Review: The Clockwork Scarab #1 in series by Colleen Gleason

[weeh84]

This book series can be classified as sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, and mystery. It is the first book in the series of Stoker and Holmes novels by Colleen Gleason. It carries many aspects from mystery solving, vampires/mythical beings, time travel, and much more.

The author takes a steam-punk approach during the time of the Victorian era in London. The heroines of the story are Mina Holmes, detective and niece to the infamous Sherlock Homes, and Evaline Stoker, vampire huntress and sister to Brahm Stoker. Two very different ladies with vast crime solving approaches who are brought together to join forces in solving a mystery of disappearing young women related to the appearance of clockwork scarabs.

This book has so many different elements, I wasn't sure they were all going to mesh well, but it did, and Colleen did it well. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's style by taking a steampunk approach during the Victorian Era in London. It was written during a time when mechanics and man-made contraptions began influencing a way of life. These man-made mechanics were also aiding and even influencing the progress of solving the mystery, which was so interesting in itself. The characters were well diverse in their mannerisms and approach to solving the mystery. Colleen does an amazing job with the depictions. You can clearly imagine reading the narratives in the brisk/proper tone of Mina, and the unscathed/determined tone of Evaline. Mina and Evaline, vastly different, and particularly in this story, they don't have the connection established yet, which makes for a dramatic approach on their journey to establish themselves as independent women in a time where women were not seen as such.

The only bit I didn't like was the ending. I felt like it was left so open and untold; however, this is a series, and I have the hunch it is similar to the way Harry Potter was written, where you have open holes in the story plots so it will all come together eventually. There is also an unclear love triangle, and honestly, I feel that needs to be more established.

I would recommend to anyone who has any interest in steampunk/historical fiction/fanfiction/fantasy to give the book an honest read.