Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT THE DIRIGIBLE KING’S DAUGHTER by @AlysWestYork #steampunk

Today’s team review is from Cathy, she blogs here http://betweenthelinesbookblog.com

Cathy has been reading The Dirigible King’s Daughter by Alys West

It’s clear Harriet Hardy, a supporter of the Suffragette movement, is not a woman to trifle with nor underestimate. We meet her as she loads the pistol she keeps in her reticule, before meeting a client. She owns and runs the property letting business left to her by her Uncle Humphrey. Harriet and her mother were left destitute after her father’s disgrace and subsequent death years before and if not for Uncle Humphrey, Harriet dare not think what might have happened to them.

Her experience the previous day when, showing Alderman Fitch round one of her houses, made Harriet very thankful for, and glad she carries, her pistol. A woman alone can never be too careful. The Alderman made improper advances and refused to take no for an answer. When Harriet took her pistol from her bag as a deterrent, the Alderman was amused, not believing she could, or would, use it. Harriet was obliged to discharge her pistol harmlessly to prove him wrong.

As she shows Viscount Ripley round the same house the next day, the Alderman along with two police officers, arrive at the front door accusing Harriet of attempted murder. She makes her escape with the aid of Viscount Ripley, who offers a solution to save her reputation. Harriet is astonished to realise who he is… and that he is a dirigible pilot, as her father was.

This is completely different to Alys West’s first book, Beltane, which I loved, but is none the less enjoyable. I must admit I hadn’t come across the word dirigible before and no idea it was another name for an airship.

The subtle steampunk elements are woven into the story well and the dirigible flight scenes make great reading. Harriet is a worthy heroine, courageous and likeable, and I was rooting for her all the way. She’s had a lot to overcome but is very determined and independent. The manner and circumstances of her father’s death left her and her mother in dire straits and changed their lifestyle completely. They were forced to moved house, and chose to settle in Whitby, just as Bram Stokers’ Dracula became all the rage, which helped with Harriet’s business. But just when things begin looking up and there’s hope in Harriet’s future, life throws her a curve ball. A very well written and enjoyable romance.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com available free from Kindle Unlimited

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT THE DIRIGIBLE KING’S DAUGHTER by @AlysWestYork #SundayBlogShare

Today’s team review is from Barb, she blogs at http://barbtaub.com/

Barb has been reading The Dirigible King’s Daughter by Alys West

My Review: 4  stars out of 5

Harriet Hardy never set out to become a kickass pistol-packing Victorian feminist. Raised to expect a proper middle class life of servants, parties, fancy dresses, and the welcome romantic attentions of a dashing soldier, she is instead forced to leave all that behind when her father’s death reveals his business failures. She moves to Whitby, working for and then inheriting her uncle’s property management business when he dies. By the time eight years have passed she is—by Victorian standards—a spinster whose profession, disgraced family, and age make marriage an impossibility. And that’s all before she’s arrested for the attempted murder of a local politician when he attempts “something very improper”.

So far, all this is fairly standard romance novel stuff. And indeed, the steampunk bits sneak in subtly at the edges… a mention of a steam carriage here, an airship there, perhaps a cogwork-enhanced fortune teller or a mysterious “rod system” that carries data through a giant pipe running alongside the road. This is a kinder, gentler steampunk world in which Victorian manners and dress take precedence over any explanations of the internal combustion engine’s failure to launch or the dirigibles’ failure to explode regularly a la Hindenburg. The focus of the story remains firmly on Harriet’s conflicts with her father’s death, her upcoming trial, the return of Charlie—former dance partner now even further socially removed by his family’s ascendence into the peerage—and a possibly/probably fake engagement.

Within those boundaries, The Dirigible King’s Daughter is a lovely story. The pace steadily picks up as it moves to the courtroom dramatics, the romance is sweet rather than hot or steamy, the dialog charming. I enjoyed Harriet’s confusion as she attempts to reconcile her heart with the strong pragmatic woman her head tells her to be. With the exception of Harriet herself, there is very little character development, but since the supporting characters are stock tropes, little more is needed. Homage is paid to romance tropes, with some updated nods to feminist leanings. There is a bit of steampunk worldbuilding, but like the whisps of steam lingering between the buildings when Harriet visits London, the science behind the steam isn’t even mentioned.

The Dirigible King’s Daughter is a quick entertaining read for those who enjoy romance, steampunk, or just a charmingly-written and beautifully edited little book that makes few demands and delivers exactly what it promises.

 

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I reviewed The Dirigible King’s Daughter for Rosie’s Book Review Team.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s #Bookreview team #RBRT THE DIRIGIBLE KING’S DAUGHTER by @AlysWestYork #Steampunk

Today’s team review is from Chris, she blogs at http://cphilippou123.wordpress.com

Chris has been reading The Dirigible King’s Daughter by Alys West

Action, adventure, sexism, and class issues all come together in this steampunk romance novel.

When Harriet, businesswoman and daughter of the disgraced ‘Dirigible King’, is accused of attempted murder, she reluctantly turns to an old friend, and current Viscount, for help. But old scandals, new obstacles, and a lover that won’t give up all add to her already tough existence. Will she be able to cope?

Despite it’s light tone and fun story, there is an undertone to this novel around the subject of prejudice in its many forms that was well-woven and thought-provoking. The story itself unfolded gently, and balanced action and romance in a believably steampunk setting. An enjoyable read.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT THE DIRIGIBLE KING’S DAUGHTER BY @AlysWestYork #TuesdayBookBlog

Today’s team review is from Liz, she blogs at https://lizannelloyd.wordpress.com/

Liz has been reading The Dirigible King’s Daughter by Alys West

The Dirigible King’s Daughter by Alys West

Harriet Hardy is an independent woman who is not to be trifled with, but she lives in a steampunk, Edwardian environment where ladies are expected to be proper and to know their place. She has found herself to be the breadwinner and espousing the principles of the Suffragists has not won her many friends. Living in Whitby she has cut herself off from her happy youth in York but now her past is catching up with her, just when she finds herself in greater trouble than ever.

 

Charlie Davenport is a dashing Dirigible pilot with charm and influence but Harriet has no intention of allowing him to take over her life. She will continue to solve her problems as she always has, with a pistol in her reticule, a brave heart and intelligent wit.

 

This novel is a tale of romance and peril against the background of the thrilling flights of the dirigibles and escapades on steam-powered omnibuses. It is an easy read and you cannot help wishing Harriet success and happiness against all odds.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

 

 

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT BELTANE by @AlysWestYork #UrbanFantasy #FridayReads

Today’s team review is from Cathy, she blogs at http://betweenthelinesbookblog.wordpress.com/

Cathy has been reading Beltane by Alys West

Opening with a terrific prologue which grabbed my interest immediately, Beltane has a lot of factors I love in a book – including a handsome druid, magic and Glastonbury, a place I know well and enjoy visiting, so being able to clearly picture the setting was a bonus. The story is set almost entirely in Glastonbury, encompassing the Abbey ruins, beautiful Chalice Well Gardens and the Tor, all atmospheric and mystical places. The flavour of the area is evident throughout and it’s obvious Alys West knows the locale extremely well.

Druid Finn McCloud makes a deadly enemy of spellworker, Maeve Blackwell when he rescues his sister from her clutches. He pays dearly for his mistake and is trapped by Maeve’s power until Zoe Rose arrives at Anam Cara, Maeve’s healing retreat. Zoe is there at the recommendation of her friend, Anna, trying to find inspiration for her work as an illustrator. Zoe can only feel unease and immediate dislike on meeting Maeve, despite Anna’s enthusiasm and praise for the healer.

The characterisation is so good, Finn and Zoe make great protagonists, very appealing and I liked them immediately. They’re realistic, well-rounded and in Finn’s case, gorgeous. Zoe is intrigued by, and attracted to, a carving of the Green Man on a tree in the garden at Anam Cara although other aspects of the retreat unnerve her. Her reactions to the situation she finds herself in, along with the shocking revelations she finds out about herself and Finn, are convincing and unforced.

Maeve, on the other hand, is completely evil, scheming and ruthless. Her karmic wave healing sessions don’t seem to have the effect expected by her guests. Maeve has an agenda and will do whatever it takes. She an excellent antagonist. Winston is a fascinating character as well, and hopefully he will feature a little more in future books.

Alys West has created a wonderfully visual and gripping, fast paced story, with a strong plot full of mystery, magical forces and tension. I love all the threads of the well written storyline and how they’re woven together. I’m looking forward to the next book, finding out what’s in store and how the characters develop.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT BELTANE by @AlysWestYork #UrbanFantasy

Today’s team review is from Alison, she blogs at http://alisonwilliamswriting.wordpress.com/

Alison has been reading Beltane by Alys West

 

This is a very well-written, entertaining and enjoyable read. Alys West certainly knows how to tell a story.

Artist Zoe Rose is struggling to come up with the illustrations she needs to seal a lucrative contract and get her career on track. Her subject matter is King Arthur, so she heads to Glastonbury for inspiration as this is where Arthur is believed to have lived and where legend has it he is buried. Her friend Anna suggests she stays at a healing retreat, Anam Cara, run by Maeve, who Anna raves about, but who makes Zoe feel uncomfortable and unnerved.

In the garden of Anam Cara is a tree bearing a carving of a ‘Green Man’. Zoe is fascinated by the carving, and unwittingly releases a spell that begins a host of unsettling and dangerous events centred around handsome stranger Finn, who Zoe is instantly attracted to.

Finn and Zoe are great characters, easy to like and very believable, quite a feat considering they both have ‘gifts’. And Maeve is a well-crafted antagonist, a suitable foe for Finn and Zoe.

The author obviously knows Glastonbury well – the town is brought to life and it is easy to picture its streets and alleys, full of alternative shops and centres, and the wonderful Tor. It’s a fantastic setting for this kind of tale.

There were parts of the story that I felt went on a little too long and didn’t hold my interest, but on the whole this was a thoroughly engaging read and I look forward to more from this author.

Four out of five stars

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT BELTANE by @AlysWestYork #UrbanFantasy

Today’s team review is from Shelley, she blogs at http://shelleywilsonauthor.com/

Shelley has been reading Beltane by Alys West

#BookReview – Beltane by Alys West

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I received an ARC of Beltane in exchange for an honest review via Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT

One of my favourite places to visit here in the UK is Glastonbury in Somerset.  This stunning place is full of unique characters, beautiful scenery and mystical stories that greet you at every turn.  When I first saw the blurb for Beltane and read that it was set in my favourite place I had to grab a copy – I wasn’t disappointed.

Beltane begins in the thick of the action when a Druid named Finn falls foul of a spellworker.  The prologue sets you up for a novel that rushes along at a frantic pace.  West does a fabulous job of keeping up the tension as she unfolds her story.

Zoe Rose is an illustrator who is struggling with her creativity.  At her friend’s recommendation, she books into Anam Cara, a healing retreat in Glastonbury, to try and help her clear the blockages in her imagination and complete a commission for a book about King Arthur.

Unfortunately, Zoe isn’t as enamoured with the healing center’s hostess as the other guests and takes an instant dislike to Maeve.  Within the grounds of Anam Cara, Zoe finds an old tree with a carving of The Green Man, unknowingly she releases a spell which unravels a string of events leading to Finn’s return, and the revelation that Zoe isn’t what she seems.

West paints the perfect picture of a healing retreat and clearly knows her stuff when it comes to the finer points of how the establishments are run and the background into alternative therapies.  The setting is magical, and West takes us on a visual trip through the winding streets of Glastonbury, Wells and to the wilds of Dartmoor.  Even if you have never visited these places, you will be able to feel the magic.

Finn and Zoe are likeable characters, and I look forward to their story evolving in future books.  I did like Winston, and I hope he has a rich story just waiting to be unearthed.  West creates a complex antagonist in Maeve, who bends the laws of good to meet her evil needs.

You will be hooked until the very end as the witchcraft and sorcery unfold in this gripping urban fantasy.  A very well told novel; thoroughly enjoyable.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com