The Eternal Child

by G.T. Craig

The Eternal Child is a thrilling mystery set in a 19th Century Britain plagued by an oppressive regime and the living dead. When a dangerously beautiful woman asks for her help, Alice McInnes, private investigator, must discover how it all connects to a child thought long dead.

This steampunk adventure takes you into a world of fantastic technology and the supernatural. Meet the characters that delve into the shadows and the terrifying depths to reveal the most curious of tales.

286 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2024

Reviews

[lys.istrata · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let’s preface this by acknowledging just how much potential this story had. When I saw it at the bookstore I thought, 'this was made for me specifically'. A sapphic detective, steampunk elements fused with Victorian England, the supernatural—it had it all, and perhaps that was the problem.

This book is trying to do too much. There is a corrupt government, social inequalities, advanced technologies, vampires, monsters, psychics, yet none of the elements of the world interact with each other. A professional editor’s insight would have been much needed. We do not follow a plot but rather a collection of mismatched character perspectives, most of which are irrelevant to the main storyline. The actual investigation is largely swept aside, leaving us no room to connect with any of the characters, who are all one-dimensional and fail to go through any development. Their primary motivations and flaws are barely fleshed out; their relationships are all fleeting and surface-level.

This book qualifies as a first draft in need of heavy revisions, including elements that are fairly outdated in the year of our lord 2025. Indeed, the main conflict is caused not by the corrupt government but an innocent woman transformed into a monster because she dared to wound a man’s ego. All throughout, she is painted as a cruel and soulless creature beyond saving, and goes on to die while the man faces no consequences whatsoever. Two situationships that could be qualified as sapphic are also included, both solely based on lust, which further convinces me that the author isn’t qualified to write about such topics. It truly disappointed me, because I expected so much and got so little. I wish I could have loved it.

[William Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fast-moving adventure through an alternative Victorian London. Lots of flashbacks and tightly-plotted world-building, it almost felt like a book of short stories and I felt like a detective piecing together the history of this very troubled world. Also wraps up in a very satisfying way which I wasn't expecting for the first book of a trilogy! Lots more to explore though - looking forward to the next two volumes!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling, I couldn't stop reading it. This brilliant sci-fi, steampunk detective noir was full of exciting twists and turns. I highly recommend giving this fantastic new author a read. I can't wait to read more from them.

[Christopher Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling steam-punk/counter-factual with fascinating mystery and gripping thriller elements.

Captivating world-building and page-turning excitement for appealing characters with thought-provoking ideas and concepts.

Bodes well for the anticipated further installments

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable
The world of Steam punk is still alive
A London not as we know know it
A Government not as we know it
A mystery with in a mystery

[Erin Cavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

r/fantasy bingo - hidden gem

my brother got me this book as a present from a steampunk festival he went to and i really enjoyed it! i had a lot of fun reading it