The beginning starts off well, grabbing your attention from the get go with a gun fight, nearly bullet proof carriage race, and the acquiring of a certain item.
For me? My first question was simple: ‘Does this happen to them all of the time?’
As the pages turn it seems like it does, and if it doesn’t, then everyone is prepared for it just in case. Talk about an interesting work environment, one that is ever changing and occasionally has its own challenges. With the mixture of magic and technology. I am pleased to say that the author has described things well in this case. It is easily believable with nothing too powerful to make you wonder why it is even there. There are things that go bump in the night that even the most powerful are afraid of.
Actions have consequences, and these ones can really pack a punch.
Aside from the magic and technology turning the wheels behind the scene playing before us in words. The characters thrive in the late 1800s Victorian Era with bustling skirts and the etiquette of social calls demanding a certain way of life from both the upper and working class, including the nobility present in the book. Admittedly there are a fair number of nobility but so far, it doesn’t seem to be too far fetched. The great details about the Victorian-industrial era certainly shows that the authors have done their research thoroughly. If this was less research and more creative ingenious…I am impressed and well fooled.
The book begins with three important characters: Jake Desmet, Rick Brand, and Veronique LeClerque. Each one throughout the book have key roles to solve the mystery of who killed Jake’s father, Thomas Desmet. A great man who was 1/2 of Desmet and Brand. A company that is well known and well respected in some circles.Even if they are more known for getting things done in not exactly the most legal of ways.
The death of Thomas Desnet is what really kicks things off to grab your interest with: ‘ok, are you paying attention? Because here we go.’
Those close to Thomas are determined to find answers as to why he was murdered, and who did it. Others want to cover it up and hide the truth under the rug. Except, the more both parties do in their best interests. The more things happen, for good and bad.. Gunfire, magic, gessyans, ghosts, and airships. the supernatural and mortals are all in this in new ways that are rather refreshing.
In the end, without giving anything away. I can say that book was very satisfying with enough left over for me to demand a sequel. Actually, this needs to be a series. The authors need to get to some serious work, for I am going to be one of those waiting with baited breath. Hoping to hear when the next one comes out while shoving the book at many others in the meantime.
TITLE: Iron Blood (Jake Desmet Adventures #1)
AUTHOR: Gail Z. Martin and Larry Martin
PAGES: 407
GENRE: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Paranormal
PERSONAL RATING: 5/5
FROM THE AUTHOR/BACK COVER:
A Steampunk novel set in the fictional city of New Pittsburgh.
New Pittsburgh in 1898, a crucible of invention and intrigue, the hub of American industry at the height of its steam-driven power. Born from the ashes of devastating fire, flood and earthquake, New Pittsburgh is ruled by the shadow government of The Oligarchy. In the abandoned mine tunnels beneath the city, supernatural creatures hide from the light, emerging to feed in the smoky city known as ‘hell with the lid off.’
Jake Desmet and Rick Brand, heirs to the Brand & Desmet Import Company, travel the world to secure treasures and unusual items for the collections of wealthy patrons, accompanied by Jake’s cousin, Veronique ‘Nikki’ LeClerque. Smuggling a small package as a favor for a Polish witch should have been easy. But when hired killers come after Jake and a Ripper-style killer leaves the city awash in blood, Jake, Rick and Nikki realize that dark magic, vampire power struggles and industrial sabotage are just a prelude to a bigger plot that threatens New Pittsburgh and the world. Stopping that plot will require every ounce of Jake’s courage, every bit of Rick’s cunning, every scintilla of Nikki’s bravura and all the steampowered innovation imaginable.
The Art of Reading 
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