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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I've just started dipping my toes into the Steampunk genre and while the jury is still out on how I feel about it, I can never resist a Beauty and the Beast theme. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast is set in Victorian times. Again, not my favorite but I found myself really getting into the story after a few chapters. You have a little bit of everything going on in this book, shifters, ghosts, vampires, murder mystery, intrigue and a dash of romance. It all worked well together although I could have used just a tad more romance. Other than that the story flowed well and kept me engaged the entire time. And even though I'm still unsure about reading more in this genre, I find that I am actually looking forward to the next book in the series.
*I received a copy from the publisher for a voluntary review.
*I received a copy from the publisher for a voluntary review.
Beauty and the Beast retelling + Steampunk + Paranormal + Romance = A Great Read
I'm a sucker for anything Beauty and the Beast and add some paranormal romance mystery chef's kiss
The "Beauty" Lucy Pickett: strong, caring, and way more than her "Beauty". Lucy is extremely smart in a world that women are still not looked at as capable of doing things without a man. She's there to help her cousin, but the Blackwell manor has more in store for her. She's there to figure out what's going on with her cousin (Kate), but also to what happened to Clara and Marie. Is Miles to blame for it all?
The "Beast" Miles Blackwell : "Don't judge a book by its cover" Miles wants people to see the scary scars and think him a monster, but there is more behind the man than it seems. Brooding, mysterious, and more than what he shows the world.
I really enjoyed the spookiness and the mystery that Lucy and Miles set out to answer together. With the tropes galore (one bed/sharing close courters, grumpy around everyone but her, etc) you will be entertained and won't be able to put it down until you get the answers.
5/5 Stars
I'm a sucker for anything Beauty and the Beast and add some paranormal romance mystery chef's kiss
The "Beauty" Lucy Pickett: strong, caring, and way more than her "Beauty". Lucy is extremely smart in a world that women are still not looked at as capable of doing things without a man. She's there to help her cousin, but the Blackwell manor has more in store for her. She's there to figure out what's going on with her cousin (Kate), but also to what happened to Clara and Marie. Is Miles to blame for it all?
The "Beast" Miles Blackwell : "Don't judge a book by its cover" Miles wants people to see the scary scars and think him a monster, but there is more behind the man than it seems. Brooding, mysterious, and more than what he shows the world.
I really enjoyed the spookiness and the mystery that Lucy and Miles set out to answer together. With the tropes galore (one bed/sharing close courters, grumpy around everyone but her, etc) you will be entertained and won't be able to put it down until you get the answers.
5/5 Stars
It was a strange mashup of so many things...but I enjoyed it a lot. And I'm kind of picky. Definitely recommend. It's fun!
I was thinking this book was going to be JUST a cheesy romance, but was pleasantly surprised that it was a mystery as well. It's "Dracula" meets "Beauty and the Beast" in a regency society that is peculiarly tech driven. Yes, that sounds odd but I actually quite liked it.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An accomplished London botanist, Lucy Pickett, takes time off from research when she’s beckoned to Blackwell Manor by Kate, her beloved cousin. Recently married into the Blackwell family, Kate fears that the house is haunted but can’t convince her husband’s older brother, Lord Blackwell. Furthermore, Kate has been inexplicably ill and hopes that Lucy can identify the cause and a remedy. Lucy doesn’t believe in spirits but has heard the rumors that Blackwell’s wife died unexpectedly just six months ago, followed by his sister’s death the very next day! Lord Blackwell has a fearsome reputation but that won’t stop Lucy from helping her cousin.
Lord Blackwell can’t be bothered with hauntings. He’s busy with his own problems, not the least of which is a series of unsigned notes indicating that someone knows his secret. But he can’t ignore Lucy, the headstrong, nearly fearless, and beautiful woman who has entered his life and his home at the worst possible time.
In a world of vampires, predatory shifters, and disturbingly humanlike automatons, potential for danger lurks everywhere. As Lucy navigates the mysteries of Blackwell Manor, she discovers that Lord Blackwell is not at all what she expected, which must also be true of someone else at Blackwell Manor, because Lucy is certain that Kate is being poisoned.
Beauty and the Clockwork Beast combines danger, paranormal activity, exquisite clothing, and a touch of steampunk in an entertaining and chaste romantic gothic mystery.
Lord Blackwell can’t be bothered with hauntings. He’s busy with his own problems, not the least of which is a series of unsigned notes indicating that someone knows his secret. But he can’t ignore Lucy, the headstrong, nearly fearless, and beautiful woman who has entered his life and his home at the worst possible time.
In a world of vampires, predatory shifters, and disturbingly humanlike automatons, potential for danger lurks everywhere. As Lucy navigates the mysteries of Blackwell Manor, she discovers that Lord Blackwell is not at all what she expected, which must also be true of someone else at Blackwell Manor, because Lucy is certain that Kate is being poisoned.
Beauty and the Clockwork Beast combines danger, paranormal activity, exquisite clothing, and a touch of steampunk in an entertaining and chaste romantic gothic mystery.
This was recommended to me by Holly from Book Binge and I should have liked it more than I did. It's got a Beauty and the Beast trope (love!), a Gothic vibe (super love!) and the mystery was compelling. Unfortunately the rest of it didn't keep me engaged. The romance was meh and the paranormal aspects (admittedly a hard sell for me) felt like the author pulled random ideas out of her cupboard, mashed them all together, and then under-cooked the whole thing in an oven that wasn't up to temperature. There's steampunk with airships, clockwork hearts, Tesla coils, android servants but wait why not throw in some vampires, shapeshifters and governmental persecution on top of it? I liked the mystery and the Gothic tone but was pretty blase' with the rest of it.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
3.5 - 4 stars
I really enjoyed this mix of steampunk, traditional fantasy, gothic novels, and my favorite romantic fairytale: Beauty and the Beast. I liked the main characters of Lucy and Miles, and found their interactions and motivations endearing, compelling, and believable. This book managed to tread that thin line between good traditional romance and a good, engaging fantasy story. There's plot, tension, mystery, and a solid sense of the world. Some things got revealed sooner than I expected, but since those revelations were to the reader, not the other characters, there are plenty of nail-biting moments when you aren't sure if the secret is going to come out... or if you want it to come out at all. (Also, for those of you who might like a romance but without being graphic, you may enjoy this. There is some kissing, but nothing racy and no sex scenes at all!)
I really enjoyed this mix of steampunk, traditional fantasy, gothic novels, and my favorite romantic fairytale: Beauty and the Beast. I liked the main characters of Lucy and Miles, and found their interactions and motivations endearing, compelling, and believable. This book managed to tread that thin line between good traditional romance and a good, engaging fantasy story. There's plot, tension, mystery, and a solid sense of the world. Some things got revealed sooner than I expected, but since those revelations were to the reader, not the other characters, there are plenty of nail-biting moments when you aren't sure if the secret is going to come out... or if you want it to come out at all. (Also, for those of you who might like a romance but without being graphic, you may enjoy this. There is some kissing, but nothing racy and no sex scenes at all!)