Darke London
Author: Coleen Kwan
Reviewer: VampBard
Rating: A-, 4 stars
What I’m Talking About:
Darke London was a great little historical distraction. With a different flavor than my normal reading fare, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella.
There really wasn’t anything specific that caused me to rate this title four stars; it just didn’t grab me like those that are a five. I need an intense emotional connection for that perfect rating. However, it was an expertly crafted story that had excellent character development. While not truly bothersome, I prefer a bit more setting description than Ms. Kwan chose to use. I’m OK with that, but in this instance, my imagination could have taken a little break and focused more on the steampunk aspect of the story.
Poor Nellie! Besides surviving attempted murder, unbeknownst to her assailant, this little spit-fire has guts to spare. Eager to learn the circumstances of her attack, Nellie took matters into her own hands. I liked her. She was of the mindset of 1800’s London, and that upbringing and the conventions of that time period were evident.
Julian, the dashing doctor and engineer extraordinaire, fell head-over-heels for Nellie. I thought he loved her inner beauty, and that was evident throughout the story. Julian was tormented with his own inner demons surrounding his parentage, and that dominated about a third of his storyline. Provided some great conflict, and a resolution that’s I adore.
This novella is definitely worth the read! I look forward to reading the next installment of Ms. Kwan’s Uncanny Chronicles series in the future.
4 stars: Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)
About the Book:
Julian Darke was only a newborn when he was abandoned on the doorstep of a gentleman doctor. Though raised with love, he is driven to discover his true origins.
Convinced Sir Thaddeus Ormond knows something, Julian shadows him one night—and is shocked to see a young woman thrown from Ormond’s carriage and accosted by a thug. Julian manages to save her life, but not her face and hands from horrific injuries.
Nellie Barchester doesn’t recognize the scarred, disfigured stranger in the mirror. Though the gifted doctor and engineer has done his best to repair the damage, scars ravage her body, and chill her soul with the realization that her own husband may have plotted her death.
Julian’s tenderness is a balm to her soul, and Nellie is drawn to the edge of passion by a man not repelled by her deformities. But as their pursuit of the truth draws them into London’s underbelly, they cross the path of a ruthless enemy who will stop at nothing to fulfill his schemes.
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Series: Uncanny Chronicles #1
Genre: Historical Romance with Paranormal Elements
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
Purchase Info:
Darke London (Uncanny Chronicles #1)
