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The St. Croix Chronicles #3
Corroded: The St. Croix Chronicles, Book 3
Hungry for vengeance, Cherry St. Croix is forced to the fog-ridden streets of Victorian London.
My rival, a collector of bounties like myself, has murdered one of my own. In consequence, I have been removed from my house, my staff, and all who would support me. I have nowhere else to turn, so I beg asylum within the Midnight Menagerie, London's decadent pleasure garden.
Micajah Hawke's dominance there will not tolerate my presence for long. I am fixated on revenge, but I walk on the razor's edge under his scrutiny. His wicked power is not easily ignored, and I must not allow myself to submit - no matter how sweet the sacrifice.
Challenging my rival to a race is the only way to end this - no small task when the quarry is the murderous Jack the Ripper. As my enemies close in, I fear the consequences of this hunt. I am trapped between two killers, and what doesn't kill me may leave its scars forever…
My rival, a collector of bounties like myself, has murdered one of my own. In consequence, I have been removed from my house, my staff, and all who would support me. I have nowhere else to turn, so I beg asylum within the Midnight Menagerie, London's decadent pleasure garden.
Micajah Hawke's dominance there will not tolerate my presence for long. I am fixated on revenge, but I walk on the razor's edge under his scrutiny. His wicked power is not easily ignored, and I must not allow myself to submit - no matter how sweet the sacrifice.
Challenging my rival to a race is the only way to end this - no small task when the quarry is the murderous Jack the Ripper. As my enemies close in, I fear the consequences of this hunt. I am trapped between two killers, and what doesn't kill me may leave its scars forever…
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Karina Cooper
23 books265 followersAfter writing happily ever afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of), went to work in the real world (kind of), where she decided that making stuff up was way more fun (true!). She is the author of dark and sexy paranormal romance, steampunk urban fantasy, and writes across multiple genres with mad glee.
One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an airship captain’s wife, and a steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, a menagerie, a severe coffee habit, and a passel of adopted gamer geeks. Visit her at www.karinacooper.com, because she says so.
One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an airship captain’s wife, and a steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, a menagerie, a severe coffee habit, and a passel of adopted gamer geeks. Visit her at www.karinacooper.com, because she says so.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 1, 2013
“What, then?” I whispered, a harsh inquiry. “Will you lay claim where there is nothing to gain?”
Hawke’s mouth curled up, a cruel edge chiseled in exquisite resolve. “You lie, my lady.”
I winced at the courtesy. “Do I? You’re familiar enough with the precepts of flesh for demand—”
He shifted, and hard fingers bit at my cheeks, silencing my provocation. “Lie to yourself if you must,” he breathed against my lips, “but you will never lie to me.”
This book .... Its ....
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Cherry is in a very dark place as we begin our journey into Corroded . Well , after what happened in Gilded , I don't see how anybody would expect something else . With nowhere else to go and constantly taunted by the events that concluded Gilded , Cherry is dead set on revenge . And she doesn't care if she has to end up in that one place that she vowed she'll never be a part of , The Midnight Menagerie ! Walking a fine line between Insanity and Vengeance , Cherry will have to decide what will she keep at stake to get what she wants !
I think Corroded is the best book in the series so far . The first 20% did seem a little too stretchy as Cherry was constantly in her head about how Opium is the answer to every question , a solution for any problem , a medicine for the disease . But as the story gets deeper into Cherry's plan to catch the Ripper and her stalker , it just explodes ! Like , IN YOUR FACE !
Just like how the previous books were divided between Cherry's time in London proper and London below the drift , this book majorly deals with Cherry's time trying to capture the culprits and Cherry's time in the menagerie !
Oh dear lord , that house is freakin crazy !
And speaking of crazy , we have to about Micajah Hawke !
How can my review be complete without him .. :P ...
Now , my biggest peeve about the last book in this series was , how Hawke did not get a lot of screen time .. But here , * fans-self * lets just say that Hawke knows how to turn on the heat ...
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Cherry and Hawke's relationship in Corroded is explosive and steamy . But the more I read it , the more I kinda caught myself asking , ' What is it that Hawke exactly feels for her .. ? " . I mean , I understand the Cage does not do , delicate or gentle . But there were instances that I felt that he thinks of Cherry as his prized possession . But then again , there totally came a moment where I just felt that , 'hell no , what the fuck ! ' and I totally went
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
To sum it all up , I'd say Corroded just takes everything that we know , puts in a grinder and turns into a big mixture of 'WTF' ! I'm pretty sure from here on things are about to get waaay more interesting for Cherry and everybody else ! As always , a lot of questions were answered . The identity of the Stalker collector who made Cherry's life was revealed , and oh my god ! I had a feeling as to who it could be , but I soo didn't want that to be true !
Read this series people , its fuckin amazing !!!
I can't wait to see what's next in this series !
Merged review:
I need more ... Sooo much more ! Steampunk madness galore ! “What, then?” I whispered, a harsh inquiry. “Will you lay claim where there is nothing to gain?”Hawke’s mouth curled up, a cruel edge chiseled in exquisite resolve. “You lie, my lady.”I winced at the courtesy. “Do I? You’re familiar enough with the precepts of flesh for demand—”He shifted, and hard fingers bit at my cheeks, silencing my provocation. “Lie to yourself if you must,” he breathed against my lips, “but you will never lie to me.”
This book .... Its ....
Cherry is in a very dark place as we begin our journey into Corroded . Well , after what happened in Gilded , I don't see how anybody would expect something else . With nowhere else to go and constantly taunted by the events that concluded Gilded , Cherry is dead set on revenge . And she doesn't care if she has to end up in that one place that she vowed she'll never be a part of , The Midnight Menagerie ! Walking a fine line between Insanity and Vengeance , Cherry will have to decide what will she keep at stake to get what she wants ! I think Corroded is the best book in the series so far . The first 20% did seem a little too stretchy as Cherry was constantly in her head about how Opium is the answer to every question , a solution for any problem , a medicine for the disease . But as the story gets deeper into Cherry's plan to catch the Ripper and her stalker , it just explodes ! Like , IN YOUR FACE !Just like how the previous books were divided between Cherry's time in London proper and London below the drift , this book majorly deals with Cherry's time trying to capture the culprits and Cherry's time in the menagerie ! Oh dear lord , that house is freakin crazy !And speaking of crazy , we have to about Micajah Hawke ! How can my review be complete without him .. :P ... Now , my biggest peeve about the last book in this series was , how Hawke did not get a lot of screen time .. But here , * fans-self * lets just say that Hawke knows how to turn on the heat ...
Cherry and Hawke's relationship in Corroded is explosive and steamy . But the more I read it , the more I kinda caught myself asking , ' What is it that Hawke exactly feels for her .. ? " . I mean , I understand the Cage does not do , delicate or gentle . But there were instances that I felt that he thinks of Cherry as his prized possession . But then again , there totally came a moment where I just felt that , 'hell no , what the fuck ! ' and I totally went
To sum it all up , I'd say Corroded just takes everything that we know , puts in a grinder and turns into a big mixture of 'WTF' ! I'm pretty sure from here on things are about to get waaay more interesting for Cherry and everybody else ! As always , a lot of questions were answered . The identity of the Stalker collector who made Cherry's life was revealed , and oh my god ! I had a feeling as to who it could be , but I soo didn't want that to be true ! Read this series people , its fuckin amazing !!!I can't wait to see what's next in this series !
Hawke’s mouth curled up, a cruel edge chiseled in exquisite resolve. “You lie, my lady.”
I winced at the courtesy. “Do I? You’re familiar enough with the precepts of flesh for demand—”
He shifted, and hard fingers bit at my cheeks, silencing my provocation. “Lie to yourself if you must,” he breathed against my lips, “but you will never lie to me.”
This book .... Its ....
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Cherry is in a very dark place as we begin our journey into Corroded . Well , after what happened in Gilded , I don't see how anybody would expect something else . With nowhere else to go and constantly taunted by the events that concluded Gilded , Cherry is dead set on revenge . And she doesn't care if she has to end up in that one place that she vowed she'll never be a part of , The Midnight Menagerie ! Walking a fine line between Insanity and Vengeance , Cherry will have to decide what will she keep at stake to get what she wants !
I think Corroded is the best book in the series so far . The first 20% did seem a little too stretchy as Cherry was constantly in her head about how Opium is the answer to every question , a solution for any problem , a medicine for the disease . But as the story gets deeper into Cherry's plan to catch the Ripper and her stalker , it just explodes ! Like , IN YOUR FACE !
Just like how the previous books were divided between Cherry's time in London proper and London below the drift , this book majorly deals with Cherry's time trying to capture the culprits and Cherry's time in the menagerie !
Oh dear lord , that house is freakin crazy !
And speaking of crazy , we have to about Micajah Hawke !
How can my review be complete without him .. :P ...
Now , my biggest peeve about the last book in this series was , how Hawke did not get a lot of screen time .. But here , * fans-self * lets just say that Hawke knows how to turn on the heat ...
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Cherry and Hawke's relationship in Corroded is explosive and steamy . But the more I read it , the more I kinda caught myself asking , ' What is it that Hawke exactly feels for her .. ? " . I mean , I understand the Cage does not do , delicate or gentle . But there were instances that I felt that he thinks of Cherry as his prized possession . But then again , there totally came a moment where I just felt that , 'hell no , what the fuck ! ' and I totally went
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
To sum it all up , I'd say Corroded just takes everything that we know , puts in a grinder and turns into a big mixture of 'WTF' ! I'm pretty sure from here on things are about to get waaay more interesting for Cherry and everybody else ! As always , a lot of questions were answered . The identity of the Stalker collector who made Cherry's life was revealed , and oh my god ! I had a feeling as to who it could be , but I soo didn't want that to be true !
Read this series people , its fuckin amazing !!!
I can't wait to see what's next in this series !
Merged review:
I need more ... Sooo much more ! Steampunk madness galore ! “What, then?” I whispered, a harsh inquiry. “Will you lay claim where there is nothing to gain?”Hawke’s mouth curled up, a cruel edge chiseled in exquisite resolve. “You lie, my lady.”I winced at the courtesy. “Do I? You’re familiar enough with the precepts of flesh for demand—”He shifted, and hard fingers bit at my cheeks, silencing my provocation. “Lie to yourself if you must,” he breathed against my lips, “but you will never lie to me.”
This book .... Its ....
Cherry is in a very dark place as we begin our journey into Corroded . Well , after what happened in Gilded , I don't see how anybody would expect something else . With nowhere else to go and constantly taunted by the events that concluded Gilded , Cherry is dead set on revenge . And she doesn't care if she has to end up in that one place that she vowed she'll never be a part of , The Midnight Menagerie ! Walking a fine line between Insanity and Vengeance , Cherry will have to decide what will she keep at stake to get what she wants ! I think Corroded is the best book in the series so far . The first 20% did seem a little too stretchy as Cherry was constantly in her head about how Opium is the answer to every question , a solution for any problem , a medicine for the disease . But as the story gets deeper into Cherry's plan to catch the Ripper and her stalker , it just explodes ! Like , IN YOUR FACE !Just like how the previous books were divided between Cherry's time in London proper and London below the drift , this book majorly deals with Cherry's time trying to capture the culprits and Cherry's time in the menagerie ! Oh dear lord , that house is freakin crazy !And speaking of crazy , we have to about Micajah Hawke ! How can my review be complete without him .. :P ... Now , my biggest peeve about the last book in this series was , how Hawke did not get a lot of screen time .. But here , * fans-self * lets just say that Hawke knows how to turn on the heat ...
Cherry and Hawke's relationship in Corroded is explosive and steamy . But the more I read it , the more I kinda caught myself asking , ' What is it that Hawke exactly feels for her .. ? " . I mean , I understand the Cage does not do , delicate or gentle . But there were instances that I felt that he thinks of Cherry as his prized possession . But then again , there totally came a moment where I just felt that , 'hell no , what the fuck ! ' and I totally went
To sum it all up , I'd say Corroded just takes everything that we know , puts in a grinder and turns into a big mixture of 'WTF' ! I'm pretty sure from here on things are about to get waaay more interesting for Cherry and everybody else ! As always , a lot of questions were answered . The identity of the Stalker collector who made Cherry's life was revealed , and oh my god ! I had a feeling as to who it could be , but I soo didn't want that to be true ! Read this series people , its fuckin amazing !!!I can't wait to see what's next in this series !
November 27, 2025
There is just something so fascinating about a story that has an imperfect heroin. Cherry St. Croix has hit bottom and she is clawing her way to revenge in this wonderful new addition to The St. Croix Chronicles.
Cherry's husband was brutally murdered on her wedding night by a secretive rival collector. Running from the imprisoned life her mother-in-law has imposed, Cherry leaves her life to return below. With limited resources, Cherry's only safe haven is the Midnight Menagerie but something terrible and sinister lies in the eyes of her savior, Micajah Hawke. In need of cash and her next fix, Cherry focuses on Jack the Ripper's collection. To top it off, Cherry's opium habit, caused by her father's betrayal, has become life threatening...leaving her in a constant drug induced haze or withdraws.
Corroded was a difficult story for me, I couldn't put it down yet was saddened by Cherry's downward spiral. I have to admit that I was thrilled by the hope of change proposed at the end because I don't think I would want to continue Cherry's story if her hopeless take on life continued.
That being said, I still found this story memorizing. So many things were exposed, incredible revelations revealed and absolutely shocking...mind blowing twists!
This entire series has been a fast paced thrill ride, containing non-stop action and heart gripping emotion. Corroded had me white knuckle clutching my kindle till the end and left me wanting more.
I received this ARC copy of Corroded from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication September 23, 2013.
Cherry's husband was brutally murdered on her wedding night by a secretive rival collector. Running from the imprisoned life her mother-in-law has imposed, Cherry leaves her life to return below. With limited resources, Cherry's only safe haven is the Midnight Menagerie but something terrible and sinister lies in the eyes of her savior, Micajah Hawke. In need of cash and her next fix, Cherry focuses on Jack the Ripper's collection. To top it off, Cherry's opium habit, caused by her father's betrayal, has become life threatening...leaving her in a constant drug induced haze or withdraws.
Corroded was a difficult story for me, I couldn't put it down yet was saddened by Cherry's downward spiral. I have to admit that I was thrilled by the hope of change proposed at the end because I don't think I would want to continue Cherry's story if her hopeless take on life continued.
That being said, I still found this story memorizing. So many things were exposed, incredible revelations revealed and absolutely shocking...mind blowing twists!
This entire series has been a fast paced thrill ride, containing non-stop action and heart gripping emotion. Corroded had me white knuckle clutching my kindle till the end and left me wanting more.
I received this ARC copy of Corroded from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication September 23, 2013.
October 7, 2024
*Genre* Steampunk
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
I would first like to say thank you to Angela @ Carina Press for allowing me early access to Corroded which I have been dying to read ever since the ending to Gilded.
If you haven't started reading The St. Croix Chronicles yet, might I ask you why not? Is it because you don't much care for steampunk set in a Victorian age where the heroine is a collector by night and a society maven by day?
Is it because you don't like the romance that grabs you by the heart strings and pulls you along (Hint: Check out chapter 15!)
Is it because you don't like the mysterious, sexy, male main character (Micajah Hawke) who is willing to push the heroines buttons at each and every turn?
Are you NOT interested in a thrill ride filled suspense, mystery, and adventure?
If you answered NO to any of those questions, then you SHOULD start reading this series post haste starting with Tarnished! Personally, I can't wait until the next book is released which, I have been assured by Ms Cooper that there will be another one soon!
With Corroded, we get an even deeper look into the inner workings of the mysterious Karakash Veil that runs the Midnight Menagerie where Hawke is ringmaster and to whom Cherry owes a major debt after saving her life.
We get lots, and lots, may I just say again, LOTS, of Hawke for our entertainment pleasure. We get answers to the mysterious sweet tooth collector/killer question who has befuddled Cherry and drove me crazy not knowing who he/she was. And, might I say, it's a doozy of a revelation? I did not see that coming at all.
We also finally get an appearance by the mysterious Oliver Ashmore who has only been mentioned by Cherry as her caretaker but never shown until now. We also get a new character, who I loved, in Maddy Ruth who is sweet and clueless at the same time. She's also an inventor of a net thrower which comes in handy.
I am impatiently waiting for book # 4 to be released so that I can see in what direction Karina is taking Cherry who definitely needs a vacation away from London after all that has happened to her. I also hope that we get to see more of Ishmael Communion in the future.
Say, how about sending Cherry off to Paris with Maddie Ruth?
08/20/2013 - Title Received from NetGalley
Expected publication: September 23rd 2013 by Carina Press
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
I would first like to say thank you to Angela @ Carina Press for allowing me early access to Corroded which I have been dying to read ever since the ending to Gilded.
If you haven't started reading The St. Croix Chronicles yet, might I ask you why not? Is it because you don't much care for steampunk set in a Victorian age where the heroine is a collector by night and a society maven by day?
Is it because you don't like the romance that grabs you by the heart strings and pulls you along (Hint: Check out chapter 15!)
Is it because you don't like the mysterious, sexy, male main character (Micajah Hawke) who is willing to push the heroines buttons at each and every turn?
Are you NOT interested in a thrill ride filled suspense, mystery, and adventure?
If you answered NO to any of those questions, then you SHOULD start reading this series post haste starting with Tarnished! Personally, I can't wait until the next book is released which, I have been assured by Ms Cooper that there will be another one soon!
With Corroded, we get an even deeper look into the inner workings of the mysterious Karakash Veil that runs the Midnight Menagerie where Hawke is ringmaster and to whom Cherry owes a major debt after saving her life.
We get lots, and lots, may I just say again, LOTS, of Hawke for our entertainment pleasure. We get answers to the mysterious sweet tooth collector/killer question who has befuddled Cherry and drove me crazy not knowing who he/she was. And, might I say, it's a doozy of a revelation? I did not see that coming at all.
We also finally get an appearance by the mysterious Oliver Ashmore who has only been mentioned by Cherry as her caretaker but never shown until now. We also get a new character, who I loved, in Maddy Ruth who is sweet and clueless at the same time. She's also an inventor of a net thrower which comes in handy.
I am impatiently waiting for book # 4 to be released so that I can see in what direction Karina is taking Cherry who definitely needs a vacation away from London after all that has happened to her. I also hope that we get to see more of Ishmael Communion in the future.
Say, how about sending Cherry off to Paris with Maddie Ruth?
08/20/2013 - Title Received from NetGalley
Expected publication: September 23rd 2013 by Carina Press
July 4, 2014
Recommendation : Steampunk, baby! If you like a kick-ass heroine, a badass whip wielding hero (sort of) mixed with criminals to be caught and mysteries to be solved try this series. Make sure to start with book 1, Tarnished. ;)
It's been awhile since I have reviewed a book. And I seem to be a bit rusty. So it's only fitting that Corroded is the book I chose to jump back into the book blogging world with. So here it goes.
Weep for the widowed bride!
My name is Cherry St. Croix and I am a collector. I hunt men for bounties-for coin delivered upon successful conveyance of vagrants, degenerates and those too far in debt to allow to roam free. Were I anywhere else but in a Limehouse opium den buried beneath the choking fog of London low, I would be Lady Compton, grieving widow to the late Cornelius Kerrigan Compton, Earl Compton. . .
Revenge is the name of the game. The man who murdered her husband must pay. And so this book begins with Cherry desperately trying to find the Sweet Tooth, her rival collector and husband slayer(yay, I could not stand Lord Boring Butt) and Jack the Ripper, who has been terrorizing the streets of London.
Where better to place this part of Cherry’s story than in The Menagerie with all its dark temptations and twisted justice.
I had been here, making my way among the staff of these grounds, for near a fortnight, and almost all had come to know me by face. Them what didn’t learned of my free passage-often attached to Hawke’s permission, which still rankled.
Let me tell you, her debts just keep piling up. And it seems like Cherry is losing her touch, her mind, or quite possibly both.
But there is a new player in this game and they have seemed to tip the odds in Cherry’s favor. (I foresee many good things to come of this in future books.)
Of course, Hawke is ever present.
As any good ringmaster must, he would control every detail until the crowd roared with delight, gasped with fear and wonder. . .[I] turned my back on the memory of the dangerously seductive ringmaster with his exquisitely tailored evening clothes and wicked whip.
(Whip, whip, the man wields a whip! This makes the masochist in me giggle like a little girl. Yay!)
Whatever characteristics my disorderly imagination had given Hawke’s stare, it paled beside the truth of it. Sharp as the knives I carried in my corset, wicked as the Devil with a bargain in mind, that gaze pinned on me.
So it began.
The Banter
Denial
After Denial
After Denial
And then Karina Cooper heard my pleas.
And lo and behold Cherry was not to die a virgin nor was I going to have to read the words. . .”I will be gentle, I promise.”(shudders)
Much rejoicing was had because not only was Hawke a whip wielding badass, he was a kinky fucker and thank the gods for that.
It was hot! (So many of my favorite kinks were used I lost count halfway through.)
Cherry begged and not one fuck was given but many were taken. May there be more of this in future books.
So it is written and so it shall be, I hope.
But I cannot give the whole book away.
And so the book comes down to this:
There is justice to be severed. Debts must be repaid. Desires will not be denied. And not all is what it seems.
It's been awhile since I have reviewed a book. And I seem to be a bit rusty. So it's only fitting that Corroded is the book I chose to jump back into the book blogging world with. So here it goes.
Weep for the widowed bride!
My name is Cherry St. Croix and I am a collector. I hunt men for bounties-for coin delivered upon successful conveyance of vagrants, degenerates and those too far in debt to allow to roam free. Were I anywhere else but in a Limehouse opium den buried beneath the choking fog of London low, I would be Lady Compton, grieving widow to the late Cornelius Kerrigan Compton, Earl Compton. . .
Revenge is the name of the game. The man who murdered her husband must pay. And so this book begins with Cherry desperately trying to find the Sweet Tooth, her rival collector and husband slayer(yay, I could not stand Lord Boring Butt) and Jack the Ripper, who has been terrorizing the streets of London.
Where better to place this part of Cherry’s story than in The Menagerie with all its dark temptations and twisted justice.
I had been here, making my way among the staff of these grounds, for near a fortnight, and almost all had come to know me by face. Them what didn’t learned of my free passage-often attached to Hawke’s permission, which still rankled.
Let me tell you, her debts just keep piling up. And it seems like Cherry is losing her touch, her mind, or quite possibly both.
But there is a new player in this game and they have seemed to tip the odds in Cherry’s favor. (I foresee many good things to come of this in future books.)
Of course, Hawke is ever present.
As any good ringmaster must, he would control every detail until the crowd roared with delight, gasped with fear and wonder. . .[I] turned my back on the memory of the dangerously seductive ringmaster with his exquisitely tailored evening clothes and wicked whip.
(Whip, whip, the man wields a whip! This makes the masochist in me giggle like a little girl. Yay!)
Whatever characteristics my disorderly imagination had given Hawke’s stare, it paled beside the truth of it. Sharp as the knives I carried in my corset, wicked as the Devil with a bargain in mind, that gaze pinned on me.
So it began.
The Banter
I whirled on Hawke. “How dare you?” “Go make yourself useful.” He did not address my futile temper. “Do not make me regret this moment.” ” I regret this moment,” I snapped.
Denial
I was not much of an exception; I would not be the rule.
After Denial
Plague. I would claim illness until the moon fell from the sky.
After Denial
“I am no man’s,” I said fiercely. My grip tightened. “I am untouchable.”
And then Karina Cooper heard my pleas.
And lo and behold Cherry was not to die a virgin nor was I going to have to read the words. . .”I will be gentle, I promise.”(shudders)
Much rejoicing was had because not only was Hawke a whip wielding badass, he was a kinky fucker and thank the gods for that.
It was hot! (So many of my favorite kinks were used I lost count halfway through.)
Cherry begged and not one fuck was given but many were taken. May there be more of this in future books.
So it is written and so it shall be, I hope.
But I cannot give the whole book away.
And so the book comes down to this:
There is justice to be severed. Debts must be repaid. Desires will not be denied. And not all is what it seems.
September 26, 2013
I put this book down several times during the first 10% or so.
It felt like it was written by someone else and I just couldn't get into it.
But then??
HOLY SHIT!!
I can't say anything at all without giving everything away, so ...... you just need to read it.
I'm right in the middle of moving and every single spare moment I had, I was reading this.
Even when I was taking a load to the new house.
I can get really bored while I'm driving, and reading tends to help.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to cry and rage, throw a hissy fit and have snot running down my face while I sob openly, and in general just wet myself with what Corroded just put me through.
It felt like it was written by someone else and I just couldn't get into it.
But then??
HOLY SHIT!!
I can't say anything at all without giving everything away, so ...... you just need to read it.
I'm right in the middle of moving and every single spare moment I had, I was reading this.
Even when I was taking a load to the new house.
I can get really bored while I'm driving, and reading tends to help.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to cry and rage, throw a hissy fit and have snot running down my face while I sob openly, and in general just wet myself with what Corroded just put me through.
September 17, 2013
See this review and others like it at BadassBookReviews.com!
After the heartbreaking ending of Gilded, the St. Croix Chronicles' third book, I couldn't wait to find out what happened in Corroded. I was a little wary at the beginning because the story seemed a little slow and it was very, very dark but Karina Cooper didn't disappoint and I think this will be a very interesting direction for the series.
The first half of Corroded focuses on Cherry's descent into a deeper and deeper opium addiction. It also reinforces her feelings of revenge and the need for vengeance she feels due to the events in Gilded. She has only one desire now... kill the rival collector. She is currently staying at the Midnight Menagerie but her status there is wobbly because she still owes them for saving her life. She also isn't sure what is going on between herself and the sexy Micajah Hawke, but she's a little too scared to explore it.
Corroded's second half really picks up speed and has plenty of intrigue and violence. The Menagerie pushes Cherry too far and she loses herself to the desire she feels for Hawke. Her conflict with both Jack the Ripper and her rival collector reaches a climax and I never would have guessed the actual identity of the collector! We also finally meet the mysterious Mr. Oliver Ashmore, Cherry's benefactor and possible knight in shining armor? I've very excited to see how Ms. Cooper weaves him into Cherry's new existence.
I really enjoyed Corroded and thought it was a strong entry in Cherry's story. Though I missed a lot of the characters from the previous books, I loved the new character of Maddy Ruth. She's an inventor extraordinaire and I thought her interactions with Cherry were fantastic. Don't let the darkness of the beginning put you off this book, Ms. Cooper really brings it home in the end. This book really had it all - the evil Midnight Menagerie, the first threads of a revolution, Cherry and Hawke's smokin' chemistry, the brave Ishmael Communion, Cherry hitting rock bottom but finally getting her vengeance, and the final reveal of Ashmore. I can't wait to see what is next for Cherry St. Croix, but I do hope it won't be quite as dark next time. I love Cherry and I think her struggles just amplify her character, but I would like to see the girl have a bit more happiness in her life. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gritty steampunk world with nuanced characters painted in shades of gray.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing an ARC copy of this book!
After the heartbreaking ending of Gilded, the St. Croix Chronicles' third book, I couldn't wait to find out what happened in Corroded. I was a little wary at the beginning because the story seemed a little slow and it was very, very dark but Karina Cooper didn't disappoint and I think this will be a very interesting direction for the series.
The first half of Corroded focuses on Cherry's descent into a deeper and deeper opium addiction. It also reinforces her feelings of revenge and the need for vengeance she feels due to the events in Gilded. She has only one desire now... kill the rival collector. She is currently staying at the Midnight Menagerie but her status there is wobbly because she still owes them for saving her life. She also isn't sure what is going on between herself and the sexy Micajah Hawke, but she's a little too scared to explore it.
Corroded's second half really picks up speed and has plenty of intrigue and violence. The Menagerie pushes Cherry too far and she loses herself to the desire she feels for Hawke. Her conflict with both Jack the Ripper and her rival collector reaches a climax and I never would have guessed the actual identity of the collector! We also finally meet the mysterious Mr. Oliver Ashmore, Cherry's benefactor and possible knight in shining armor? I've very excited to see how Ms. Cooper weaves him into Cherry's new existence.
I really enjoyed Corroded and thought it was a strong entry in Cherry's story. Though I missed a lot of the characters from the previous books, I loved the new character of Maddy Ruth. She's an inventor extraordinaire and I thought her interactions with Cherry were fantastic. Don't let the darkness of the beginning put you off this book, Ms. Cooper really brings it home in the end. This book really had it all - the evil Midnight Menagerie, the first threads of a revolution, Cherry and Hawke's smokin' chemistry, the brave Ishmael Communion, Cherry hitting rock bottom but finally getting her vengeance, and the final reveal of Ashmore. I can't wait to see what is next for Cherry St. Croix, but I do hope it won't be quite as dark next time. I love Cherry and I think her struggles just amplify her character, but I would like to see the girl have a bit more happiness in her life. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gritty steampunk world with nuanced characters painted in shades of gray.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing an ARC copy of this book!
September 13, 2013
I always enjoy this gritty, down to earth, fantastic steampunk series, but I admit that book #3 was a bit hard on me.
First half of it is very dark as Cherry succumbs to her opium addiction more and more while unsuccessfully trying to find The Ripper and The Collector, both of whom are detrimental to her mental and material pay off to The Menagerie.
Everything is slow, depressive and kind of stuck until we hit the second half of the book which speeds up and becomes an explosive, shocking and edgy revelation in the end. Whew, me dears, the ending is fabulous!
I can't not mention Micajah Hawke who is shining very brightly in Corroded. Yum, just yum, peeps. He was definitely worth the wait, and I really hope we'll see more and more of him and his magnetic, compelling persona in the future.
Yet again I feel like I desperately need to know what happens next and can't wait t read book #4 in this marvellous series.
One thing is for sure, - this has been the darkest and the most depressing instalment of The St. Croix Chronicles for me personally, and I dearly hope that the reader wouldn't have to go through all this again. It's hard to read about drug dependency, because I went through that sh*t with people close to me, and I know exactly how horrible it can be and how badly it can end.
At the same time I admire imperfect heroines who have to battle their own very real demons while simultaneously taking on the world. Cherry St. Croix is just that type of a heroine with a flawless integrity, and she simply rocks. Recommended to the fans of Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane.
First half of it is very dark as Cherry succumbs to her opium addiction more and more while unsuccessfully trying to find The Ripper and The Collector, both of whom are detrimental to her mental and material pay off to The Menagerie.
Everything is slow, depressive and kind of stuck until we hit the second half of the book which speeds up and becomes an explosive, shocking and edgy revelation in the end. Whew, me dears, the ending is fabulous!
I can't not mention Micajah Hawke who is shining very brightly in Corroded. Yum, just yum, peeps. He was definitely worth the wait, and I really hope we'll see more and more of him and his magnetic, compelling persona in the future.
Yet again I feel like I desperately need to know what happens next and can't wait t read book #4 in this marvellous series.
One thing is for sure, - this has been the darkest and the most depressing instalment of The St. Croix Chronicles for me personally, and I dearly hope that the reader wouldn't have to go through all this again. It's hard to read about drug dependency, because I went through that sh*t with people close to me, and I know exactly how horrible it can be and how badly it can end.
At the same time I admire imperfect heroines who have to battle their own very real demons while simultaneously taking on the world. Cherry St. Croix is just that type of a heroine with a flawless integrity, and she simply rocks. Recommended to the fans of Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane.
January 13, 2016
Karina has this way of making you want more and needing to know what happens next in Cherry's life...all I can say is - on to the next!! Great series!
December 31, 2017
Desperate attempt to try to incorporate ALL the things into the series.
August 8, 2018
Every book gets better
Although this genre is not my usual taste, I’ve enjoyed every book! I highly recommend this series to anyone that enjoys mystery and even romance
Although this genre is not my usual taste, I’ve enjoyed every book! I highly recommend this series to anyone that enjoys mystery and even romance
August 13, 2018
I cannot praise this book enough for how much these plot twists take me by surprise.
September 13, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Cherry is eager for vengeance on the sweet tooth killer. The only problem is she doesn’t know how to find him. So, she issues a challenge he won’t be able to resist: the first of them to find Jack the Ripper wins. Now she just has to figure out how to find Jack…
Opening Sentence: A fortnight after my husband was murdered, I exhibited a severe allergy to sobriety.
The Review:
I’ve spent the last week speed reading my way through the first three books in this series. That more than anything should show how I feel about this series. Before starting this third book, I was very interested in finding out where the series was going to go after the way the second book ended. Thankfully, I was not disappointed.
Cherry St. Croix’s life has fallen apart. After the events of the second book, she finds herself living in the Menagerie because she feels there is nothing else left for her in London above the fog. Relegated to London below, she tries to continue collecting in order to both repay her debt to the Veil and to support her ever increasing opium habit. She’s haunted by the memory of her last encounter with the sweet tooth killer and will not rest until she finds him and gets her revenge. Trying to lure him out, Cherry issues a challenge on the collector’s board, letting the sweet tooth know she is going after Jack the Ripper. Will her challenge succeed? Will she be able to clear her mind of its opium-induced haze long enough to take her revenge?
Cherry is in a very rough spot in this book, easily hitting rock bottom. The reader can see Cherry fraying apart at the seams. She’s constantly taking opium, eating it now rather than smoking it, something she swore she would never do. It’s beginning to affect her judgment, making her feel invincible in situations where she really needs to take a moment and think rather than act impulsively. She knows she’s gone over the line with her opium use, but she just can’t bring herself to stop. While I continue to like Cherry, all of these factors led to me feeling extremely frustrated with her. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She’s separated herself from everyone she loves in an attempt to keep them safe, and this lack of her loved ones only makes her downward spiral accelerate. She’s definitely a sympathetic character, but not one who is easily likeable.
On the subject of likeability, I’m still not sure how I feel about Hawke. We see a lot of him here but don’t really learn anything more about him than what we already know. More mysteries are added to his character, and I’m definitely itching to know the answers, but I’m just not sure if I want him and Cherry to be together. Hopefully future books will help me figure out my feelings one way or the other.
The only negative thing I can really say about the book is it does take a while to get going. It just seemed like nothing was happening for the first third of the book, making it hard to get through. Once I got through that point though, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Aside from the slow start, this was another very good installment in the St. Croix Chronicles. While I think people who haven’t read the first two books could still enjoy this third installment, it’s definitely better to read the earlier books first in order to get a good idea of Cherry’s state of mind. Fans of this series are definitely in for a roller coaster ride, and the ending will leave them anxious to get their hands on book four.
Notable Scene:
I breathed as if I had run for hours, gasping for air as I rocked once more. My backside ached from the wear, but everything I was had become a terrible knot of panic and fear and pain and illness.
I wanted to laugh, but could not understand why.
“One miller, two millers,” I whispered. “Three millers, four.” The term was Ishmael’s, interchangeable with hang-in-chains for the name of a murderer.
“How many millers to open a door?”
Two that I knew of, each demanding justice. Revenge. Rivals with each other, rivals with me.
The dead haunted my every waking breath. Feminine laughter, a woman’s screams. the wide, shocked eyes of an earl’s dying stare–foggy green, and never again to fill with warmth when he looked at me, or delight when I surprised him.
I saw in red and breathed the metallic reek of fresh spilled blood. Mine, perhaps, from the wound I would not leave alone between my teeth.
The earl’s, perhaps, from the wound I would not leave alone in my heart.
FTC Advisory: Carina Press provided me with a copy of Corroded. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Cherry is eager for vengeance on the sweet tooth killer. The only problem is she doesn’t know how to find him. So, she issues a challenge he won’t be able to resist: the first of them to find Jack the Ripper wins. Now she just has to figure out how to find Jack…
Opening Sentence: A fortnight after my husband was murdered, I exhibited a severe allergy to sobriety.
The Review:
I’ve spent the last week speed reading my way through the first three books in this series. That more than anything should show how I feel about this series. Before starting this third book, I was very interested in finding out where the series was going to go after the way the second book ended. Thankfully, I was not disappointed.
Cherry St. Croix’s life has fallen apart. After the events of the second book, she finds herself living in the Menagerie because she feels there is nothing else left for her in London above the fog. Relegated to London below, she tries to continue collecting in order to both repay her debt to the Veil and to support her ever increasing opium habit. She’s haunted by the memory of her last encounter with the sweet tooth killer and will not rest until she finds him and gets her revenge. Trying to lure him out, Cherry issues a challenge on the collector’s board, letting the sweet tooth know she is going after Jack the Ripper. Will her challenge succeed? Will she be able to clear her mind of its opium-induced haze long enough to take her revenge?
Cherry is in a very rough spot in this book, easily hitting rock bottom. The reader can see Cherry fraying apart at the seams. She’s constantly taking opium, eating it now rather than smoking it, something she swore she would never do. It’s beginning to affect her judgment, making her feel invincible in situations where she really needs to take a moment and think rather than act impulsively. She knows she’s gone over the line with her opium use, but she just can’t bring herself to stop. While I continue to like Cherry, all of these factors led to me feeling extremely frustrated with her. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She’s separated herself from everyone she loves in an attempt to keep them safe, and this lack of her loved ones only makes her downward spiral accelerate. She’s definitely a sympathetic character, but not one who is easily likeable.
On the subject of likeability, I’m still not sure how I feel about Hawke. We see a lot of him here but don’t really learn anything more about him than what we already know. More mysteries are added to his character, and I’m definitely itching to know the answers, but I’m just not sure if I want him and Cherry to be together. Hopefully future books will help me figure out my feelings one way or the other.
The only negative thing I can really say about the book is it does take a while to get going. It just seemed like nothing was happening for the first third of the book, making it hard to get through. Once I got through that point though, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Aside from the slow start, this was another very good installment in the St. Croix Chronicles. While I think people who haven’t read the first two books could still enjoy this third installment, it’s definitely better to read the earlier books first in order to get a good idea of Cherry’s state of mind. Fans of this series are definitely in for a roller coaster ride, and the ending will leave them anxious to get their hands on book four.
Notable Scene:
I breathed as if I had run for hours, gasping for air as I rocked once more. My backside ached from the wear, but everything I was had become a terrible knot of panic and fear and pain and illness.
I wanted to laugh, but could not understand why.
“One miller, two millers,” I whispered. “Three millers, four.” The term was Ishmael’s, interchangeable with hang-in-chains for the name of a murderer.
“How many millers to open a door?”
Two that I knew of, each demanding justice. Revenge. Rivals with each other, rivals with me.
The dead haunted my every waking breath. Feminine laughter, a woman’s screams. the wide, shocked eyes of an earl’s dying stare–foggy green, and never again to fill with warmth when he looked at me, or delight when I surprised him.
I saw in red and breathed the metallic reek of fresh spilled blood. Mine, perhaps, from the wound I would not leave alone between my teeth.
The earl’s, perhaps, from the wound I would not leave alone in my heart.
FTC Advisory: Carina Press provided me with a copy of Corroded. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
March 18, 2017
Story takes an even darker turn, and the ending might (or might not) surprise you.
September 29, 2013
After the murder of her husband by her rival collector, Cherry is removed from her house and her staff taken away. She has no-where else to go, so she goes below. Living in the Menagerie and working as their pet collector, Cherry spirals deep into darkness. Taking more Opium than usual, and fueled by revenge, she hunts the murderous collector who taunts her. As her debt to the menagerie grows with every failure she makes, Cherry decides to draw out her rival. By openly hunting Jack The Ripper. As the stakes climb higher, with the people she loves getting hurt, it's a race against one killer to find another. But when she finally comes face to face with the man who killed her husband...the truth will scar her forever.
"I had failed in every respect. Whatever this man was, monster or madman, he styled himself my rival, and I found myself lacking. If I were stronger, smarter perhaps."
The book is as fast paced as the other two in the series, and as well written. We see Cherry spiral in to darkness, fueled by opium and revenge. Her one goal and focus is the rival collector who killed Compton, and her thoughts are consumed by him, by collecting him and delivering menagerie justice. Cherry becomes even more of an imperfect hero as she relies on opium more and more, that drives her mad at times. There are a few sequences in the book where you feel like you're watching her go mad. She pushes everyone away and resorts to opium to numb her feelings and block her thoughts.
The book is full of action, with the web of intrigue going deeper and deeper. We have Cherry hunting Jack The Ripper, a unique element based with accurate historical fact, except for the liberties taken at the end to make the story. We also see the chemistry between Cherry and Cage finally come to fruition and crackle across the page! That's right...we finally get Cherry and Hawke having a little love scene! Although it does appear that Cage is going to be a Jekyll and Hyde type character from what I can work out from the end of the book.
We finally get to meet her elusive Guardian Ashmore and the book ends with redemption and change, which will be interesting if there's another book. We also get to meet a few new characters as well as seeing a new one in the form of Maddie Ruth, a girl determined to become a collector like Cherry but who Cherry tries to protect from the life.
"I could not stomach watching another good man or woman die"
Cherry becomes increasingly more isolated in the book as everyone who's near her gets hurt, we also learn that Hawke, the good half of him, is punished for helping her. We see more of Communion, as she runs with the Bakers at one point.
The book is incredibly emotional, Cherry's feelings of emotional pain, the true identity of her Rival collector broke my heart, and what seemed at the time, Hawke's betrayal, but was really his bad side or other half or whatever is going on with him, not to mention what happens to one of the sweets. We also get a revolution in the Midnight Menagerie which appears to have been brewing for some time, which will add an interesting element to the next book to see how it plays out.
One thing did irritate me slightly. Cherry is raised as an aristocrat, so she talks like one, and talks with the correct grammar. Yet a few times throughout the narrative, Cherry would say things like "them what stood in her way" and would talk like the lower classes. I could understand that usually because she's below the drift alot, but it irritated me because it was the same few words "them what" thrown in randomly among the narrative.
The ending of the book, while unpredictable and shocking, also left me feeling a bit bereft. "That's it?!" being the one thought running through my head. I was hoping for so much more, I was hoping for Cherry to get some happiness at the end, but it seems we shall have to wait until the next book, which has been set up amazingly.
Corroded fluidly and seamlessly carries on from the first two books, jumps straight into the action, and keeps on going. It's fast paced, well written, gritty and full of thrills, heartbreak, chemistry, a small bit of Romance if you'd call it that, and shocking revelations. Fans of the series will not be disappointed!
"I had failed in every respect. Whatever this man was, monster or madman, he styled himself my rival, and I found myself lacking. If I were stronger, smarter perhaps."
The book is as fast paced as the other two in the series, and as well written. We see Cherry spiral in to darkness, fueled by opium and revenge. Her one goal and focus is the rival collector who killed Compton, and her thoughts are consumed by him, by collecting him and delivering menagerie justice. Cherry becomes even more of an imperfect hero as she relies on opium more and more, that drives her mad at times. There are a few sequences in the book where you feel like you're watching her go mad. She pushes everyone away and resorts to opium to numb her feelings and block her thoughts.
The book is full of action, with the web of intrigue going deeper and deeper. We have Cherry hunting Jack The Ripper, a unique element based with accurate historical fact, except for the liberties taken at the end to make the story. We also see the chemistry between Cherry and Cage finally come to fruition and crackle across the page! That's right...we finally get Cherry and Hawke having a little love scene! Although it does appear that Cage is going to be a Jekyll and Hyde type character from what I can work out from the end of the book.
We finally get to meet her elusive Guardian Ashmore and the book ends with redemption and change, which will be interesting if there's another book. We also get to meet a few new characters as well as seeing a new one in the form of Maddie Ruth, a girl determined to become a collector like Cherry but who Cherry tries to protect from the life.
"I could not stomach watching another good man or woman die"
Cherry becomes increasingly more isolated in the book as everyone who's near her gets hurt, we also learn that Hawke, the good half of him, is punished for helping her. We see more of Communion, as she runs with the Bakers at one point.
The book is incredibly emotional, Cherry's feelings of emotional pain, the true identity of her Rival collector broke my heart, and what seemed at the time, Hawke's betrayal, but was really his bad side or other half or whatever is going on with him, not to mention what happens to one of the sweets. We also get a revolution in the Midnight Menagerie which appears to have been brewing for some time, which will add an interesting element to the next book to see how it plays out.
One thing did irritate me slightly. Cherry is raised as an aristocrat, so she talks like one, and talks with the correct grammar. Yet a few times throughout the narrative, Cherry would say things like "them what stood in her way" and would talk like the lower classes. I could understand that usually because she's below the drift alot, but it irritated me because it was the same few words "them what" thrown in randomly among the narrative.
The ending of the book, while unpredictable and shocking, also left me feeling a bit bereft. "That's it?!" being the one thought running through my head. I was hoping for so much more, I was hoping for Cherry to get some happiness at the end, but it seems we shall have to wait until the next book, which has been set up amazingly.
Corroded fluidly and seamlessly carries on from the first two books, jumps straight into the action, and keeps on going. It's fast paced, well written, gritty and full of thrills, heartbreak, chemistry, a small bit of Romance if you'd call it that, and shocking revelations. Fans of the series will not be disappointed!
October 13, 2013
Originally published at Reading Reality
Corrosion; it’s not just a way to think about the type of cage that Cherry St. Croix finds herself trapped in, it’s a metaphor for Cherry herself. In the full-length third memoir (after Tarnished and Gilded) of Cherry’s adventures, she has tripped over the line from being an opium user to an addict.
Going from bride to widow in the space of five hours will do that to a person, if one is inclined that way. Particularly if one feels that one is the cause of one’s own widowhood.
It takes Cherry a goodly chunk of the story to figure out that she has been herded into the extremely low point that she finds herself in, and for her to finally start to take some charge of her actions.
Of course, by then her opium addiction has taken way too much charge of her, there are too many times when she isn’t sure whether what she sees and remembers is dream, nightmare, vision or truth.
Cherry has become the most unreliable of narrators to her own life story, and all the more fascinating for it. She has fallen, and she has fallen far, but there is still such a spark left in her that you continue to want her to burn her way her back out of the depths to which she has sunk.
Now that she has hit bottom, she recognizes that the life she formerly despised was, in fact, a terrific life. She wishes she could turn back the clock, but knows that she can’t. She wants to bury her pain, but finally understands that oblivion will not bring either peace or revenge. All it has done is hurt anyone who provides her with even a night’s shelter.
But the answers we discover at the end, and the new questions that arise, are simply staggering.
Escape Rating B+: Reading Cherry St. Croix’s story requires a love of very dark steampunk and a willingness to hang on for an extremely rough and heart-rending ride with a broken heroine who has chosen not to save herself.
The description makes Cherry sound self-indulgent, and there is that in her, but that’s not nearly the whole picture. She’s always been broken, and she’s held herself together as best she could. She’s never allowed herself to be vulnerable or reveal her inner self to anyone, and a life of constant vigilance and pretense has almost completely done her in. Still she perseveres, sometimes in spite of herself.
The secondary characters are amazing, not just Micajah Hawke, who may be the love interest, or the magician, or may become the next villain. The mutability of where people fit into the story is one of the strengths of the series. But Ishmael Communion, who is both gang leader and Cherry’s stalwart friend, continues to reveal hidden depths. New character Maddie Rose is a delightful addition.
We end the story with some answers, and many more questions. The situation is mostly worse, but possibly with a light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. (One character I did wonder about is back, but we still don’t know if he’s an angel or a demon, or both.)
There are no purely good people left in Cherry’s world. Everyone is shaded grey, the question is how much grey, and how close to completely black?
If Cherry cannot master her addiction, she is going to kill herself with it, and in short order. That may be the first part of the next book, presuming there is a next book. I fervently hope there is a next book.
Corrosion; it’s not just a way to think about the type of cage that Cherry St. Croix finds herself trapped in, it’s a metaphor for Cherry herself. In the full-length third memoir (after Tarnished and Gilded) of Cherry’s adventures, she has tripped over the line from being an opium user to an addict.
Going from bride to widow in the space of five hours will do that to a person, if one is inclined that way. Particularly if one feels that one is the cause of one’s own widowhood.
It takes Cherry a goodly chunk of the story to figure out that she has been herded into the extremely low point that she finds herself in, and for her to finally start to take some charge of her actions.
Of course, by then her opium addiction has taken way too much charge of her, there are too many times when she isn’t sure whether what she sees and remembers is dream, nightmare, vision or truth.
Cherry has become the most unreliable of narrators to her own life story, and all the more fascinating for it. She has fallen, and she has fallen far, but there is still such a spark left in her that you continue to want her to burn her way her back out of the depths to which she has sunk.
Now that she has hit bottom, she recognizes that the life she formerly despised was, in fact, a terrific life. She wishes she could turn back the clock, but knows that she can’t. She wants to bury her pain, but finally understands that oblivion will not bring either peace or revenge. All it has done is hurt anyone who provides her with even a night’s shelter.
But the answers we discover at the end, and the new questions that arise, are simply staggering.
Escape Rating B+: Reading Cherry St. Croix’s story requires a love of very dark steampunk and a willingness to hang on for an extremely rough and heart-rending ride with a broken heroine who has chosen not to save herself.
The description makes Cherry sound self-indulgent, and there is that in her, but that’s not nearly the whole picture. She’s always been broken, and she’s held herself together as best she could. She’s never allowed herself to be vulnerable or reveal her inner self to anyone, and a life of constant vigilance and pretense has almost completely done her in. Still she perseveres, sometimes in spite of herself.
The secondary characters are amazing, not just Micajah Hawke, who may be the love interest, or the magician, or may become the next villain. The mutability of where people fit into the story is one of the strengths of the series. But Ishmael Communion, who is both gang leader and Cherry’s stalwart friend, continues to reveal hidden depths. New character Maddie Rose is a delightful addition.
We end the story with some answers, and many more questions. The situation is mostly worse, but possibly with a light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. (One character I did wonder about is back, but we still don’t know if he’s an angel or a demon, or both.)
There are no purely good people left in Cherry’s world. Everyone is shaded grey, the question is how much grey, and how close to completely black?
If Cherry cannot master her addiction, she is going to kill herself with it, and in short order. That may be the first part of the next book, presuming there is a next book. I fervently hope there is a next book.
October 24, 2013
The third in the Cherry St Croix series adds a new dimension to dark and foreboding. Cherry continues her search for both Jack the Ripper and the 'sweet tooth' who murdered her husband on their wedding day. She barely escaped being locked away by her vindictive mother-in-law who has always thought Cherry was not good enough to marry her son. Determined to find justice for her husband, her friends and the murdered sweets Cherry continues her search in the underbelly of London. Luck is definitely not on her side as time has run out and The Veil wants the concoction that her father had poisoned her with in book 1. Cherry neither has the serum or the desire to give it to them but her hand might be forced as no one betrays The Veil and goes unpunished. The future looks as bleak as the landscape for the reluctant heroine.
Cherry's addiction to opium completely takes over her life and becomes more than just a crutch. The focus of her every step is dependent on when or how much resin she has to consume. Through her dependency we get an insight into her life before she was rescued as a young girl. Her time in the circus was truly horrific and it is plain to see how she came to be addicted to laudanum in order to escape the nightmare of those years. Despite this Cherry still manages to stay true to herself and to her mission despite the fact that most of it is seen through the fugue of a heroin high.
The enigmatic Micajah Hawke is ever present in Cherry's life as she uses the Menagerie as her base. Rather than learning more about Hawke I was left with ever more questions although there was plenty of development of his character during their interactions. Very few of the other characters from Cherry's life are present in this installment but this makes complete sense as she is hiding away from them in order to find the sweet tooth. Her sense of loneliness is palatable as is the sense of loss and regret for the life she never really fit into. She doesn't have too much time to feel sorry for herself as her personal mission to find a killer keeps her more than busy.
I found this review very difficult to write. Not that I didn't enjoy the book because I did. Cherry's life is so bleak and has been since book 1. It keeps getting darker and darker without much of a reprieve in sight. I was quite maudlin at the end of book two when Lord Compton died. I didn't think it could get more depressing but it seems to. Cooper is a master at creating pathos and has developed an environment that lends itself to conveying this feeling.
Cooper resolves the sweet tooth plotline in such a perfect and subtle manner. After so much focus on this plot throughout the series the resolution just seems to pop in, almost to fuel the action in later scenes. Cooper creates a mystery within a mystery in Corroded and leaves the reader with a magnificent cliff hanger. She certainly does know how to tease as I thought the ending of book 2 was cruel enough to my already frayed nerves but Cooper does it again. I am more than eagerly awaiting book 4 but I beg of Cooper...please, please, please have something nice happen to Cherry! Maybe she finds a penny on the street or she gets a hug from a stranger or she gets to play with some kittens or puppies. Its almost getting too dark and I need a tiny little light at the end of the Cherry St. Croix tunnel.
Or read it and some other great posts here
http://qwillery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/1...
Cherry's addiction to opium completely takes over her life and becomes more than just a crutch. The focus of her every step is dependent on when or how much resin she has to consume. Through her dependency we get an insight into her life before she was rescued as a young girl. Her time in the circus was truly horrific and it is plain to see how she came to be addicted to laudanum in order to escape the nightmare of those years. Despite this Cherry still manages to stay true to herself and to her mission despite the fact that most of it is seen through the fugue of a heroin high.
The enigmatic Micajah Hawke is ever present in Cherry's life as she uses the Menagerie as her base. Rather than learning more about Hawke I was left with ever more questions although there was plenty of development of his character during their interactions. Very few of the other characters from Cherry's life are present in this installment but this makes complete sense as she is hiding away from them in order to find the sweet tooth. Her sense of loneliness is palatable as is the sense of loss and regret for the life she never really fit into. She doesn't have too much time to feel sorry for herself as her personal mission to find a killer keeps her more than busy.
I found this review very difficult to write. Not that I didn't enjoy the book because I did. Cherry's life is so bleak and has been since book 1. It keeps getting darker and darker without much of a reprieve in sight. I was quite maudlin at the end of book two when Lord Compton died. I didn't think it could get more depressing but it seems to. Cooper is a master at creating pathos and has developed an environment that lends itself to conveying this feeling.
Cooper resolves the sweet tooth plotline in such a perfect and subtle manner. After so much focus on this plot throughout the series the resolution just seems to pop in, almost to fuel the action in later scenes. Cooper creates a mystery within a mystery in Corroded and leaves the reader with a magnificent cliff hanger. She certainly does know how to tease as I thought the ending of book 2 was cruel enough to my already frayed nerves but Cooper does it again. I am more than eagerly awaiting book 4 but I beg of Cooper...please, please, please have something nice happen to Cherry! Maybe she finds a penny on the street or she gets a hug from a stranger or she gets to play with some kittens or puppies. Its almost getting too dark and I need a tiny little light at the end of the Cherry St. Croix tunnel.
Or read it and some other great posts here
http://qwillery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/1...
September 16, 2013
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
--Actual Rating 4.5 Skulls
Corroded was another amazing read by Karina Cooper! She's evolving so much with her St. Croix Chronicles, and you can really feel how enmeshed she's becoming in Cherry and the world when she's writing. Her narrative is so fluid and gripping, yet incredibly legitimate to the time period and sub-genre, even in regards to the divide of hierarchical social dialects. I found it absolutely fascinating.
As I stated at the end of my Gilded review, the series was on a continuously accelerating darkness slide - which I personally, absolutely loved - and after the tragic conclusion of book #2, Corroded was steeped in that darkness. Cherry falls back on old habits to numb her pain and help her on her quest for revenge, and more and more she heaps on the guilt for everything that has happened in the series thus far and finds new ways to punish herself. It was heartbreaking to read, especially after having learned to love Cherry like I have over the course of the series. You just want to give her a huge hug and then slap some sense into her immediately afterward. This heaviness also weighs the very beginning of the book down a bit, making it somewhat of a slower read than the previous books or the last 1/2 of Corroded, but I personally felt it necessary, and very apropos, given the heaviness weighing on and slowing down our leading lady.
Those of us on team Hawke get a startling amount of page time for Micajah in this installment, and it's oh - so - very - good! I can't say any more without giving anything away, but we all know how scary and sexy he can be... well the previous books had nothing on the Cage that we see in Corroded! :)
And as always, Karina gives us yet another incredible Victorian Horror Classic reference/feel (or at least I thought so), and the surprise unveiling of an antagonist that I don't think anybody will see coming. It was head shakingly gasp worthy.
Corroded's ending opened up a lot of doors for this series (or a possible spin-off)as well, and that has this loyal fan and reader incredibly excited.
Another beautifully written and intense St. Croix Chronicle installment that I would readily recommend. I can't wait for more!
*eARC Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
--Actual Rating 4.5 Skulls
Corroded was another amazing read by Karina Cooper! She's evolving so much with her St. Croix Chronicles, and you can really feel how enmeshed she's becoming in Cherry and the world when she's writing. Her narrative is so fluid and gripping, yet incredibly legitimate to the time period and sub-genre, even in regards to the divide of hierarchical social dialects. I found it absolutely fascinating.
As I stated at the end of my Gilded review, the series was on a continuously accelerating darkness slide - which I personally, absolutely loved - and after the tragic conclusion of book #2, Corroded was steeped in that darkness. Cherry falls back on old habits to numb her pain and help her on her quest for revenge, and more and more she heaps on the guilt for everything that has happened in the series thus far and finds new ways to punish herself. It was heartbreaking to read, especially after having learned to love Cherry like I have over the course of the series. You just want to give her a huge hug and then slap some sense into her immediately afterward. This heaviness also weighs the very beginning of the book down a bit, making it somewhat of a slower read than the previous books or the last 1/2 of Corroded, but I personally felt it necessary, and very apropos, given the heaviness weighing on and slowing down our leading lady.
Those of us on team Hawke get a startling amount of page time for Micajah in this installment, and it's oh - so - very - good! I can't say any more without giving anything away, but we all know how scary and sexy he can be... well the previous books had nothing on the Cage that we see in Corroded! :)
And as always, Karina gives us yet another incredible Victorian Horror Classic reference/feel (or at least I thought so), and the surprise unveiling of an antagonist that I don't think anybody will see coming. It was head shakingly gasp worthy.
Corroded's ending opened up a lot of doors for this series (or a possible spin-off)as well, and that has this loyal fan and reader incredibly excited.
Another beautifully written and intense St. Croix Chronicle installment that I would readily recommend. I can't wait for more!
October 3, 2013
Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
CORRODED continues to move a beautifully written story forward with amazing revelations and new challenges for Cherry St. Croix. Like the previous two books in the The St. Croix Chronicles. CORRODED feels like a dark nightmare with danger lurking around every corner. I enjoyed the progressive darkening of the story as it ramps up the tension and conflict for Cherry. Unfortunately the first part of the story moves too slowly for my taste and at times I felt like I was forcing myself get to the next plot point or chapter. Luckily the story speeds up and gets really exciting and action packed towards the last part of CORRODED which made the slogging first half worth it.
One of the unique ideas in the The St. Croix Chronicles is the fact that our heroine, Cherry is addicted to opium. In CORRODED we get to see her yo yo between withdrawals and drug induced hazes as she seeks revenge on ‘Jack the Ripper’. Her downward spiral into opium and other dangers helps shows that Cherry is very flawed which is how I tend to like my protagonists because it makes their struggles from rock bottom to a ‘happy ending of sorts’ all the more satisfying. While I like Cherry as a main character I wasn’t to thrilled by her relationship with Hawke, the ringmaster of the Menagerie.
Cherry’s relationship with Hawke continues to be very baffling. I just don’t know what I am supposed to think about him. He comes to Cherry’s rescue plenty of times and I enjoyed seeing more of him as that meant the possibility of figuring him out. But I still don’t get his purpose in the story aside from a sort of love interest and a way to get Cherry out of a bind. I assume his identity and background is supposed to be shrouded in mystery but he really doesn’t say or do much to really make him a full character.
CORRODED is an excellent dark steampunk story with a lot wonderful horror elements and a very troubled heroine who I gladly continue to root for as this dark, twisted story continues. I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes in the next The St. Croix Chronicles book which as of now has no release date.
CORRODED continues to move a beautifully written story forward with amazing revelations and new challenges for Cherry St. Croix. Like the previous two books in the The St. Croix Chronicles. CORRODED feels like a dark nightmare with danger lurking around every corner. I enjoyed the progressive darkening of the story as it ramps up the tension and conflict for Cherry. Unfortunately the first part of the story moves too slowly for my taste and at times I felt like I was forcing myself get to the next plot point or chapter. Luckily the story speeds up and gets really exciting and action packed towards the last part of CORRODED which made the slogging first half worth it.
One of the unique ideas in the The St. Croix Chronicles is the fact that our heroine, Cherry is addicted to opium. In CORRODED we get to see her yo yo between withdrawals and drug induced hazes as she seeks revenge on ‘Jack the Ripper’. Her downward spiral into opium and other dangers helps shows that Cherry is very flawed which is how I tend to like my protagonists because it makes their struggles from rock bottom to a ‘happy ending of sorts’ all the more satisfying. While I like Cherry as a main character I wasn’t to thrilled by her relationship with Hawke, the ringmaster of the Menagerie.
Cherry’s relationship with Hawke continues to be very baffling. I just don’t know what I am supposed to think about him. He comes to Cherry’s rescue plenty of times and I enjoyed seeing more of him as that meant the possibility of figuring him out. But I still don’t get his purpose in the story aside from a sort of love interest and a way to get Cherry out of a bind. I assume his identity and background is supposed to be shrouded in mystery but he really doesn’t say or do much to really make him a full character.
CORRODED is an excellent dark steampunk story with a lot wonderful horror elements and a very troubled heroine who I gladly continue to root for as this dark, twisted story continues. I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes in the next The St. Croix Chronicles book which as of now has no release date.
September 26, 2013
I finished Corroded and found the beginning of the book a bit tough to work through. I'm not put off by dark, depressed or drug use. I simply found the first third of Corroded to be very dense. We witness Cherry's internal regurgitation. There was very little to no contact with other characters. Maybe it was an artistic choice. Depressed, lonely, drugged up her head had to keep churning and churning...kind of like the first 30-40%. Seriously. I was like "I am sober, I remember, I get it, let's move this along" "Could somebody please talk with Cherry?" "Smack her on the noggin...something?"
It is difficult to talk or think about Cherry in my circles without talking about Chessie from the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane. I think that Stacia does a consistently fabulous job of keeping readers engaged with Chessie while painfully aware that she is compromised and using. Stacia Kane doesn't have Chessie over-dwell on her own musings. I LOVE how Stacia Kane reviews very little from prior books. Commit and keep up if you want to play with Chess and Terrible. yippee. Unfortunately, I felt the first part of Corroded drag and I struggled to stay with it.
The St. Croix Chronicles is it's own story and one I very much enjoy. It is dark, grim and gritty and there is no comic relief. Kind of like being below water without being able to pop up for fresh air (as I see Chessie-bomb doing) rather you need Cherry's respirator to breath because there is no coming up.
Moving forward, the final few chapters are fabulous and I can envision the action in a Matrix like fight sequence. The story made amazing progress and murderers are revealed. Folks have really promoted the steaminess of this book. I found it was somewhat steamy but still somewhat confusing and a bit hazy. There are new complications and one cannot wonder if more would be apparent if Cherry wasn't constantly compromised either on the way up or down off her opium. We are promised a whole new level of tough times ahead.
Over all, pretty darn good if you get beyond the first third.
It is difficult to talk or think about Cherry in my circles without talking about Chessie from the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane. I think that Stacia does a consistently fabulous job of keeping readers engaged with Chessie while painfully aware that she is compromised and using. Stacia Kane doesn't have Chessie over-dwell on her own musings. I LOVE how Stacia Kane reviews very little from prior books. Commit and keep up if you want to play with Chess and Terrible. yippee. Unfortunately, I felt the first part of Corroded drag and I struggled to stay with it.
The St. Croix Chronicles is it's own story and one I very much enjoy. It is dark, grim and gritty and there is no comic relief. Kind of like being below water without being able to pop up for fresh air (as I see Chessie-bomb doing) rather you need Cherry's respirator to breath because there is no coming up.
Moving forward, the final few chapters are fabulous and I can envision the action in a Matrix like fight sequence. The story made amazing progress and murderers are revealed. Folks have really promoted the steaminess of this book. I found it was somewhat steamy but still somewhat confusing and a bit hazy. There are new complications and one cannot wonder if more would be apparent if Cherry wasn't constantly compromised either on the way up or down off her opium. We are promised a whole new level of tough times ahead.
Over all, pretty darn good if you get beyond the first third.
January 22, 2014
When one hears the word “corroded,” one thinks of metal that has been eaten away. However, in this case, the word does not describe metal but rather the main character, Cherry St. Croix. Cherry is a collector (bounty hunter) in a steampunk London. She has dealt with some serious darkness in her life. Her parents died and left her orphaned. Then her father re-appeared, but as a mad scientist who tried to kill her instead of the loving father she had once known. Then she battled a rival collector who, in the end, killed her husband hours after the wedding. Now she has only one thing on her mind—revenge. In order to cope with life, she has always utilized drugs, first laudanum and now opium. She has become a shadow of her former self, addicted to opium and leaving death and destruction in her way as other people pay the consequences for her actions. The denizens of the Menagerie have sheltered her, but she keeps failing to complete the missions assigned her. She is attracted and repulsed at the same time by the ringmaster Hawke. She must stop Jack the Ripper and the rival collector, whose identity will further rip her apart when she discovers it. By the end of the novel, she has sunk lower than she ever imagined possible. Is there to be any redemption for Cherry St. Croix?
I have not read the first two books in the series, although I have read The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway, a novella that describes Cherry’s first collection. It was quite shocking to jump from the 15-year-old Cherry going on her first collection to the Cherry of this book. I definitely want to go back and read those other two books because I do feel like I’m missing quite a bit. The events from those books were explained somewhat, but I just didn’t feel that I had enough information to completely understand what had brought Cherry to the desperate point we see her in here. Her whole “relationship” with Hawke is also puzzling to me. Again, I think I would have to go back and read those other two books to fully understand it.
I have not read the first two books in the series, although I have read The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway, a novella that describes Cherry’s first collection. It was quite shocking to jump from the 15-year-old Cherry going on her first collection to the Cherry of this book. I definitely want to go back and read those other two books because I do feel like I’m missing quite a bit. The events from those books were explained somewhat, but I just didn’t feel that I had enough information to completely understand what had brought Cherry to the desperate point we see her in here. Her whole “relationship” with Hawke is also puzzling to me. Again, I think I would have to go back and read those other two books to fully understand it.
February 6, 2015
I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed.
For almost 90% of the book, I was geared up for a 4★ rating!
Things were moving along... The hunt for Jack, and the "Sweet Tooth", Cherry's addiction.
Our protagonist, though possibly not entirely in her right mind at the best of times, and grieving to boot seemed to be finally "growing" up, accepting some responsibility, acknowledging that actions have consequences, All good stuff! There was action, suspense, mystery.
And then the last 20 pages happened.
And I have no idea WTF?
I actually had to go back a few times to see if I'd somehow managed to skip a few pages.
Did I miss something?
Now, I'm all for a good plot twist... but it does still have to make sense... and the last 20 pages here just did NOT make any sense at all! Perhaps if we'd gotten a little more? But it felt rushed and awkward and then quite suddenly concluded...with me doing a version of the Scooby's "Rreerry Rrraggy" (Really Shaggy)??"
I am still, as I'm writing this review wondering if I just completely missed the plot, or sub-plot as the case may be?
I would have felt less confused had the author informed me at the end that our protagonist was completely out of it and in a state of detox and that everything written was happening in her head.
I'm sticking with a 3★ rating simply because for the majority of the book, I was pretty engaged with the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
For almost 90% of the book, I was geared up for a 4★ rating!
Things were moving along... The hunt for Jack, and the "Sweet Tooth", Cherry's addiction.
Our protagonist, though possibly not entirely in her right mind at the best of times, and grieving to boot seemed to be finally "growing" up, accepting some responsibility, acknowledging that actions have consequences, All good stuff! There was action, suspense, mystery.
And then the last 20 pages happened.
And I have no idea WTF?
I actually had to go back a few times to see if I'd somehow managed to skip a few pages.
Did I miss something?
Now, I'm all for a good plot twist... but it does still have to make sense... and the last 20 pages here just did NOT make any sense at all! Perhaps if we'd gotten a little more? But it felt rushed and awkward and then quite suddenly concluded...with me doing a version of the Scooby's "Rreerry Rrraggy" (Really Shaggy)??"
I am still, as I'm writing this review wondering if I just completely missed the plot, or sub-plot as the case may be?
I would have felt less confused had the author informed me at the end that our protagonist was completely out of it and in a state of detox and that everything written was happening in her head.
I'm sticking with a 3★ rating simply because for the majority of the book, I was pretty engaged with the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 15, 2014
Upon finishing, I was compelled to make this Vine of my reaction: https://vine.co/v/hgTPVA71Vip
This book took my breath away. It starts deceptively slow, with Cherry so addicted to opium it hurts. At least, it hurt me as a reader. Oh, Cherry... but as much as it tortures the character in too many ways, Karina Cooper is a brilliant, brilliant writer. The flow of the writing is masterful, especially in Cherry's opium hazes.
You knew this was coming...HAWKE! OH MY AETHER HAWKE! He's so damn hot. Well, sometimes. The rest of the time he's kind of an asshole. BUT STILL HOT.
The storyline of (Cooper's version of) Jack the Ripper and the other mysterious collector come to a head in a very big way. I had guessed the identity of the other collector a long time ago, and while I was happy with my validation (a big "I KNEW it!" whoop), I was promptly saddened at the same time. I had a secret hope that the two of them would continue their game into an awesomely dark sexual relationship. Which wouldn't have worked, but it was still a fun thing to imagine.
You better hold onto your seats for the last 80% of this novel. And the final scenes? HOLY HELL. Everything happens so quickly, and it's madness, but again, written extremely well. I'm quite curious about how the next book will work.
As always, Karina Cooper proves why she is one of my favorite authors.
This book took my breath away. It starts deceptively slow, with Cherry so addicted to opium it hurts. At least, it hurt me as a reader. Oh, Cherry... but as much as it tortures the character in too many ways, Karina Cooper is a brilliant, brilliant writer. The flow of the writing is masterful, especially in Cherry's opium hazes.
You knew this was coming...HAWKE! OH MY AETHER HAWKE! He's so damn hot. Well, sometimes. The rest of the time he's kind of an asshole. BUT STILL HOT.
The storyline of (Cooper's version of) Jack the Ripper and the other mysterious collector come to a head in a very big way. I had guessed the identity of the other collector a long time ago, and while I was happy with my validation (a big "I KNEW it!" whoop), I was promptly saddened at the same time. I had a secret hope that the two of them would continue their game into an awesomely dark sexual relationship. Which wouldn't have worked, but it was still a fun thing to imagine.
You better hold onto your seats for the last 80% of this novel. And the final scenes? HOLY HELL. Everything happens so quickly, and it's madness, but again, written extremely well. I'm quite curious about how the next book will work.
As always, Karina Cooper proves why she is one of my favorite authors.
August 11, 2014
I'm feeling very conflicted about this series. I started off loving it! I thought the concept of this London was brilliant and loved Cherry St. Croix as a heroine. But now.... I don't know. The shift between this book and the previous was pretty extreme (dare I use the phrase 'well, that escalated quickly'?). Previously a lady being courted by Earls now Cherry is homeless and with an increasing drug problem. I felt like the story missed a step there.
The direction of the story in this book was very jumbled. Also the resolution of the Sweet tooth, Cherry's rival, did not resolve a whole lot which kind of defeats the purpose of s resolution. There was no explanation as to why. Why her? Was he always like that? And why was he doing the things he did? I feel like I was cheated of answers. I demand satisfaction!!! Especially since the sweet tooth arc has been on going since the first novel. There are a lot of loose ends that just don't seem to be leading anywhere or are being tied up without proper resolution or motivation. Especially that of the Veil. No idea what's going on there.
I'm disappointed because this series started out so well. I will read the next book but if it doesn't improve I will have to reluctantly call it quits with this series.
The direction of the story in this book was very jumbled. Also the resolution of the Sweet tooth, Cherry's rival, did not resolve a whole lot which kind of defeats the purpose of s resolution. There was no explanation as to why. Why her? Was he always like that? And why was he doing the things he did? I feel like I was cheated of answers. I demand satisfaction!!! Especially since the sweet tooth arc has been on going since the first novel. There are a lot of loose ends that just don't seem to be leading anywhere or are being tied up without proper resolution or motivation. Especially that of the Veil. No idea what's going on there.
I'm disappointed because this series started out so well. I will read the next book but if it doesn't improve I will have to reluctantly call it quits with this series.
February 3, 2015
On her best day Cherry is mildly annoying but this book was difficult to get through. I get that its a lot of jumbles because Cherry isn't in her right mind but when I got to the end I was just like what? That wasn't even because Cherry was so far from reality it just made no sense. I never expected who the killer really was that was a shock though the how and why of that I suppose will never be explained because knowing who it is only makes everything else thus far make absolutely no sense. Well except for her husband's murder that made perfect sense but everything else not so much. The goings on in the Midnight Menagerie were increasingly confusing right up to the very end. After the thing with the killer happened everything that followed was just like one question mark after another. Since I already bought the other books I will read them otherwise I might not have. All I wanted to do during this whole book was reach in and shake Cherry. I do want to know what happened at the Menagerie and what happened to Cherry's former staff and what became of all of her friends. It doesn't seem like I'll get any of those answers until book #5. I really just hope that #4, 5 & 6 aren't like #3.
December 1, 2014
The author continues to bring the reader along a well-paced plot, satisfyingly solving some mysteries while spawning some wider ones. The protagonist is not terribly sympathetic in this installment, but is also unreliable in her comprehension of reality, which allows fairly well for suspension of disbelief. I don't like her, and I wonder what the other characters see in her, but I also recognize that she is probably worse in her own head than anywhere else, and that is the perspective we are given.
I found out when looking for this book that there are seven total. While I was surprised at first, the way the author is slowly building the elements I suspect to be coming, does allow for such a span.
I found out when looking for this book that there are seven total. While I was surprised at first, the way the author is slowly building the elements I suspect to be coming, does allow for such a span.
July 14, 2014
Cherry lost everything to the Sweet tooth in the last book, now she´s trying to get her life back together, hiding at the Menagerie.
Jack the Ripper is still out there and Cherry accepts a collect on him to capture the Sweet tooth at the same time. But the Veil is slowly losing their patience with her.
Steam punk action, suspense and smutty fluff with twists and a surprise I didn´t see coming (re: the Sweet tooth) Awesome, high paced and rawr worthy. =) Can´t wait to continue with the next one!
Jack the Ripper is still out there and Cherry accepts a collect on him to capture the Sweet tooth at the same time. But the Veil is slowly losing their patience with her.
Steam punk action, suspense and smutty fluff with twists and a surprise I didn´t see coming (re: the Sweet tooth) Awesome, high paced and rawr worthy. =) Can´t wait to continue with the next one!
March 9, 2016
Jumped back into this series. I can sincerely say I did not see the revelation coming! I was so sure I knew who the Sweet Tooth was too. I even made my case, and illustrated it with textual evidence to Karina Cooper herself when I had the opportunity to speak with her. She was very coy and did not give anything away one way or another.
Anyway, This was a great book. I'm excited to see where the next 3 books go since the main plot of the first 3 seems to have wrapped up nicely in this one.
Anyway, This was a great book. I'm excited to see where the next 3 books go since the main plot of the first 3 seems to have wrapped up nicely in this one.
June 16, 2017
Just when you think Cherry's world can't get any worse, Karina Copper masterfully pulls the rug out from under both Cherry and the reader, almost to the point of being a depressing read, but the action keeps it moving at a quick pace so you don't dwell too long. Three books in and I'm fascinated by Cherry's flawed character and captivated by the unexpected twists and turns in the story. Desperately rooting for Cherry to finally get some kind of break in book four.
September 23, 2013
I am utterly and totally confused. Reading this was like falling down a twisted spiral with my eyes blind folded. Well the only thing i do understand is the other collectors identity. What happened to Cage? What happened to the ending!? I guess it all came down to there was only one Knight in shining armor left lol.
July 20, 2023
The double murder mystery didn't get stale, and the Sweet Tooth was totally NOT who I thought it was going to be! Emotions run high and wild in this one, Cherry also really becomes addicted to her opium and takes us to another level as a character. Hawke and Cherry finally move one step forward only to take two steps backwards it seems ugh. This one of course left me salivating for the next!
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