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adastraperlibris's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
monicareadsfantasy's review
5.0
When technomancer Isaac Barrow is set in search of a young spellcaster, he unknowingly entwines himself into the machinations of a diabolical plot. Chris Patrick Carolan creates a world where the marriage of technology and magic yields fantastic machines, but also horrid aberrations to nature.
Accompanied by a stubborn, but seemingly fearless Miss Skye, Isaac Barrow seems to uncover the dark
plot of the Nightshade Cabal, a group of necromancers that are known to stir up trouble. This book follows a winding path that leads to places you most certainly do not expect. I found it to be a thrilling read precisely because I could not anticipate what would happen next. Each new puzzle piece created more questions that leave you guessing until the end.
If you enjoy steampunk and fantasy then this book is a must read.
Accompanied by a stubborn, but seemingly fearless Miss Skye, Isaac Barrow seems to uncover the dark
plot of the Nightshade Cabal, a group of necromancers that are known to stir up trouble. This book follows a winding path that leads to places you most certainly do not expect. I found it to be a thrilling read precisely because I could not anticipate what would happen next. Each new puzzle piece created more questions that leave you guessing until the end.
If you enjoy steampunk and fantasy then this book is a must read.
theeditorreads's review
4.0
Synopsis:
In Halifax, Nova Scotia; Isaac Barrow is a spellcaster. He deals with real magic, is one of the few who can sense it. He's a technomancer as well, researching the supernatural with the aid of his various scientific inventions. His expertise lies in "intertwining the transmundane with science and technology". Unlike The Nightshade Cabal, the underground organisation of necromancers who dabble in "blood magic, resurrectionism, and demon worship". He also an investigator who sometimes assists the constabulary in certain special cases.
Emily Skye is missing. When her elder sister Meredith approaches Barrow with the unique case, suspecting The Nightshade Cabal's hand in her disappearance, he agrees to attempt to find her.
Review:
The story begins in 1881. Barrow and Inspector Jonathon Eddings are watching Lai Jūn’s magic show, most probably the pretend kind. But then he sees something which piques his interest.
This is all I needed. A smoky, steamy, and misty Canada where steamcarriages were just introduced, where occult practices take place hidden from the public eye because they aren't comfortable or accepting of magic. People usually are not accepting of what they don't understand! Barrow regularly deals in the arcane, which takes him to the wealthy shipping magnate Henry Feele's residence. His autotype machine is malfunctioning, spewing out words no one typed. And that is where Barrow finds something astonishing, which unravels a pot full of mysteries!
There is the pain of rejection in a society that doesn't want to understand or accept someone's different ways, for Emily. But there is so much of thrill too, in the form of clashes between Lai Jūn and Barrow. And when Emily is finally introduced, what a delightful character she is! What a sassy fighter! There is slow investigative action as well as fast-paced chase sequences.
Reading about the way Barrow worked seemed like a magical MacGyver of the olden days. I was triply awed at the author's imagination, his conversion of that imagination to something so realistic and more importantly, in a historical setting. The entire story played out within a span of three weeks.
I adored the strong friendship between Eddings and Barrow and the camaraderie between Emily and Barrow. The language, the dated words, the entire historical setting, I can't wait to read more of [a:Chris Patrick Carolan|15556775|Chris Patrick Carolan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1555958032p2/15556775.jpg]'s works. And if the epilogue, which completely threw me off guard, is any indication; there is more to the story, even if the present t adventure ends here. I still can't believe this is the author's debut novel. Enter this magical world of spellcasters and prepare yourself to be spellbound!
P.S. The author's Historical Notes at the end clearly demarcate fact from fiction. This is my first steampunk and I just wanted to add for those who haven't yet read from or heard of this genre that it is a sub-genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features anachronistic technologies.
Thank you to The Parliament House Press for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
In Halifax, Nova Scotia; Isaac Barrow is a spellcaster. He deals with real magic, is one of the few who can sense it. He's a technomancer as well, researching the supernatural with the aid of his various scientific inventions. His expertise lies in "intertwining the transmundane with science and technology". Unlike The Nightshade Cabal, the underground organisation of necromancers who dabble in "blood magic, resurrectionism, and demon worship". He also an investigator who sometimes assists the constabulary in certain special cases.
Emily Skye is missing. When her elder sister Meredith approaches Barrow with the unique case, suspecting The Nightshade Cabal's hand in her disappearance, he agrees to attempt to find her.
Review:
The story begins in 1881. Barrow and Inspector Jonathon Eddings are watching Lai Jūn’s magic show, most probably the pretend kind. But then he sees something which piques his interest.
The lure of the forbidden is a powerful thing...
This is all I needed. A smoky, steamy, and misty Canada where steamcarriages were just introduced, where occult practices take place hidden from the public eye because they aren't comfortable or accepting of magic. People usually are not accepting of what they don't understand! Barrow regularly deals in the arcane, which takes him to the wealthy shipping magnate Henry Feele's residence. His autotype machine is malfunctioning, spewing out words no one typed. And that is where Barrow finds something astonishing, which unravels a pot full of mysteries!
There is the pain of rejection in a society that doesn't want to understand or accept someone's different ways, for Emily. But there is so much of thrill too, in the form of clashes between Lai Jūn and Barrow. And when Emily is finally introduced, what a delightful character she is! What a sassy fighter! There is slow investigative action as well as fast-paced chase sequences.
Reading about the way Barrow worked seemed like a magical MacGyver of the olden days. I was triply awed at the author's imagination, his conversion of that imagination to something so realistic and more importantly, in a historical setting. The entire story played out within a span of three weeks.
I adored the strong friendship between Eddings and Barrow and the camaraderie between Emily and Barrow. The language, the dated words, the entire historical setting, I can't wait to read more of [a:Chris Patrick Carolan|15556775|Chris Patrick Carolan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1555958032p2/15556775.jpg]'s works. And if the epilogue, which completely threw me off guard, is any indication; there is more to the story, even if the present t adventure ends here. I still can't believe this is the author's debut novel. Enter this magical world of spellcasters and prepare yourself to be spellbound!
P.S. The author's Historical Notes at the end clearly demarcate fact from fiction. This is my first steampunk and I just wanted to add for those who haven't yet read from or heard of this genre that it is a sub-genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features anachronistic technologies.
Thank you to The Parliament House Press for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
hannahstromauthor9's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was an amazing book with extreme world building and characters that kept me grounded. Each chapter had something new and imaginative to add. I felt every emotion this book threw at me. I couldn't stop turning pages, gasping in horror, screaming with joy, and feeling the buzz of excitement. This book even made me laugh out loud and I don't think a book has ever done that. I loved the imagination in this one.
However, my main concern is the language, and I don't mean swear words. This book uses a ton of unknown words, some words being outdated because the book takes place in the past, but most were just unnecessarily big words. I wished the book had used more everyday and simpler language.
In the end, an amazing book that will blow you away with its creativity but you'll need a dictionary at hand.
However, my main concern is the language, and I don't mean swear words. This book uses a ton of unknown words, some words being outdated because the book takes place in the past, but most were just unnecessarily big words. I wished the book had used more everyday and simpler language.
In the end, an amazing book that will blow you away with its creativity but you'll need a dictionary at hand.
unicorn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a very interesting book, I enjoy supernatural detective stories in general, and I immensely enjoy steampunk books. This was a perfect mix of magic and steampunk for me, and I listened to it in a single setting (yay fast speeds). Plus it’s set in Canada - a setting I rarely read, since most of those kind of books are either US- or UK-centric. Now I just need a whole series of Barrow and Skye adventures.
The story makes me think of Dresden books - but with a better and more likeable main character!
The story makes me think of Dresden books - but with a better and more likeable main character!
cmvorra's review
5.0
I need to start this review by saying that I don't typically read steampunk ANYTHING. In the past my experience with steampunk has left me underwhelmed... The few authors I picked up were VERY obsessed with how cool the machinery they thought up was, and they wanted to explain exactly how it worked and where each and every rivet was. The story always seemed like an afterthought for the "hey look at the cool thing I imagined" stuff.
The Nightshade Cabal is NOTHING like that. It originally intrigued me because, from the description, it seemed like the magic would be on equal footing with the steampunk aspects. And it is. It was actually very seamlessly combined to great effect.
I'm not going to go into crazy detail, I'll just tell you some of my favourite things.
The setting is amazing. Carolan does a fantastic job of building these creepy scenes in the best way. The imagery is fantastic and I never had an issue picturing any scene and feeling like I was right there in the creeping fog surrounded by ominous warehouses.
Isaac Barrow is a fantastic main character. I love him. I loved him immediately and wanted him to succeed. I guess this is a bit of a spoiler, but it was also nice to read a book in this vein with no love interest. The private detective-type character doesn't end up getting the girl in this one. In fact, Barrow seems disinterested in it altogether which made me read him as asexual, which was also very refreshing. It's nice to read a book that doesn't force a romantic storyline. Especially when there's so much other more interesting stuff happening than adding a predictable love interest.
Emily is a great female character. She's cheeky and bucks expectation. I loved her voice and found her very unique and fun to read.
Did I mention there's horror aspects to the book as well?! And they're SOOO creepy and draw you right in?! Honestly, this book is so much fun. And the creepy stuff gave me shivers a few times. Not in the kind of way where you won't sleep for a week... just that pleasant little shiver of "No way!" down the spine.
But my favourite thing in the whole book is the combination of magic and machine. It's intriguing and easily understood and just the COOLEST. I love the way they fit together. And Isaac being a master of melding the two is so awesome and has so much potential for future books.
In conclusion: this book was a blast that I couldn't put down. The pacing is fantastic, the characters are awesome and all have such great individual voices, and the world Carolan has created is seriously the coolest. I want to live in it and be friends with everyone, which is usually the best indicator for me that a book is good.
The Nightshade Cabal is NOTHING like that. It originally intrigued me because, from the description, it seemed like the magic would be on equal footing with the steampunk aspects. And it is. It was actually very seamlessly combined to great effect.
I'm not going to go into crazy detail, I'll just tell you some of my favourite things.
The setting is amazing. Carolan does a fantastic job of building these creepy scenes in the best way. The imagery is fantastic and I never had an issue picturing any scene and feeling like I was right there in the creeping fog surrounded by ominous warehouses.
Isaac Barrow is a fantastic main character. I love him. I loved him immediately and wanted him to succeed. I guess this is a bit of a spoiler, but it was also nice to read a book in this vein with no love interest. The private detective-type character doesn't end up getting the girl in this one. In fact, Barrow seems disinterested in it altogether which made me read him as asexual, which was also very refreshing. It's nice to read a book that doesn't force a romantic storyline. Especially when there's so much other more interesting stuff happening than adding a predictable love interest.
Emily is a great female character. She's cheeky and bucks expectation. I loved her voice and found her very unique and fun to read.
Did I mention there's horror aspects to the book as well?! And they're SOOO creepy and draw you right in?! Honestly, this book is so much fun. And the creepy stuff gave me shivers a few times. Not in the kind of way where you won't sleep for a week... just that pleasant little shiver of "No way!" down the spine.
But my favourite thing in the whole book is the combination of magic and machine. It's intriguing and easily understood and just the COOLEST. I love the way they fit together. And Isaac being a master of melding the two is so awesome and has so much potential for future books.
In conclusion: this book was a blast that I couldn't put down. The pacing is fantastic, the characters are awesome and all have such great individual voices, and the world Carolan has created is seriously the coolest. I want to live in it and be friends with everyone, which is usually the best indicator for me that a book is good.
robert_bose's review
5.0
Strange things are afoot in 1880’s Halifax, the likes of which you’ve never seen. Isaac Barrow – full time technomancer and inventor, part time investigator, and, I think, aspiring curmudgeon (if he lives long enough) – is thrust head first into the thick of the action against the sinister necromantic Nightshade Cabal while searching for missing young lady.
Isaac is a resourceful fellow, it must be said, clever yet fallible, with both old friends and new watching his back, but that might not be enough to see him through when his poking around dredges up enemies possibly higher than his pay grade. But that’s half the fun, seeing if he’s up to the challenge. The other half is, of course, immersing one’s self in a magical, steampunk infused Halifax. A place of light and darkness, shadow and intrigue.
A fabulous first novel for Chris, well worth picking up. And of course, be sure to check out a pair of short stories featuring our stalwart technomancer: “A Murder at Carleton House” in Enigma Front: Burnt (Analemma Books, August 2016) and “The Wolfville Horror” in in Enigma Front: The Monster Within (Analemma Books, August 2017).
I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Isaac Barrow, and for that I’m glad.
Isaac is a resourceful fellow, it must be said, clever yet fallible, with both old friends and new watching his back, but that might not be enough to see him through when his poking around dredges up enemies possibly higher than his pay grade. But that’s half the fun, seeing if he’s up to the challenge. The other half is, of course, immersing one’s self in a magical, steampunk infused Halifax. A place of light and darkness, shadow and intrigue.
A fabulous first novel for Chris, well worth picking up. And of course, be sure to check out a pair of short stories featuring our stalwart technomancer: “A Murder at Carleton House” in Enigma Front: Burnt (Analemma Books, August 2016) and “The Wolfville Horror” in in Enigma Front: The Monster Within (Analemma Books, August 2017).
I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Isaac Barrow, and for that I’m glad.
jeanette13's review
5.0
The Nightshade Cabal instantly pulls you into an alternate version of 1880s Halifax with masterful descriptions full of detail and imagery. The author adds a cast of unique and colourful characters and a fast moving plot with layers of mystery to the amazing world building making this book a must read. There is also a surprise twist at the very end that adds to the enjoyment. I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
its_justine's review
4.0
See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
The Nightshade Cabal is a thrilling and highly inventive debut from author Chris Patrick Carolan. An adventure laced in mystery and menace, we follow breadcrumbs leading from one grisly discovery to the next, keeping readers on their toes until the very end. At its heart, it's a tale of the lengths one is willing to go in order to protect those they love, and also of the consequences of attempting to play God in any capacity. It also highlights the power of companionship, and the importance of placing your trust in others when all seems lost. This was an impressive debut that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm excited to see where Carolan takes us next.
This is an exceptionally immersive story set in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the year of 1881, which personally played out as a movie as I thumbed through the pages. With a seamless blend of steampunk, magical realism, and Victorian gothic flavors, the world Carolan crafts around us is one that feels incredibly real, yet imbued with the unexpected fantastical – I'm talking necromancers, fairies, and demons, oh my! His ability to create this alternate history, yet keep it relatable is just astounding. Replete with time-accurate vocabulary and salutations, innovative technology, and mystery that feels as if it has been plucked from yesteryear makes for one engrossing tale.
In addition to the rich worldbuilding, the characters that take center stage are also amazingly developed. Isaac Barrow, a technomancer with a hunger for the unknown, and a seeker of truth and equality. While he claims he wants to be left to his own devices, he works awfully hard to rid the world of those who have the capacity for magic and use it for harmful purposes. Miss Emily Sky, a young woman wanting to right the wrongs she's witnessed, hoping to find herself and her intended path in the process. Simply put, she's a badass. Inspector Jonathan Eddings, commanding officer of the Halifax Constabulary, willing to accept aid and guidance from the strangest of sources, laws be damned. The dynamics between these characters are so fluid and organic, ripe with friendly banter and genuine concern, it was such a pleasure getting to know them.
There are villains. Oh, there are villains. Assassins and powerful summoners plague our heroes every step of the way, as they intend to keep their secrets hidden deep within the shadows of the smuggler's tunnels they inhabit. Carolan drops hints throughout allowing you to make connections pretty quickly, but he holds back on revealing the extent of depravity and vileness that lie within their hearts until the grand reveal. For fear of spoiling, I won't go into much detail here, but I will say there is an emotional factor that may cause some level of sympathy…or not.
The plot takes us on a journey filled with twists and turns, where everything ultimately comes together in the most beautiful of ways. A curious piece of modern equipment with troubling anomalies, a missing girl with a checkered past, a haunting and heinous revelation – the trek to the truth is most definitely a satisfying one. Immersive prose, and instances where knowledge of the time period and area are glaringly apparent, immediately piqued my interest, and kept the pages flying by. My only bit of criticism would be for some occasional informational overloads that seemed to have no bearing on the story itself.
The Nightshade Cabal is an exhilarating read that just utterly absorbed my attention. It's unique investigative plot combined with brilliant characters, mist-laden city streets, and reckless steamcarraige rides made it a blast to read. And that epilogue! Will there be more? I sure hope so. If you're looking for something that straddles the line between historical fiction and fantasy, defined by a crime mystery, but executed with the boundless rules of fantasy, then I suggest you give this one a try. I highly recommend.
Note: A huge thank you to Chris Patrick Carolan and The Parliament House for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The lure of the forbidden is a powerful thing.
The Nightshade Cabal is a thrilling and highly inventive debut from author Chris Patrick Carolan. An adventure laced in mystery and menace, we follow breadcrumbs leading from one grisly discovery to the next, keeping readers on their toes until the very end. At its heart, it's a tale of the lengths one is willing to go in order to protect those they love, and also of the consequences of attempting to play God in any capacity. It also highlights the power of companionship, and the importance of placing your trust in others when all seems lost. This was an impressive debut that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm excited to see where Carolan takes us next.
This is an exceptionally immersive story set in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the year of 1881, which personally played out as a movie as I thumbed through the pages. With a seamless blend of steampunk, magical realism, and Victorian gothic flavors, the world Carolan crafts around us is one that feels incredibly real, yet imbued with the unexpected fantastical – I'm talking necromancers, fairies, and demons, oh my! His ability to create this alternate history, yet keep it relatable is just astounding. Replete with time-accurate vocabulary and salutations, innovative technology, and mystery that feels as if it has been plucked from yesteryear makes for one engrossing tale.
In addition to the rich worldbuilding, the characters that take center stage are also amazingly developed. Isaac Barrow, a technomancer with a hunger for the unknown, and a seeker of truth and equality. While he claims he wants to be left to his own devices, he works awfully hard to rid the world of those who have the capacity for magic and use it for harmful purposes. Miss Emily Sky, a young woman wanting to right the wrongs she's witnessed, hoping to find herself and her intended path in the process. Simply put, she's a badass. Inspector Jonathan Eddings, commanding officer of the Halifax Constabulary, willing to accept aid and guidance from the strangest of sources, laws be damned. The dynamics between these characters are so fluid and organic, ripe with friendly banter and genuine concern, it was such a pleasure getting to know them.
There are villains. Oh, there are villains. Assassins and powerful summoners plague our heroes every step of the way, as they intend to keep their secrets hidden deep within the shadows of the smuggler's tunnels they inhabit. Carolan drops hints throughout allowing you to make connections pretty quickly, but he holds back on revealing the extent of depravity and vileness that lie within their hearts until the grand reveal. For fear of spoiling, I won't go into much detail here, but I will say there is an emotional factor that may cause some level of sympathy…or not.
The plot takes us on a journey filled with twists and turns, where everything ultimately comes together in the most beautiful of ways. A curious piece of modern equipment with troubling anomalies, a missing girl with a checkered past, a haunting and heinous revelation – the trek to the truth is most definitely a satisfying one. Immersive prose, and instances where knowledge of the time period and area are glaringly apparent, immediately piqued my interest, and kept the pages flying by. My only bit of criticism would be for some occasional informational overloads that seemed to have no bearing on the story itself.
The Nightshade Cabal is an exhilarating read that just utterly absorbed my attention. It's unique investigative plot combined with brilliant characters, mist-laden city streets, and reckless steamcarraige rides made it a blast to read. And that epilogue! Will there be more? I sure hope so. If you're looking for something that straddles the line between historical fiction and fantasy, defined by a crime mystery, but executed with the boundless rules of fantasy, then I suggest you give this one a try. I highly recommend.
Note: A huge thank you to Chris Patrick Carolan and The Parliament House for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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