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The Clockwork Century #6
Jacaranda: A Novella of the Clockwork Century
The Ranger
On the island of Galveston, off the coast of Southeast Texas, lies a hotel called the Jacaranda. In its single year of operation, two dozen people have died there. The locals say it's cursed. The Rangers say that's nonsense, but they know a man who might be willing to investigate. Horatio Korman crosses the water from the mainland and hopes for the best.
The Nun
But the bodies pile up, and a hurricane is brewing up fast. One of the Jacaranda's guests sees time running out, so she seeks an authority of a different a priest from El Huizache who is good at solving problems and keeping secrets. Eileen Callahan has a problem to solve and a secret to keep. She crosses her fingers and sends a message that could save them all.
The Padre
Juan Miguel Quintero Rios broke a promise to the Virgin, and so he was punished...but his intentions were pure, so he was also blessed. Now he walks the Southwest with second sight and a tattoo across his "Deo, non fortuna" - by God, not chance. The former gunslinger crosses himself and makes for the Jacaranda Hotel.
On the island of Galveston, off the coast of Southeast Texas, lies a hotel called the Jacaranda. In its single year of operation, two dozen people have died there. The locals say it's cursed. The Rangers say that's nonsense, but they know a man who might be willing to investigate. Horatio Korman crosses the water from the mainland and hopes for the best.
The Nun
But the bodies pile up, and a hurricane is brewing up fast. One of the Jacaranda's guests sees time running out, so she seeks an authority of a different a priest from El Huizache who is good at solving problems and keeping secrets. Eileen Callahan has a problem to solve and a secret to keep. She crosses her fingers and sends a message that could save them all.
The Padre
Juan Miguel Quintero Rios broke a promise to the Virgin, and so he was punished...but his intentions were pure, so he was also blessed. Now he walks the Southwest with second sight and a tattoo across his "Deo, non fortuna" - by God, not chance. The former gunslinger crosses himself and makes for the Jacaranda Hotel.
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First published December 16, 2014
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About the author
Cherie Priest
72 books4,374 followersCherie Priest is the author of about thirty books and novellas, most recently the modern gothics It Was Her House First, The Drowning House, and Cinderwich. She's also the author of the Booking Agents mysteries, horror projects The Toll and The Family Plot – and the hit YA graphic novel mash-ups I Am Princess X and its follow up, The Agony House. But she is perhaps best known for the steampunk pulp adventures of the Clockwork Century, beginning with Boneshaker. She has been nominated for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, and the Locus award – which she won with Boneshaker.
Cherie has also written a number of urban fantasy titles, and composed pieces (large and small) for George R. R. Martin’s shared world universe, the Wild Cards. Her short stories and nonfiction articles have appeared in such fine publications as Weird Tales, Publishers Weekly, and numerous anthologies – and her books have been translated into nine languages in eleven countries.
Although she was born in Florida on the day Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, for the last twenty years Cherie has largely divided her time between Chattanooga, TN, and Seattle, WA – where she presently lives with her husband and a menagerie of exceedingly photogenic pets.
Cherie has also written a number of urban fantasy titles, and composed pieces (large and small) for George R. R. Martin’s shared world universe, the Wild Cards. Her short stories and nonfiction articles have appeared in such fine publications as Weird Tales, Publishers Weekly, and numerous anthologies – and her books have been translated into nine languages in eleven countries.
Although she was born in Florida on the day Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, for the last twenty years Cherie has largely divided her time between Chattanooga, TN, and Seattle, WA – where she presently lives with her husband and a menagerie of exceedingly photogenic pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 29, 2015
This is categorized as 'Clockwork Century #6' - so far, other than this, I've only read the first two, so was afraid that 'skipping ahead' might be an issue.
However, I needn't have worried. This story is only tenuously connected to what I've read so far, and fully works as a stand-alone. It's a classic-feeling haunted-hotel story, perfect for fans of The Shining or anything in what Stephen Kings calls the "Ghostly Room at the Inn" subgenre.
As this is a 'Clockwork Century' novel, the setting is an alternate 19th century. (But really, the 'alternate' part here isn't significant.)
In response to rumors that an untoward number of guests have been dying at the Jacaranda Hotel, and for some reason this in being ignored by local authorities, two paranormal investigators check in to the hotel to try to set things right.
Padre Rios is a gangster-turned-priest, and he's been summoned by an Irish nun with hidden strengths. But will their toughness be enough to combat the dark forces swirling beneath the Jacaranda and to save the remaining guests? Or will all be swept into a dark whirlpool of malevolence?
My only complaint is that I felt that some of the supporting characters could've been fleshed out a bit more... and we're left with some mysteries (to be explained in other books?)
But overall, this is an excellent and entertaining horror tale.
However, I needn't have worried. This story is only tenuously connected to what I've read so far, and fully works as a stand-alone. It's a classic-feeling haunted-hotel story, perfect for fans of The Shining or anything in what Stephen Kings calls the "Ghostly Room at the Inn" subgenre.
As this is a 'Clockwork Century' novel, the setting is an alternate 19th century. (But really, the 'alternate' part here isn't significant.)
In response to rumors that an untoward number of guests have been dying at the Jacaranda Hotel, and for some reason this in being ignored by local authorities, two paranormal investigators check in to the hotel to try to set things right.
Padre Rios is a gangster-turned-priest, and he's been summoned by an Irish nun with hidden strengths. But will their toughness be enough to combat the dark forces swirling beneath the Jacaranda and to save the remaining guests? Or will all be swept into a dark whirlpool of malevolence?
My only complaint is that I felt that some of the supporting characters could've been fleshed out a bit more... and we're left with some mysteries (to be explained in other books?)
But overall, this is an excellent and entertaining horror tale.
January 4, 2016
4 Stars
Jacaranda is a fun addition to the Clockwork Century series by one of my favorite authors Cherie Priest. Even though this is book 6 it really is just a standalone in the same universe. It is a hardly a novel at all, a long novella at best.
First I highly recommend this series to all seeking a blast of a steampunk ride. Priest has created a universe that is filled with amazing gadgets, dirigibles, weapons, and other machinery. She has sprinkled in just the right amount of real history and real people to give it the amazing alt-feel. A steam-punk western with lots of goodies and even some zombies.
I could read books like this all day, every day. The story, the writing, and the characters make for really great escapism. My only gripe is that I did not want this one to end and would have welcomed a few hundred more pages.
Jacaranda is a haunted house story filled with pretty bad people. Very fast paced. I enjoyed it all.
Jacaranda is a fun addition to the Clockwork Century series by one of my favorite authors Cherie Priest. Even though this is book 6 it really is just a standalone in the same universe. It is a hardly a novel at all, a long novella at best.
First I highly recommend this series to all seeking a blast of a steampunk ride. Priest has created a universe that is filled with amazing gadgets, dirigibles, weapons, and other machinery. She has sprinkled in just the right amount of real history and real people to give it the amazing alt-feel. A steam-punk western with lots of goodies and even some zombies.
I could read books like this all day, every day. The story, the writing, and the characters make for really great escapism. My only gripe is that I did not want this one to end and would have welcomed a few hundred more pages.
Jacaranda is a haunted house story filled with pretty bad people. Very fast paced. I enjoyed it all.
August 20, 2020
The only reason why I'm marking this as steampunk is the fact it is part of The Clockwork Century. Rotters and sap are mentioned only once or twice here and that's it as far as the connection goes. To be fair, the summary does say Jacaranda 'will be unrelated to the main arc.'
I liked all the snippets from the past. They make this story more entertaining. Three people are facing something ancient that wants to be free. The others in the hotel are having their own problems to deal with. The approaching hurricane will make their task much more difficult.
I liked all the snippets from the past. They make this story more entertaining. Three people are facing something ancient that wants to be free. The others in the hotel are having their own problems to deal with. The approaching hurricane will make their task much more difficult.
March 18, 2016
As a final visit to the world of the Clockwork Century series, this is distinctly disappointing -- we find out that the "rotter" plague has run its course, and one of the protagonists is Horatio Korman, the Texas ranger who's played a role in several of the other books. The haunted hotel of the title is mechanized in some ways, but honestly, without those few references, this feels more like Priest's horror fiction than her steampunk.
On the other hand, I was pleased to see Sister Eileen Callaghan, the nun-with-a-secret of the non-Clockwork Dreadful Skin, and to meet gunslinger-turned-priest Juan Rios. I'd love to see these two have further ghostbusting adventures -- maybe Priest will revisit them again, someday.
Reread less than a year later (!) as part of a reread of the whole Clockwork Century. I felt a bit more in sympathy with the haunted hotel aspect, but it's still not Priest's best, from my perspective.
On the other hand, I was pleased to see Sister Eileen Callaghan, the nun-with-a-secret of the non-Clockwork Dreadful Skin, and to meet gunslinger-turned-priest Juan Rios. I'd love to see these two have further ghostbusting adventures -- maybe Priest will revisit them again, someday.
Reread less than a year later (!) as part of a reread of the whole Clockwork Century. I felt a bit more in sympathy with the haunted hotel aspect, but it's still not Priest's best, from my perspective.
December 1, 2018
Nice little ghost/horror story. You do not need to have read the others in the series. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the nun here.
March 8, 2015
This is a very, very creepy tale, of the "possessed building" trope.
It is not altogether clear how cutting down the jacaranda tree- important as it was to the island- caused this evil entity to take up residence- and it's a very specific entity, with precise requirements that to me did not jibe with the history of the tree.
That being said, it's a minor quibble in the face of an excellently creepy novel, that kept me page-turning long after i ought to have been asleep!
The characters are very well-drawn, and feel real. The plot builds and is is very creepy indeed. Not everything gets explained. Although this is in her "Clockwork Century" setting, most of it has little overlap with the rest of the books therein, so this is fine to read even if you've read nothing else in that setting.
That being said, it is closer in length to a novella than a novel, so the price for the physical version is rather high. The production values were excellent, though, and this is one of the few books I've read this year that did not have copy-editing errors- high praise!
It is not altogether clear how cutting down the jacaranda tree- important as it was to the island- caused this evil entity to take up residence- and it's a very specific entity, with precise requirements that to me did not jibe with the history of the tree.
That being said, it's a minor quibble in the face of an excellently creepy novel, that kept me page-turning long after i ought to have been asleep!
The characters are very well-drawn, and feel real. The plot builds and is is very creepy indeed. Not everything gets explained. Although this is in her "Clockwork Century" setting, most of it has little overlap with the rest of the books therein, so this is fine to read even if you've read nothing else in that setting.
That being said, it is closer in length to a novella than a novel, so the price for the physical version is rather high. The production values were excellent, though, and this is one of the few books I've read this year that did not have copy-editing errors- high praise!
March 15, 2015
...I must admit that this book was not quite what I was hoping for. It certainly doesn't deliver what I read the Clockwork Century books for. The hotel has few gadgets but they are not important to the story, nor is the alternative history Priest has laid out. Haunted house stories are not really my thing either. They tend to be so stuck in horror clichés that they rarely make for challenging or interesting reading. Putting my personal preferences aside for the moment, I do see a story that is well executed. Some readers may not be entirely convinced by the climax but it worked well enough for me. Jacaranda was entertaining reading, but as a postscript to the Clockwork Century, it is essentially unnecessary. Read it if you enjoy a good haunted house story or if you can't stand to leave a series unfinished. If those two don't apply to you, there are more interesting book out there.
Full Random Comments review
Full Random Comments review
March 3, 2015
This was another of the books I received as part of the Humble Bundle. Billed as "A Novella of the Clockwork Century," it finds Juan Miguel Quintero Rios, a padre with a dark secret, called to Galveston's Jacaranda Hotel.
It turns out pretty much everyone gathered at the hotel, visitors and staff alike, have their own dark secrets. Those secrets, in fact, are why everyone, including Rios, has been called to the hotel.
Adding to the story's narrative drive is the hurricane bearing down on Galveston, and the near certainty that much, if not all, of the hotel will wash away.
I've not read any of the other novels in Priest's Clockwork Century sequence, but I'm likely to check them out now. JACARANDA's characters (including the hotel itself) are deftly drawn, and the story possesses a forward motion rivaling that of its hurricane.
It turns out pretty much everyone gathered at the hotel, visitors and staff alike, have their own dark secrets. Those secrets, in fact, are why everyone, including Rios, has been called to the hotel.
Adding to the story's narrative drive is the hurricane bearing down on Galveston, and the near certainty that much, if not all, of the hotel will wash away.
I've not read any of the other novels in Priest's Clockwork Century sequence, but I'm likely to check them out now. JACARANDA's characters (including the hotel itself) are deftly drawn, and the story possesses a forward motion rivaling that of its hurricane.
December 23, 2016
A compelling, evocative haunted house story that ultimately would have benefited from more fleshed-out characters. It makes me want to add a retrospective star to my review of The Haunting of Hill House, because it shows by contrast just how hard it is to give this kind of story psychological depth. (In fact, I think I'll do that right now.)
August 10, 2015
Borderline between three stars and four, and again I feel compelled to mention that I use four stars to denote that anyone into the genre should read it. in this case, there are two genres; weird Western and haunted house.
(I have mentioned before that a haunted house is a specific kind of story, different from a straight-up ghost sorry? okay, good.)
(I have mentioned before that a haunted house is a specific kind of story, different from a straight-up ghost sorry? okay, good.)
September 26, 2020
A stand-alone novella in the world of Clockwork Century. But it’s not steampunk.
I bought it as part of the Subterranean bundle back in 2015.
I thoroughly enjoyed Priest’s other Clockwork Century books and was expecting more action/adventure steampunk. But this novella is quite different. It’s horror and builds up slowly. If you like that, this story will most likely work for you.
It has a few references to the rest of the series, but not much.
Sister Eileen Callahan, a nun, has written to padre Juan Miguel Quintero Rios about the Jacaranda Hotel in Galveston. Many people have died there, horribly, and the nun believes that only the padre’s special skills will stop the hotel from killing again. When Rios arrives, he notices that the hotel seems to be alive and threatening. The nun tells him the legends about its terrible past. Yet, the local authorities simply ignore the horrible deaths. Sister Eileen has also asked for the Texas Rangers for help and one of them arrives. However, everyone at the hotel seem to have their own dark pasts, including the padre himself.
The nun, the father, and the Texas Ranger investigate but time runs short when a hurricane approaches.
The story has a great atmosphere and vivid characters. Rios is the third person POV character and he has a distinctive voice.
I bought it as part of the Subterranean bundle back in 2015.
I thoroughly enjoyed Priest’s other Clockwork Century books and was expecting more action/adventure steampunk. But this novella is quite different. It’s horror and builds up slowly. If you like that, this story will most likely work for you.
It has a few references to the rest of the series, but not much.
Sister Eileen Callahan, a nun, has written to padre Juan Miguel Quintero Rios about the Jacaranda Hotel in Galveston. Many people have died there, horribly, and the nun believes that only the padre’s special skills will stop the hotel from killing again. When Rios arrives, he notices that the hotel seems to be alive and threatening. The nun tells him the legends about its terrible past. Yet, the local authorities simply ignore the horrible deaths. Sister Eileen has also asked for the Texas Rangers for help and one of them arrives. However, everyone at the hotel seem to have their own dark pasts, including the padre himself.
The nun, the father, and the Texas Ranger investigate but time runs short when a hurricane approaches.
The story has a great atmosphere and vivid characters. Rios is the third person POV character and he has a distinctive voice.
January 24, 2018
It was very different from the other books in this series. There were fewer steam punk elements and no zombies. Instead it was a very good paranormal thriller. The ending was more open than I would have liked but maybe that means there will be a sequel.
November 10, 2020
A fast look at another part of Texas with some eough endings for those who don't keep promises.
October 7, 2015
I suppose it is a bit serendipitous that I just finished this book about a killer hotel on the same day that the TV show "American Horror Story: Hotel" premieres. In any event, "Jacaranda" is the postscript novella of Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century series. Like its predecessors, "Jacaranda" has only slight connections to the other books in the series and could easily be read as a stand-alone.
The feel of the story is a bit Agatha Christie meets H.P. Lovecraft. In 1895 Texas, a dozen people are stuck in a possibly haunted, but definitely evil hotel during a monster hurricane. They were all drawn to the hotel for a reason, though none of them are fully aware of it. The hotel has a history of unexplained deaths that local law enforcement don't seem to be too eager to pursue so a nun, a priest and a Texas Ranger join forces to solve the mystery and expunge the evil. The story moves quickly and is written in a cinematic style. The reader can easily envision the characters, setting and action. Once the storm hits and everyone is trapped in the hotel lobby, the sense of dread is palpable. Overall this is a taut novella that is a bit of scary fun though it isn't nearly at the level of Stephen King's "The Shining".
The feel of the story is a bit Agatha Christie meets H.P. Lovecraft. In 1895 Texas, a dozen people are stuck in a possibly haunted, but definitely evil hotel during a monster hurricane. They were all drawn to the hotel for a reason, though none of them are fully aware of it. The hotel has a history of unexplained deaths that local law enforcement don't seem to be too eager to pursue so a nun, a priest and a Texas Ranger join forces to solve the mystery and expunge the evil. The story moves quickly and is written in a cinematic style. The reader can easily envision the characters, setting and action. Once the storm hits and everyone is trapped in the hotel lobby, the sense of dread is palpable. Overall this is a taut novella that is a bit of scary fun though it isn't nearly at the level of Stephen King's "The Shining".
December 29, 2014
Jacaranda is a horror novella set in Cheris Priest’s CLOCKWORK CENTURY universe. This story, set after the end of the USA’s long civil war, is a shivery tale that focuses on supernatural evil rather than the sap-infected zombies of the series.
Priest brings three characters to the Texan island of Galveston, to investigate a long string of strange deaths at the cursed Jacaranda Hotel. Horatio Korman is a Texas Ranger, a smart, clever investigator. Father Juan Quinteros Rios is a Catholic priest with a dark past and a supernatural gift. Sister Eileen Callahan, who has sent for the other two, has experience with the supernatural, and a secret of her own. Father Rios and Korman arrive via ferry just before a savage hurricane isolates the island and traps the three, along with several other guests, in the strange hotel.... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Priest brings three characters to the Texan island of Galveston, to investigate a long string of strange deaths at the cursed Jacaranda Hotel. Horatio Korman is a Texas Ranger, a smart, clever investigator. Father Juan Quinteros Rios is a Catholic priest with a dark past and a supernatural gift. Sister Eileen Callahan, who has sent for the other two, has experience with the supernatural, and a secret of her own. Father Rios and Korman arrive via ferry just before a savage hurricane isolates the island and traps the three, along with several other guests, in the strange hotel.... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
March 8, 2015
While being set in the Clockwork Century, the other books don't have to be read to appreciate this story. There are a few tie-ins to the other works that can only be appreciated if you've read them, and I enjoyed the wrapping up of some threads there, but this novella really stands on its own. In truth I felt a greater connection to Priest's Maplecroft, which itself was a fine book.
Like Maplecroft, this is a gothic horror story. However this one takes place in a menacing hotel during the Galveston hurricane. The characters all have their demons, and it is those that the hotel feeds on. The interpersonal relationships and tension drive the action while building suspense for the plot. This is a great horror mystery and well worth it for fans of Priest or those genres.
Like Maplecroft, this is a gothic horror story. However this one takes place in a menacing hotel during the Galveston hurricane. The characters all have their demons, and it is those that the hotel feeds on. The interpersonal relationships and tension drive the action while building suspense for the plot. This is a great horror mystery and well worth it for fans of Priest or those genres.
March 8, 2015
This is billed as the a concluding novel in the Clockwork Century series but it has little to do with the rest of the series except a passing reference to the zombies from the main series. I wonder in passing if the author is including this in the Clockwork Century as a way to not write more 19th century stories.
This is a horror story with a plot with distant similarity to the movie Key Largo (the Humphrey Bogart classic). There are three basic characters--the nun, the priest and the ranger; the first two with some mysteries in their past. As usual the author has written a fun to read book.
This is a horror story with a plot with distant similarity to the movie Key Largo (the Humphrey Bogart classic). There are three basic characters--the nun, the priest and the ranger; the first two with some mysteries in their past. As usual the author has written a fun to read book.
March 31, 2019
I had thought this was linked directly to the rest of the author's Clockwork Century steampunk series, and in a way it was...very peripherally, though, with no connection to any of the other characters or problems unique to the series. The story in this novella could have been transplanted basically anywhere. I thought it was quite predictable and definitely not quite up to Priest's usual gold standard.
April 18, 2017
One of my favourite authors, her Clockwork Century series is a brilliant steampunk zombie adventure. Each of the books focuses on a different character and has its own story arc .
Jacaranda is a shortish book about a cursed hotel, and a nun and a padre that arrive to investigate the rumours.
It takes place 20 years after the main story arc and can easily be read on its own.
Jacaranda is a shortish book about a cursed hotel, and a nun and a padre that arrive to investigate the rumours.
It takes place 20 years after the main story arc and can easily be read on its own.
April 16, 2015
Readers of the Clockwork Century series will be disappointed, the only reference to CC is the word Texian for Texan. There are no steampunk elements, instead this is a cliched Gothic horror piece without the atmosphere or characters to pull it off successfully. Her other horror works are better and the CC series is fun, read those instead. This was a hard read for me, I almost abandoned it.
June 4, 2018
Three stars seems like short shrift for this - actually it was quite satisfying, a fun and easy read. Just didn't rattle my cage like, say, Boneshaker did. I have not been reading these in order, didn't realize until lately that there was an order to read them in - oops. I enjoyed this, then moved on. Solid stuff.
March 14, 2015
A very atmospheric tale of an evocative, haunted place. Tied loosely to the Clockwork Century novels, but not directly continuing that story. A wonderful read that I very much enjoyed. I will visit this world every time Cherie Priest wants to take us there.
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March 17, 20152.5 stars.
An old hotel that draws people with buried secrets. Good build up to a level of creepiness. The ending is rather less than satisfying, quite vague and leaning to incompleteness.
An old hotel that draws people with buried secrets. Good build up to a level of creepiness. The ending is rather less than satisfying, quite vague and leaning to incompleteness.
August 2, 2016
Although this is supposedly the last book in the series, I was left with way more questions than answers at the end of the book. Still it was a very good "haunted house" story.
November 14, 2018
Jacaranda (The Clockwork Century #6) - Cherie Priest | 181 páginas, Tor Books, 2011 | Lido em 23.10.18 | NITROLEITURAS
SINOPSE
Na ilha de Galveston, na costa sudeste do Texas, encontra-se um hotel chamado Jacaranda.
Em seu único ano de operação, duas dúzias de pessoas morreram lá. Os moradores dizem que é um lugar amaldiçoado.
Os Rangers dizem que isso é um absurdo, mas eles conhecem um homem que pode estar disposto a investigar.
Um dos convidados do Jacaranda vê o tempo se esgotando, então ela procura uma autoridade de um tipo diferente: um padre de El Huizache que é bom em resolver problemas sobrenaturais e guardar segredos.
O Padre Juan Miguel Quintero Rios quebrou uma promessa para a Virgem, e assim ele foi punido ... mas , apesar da pureza de suas intenções, ele também foi amaldiçoado.
Agora ele caminha para o terrível Hotel Jacaranda com uma missão sagrada e uma tatuagem nas costas: '' Deo, no Fortuna '' - Por Deus, não o acaso.
Jacaranda ocorre 20 anos após os eventos de Fiddlehead, e não está relacionado ao arco principal da saga Clockwork Century
SINOPSE
Uma excelente noveleta de Cherie Priest, até com uma leve mudança no estilo literário da autora. Jacaranda é uma história de horror, do estilo "Casa Mal Assombrada", que nesse caso é um hotel na ilha de Gavelston, no Texas.
A história se passa depois do fim da Guerra Civil, e continua a saga do Clockwork Century.
Porém, nesse episódio, Cherie Priest explora mais o aspecto sobrenatural do universo steampunk que ela criara.
A narrativa é excelente, e se foca tanto nos eventos sobrenaturais do hotel Jacarandá quanto nos personagens que são atraídos pela força maligna que controla o lugar.
Gostei muito da atmosfera de tensão e horror durante toda a história, e o protagonista, um padre pistoleiro mexicano, tem um histórico sensacional, que encaixa bem com o tema da culpa, que é abordado em "Jacaranda".
Apesar do romance não ter uma ligação direta à trama principal do Clockwork Century, que tem o seu final oficial em Fiddlehead (Clockwork Century #5), alguns personagens da saga são mencionados.
Jacaranda é bem envolvente, e ideal para quem curte horror, fica a recomendação!
* * *
E aqui termino a saga Clockwork Century, leitura obrigatória para fãs de steampunk!
SINOPSE
Na ilha de Galveston, na costa sudeste do Texas, encontra-se um hotel chamado Jacaranda.
Em seu único ano de operação, duas dúzias de pessoas morreram lá. Os moradores dizem que é um lugar amaldiçoado.
Os Rangers dizem que isso é um absurdo, mas eles conhecem um homem que pode estar disposto a investigar.
Um dos convidados do Jacaranda vê o tempo se esgotando, então ela procura uma autoridade de um tipo diferente: um padre de El Huizache que é bom em resolver problemas sobrenaturais e guardar segredos.
O Padre Juan Miguel Quintero Rios quebrou uma promessa para a Virgem, e assim ele foi punido ... mas , apesar da pureza de suas intenções, ele também foi amaldiçoado.
Agora ele caminha para o terrível Hotel Jacaranda com uma missão sagrada e uma tatuagem nas costas: '' Deo, no Fortuna '' - Por Deus, não o acaso.
Jacaranda ocorre 20 anos após os eventos de Fiddlehead, e não está relacionado ao arco principal da saga Clockwork Century
SINOPSE
Uma excelente noveleta de Cherie Priest, até com uma leve mudança no estilo literário da autora. Jacaranda é uma história de horror, do estilo "Casa Mal Assombrada", que nesse caso é um hotel na ilha de Gavelston, no Texas.
A história se passa depois do fim da Guerra Civil, e continua a saga do Clockwork Century.
Porém, nesse episódio, Cherie Priest explora mais o aspecto sobrenatural do universo steampunk que ela criara.
A narrativa é excelente, e se foca tanto nos eventos sobrenaturais do hotel Jacarandá quanto nos personagens que são atraídos pela força maligna que controla o lugar.
Gostei muito da atmosfera de tensão e horror durante toda a história, e o protagonista, um padre pistoleiro mexicano, tem um histórico sensacional, que encaixa bem com o tema da culpa, que é abordado em "Jacaranda".
Apesar do romance não ter uma ligação direta à trama principal do Clockwork Century, que tem o seu final oficial em Fiddlehead (Clockwork Century #5), alguns personagens da saga são mencionados.
Jacaranda é bem envolvente, e ideal para quem curte horror, fica a recomendação!
* * *
E aqui termino a saga Clockwork Century, leitura obrigatória para fãs de steampunk!
January 11, 2021
Juan Miguel Quintero Rios is a gunslinger who became a priest. Having particpated in many strange occurrences he is summoned by an Irish nun, Sister Eileen Callaghan, to a haunted hotel in Galveston, TX. Many deaths have occurred in the Jacaranda Hotel, caused by dark forces existing beneath it. The hotel is so named because a beloved jacaranda tree on the island was removed for the construction of the lavish hotel. The nun also wrote for a Texas ranger to join them. Enters Horatio Korman, an investigator intrigued by strange stories. The three work together to solve the mystery of the deaths.
Why cutting down the jacaranda tree released an evil entity is not clear but perhaps that's part of the mystery. The force states at one point that it was in the tree. It seems that it brings guests to the hotel because they have dark secrets, perhaps just a broken promise or something much more sinister. The entity kills these guests and the resulting ghosts serve its means, welcoming others with such secrets into its rooms. I found myself wondering about this aspect. Is the entity really evil or just trying to eliminate those who have committed what it sees as wrongs?
An interesting twist of the story is the huge hurricane that enfolds the city in its destruction. The author leads the reader to believe that the entity is intent on destroying itself. It is up the the trio to save the remaining guests from the hurricane and the entity.
It's a ghost tale, book 6 of the author's Clockwork Century series, which stands well on its own. Some readers label it as steampunk but others refute that description. Nevertheless, it is a well constructed tale that keeps the reader perusing the pages all the way to the end.
Why cutting down the jacaranda tree released an evil entity is not clear but perhaps that's part of the mystery. The force states at one point that it was in the tree. It seems that it brings guests to the hotel because they have dark secrets, perhaps just a broken promise or something much more sinister. The entity kills these guests and the resulting ghosts serve its means, welcoming others with such secrets into its rooms. I found myself wondering about this aspect. Is the entity really evil or just trying to eliminate those who have committed what it sees as wrongs?
An interesting twist of the story is the huge hurricane that enfolds the city in its destruction. The author leads the reader to believe that the entity is intent on destroying itself. It is up the the trio to save the remaining guests from the hurricane and the entity.
It's a ghost tale, book 6 of the author's Clockwork Century series, which stands well on its own. Some readers label it as steampunk but others refute that description. Nevertheless, it is a well constructed tale that keeps the reader perusing the pages all the way to the end.
July 24, 2019
Although the book is stated as #6 in the Clockwork Century series, it should really have been a stand alone. The other books had a progression of characters and the alternate steampunk driven fantasy of the US civil war era. This book is a simple read about a haunted house.
Regarding the steampunk aspect of this book, it’s almost missing entirely. Due to this, I honestly do not classify it as steampunk at all. The only futuristic items mentioned quickly where regarding running facet water from plumbing (didn’t exist in that time period) and automatic ceiling fans. Nothing very extravagant at all, buy hey..
There are a few characters involved, or minor mentioned, that where in the previous books. The elaboration, if any, really has no effect on the current story being told. So again, knowing the complete back story of these people is just a pat on the back for knowing.
With all this being said, it was a good read. I have read better horror stories that had greater depth and development, but for some reason this book is still great. Maybe it’s because of the simplicity of the ride that gives the reader the horror aspect without being bogged down with slow anticipation and pacing.
Regarding the steampunk aspect of this book, it’s almost missing entirely. Due to this, I honestly do not classify it as steampunk at all. The only futuristic items mentioned quickly where regarding running facet water from plumbing (didn’t exist in that time period) and automatic ceiling fans. Nothing very extravagant at all, buy hey..
There are a few characters involved, or minor mentioned, that where in the previous books. The elaboration, if any, really has no effect on the current story being told. So again, knowing the complete back story of these people is just a pat on the back for knowing.
With all this being said, it was a good read. I have read better horror stories that had greater depth and development, but for some reason this book is still great. Maybe it’s because of the simplicity of the ride that gives the reader the horror aspect without being bogged down with slow anticipation and pacing.
May 14, 2018
I had no idea going into this story that it was a horror story, but that is exactly what it is. The author of the "Clockwork Century" series decided to drop a creepy story about a hotel that kills people into the middle of her steampunk alternate-history universe, but she does it with style. The main protagonist, Juan Miguel Quintero Rios, is a priest with a troubled history who yearns atonement for his sins. He is summoned to the titular Jacaranda, a hotel where there have been an abnormally large number of deaths, by a nun who is seeking to put an end to the Jacaranda's reign of terror.
The story is wondefully scary - I am not ashamed to say there might've been a night when I had to sleep with the lights on - the characters are so well drawn they feel like living, breathing beings, and the Jacaranda is a malevolent entity that pervades every event and every character trapped within. Cherie Priest creates a spooky story that rivals some of Stephen King's best early works - especially Christine.
Seriously, this is a great book, I whole-heartedly recommend it.
The story is wondefully scary - I am not ashamed to say there might've been a night when I had to sleep with the lights on - the characters are so well drawn they feel like living, breathing beings, and the Jacaranda is a malevolent entity that pervades every event and every character trapped within. Cherie Priest creates a spooky story that rivals some of Stephen King's best early works - especially Christine.
Seriously, this is a great book, I whole-heartedly recommend it.
September 10, 2018
A hotel was built on top of a site home to a jacaranda tree. Frequent deaths plague the hotel, which eventually a Nun calls in a Priest to help investigate. Meanwhile, a storm approaches, keeping all the guests inside.
Some more deaths occur, and the guests come together to help investigate and help protect the hotel from the storm. The story seems to hint there's more to the Nun than meets the eye, and the group seem to have an aspect about them that links them together...
But then in the end it seems to discard those ideas and just go down the route that a Demon is at work. To me, this is just one of those Haunted House type stories where paranormal events occur and there's no fancy twist or solid explanation for it. The characters and set-up were enjoyable, but then it just didn't deliver.
Some more deaths occur, and the guests come together to help investigate and help protect the hotel from the storm. The story seems to hint there's more to the Nun than meets the eye, and the group seem to have an aspect about them that links them together...
But then in the end it seems to discard those ideas and just go down the route that a Demon is at work. To me, this is just one of those Haunted House type stories where paranormal events occur and there's no fancy twist or solid explanation for it. The characters and set-up were enjoyable, but then it just didn't deliver.
August 20, 2017
This was my favorite of the group; I like ghost stories better than zombies I guess. Interesting premise, though it was a lot like an historic version of "The Shining" in a way (based on never actually having read the book and only hearing about it). But the story is interesting and keeps you involved. And as it is a short story, it leaves you with a lot of questions left about the characters, and that is ok.
Also, I think I have figured out why the other ones were so hard for me to read: I was never really involved with the characters. They are interesting enough, but they are just....there, doing their things and I never really attach to them in any way. So it was mostly the story carrying me along and I guess I do not do well with that. Learn something new every day.
Also, I think I have figured out why the other ones were so hard for me to read: I was never really involved with the characters. They are interesting enough, but they are just....there, doing their things and I never really attach to them in any way. So it was mostly the story carrying me along and I guess I do not do well with that. Learn something new every day.
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