THE SUNKEN – Gauge Wars Book #1 by S.C Green #Steampunk #Bookreview #Amreading @steffmetal

The Sunken by S.C. Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sunken is Book #1 in The Gauge Wars series of SteamPunk books. The setting is Industrial London in the 1800’s, but set in an alternative reality. King George III is on the throne, but dubbed a mad man and “The Vampire King”. There is great steam invention rivalry between Robert Stephenson and Isambard Brunel.

Christian Religion has been replaced by engineering sects, with followers of as many different leaders as world religion has today. The highest position held by the Messiah of the Church of the Great Conductor and people are encouraged to attend worship in the style of engineering lectures.

A Royal Society exists to police the engineers and hand out punishment where needed. A work force of “Stokers” fuel the city, treated as “dirty folk” they were lured away from their swamp lands by the need for engine stokers.

School friends, Isambard, James Holman and Nicholas Thorne, meet once more and become embroiled in the King’s new scheme to protect London from the marauding Swamp Dragons, however they soon learn of a more sinister reason behind the King’s urgency to build such a structure.

This is a big book at over 500 pages long, but it is split into three very readable parts. Part two cleverly gives all the background to the current situation and part three builds the tension to a compelling read and leads the way to book 2# in the series. I would recommend this to fans of Steampunk, and those who like the industrial era of England who are open minded to an alternative fantasy underlined story arc.

Find a copy here from Amazon US or Amazon UK

View all my reviews on Goodreads

#FridayBookShare THE SUNKEN by S.C Green @steffmetal @ShelleyWilson72 #Steampunk #amreading

I’m joining in with the NEW #FridayBookShare meme created by Shelley Wilson

 

#FridayBookShare

With the weekend approaching it’s the perfect time to seek out new books to read, Shelley has created a Friday Book Share game to help search for that ideal read.

Anyone can have a go – all you need to do is answer the following questions based on the book you are currently reading/finished reading this week and use the hashtag #FridayBookShare

First line of the book.

Recruit fans by adding the book blurb.

Introduce the main character using only three words.

Delightful design (add the cover image of the book).

Audience appeal (who would enjoy reading this book?)

Your favourite line/scene.

I’m currently half way through THE SUNKEN book 1 of the Gauge Wars – Engine Ward by S.C Green

First Line; 1820 “This beam engine pumps water from the Thames directly into those reservoirs and the water tower.”

Recruit Fans with the Blurb:

In the heart of London lies the Engine Ward, a district forged in coal and steam, where the great Engineering Sects vie for ultimate control of the country. For many, the Ward is a forbidding, desolate place, but for Nicholas Thorne, the Ward is a refuge. He has returned to London under a cloud of shadow to work for his childhood friend, the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Deep in the Ward’s bowels, Nicholas can finally escape his strange affliction – the thoughts of animals that crowd his head. But seeing Brunel interact with his mechanical creations, Nicholas is increasingly concerned that his friend may be succumbing to the allure of his growing power. That power isn’t easily cast aside, and the people of London need Brunel to protect the streets from the prehistoric monsters that roam the city. King George III has approved Brunel’s ambitious plan to erect a Wall that would shut out the swamp dragons and protect the city. But in secret, the King cultivates an army of Sunken: men twisted into flesh-eating monsters by a thirst for blood and lead. Only Nicholas and Brunel suspect that something is wrong, that the Wall might play into a more sinister purpose–to keep the people of London trapped inside.

Introduce the Main Character in only 3 words; Nicholas Thorne =  Mysterious, lonely, curious.

Book Cover:

Amazon US or Amazon UK

Audience Appeal: For those who enjoy #Steampunk, Dark Mysteries and Georgian/ Victorian #HistFic with a fantasy twist.

Favourite line or scene: A park scene, where families have gone to see caged animals kept cruelly on display for the public, a young boy who can hear the thoughts of the animals, helps them escape to freedom.

If you want to join in, then answer the F.R.I.D.A.Y questions and use the Friday Book Share meme. Tag Shelley (@ShelleyWilson72) and myself (@rosieamber1) in so we can read what you have added too.