Steampunk Fiction Early Review: A Study in Ashes by Emma Jane Holloway

A Study in Ashes by Emma Jane Holloway (The Baskerville Affair #3)

Egalley thanks to Del Rey

Synopsis from Goodreads
As part of her devil’s bargain with the industrial steam barons, Evelina Cooper is finally enrolled in the Ladies’ College of London. However, she’s attending as the Gold King’s pet magician, in handcuffs and forbidden contact with even her closest relation, the detective Sherlock Holmes.

Not even Niccolo, the dashing pirate captain, and his sentient airship can save her. But Evelina’s problems are only part of a larger war. The Baskerville Affair is finally coming to light, and the rebels are making their move to wrest power from the barons and restore it to Queen Victoria. Missing heirs and nightmare hounds are the order of the day—or at least that’s what Dr. Watson is telling the press.

But their plans are doomed unless Evelina escapes to unite her magic with the rebels’ machines—and even then her powers aren’t what they used to be. A sorcerer has awakened a dark hunger in Evelina’s soul, and only he can keep her from endangering them all. The only problem is…he’s dead.

Release date:  December 31st 2013.

Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US | The Book Depository US/UK

9/10

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A brilliant wrap up of all the things building during the first two books of The Baskerville Affair! I already mentioned last week that this series was awesome. Fast, furious, full of wonderful gadgetry, magic, treachery, danger and complex intrigues. I was glued to the books, satisfied with the ending and hopeful for more instalments in the future.


Poor Evie does not get a break after the events in A Study in Darkness, and the third book becomes even more Gothic and intense as all the plot knots start unravelling.

I'm glad that what felt like a love triangle in book #1, completely resolves itself by the end of the second book, which is only natural in the set of circumstances. Both Tobias and Evelina get on with their lives and various challenges they represent, and outgrow their feelings for each other, especially Evie who sees Tobias far more clearly than he sees her, and who typically fell in love with him like most of us - for his potential, not for his actions.

Nick stays his scrumptious self and I as usual do not have any complaints about his dashing piratical persona - he is a lovely character! *grinning maniacally*

Evie... *raises her glass* is going to the dark side, and oh boy, when she goes - she goes. This is one of the reasons why this book was so fascinating for me to read. That pull of dark magic she experiencing is only gonna get stronger in A Study of Ashes, and actually she deals with it in a spectacular way.

Much of the book is also dedicated to Imogen, Mouse and Bird's adventures. While they were not bad, they were not my favourite part of the plot even if they gave the reader more interactions with Bucky and charming Poppy.

Overall, A Study in Ashes brings all the characters together in an explosive way. Expect some dark twists, shocking deaths and epic battles. I'll say no more as I don't want to give you any spoilers. Highly recommended.

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Ну наивкуснейшая книга, и серия в общем! Настоящий стимпанк в стиле Мелджин Брук, Стивена Харпера и Пип Баллантайн и Ти Моррис.

Третья книга серия доволит все сюжетные линии до логических и совершенно удовлетворяющих читателя концовок. Ожидайте шокирующих смертей, тёмных поворотов сюжета и эпичных схваток на поле боя, в которое превращается Лондон когда паровые бароны наконец-то объявляют друг другу войну.

Эви наконец-то переходит на тёмную сторону и начинает использовать чёрную магию по полной. Вообще, вся третья книга гораздо мрачнее и готичнее остальных, но меня такое развитие событий совершенно не удивляет. Мисс Холловэй не щадит своих персонажей и следует логическому развитию сюжету и старой истине - если кто-то играет с огнём, пусть ожидает ожогов.

Ни один из главных персонажей не заканчивает эту книгу неизменённым. Эви, очаровательные Имоджен, Баки и Поппи, Алис, мой любимчик пират Ник, Тобиас, и даже знаменитый дядя Эви - Шерлок Холмс.

Мне безумно понравилось, очень рекомендую всю серию и жду будет ли продолжение.