Hey Brazen Babes & Guys! Please welcome Sophia back to the blog, she has another awesome review for us!
Format: eARC
Series: NA
Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy Suspense
Author: Willow Palecek
Publisher: Tor.com
Published: 7.26.16
Pages: 128
Rating: 4
Flames: NA
Source: Net
Galley
♥Sophia's Review♥
City of Wolves was a lot of things and all those things were
packed into a swift-moving novella.
While I enjoyed this one, as, indeed, I did, I also felt that if this
was not serving as a prequel- introductory story to something beyond then it
fell short. Because I want to give the
benefit of the doubt, I'm going to be generous as well as hopeful that there is
a whole lot more coming from this fascinating and exciting alternate historical
fantasy suspense staring the most impressive, witty, and roguish investigator
for the common people, Alexander Drake.
As, I noted, this is an alternate history. It is based on perhaps a smash-up of Scottish
history and English history with the paranormal elements of magic and more
tossed in for good measure. Alexander
Drake fought for the loyalist cause and they lost. Now he is scraping a living as an
investigator. He could work for the
government as one of their detectives just as he could take cases involving the
nobility which would both pay vastly more than the pittance he earns on
uninteresting cases, but he's had bad experiences with both and wants to just
live his life without the trouble that comes from tangling with his supposed
betters.
But, unfortunately, if he wants room and board and to stay
out of debtor's prison, he must take this latest case involving the death of an
aristocrat and a missing will. As soon
as he takes the case, someone would rather him not find out the truth. Drake has a time of it staying one step ahead
of the government investigator and also the shadowy nemesis trying to stop him
for good.
Alright, this was a novella so it clipped along pretty
well. I was immediately taken with the
main character, Alexander Drake. He's
the underdog who is cynical and somewhat disillusioned, but he has a code of
morality and he is loyal. He might take
the short cut to get there, but he is honorable in his own way.
I enjoyed the introduction to Alexander's world. It is the British Empire essentially- there
is a monarchy, a government, a class system, and regional types that are
familiar, but there is also the known use of magic, a little gadgetry, and
another surprise element that I'll not mention by name so as not to spoil
things.
The mystery was moderately challenging though I figured out
quite a bit well before the end. That
said, there were a few surprises and it was great following along with
Alexander as he tracked down the trail of clues and did his 'voila' at the
end. But that last jangling line of
reveal at the end is what has me believing that there is oh so much more to
come. I did have one niggle about the
mystery in that I couldn't remember the story making clear why the victim chose
to do what he did. Again, I wonder if
that is part of what might come after this one.
I knew who killed the victim and who was after Drake, but in the
victim's case, the 'why' was murky.
So, whether this was the start of something more or its own
shorter story, I still had a pretty good time with an engaging main character,
worldbuilding, and suspense plot. The
author did a bang up job with her debut.
I would recommend it for those who like a blend of history, mystery,
urban fantasy, and steampunk (or as the book is described by the blurb-
Gaslight Fantasy Noir).
*I received this book from Net Galley in exchange of an
honest review.
Many thanks to Sophia for stopping by BnB Reviews!
About Sophia:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate. Associate Reviewer for Delighted Reader blog
*remember to click on the blog post to share it...many thanks!
I have this but I'm still struggling with full on fantasy reads. Yet as this is a novella, I just might finish it in a timely manner.
ReplyDeleteIt's got an interesting world, character, and set up, but I had so many questions left unanswered in the end that I really hope it's a prequel or first novella in a series rather than standalone.
DeleteI do remember you were in a non-fic mood and, LOL, this is most definitely fiction so it might have to wait a bit for you. :)