Genre: Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
1882—Gillian Hamilton, magic caster and Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, has been stripped of his title, badge, and freedom. Gillian’s true name and powers have been exposed, so now he’s kept under lock and key. To make a tragedy worse, Gunner the Deadly has returned to his life out in the Wild West and has not been heard from since.
Rumors of a doctor, known only as Sawbones, with access to illegal magic have persisted into the new year. Gillian believes that violence, chaos, and certain death will befall New York City if this criminal isn’t apprehended. And despite having lost his sense of purpose, Gillian knows he’s the only one capable of confronting this new madman—with or without the backing of the FBMS.
But such dangers should never be undertaken alone. Gillian will need both Gunner’s deadeye marksmanship, as well as his love, if he’s to detain Sawbones before irreparable damage is done to the magic of his world.
The Review
The “Magic & Steam” series by C.S. Poe is the best steampunk series I’ve read, and it just keeps getting more exciting.
It begins in New York City in 1882, on an island known as Blackwell that holds the poor, criminals, disease, filth and no one can escape. Blackwell also holds the Asylum of the Magically Insane, where those housed in this hell face terrorizing abuse, agony and death.
Gillian Hamilton has lost everything. No longer FBMS, he now comes to face with who he really is. Being more than a level five caster, he has escaped his demise, but those who help him are not what they seem. Now given his freedom Gillian, has to get to California to find Gunner the Deadly to make amends and track down the Weaver.
His plans are derailed when the unexpected happens. Now he’s after someone even more diabolical – Sawbones. Is there any way that Gillian can stop the horror?
Poe is very good at bringing her steampunk world to life. Her worldbuilding includes airships, new ways to commute, magic, aether, quintessence, spells, mechanical men and much more, and melds all of this together with new and creative ideas. This is a fast-paced, action-packed story, full of danger and horror beyond imagination. With each new reveal there’s a twist, and there’s evil and betrayal aplenty. And the two men’s pasts are heart breaking.
There are many reveals from Gillian’s and Gunner’s pasts, the FBMS Council, Loren Moore and the evil characters in the story – Tick Tock, the Weaver, Sawbones and the Whyos. Magnus Prince is the most evil of all, and holds a secret that could destroy Gunner and Gillian.
Poe also layers sadness and other emotions throughout this fascinating episode, with her descriptions of Gillians and Gunner’s past, and the time Gunner spent in the Bowery with children of the streets.
The story is also peppered with interesting secondary characters too: Addison O’Dea, who I really like and hope there’s more of. Loren Moore, Director of FBMS who has feelings for Gillian. And Special Agent Rachel Plunket, Winona Brown and Lucy Vogel are just a few of the strong female characters that are great additions to the story.
I highly suggest reading “The Engineer” and “The Gangster” before “The Doctor”. Poe is an incredible writer – I can’t wait for what’s to come!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.