Sigo con el steampunk en Clockwork Menagerie + giveaway

Arrebatadores, ¿a quién de vosotros le gusta el género steampunk? 

Sé que hay algunos por ahí diseminados, por lo que espero que os guste esta nueva adición, en formato relato corto, al mundo de las novelas de Karen Kincy. En el pasado, leí dos novelas suyas, Shadows of Asphodel (mi opinión) y Storms of Lazarus (mi opinión). Están repletas de aventuras, zeppelines, romance y magia. De modo que, cuando me invitaron a participar en el tour de una nueva historia en esta serie, me alegré muchísimo.

Hay que empezar por el principio y leer las dos novelas antes de embarcarse en este relato, por supuesto. Me ha encantado reencontrarme con el archimago Konstantin, tan educado y absorto en la ciencia de la tecnomancia, y con el gallardo capitán de zepelín, Himmel. 

Son reclutados para "espiar" con elegancia y sin tomar cartas en el asunto como parte de una visita diplomática a Rusia. Las cosas se tuercen y Konstantin mete la pata cuando investiga más allá de la cuenta la intervención de una noble rusa en el uso ilegal de almas para dinamizar máquinas steampunk con forma de dragón.

Se trata de un relato de 85 páginas aproximadamente donde ocurren cosas sin parar, en medio de una Europa medio mágica medio en guerra, con rusos peligrosos por todas partes, un frío siberiano, máquinas tan bellas como mortales y un par de héroes a su pesar que arriesgan sus carreras en pos de la verdad. Curiosamente, me he topado con un romance chico-chico que ha resultado realista, cálido y divertido a la par, y algo sexy también. Me ha gustado muchísimo la aventura porque cambia de escenario constantemente, es muy dinámica, y tiene lugar en Rusia, cosa que me estimula un montón. Aparte, el romance prohibido supone un toque de drama y sentimiento que funciona muy bien ya que se trata de personajes que ya conozco y con quienes empatizo. El final, por supuesto, cierra la aventura pero deja abierto el camino para sus repercusiones en el frágil equilibrio de Europa y para la relación de los dos héroes.

Welcome to my tour stop for Clockwork Menagerie, a companion novellato the Shadows of Asphodel series by Karen Kincy. This is an adult historical fantasy romance and the tour runs September 1-11. Check out the tour page for more information.

Clockwork Menagerie

 (Shadows of Asphodel, #2.5), 

by Karen Kincy

Genre: Historical-fantasy romance

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Date of Release: September 1, 2015

Cover Artist: Eugene Teplitsky

Find Online: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

Description:

A companion novella to the Shadows of Asphodel series, from Konstantin's point of view.

1914. Konstantin would love to hide in his laboratory and dissect the clockwork dragon captured from Russia, but the Archmages of Vienna have other plans. He finds himself shipped off to St. Petersburg as the scientific attaché to an ambassador. His orders? Look, but don't touch. Of course, he considers this an impossible request with so much enemy technomancy to explore.

To make matters worse, Konstantin has to work with the dashing zeppelin commander Himmel, a man who should also be untouchable. They can't act on the smoldering attraction between them without risking it all. Faced with an illegal relationship and a devious rival technomancer, Konstantin might not return from this mission in Russia without conquering the forbidden.

MY OPINION

I was delighted to come back to the steampunk world of the Archmages of Vienna and their technomancy, a Europe on the brink of war, and zeppelin adventures.

Even for as short a time as this 90-page novella allows, it was so worth it. I had the chance to reacquaint myself with a couple of interesting characters such as archmage Konstantin Falkenrath and captain Himmel.

Sucked into a diplomatic venture into imposing Russia, they have to uncover the deadly secrets behind illegal use of soul magic in machines. At the same time, they deal with the perils of giving into an unlawful attraction between them. I'm not used to this kind of MM romance, but i can only confess it was sweetly exhilarating as I was fond of the characters, and their feelings and attitudes were so touchingly conveyed. And, yes, hot too.

With a fast pace, lots of things going on and an engaging plot of war politics, this Russian adventure packs an entertaining combination of dragon machines, heartfelt and impossible romance, deadly enemies and swashbuckling zeppelins. 

The end came too quickly as I'd hoped for a more concrete conclusion, yet I have the inkling this is the beginning of a beautiful future of stories featuring the daring couple, or maybe a well-planned link to the next full-length novel. Either way, I'm more than happy to have read this adventure with characters that feel so real and clever. I really enjoyed Himmel's stiff and loyal stance, and Konstantin's endearing inadequacy and brave morals. I hope to see more of them soon!

ABOUT THE MASTERMIND

Karen Kincy (Kirkland, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY TIME

Gold Lotus Flower Bookmark that Glows in the Dark from etsy seller Papillon9 

Open to US/CA

Ends Sept. 16th

Prizing is provided by the publisher. 
Hosts are not responsible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

¿Habéis leído alguna novela steampunk interesante? :o)

Babel en zepelín.