was a quick read that didnt take a lot of effort and was entertaining. Recommended to steampunk fans who dont mind their books a bit light and silly. I would actually recommend A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway as a more entertaining, serious, and creative steampunk read. I might read future books in this series, right now I am unsure.
Enjoyable book with a few minor flaws that do not detract much. At times the switching back and forth of first person narrative was confusing, and I had some clarity issues with Evaline's character but overall this was a really good read. The throw in of the character from modern times felt odd at times and unnecessary and was one of the issues I had with the book. I'm looking forward to book two however and so is my daughter who also enjoyed this. We liked it enough to read at the library first and then get our own copy through paperbackswap.
Sarah B. (bourgette) reviewed The Clockwork Scarab (Stoker & Holmes, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
Set against a Steampunk world very different from our own, Gleasons heroines follow in the footsteps of her famous adult heroine, Victoria Gardella. Holmes and Stoker are interesting characters placed in a very rich and interesting setting. Gleason has continued her world from the Gardella series and added even more Steampunk elements to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed both Mina and Evaline. Mina is a true Holmes. Her powers of deduction are only second to her uncles (who makes a guest appearance), but Mina also has a world of her own. She has been abandoned by her mother and rarely sees her father. She is a woman adrift and is just looking for someplace to fit.
Evaline, is a social butterfly who knows everyone in London, but she has a secret. Evaline was born to fight vampires, but hasnt been able to fulfill her destiny. Overshadowed by her own famous great-aunt and slightly jealous older brother, Bram, Evaline is hoping that working for the Princess of Wales will bring her the fulfillment she lacks from her regular social life. Like Mina, Evaline is a lonely girl who is just looking for somewhere she belongs.
This whole idea of not fitting in is the theme of Gleasons first Stoker and Holmes novel. Written for young adults, The Clockwork Scarab is hoping to hit that emotion felt by so many teenagers. Not only do Mina and Evaline feel like they dont fit in, another is added to their group when they discover Dylan, a young man who is definitely out of his time and element. As the novel progresses, the reader will also discover that the women that have disappeared and died also felt they didnt fit into the boxes their parents placed them into. Those readers who maybe feel like nerds or rejects themselves will find kindred spirits in Mina and Evaline.
Read more of my review at: www.bourgette.com
I thoroughly enjoyed both Mina and Evaline. Mina is a true Holmes. Her powers of deduction are only second to her uncles (who makes a guest appearance), but Mina also has a world of her own. She has been abandoned by her mother and rarely sees her father. She is a woman adrift and is just looking for someplace to fit.
Evaline, is a social butterfly who knows everyone in London, but she has a secret. Evaline was born to fight vampires, but hasnt been able to fulfill her destiny. Overshadowed by her own famous great-aunt and slightly jealous older brother, Bram, Evaline is hoping that working for the Princess of Wales will bring her the fulfillment she lacks from her regular social life. Like Mina, Evaline is a lonely girl who is just looking for somewhere she belongs.
This whole idea of not fitting in is the theme of Gleasons first Stoker and Holmes novel. Written for young adults, The Clockwork Scarab is hoping to hit that emotion felt by so many teenagers. Not only do Mina and Evaline feel like they dont fit in, another is added to their group when they discover Dylan, a young man who is definitely out of his time and element. As the novel progresses, the reader will also discover that the women that have disappeared and died also felt they didnt fit into the boxes their parents placed them into. Those readers who maybe feel like nerds or rejects themselves will find kindred spirits in Mina and Evaline.
Read more of my review at: www.bourgette.com
