- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
In steampunk Victorian London, Lady Phoebe Hughes develops an herbal elixir, Viridis. Rumored to bring on an orgasm with a single kiss, London's elite flock to her club to experience the herbal's effects first hand.
Happiness seems to finally be within reach when her love returns, but murder, conspiracy and revolution threaten to ruin it all, her love's life at stake.
Anonymous
Posted January 27, 2012
After reading the previous reviews, I was nervous about very explicit sex and mediocre writing. I was wrong, as are the negative reviews.
The sex is descriptive yet loving, except for one scene. Though that one scene is technically sodemy, it is written with a skill that allows the reader to know what is happening, feel the pain of our main character, yet also allows us to remain distant-if understanding. I believe this actually enables us to more fully understand what our heroin is going through.
I love the romance in the novel, and do not understand where people say that Phoebe goes from independent to needy in a page. She remains independent, but allows herself to recognize the human need for companionship. This exemplifies her self-knowing as well as the author's excellent character development process.
I eagerly look forward to the next book and all that Phoebe, Seth, and Gavin have to bring us.
***Please note that I never give 5 stars. Skakespeare is 5 stars. So is Shelly (both), Austen, Wolf, etc. When this novel reaches150 years of success in the steampunk genre, then I will change to a 5 star ratin.
27 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2011
Some people on here complain about the clashing of the classic victorian era with modern thinking and technology. All i can say is welcome to the steampunk genre. Granted it is not for everyone. But to be fair, you cannot criticise the author for the supposed clash. This is a genre that began in the eighties and is making a comeback. It is not solely this authors invention.
If you are a fan of steampunk i recommend this book. For a freebie it is a fun read.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 30, 2011
Calista Taylor has tapped into what makes a story good. You care about the characters. She uses the Steampunk genre in order to spin her uncomplicated yarn. Good after dark diversion, this. Undoubtedly, she will write more.
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.While I was disturbed by a few parts of the book, due to my own sensitivities, I found the book to be very enjoyable. The mystery was not easily solved, the writing was entertaining, and there weren't an abundance of spelling and grammar issues, like there so often are in self-published books. I look forward to continuing the story in the next book.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2011
Writing lacks finesse in story telling. The characters and plot were intriguing enough to keep me at it for a while, but the excessive and blantant explanation of concepts was just too much. Felt like the author was trying to hit you over the head with the steampunk elements rather than let the world unfold itself to the reader.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2011
I was shocked by this book. I expcted this book to be bland and slightly boring. I deeply underestimated this book. It was an awesome story. It was a romantic murder mystery with surprises at every turn. I'm interested in the book in this series.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 9, 2011
I fell in love with the characters in this book! Had many ups and downs and very fast paced. Great love story and you really start caring about all of the characters. Pheobe being the main one!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 2, 2012
The book started off well - with a murder mystery, introducing many characters and a steampunk world. Then it degenerated into little more than the main characters having the same argument every.single.night, each time making up with hot sex. Then the murder gets wrapped up in the last few pages, and you're going wha? Really? That's such a boring solution. At least it was well-written, but I won't be going back for more.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RuthCardello
Posted October 5, 2011
I hope this author has more books in store for us. She has a fresh voice and the ability to make you feel like you're there. Great love triangle!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.NavyWaveLB
Posted July 31, 2012
I am glad the book was free. The same thing was discussed over and over. Problem - have sex... Another problem - have sex. The ending was rushed and I wasn't really invested in the characters. Will not be going on to book 2. OK for free.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 29, 2012
Decent writting, typical bodice ripper, fun steampunk setting! Read it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 20, 2012
Story wasn't long enough
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2012
WOW!!! Excellent Read, Hard to put down!!!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2012
Entertaining... in a trainwreck sort of way... just couldn't look away.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 11, 2013
Written by someone who has little knowledge of steampunk.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RagingGranny
Posted July 1, 2012
I love Steampunk and a good romance, how could I go wrong with this book? Sadly, as others have mentioned, the writing is awfully lackluster. This is one of those books that looks so intriguing that I keep going back to it only to, once again, set it aside in favor of something interesting.
The ingredients are there; an independent woman running her own business marketing an elixir she invented with a friend (wink-wink nudge-nudge)who's emotionally unavailable for some reason, an intriguing world and interesting side stories. The world building is piecemeal and really difficult to understand in terms of the action. The action seems to be "told" rather than being experienced, making the characters rather flat and ultimately uninteresting.
This is one of those books crying out for lots of professional editing. I haven't erased this book since I still have mediocre hope that something will grab me for a few more pages...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 15, 2012
Tried to like it, but it was so boring. Waste of time.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 11, 2012
I felt the story was strong enough to stand on it's own, without all the explicit sex that went on. I'm more use to victorian stories that convey but do not go into detail. I confess I skimmed over all this to get on with the mystery that was being solved. I don't know if I'd purchase the second one. Overall the author did a good job.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DrJinx
Posted January 18, 2012
The book was engaging and readable, but I was about ready to smack the heroine before I got to the end. At every turn, she was doing something that was obviously stupid, necessitating her rescue by one of the men. Often she could have avoided the problem in the first place by just allowing one of them to accompany her into a dicey situation. This is insulting to my intelligence and to the intelligence of women everywhere. I hope the author continues writing and finds a way to make her story progress without compromising her main character's intelligence.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
In steampunk Victorian London, Lady Phoebe Hughes develops an herbal elixir, Viridis. Rumored to bring on an orgasm with a single kiss, London's elite flock to her club to experience the herbal's effects first hand.
Happiness seems to finally be within reach when her love returns, but murder, conspiracy and revolution threaten to ruin it all, her love's life at stake.