Author: Viola Carr
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Year: Oct 2015
Pages: 447
ISBN: 9780062363107
Series: Electric Empire #2
Genre: Steampunk
Reading Time: Jan 31 - Feb 07
Binding: Paperback
Goodreads
Blurb:
Solving the notorious Chopper case was supposed to help crime scene physician Dr. Eliza Jekyll - daughter of the infamous Henry - establish her career in the chauvinistic world of Victorian law enforcement. But the scrutiny that comes with her newfound fame is unwelcome for a woman with a diabolical secret: her dark and jealous shadow self, Lizzie Hyde. And there is the mercurial Royal Society agent with his own secret to hide, Captain Remy Lafayette. Does he want to marry Eliza or burn her at the stake? It's impossible, however, for Eliza to push Remy away when he tempts her with the one thing she can't resist: a bizarre crime to investigate. And although Eliza is uncertain about Remy, Lizzie isn't. Lizzie wants to steal the magnetic and persistent agent and usurp Eliza's life.
As the search for a bloodthirsty torturer dubbed the Pentacle Killer draws Eliza and Remy into a terrifying world of spies, art thieves and evil alchemy - where the price of immortality is madness or damnation - only Lizzie's dark ingenuity can help Eliza survive. Eliza and Remy must race to thwart a foul conspiracy involving the sorcerous French, but they must also overcome a sinister enemy who is all too close to home: the vengeful Lizzie who is determined to dispose of Eliza for good.
Review:
Firstly, I'm so glad I didn't have to wait long to read this book after reading the first, there was no time to forget the small details or mix up the character names and I'm really excited for the third book later this year (April apparently)! Another excellently steampunkish cover was waiting to greet me at the library, I read it quickly enough to be satisfied and just slowly enough to prolong the joy.
Carr's descriptions are elaborate, still building a world that's growing in size and relevance to the story. The actions of The Diabolical Miss Hyde have not been forgotten and now our favourite murderer is on the loose again causing all sorts of trouble with Eliza. Her struggles are hypnotic to read, completely plausible yet entirely insane!
The Pentacle Killer is the kind of murderer I could read endlessly about. Black magic (or whatever you want to call it) never fails to make an interesting murder case on page or screen. Trying to put the pieces together was once again thrilling and though I identified the suspect, I most definitely had no idea of the why or how. It was a surprising twist and reminded me of another piece of classical literature that I really need to get my hands on at some point...
Eliza and Lizzie's interactions are still interesting, still struggling with one another for their own lives, endangering and saving each other on a daily basis. Eliza is still working to find her way in the world without and against her male counterparts. Her conversations with the gorgeous Remy are still so amusing as they stand over several mutilated corps, working the crime scene as well as their own feelings. Just get on with it, the two of you! We get to see more of Remy this time, his brother included and that was certainly entertaining. All of these interactions continue to spur Lizzie's jealousy, she starts to dabble where she shouldn't and continues to cause edge-of-seat trouble for herself.
Hipp was perfect, of course. How can a mechanical pet not be?
Our cliffhanger was a big one, a world changing one for the Electric Empire setting. I'll be waiting for the April release, Sherlock cap on to try and solve the next case with these excellent characters!
Goodreads
Blurb:
Solving the notorious Chopper case was supposed to help crime scene physician Dr. Eliza Jekyll - daughter of the infamous Henry - establish her career in the chauvinistic world of Victorian law enforcement. But the scrutiny that comes with her newfound fame is unwelcome for a woman with a diabolical secret: her dark and jealous shadow self, Lizzie Hyde. And there is the mercurial Royal Society agent with his own secret to hide, Captain Remy Lafayette. Does he want to marry Eliza or burn her at the stake? It's impossible, however, for Eliza to push Remy away when he tempts her with the one thing she can't resist: a bizarre crime to investigate. And although Eliza is uncertain about Remy, Lizzie isn't. Lizzie wants to steal the magnetic and persistent agent and usurp Eliza's life.
As the search for a bloodthirsty torturer dubbed the Pentacle Killer draws Eliza and Remy into a terrifying world of spies, art thieves and evil alchemy - where the price of immortality is madness or damnation - only Lizzie's dark ingenuity can help Eliza survive. Eliza and Remy must race to thwart a foul conspiracy involving the sorcerous French, but they must also overcome a sinister enemy who is all too close to home: the vengeful Lizzie who is determined to dispose of Eliza for good.
Review:
Firstly, I'm so glad I didn't have to wait long to read this book after reading the first, there was no time to forget the small details or mix up the character names and I'm really excited for the third book later this year (April apparently)! Another excellently steampunkish cover was waiting to greet me at the library, I read it quickly enough to be satisfied and just slowly enough to prolong the joy.
Carr's descriptions are elaborate, still building a world that's growing in size and relevance to the story. The actions of The Diabolical Miss Hyde have not been forgotten and now our favourite murderer is on the loose again causing all sorts of trouble with Eliza. Her struggles are hypnotic to read, completely plausible yet entirely insane!
The Pentacle Killer is the kind of murderer I could read endlessly about. Black magic (or whatever you want to call it) never fails to make an interesting murder case on page or screen. Trying to put the pieces together was once again thrilling and though I identified the suspect, I most definitely had no idea of the why or how. It was a surprising twist and reminded me of another piece of classical literature that I really need to get my hands on at some point...
Eliza and Lizzie's interactions are still interesting, still struggling with one another for their own lives, endangering and saving each other on a daily basis. Eliza is still working to find her way in the world without and against her male counterparts. Her conversations with the gorgeous Remy are still so amusing as they stand over several mutilated corps, working the crime scene as well as their own feelings. Just get on with it, the two of you! We get to see more of Remy this time, his brother included and that was certainly entertaining. All of these interactions continue to spur Lizzie's jealousy, she starts to dabble where she shouldn't and continues to cause edge-of-seat trouble for herself.
Hipp was perfect, of course. How can a mechanical pet not be?
Our cliffhanger was a big one, a world changing one for the Electric Empire setting. I'll be waiting for the April release, Sherlock cap on to try and solve the next case with these excellent characters!
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