Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT THE BLACK ORCHID by @CelineJeanjean #WeekendBlogShare

Today’s Team Review is from Jessie, she blogs at http://behindthewillows.com

Jessie has been reading The Black Orchid by Celine Jeanjean

Reviewing a sequel is always a little bit challenging. I’ve begun to think of it as advice on if it’s worth it to start reading the first book of the series.

In this case the answer is yes.

You’ve got to start with The Bloodless Assassin (previously title The Viper and the Urchin) where you will meet the assassin that reminds me of Eyore and the street urchin who teams up with him.

And then, for sure, you’ve got to continue on to The Black Orchid.

Hands down my favorite part of these books is the characters. In the first book it was the witty dialogue between the two. In this sequel the focus shifted away from the dialogue (don’t worry it was all still fun and fantastic) and onto some major character development. I won’t spoil anything with details but let’s just say things have changed quite a bit and watching the two main characters adjust to their new position in life is to watch some great writing at work!

Would I recommend it? Yup. Yup. Yup! Just don’t forget you need to start with The Bloodless Assassin to make the story even more enjoyable! And then please keep reading because I think this one might be even better than the first!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

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

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT THE BLACK ORCHID by @CelineJeanjean #Steampunk #TuesdayBookBlog

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

Liz has been reading The Black Orchid by Celine Jeanjean

The second adventure of the Viper and the Urchin finds these two disparate characters relocated to the warehouse of Cruikshank, engineer to the Marchioness, no longer an assassin and a pickpocket, but officially employed by the Old Girl, as the Marchioness is affectionately called.  But their services have not been required and they are feeling aimless and redundant when at last they are summoned to investigate a mysterious death by exsanguination in the insalubrious Bayog district of the city of Damsport.

 

Rory’s knowledge of the criminal underworld of the Rookery make her indispensable but Longinus occupies his time investigating the unexplained shortage of the black silk he needs urgently for his new elegant suit.  A link between these two events is discovered in The Black Orchid, a newly popular brothel.  Rory and Longinus find themselves in great danger again, not just from their enemy but also from threats to their relationship.  As they become estranged, the future looks grim.

 

Like the first book, The Black Orchid engages readers by the strong, vibrant women who never give up against all odds.  An old relationship between the Marchioness and stunningly beautiful Mizria may be reawakened, Rory seems to becoming closer to Varanguard, Rafe and Longinus continues to send anonymous poems to Lady Martha, daughter of the Old Girl.

 

Celine Jeanjean has written another thrilling adventure which is hard to put down.  The grubby streets of the city come alive in the fast moving plot and each character has substance and complication.  Alchemy and steam driven vehicles play their part but heroism shines.  In conclusion the scene is set for further adventure involving characters who have come to mean a great deal to their readers.

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

WINNER and Runner-Up of the Fantasy Sci-Fi 2015 Book Award #wwwblogs

The 2015 Fantasy Sci Fi Golden Rose award went to

Barb Taub and her Book One Way Fare

Meet Barb

In halcyon days BC (before children), Barb Taub wrote a humor column for several Midwest newspapers. With the arrival of Child #4, she veered toward the dark side and an HR career. Following a daring daytime escape to England, she’s lived in a medieval castle and a hobbit house with her prince-of-a-guy and the World’s Most Spoiled AussieDog. Now all her days are Saturdays, and she spends them consulting with her occasional co-author/daughter on Marvel heroes, Null City, and translating from British to American.

Catch Barb on Twitter @barbtaub or follow her blog for some brilliant posts.

One Way Fare published by Hartwood Publishing

Superpowers suck. If you just want to live a normal life, Null City is only a Metro ride away. After one day there, imps become baristas, and hellhounds become poodles. Demons settle down, become parents, join the PTA, and worry about their taxes.

Null City is the only sanctuary for Gaby Parker and Leila Rice, two young women confronting cataclysmic forces waging an unseen war between Heaven and Hell. Gaby and her younger brother and sister are already targets in the war that cost their parents’ lives. Should they forsake the powers that complete their souls and flee to Null City? Meanwhile, Leila has inherited a French chateau, a mysterious legacy, and a prophecy that she will end the world. Gaby and Leila become catalysts for the founding and survival of Null City.

It just would have been nice if someone told them the angels were all on the other side.

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

The Silver Award went to John Privilege and his book The American Policeman

Meet John

Not one to shout about himself, John hails from just out side Belfast, there’s very little to be found about John, but you can find him chatting on Twitter as @BeardyJohn

The American Policeman

After everything, there is peace. The Collective took London away from the gangs that terrorised the city after the plague and the slow terror of the Breakdown. The blood on the streets has dried. There is food, water and good housing. Everyone has work. But the meek have not inherited the earth. On a bitterly cold night a woman is brutalised and murdered, shattering the fragile calm of the city. The investigation of London’s first murder in two years falls to Inspector Timothy Conlan and the District team of the New Metropolitan Police. Tim ‘Con’ Conlan serenely navigates the harsh new London. He is dedicated, conscientious and smiling. Around him society is broken. People are traumatised, fearful and wracked with guilt. Now the dark, empty spaces of the city are being stalked by a monster. Con must find and catch a killer who seems to know his every move. At the same time, there is something rotten at the core of the new government. In the very heart of the Collective, massive lies are being spun. There are rumours of war, whispers of betrayal. The Collective is harsh, relentless and utterly unforgiving. The problem for Con is simple: find the killer; stay alive.

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

Final Congratulations to all our nominees in this category

Dylan J Morgan with THE SICKNESS

C.S Boyack with WILL O’ THE WISP

Rewan Tremethick with FALLEN ON GOODTIMES

Celine Jeanjean with THE VIPER AND THE URCHIN

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT The Viper and the Urchin by @CelineJeanjean

Today’s team review comes from Crystin, she blogs at https://crystinlgoodwin.wordpress.com/

Crystin chose to read and review The Viper and the Urchin by Celine Jeanjean

Title: The Viper and the Urchin by Celine Jeanjean

• Genre: Steampunk mystery

 

Longinus isn’t your typical assassin. He’s a gentleman assassin – the most elegant assassin in Damsport. As such, he doesn’t rely on messy methods of killing, like using swords or daggers. No, no, real assassins use poison.

Of course, the fact that Longinus can’t stand the sight of blood has nothing to do with his preference.

But when orphaned waif Rory discovers his secret, Longinus is blackmailed into teaching her how to sword fight. As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, a mysterious rival assassin is taking credit for Longinus’s kills – and copying his poisons. When Rory and Longinus realize they’re the assassin’s next target, it’s a race against time to uncover the impostor’s identity … but they discover far more than they bargained for.

I have to admit, this book was a surprising delight. I love sassy characters, and let me tell you: both Longinus and Rory are as sassy as they come. This isn’t a typical steampunk either – rather, it’s more of a low fantasy with steampunk flavor. I heartily approve of the mix, and the mystery element was also fairly well done. I did have one or two moments where I felt things were a little too convenient – but overall, it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the story. If anything, it probably added to the humor: I would snort to myself and roll my eyes … but kept right on reading.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun read, especially one who likes unique, well developed characters – cause this book had a few of them. The same goes to readers who enjoy discovering new worlds and exploring new genres. There’s just enough fantasy/steampunk/mystery/action/romance/suspense woven all together to give readers a taste of each without being overpowering. Well, except for the action – there’s a lot of action. Sword fights, street chases, a race to save the country … those are essentials to any good book. 😉

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

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

Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT The Viper and the Urchin by @CelineJeanjean #wwwblogs

Today’s team review comes from Jessie, she blogs at http://behindthewillows.com

Jessie chose to read and review The Viper and the Urchin

“It was always a pleasure to kill…”

…begins the book as it launches into a long and ominous description of an assassin, The Viper, and the nefarious activity he is on his way to perform. And then he thinks to himself, “Is it really too much to ask that the common dockworker experience a faint malaise in my presence? Obviously.”  and I smiled because, suddenly, the Viper looked like someone I was really going to enjoy!

It turns out that The Viper is a lovable, sarcastic, pompous jerk of a man. “How can that be?” I asked myself.  Those don’t go together and then (in the words of my three year old)…

Oh. My. Gossshhhh.

He’s Eeyore.

Not the sad, dopey, Disney donkey but the true A.A. Milne pompous ass right down to his sarcastic wit. Yes, it’s Eeyore as an assassin and he’s paired with a blackmailing, slip of a street girl. It might sound ridiculous but you need to trust me, the dialog between the two is not something you’re going to want to miss.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I ended the book laughing even as I was dismayed it was over.

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

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT The Viper and the Urchin by @CelineJeanjean #Steampunk

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

Chris has been reading The Viper and the Urchin by Celine Jeanjean

Action aplenty in this part fantasy, part action thriller, part coming-of-age story.

Longinus, Damsport’s most feared assassin, teams up with the feisty urchin, Rory, under the dual duress of having his identity stolen and being blackmailed into teaching the (to him) incredibly annoying Rory how to sword-fight. She dreams of becoming a warrior, he dreams of elegant poisons, and they both need to work together to unmask the culprit standing in their way.

While action-packed, the pace is not dizziness-inspiring fast, the plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters are so wonderfully charming, you want to invite them all over for a (post-bath) meal. A book about assassins that leaves you feeling hopeful and happy – who would have thought it possible?

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

Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT The Viper & The Urchin by @CelineJeanjean #Steampunk #wwwblogs

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

Liz chose to read and review The Viper and the Urchin by Celine Jeanjean

The Viper and the Urchin by Celine Jeanjean

 

The Viper and the Urchin is a rollicking good tale which grabs you by the collar and sweeps you through the grimy streets of Damsport with humour and nail-biting danger. Its heroine, Rory, is a small scrawny urchin, scraping a living by theft and deception, who makes an unlikely alliance with the elegant Viper, an assassin who uses only poison on his victims and takes pride in his art.

 

When Longinus, the Viper, questions Rory’s behaviour, “You are coarse, you swear, and worse, you are grammatically incorrect,” she responds correctly, “Well I’m supposed to be, aint I? You’re the laconic assassin. I’m the cheeky urchin. That’s how it works.”

 

There are several other vibrant characters too, such as Cruikshank, the engineer who has designed a large mechanical spider to transport them up walls & over roofs, the Old Girl or Marchioness of Damsport who rules the state and the Scarred Woman, a mysterious swordswoman whom Rory wishes to emulate.

 

The city environment is vividly described, dirty and crowded with Banyan trees sprouting out of cracks in the radiating streets. I could visualise the Varanguards, costumed in the style of Varan, a dancer who hid knives in her hair, wearing horsehair ponytails as part of their helmets. And I would love to board Crazy Willy, the wild beast of a steam coach which races through the streets each night.

 

This exciting story contains all the essential ingredients of a fantastic steam-punk adventure, including a tough but vulnerable heroine, an intriguing companion, an evil foe and even a vague suggestion of a romantic interest. It is the first book of The Bloodless Assassin Mysteries and I am very much looking forward to the publication of the next one.

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

 

 

 

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT The Viper and the Urchin by @CelineJeanjean

Today’s team book review is from Barb, she blogs at http://barbtaub.com/ Barb chose to read and review The Viper and The Urchin by Celine Jeanjean My Review: 5 stars out of 5 I was thinking of the three sliding variants of …