The Dark Unwinding

**5 Stars** MY OVERVIEW: Wow. I am completely blown away by thi

**5 Stars**

MY OVERVIEW: Wow. I am completely blown away by this book. It has gotten the very, very rare 5 star rating from me. I really enjoyed both the main story and the somewhat side story. I feel that the true main story was Katharine coming into her own, and Uncle Tully was more the side story. 

PROS: Katharine was fantastic. You could see everything she struggled with; between her “duty” and what she truly wanted to do. Actually, all of the characters were written beautifully. Of course, Lane and Davey were my favorites. 

CONS: I really don’t have anything bad to say about this book. My one wish was that a death that happened didn’t. But I understand why it did as it is kind-of integral to the series. 

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: A book I would highly recommend to any fan of steampunk or history right at the height of the industrial age. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. 

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book takes place in the age of Regency England, but the con

This book takes place in the age of Regency England, but the connection stops there. This book is so much more than that. Katherine creates connections with her "crazy" uncle and his world. Her uncle is not crazy at all, he is somewhat mentally challenged using today's logic. This book is full of twists and turns, to the point you truly cannot expect what is going to happen. There are clues as to what happens, which at the end you have a light bulb moment, but this book is completely unpredictable. My favorite part of the novel is when Katherine builds relationships with the "servants" that live at her uncles manor, as well as her uncle, which is something that her Aunt Alice would never approve of. This book is somewhat of a steampunk novel, but it also contains a lot of darkness to it. Its one giant mystery where the more you read, the more engrossed in the novel you become.

Great read

I lovelovelove this book and uncle tully. Brilliant guy with disorder but i want to know what happens with lane and katharine!!

I'm not sure what called to me more, the fact that this is set

I'm not sure what called to me more, the fact that this is set in regency England or that the book seemed to have a steampunk feel to it. Either way, I was eager to give it a shot.

Katharine proved to me a great lead character. I think she has an hard place in life. She's at the mercy of her Aunt and believes she has no other way out but to take the abuse handed to her. When she's forced to her uncle's estate to see to his affairs, she begins to see that there are worse things than being tossed out of her aunt's house. She begins to question what's more important, her own perceived shot at happiness. Or is the happiness and well being of an entire town worth the possibility of a lifetime of just one's own suffering.

What Katharine discovers among her uncle's estate is sometimes confusing. A house that has endless corridors and rooms, a workshop that consists of gadgets that I couldn't even being to understand mixed in with a group of people that will stop at nothing to make sure their benefactor stays right were he is. But, not everybody is manipulating Katharine in the ways that she thinks. Someone on the estate sees power among the inventions tucked away on the farm and think Katharine is the perfect tool to get what they wants.

I really enjoyed the plot and cast of characters. There were times the story dragged a little and the details got a little fuzzy. But, the story was past paced and interesting. I wondered until the very end of Katherine would have the guts to stand up for her uncle and all that he built. I truly loved her uncle and felt that she did as well. I didn't think in the end that she could take away all the he had done.

I was happy that the story had a generally happy ending. It didn't end exactly the way that I had hoped. It does have an open ending leaving room for a sequel. I would like to see were the character go, so I hope there is one!

I was so fortunate to win this book on goodreads. Not only has i

I was so fortunate to win this book on goodreads. Not only has it been one of my favorite books won on this site but it has been one of the top YA books I have read in 2012. Full of fun character's that you can't help but falling in love with. Full of adventures and mysteries that at times keep you on the edge of your seat. Even at the end I was surprised at what happened to the heroine that is the main character. If you would love a thrilling history mystery with a victorian styling then this book is for you! I know I will keep this book and read it again sometime. I will also recommend it to all my fellow book buddies! Thanks again Scholastic & goodreads!

Review: "The Dark Unwinding" by Sharon Cameron was a

Review:

"The Dark Unwinding" by Sharon Cameron was a wonderful YA read. It was full of the 'supernatural psychology'...adding some weird evil aunts, children, a whole clockwork of magical figures and you only come out with some kind of thrilling adventure that can really be enjoyed by the teens. This novel will definitely linger with you long after the read. You will also find "The Dark Unwinding" a fun read...the characters are really off the chart 'good.' Be ready to be caught up in it all...from drama, humor, mystery, romance and a touch of darkness...that I haven't really determined if it's Gothic, or somewhat ...a Steampunk adventure. You will be left to determine that as you read this excellent novel "The Dark Unwinding."

If you are looking for a fantastic storyline you have come to the right place...for "The Dark Unwinding" will have it all for you and YES, I would recommend this novel as a excellent read.

If I rated this book on the characters of Uncle Tully and Davy,

If I rated this book on the characters of Uncle Tully and Davy, it would get five stars. However...

First, let me say that I loved, Loved, LOVED the characters in this novel. Uncle Tully is a great
example of the brilliance that often accompanies autism (though that condition was never mentioned
in the book). He's quirky, lovable and achingly real. Davy won my heart quite early and never let it go.
Children tend to do that. Though the other characters leaned toward cliché they possessed just
enough originality to be redeemed.

The story is lovely. Katherine is dispatched to the estate that holds her livelihood in its hands, only to
discover wonders and kindness. Of course this makes her mission more difficult. The plot was
predictable. From the beginning I guessed what Katherine would do. I knew who to trust and distrust.

There were a few minor surprises and heartaches along the way. Mentioning them would spoil the
book for those of you wanting to read it. It is a good book, and I do recommend it, however you
shouldn't expect to be wowed.

The Dark Unwinding is a Steampunk that has everything: drama, my

The Dark Unwinding is a Steampunk that has everything: drama, mystery, humor, and romance, with just a touch of gothic darkness, making for a fantastic storyline. Sharon Cameron’s writing is strong, clear, and awesome. Cameron has created an incredibly dark and fun steampunk world with wonderful characters. The main character Katharine is strong but tender, and Lane has a hot temper, but his temper comes from only wanting to protect the people he loves. I also love uncle Tully. He’s a Rain Man with a fun, sweet, childlike side, and Mary who is Katharine’s maid is a wonderfully hilarious character that had me laughing at her sassy self.

Katharine never knew her father or mother; they died when she was a baby. She was raised by her aunt Alice, who is a greedy, selfish woman that lives off her brother-in-law’s (Tully) money. When Aunt Alice starts to worry about her son’s (Fat Robert) inheritance, she sends Katharine to uncle Tully's estate to have him committed to the asylum. What Katharine discovers when she gets to Stranwyne Keep is that her Uncle Tully is not a Looney Toon; he’s genius with numbers and an amazing inventor. Katharine also discovers her eccentric uncle has a heart of gold, and has saved over nine-hundred of London’s poor from the cruel workhouses.

Lane, who uncle Tully saved from the workhouse, has been with uncle Tully ever since he was a little boy. Lane has become uncle Tully's protector, and when Katharine shows up to declare him insane, Lane is not too kind to Katharine. Katharine and Lane’s romance starts out on the rough side, with it slowly coming to swoon heaven for the both of them. But as soon as these two get closer, Katharine knows her love for Lane can't happen, not if she wants to save her own inheritance.

The Dark Unwinding is a wonderful Steampunk with mystery, suspense, action, and a beautiful romance. Katharine’s going to have to make some hard choices for her life between love and money. I recommend The Dark Unwinding as a fantastic Steampunk adventure.

When The Dark Unwinding was first introduced to me it was descr

When The Dark Unwinding was first introduced to me it was described as having a Jane Eyre feel. This is a highly dangerous thing to say to me as Jane Eyre and I have a long-standing love affair going back at least 15 years. Bronte's novel is my hands-down favorite book of all time, the book I would pick if I could only read one for the rest of my life. The story is very special to me, so when someone tells me that a book is like Jane Eyre I am immediately cynical and sometimes snarky. Still, the plot for this new Gothic novel was similar and it sounded quite interesting so I decided to give it a go. While it, of course, could never live up to Miss Eyre's story for me, I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I loved The Dark Unwinding.

LIKES:
Amazing characters - This story is very much driven by the characters. In fact, I don't think the book would have been anything really special without such amazing character development. Each one, including minor players, is eloquently and lovingly crafted. They each have their own voice and the reader can easily feel for each character and understand them on a personal level. This is one of those instances where I really felt a loss when the book was over because I had come to know the characters so deeply.
Katharine is not your normal heroine - In much of YA literature our heroines are pretty predictable. They follow certain guidelines. While they may not all be the same type of heroine there are standards they must meet. Even the shy, quiet, sort of awkward girl has a certain je ne sais quois that pulls at least one special guy into her orbit. Katharine does not have this. She is strange, reserved, and altogether off-putting to the other characters for much of the first half of the book. They really have to get to know her before they trust her, or even like her a little bit. I found this to be much more realistic and thus, much more satisfying.
Mr. Tully's "madness" - We are told at the beginning of the story that Katharine's uncle is mad. The author doesn't go into why he is mad or what this madness is. Katharine quickly realizes that Mr. Tully is very different than other men his age. He is child-like, innocent, rigid in his routine and incredibly sweet. It becomes clear very early on that Mr. Tully is more like mentally challenged than insane. This creates a huge dilemma for our main character as she gets to know and love her uncle. She realizes he needs to be taken care of but she also sees how important his home and his friends are in his life. Mr. Tully's character is an amazing tool for this story. He tugs relentlessly on your heartstrings while also providing a quirky sort of comedy. The reader doesn't laugh at Mr. Tully but with him. There is always a feeling that he knows more than anyone else and that he sometimes lets them in on the secret.
An abundance of heart - With the mix of Mr. Tully, Katharine (an unloved orphan) and an entire town full of residents pulled from work houses, the author had a huge opportunity to craft a heartfelt story of love and overcoming obstacles. She completely capitalized on that opportunity.


DISLIKES:
Predictable plot points (somewhat) - Okay, I'm not sure I can really say this is a dislike because this book is supposed to be like a good, old-fashioned Gothic novel. And it is. The only problem with this is that it is rather easy to see some of the major twists coming from a mile away. So instead of being shocked, it's more of a smug "called it" feeling. Of course smugness brings it's own joys so...
Pacing changes from chapter to chapter - Sometimes the story flies by at an alarming speed while other times it crawls. The fast-paced chapters are tons of fun, but the slower chapters make the story feel somewhat awkward. I think this is why it took me a little longer than anticipated to move through the book.
Lane's mood swings, dear lord - Lane is, obviously, a loveable character, but his changeable moods gave me a major headache. One second he is spinning around the ballroom with Katharine or opening up to her and the next he's distrustful of her and wants nothing to do with her. Make up your mind already, sir! It's exhausting.


In the end it was the characters that made the book. While the story was somewhat formulaic, the astounding characters brought it to life with their unique voices and captivating personalities. There is such love in this story, not just romantic love, but the love of the author for her creations. This is certainly a story that will stay with me for a long, long time and I highly recommend it!

I loved it!

I was intrigued by the cover, but that was only the beginning. This book hooked me from page one, and I did not want it to end. The author writes in such a way that you can easily visualize everything she describes. And believe me, the world she has created is fantastic. You know when you read a book and you wish you could jump in and be there yourself? And then you have a very eccentric cast of characters as well. I could go on and on, but trust me, you will love this book.

A well-written Gothic mystery

Steampunk novels are really hit or miss with me. Sometimes I find them too mired down in heavy detail, and then sometimes I find that the plot and character development are lost and/or totally overshadowed by the world and all the gadgets. I'm happy to say that ¿The Dark Unwinding¿ did not suffer from either of these problems, mainly because the story is very light in Steampunk elements and heavier on the Gothic mystery (which I love).

The story revolves around young Katherine Tulman. Katherine is sent by her greedy aunt to live with her uncle and evaluate his mental state. It's made clear that Katherine is expected to deem her uncle mentally incompetent in order to secure her cousin Robert's inheritance, therefore securing Katherine's lifestyle once her aunt passes away. Katherine makes the journey to her uncle's estate expecting to meet a lunatic, but what she finds instead is a brilliant, though slightly eccentric inventor who employs hundreds of out of place workers by building his inventions. It's then that Katherine must make a tough decision -- save her uncle and the workers of Stranwyne, or commit her uncle and secure her own financial future by committing him.

What most captivated me about this book was our lead character. I really believed in Katherine and I could feel her inner conflict. She didn't feel like a caricature, or like your typical, cookie-cutter YA heroine. She's strong and determined, yet has a good heart. I especially loved Uncle Tully. It's obvious that he is autistic, and Ms. Cameron portrays him wonderfully without turning him into a poster child. Another major plus to the novel is the world Ms. Cameron has invented and the mystery surrounding Katherine's family. I didn't expect the Gothic mystery that I found between the pages and it was a very well-written surprise.

While I did feel the plot dragged in places, overall I really enjoyed this one. Creepy and atmospheric, ¿The Dark Unwinding¿ was a refreshing read and one I highly recommend to fans of Gothic mysteries and light Steampunk.

The Dark Unwinding by, Sharon Cameron In England 1852 women ha

The Dark Unwinding by, Sharon Cameron

In England 1852 women have very little control over their lives and that is especially true for Katharine Tulman. Living under the thumb of her mean spirited aunt and slow-witted cousin, Katharine’s life is one of simple survival. Katharine is basically a servant and along with keeping the financial books for the estate she also does anything else her aunt finds diasgreeable. When Aunt Alice decides that her son’s income is in danger she sends Katharine to resolve the issue. Uncle Tulman lives in and runs Stranwyne Keep (A large country estate). Wanting control of all the property’s money, Aunt Alice sends her niece to have Uncle Tulman proclaimed incompetent and sent to an asylum. Katharine agrees to the task feeling that she has no choice, but she couldn’t have anticipated the mystery and magic she would find at Stranwyne Keep.

First I have to say that this book has such a beautiful cover. I’m sad that the copy sent to me doesn’t have the cover art but the story inside more than made up for that. “The dark unwinding” is such a beautiful story and much different than I was expecting. When I first started reading I thought it was simply going to be a steampunk story and I would have been happy with that. What I found as I continued reading was amazingly rich characters, gothic style mystery, a fascinating touch of history, and a heart warming love story that I won’t soon forget. This story is completely captivating and utterly charming! I really can’t imagine anyone reading this and not falling in love with Stranwyne Keep and its people. This story gives us glimpses of the best and worst of human behavior, but it’s the good that shines through and fills your heart with warmth. Read this book, it’s a can’t miss!!!!
About a few characters:
*Lane Moreau- So strong and valiant. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him and the way he cared for others.
*Uncle Tully- He is complicated and brilliant and I, like all the other characters, wanted to protect him.
*Davy- My heart just broke for him and all I wanted to do was take care of him and love him. His spirit was beautifully captured.
*Katharine- Everything I love in a lead female character. She is strong, smart, compassionate, kind, courageous, and determined. She drove this story with her passion and I felt every emotion right along with her.
*Mary and Miss Jefferies- Both women are very important to the story and I found myself smiling at their snarky attitudes.
I loved, loved, loved this book and really hope that Sharon Cameron gives us another story in this world.

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No text was provided for this review.

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No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.