Here is the summary of the book:
FOR BETTER OR CURSE. That might as well have been the wedding vow of Elle Chance and her new husband, the ex-Warlock Hugh Marsh in the second book of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, historical adventure, and paranormal romance into storytelling magic.
As Elle devotes herself to her duties as the Oracle—who alone has the power to keep the dark designs of Shadow at bay—Marsh finds himself missing the excitement of his former life as a Warlock. So when Commissioner Willoughby of the London Metropolitan police seeks his help in solving a magical mystery, Marsh is only too happy to oblige. But in doing so, Marsh loses his heart . . . literally.
In place of the flesh-and-blood organ is a clockwork device—a device that makes Marsh a kind of zombie. Nor is he the only one. A plague of clockwork zombies is afflicting London, sowing panic and whispers of revolution. Now Elle must join forces with her husband’s old friend, the Nightwalker Loisa Beladodia, to track down Marsh’s heart and restore it to his chest before time runs out.
Suffering from large bouts of the second book syndrome, while it may have its good bits in there but it is not as strong as the first book was in terms of character development and plot goes. A Clockwork heart at best is an okayish book. Don't get me wrong i'm not discouraging anybody from reading it but the level prevalent in "A Conspiracy of Alchemist" is absent with this book.
Elle Marsh are married now and its already falling apart. She wants to fly but her husband wants her to spend at least a bit more time with him and she finds all these new restrictions suffocating. Alright it is understandable that such big changes might take some time to incorporate at first but she can't seem to want to all. Come on your husband gave up his warlock powers and place on the council to be with you and you can't even give him a bit more of your time?
That is just plain irresponsible. Another thing she seems to be following the principle of "Ignorance is bliss". On top of not performing her duties to her husband, she seems to be ignoring her Oracle powers as well. Rather that figuring out the solution to her problems, she turns a blind eye to the oncoming storm and looses her husband to a clockwork heart.
While it is clear that separating Elle and Marsh is a plot point for this series but it doesn't mean I have to like it. And its rather weak and rushed when you finish the book..... And it all takes Elle to loose her love to know his worth. Rather big character deterioration happening in this book if you will....... Still the only saving grace here was the supernatural battle at the end of the book......
There is a significant lack of world building as well. Liesel Schwarz I hope you give something much better in "Sky Pirates" because i'm definitely checking it out. With the hope that you will have an even better and stronger in it than this book.
"A Clockwork heart is dark and exciting but not as exquisite as ... A Conspiracy of Alchemist was"
Genre : Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Steampunk
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: 13th August, 2013
My Copy: publisher and netgalley
Rate: 3/5 (Liked It)
Books in Series(review links):
#1 A Conspiracy of Alchemist
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: 13th August, 2013
My Copy: publisher and netgalley
Rate: 3/5 (Liked It)
Books in Series(review links):
#1 A Conspiracy of Alchemist
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository
Well, this definitely has the second book syndrome
ReplyDeleteWhich much of the second books unfortunately have
GREAT review, though
Your reader
Soma
http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/