Audiobook review: A Ghost in Amber by Anne Renwick
Diana is an academic with a focus on a furthering her career and outshining her male nemesis. She wants the collection of snails believed to be hidden in Barcote Hall by the current lord’s decease uncle, Lord Leo Wraxall. When the All Hallows’ Eve ball is cancelled at the last minute, Diana decides to break into the manor under the cover of darkness. Imagine her surprise when it appears that she’s traveled back in time and meets Leo in a secret lab.
With a pinch of ghosts, a wisp of time travel, and a whole lot of passion, Ms. Renwick adds a paranormal element to her already amazing Elemental Steampunk world, creating the perfect read for the Halloween season. Even though there is time travel and a ghost, the story stays grounded in Ms. Renwick’s trademark scientific/steampunk world. I enjoy how both Leo and Diana use observation and their own knowledge to theorize what has transpired, in turn encouraging me to use my own deductive skills to try and guess as to how there will be a happy ending for this couple.
And make no mistake, A Ghost in Amber is a romance, complete with an HEA. Even though I’d read the book previously, I couldn’t recall how the couple gets their HEA, especially as time begins to run out, creating a lot of tension and excitement. I honestly think I enjoyed their story more this second time around, comforted that I know it will work out, but still caught up in the action and drama. Diana and Leo feel an immediate pull and strong physical attraction, but it’s the meeting of their minds that creates the most appeal. Neither ever wanted a spouse nor planned to marry, but suddenly both see the merits of a union. However, with Leo dead in Diana’s time, how can it work out?
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Diana and Leo. Matthews performs the sections from Leo’s POV, while Hunter voices Diana’s POVs. Both narrators use British accents of the upper echelon and are well-suited for their main characters. Hunter’s Diana has a sharp, upbeat voice, sounding smart and to-the-point. Matthews’s voice for Leo is masculine but it has a whispery/soft quality. Both narrators adjust for gender and add just enough emotion to their performance to bring the characters to life.
Overall, I really enjoyed A Ghost in Amber, and I recommend the book to romance readers for the Halloween season. Leo and Diana are meant to be and so perfect for one another, and I enjoyed watching them get the chance to find love.
My Ratings:
Story: B+
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
On All Hallows’ Eve, Lady Diana Starr is poised to uncover a lost zoological treasure when an unfortunate steam accident threatens to destroy the chance of a lifetime. Locked in a race with her arch nemesis, she must toss aside all decorum and break rules—lest he destroy her dreams. Again.
Trapped in the past and doomed to re-live the night of his murder, Lord Leo Wraxall awakens at sunset. This year, something is different. Might an unexpected time traveler who arrives at his hidden workshop help alter his cursed fate?
But destiny refuses to relax its grip; the stars cannot be realigned. As adversaries threaten to snatch away a final thread of hope, can Diana and Leo forge a new path into the future? Or will they be haunted for eternity by what might have been?
Author: Anne Renwick
Narrators: Stella Hunter, Elliott Matthews
Series: An Elemental Steampunk Tale #5; Elemental Steampunk Chronicles #4.5
Genre: Steampunk Romance, historical
Audiobook Release Date: August 16, 2023
Publisher: Anne Renwick
Length: 4 hr; 3 mins
Source: author
Audio Speed: 1.3x
Reviews in the Series:
The Golden Spider by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles #1) – Audiobook Review
The Silver Skull by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles #2) – Audiobook Review
A Trace of Copper by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Tale #1; Elemental Steampunk World #2.6) – Audiobook Review
The Iron Fin by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles #3) – Audiobook Review
In Pursuit of Dragons by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Tale #2; Elemental Steampunk World #3.5) – Audiobook Review
A Reflection of Shadows by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Tale #3; Elemental Steampunk World #3.6) – Audiobook Review
A Snowflake at Midnight by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Tale #4; Elemental Steampunk World #3.7) – Audiobook Review
A Ghost in Amber by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Tale #5; Elemental Steampunk Chronicles #4.5)
Venomous Secrets by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles #4) – Audiobook Review
A Whisper of Bone by Anne Renwick (Elemental Steampunk Tale #6) – Audiobook Review