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The Shadow Guild #1
Gilded Hearts
"Blew me away! Set within a dark, richly layered steampunk world, D'Abo pens a sweetly romantic yet steamy love story with a fresh, inventive spin on the Jack the Ripper tale that kept me guessing until the end. Loved it!" --Bestselling author, Kristen Callihan on GILDED HEARTS
FIRST LOVE IS NEVER FORGOTTEN
Piper Smith is an Archivist, one who extracts memories from the dead-and her first job is more difficult than she ever imagined. Not only is her subject the victim of murder, but the first man to arrive on the scene is the last man she ever expected to see handsome, tormented, and devilishly sexy Samuel Hawkins. Years ago, he fled the Archivists' Guild unceremoniously, leaving behind both unanswered questions . . . and Piper's aching heart.
Sergeant Samuel Hawkins of the King's Sentry can hardly believe the strong, beautiful woman before him is the same shy girl he once knew. His instincts scream to hold her, to kiss her, and to make amends for disappearing from the Archives-and her life. Yet when Piper's extraction of the victim's memories reveals something unsettling, the line between ally and enemy suddenly begins to blur. And the question becomes whether their fragile love will blossom or fade like a distant memory.
100,000 words.
FIRST LOVE IS NEVER FORGOTTEN
Piper Smith is an Archivist, one who extracts memories from the dead-and her first job is more difficult than she ever imagined. Not only is her subject the victim of murder, but the first man to arrive on the scene is the last man she ever expected to see handsome, tormented, and devilishly sexy Samuel Hawkins. Years ago, he fled the Archivists' Guild unceremoniously, leaving behind both unanswered questions . . . and Piper's aching heart.
Sergeant Samuel Hawkins of the King's Sentry can hardly believe the strong, beautiful woman before him is the same shy girl he once knew. His instincts scream to hold her, to kiss her, and to make amends for disappearing from the Archives-and her life. Yet when Piper's extraction of the victim's memories reveals something unsettling, the line between ally and enemy suddenly begins to blur. And the question becomes whether their fragile love will blossom or fade like a distant memory.
100,000 words.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2014
1 person is currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Christine d'Abo
65 books585 followersA romance novelist and short story writer, Christine has over forty publications to her name. She loves to exercise and stops writing just long enough to keep her body in motion too. When she’s not pretending to be a ninja in her basement, she’s most likely spending time with her family and two dogs.
My thoughts on any of my Goodreads reviews are only my opinion as a reader. I don't post anything here that I'd give less than three stars to.
My thoughts on any of my Goodreads reviews are only my opinion as a reader. I don't post anything here that I'd give less than three stars to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 31, 2013
I like the writing style but the world and the characters... I just can't connect.
August 7, 2016
Absolutely fabulous! Ms. D'abo is an author I've read over the years and enjoyed her kinky erotic romances. This is a new genre she's writing in. She's done an excellent job with her steampunk world building. This new world of Archivist and memories is mind blowing. From page one, I was hooked and had to read the entire story in one sitting.
Sam Hawkins is a lawman, escaped from the Archivist. He's pulled back to this sinister guild when one of his homicide cases requires an archivist to harvest the memories. Piper Smith used to be the little girl hanging off his arm when they were at the guild together. While she was the shining star, he was the constant whipping boy. Reunited years later, both of them have grown. The attraction to each other is still there. In fact, it only increased with each renewed contact.
The characters in this story are lovely. I really liked Sam. He's the quiet steady one. Piper is a headstrong idealist. The two of them together is like listening to a melody and harmony weaving in and out. It's beautiful. Their relationship takes a step forward and several back. It is all entwined with memories. Ms. D'abo takes an interesting perspective of what it means to have a soul. The reason why people's memories are saves is also fascinating. The abuse of this kind of power is great. The blending of spiritual and steam powered machines is what makes this an awesome steampunk story.
Ms. D'abo completely steps up her writing skills in this book. She's developed a compelling plot with provocative concepts and alluring technology. It is all up my alley. As the reader learns more about this world she's created, it generates more questions and yearning to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this steampunk tale to those who love to question what it means to exist and what death really means.
*provided by NetGalley
Sam Hawkins is a lawman, escaped from the Archivist. He's pulled back to this sinister guild when one of his homicide cases requires an archivist to harvest the memories. Piper Smith used to be the little girl hanging off his arm when they were at the guild together. While she was the shining star, he was the constant whipping boy. Reunited years later, both of them have grown. The attraction to each other is still there. In fact, it only increased with each renewed contact.
The characters in this story are lovely. I really liked Sam. He's the quiet steady one. Piper is a headstrong idealist. The two of them together is like listening to a melody and harmony weaving in and out. It's beautiful. Their relationship takes a step forward and several back. It is all entwined with memories. Ms. D'abo takes an interesting perspective of what it means to have a soul. The reason why people's memories are saves is also fascinating. The abuse of this kind of power is great. The blending of spiritual and steam powered machines is what makes this an awesome steampunk story.
Ms. D'abo completely steps up her writing skills in this book. She's developed a compelling plot with provocative concepts and alluring technology. It is all up my alley. As the reader learns more about this world she's created, it generates more questions and yearning to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this steampunk tale to those who love to question what it means to exist and what death really means.
*provided by NetGalley
February 7, 2017
I might come back to this at some point, but I'm just not engaged. The world confuses me - the reasoning behind things, along with the actual way the world works - and I just don't really care about the characters yet.
I forced myself to get this far, and I just can't anymore.
I forced myself to get this far, and I just can't anymore.
January 10, 2014
Buddy read with Amanda, Ange & Aly
When Samuel escaped the Archives five years ago the only thing he regretted was leaving his best friend Piper behind. He has made a new life for himself though and has worked his way up to Sergeant in the King's Sentry. When his work on a series of grizzly murders brings him back into contact with Piper he realises his friend has grown into a strong and beautiful woman and he is desperate to find a way to make her leave the Archivists Guild to be with him. Piper never forgave Samuel for leaving her, she couldn't understand his desperate need to escape and since he left she has thrown herself into her training to become an archivist. She knows that using her abilities will cost her greatly but with Jack the Ripper on a killing spree she has to do whatever she can to stop him taking more victims. Can the two of them work together to catch a killer before he strikes again and what will they do when their past catches up with them both?
I'm a huge fan of Christine d'Abo's erotic romances so when I found out that she was writing a steampunk series I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of Gilded Hearts. I loved the concept of the world she has created and I found the idea of the archivists very intriguing. They use their abilities to collect the memories of people who have died - usually only murder victims or important members of society - but when channelling the memories they also live through the experiences themselves. I can't imagine a job where you constantly have to relive horrific murders as if you were inside the victim while it happened so it's no wonder the archivists would go crazy if the memories weren't later removed. The memory extraction process was deliciously creepy and the story as a whole was a lot darker than I expected it to be. I liked the fact that the removal process wasn't completely accurate and often cost the archivist some of their personal memories too because it felt more realistic. It was hard to believe that anyone would choose to be an archivist but as you get to learn more about how the apprentices came to join the guild you discover that they were never really given much choice in the matter.
I found the world a really interesting one but unfortunately I struggled to understand the set up, there were a lot of times when I was left wondering why things happened a certain way or where I wanted a more detailed explanation. Although I found the way memories played a part in the story was really cleverly done I didn't like the fact that we got to see so many intimate memories belonging to complete strangers - those moments didn't seem to add anything to the story and just made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. I think it was partly my difficulties with the world building and those memories in particular that made it so hard to connect with either of the main characters. It took a long time for me to really start to care about them and become invested in the outcome of their story. I'm happy to say that things really started to fall into place for me in the last third of the book though and now that I'm getting comfortable with the world I'm more excited about reading the next book in the series. I think this series has a lot of potential and I'm hoping that things will continue to improve in Quicksilver Soul.
When Samuel escaped the Archives five years ago the only thing he regretted was leaving his best friend Piper behind. He has made a new life for himself though and has worked his way up to Sergeant in the King's Sentry. When his work on a series of grizzly murders brings him back into contact with Piper he realises his friend has grown into a strong and beautiful woman and he is desperate to find a way to make her leave the Archivists Guild to be with him. Piper never forgave Samuel for leaving her, she couldn't understand his desperate need to escape and since he left she has thrown herself into her training to become an archivist. She knows that using her abilities will cost her greatly but with Jack the Ripper on a killing spree she has to do whatever she can to stop him taking more victims. Can the two of them work together to catch a killer before he strikes again and what will they do when their past catches up with them both?
I'm a huge fan of Christine d'Abo's erotic romances so when I found out that she was writing a steampunk series I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of Gilded Hearts. I loved the concept of the world she has created and I found the idea of the archivists very intriguing. They use their abilities to collect the memories of people who have died - usually only murder victims or important members of society - but when channelling the memories they also live through the experiences themselves. I can't imagine a job where you constantly have to relive horrific murders as if you were inside the victim while it happened so it's no wonder the archivists would go crazy if the memories weren't later removed. The memory extraction process was deliciously creepy and the story as a whole was a lot darker than I expected it to be. I liked the fact that the removal process wasn't completely accurate and often cost the archivist some of their personal memories too because it felt more realistic. It was hard to believe that anyone would choose to be an archivist but as you get to learn more about how the apprentices came to join the guild you discover that they were never really given much choice in the matter.
I found the world a really interesting one but unfortunately I struggled to understand the set up, there were a lot of times when I was left wondering why things happened a certain way or where I wanted a more detailed explanation. Although I found the way memories played a part in the story was really cleverly done I didn't like the fact that we got to see so many intimate memories belonging to complete strangers - those moments didn't seem to add anything to the story and just made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. I think it was partly my difficulties with the world building and those memories in particular that made it so hard to connect with either of the main characters. It took a long time for me to really start to care about them and become invested in the outcome of their story. I'm happy to say that things really started to fall into place for me in the last third of the book though and now that I'm getting comfortable with the world I'm more excited about reading the next book in the series. I think this series has a lot of potential and I'm hoping that things will continue to improve in Quicksilver Soul.
January 13, 2014
Reviewed for:Where the Night Kind Roam
Gilded Hearts by Christine D’Abo is the first in her new erotic historical steampunk series. I’m a fan of Ms. D’Abo, in particular her Long Shots contemporary series so when I saw this book come up I was quick to grab it. In general, I not a huge fan of steampunk as in I don’t go purposefully looking for but I do enjoy it from time to time and I think this one was a decent effort into the Steampunk genre. The concept of the Archives is interesting and a different twist on things. It’s a little bit creepy, im not sure I would want my memories stored in a little glass vial for anyone to study but D’Abo did a decent job at not making it too creepy. As a whole with this book the world building could have been better, it got confusing in places, things mentioned and then forgotten about and it took me a while to get a grasp on this world but there is potential there and I hope that it gets better as the series moves on. Where I like Christine D’Abo is her characters. She tends to write flawed but likeable characters and this one is no different.
Samuel grew up in the Archives there wasn’t a time that he does not remember being there. He’s always had an affinity for machines, which branded him as different in the Archives. In the Archives different is not a good thing, Sam got beaten on a pretty regular basis. The only thing that seemed to make his living situation better was Piper, she came to the Archives as a young girl and decided that Sam was going to be her friend and didn’t look back, until that one night when Sam left her which she never quite recovered from. Something happened in the Archives that made Sam snap and he had to leave, he tried to take Piper with him but she refused to go. Sam was found on the streets and taken in and he worked his way up in the King’s Sentry. He is at a murder scene when he comes face to face with Piper again and all those feelings he set aside for her come rushing back stronger than ever. Sam is a bit of a runner, he ran from the Archives, more recently from Piper, even though he’s a bit of a runner he’s fiercely protective and obviously loves Piper so it was pretty easy to forgive his runner tendencies. As a character I did like Sam, he is intelligent, protective, quick witted and takes his job seriously. He doesn’t have many friends but those friends he does have mean the world to him. Piper on the other hand is sassy, strong willed and steady. She’s not one to run away but to forge forward even at her own peril. She has a mind of her own and isn’t going to let anyone think for her. She is also protective of those she loves and fiercely loyal. I think of the two, I liked Piper just a little bit more.
Overall, this book was pretty good. There were some twists and turns in the plot that kept things interesting. The characters were engaging and likeable. As previously mentioned there were some issues with the world building but by the end of the book I had a pretty good grasp on the world even with some of its issues. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes and will more than likely be reading Quicksilver Soul the second book in this series which comes out in April of 2014.
Rating: 3.5
*This copy was provided to me through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.
Gilded Hearts by Christine D’Abo is the first in her new erotic historical steampunk series. I’m a fan of Ms. D’Abo, in particular her Long Shots contemporary series so when I saw this book come up I was quick to grab it. In general, I not a huge fan of steampunk as in I don’t go purposefully looking for but I do enjoy it from time to time and I think this one was a decent effort into the Steampunk genre. The concept of the Archives is interesting and a different twist on things. It’s a little bit creepy, im not sure I would want my memories stored in a little glass vial for anyone to study but D’Abo did a decent job at not making it too creepy. As a whole with this book the world building could have been better, it got confusing in places, things mentioned and then forgotten about and it took me a while to get a grasp on this world but there is potential there and I hope that it gets better as the series moves on. Where I like Christine D’Abo is her characters. She tends to write flawed but likeable characters and this one is no different.
Samuel grew up in the Archives there wasn’t a time that he does not remember being there. He’s always had an affinity for machines, which branded him as different in the Archives. In the Archives different is not a good thing, Sam got beaten on a pretty regular basis. The only thing that seemed to make his living situation better was Piper, she came to the Archives as a young girl and decided that Sam was going to be her friend and didn’t look back, until that one night when Sam left her which she never quite recovered from. Something happened in the Archives that made Sam snap and he had to leave, he tried to take Piper with him but she refused to go. Sam was found on the streets and taken in and he worked his way up in the King’s Sentry. He is at a murder scene when he comes face to face with Piper again and all those feelings he set aside for her come rushing back stronger than ever. Sam is a bit of a runner, he ran from the Archives, more recently from Piper, even though he’s a bit of a runner he’s fiercely protective and obviously loves Piper so it was pretty easy to forgive his runner tendencies. As a character I did like Sam, he is intelligent, protective, quick witted and takes his job seriously. He doesn’t have many friends but those friends he does have mean the world to him. Piper on the other hand is sassy, strong willed and steady. She’s not one to run away but to forge forward even at her own peril. She has a mind of her own and isn’t going to let anyone think for her. She is also protective of those she loves and fiercely loyal. I think of the two, I liked Piper just a little bit more.
Overall, this book was pretty good. There were some twists and turns in the plot that kept things interesting. The characters were engaging and likeable. As previously mentioned there were some issues with the world building but by the end of the book I had a pretty good grasp on the world even with some of its issues. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes and will more than likely be reading Quicksilver Soul the second book in this series which comes out in April of 2014.
Rating: 3.5
*This copy was provided to me through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.
February 11, 2014
Jack the Ripper, Steampunk, and Romance, Oh My!!
A vicious killer is slashing his way through the soot-slicked streets of New London's Whitechapel district, leaving the broken, bloody bodies of prostitutes in his wake.
King's Sentry Sergeant Samuel Hawkins has, in the course of his police work, had the occasional dealing with an Archivist in the five years since he fled their Guild, but Piper Smith isn't just any Archivist. Her arrival at his crime scene affects him more deeply than he was expecting. Once both best friend and deepest desire, Piper was little more than a girl when he'd begged her to leave the Guild with him all those years ago.
She stayed. He couldn't. But he never got over her.
Now both a fully grown woman and a full-fledged Archivist, Piper embraces her role as a memory retrieval agent for the Guild, though the shock of seeing Sam again almost ruins her first job. She's at the scene to take the memories of his murder victim, not to rehash their relationship, and focus is paramount. What she sees in the memories of the murdered woman, however, will shake more than Piper's focus, it will shake the very foundation on which she's built her life.
As more bodies are found and a deadly finger of accusation points towards the Archivists' Guild, Sam and Piper will have to take a hard look at their own past and the secrets buried there. And just hope like hell they survive it.
~*~
Sometimes you just know, ya know?
I wasn't even a tenth of the way into this book before I knew it was going to really work for me. Between initial impressions of the dark, complex Steampunk world, the grim sense of danger and mystery in the opening murder scene, and the intriguing history and emotional detritus between the main characters, the story snatched me up from the start and kept me captivated throughout.
What a world. What a dark, dangerous, well-conceived and deftly-written world. I enjoy Steampunk for the imaginative, mechanically-enhanced alternative history inherent in the genre, but have to admit, the stories themselves are hit or miss for me. D'Abo struck just the right cord for my tastes, weaving a wealth of clever Steampunk elements together with a creative twist on Jack the Ripper, and did it in such a way that it enriched the various dramatic conflicts in the story without extraneous over-description or too much superfluous detail. Everything blended together nicely to provide a robust tapestry of story and substance.
The characters themselves were as carefully and intently created, and they acquitted themselves very well in the story. I think I preferred Samuel over Piper by a slim margin, though that had more to do with my sympathy for his traumatic childhood, as well as greater understanding of the choices he made and actions he took (as opposed to Piper's) both in his past and during the murder investigations. The guy is definitely dragging around a few demons, and D'Abo was deliciously cagey about disclosing those demons to her readers, but it painted a very solid and three dimensional picture of him as a slightly flawed, definitely damaged romantic hero.
Not that I didn't like Piper. I completely did. I found her wonderfully independent, feisty, stubborn, and fiercely loyal. I just also happened to be as disturbed by the Archivists' Guild purpose and presence in the world as Sam was, so the fact that Piper was a very determined Archivist, willfully and knowingly putting holes in her mind for an alleged greater good, was a bit harder to relate to than the guy who had escaped them and went on to make a career for himself in law enforcement.
They did fit together nicely as a romantic couple, though, with a chemistry that extended far beyond sexual and included an obvious and genuine childhood friendship. I loved the snippets of their past that get revealed in well-timed flashes throughout the book. Frequent flashbacks in a story rarely work for me and tend to jar me out of the flow of the current-timeline plot, but D'Abo mastered the transitions smoothly and had a judicious eye for how and when to incorporate them to add depth to the story and the relationship between Sam and his Pip.
I enjoyed the hell out of the Jack the Ripper investigation, too, but have to admit, I got a little lost when it came to a political element in the investigation. That aspect of the world hadn't been explained quite enough for me to really understand everywhere the leads in the case took Sam and Piper. I didn't have trouble following the action, but I definitely felt an emotional disconnect with the story when it came to a few scenes.
And honestly, the resolution to the climax of the book left me feeling...disturbed and a bit unsatisfied.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the culmination of the Ripper investigation, and thought the evolution of Sam and Pip's relationship was nicely done. D'Abo built plot and relationship conflict from the first page of this book, adding layers of horror and dread, dastardly motivation and sick psychosis, and connected it all Sam's murky past in such a way that I was left impressed by the complexities and entertained by it all. I heartily enjoyed that very much.
How it resolved, though, and what it all means in the big picture, disturbed me. And it's virtually impossible to be any more specific without some huge spoilers and I don't want to do that. I will say this: I don't think there is anything right or good about the Archivists' Guild. Not one thing. That may pose a problem for me in future books depending on its role in the series. It definitely posed a problem for me at the end of this book.
It took a bit of the bloom off what was otherwise a passionate and perilous, wildly imaginative, darkly entertaining, bloody-red rose.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Forever Yours publisher Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
A vicious killer is slashing his way through the soot-slicked streets of New London's Whitechapel district, leaving the broken, bloody bodies of prostitutes in his wake.
King's Sentry Sergeant Samuel Hawkins has, in the course of his police work, had the occasional dealing with an Archivist in the five years since he fled their Guild, but Piper Smith isn't just any Archivist. Her arrival at his crime scene affects him more deeply than he was expecting. Once both best friend and deepest desire, Piper was little more than a girl when he'd begged her to leave the Guild with him all those years ago.
She stayed. He couldn't. But he never got over her.
Now both a fully grown woman and a full-fledged Archivist, Piper embraces her role as a memory retrieval agent for the Guild, though the shock of seeing Sam again almost ruins her first job. She's at the scene to take the memories of his murder victim, not to rehash their relationship, and focus is paramount. What she sees in the memories of the murdered woman, however, will shake more than Piper's focus, it will shake the very foundation on which she's built her life.
As more bodies are found and a deadly finger of accusation points towards the Archivists' Guild, Sam and Piper will have to take a hard look at their own past and the secrets buried there. And just hope like hell they survive it.
~*~
Sometimes you just know, ya know?
I wasn't even a tenth of the way into this book before I knew it was going to really work for me. Between initial impressions of the dark, complex Steampunk world, the grim sense of danger and mystery in the opening murder scene, and the intriguing history and emotional detritus between the main characters, the story snatched me up from the start and kept me captivated throughout.
What a world. What a dark, dangerous, well-conceived and deftly-written world. I enjoy Steampunk for the imaginative, mechanically-enhanced alternative history inherent in the genre, but have to admit, the stories themselves are hit or miss for me. D'Abo struck just the right cord for my tastes, weaving a wealth of clever Steampunk elements together with a creative twist on Jack the Ripper, and did it in such a way that it enriched the various dramatic conflicts in the story without extraneous over-description or too much superfluous detail. Everything blended together nicely to provide a robust tapestry of story and substance.
The characters themselves were as carefully and intently created, and they acquitted themselves very well in the story. I think I preferred Samuel over Piper by a slim margin, though that had more to do with my sympathy for his traumatic childhood, as well as greater understanding of the choices he made and actions he took (as opposed to Piper's) both in his past and during the murder investigations. The guy is definitely dragging around a few demons, and D'Abo was deliciously cagey about disclosing those demons to her readers, but it painted a very solid and three dimensional picture of him as a slightly flawed, definitely damaged romantic hero.
Not that I didn't like Piper. I completely did. I found her wonderfully independent, feisty, stubborn, and fiercely loyal. I just also happened to be as disturbed by the Archivists' Guild purpose and presence in the world as Sam was, so the fact that Piper was a very determined Archivist, willfully and knowingly putting holes in her mind for an alleged greater good, was a bit harder to relate to than the guy who had escaped them and went on to make a career for himself in law enforcement.
They did fit together nicely as a romantic couple, though, with a chemistry that extended far beyond sexual and included an obvious and genuine childhood friendship. I loved the snippets of their past that get revealed in well-timed flashes throughout the book. Frequent flashbacks in a story rarely work for me and tend to jar me out of the flow of the current-timeline plot, but D'Abo mastered the transitions smoothly and had a judicious eye for how and when to incorporate them to add depth to the story and the relationship between Sam and his Pip.
I enjoyed the hell out of the Jack the Ripper investigation, too, but have to admit, I got a little lost when it came to a political element in the investigation. That aspect of the world hadn't been explained quite enough for me to really understand everywhere the leads in the case took Sam and Piper. I didn't have trouble following the action, but I definitely felt an emotional disconnect with the story when it came to a few scenes.
And honestly, the resolution to the climax of the book left me feeling...disturbed and a bit unsatisfied.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the culmination of the Ripper investigation, and thought the evolution of Sam and Pip's relationship was nicely done. D'Abo built plot and relationship conflict from the first page of this book, adding layers of horror and dread, dastardly motivation and sick psychosis, and connected it all Sam's murky past in such a way that I was left impressed by the complexities and entertained by it all. I heartily enjoyed that very much.
How it resolved, though, and what it all means in the big picture, disturbed me. And it's virtually impossible to be any more specific without some huge spoilers and I don't want to do that. I will say this: I don't think there is anything right or good about the Archivists' Guild. Not one thing. That may pose a problem for me in future books depending on its role in the series. It definitely posed a problem for me at the end of this book.
It took a bit of the bloom off what was otherwise a passionate and perilous, wildly imaginative, darkly entertaining, bloody-red rose.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Forever Yours publisher Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
February 1, 2018
All I can say about this one is... meh. Sure, there were a few interesting parts. Unfortunately, overall the book just didn't really grab my interest. The main characters were not all that likable, and the plot was actually rather strange. The whole "Jack the Ripper villain" thing is already so over-used, and it just didn't work for me. The ending didn't leave me feeling very satisfied, and parts of it were just plain weird. The whole plot just grew odder as the story progressed. I won't be continuing this series, if there are more books planned.
January 13, 2014
**Originally written for Book Bliss book blog.I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review**
Review:4.5 stars
General: Steampunk is a genre that can be extremely difficult to write, with all of it’s science and gadgets and rule breaking and bending. Gilded Hearts is an absolutely fantastic addition to the world of Steampunk filled with science, steamy love scenes, a plot twist to die for and characters so charismatic you’ll wish they were real. I’m going to have to be very careful writing this review as there is something I feel is a major plot winner, and also a massive spoiler. As well so much went into the Archivists duties that could be spoilers I will do my best to skip them. So I will be upfront, the thing that kept me reading at first was the revelation of the killer- I’m a huge follower of this historical villain and absolutely loved him being the central evil in the story. Not to mention the explanation for why – my skin crawled and I felt so bad for such a vicious serial killer.
When I first picked this novel up I admit I had a lot of trouble. The blurb was amazing and yet when I started to read it was dull, over-explained and honestly confusing as heck in many points. Yet I was still intrigued because I know all Steampunk for me have this moment of “huh, what?”. So I pushed on. THANK GOODNESS! Once the book gets going it’s fantastic. I could not put it down and cannot wait for book 2.
This book is filled to the brim with every single thing needed for Steampunk. I was so sucked into the world of the Archivists I felt like I was there and experiencing everything with them. I loved that a huge chunk of this story was told through flashbacks, I think it added something to ground the reader in because explaining everything upfront would have been mind numbing to read. On with that wow, the world building!! I absolutely without a doubt want to go to New London. The details were astounding and so vivid. The characters (from the guild to the villain) were wonderful and realistic despite such fantastical elements around them. I legitimately got the chills more often than not in this book. And the romance? Probably one of the hottest I have ever read. I don’t normally fall for the hero as hard as I did Sammy-Boy. The plot was very well thought out and suspenseful the entire way. The science behind the Guild was chilling and intriguing as well.
So why not 5 stars? The simple answer is at the end of the day I was confused at the books end. Everything plot wise was wonderfully explained and while I saw most of it coming, I loved it nonetheless. However, the actual actions that occurred in the last 2-3 chapters were mind bogging. I could not follow them at all and after 3 times trying I figured move on the details weren’t going to click. I think it took too much on, trying to explain things that were so rough to explain but a wonderful plot. Then there was a really tiny thing- the level of sexual need in this book ran so high and hot filling so many pages at first I was concerned there was going to be a fault in the story and then vanished. I would have liked to to be consistent because to an extent it did read a little like all Sammy-Boy wanted was sex at first.
Characters: Piper- Piper is fantastic. She’s stubborn, dutiful, sexual, smart and feisty- sometimes all at once! She was heartbreaking as a character for me. There is an instance that needs to occur after she does her job that broke me every time, especially for Sam. She gets an unfortunate side effect from her job that I loved every minute of, especially how she handled it. Her sexual tension with Sam was off the charts hot and she captured my heart immediately as both a child in the flashbacks and an adult. My only issue is for some reason I was turned off by her name. I don’t know why but it didn’t fit her for me.
Sam- Sam is downright one of my top 5 book males after reading this. Sam is dark and so dark you question if he will fade into the shadows and turn evil many times in this novel. His back story was heartbreaking, both in terms of Piper and the Guild itself. I cannot share much about him as it will give so so many spoilers away. But he is amazing. Not sure why he was empathetic still but it was a great addition to his numerous other skills! There was one instance in the book that was so absolutely hot and soul consuming I have to share and I have never done this in a review before!
“I’m glad you were taken by the Archives Pip.”
Her eyes widened as se pulled her shoulders back against the wall. The blast of annoyance he felt from her was only visible by the tightening around her mouth. Samuel chanced another step closer.
“If it meant that you were pulled from society, that another man wouldn’t touch you, then I will be forever grateful. Because you see,” he cupped her cheek, “even though we’ve never so much as kissed, you belong to me.”
Review:4.5 stars
General: Steampunk is a genre that can be extremely difficult to write, with all of it’s science and gadgets and rule breaking and bending. Gilded Hearts is an absolutely fantastic addition to the world of Steampunk filled with science, steamy love scenes, a plot twist to die for and characters so charismatic you’ll wish they were real. I’m going to have to be very careful writing this review as there is something I feel is a major plot winner, and also a massive spoiler. As well so much went into the Archivists duties that could be spoilers I will do my best to skip them. So I will be upfront, the thing that kept me reading at first was the revelation of the killer- I’m a huge follower of this historical villain and absolutely loved him being the central evil in the story. Not to mention the explanation for why – my skin crawled and I felt so bad for such a vicious serial killer.
When I first picked this novel up I admit I had a lot of trouble. The blurb was amazing and yet when I started to read it was dull, over-explained and honestly confusing as heck in many points. Yet I was still intrigued because I know all Steampunk for me have this moment of “huh, what?”. So I pushed on. THANK GOODNESS! Once the book gets going it’s fantastic. I could not put it down and cannot wait for book 2.
This book is filled to the brim with every single thing needed for Steampunk. I was so sucked into the world of the Archivists I felt like I was there and experiencing everything with them. I loved that a huge chunk of this story was told through flashbacks, I think it added something to ground the reader in because explaining everything upfront would have been mind numbing to read. On with that wow, the world building!! I absolutely without a doubt want to go to New London. The details were astounding and so vivid. The characters (from the guild to the villain) were wonderful and realistic despite such fantastical elements around them. I legitimately got the chills more often than not in this book. And the romance? Probably one of the hottest I have ever read. I don’t normally fall for the hero as hard as I did Sammy-Boy. The plot was very well thought out and suspenseful the entire way. The science behind the Guild was chilling and intriguing as well.
So why not 5 stars? The simple answer is at the end of the day I was confused at the books end. Everything plot wise was wonderfully explained and while I saw most of it coming, I loved it nonetheless. However, the actual actions that occurred in the last 2-3 chapters were mind bogging. I could not follow them at all and after 3 times trying I figured move on the details weren’t going to click. I think it took too much on, trying to explain things that were so rough to explain but a wonderful plot. Then there was a really tiny thing- the level of sexual need in this book ran so high and hot filling so many pages at first I was concerned there was going to be a fault in the story and then vanished. I would have liked to to be consistent because to an extent it did read a little like all Sammy-Boy wanted was sex at first.
Characters: Piper- Piper is fantastic. She’s stubborn, dutiful, sexual, smart and feisty- sometimes all at once! She was heartbreaking as a character for me. There is an instance that needs to occur after she does her job that broke me every time, especially for Sam. She gets an unfortunate side effect from her job that I loved every minute of, especially how she handled it. Her sexual tension with Sam was off the charts hot and she captured my heart immediately as both a child in the flashbacks and an adult. My only issue is for some reason I was turned off by her name. I don’t know why but it didn’t fit her for me.
Sam- Sam is downright one of my top 5 book males after reading this. Sam is dark and so dark you question if he will fade into the shadows and turn evil many times in this novel. His back story was heartbreaking, both in terms of Piper and the Guild itself. I cannot share much about him as it will give so so many spoilers away. But he is amazing. Not sure why he was empathetic still but it was a great addition to his numerous other skills! There was one instance in the book that was so absolutely hot and soul consuming I have to share and I have never done this in a review before!
“I’m glad you were taken by the Archives Pip.”
Her eyes widened as se pulled her shoulders back against the wall. The blast of annoyance he felt from her was only visible by the tightening around her mouth. Samuel chanced another step closer.
“If it meant that you were pulled from society, that another man wouldn’t touch you, then I will be forever grateful. Because you see,” he cupped her cheek, “even though we’ve never so much as kissed, you belong to me.”
July 11, 2016
See this review and others like it at Badass Book Reviews!
I wasn't sure what to expect going in to Gilded Hearts. I had never read Christine d'Abo before and steam punk romance can be hit or miss for me. This book truly surprised me and I ended up really enjoying it. I thought the characters and the writing were very strong and the story was intricate but not overly complicated. The only thing I thought was a little lacking was the ending. I have seen this classified as erotica, but I would not consider it that. There are two beautiful loves scenes, but that's about it in this 400 pages novel.
Gilded Hearts tackles Jack the Ripper and our main character Sam is investigating the case. While he is working at the crime scene, the Archivists show up to do their part. The Archivists are an organization of people who are able to extract the memories of the dead and to see through their eyes. They give their report to the authorities and then their minds are wiped. The forget everything from the extraction until the wipe. Usually this is just a few hours or maybe a day, but the weight of the missing memories still pulls at them. Sam never expected his former love Piper (or Pip as he calls her) to be the Archivist assigned to the Ripper case. When Pip sees a connection between the Archivists and the murderer, Sam is pulled back into the Archivist world he fought so hard to escape and back into his feelings for Pip. Can these two solve the Ripper murders and figure out how they can be together in spite of the Archives?
I liked Sam, but I loved Pip. She was such a fun character but also realized the severity of what she was doing to her mind. She balanced the darkness of possible madness with an infectious attitude of cheery brightness. She made decision and stuck with them, no wishy washy-ing around. Sam, on the other hand, was a bit of a runner. He ran from the Archives and he ran from his feelings for Pip. He was a good man, but he was so scared of hurting someone that he never realized how much he was hurting himself. Once he realized that Pip wasn't letting him go again, he became more settled and it even seemed he became more sure of himself as an inspector. These two fit well together and it was easy to see the love between them, even when Sam thought his leaving was for the best. They were destined, one way or another.
Gilded Hearts took a horrible historical figure, Jack the Ripper, and made me feel pity for him. He is a vicious murderer intent on inflicting pain, but what drove him to that point is just so horrible. I never expected to feel sad when he meets his eventual end. That's a testament to Christine d'Abo's storytelling abilities. I forgot all about the real man and immersed myself with her creation. The last few chapters did go off the rails a little bit and that is the reason why this did not get five stars. I was confused through most of them and it seemed some characters acted in ways I didn't believe. The actual plot was explained well enough, but the action became a bit muddy and hard to follow.
This is such a fantastical new steam punk world and I cannot wait to explore more of it. Though I will be sad to leave Sam and Pip behind, I am looking forward to meeting new characters and seeing more of this London. Gilded Hearts was a solid steam punk romance, in the vein of Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series, and I am eager to get my hands on a copy of the next book, Quicksilver Soul.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Yours for providing an ARC copy of this book!
I wasn't sure what to expect going in to Gilded Hearts. I had never read Christine d'Abo before and steam punk romance can be hit or miss for me. This book truly surprised me and I ended up really enjoying it. I thought the characters and the writing were very strong and the story was intricate but not overly complicated. The only thing I thought was a little lacking was the ending. I have seen this classified as erotica, but I would not consider it that. There are two beautiful loves scenes, but that's about it in this 400 pages novel.
Gilded Hearts tackles Jack the Ripper and our main character Sam is investigating the case. While he is working at the crime scene, the Archivists show up to do their part. The Archivists are an organization of people who are able to extract the memories of the dead and to see through their eyes. They give their report to the authorities and then their minds are wiped. The forget everything from the extraction until the wipe. Usually this is just a few hours or maybe a day, but the weight of the missing memories still pulls at them. Sam never expected his former love Piper (or Pip as he calls her) to be the Archivist assigned to the Ripper case. When Pip sees a connection between the Archivists and the murderer, Sam is pulled back into the Archivist world he fought so hard to escape and back into his feelings for Pip. Can these two solve the Ripper murders and figure out how they can be together in spite of the Archives?
I liked Sam, but I loved Pip. She was such a fun character but also realized the severity of what she was doing to her mind. She balanced the darkness of possible madness with an infectious attitude of cheery brightness. She made decision and stuck with them, no wishy washy-ing around. Sam, on the other hand, was a bit of a runner. He ran from the Archives and he ran from his feelings for Pip. He was a good man, but he was so scared of hurting someone that he never realized how much he was hurting himself. Once he realized that Pip wasn't letting him go again, he became more settled and it even seemed he became more sure of himself as an inspector. These two fit well together and it was easy to see the love between them, even when Sam thought his leaving was for the best. They were destined, one way or another.
"You were always a blind fool." Dennison pulled on the leathers and replaced his shoes with the knee-high boots. "It never mattered what I tried, she was content to be on her own. She'd rather that than settle."
"Settle for what?" [Sam asked.]
"Anyone who wasn't you."
Gilded Hearts took a horrible historical figure, Jack the Ripper, and made me feel pity for him. He is a vicious murderer intent on inflicting pain, but what drove him to that point is just so horrible. I never expected to feel sad when he meets his eventual end. That's a testament to Christine d'Abo's storytelling abilities. I forgot all about the real man and immersed myself with her creation. The last few chapters did go off the rails a little bit and that is the reason why this did not get five stars. I was confused through most of them and it seemed some characters acted in ways I didn't believe. The actual plot was explained well enough, but the action became a bit muddy and hard to follow.
This is such a fantastical new steam punk world and I cannot wait to explore more of it. Though I will be sad to leave Sam and Pip behind, I am looking forward to meeting new characters and seeing more of this London. Gilded Hearts was a solid steam punk romance, in the vein of Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series, and I am eager to get my hands on a copy of the next book, Quicksilver Soul.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Yours for providing an ARC copy of this book!
January 5, 2015
I actually think that this book is being promoted under the wrong category on netgalley. It's labeled as erotica, and even though there are a couple of sex scenes in the book, I think those looking for straight up erotica might be a little disappointed that it is actually MOSTLY a sci-fi/fantasy story. Being familiar with the steampunk world in general is also a plus. A bit of reader patience is needed in the beginning so that you can wrap your head around this world that the author has created. Once I got the world and characters all sorted out the story just grabbed me and held on to the end. That entails my only complaint really is that I felt the story needed more background info... maybe a prologue or something to help the reader get their head wrapped around the setting. It was mildly confusing...
Piper and Sam were plucked from their families as children and brought to the archive facility to be trained to be archivists. The job of an archivist is to extract the memories of the deceased for storage. This information is gathered and used for various reasons... and sometimes helps to solve crimes.
There are a few dark secrets lurking in the archive facility that are a little shocking and disturbing. Most of this we find out towards the end.
This is very much a story that dabbles with the concept of God vs. Science. Some people believe that the archive is in essence stealing souls while others believe there is no such thing. A moral battle of sorts. Many people fear the extraction at their time of death because they want their souls to be set free and not trapped.
I was very touched by Piper's reaction when she was holding on to the memories of one of the murdered prostitutes to gather data. The prostitute kept insisting she was alive and it brought out conflicting emotions for Piper. It was also one of my favorite parts of the book because the prostitute was having a little fun while visiting her mind and had a bit of fun whispering naughty thoughts and suggestions into Piper's head. The expression "shut up" was used quite a lot. And nope, she didn't listen... just kept taunting her anyway.
There is also a serial killer on the loose and by the end of the book it becomes clear that there is much more to this serial killer than everyone realized. Without giving anything away, it all revolves around the secrets of what is actually going on in the facility.
We learn a lot about Sam and Pip as the story moves back and forth from past to present. They connected as children and now that they are all grown up... their attraction and love for each other blossoms. I loved both of these characters and I really wanted their Happily Ever After.
My favorite character was David (smile)... the quirky and extremely intelligent clockwerker who has an occasional tendency to "accidentally" blow things up. But, he mostly gets it right. His character added a little comedy relief to the story.
This book was at times emotional, other times funny and kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm definitely on board for more. This is a stand alone but there is a book two coming. It's on my list! This author is a very talented and creative writer.
Not sure if I would recommend this as erotica but I would definitely recommend to my fantasy and sci-fi loving folks that like a little romance sprinkled into the mix. This was a nice healthy balance of all the things that I personally love in a book.
ARC provided by Forever Publishing via netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
Piper and Sam were plucked from their families as children and brought to the archive facility to be trained to be archivists. The job of an archivist is to extract the memories of the deceased for storage. This information is gathered and used for various reasons... and sometimes helps to solve crimes.
There are a few dark secrets lurking in the archive facility that are a little shocking and disturbing. Most of this we find out towards the end.
This is very much a story that dabbles with the concept of God vs. Science. Some people believe that the archive is in essence stealing souls while others believe there is no such thing. A moral battle of sorts. Many people fear the extraction at their time of death because they want their souls to be set free and not trapped.
I was very touched by Piper's reaction when she was holding on to the memories of one of the murdered prostitutes to gather data. The prostitute kept insisting she was alive and it brought out conflicting emotions for Piper. It was also one of my favorite parts of the book because the prostitute was having a little fun while visiting her mind and had a bit of fun whispering naughty thoughts and suggestions into Piper's head. The expression "shut up" was used quite a lot. And nope, she didn't listen... just kept taunting her anyway.
There is also a serial killer on the loose and by the end of the book it becomes clear that there is much more to this serial killer than everyone realized. Without giving anything away, it all revolves around the secrets of what is actually going on in the facility.
We learn a lot about Sam and Pip as the story moves back and forth from past to present. They connected as children and now that they are all grown up... their attraction and love for each other blossoms. I loved both of these characters and I really wanted their Happily Ever After.
My favorite character was David (smile)... the quirky and extremely intelligent clockwerker who has an occasional tendency to "accidentally" blow things up. But, he mostly gets it right. His character added a little comedy relief to the story.
This book was at times emotional, other times funny and kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm definitely on board for more. This is a stand alone but there is a book two coming. It's on my list! This author is a very talented and creative writer.
Not sure if I would recommend this as erotica but I would definitely recommend to my fantasy and sci-fi loving folks that like a little romance sprinkled into the mix. This was a nice healthy balance of all the things that I personally love in a book.
ARC provided by Forever Publishing via netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
March 15, 2014
I should man up and learn to DNF review books without so much guilt, peeps. I have no compunction doing it to the books I bought, but ARCs? Oh, man. The guilt eats me up.
Gilded Hearts which I featured on my Dreaming of Books and was very excited about, took me just under a month to read, and that on its own is an indication of what was wrong (takes me a couple of day on average to devour a book).
As a combination of factors it should have worked. There is Jack The Ripper, there are steampunk elements, a mysterious Guild of Archivists, a determined heroine, a tortured man, secrets and shadows and interesting secondary characters.
As a whole it falls apart. It's like building something where all the joints are wrong for each other. You can't connect them, you get frustrated and try harder, and it turns into a nightmare.
There is no writerly magic happening here, no zing, peeps. Pip and Sam have zero chemistry together. They are characters with a personality of a peanut.
The story arc does not make sense, Jack does not make sense, the main villain goes against everything he believes in with only a half hearted justification for his actions. The ending is absurd. Argh, I think my brain exploded!
I can not make sense of it all, and I won't recommend you trying either.
Gilded Hearts which I featured on my Dreaming of Books and was very excited about, took me just under a month to read, and that on its own is an indication of what was wrong (takes me a couple of day on average to devour a book).
As a combination of factors it should have worked. There is Jack The Ripper, there are steampunk elements, a mysterious Guild of Archivists, a determined heroine, a tortured man, secrets and shadows and interesting secondary characters.
As a whole it falls apart. It's like building something where all the joints are wrong for each other. You can't connect them, you get frustrated and try harder, and it turns into a nightmare.
There is no writerly magic happening here, no zing, peeps. Pip and Sam have zero chemistry together. They are characters with a personality of a peanut.
The story arc does not make sense, Jack does not make sense, the main villain goes against everything he believes in with only a half hearted justification for his actions. The ending is absurd. Argh, I think my brain exploded!
I can not make sense of it all, and I won't recommend you trying either.
November 26, 2025
Gilded Hearts is a fast-paced science fiction romance with a “Jack the Ripper” murder mystery theme.
In Gilded Hearts, we are thrust back in time to solve the horrific murders of ladies of ill repute. Christine d'Abo writes a highly imaginative tale of an alternate London, where memory-capturing machines, corruption, and political mechanization run rampant. Our hero and heroine are two people whose lives were torn apart by society, but now are reunited to solve the brutal murders.
The story is dark, vivid, and utterly original. Although the book was marketed as Steampunk, I find that it is barely the case, while the science fiction aspects shine through. The machines are more science/technology than clockwork and gadgetry.
If you enjoy a dark, murder mystery with a strong science fiction flair, Gilded Hearts is the book for you.
I received this ARC copy of Gilded Hearts from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on January 7, 2014.
In Gilded Hearts, we are thrust back in time to solve the horrific murders of ladies of ill repute. Christine d'Abo writes a highly imaginative tale of an alternate London, where memory-capturing machines, corruption, and political mechanization run rampant. Our hero and heroine are two people whose lives were torn apart by society, but now are reunited to solve the brutal murders.
The story is dark, vivid, and utterly original. Although the book was marketed as Steampunk, I find that it is barely the case, while the science fiction aspects shine through. The machines are more science/technology than clockwork and gadgetry.
If you enjoy a dark, murder mystery with a strong science fiction flair, Gilded Hearts is the book for you.
I received this ARC copy of Gilded Hearts from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on January 7, 2014.
May 16, 2013
As Christine's critique partner, yes...I'm not exactly an unbiased party when it comes to a review of this book...but it doesn't change the fact that I loved it. The worldbuilding was fantastic, the characters are riveting, damaged, and sexy, and the suspense is superb!!
May 4, 2017
Pipper is possibly one of the worst cases of a self-absorbed, yet idolized character I've read in a while. There was a particular event that happened in the book where one of the other main characters is dealing with some heavy issues, but all Pipper can think about is herself and in the end, the other main character ends up apologizing to her. Everyone in the book fawns on her, tells her how special she is, and wants to keep them for themselves for pretty much the duration of the book. She has next to zero empathy for anyone alive, even for the man with whom she supposedly is madly in love. I finished the book in hopes that the author would give her some nice character development, and while she did evolve in some areas, she possibly was more insufferable at the end than at the beginning.
The actual world that the author wrote was interesting, though there was a few times during my read that I felt like things were casually mentioned that deserved more explanation than a passing "Oh yes, the French did this to us back during the wars but also it could have not been the French." Overall, I would say that if you're not sensitive to self-absorbed main characters, this is an intriguing read.
The actual world that the author wrote was interesting, though there was a few times during my read that I felt like things were casually mentioned that deserved more explanation than a passing "Oh yes, the French did this to us back during the wars but also it could have not been the French." Overall, I would say that if you're not sensitive to self-absorbed main characters, this is an intriguing read.
April 25, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Sam thought he had put his past at the Archives behind him. Then, when Jack the Ripper makes his appearance in New London, he comes directly into contact with his past, in the form of the woman he left behind. Now they must work together to catch a killer in this thrilling addition to the steampunk genre.
Opening Sentence: The cold bite of the late fall air against Samuel Hawkins’ cheek had long caused it to go numb.
The Review:
Steampunk has always been hit or miss for me, so I was a little nervous when I started Gilded Hearts. By the end of Chapter One, I was intrigued. By Chapter Three, I was hooked. Christine D’Abo has created a steampunk version of London that is fascinating, easy to understand, and full of great possibility for future books.
Years ago, Sam escaped the Archives, the most powerful Guild in New London. The Archivists (or zombies as they’re known derogatorily on the streets) are responsible for collecting memories from the dead and storing them for posterity. Sam was put through hell during his tenure with the Archivists and finally could not take it anymore and ran away. He started a new life for himself and is now a member of the King’s Sentry. One night, a prostitute is killed, and the Archivist assigned to the memory retrieval is none other than Piper, the girl Sam left behind when he ran away. The spark between them reignites, and neither of them is strong enough to resist its pull, despite the fact that Piper’s duty as an Archivist means she can’t be involved with a man. Piper and Sam’s paths continue to cross, however, as more prostitutes are being murdered. It seems Jack the Ripper has made his presence known in New London, and he won’t rest until his mission is complete. As the danger ramps up, Sam and Piper must decide if their love is strong enough to withstand Jack’s killing spree and the wrath of the Archivists.
The characters in this book practically leap off the page. We get scenes from both Sam and Piper’s points of view, and I honestly didn’t prefer one over the other. There is a lot to admire in Piper as a heroine. She is very strong-willed for a woman in this time period (albeit an alternate time period). She’s having to come to terms with the fact that the Guild that’s protected her all of her life may not be entirely what it seems. Watching her struggle with this realization while still moving forward with the investigation made me like her even more as a character. Sam has suffered immensely in his life and managed to come out on the other side a stronger person. While memories of the Archives still haunt him, he doesn’t let that affect how he pursues this investigation. Again, a very admirable trait.
While I loved the characters, I think my favorite part of this book dealt with the use of flashbacks. So often, flashbacks in novels only serve to disrupt the flow of the story. Not so here. Flashbacks to Sam and Piper’s past at the Archives are interwoven so seamlessly into the narrative that there’s no disruption at all. Everything fits together so perfectly. The flashbacks serve to make the reader feel more connected to the characters while giving them information that’s pertinent to the story.
Before reading this novel, I had never read any of Christine D’Abo’s work. That will certainly be changing now. I’ve become completely hooked on this steampunk version of London and find myself eagerly anticipating book 2, as it deals with one of my favorite side characters from this novel. Fans of steampunk (and even readers who’ve never read steampunk before) should definitely check this series out!
Notable Scene:
She stood with her back pressed to the wall, her palms flat against the stone. Chin lifted, she stared right into his eyes. “The Archives and the Guild Masters aren’t perfect. Yes, they took me from my mum so long ago that sometimes I wonder if the dreams I have of her are real or simply my own fantasies. I wonder constantly of the life I would have now if I’d stayed there with her. Grown up under her watchful eye until a time when I was to be married off. They took that life from me, but they gave me something else. A place in society that I could never have obtained on my own.”
“I didn’t mean-”
“Yes you did.” Her chuckle was as sad as anything he could ever remember hearing. “Don’t worry. I’ve known since we were children how you felt. I wouldn’t expect years of living on the outside to change that perspective. Reinforce it, more likely.”
Christ. There shouldn’t be this gap between them. Yes, it had been five years, but they hadn’t changed that much since they’d last been together. If anything, they’d become more of what they’d always been. They’d grown into themselves, but still felt much the same as they had back then. About the Archives, and about one another.
Dangerous indeed.
Keeping his gaze locked onto hers, Samuel tried once more to close the distance between them. He took a small step, watching for any sign that Piper didn’t want him. She didn’t move.
“I’m glad you were taken by the Archives, Pip.”
Her eyes widened as she pulled her shoulders back against the wall. The blast of annoyance he felt from her was only visible by the tightening around her mouth.
Samuel chanced another step closer.
“If it meant that you were pulled from society, that another man wouldn’t be able to touch you, then I will be forever grateful. Because you see,” he cupped her cheek, “even though we’ve never so much as kissed, you belong to me.”
FTC Advisory: Forever Yours/Hachette provided me with a copy of Gilded Hearts. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Sam thought he had put his past at the Archives behind him. Then, when Jack the Ripper makes his appearance in New London, he comes directly into contact with his past, in the form of the woman he left behind. Now they must work together to catch a killer in this thrilling addition to the steampunk genre.
Opening Sentence: The cold bite of the late fall air against Samuel Hawkins’ cheek had long caused it to go numb.
The Review:
Steampunk has always been hit or miss for me, so I was a little nervous when I started Gilded Hearts. By the end of Chapter One, I was intrigued. By Chapter Three, I was hooked. Christine D’Abo has created a steampunk version of London that is fascinating, easy to understand, and full of great possibility for future books.
Years ago, Sam escaped the Archives, the most powerful Guild in New London. The Archivists (or zombies as they’re known derogatorily on the streets) are responsible for collecting memories from the dead and storing them for posterity. Sam was put through hell during his tenure with the Archivists and finally could not take it anymore and ran away. He started a new life for himself and is now a member of the King’s Sentry. One night, a prostitute is killed, and the Archivist assigned to the memory retrieval is none other than Piper, the girl Sam left behind when he ran away. The spark between them reignites, and neither of them is strong enough to resist its pull, despite the fact that Piper’s duty as an Archivist means she can’t be involved with a man. Piper and Sam’s paths continue to cross, however, as more prostitutes are being murdered. It seems Jack the Ripper has made his presence known in New London, and he won’t rest until his mission is complete. As the danger ramps up, Sam and Piper must decide if their love is strong enough to withstand Jack’s killing spree and the wrath of the Archivists.
The characters in this book practically leap off the page. We get scenes from both Sam and Piper’s points of view, and I honestly didn’t prefer one over the other. There is a lot to admire in Piper as a heroine. She is very strong-willed for a woman in this time period (albeit an alternate time period). She’s having to come to terms with the fact that the Guild that’s protected her all of her life may not be entirely what it seems. Watching her struggle with this realization while still moving forward with the investigation made me like her even more as a character. Sam has suffered immensely in his life and managed to come out on the other side a stronger person. While memories of the Archives still haunt him, he doesn’t let that affect how he pursues this investigation. Again, a very admirable trait.
While I loved the characters, I think my favorite part of this book dealt with the use of flashbacks. So often, flashbacks in novels only serve to disrupt the flow of the story. Not so here. Flashbacks to Sam and Piper’s past at the Archives are interwoven so seamlessly into the narrative that there’s no disruption at all. Everything fits together so perfectly. The flashbacks serve to make the reader feel more connected to the characters while giving them information that’s pertinent to the story.
Before reading this novel, I had never read any of Christine D’Abo’s work. That will certainly be changing now. I’ve become completely hooked on this steampunk version of London and find myself eagerly anticipating book 2, as it deals with one of my favorite side characters from this novel. Fans of steampunk (and even readers who’ve never read steampunk before) should definitely check this series out!
Notable Scene:
She stood with her back pressed to the wall, her palms flat against the stone. Chin lifted, she stared right into his eyes. “The Archives and the Guild Masters aren’t perfect. Yes, they took me from my mum so long ago that sometimes I wonder if the dreams I have of her are real or simply my own fantasies. I wonder constantly of the life I would have now if I’d stayed there with her. Grown up under her watchful eye until a time when I was to be married off. They took that life from me, but they gave me something else. A place in society that I could never have obtained on my own.”
“I didn’t mean-”
“Yes you did.” Her chuckle was as sad as anything he could ever remember hearing. “Don’t worry. I’ve known since we were children how you felt. I wouldn’t expect years of living on the outside to change that perspective. Reinforce it, more likely.”
Christ. There shouldn’t be this gap between them. Yes, it had been five years, but they hadn’t changed that much since they’d last been together. If anything, they’d become more of what they’d always been. They’d grown into themselves, but still felt much the same as they had back then. About the Archives, and about one another.
Dangerous indeed.
Keeping his gaze locked onto hers, Samuel tried once more to close the distance between them. He took a small step, watching for any sign that Piper didn’t want him. She didn’t move.
“I’m glad you were taken by the Archives, Pip.”
Her eyes widened as she pulled her shoulders back against the wall. The blast of annoyance he felt from her was only visible by the tightening around her mouth.
Samuel chanced another step closer.
“If it meant that you were pulled from society, that another man wouldn’t be able to touch you, then I will be forever grateful. Because you see,” he cupped her cheek, “even though we’ve never so much as kissed, you belong to me.”
FTC Advisory: Forever Yours/Hachette provided me with a copy of Gilded Hearts. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
October 23, 2017
Just rather boring, and then I hit the sentences uttered by the hero, Sam,
' "If it meant that you were pulled from society, that another man wouldn't be able to touch you, then I will be forever grateful. Because you see," he cupped her cheek, "even though we've never so much as kissed, you belong to me." '
Ugh. Just no.
' "If it meant that you were pulled from society, that another man wouldn't be able to touch you, then I will be forever grateful. Because you see," he cupped her cheek, "even though we've never so much as kissed, you belong to me." '
Ugh. Just no.
March 9, 2022
I think the steampunk world building in Gilded Hearts was fantastic. The author painted a vivid worldview for her characters to struggle through in order to solve the mystery. I loved the tension between Samuel and Piper. Can't wait to read the next one in the series.
June 28, 2021
Not my favorite CA series by a long shot. What happened to Jack at the end quite literally broke my heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2014
Gilded Hearts by Christine D’Abo
(Book #1: The Shadow Guild Series)
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 5/5 stars
Prior to Christine D’Abo’s Gilded Hearts, my experience with the steam punk genre was hit or miss at best. To say my experience is moving in a far better direction doesn’t really even come close. Gilded Hearts has converted me completely and I am now 100% a steam punk fan :)
Gilded Hearts is a totally weird mix of all kinds of things near and dear to my heart so here’s the skinny on why this book rocked:
The Plot: New London is being plagued by a serial killer and it just happens to be a new and improved version of Jack the Ripper. More vicious, more diabolical, more evil than his namesake, Jack is terrorizing the town and laying waste to prostitutes and only the King’s Sentry and the Archivists’ Guild can stand against him. While it may seem like there is strength in numbers, the King’s Sentry and the Archivists’ Guild do not have a good relationship and working together is nigh on impossible.
The characters:
Piper Smith is a strong and capable woman who is also a fully trained Archivist. Her job is to collect the memories of the dead and her first solo assignment is to take the memories of the first prostitute killed by Jack. The process is torturous but it is the only way to help track the killer and Piper is determined to do her job well. Though she is undaunted by her task, her confidence is severely shaken when, at the crime scene, she comes face-to-face with the one and only man who has every held her heart.
Sergeant Samuel Hawkins was meant to be an Archivist but after years of abuse and the loss of his dear friend, Sam left the Guild like a thief in the night. Though he has never regretted the decision to leave, he does regret having to live his life without his Piper. Leaving Piper was the hardest thing Sam has ever done but leaving the Guild meant he would survive and with survival comes hope. Sam is strong and smart and his job as a member of the King’s Sentry is both challenging and rewarding but this new case is going to take every ounce of awesome he has to solve. Oh, and all that awesome is going to have to come out in front of Piper.
Everybody else:
Constable Rory Timmons is one scary dude!! His loyalty to Sam is absolute and though we don’t learn a lot about him in this read, he is intriguing and sure to have a place in future reads.
David: the totally weird, ridiculously genius brother of Rory Timmons. David is completely insane and likes to experiment with pretty much anything and everything he can get his hands on. Luckily, he has Rory and their “maid” Aiko. Luckily, Sam and Piper have David because without him, both of them would have died.
The Setting: New London is mess and all but toxic following a nasty war – of course, the French were involved. The streets are filled with the unfortunate, crooks and thieves and, those just trying to make a living in a hard, hard world. The city runs on steam which is constantly pumped into the atmosphere, the environment is all but hazardous and, the machinery that runs the world is constantly on display. The descriptions of New London are interesting but it is the descriptions of the Archivists’ Guild that are fascinating. The parts and pieces of the machinery as well as the general environment are so clearly and wonderfully described by D’Abo.
The Bottom Line: Kudos to Christine D’Abo for converting me to the steam punk genre!! I am really stubborn so the conversion is all the more significant I soaked up every detail of this book and found that there is not a single strength in this book but a multitude of strengths that all come together to create something really very cool. The descriptions of the city and the Archivists’ Guild, the completely engrossing characters and a plot that took a multitude of wonderful turns had me totally swept away. Make no mistake, this isn’t a light and fluffy read but a steam punk re-telling of Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror. It is dark and gory with some light romance and naughty bits mixed in for funsies. Start to finish this is a fine read and yes, I have already bought the second book in the series :)
(Book #1: The Shadow Guild Series)
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 5/5 stars
Prior to Christine D’Abo’s Gilded Hearts, my experience with the steam punk genre was hit or miss at best. To say my experience is moving in a far better direction doesn’t really even come close. Gilded Hearts has converted me completely and I am now 100% a steam punk fan :)
Gilded Hearts is a totally weird mix of all kinds of things near and dear to my heart so here’s the skinny on why this book rocked:
The Plot: New London is being plagued by a serial killer and it just happens to be a new and improved version of Jack the Ripper. More vicious, more diabolical, more evil than his namesake, Jack is terrorizing the town and laying waste to prostitutes and only the King’s Sentry and the Archivists’ Guild can stand against him. While it may seem like there is strength in numbers, the King’s Sentry and the Archivists’ Guild do not have a good relationship and working together is nigh on impossible.
The characters:
Piper Smith is a strong and capable woman who is also a fully trained Archivist. Her job is to collect the memories of the dead and her first solo assignment is to take the memories of the first prostitute killed by Jack. The process is torturous but it is the only way to help track the killer and Piper is determined to do her job well. Though she is undaunted by her task, her confidence is severely shaken when, at the crime scene, she comes face-to-face with the one and only man who has every held her heart.
Sergeant Samuel Hawkins was meant to be an Archivist but after years of abuse and the loss of his dear friend, Sam left the Guild like a thief in the night. Though he has never regretted the decision to leave, he does regret having to live his life without his Piper. Leaving Piper was the hardest thing Sam has ever done but leaving the Guild meant he would survive and with survival comes hope. Sam is strong and smart and his job as a member of the King’s Sentry is both challenging and rewarding but this new case is going to take every ounce of awesome he has to solve. Oh, and all that awesome is going to have to come out in front of Piper.
Everybody else:
Constable Rory Timmons is one scary dude!! His loyalty to Sam is absolute and though we don’t learn a lot about him in this read, he is intriguing and sure to have a place in future reads.
David: the totally weird, ridiculously genius brother of Rory Timmons. David is completely insane and likes to experiment with pretty much anything and everything he can get his hands on. Luckily, he has Rory and their “maid” Aiko. Luckily, Sam and Piper have David because without him, both of them would have died.
The Setting: New London is mess and all but toxic following a nasty war – of course, the French were involved. The streets are filled with the unfortunate, crooks and thieves and, those just trying to make a living in a hard, hard world. The city runs on steam which is constantly pumped into the atmosphere, the environment is all but hazardous and, the machinery that runs the world is constantly on display. The descriptions of New London are interesting but it is the descriptions of the Archivists’ Guild that are fascinating. The parts and pieces of the machinery as well as the general environment are so clearly and wonderfully described by D’Abo.
The Bottom Line: Kudos to Christine D’Abo for converting me to the steam punk genre!! I am really stubborn so the conversion is all the more significant I soaked up every detail of this book and found that there is not a single strength in this book but a multitude of strengths that all come together to create something really very cool. The descriptions of the city and the Archivists’ Guild, the completely engrossing characters and a plot that took a multitude of wonderful turns had me totally swept away. Make no mistake, this isn’t a light and fluffy read but a steam punk re-telling of Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror. It is dark and gory with some light romance and naughty bits mixed in for funsies. Start to finish this is a fine read and yes, I have already bought the second book in the series :)
January 27, 2014
*ARC received for an honest review.
review originally published http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspo...
and booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.com
Usually I don’t read too many paranormal stories because I find that I have a difficult time identifying with the characters. I was really intrigued by this story because of the back story of Jack the Ripper. Even though it’s a horrid historical occurrence the mysterious identity of who he was continues to intrigue. There are many different aspects of this story that are engaging. I was also interested to learn about Piper Smith and Sergeant Samuel Hawkins.
The story begins with the murder of a woman of the night. Immediately we are told that it’s Jack the Ripper who is responsible because he leaves a note. This is a dark story and there are some difficult scenes to read. I struggled at first to understand the main characters and there were so many layers behind these characters that they provided as much of a mystery as Jack the Ripper. There are a lot of characters and they all play a very interesting role. I enjoyed that all the characters were relevant to the story and interesting. It became like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Piper Smith and Sergeant Samuel Hawkins bring many interesting aspects to the story in both the present and in the past. At first we know that Piper and Samuel grew up together but Samuel “abandons” Piper. This is a big issue between them and even though they share a very strong history in the present day they are practically strangers. Piper is trying to prove herself as an archivist. She has a machine that grabs the memories of the murder women. As an archivists the memories become hers. Since they can be a very scary to hold on to all those memories, Piper goes through a memory erasing exercise. Some memories she still wants to keep. Although Piper and Samuel share an intense history there is always friction between them. They are on opposite sides. Samuel, once a part of the Archivists' Guild with Piper, left with no explanation. Samuel is now a Sergeant at the King’s Sentry. This conflict becomes a major part of the story as it unravels. The feelings that Samuel has for Piper are evident but he keeps resisting them and trying to protect her. Samuel is your typical tortured, handsome alpha male.
This story is really a mixture of everything: science fiction, murder mystery and romance. It really has a little of everything but it mixes well. Sci-Fi readers will easily love this story since there are so many wonderful scenes (and gadgets) filled with imagination. Overall, I enjoyed the story, even though there were parts that I struggled through. Piper and Samuel made the story a great read for me, I wanted them to come to terms with their past and gain perspective on their future. I also really loved how Piper evolved from a shy and fragile young girl to a strong and in control woman. As Samuel and Piper are forced to work together they have to learn to trust. But the question becomes who they can trust. From the first memory extraction, Piper discovers clues that the murder might be an Archivist. She follows her instinct and keeps the information from her mentor Master Ryerson. Master Ryerson and Samuel definitely don’t like each other, and the reasons become evident. This was a very intense and intriguing read. This was my first read by Christina d’Abo but I look forward to reading more especially the next addition to The Shadow Guild.
review originally published http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspo...
and booknerdloleotodo.blogspot.com
Usually I don’t read too many paranormal stories because I find that I have a difficult time identifying with the characters. I was really intrigued by this story because of the back story of Jack the Ripper. Even though it’s a horrid historical occurrence the mysterious identity of who he was continues to intrigue. There are many different aspects of this story that are engaging. I was also interested to learn about Piper Smith and Sergeant Samuel Hawkins.
The story begins with the murder of a woman of the night. Immediately we are told that it’s Jack the Ripper who is responsible because he leaves a note. This is a dark story and there are some difficult scenes to read. I struggled at first to understand the main characters and there were so many layers behind these characters that they provided as much of a mystery as Jack the Ripper. There are a lot of characters and they all play a very interesting role. I enjoyed that all the characters were relevant to the story and interesting. It became like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Piper Smith and Sergeant Samuel Hawkins bring many interesting aspects to the story in both the present and in the past. At first we know that Piper and Samuel grew up together but Samuel “abandons” Piper. This is a big issue between them and even though they share a very strong history in the present day they are practically strangers. Piper is trying to prove herself as an archivist. She has a machine that grabs the memories of the murder women. As an archivists the memories become hers. Since they can be a very scary to hold on to all those memories, Piper goes through a memory erasing exercise. Some memories she still wants to keep. Although Piper and Samuel share an intense history there is always friction between them. They are on opposite sides. Samuel, once a part of the Archivists' Guild with Piper, left with no explanation. Samuel is now a Sergeant at the King’s Sentry. This conflict becomes a major part of the story as it unravels. The feelings that Samuel has for Piper are evident but he keeps resisting them and trying to protect her. Samuel is your typical tortured, handsome alpha male.
This story is really a mixture of everything: science fiction, murder mystery and romance. It really has a little of everything but it mixes well. Sci-Fi readers will easily love this story since there are so many wonderful scenes (and gadgets) filled with imagination. Overall, I enjoyed the story, even though there were parts that I struggled through. Piper and Samuel made the story a great read for me, I wanted them to come to terms with their past and gain perspective on their future. I also really loved how Piper evolved from a shy and fragile young girl to a strong and in control woman. As Samuel and Piper are forced to work together they have to learn to trust. But the question becomes who they can trust. From the first memory extraction, Piper discovers clues that the murder might be an Archivist. She follows her instinct and keeps the information from her mentor Master Ryerson. Master Ryerson and Samuel definitely don’t like each other, and the reasons become evident. This was a very intense and intriguing read. This was my first read by Christina d’Abo but I look forward to reading more especially the next addition to The Shadow Guild.
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Gilded Hearts is a romantic historical urban fiction with a touch of steampunk thrown into the mix. The story is a fast-paced thriller, with mystery and a bit of horror against a backdrop of gritty industralized alternative universe London.
Plot: Five years previous, Samuel had fled the Archivists - a group dedicated to preserving the memories of London's elite or murdered. The mysterious group takes children off the streets and raises them to be 'zombies' - collectors of memories and whose own minds gradually become wiped in the process. Now, he's a police officer helping to solve murders - and it's the grisly work of a new serial killer calling himself Jack the Ripper which which will bring Sam back into contact with Pip, the girl he left behind in the Archives. Together, they will fight their renewed attraction while trying to solve the mystery behind the gruesome murders. For Pip has seen that the murderer may be an Archivist - and Jack the Ripper seems to know Samuel very well.
The plot is well placed and certainly we get a feel of gritty urban Victorian London with a touch of steampunk in this alternate universe world (though the setting is Victorian, it feels almost like a dystopian - with London streets ruined by radiation from bombs dropped by the French in a great war.
The archivist mythology is interesting but it does feel a bit like we've seen it all before. As well, I did have to suspend disbelief several times (e.g., Pip is too afraid to leave the archivists for fear of the unknown London, yet no one suggests that that Samuel could ease her into the transition as he did for himself - she just assumes she'd live on the streets).
The romance is very much about sex and it is very graphic, using British terminology, of course. Over the course of reading several British Steampunk novels over the past two years, I find I am preferring American steampunk and the trend towards fun adventure (wild west style) over the grittier and often more vulgar and desperate Brit perspective. A lot of the British Steampunk is starting to feel like I've read it before, a combination of sex (e.g., London Steel, Parasol Protectorate, Agamemmnon Frost) and magic (e.g., Baskerville Affair, Disenchanted and Company). I find I'm preferring either straight adventure (e.g., Leviathan) or to just get out of London City for a more gothic feel (Dark Unwinding). I'd really like to not see Jack The Ripper or White Chapel in any more London based steampunk, though. Between the resurgence of Sherlock Holmes novels and steampunk, Jack has been a character in nearly 11 novels for me this year alone.
In all, Gilded Hearts was a solid romance and ends definitively. The next book in the series will feature new characters.
Received as an ARC from the publisher.
January 21, 2014
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Ah a Steampunk story involving Jack the Ripper, what more could I ask for? I love the mix especially as I was able to discover it in some other novels. But here in addition to that, we have a very intriguing world shared between archivists and the police under the orders of the king.
While Samuel ran for his life years ago from the Archives, he has now become sergeant on behalf of the king, a work that pleases him immensely. However, he is happy for this change of life even if he left behind his lifelong friend and childhood sweetheart Piper. But when some murders are committed in Whitechapel, and that Samuel is hired to investigate, he did not expect to see the young woman here to retrieve the memories of the deceased. And despite the time that has passed since they have lost sight, the feelings remake surfaces, even if they both know that nothing is possible between them. But while the murderer seems to belong to the Archives, our two heroes will have to team up to find the responsible before he kills more people. While trying to catch up, Piper tries to understand why Samuel left her without ever looking back. But the man must not only face the wrath of the Archivist, but he also need to face the demons he tried to flee and who come back towards him.
I liked the ideas of the Archives, concentrating all the memories of people who have been murdered but it is true that I was curious to know how the trick worked exactly. Yet I might have appreciated more information, because I’m still in the end a little in the dark about certain points. I also made many assumptions about the reason for the departure of Samuel from the Archives and I confess that I had not imagined for one second that the truth was indeed much more complex than anything I could have supposed. In terms of the relationship, it is true that it was a bit frustrating to see that they still retained to do what they really wanted, while at other times they were completely released. I had a little trouble understanding how they went from one extreme point to another in no time. We also discover their past all along the story with some flashbacks and it was interesting to learn a little more about the character this way. The survey is also interesting and it allows us to immerse ourselves in a new world and to try to understand the subtleties and although I admit that sometimes the whole is a bit too long, I enjoyed learning more.
A new life awaits our characters at the end of the novel and I’m curious to see what they will do.
My English review
Ah a Steampunk story involving Jack the Ripper, what more could I ask for? I love the mix especially as I was able to discover it in some other novels. But here in addition to that, we have a very intriguing world shared between archivists and the police under the orders of the king.
While Samuel ran for his life years ago from the Archives, he has now become sergeant on behalf of the king, a work that pleases him immensely. However, he is happy for this change of life even if he left behind his lifelong friend and childhood sweetheart Piper. But when some murders are committed in Whitechapel, and that Samuel is hired to investigate, he did not expect to see the young woman here to retrieve the memories of the deceased. And despite the time that has passed since they have lost sight, the feelings remake surfaces, even if they both know that nothing is possible between them. But while the murderer seems to belong to the Archives, our two heroes will have to team up to find the responsible before he kills more people. While trying to catch up, Piper tries to understand why Samuel left her without ever looking back. But the man must not only face the wrath of the Archivist, but he also need to face the demons he tried to flee and who come back towards him.
I liked the ideas of the Archives, concentrating all the memories of people who have been murdered but it is true that I was curious to know how the trick worked exactly. Yet I might have appreciated more information, because I’m still in the end a little in the dark about certain points. I also made many assumptions about the reason for the departure of Samuel from the Archives and I confess that I had not imagined for one second that the truth was indeed much more complex than anything I could have supposed. In terms of the relationship, it is true that it was a bit frustrating to see that they still retained to do what they really wanted, while at other times they were completely released. I had a little trouble understanding how they went from one extreme point to another in no time. We also discover their past all along the story with some flashbacks and it was interesting to learn a little more about the character this way. The survey is also interesting and it allows us to immerse ourselves in a new world and to try to understand the subtleties and although I admit that sometimes the whole is a bit too long, I enjoyed learning more.
A new life awaits our characters at the end of the novel and I’m curious to see what they will do.
January 17, 2014
Set in a very dark steam punk setting this is a book by an author that I've seen but never read before. For some reason I thought Ms D'Abo only wrote erotica but this book shows that she has numerous strings to her bow. An intriguing book in The Shadow Guild series and one that will be of interest to those who look for something out of the ordinary to read.
It's a very interesting idea to be able to access memories in those recently dead and the true horror of it all is revealed here. The thought of reliving someone's viscous murder is an abhorrent one and would repel most people but in this book we read about a society where it is accepted. Piper is one who works within the system and retrieves memories from the dead but there are grave costs involved. She's already lost Samuel the boy she idolised whilst growing up or has she? Thrown back together as the mysterious Jack begins his reign of terror maybe Samuel is the only person that Piper can really trust. Unfortunately it looks as if Piper and Samuel are on opposite sides but danger and passion will not be denied .
This is an amazing idea and the author has clearly put a lot of thought into the world building here. The two lead characters are on a journey that pulls the reader in as they reconnect but danger is always present. This author cranks up the sexual tension but also allows Piper to grow in confidence as the story progresses. At times this is a very intense book and certainly not an easy one to forget. My only criticism is the constant flashbacks as I feel some readers might find it distracting but I was rooting for a happy ending I must admit.
My first book by this author but not my last. Loving the mystery mixed in with the passionate romance set in a very different world.
It's a very interesting idea to be able to access memories in those recently dead and the true horror of it all is revealed here. The thought of reliving someone's viscous murder is an abhorrent one and would repel most people but in this book we read about a society where it is accepted. Piper is one who works within the system and retrieves memories from the dead but there are grave costs involved. She's already lost Samuel the boy she idolised whilst growing up or has she? Thrown back together as the mysterious Jack begins his reign of terror maybe Samuel is the only person that Piper can really trust. Unfortunately it looks as if Piper and Samuel are on opposite sides but danger and passion will not be denied .
This is an amazing idea and the author has clearly put a lot of thought into the world building here. The two lead characters are on a journey that pulls the reader in as they reconnect but danger is always present. This author cranks up the sexual tension but also allows Piper to grow in confidence as the story progresses. At times this is a very intense book and certainly not an easy one to forget. My only criticism is the constant flashbacks as I feel some readers might find it distracting but I was rooting for a happy ending I must admit.
My first book by this author but not my last. Loving the mystery mixed in with the passionate romance set in a very different world.
January 16, 2014
Gilded Hearts is a fascinating Steampunk paranormal romance filled with an amazing, interesting world, a mystery to solve and romance. This is the first in the series, a world were Archivists take and store memories of the dead to help solve crimes, this one caught me from the beginning and kept me engrossed until the end.
Samuel Hawkins fled the Archivist facility five years ago and has built a successful life working for the King’s Sentry. He is a sergeant in the Sentry and is now investigating murders in New London. Not only was he an Archivist but he also has other interesting qualities, he can manipulate machines with his will and is empathic, which comes in handy while investigating killers. He had a horrific childhood while as an Archivist and does not relish working with the Archives Guild Master.
Piper Smith is younger than Sam but they were best of friends when he was still at the Guild, and she was heartbroken when he left, now that she sees him again Piper realizes she still feels the same way about him, and maybe something more. The serial murders of several women in the Whitechapel district has brought them together again, and they grow closer as they investigate, but the danger also grows as they believe the killer is someone close, maybe someone from the Archives that they both know.
A truly unique world where machines are an intricate part of everyday life and the world is ruled by companies and kingdoms.
Complet review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher through NetGalley for an honest review
Samuel Hawkins fled the Archivist facility five years ago and has built a successful life working for the King’s Sentry. He is a sergeant in the Sentry and is now investigating murders in New London. Not only was he an Archivist but he also has other interesting qualities, he can manipulate machines with his will and is empathic, which comes in handy while investigating killers. He had a horrific childhood while as an Archivist and does not relish working with the Archives Guild Master.
Piper Smith is younger than Sam but they were best of friends when he was still at the Guild, and she was heartbroken when he left, now that she sees him again Piper realizes she still feels the same way about him, and maybe something more. The serial murders of several women in the Whitechapel district has brought them together again, and they grow closer as they investigate, but the danger also grows as they believe the killer is someone close, maybe someone from the Archives that they both know.
A truly unique world where machines are an intricate part of everyday life and the world is ruled by companies and kingdoms.
Complet review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher through NetGalley for an honest review
March 24, 2014
I liked this book from the first few pages. Christine D’Abo has created a dark world set in steampunk New London. Add in a new twist on Jack the Ripper and we have a winning start to a new series.
Sergeant Samuel Hawkins is on the trail of a murderer, and the Archivist called out to extract the victim’s memories is Piper Smith, a childhood friend. Sam and Piper were both taken from their families at a young age to live and train in the Archives. Sam and Piper struck up a friendship there, but this is the first time they’ve seen each other since Sam ran away. He’s created a new life for himself and he is a respected sergeant, but he’s never forgotten Piper.
There are so many obstacles to them renewing their relationship. Piper believes in the work of the Archive while Sam rejects everything about her life as an Archivist. But as the murderer Jack murders more women Sam and Piper need to work together to catch him.
I loved Sam. Something in his past has molded him into a competent policeman and a good man. He’s never forgotten Piper and it was wonderful watching them renew their relationship and seeing their love for each other deepen. Piper is also a great character, although she sees things a bit more black and white than Sam. They do make a good couple, and I enjoyed reading the snippets of their childhood friendship too.
The story conclusion was horrid and shocking, and I’m wondering where the series will go in the next book. New London is in for a shake up, I think, if Gilded Hearts is any indication.
I enjoyed this steampunk romance very much with it's excellent worldbuilding. Recommended.
This book was received via Netgalley.
Sergeant Samuel Hawkins is on the trail of a murderer, and the Archivist called out to extract the victim’s memories is Piper Smith, a childhood friend. Sam and Piper were both taken from their families at a young age to live and train in the Archives. Sam and Piper struck up a friendship there, but this is the first time they’ve seen each other since Sam ran away. He’s created a new life for himself and he is a respected sergeant, but he’s never forgotten Piper.
There are so many obstacles to them renewing their relationship. Piper believes in the work of the Archive while Sam rejects everything about her life as an Archivist. But as the murderer Jack murders more women Sam and Piper need to work together to catch him.
I loved Sam. Something in his past has molded him into a competent policeman and a good man. He’s never forgotten Piper and it was wonderful watching them renew their relationship and seeing their love for each other deepen. Piper is also a great character, although she sees things a bit more black and white than Sam. They do make a good couple, and I enjoyed reading the snippets of their childhood friendship too.
The story conclusion was horrid and shocking, and I’m wondering where the series will go in the next book. New London is in for a shake up, I think, if Gilded Hearts is any indication.
I enjoyed this steampunk romance very much with it's excellent worldbuilding. Recommended.
This book was received via Netgalley.
January 8, 2014
GILDED HEARTS by Christine D' Ado is an exciting Steampunk. #1 in "The Shadow Guild". What an adventure. Set in a Steampunk world, you can not go wrong if you enjoy Steampunk, than "Gilded Hearts" is the story for you to pick up for your reading pleasure. Fast paced and full of adventure and action. Follow, Piper Smith, an Archivist and Sergeant Samuel Hawkins of the King’s Sentry and an ex- member of the Archivist Guild on a journey of danger, a murderer and passion. A new spin on an old tale of Jack the Ripper and what a spin. A sweet romance that is passionate and steamy, with lots of danger and excitement thrown into the mix. Piper and Samuel find themselves entangled not only in their passion for each other for in a race to find a killer and stop him before more lives are lost. Oh and their are secrets and unanswered questions from Samuel's past Piper would like answered. Like why he left the Guild. "Gilded Hearts" will kept you guessing right up to the very end. Well written with engaging characters and an intriguing storyline. A great read for anyone who enjoy steampunk, romance, and Jack the Ripper tale. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: HOT
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: HOT
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
April 28, 2014
The first thing I will say about my 3 star rating of this book is that I am typically not a fan of steampunk. The only reason I read this book is because I am a huge fan of Christine d’Abo. However, due to the genre, this was not one of my favorite books. While I really enjoyed the characters, the romance and the mystery, I got lost in the Guild universe. And while I really enjoyed a lot of the secondary characters (loved David), I did get lost at times trying to keep track of everyone. I had a hard time pulling myself into this book and did not find myself fully immersed until the very end. I am undecided as to whether or not I will continue reading this series.
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July 26, 2016Can't finish this one... Not because it is that bad a book. I just knew from the very first pages that it wasn't my style. And after a few chapters struggling to connect to both the characters and the story itself, I just knew that I would never be able to enjoy it. So instead of struggling through yet another book, I decided to put it aside.
February 5, 2015
It was good. Steampunk romance with a historical figure fit into the storyline. The worldbuilding was interesting, I definitely enjoyed the machine and archivist angle but something was a little off for me, hence the three stars. Looking forward to seeing where she takes the series. Fun, escapist reading.
March 6, 2014
I was intrigued at first, but the story seemed to really drag midway through and I found myself skipping ahead until something caught my eye and I'd stop to read the next chapter or two before skipping ahead again. The ending was almost too pat and predictable, and I was disappointed.
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