Janice Y. (jai) reviewed on 8/24/2009 + 310 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 4

When I first started reading this book, I was struck by the Gothic atmosphere. The worldbuilding seemed interwoven with the way the book was written. There's an old fashioned formality to the language and dialogue which goes with the tale of ghosts and demons in Victorian London. I could see things taking place in dark, somber colors like blues and blacks, with Percy as a pale exception. Against this backdrop, the supernatural aspects - the ghosts, the frightening Ripper, and the Guard battling creatures on the cobblestone streets, had a perfect home. As for the romance: It was easy for me to see Percy's attraction to her Professor, less easy for me to see what the Professor saw in Percy - she was so meek, and in comparison to the Professor, her feelings made her seem very young. In that regard, the romance felt off for me, but otherwise I did enjoy the way it slowly unfolded and the problems it hit along the way.

Overall: Very good. The story is unique - a mix of historical, steampunk, paranormal and gothic romance. It's the originality that really had me and made it a keeper, with clever twists on Greek mythology and Jack the Ripper. The only quibbles I had were with things in keeping with the sense of gothic romance and heavy drama throughout the book.

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