The action kept most of the plot going and it was quite exciting though there was big chunk of romance that I thought unne [ Can I just say wow I loved this novel Everyone is on the hunt for the man who took the magical absinthe that allows people to bring the dead back to life This is the second installment of the Treasure Chronicles and it has most definitely lived up to my high expectations despite one of my favori [ I was contacted by Jordan Mierek and offered a complimentary copy of this novel the sequel to the breath taking Treasure, Darkly in exchange for an honest review It s not often that I can say the second installment in a series truly lives up to the potential of its predecessor, but in this case I most certainly can, and with gusto I was afraid, with this second novel, that one of the two elements I loved so much in the first Mierek s astonishingly elegant grasp of both steampunk atmosphere and t [ Was given a copy for an honest review.
After reading Treasure Darkly I couldn t wait to start reading this book I HAD to know what happened AFter learning Clark s secret and why he was so attracted to what he thought was his half sister, Amethyst the plot thickens The entire Treasure family has been drawn into the plot and what the Govt has been up to and he is being led by his real father from beyond the grave I wont say because I do not want to be a spoiler.
Jordan Elizabeth continues to drawn [ It is quite challenging to write a sequel which is just as good, if not better, than the previous instalment Not for Jordan Mierek, as the story remains fresh and exciting, with new surprises to look out for Still steampunk, still romance and western all the way. While I feel that the second instalment in the series could be a bit longer, the resolution is certainly satisfying The author chose the right moment to say goodbye to this story and its characters.
Do not miss all the marvellous things t [ An action packed sequel to Treasure, Darkly The author Jordan Elizabeth steps up the pace in this steampunk western The Treasure Family are on the run from an evil Senator and the Army, who s bound and determined to get their hands on Clark If you ve read the blurb, then you know Clark drank a substance which gives him special powers to see and raise the dead. Clark and his precocious wife, Amethyst take the reader on a wild ride, which will have you quickly swiping or turning the pages There s p [ Just as good as the firstFun twists and turns I am looking forward to seeing what Amethyst will do next and how Clark will handle it I won t spoil things but there are a lot of things in book two that should be interesting to see played out in book three I can recommend Gbash.
After rushing through book one and having a good time with the western paranormal steampunk world, plot and characters, I was eager for book two When I read book one, I had no idea that it was a duology I was thinking it would be a longer series and maybe it will, but the particular story arc in book one was concluded by book two in a most satisfactory way.
This is part two to the story begun in book one and thus, its not one that can standalone or be read out of order. The lead character is soundly established very early on -- characterization seeming nearly effortless on the part of this author -- and the setting itself flows naturally into being without the strained, heavy-handed world-building that so many cross-genre stories find themselves faltering in.
In the afterword, Mierek mentions that she was inspired by shows such as Big Valley and The Lone Ranger, and those influences are very apparent. I personally was put in mind of the movie Wanda Nevada over and over again, especially as the plot's central romance developed. The lead character is just noble enough -- just, just barely -- to convince readers to overlook the coarseness of his lust, which in itself seemed to me very fitting in this pseudo-cowboy epic.
I thought it was a perfect balance, and even though I'm not much of one for romances in general, I really must say that it won me over.
The story line itself is entertaining and fast-paced, and I thought all of the crossed-genre ingredients came together perfectly; the novel is just as much a western as it has to be, just as much a steampunk expo, just as much a ghost story as is necessary. All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised; even the abrupt ending -- not quite a cliff-hanger, but bloody close -- didn't really put me off that much.
I will definitely have to keep my eye out for the sequel. Five well-deserved stars for Treasure, Darkly. Jun 21, Karissa rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. I really enjoyed this book a lot. There is a lot of action and adventure, some magic, and tons of wonderfully western steampunk goodness.
Well, it ended up being something else It also made it so that Clark is being hunted down by the military who wants to use him for his ability. Clark did also not count on the beautiful and spunky Amethyst Treasure who is set on making her summer away from the city something to remember.
This was a very well written and entertaining read. I read this book very quickly, it was engaging and incredibly hard to put down. He has a great sense of humor, has some interesting magical abilities, and is just all around fun to read about. I loved the rest of the Treasure family as well; they are surprisingly supportive of Clark well most of them are and very entertaining.
There is some great world-building here. The story has a very old-west feel to it, however in this alternate old west there has been a technological revolution. The story wrapped up nicely and I am very eager to read more about the adventures of Clark and Amethyst and about this fascinating world.
Overall I absolutely loved this book. The story is fast-paced and engaging. I loved the characters as well. The story balances action, adventure, politics, mystery, and romance in perfect proportions.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of alternate history, steampunk or fantasy with a western feel to it. Oh man This was some read! It's shock full of steam-punky goodness, action and romance. The story opens with an intro into how it all began with Clark Treasure. It gives a beginning to how things play out throughout the book. It makes the reader feel for Clark and want for everything to go in his favor. Clark's character was very well written and his goals weren't far fetched at all.
I was very happy to see him gain so much when all he was looking for was protection. He never imagined that he Oh man He never imagined that he would gain that and so much more, including the woman who would become the love of his life. The story moves at a steadily increasing pace that doesn't overwhelm, it keeps you wondering what's going to happen next.
There isn't much backstory, but the little that's provided is delivered in a way that keeps the story going smoothly. The world building was done in a very believable way that brought back memories of old westerns with their saloons and horses, and of course the town drunk lol The romance parts of the book actually added to the story quite well.
It was so sweet and tender it put smiles on my face every time, and had me rooting for Clark and Amethyst along with Eric, they are my three favorite characters. At first it was a bit weird, but that didn't last very long can't give away that little tidbit since it's a HUGE part of the story. The villains really angered me which is an excellent thing. They had me yelling at how awful they were and I couldn't wait for them to get their comeuppance.
Even though I'm fairly new to the steampunk genre, I feel like this was a very good fit. There were steam powered vehicles used in conjunction with horses that kept things firmly planted in a Western time-frame. I have only read Victorian steam punk, so this was a delightful change. The classic corset and skirt combos for the women, and the numerous brass buttons on the pants and drawstring ties on the shirts not to mention the cowboy hats was what I expected as it always helps to draw me further into the story if I can imagine exactly what the characters are wearing.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to the continuation of Clark and Amethyst's story. I highly recommend this to any steam punk fan. Apr 08, Ashley Tomlinson rated it really liked it. This was the first full fledge novel I've read by Jordan Elizabeth and I wasn't at all disappointed. I read her short stories in Gears of Brass which was the first time I tried out steampunk. I have to say I am really loving the steampunk world!
If I could pull off wearing gears and such I would start wearing them right now. The cover is awesome! It really shows that iconic steampunk style that so many people love. I think it would be appealing enough to draw peoples eyes to it and that's always This was the first full fledge novel I've read by Jordan Elizabeth and I wasn't at all disappointed. I think it would be appealing enough to draw peoples eyes to it and that's always the goal with the cover.
Clark steals a vial of what he thinks is absinth and downs the entire thing. He realizes it wasn't absinth when he can bring someone back from the dead. Now he is on the run from the army, where he would become a science experiment. He runs to the family that didn't know he existed, The Treasure's. When another family starts causing issues with his new found family Clark will stop at nothing to protect it. I did think it was a little odd that Amethyst and Clark were crushing on each other when they thought they were related.
I guess it's good that they were not really related but it was still odd. Once I found out they were not actually half brother and sister I did start to root for them. I'm a very odd person apparently. It was awesome and strange how quickly Mr. Treasure accepted Clark into their family. And how okay she was with hearing her husband was unfaithful all those years ago. It was strange how easily Mrs. Treasure got used to Clark killing people, she acted like it was nothing. But I guess he did save her life so maybe that helped.
I liked how Eric followed Clark around helping him when he needed help. Though they did not have that father and son relationship, Eric still watched after him in spirit- literally.
I did wonder how many times Amethyst was going to get captured by the Horan family though. All in all I enjoyed this book and since it's book one, I look forward to book two. There was never a dull moment in this book. I believe that it may have been my first steampunk read, so I was a bit hesitant going into it. I worried that I would not understand everything, but after a few chapters I was more than okay. First of all, the cover is stunning and the characters are awesome.
Clark was an interesting main character that I highly enjoyed reading about. I liked that he was different from the Treasure family. He was always protecting and saving people. She wanted to learn to use a gun and to defend herself. I loved that Clark could confide in Amethyst. They had a very honest and open relationship. They made a great team. It was really odd at first when Amethyst kept coming onto Clark, because I honestly believed that they were related.
However, once I learned the truth, I loved the relationship that had blossomed between them. She may have tried throwing herself at him, but for the majority of the book they were simply really good friends. More like partners in crime. Clark had known that there was a possibility of him falling in love with her, but of course everyone believed that they were brother and sister. This forbidden romance aspect made for an even more interesting read.
The more I think about this book, the more I like it. It was so different than what I typically read. In this world, people are not afraid to kill. They just get rid of the bodies and they move on. The action in Treasure Darkly was great and kept me on my toes throughout the entire novel. I highly recommend this book to those who want to get into the steampunk genre!
I rated Treasure Darkly 4. It was such a delight to read and review this book for the author. What I Thought: I am a true lover of all things steampunk. I can't get enough of it, and absolutely LOVE reading steampunk! This book is a steampunk story, which has a Wild West sort of theme to is, with gunfights and horseback, all mixed in with a man who has gained some unusual powers and, of course, a load of steampunk action.
I found that the author through us into the mix straightaway. We met our main character, Clark, who is trouble himself, even though he doesn't always mean to be. He is a What I Thought: I am a true lover of all things steampunk. He is a small time thief, at times, and believes he stealing a vial of absinthe - which is already enough to make you go mental - but he is actually stealing a government produced elixir, and soon he'll be paying for it with his life.
After drinking, he is involved in a mine incident, which ultimately brings out his powers and put the government on his trail. We then shoot to a few years in the future, where Clark becomes part of the family of his father, and then the real action begins! I love that this story is a bit of a mix of steampunk, with a little paranormal thrown in the mix. The action and intense moments where there are feuds between locals and Clark avoiding capture, are excellent.
They have loads of details, blended with the emotions and thoughts from the characters. The amount of steampunk in the book is good, though I wouldn't mind a bit more detail and usage of steampunk weapons.
Though toward the end we saw more, so I am very excited to see how much is in the second book! I thought the story was interesting and unique. There was a minor love story sort of taking place, which is both awkward and understood - but I'll leave you to read that.
I thought, though it was at times very awkward, it really added to the tension and suspense of the story. Overall, this was a brilliant beginning to a steampunk series. I am very keen to read more and I really think steampunk and paranormal readers would love this read! Sep 29, Tamara rated it liked it. I was given a free copy from the author for an honest review.
Here's the thing with this book, I didn't really get it. There is so much stories withing the one story. So the mainest of the main characters, Clark, ended up having these special abilities, abilities he got from drinking a potion type thing from a vial.
So he's on the run. I get it, I do, the army killed his mom and he has no one left, but what are these abilities, how does it work? Yeah Clark explains this and we read Clark perform I was given a free copy from the author for an honest review. Yeah Clark explains this and we read Clark perform it, but I never got to explore Clark's time trying to figure these things out.
But then, years later, he's back claiming to be the bastard son of a wealthy man. Everyone seems to except Clark. Besides his years on the run, a time I hardly get to know about, he has it easy. Well this issue Clark kinda has the hots for his said-to-be half sister. That kinda of had me thinking, "okay so this accepting of Clark too easily makes sense I do blame it on timing.
I've been really busy with my studies and had no time, so it might have affected my opinion of the novel. I do, however, recommend this book to others, just not everyone.
Maybe I can give this book another chance later, for I feel awful rating it how I did. Jul 19, Tracy Ehlers rated it it was amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book the steampunk genre is relatively new to me. A mixture of old west customs and traditions mixed with the gadgets and gizmos of a more modern society, Treasure Darkly an interesting and fascinating read.
I enjoyed the characters and setting everything was detailed beautifully from the style of clothing to the locations. The storyline flowed really well with surprising twists and turns that were unexpected.
The ending was a killer I want I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book the steampunk genre is relatively new to me. The ending was a killer I want to know what happens next, what is in store next for Amethyst and Clark? What about Horan?
Gah will be waiting impatiently for the next book in this series.. Highly recommend this book to all readers. I received an ecopy of this book for review. Dec 03, J. Kahele rated it it was amazing. My second by this author I have to first say that I love this authors writing style she has no qualms about yanking you right into the world she created and keeping you till the end.
This was a fantastic story and will be reading more from this author. Jun 05, Kayla Krantz rated it really liked it Shelves: audiobook , steampunk , indie-authors , drama , dark , jordan-elizabeth. When it turns out that it gives him powers, a whole new world opens up for him. When he crosses paths with Amethyst Treasure, things change. I loved it though. The characters were real, and the plot was suspenseful. After a little while, her antics got on my nerves, but Clark was a solid one. Narration was well done.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review. Aug 31, Lori Hammons rated it it was amazing. I am loving steampunk! Amethyst and Clark are having some incredible adventures while truths are revealed. I love the touch of paranormal integrated into the story as well. Will be reading more of this author.
Oct 05, Online Eccentric Librarian rated it liked it. Then, inexplicably, the story changed into a bodice ripper Western historical with fantastical elements. I think where the book lost me was with the characters - I found that the more I read, the less I liked them.
By the end I didn't believe in them or really care what happened to them. Story: The Treasure Family rule the desert are of Hedlund - their farmstead and mines are among the richest.
But in a saloon in an rusty town, young Clark has gone to find his father - the scion of the Treasure family. When he shows up on the Treasure homestead, his half brother doesn't welcome, half sister hits on him, and stepmother oddly welcomes him. But Clark's past is going to catch up to him and he is going to find himself falling hard for his half sister.
It all started so well - great steampunk elements, gritty and edgy feeling story, and a true Western feel. I was enjoying it immensely, curious to see where it would go after Clark shows up on the Treasure family's porch step. But then the fantastical elements kicked in and Clark starts a whirlwind romance with his sister-who-is-not-his-sister while finding mysterious objects thanks to hints by the ghost of his real father. And my interest waned as it morphed more and more into a Clark x Amethyst insta-luv romance.
First and foremost, the author wrote Amethyst Treasure to be unlikable so that she can have a 'growing up' moment later on. I didn't buy it and I still didn't like her. Her only purpose is to be kidnapped twice within 30 pages so Clark can rescue her. Clark started out interesting but then apparently had a lobotomy the minute he laid eyes on his 'sister'. She's obnoxious, petulant, annoying, but pretty. So how am I to respect a guy especially one who grew up in a brothel and should know better who likes a girl based on looks alone - so much so that he ignores that she's spoiled rotten?
Let's not get into the time it takes to realize she may not be related in blood yet still lusts after her. And really, let's also not forget no mention of a beau back in the City just waiting for her to return while she endlessly hits on and flirts with her brother.
The bad guys are stupid. Their only point is to annoy the treasure family and kidnap Amethyst so Clark can go rushing in and easily save her. There are several bad guys and they are used rather interchangeably: Clark has guys after him including the one who murdered his mother and the Treasures have enemies.
They move in and out, do their bit to show how much Clark and Amethyst lurve each other, then move out. This isn't Earth - it's a fantastical place a lot like the American West with a bit of Australian colonialism issues thrown in. There are statements that could be made about the enslavement of natives, but what is written is trite and gets blown off so Clark can ogle Amethyst and look saintly while promoting natives' rights.
It just seemed a waste to include the 'noble savage' elements at all. The ending felt rushed and is very abrupt. As well, there are scenes in there suddenly establishing an instu luv situation for Amethyst's brother that are really random and seemed to be filler. I imagine the author will expand on it further in later issues but its introduction in this novel feels very extraneous. I would categorize this as a romance first, Western second, and then with some steampunk trappings in a random alternate universe American West.
So I would recommend this for those who like historical romances in the Western vein. Oh, and the cover? Absolutely nothing to do with the story. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher. Mar 03, Samantha rated it it was ok Shelves: mystery-paranormal , steampunk. It started out so promising. The author seemed to be on to something, writing a book that crosses Western with Steampunk some Paranomal, Action and some potential Romance.
Made even more interesting by the fact that she has chosen a male lead unusual for a female author. Or so I gathered from the intriguing short that accompanies this book. Unfortunately it fell flat and sunk like a river stone. The best thing about Treasure Darkly is most likely it's cover. Let's be honest, that cover is a go It started out so promising. Let's be honest, that cover is a gorgeous piece of art. Treasure, Darkly starts out with a boy named Clark. His mother, whose occupation is a dubious one, raises him.
Through bad luck, he manages to get his hands on a vial of potion which gives him the ability to see and talk to ghosts, bring back the recently deceased and take a live right after.
By acquiring it, he has also brought the wrath of the military on himself. When his mother is killed in his pursuit, he runs, leaving everything behind. The story picks up a few years later when Clark finally emerges from hiding and decides to seek his esteemed father.
The family takes him in and he immediately hits it off with his 'half-sister' Amethyst. People loved to do things with her. No one excluded Amethyst Treasure from a gala. Clark is an interesting character. I could relate to him and liked his survival skill and determination. Amethyst seriously grinds on my nerves. She is not only obnoxious; she is also petty and horribly shallow.
In all honesty, I have no idea why Clark has any interest in her. He wasn't a prospective suitor. Clark was She slid back her chair and sashayed around the table. Just because they where stuck together as supposed siblings didn't mean she had to give up all the games. That brings me to the next struggle. Why the hell is he so fascinated by her at all? And why is the whole plot abandoned as soon as she makes an appearance? This book went from adventure to a bad romance so fast it gave me whiplash!
The parts that do convey some action are over all to quickly and apart from running from one location to another, there is not much else happening aside from Clark and Amethyst trying to hide their bedroom antics. He might not have a hero, but he could be hers. There where so many opportunities to really break out and make this unique.
I missed a real insight into the characters and surely there is an aftermath of the actions they took? All in all, it just left me wanting. Perhaps I just had my hopes raised way to high. It also reads like a stand-alone novel. There is no real lead up to give away this is a series. So would I recommend it? Simply put, No. I enjoyed the characters and setting everything was detailed beautifully from the style of clothing to the locations The storyline flowed really well with surprising twists and turns that were unexpected The ending was a killer I want to kno [ My second by this author I have to first say that I love this authors writing style she has no qualms about yanking you right into the world she created and keeping you till the end This was a fantastic story and will be reading from this author.
I need to collect my thoughts on this. I don t really know where to begin with this review because I really wanted to like this book The cover is gorgeous, and obviously shows this book is steampunk Right away, that got me excited because I love me some steampunk While I ve never read a western in my life, I thought it was an intriguing idea to mix [ More reviews and no fluff on the blog surrealtalvi.
Story The Treasure Family rule the deser [ It started out so promising The author seemed to be on to something, writing a book that crosses Western with Steampunk some Paranomal, Action and some potential Romance Made even interesting by the fact that she has chosen a male lead unusual for a female author Or so I gathered from the intriguing short that accompanies this book Unfortunately it fell flat and sunk like a river stone The best thing about Treasure Darkly is most likely it s cover Let s be honest, that cover is a gorgeous piece [ ARC given to me through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Originally posted on Roberta s Literary RamblingsOverall Impression This is of a lusty teenage romance novel than an action packed steampunk western.
Recommended for Fans of teenage romance. This book started off all right, but then gradually went downhill I found the idea behind the book interesting and thought that this new power that Clark discovers he gets after he drinks this potion would create a great way to examine his cha [ I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review 3 stars Growing up with no father around and with a mother that is a Tarnished Silver, a prostitute in a small mining town called Tangled Wire, Clark Treasure does what he needs to get by even if that means stealing from his mom s clients now and then But when he comes across a vial of what he believes to be Absinthe and he drinks it he changes his future forever Next thing he knows, his mom is killed, he figures [ I believe that Jordan Elizabeth is quite an entertaining storyteller Her characters are believable, true to their natures and interesting Her sentence structures, chapters and ideas are right on for an up and coming YA Steampunk novel.
I don t like to include spoilers, but I will take the time to address the story s plot and the few lower starred reviews of this book Just suffice it to say, I think they were incredibly unjust.
I was sent this book in PFD format, and asked to give it a fair honest [ Verdict A western romance Doesn t look like it, does it To all potential readers The cover might be beautiful, but that mysterious girl doesn t capture the likeness of anyone I ve read about This is also primarily a western romance, not steampunk, action, mystery, or anything else you might be hoping for.
It started strong with intriguing concepts, relatable characters, and a prose that pulled me in There s a lot to enjoy in this story, especially towards the start, but the longer it went on the [ Review also at Pinker Than Fiction Reviews. Treasure, Darkly has an interesting premise with potential to be a good read, but unlikable characters and poor story continuity make this book one to miss.
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