Estoy en el séptimo cielo... steampunk. Sí, lo he dicho bien,
porque he encontrado una serie de novelas de corte steampunk que me han
cautivado. Tanto El corazón de Nefertiti como El collar de Hatshepsut son
lecturas llenas de aventura, misterio, acción, romance y secretos que van
brotando en cada esquina. ¡Sólo espero que haya una tercera parte!
En la primera novela, conocemos a Cara, una tía de armas
tomar que ha regresado al Londres victoriano para vender la colección de
antigüedades de su difunto padre. Hace años sufrió en sus manos un abuso
traumático que ha dejado en ella huellas físicas y emocionales. Desde el oscuro
mundo del contrabando, un vizconde con muchos trapicheos y reputación peligrosa
busca hacerse con esos artefactos. No sabe que se ha topado con una mujer como
no hay otra en la ciudad. Entre ellos, surge un juego de voluntades que Cara
está dispuesta a ganar. El vizconde puede ser seductor, intrigante, pero por
nada del mundo va a quitarle el placer de destruir la colección de artefactos
que tanto pesar le causó en su infancia.
Mientras la sociedad se debate entre el horror de unos
asesinatos al estilo de Jack el Destripador y el regreso de la infame dama que
perdió su honor a manos de un noble, Cara y Nathaniel descubren que los
artefactos ocultan poderes mágicos.
Me ha conquistado desde la primera página. Tiene una heroína
inteligente, fuerte, con un plan propio. Sabe defenderse porque tiene un pasado
realmente desesperado y ha tenido que luchar para liberarse. Aún así, sufre por
el rechazo de la sociedad. Nunca ha podido confiar en ningún hombre. Y aparece
este calculador noble de negocios turbios que, con la astucia de un gato,
empieza a seducirla con dulzura y respeto. El romance que se establece entre
ellos es hermoso, sensual, aunque a veces parezca precipitado dadas las
circunstancias de Cara. Son estremecedoras.
En cuanto al misterio de los artefactos y los asesinatos, es
un fondo magnífico donde Londres brilla con toda su personalidad. Los toques
steampunk, como caballos mecánicos y vestuario muy visual, confieren a la
novela mucho colorido. La autora tiene un estilo narrativo irónico, rico y
vivaz.
En la segunda novela, me he quedado totalmente prendada. Se
convierte en una auténtica aventura que nos lleva a la Torre de Londres y de
allí a Rusia. La reina Victoria ha caído presa de un ansia de conquista militar
que amenaza con hundir a Inglaterra en una guerra sin precedentes. Nate es
acusado de traición. Además, confiesa un secreto asombroso a Cara que pone en
jaque su relación incipiente.
¡Ha sido un giro argumental alucinante!
Sin un segundo de descanso, la acción se triplica junto a la
tensión romántica, el humor y la aventura. Aparece un elemento de fantasía que
no esperaba y resulta maravilloso. Los personajes secundarios son todo un lujo,
incluido un capitán pirata llamado Loki que, pardiez, necesita su propia novela
ya.
Me he hecho adicta a estas historias en torno a artefactos
malditos. Sólo ese punto da muchísimo juego. Los diálogos son inteligentes, la
trama es ingeniosa y variada, con un arco romántico que va profundizándose a
medida que avanza. Se nota que la autora tiene un plan para su serie porque va
ampliando el horizonte de sus personajes en cuanto a posibilidades de lo que
pueden hacer y hasta dónde les va a presionar. El final de la segunda novela
promete una vuelta de tuerca a la situación de esta pareja al servicio de su
majestad que me tiene nerviosa de anticipación.
Si os gusta la aventura steampunk romántica, no os perdáis
esta serie.
*
MY REVIEWS FOR THE TOUR
Do you know that moment
when you're reading a book and something inside your head clicks? You become
all excited because you just know you're going to like it. Well, with
NEFERTITI'S HEART, it happened to me on page two. That's pretty quick.
I'm in love with this
series. Choke-full of mystery, dark deeds, sensuality and arcane antiques, it's
a match made in steampunk heaven.
On her father's death,
Cara comes back to London to get rid of her inner demons. Most importantly,
she's determined to sell the vast collection of ancient artifacts her father
amassed during his lifetime. Cara wants to smash or dispose of the things that
mattered to her father much more than his daughter's safety. Easier thought
than accomplished because she finds herself in the middle of a killing spree
while Inspector Fraser and Viscount Lyons pursue her with opposite intents.
This novel is a
multi-layered combination of plot elements. We have to investigate our way
through the gruesome murders of an enigmatic killer. He's preying on society's
most treasured flowers with no apparent reason but a tenuous link to Ancient
Egypt and a lady reviled for her lost morals. I find this mystery very
appealing in a deliciously twisted way. He's one dark villain with a gusto for
Jack-the-Ripper-like crime. Sprinkled with steampunk tidbits (I loved the
mechanical horses, and the waiters too!!), the story progresses on a path full
of surprises, darkness and cinematic crime-solving.
Let's not forget the sizzling
tension between Cara and Nathaniel Lyons. Cara is as tough as iron. I can't
strain enough how great it was to meet her the way she acts on the first
chapter. Wow, she was mean and fabulous! A very dark past stains her for gentle
society which has caused a paradox in her life. It's both marked and liberated
her from certain social constraints that turn this woman into a kick-ass,
genuinely free spirit. She still has some heavy issues to tackle. Wronged and
abused, she refuses to buckle. Ironically, that's where the notorious Captain
Lyons butts in. He'll challenge her in very different ways. I wasn't expecting
so much steam in the premises, but hey, I'm not complaining. I relished every
passionate encounter and how their relationship grows hotter and hotter.
A scorching game of
seduction that blooms into an intense love story?
Please, give me more.
It was also a great fun
to read because of the author's witty humour. Both conversations and inner
dialogues were interlaced with bold wit. She also achieves a wonderful
depiction of London's streets that come alive with the clatter and clamour of
19th century atmosphere.
I'm really looking
forward to reading more adventures of this sassy heroine, her very sexy and
tough counterpart, and those infinitely interesting magical artifacts.
And I was so satisfied
with this first book that I wanted to go straight to the second. Luckily for
me, it was just handy.
HATSHEPSUT'S COLLAR kicks
off with a vengeance. London is alive with treachery and hidden enemies. The
viscount is accused of a crime against the Crown, so he's taken to the infamous
Tower of London to await execution at Queen Victoria's pleasure, but not before
he confesses another more personal crime to Cara. Oh, my face must have been a
comical echo of Cara's when I read this part. I wouldn't have foreseen that
move in a hundred years!
The stakes are higher
than ever as international politics take Cara and Nate to Russia while trying
to avoid death threats from Queen Victoria herself. I couldn't have asked for a
better second installment. It goes further in terms of adventure, quirky
steampunk machinery and romance.
Cara and Nate share an
unexpected bond. Not only are they emotionally attached, they're also linked in
a supernatural way thanks to their previous adventure. To my delight, their
relationship reaches a very tense point, ant it also becomes maddeningly sexy. And
beautiful to envision. I must say that I'd love to see with my own eyes, even
try on, those great outfits Cara dons in her outrageous outings.
I love the author's
sarcastic humour. I've really enjoyed this high-class adventure that combines
the unending potential of magical artifacts with a sensual love story and a
dynamic mystery.
The novel has
stimulating dialogue, a romantic couple full of banter and mischief,
unforgettable second characters, and a sophisticated plot with plenty of twists
to raise my interest till the last page. I can't help thinking that I would
also enjoy reading about certain characters' personal stories, such as that
Russian count or the incorrigible Loki. Wouldn't they make for wonderfully
passionate main characters?
I had a lot of fun reading these two books. At the end, I was sure I
wanted to embark on new and more dashing adventures about doom-laden artifacts,
exotic destinations and witty mysteries. So I can only hope there will be more
in the future and I recommend this series whole-heartedly.
*
ANITA EXLEY
Books and writing have always been an enormous part of A.W. Exley’s life.
She survived school by hiding out in the library, with several thousand
fictional characters for company. At university, she overcame the boredom of
studying accountancy by squeezing in Egyptology papers and learning to read
hieroglyphics.
Today, Anita writes steampunk novels with a sexy edge and an Egyptian twist.
She lives in rural New Zealand surrounded by an assortment of weird and
wonderful equines, felines, canine and homicidal chickens.
Nefertiti's Heart (Artifact Hunters
#1) by A.W. Exley
Page Count: 284 pages
Published: February 4th, 2013 by
Curiosity Quills Press
Genre: NA/Mystery/Steampunk
Recommended Age: 16 and up
Cara Devon has always
suffered curiosity and impetuousness, but tangling with a serial killer might
cure that. Permanently.
London, 1861. Impoverished noble
Cara has a simple mission after the strange death of her father – sell off his
damned collection of priceless artifacts. Her plan goes awry when aristocratic
beauties start dying of broken hearts, an eight inch long brass key hammered
through their chests. A killer hunts amongst the nobility, searching for a
regal beauty and an ancient Egyptian relic rumored to hold the key to
immortality.
Her Majesty’s Enforcers are in
pursuit of the murderer and they see a connection between the gruesome deaths
and Cara. So does she, somewhere in London her father hid Nefertiti’s Heart,
a fist sized diamond with strange mechanical workings. Adding further
complication to her life, notorious crime lord, Viscount Nathaniel Lyons is
relentless in his desire to lay his hands on Cara and the priceless artifact.
If only she could figure out his motive.
Self-preservation fuels Cara’s
search for the gem. In a society where everyone wears a mask to hide their true
intent, she needs to figure out who to trust, before she makes a fatal mistake.
Hatshepsut's Collar (Artifact
Hunters #2) by A.W. Exley
Page Count: 274
Published: November 13th, 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press
An
ancient Egyptian artifact is driving Queen Victoria insane, and that’s not top
of Cara Devon’s growing list of problems.
Viscount Nathaniel Lyons is a man
of numerous secrets, but there is one in particular that threatens his
fledgling relationship with Cara. Stunned by Nate’s revelation, and before she
can absorb the ramifications of his actions, he is arrested, charged with
treason and imprisoned in the grim Tower of London. He stole something the mad
queen wants, and only has days to deliver, before his date with the
executioner.
Although sorely tempted, Cara can’t
let him die on Tower Green, not when their connection means she would share his
fate.
Only together can Cara and Nate
figure out how to wrestle Hatshepsut’s Collar from around the queen’s neck,
before she plunges Britain into a world war. The search for answers sends Cara
to the opulent Winter Palace of St Petersburg and the frozen depths of Siberia,
with every step shadowed by an enemy with his own dark plans.
Thanks so much, Candace, for letting me join this incredible tour! And dear Anita, I love, love, endelessly love your books :o)
SORTEO / GIVEAWAY TIME
Mis arrebatadores, ¿os habéis hecho fans de alguna saga últimamente? ¿Habéis leído algún libro de género steampunk?
Babel en un zepelín con destino a la diversión.
