Steampunk Saturday: A Study in Ashes (The Baskerville Affair #3) by Emma Jane Holloway

This Steampunk Saturday, I have the final book in The Baskerville Affair Series! It took me forever to get going in this series but once I did, I tore through all 3 books in a few days. I loved this series as it built a bridge for me with my husband. I think that is the absolute best to be able to find books that open doors for conversation between people who are reading different things. My husband had recently finished reading the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes and he has a history degree so this series made lots of great conversations possible. Here's the cover and Goodreads blurb for A Study in Ashes:

As part of her devil’s bargain with the industrial steam barons, Evelina Cooper is finally enrolled in the Ladies’ College of London. However, she’s attending as the Gold King’s pet magician, in handcuffs and forbidden contact with even her closest relation, the detective Sherlock Holmes.

Not even Niccolo, the dashing pirate captain, and his sentient airship can save her. But Evelina’s problems are only part of a larger war. The Baskerville Affair is finally coming to light, and the rebels are making their move to wrest power from the barons and restore it to Queen Victoria. Missing heirs and nightmare hounds are the order of the day—or at least that’s what Dr. Watson is telling the press.

But their plans are doomed unless Evelina escapes to unite her magic with the rebels’ machines—and even then her powers aren’t what they used to be. A sorcerer has awakened a dark hunger in Evelina’s soul, and only he can keep her from endangering them all. The only problem is…he’s dead.

I loved that Evelina was not the sole focus of this book.  It was great to see so many of the supporting characters as they grew into their own strengths and places in the world.  Nick was so brave and strong, he is such a great character and a good friend to Evelina.  Tobias finally decides to make his life mean something.  He finally stands up for his wife and son  and takes responsibility for his own choices.  We really get to see Holmes and Watson working in the background.  Bucky continues to be amazing as he fights for the woman he loves.  Bird and Mouse go on an epic journey and the younger sister, Poppy, proves to be more like Evelina than like Imogen and Tobias.  Imogen is surprisingly brave.  You can really see what makes her such a good friend to Evelina.  I adored this series and highly recommend it!


Click here to add A Study in Ashes to your Goodreads. You can find author Emma Jane Holloway on her website, on Twitter, on Facebook and on Pinterest. I give A Study of Ashes 5 Fairies for the perfect ending to a wonderful series.

Steampunk Saturday: A Study in Darkness (The Baskerville Affair #2) by Emma Jane Holloway

For this week's Steampunk Saturday, I have a review of A Study in Darkness from The Baskerville Affair series by Emma Jane Holloway. Here's the cover and Goodreads blurb:

When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her Uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.

Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.

As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting ground of Jack the Ripper.

Evelina has such a hard time toeing the line between darkness and light when she has to deal with Magnus. She is smart enough to try to keep from falling into his promises of power but she is still drug deeper into his creepy little world of darkness. The story of Jack the Ripper is one of the quintessential mysteries of the Victorian Era and I love it when authors and creators can bring that mystery into their work because it makes the world seem that much more real. The events in Whitechapel place the story directly into our world. The author also made the story of the Ripper blend seamlessly into their story-which I loved. It made sense so I was not pulled out of the story by the story of the Ripper. By the end of the story, I actually managed to detest the Gold King even more than I had previously. The fact that he saw his daughter as a pawn to be used and not an heir to take over his business really made me mad. How could he trust her enough to ask her opinion and then get so mad that she wanted to take over the business?! I just could not stand him. I also ached for Evelina when she found Nick again. He had grown into himself and he was no longer the circus boy who loved her. When she finds him again, he is so sure of who he is and they still find themselves with feelings for one another... it was so realistic and sweet. I loved it. Poor Bucky and Imogen, though. They tried so hard to earn their own happiness and it was kept from them. Bucky is a much better person in my thoughts than Tobias. Tobias is just so weak and so selfish at times but Bucky is so real and genuine. Bucky is willing to fight for what he wants and Tobias is not. Tobias could not see any answer but the easy path. Bucky is willing to do what it takes to get his happily ever after. I adore Bucky and Nick because they seem to be strong and secure in themselves and that makes them so much more willing to fight for their futures. I love that in their characters. Next week I will have my review of the final book in the trilogy.

You can click here to add A Study in Darkness to your Goodreads. You can find author Emma Jane Holloway on her website, on Twitter, on Facebook and on Pinterest. I give A Study in Darkness 4 Fairies for a dark and mysterious romp through Whitechapel and into the world of the airship pirate.

A Study in Silks (The Baskerville Affair #1) by Emma Jane Holloway

I started ready A Study in Silks over a year ago... and then my life went to Hell in a handbasket.  I finally was able to finish the book in the last week and even tore through the rest of the series.  It felt amazing to have accomplished it!  To celebrate, I am bringing back my favorite feature of all time: Steampunk Saturdays!

London, April 4, 1888 ~ Evelina Cooper, niece of Sherlock Holmes, is ready for her first London Season - except for a murderer, missing automatons, a sorcerer, and a talking mouse. In a Victorian era ruled by a ruthless steam baron council, mechanical power is the real monarch, and sorcery the demon enemy of the empire. Evelina has secretly mastered a coveted weapon - magic that can run machines. Should she trust the handsome, clever rake who speeds her breath, or the dashing trick rider who would dare anything she would ask?

I loved this book. I really did. Nick is every girl's dream of a hero. He is the boy that Evelina has always known and now he is the man who refuses to give up on her. He will give anything to keep her safe. I really enjoyed all of the Sherlock references because it gave me something to discuss and share with my husband who recently read ALL of the works about Sherlock Holmes. He and I could laugh together about Mycroft and his ridiculous club and everything. It was great. I hated Lord Bancroft and the steam barons. What has to happen to a person to make them so ...evil? Pragmatic? Selfish? I don't know how to best describe them but to say that they suck. Evelina is a reluctant magic user as well as a reluctant detective. I love that she sort of falls into her roles. Mouse and Bird are great too. I highly suggest this one if you love steampunk or are even a Sherlock fan who is unsure if they like steampunk. The world of magic and makers and steam barons will pull you in and take you on a wild ride through an alternative Victorian London.

You can click here to add A Study in Silks to your Goodreads. You can find author Emma Jane Holloway on her website, on Twitter, on Facebook and on Pinterest. I give A Study in Silks 4 Fairies for a lovely story that took me on a wild ride through a world of steam and magic!