(From the backcover of the book)
One of my favorite things to do is to read, but since I became a mother over two years ago, I find it hard to find time to read. And then I find it even harder to find a book that I like enough to read all the way through to the end. That definitely was not the case with Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen. I made time to read, read when I knew that Squid was occupied enough, and read every night before going to sleep. To put it simply: I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!!
Let's start with a little back story: On August 4th I received and email from Deseret Bookshelf (like I do often) with the above description as the subject line. I immediately opened it and read the following synopsis:
When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires luck across the Scottish boarder.
Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors - even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for their deaths?
Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man - beast and all?
Talk about an attention grabber! I then read it aloud to FATMAN! who also took immediate interest. There's just one thing that held us both back... it's a romance novel. I loathe romance novels (and movies), unless they are romantic comedies. I have always thought that romance novels give a false illusion as to what love is and have always steered away from them. But I kept reading the synopsis over and over again and finally made a decision that if I ever got the chance, I would buy a copy and at least give it a chance. Two days later I found myself in Deseret Book searching for the book, opening it to the middle to test the writing style of Nancy Campbell Allen (I haven't read anything else by her), and rushing to the counter to buy it. I then read the first chapter aloud on the trip home. I would have read more but my throat had started to get rough and I was running out of water. I read a couple of more chapters and then had to put the book on pause when the last of the N.E.R.D.S. book came in special order through the library. BUT as soon as I finished N.E.R.D.S., I immediately jumped back into Beauty and the Clockwork Beast.
I honestly don't even know where to begin! I LOVE this book! I love everything about it, even the romance. There's supernatural elements, Steampunk technology and fashion (which I'm starting to get into), two murder mysteries to solve (yes, that's a small spoiler), and action! Oh my goodness, I was happily surprised at the little bit of action that was in it. But what I think I love the most are the two main characters, Lucy Pickett and Lord Miles Blake, and the transition they make from being so independent to needing to rely on each other and the vulnerability and frustration that comes with feeling true love, despite obvious flaws.
I love that this book is a "proper romance" and that it's very clean in general. There's no sex, no descriptive nudity (but nudity is mentioned in general when absolutely necessary), there is one very mild swear word, and there's no rude or vulgar jokes, stories, sayings of any kind at all from any of the characters. This is a truly clean and proper romance novel, even if the romance part of it is not the forefront of the story.
The mystery and supernatural elements are the biggest part of the book and that's what really drew me in and made me want to keep reading even when I had responsibilities to tend to, Little Bug to take care of, needed sleep, etc. It really was a sacrifice and took a great amount of effort for me to tear myself away from the book to go do things. I had to keep it in the other room (out of sight, out of mind) to keep myself from reading all day long. Ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and mediums are everywhere you turn while reading. And I like the take on vampires that Nancy Campbell Allen writes. Vampires being able to walk and live among regular people with help from an illegal medicine. They can turn into mists of black and travel quickly. They have a great ability of strength and to see in the dark. The werewolves she describes are just as impressive with their heightened senses, even in human form, the build and strength of the creatures, even the personalities of the creatures in wolf and human forms and how they relate to each other. But wait until you meet the ghost who is haunting Blackwell Manor! Oh, the description, the horror, the excitement!
I think I'm going to stop here because I feel like if I keep going, I will spoil everything. A small word of caution: this book is a little intense. If you don't like being sucked in and wondering in excitement and (a little bit of) fear, DO NOT pick up this book! I guarantee that your interest will be grabbed and held onto until you finish the last word. I highly recommend Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen to anyone who loves a good book. If I didn't already have another book in my possession lined up to read next (and FATMAN! didn't want to read it), I would have immediately flipped back to the beginning and started it all over in a heartbeat.
And I haven't even mentioned the amazing Steampunk technology and fashion. I just love the detail that is given for the different outfits, transportation, and tools.
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