scijessreads

Oh, where to even begin with this one? I was not prepared to see so much of myself in Mina. She is stubborn and slow to trust and love. She is prickly and has spent so much time trying to find a place for herself amid a life that is not quite her own. She has a strength that goes far deeper than even she knows, from having to shoulder so much pain that should never have been hers to bear in the first place.

This is a story about curses. Enemies that become lovers. Losing the memory of yourself, only to find it again and realize that who you are now is not who you were in the past. Or is it? In a world that I would describe as gaslamp science fantasy, Mina, Ash, Poe, Skye, Morpheus, Muse… all of our characters find themselves trying to solve a mystery that feels more like trying to wrestle with fate. Mina and Ash have a connection that goes far deeper than they first realize. They both have lost memories. And in the quest to solve a host of connected questions, they slowly unravel the mystery of who they are, and what they mean to each other.

I absolutely loved this world. This first part of the book reminded me of a slow, unwinding Sherlock Holmes-style mystery. With the bonus of a cranky cat that just so happens to be able to speak and disappear at will. As the story unfolds, we are drawn deeper into a elements of fantasy, steampunk, magical powers, and multiple worlds. The words draw you in, and by the time we reach the last handful of pages, and the mystery starts to unravel, we are still left with so many questions. This is book 1 of a duology, so I am eagerly looking forward to see how everything comes to an end.

I was fortunate to read this as an ARC from the author, Allison Carr Waechter. I adore her writing, and The Immortal Orders trilogy is one of my favorite fantasy series. I will always recommend her books. Her characters are always so incredibly human, even when they are very much powerful and have magic. They also have complex emotions, rough edges, and are not always perfect. It adds so much to the story to have no one be infallible.

Also, I am on a Nicotine Dolls kick, and “Hate it // Fight it” has become synonymous with Ash in my head.