Release Day Steampunk Novel Review: Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney

Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney (Badlands #2)


Egalley thanks to Carina Press

Synopsis from Goodreads
Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late...


Amazon kindle US($2.99)/UK(£2.01)

8/10

* * *
 Fun, short, intriguing and left me hungry for more. Ironically for Carina Press title, the romance is not what keeps you hanging in this book. The romance is just there like an afterthought.

What fascinates you is Henrietta's formidable character as a doctor and an inventor, and one pretty wicked villain made of clockwork and pure evil, - Gambini.



The rest, although interesting, -  the kingdom of Badlands; the mafia headed by Don Lupo; larger than life, fierce Ever; the array of inventions by Henrietta and her father... fades a bit into the background. 

I'd like to know more about Henri's father for example. How did he become this evil inventor and yet helped Carson's fiance's medical condition? What's Gambini's background? Why so much interest in St.Clair?

I'm pretty sure it's my own fault in missing out on the first book of this series, Badlands, which would have probably answered my questions. So make sure you read book one before you start Clockwork Mafia for a more satisfying experience. Otherwise it's a very engaging and easy read!

* * *
Книга читается легко и быстро и учитывая как коротки книги от издательства Карина Пресс, всё равно успевает вместить в  себя большое количество присходящего.

Несмотря на то, что визитной карточкой издательства остаются романы, Часовая Мафия читается как стимпанковское приключение и роман между главными героями Карсоном и Генриеттой практически не замечается.

Интригует сама Генриетта - хладнокровный изобретатель и доктор на торговом дирижабле, за бумагами отца которой охотится правая рука мафиозо Дона Люпо, - Гамбини.

Автору также удалось выписать из Гамбини прекрасного злодея. Он беспощадный психопат и социопат, и в то же время его прошлое вызывает у читателя огромный интерес, так как большая часть его тела состоит из часовых механизмов и его практически невозможно уничтожить. Как он докатился до такого состояния? Как Генриетта, дочка влиятельного аристократа оказалась на задворках цивилизации? Что случилось с её отцом, который не только заключил сделку с мафией, но и  в то же время помог обществу своими медицинскими экспериментами?

Я так понимаю, чтобы вникнуть во все нюансы книги, следует прочитать первый роман серии, Badlands, чего мне к сожалению сделать не удалось.

В остальном, я считаю, что книга очень даже неплохо написана, и я от её прочтения получила удовольствие.

Comments

  1. Steampunk has the best covers I think. This sure is intriguing, and if I start this series, I will start with the first book :) Glad you enjoyed it Kara.

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  2. Glad it was fun and short, even if a bit confused... usually why I can never start in middle because I never know what's going on, then again, others have no trouble :)

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  3. Oh I've really enjoyed these characters and creation. :) Glad to see you did too. I think if you read Badlands, you'll love Ever! And there is a free short by Seleste of Ever...but I think it's on Facebook now because she's redoing her site. Hmmm...

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  4. this cover is just so beautiful! I'm glad the story is good as well. I think I would have bought it only for the cover lol.

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  5. I almost requested this one before I noticed it was book two. Glad you enjoyed it!

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