Release Date: December 9, 2013
Publisher: A-Girl Studio
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Steampunk | LGBT
Elle Black, an unconventional psychic detective in an unconventional Victorian marriage, leaves her housewifely duties to answer a desperate plea. Guests are vanishing in a mechanical hotel known as the Sundark, and Elle must use her 'anomalous perturbationist' gift--the ability to moves objects with her mind--to save herself and the remaining hotel residents from malevolent, sidereal powers. But with apparitions appearing, magnetic lines disrupted, and clairvoyant guests lurking, who is the true murderer---or murderess?
Gaslamp, steampunk, Gothic Victorian horror and mystery; bringing you an uncanny heroine in a mechanical, paranormal, alternate world London. Join Elle Black, female sleuth, in her supernatural adventuress tales!
Elizabeth Watasin, I like your style and I guarantee SUNDARK is the first of many books I will read by you. Short novels are usually hit or miss for me because I find that the length works against the plot development of the story. The good news is SUNDARK was a hit and it's unlike any Steampunk fantasy I've read in a while. And for a very slim tome, I'm having a hard time summing it up for you, I'll take it in parts then.
SUNDARK is an LGBT novella as Elle married her lifelong friend, Faedra, after her husband and brother died causing Elle to have a nervous breakdown leading to a short stint in the crazy house. Now to make their union plausible, Elle explained that their marriage contract is like a business partnership and though EWatasin didn't show the intimate parts of their relationship, it's clear that they care deeply for each other and they're friends first before they're lovers. Tasteful presentation of Sapphic love.
As for the plot, Sundark is actually a haunted mechanical hotel and Elle was hired to figure out the haunting and the mystery behind the disappearing guests. I struggled with the conflict a little bit, by mid point I was scratching my head because I'm waiting for the "punchline" but turns out it wasn't as complex as I expected it to be. I liked the case that is the mechanical, alchemical house, the story behind it is dark, sinister, and quite a fantastic story involving Hekate and what that goddess represents. And if that's not enough, Sundark the house/hotel is like a cross between the infamous Wincheter Mansion (San Jose, CA) and Rose Red (Stephen King) with its appearing/disappearing doors, stairs, rooms, guests, etc. Creepy, huh?
Ghosts, alchemy, psychic powers, Hekate, just some of things SUNDARK has in store for you. Now I wish the characters, especially Elle and Faedra, were fleshed out more. There's not much character development here as the novella is more plot driven, still it would've been great if Elle and Faedra were fleshed out better to give us a better sense of who they are and some insight to their relationship. I also loved how SUNDARK ended, it seems Elle's past isn't done with her yet and I look forward to reading the next penny dread. There will be vampyres!
I need to read more steampunk, but I want to find just the right one
ReplyDeleteI know you love fantasy so maybe Gail Carriger would be a great place to start. Then there's Beth Cato too, more fantasy than romance.
DeleteAh yes novellas are tricky but it's nice to see you had a great time with this one. It's the first time I hear about it and I think I'll wait for you to read more but I love steampunk stories so I'm curious to read your reviews about the others.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look up the second one, this was released almost two years ago so maybe it's already out? We'll see.
DeleteSounds like a good read, Braine! and I actually like the understated cover. Adding to a wishlist!
ReplyDeleteIt has another cover, more anime looking. I think this one is a better draw for you guys LOL
DeleteThis sounds awesome, novella or not. I like that the characters are two women and with a mechanical hotel as the setting. I hope you'll get to know the characters more in the next books. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, B.
Thank you, Joy! I hope you get to try Steampunk soon!
DeleteThis sounds FANTASTIC. So good I think I might go grab it right away. I love that it's steampunk and a mystery AND LGBT. Yep, I'm all over it!
ReplyDeleteYipee!!
DeleteSeriously I need to read a steampunk! I need you to harass me I think until I finally do! ;p
ReplyDeleteEvery Sunday isn't enough? I'll annoy via goodreads then, flood you with recommendations LOL
DeleteThat's awesome she was able to pull off the novella. Glad you found a new author to love on :D
ReplyDeleteIt's always a bonus right? Exciting to discover new writers and try their work.
DeleteSounds promising. So many good steampunk offerings out there lately.
ReplyDeleteThe genre is evolving well. You should write one!
DeleteI love the era, and the fact that you get a full story in a novella format. I am loving the paranormal elements as well.
ReplyDeleteooohh, steampunk, ghosts, psychics and a haunted mansion, this reminds me of The Diviners and The Originals TV show. Sounds interesting, great review Braine!
ReplyDeleteI love the whole steampunk Sunday idea. I also love this genre although I haven't read a lot from it. I've liked the books I have. :) Thanks for stopping back over!
ReplyDeleteTressa @ Wishful Endings
Looks like this is a fun read. Glad to see things weren't as complex as you thought! Great review!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Yeah, short book can easily go so wrong, glad this was a good one. It sounds interesting. I'd just like to say though, that the Winchester House is mostly hype. It's a little crazy, but not creepy, especially being right next to the freeway. lol.
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