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The Dashkova Memoirs #1
Revolutionary Magic
Exile. Princess. Thief. After years of running from the Emperor of Russia's assassins, Ekaterina "Kat" Dashkova has finally found an unlikely home in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Benjamin Franklin. When a mid-level government official is found wandering colonial Philadelphia without his clothes—and his last two years of memories—Ben and Kat suspect otherworldly forces at work. Neither of them know that a dark revolution lurks beneath the veneer of civilization, ready to unleash its malevolent magic unless Kat makes a grim sacrifice.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2015
64 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Thomas K. Carpenter
198 books209 followersThomas K. Carpenter is a full time contemporary fantasy author with over 70 independently published titles. His bestselling, multi-series universe, The Hundred Halls, has over 43 books and counting. His stories focus on fantastic families, magical academies, and epic adventures. All the books can be found at major retailers and directly from the author at https://thomaskcarpenter.com/.
You can sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialso...
When he is not writing, he enjoys playing turn-based strategy games and MTG, skiing, hiking, traveling, and chilling on the couch with his wife and their little dog, Merlin, at home in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
You can sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialso...
When he is not writing, he enjoys playing turn-based strategy games and MTG, skiing, hiking, traveling, and chilling on the couch with his wife and their little dog, Merlin, at home in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 20, 2015
When I first heard about this book it left me scratching my head. It takes place in 1800 and yet Benjamin Franklin, a very young Ben Franklin, is one of the characters. Turns out that Mr. Franklin has regained his youth via alchemical resources, and passes himself off as his own grandson. Mystery solved.
'Revolutionary Magic' is a combination of things—alternative history, steampunk and an almost Cthulhu-esque sort of urban fantasy. The critters going around doing nasty things are pretty grotesque, and effective at what they do. It makes for an intriguing story what with secret societies (of which Ben belongs to one) trying to solve the crimes plaguing Philly.
Unfortunately, the story is not told from Ben's PoV. It is told by one Katarina Dashkova, a minor Russian Princess come to the states to escape the horrors going down in her own country. It's not that she's a bad character, she's actually quite decent. But she not Benjamin Franklin. For him to relegated to the place of supporting role frustrates a big Franklin fan like myself.
Other historical figures, such as Voltaire, are mentioned or even show up as part of the cast, adding to Katarina's woes (they don't want her in the secret society). Bad guys from Russia are also skulking about. Strange creatures live among the residents of the city adding an otherworldly feel (the visit to the brothel to obtain info was quite effective in displaying the supernatural aspect of the individual they visited). No trite vampires, werewolves or even mummies. Big plus for that.
The steampunk aspect has a lot of the usual—steam carriages,airships, gas lamps, etc. But here again, we get some different twists thanks to the unusual nature of the 'bad guys'. There's a strange glove with mysterious powers. It's obviously connected to the creatures killing and maiming the residents of Philadelphia, but no one is sure how or why. There is the alchemical powder that Ben uses, which turns out to have properties more varied than simply keeping him youthful (although that plenty awesome all by itself - I want some of that stuff).
'Revolutionary Magic' is quite short, only 144 pages, and it reads like a serial. It ends on a cliff hanger and does a good job of making the reader want to know what happens next. Unfortunately, the first person PoV causes the ending to not really work for me. I don't want to give too much away, but suffice it to say, I don't know how Katarina can tell the last part of the story under the circumstances.
Overall, the writing is well done, the dialogue is elaborate but not over the top, and the cover is gorgeous. Yes, I'm a sucker for a gorgeous cover. That weakness has been my undoing on a number of occasions but not this time. I will be picking up the second installment.
'Revolutionary Magic' is a combination of things—alternative history, steampunk and an almost Cthulhu-esque sort of urban fantasy. The critters going around doing nasty things are pretty grotesque, and effective at what they do. It makes for an intriguing story what with secret societies (of which Ben belongs to one) trying to solve the crimes plaguing Philly.
Unfortunately, the story is not told from Ben's PoV. It is told by one Katarina Dashkova, a minor Russian Princess come to the states to escape the horrors going down in her own country. It's not that she's a bad character, she's actually quite decent. But she not Benjamin Franklin. For him to relegated to the place of supporting role frustrates a big Franklin fan like myself.
Other historical figures, such as Voltaire, are mentioned or even show up as part of the cast, adding to Katarina's woes (they don't want her in the secret society). Bad guys from Russia are also skulking about. Strange creatures live among the residents of the city adding an otherworldly feel (the visit to the brothel to obtain info was quite effective in displaying the supernatural aspect of the individual they visited). No trite vampires, werewolves or even mummies. Big plus for that.
The steampunk aspect has a lot of the usual—steam carriages,airships, gas lamps, etc. But here again, we get some different twists thanks to the unusual nature of the 'bad guys'. There's a strange glove with mysterious powers. It's obviously connected to the creatures killing and maiming the residents of Philadelphia, but no one is sure how or why. There is the alchemical powder that Ben uses, which turns out to have properties more varied than simply keeping him youthful (although that plenty awesome all by itself - I want some of that stuff).
'Revolutionary Magic' is quite short, only 144 pages, and it reads like a serial. It ends on a cliff hanger and does a good job of making the reader want to know what happens next. Unfortunately, the first person PoV causes the ending to not really work for me. I don't want to give too much away, but suffice it to say, I don't know how Katarina can tell the last part of the story under the circumstances.
Overall, the writing is well done, the dialogue is elaborate but not over the top, and the cover is gorgeous. Yes, I'm a sucker for a gorgeous cover. That weakness has been my undoing on a number of occasions but not this time. I will be picking up the second installment.
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January 13, 2024Steampunk magic America sounded fun, but the execution is … not good.
I feel as if I missed an earlier book which explained how this all came to be, because it is not well done in the narrative. But then, oddly he overexplains things we do NOT need to know; like how publishing works.
I can’t copy text from Kobo - always annoying that - but there was a part where she explained that she used to be the head of the uni and if this book had been commissioned by them, and she did not know of it then it must have been after she left. Well, yes.
And the purple prose; six lines to say I sucked blood from my thumb.
Nope. I have too many things I want to read.
The secret society of age reduced special people: Ben Franklin, Voltaire, Adam Smith [wtf, why? - capitalism, right? cackles]- and then this Russian princess. Why?
Did not finish at 40%
I feel as if I missed an earlier book which explained how this all came to be, because it is not well done in the narrative. But then, oddly he overexplains things we do NOT need to know; like how publishing works.
I can’t copy text from Kobo - always annoying that - but there was a part where she explained that she used to be the head of the uni and if this book had been commissioned by them, and she did not know of it then it must have been after she left. Well, yes.
And the purple prose; six lines to say I sucked blood from my thumb.
Nope. I have too many things I want to read.
The secret society of age reduced special people: Ben Franklin, Voltaire, Adam Smith [wtf, why? - capitalism, right? cackles]- and then this Russian princess. Why?
Did not finish at 40%
January 28, 2020
3.5, rounding up. A fun romp through an alternative steampunk history that involves several intriguing elements of the supernatural and alien. The POV in this book can sometimes make it a challenging read, not in difficulty, but in the suspension of disbelief to make the story work. The imaginative elements of the story keep you going, and the short length makes it an easy read to finish before getting too frustrated. Like Fires of Alexandria, this series has a big scope across the world and has a lot of ground to cover. I'll be curious if he can accomplish all the ends he's started in this first book across the series.
February 3, 2017
At about a fourth of the way through, I realized how hooked on this series I was and immediately snatched up the collection of the first four books. Ben Franklin is utterly charming, not to mention crafty and mysterious, and, yes, I love that he has this historical background that most of us U.S. born people can already latch onto since we were taught at least a bit of his history in school (and it’s fun trying to bend the mind to imagine him young again. A young Ben Franklin is truly a wonderful and inspired idea for a hero). Katerina is a strong female character with a rich cultural and historical background. Though she isn’t a name that people know, she name drops just like Doctor Who since she has hobnobbed with notables like Empress Catherine the Great and Voltaire. The story itself feels inspired by The X-Files and Torchwood (the spin-off of Doctor Who – actually the gauntlet was straight out of the first season of the show and the Society reminded me a lot of Torchwood too, not to mention that the creatures they met along the way were very Doctor Who inspired. Now that I’m thinking about it, the two heroes also felt Doctor Who/Torchwood inspired. Ben has the know-it-all spirit of the Doctor as well as the Doctor’s fun-loving attitude and additionally Captain Jack’s flirtatiousness). The only thing that really bugged me about this book was that it felt like we started at book 2 rather than book 1, so much that I actually pulled up Mr. Carpenter’s author page and hunted to see if there had been a prequel novel that I had missed. (Note: I do implore the author to please write one for this delightful series. It feels like we’re missing vital information not seeing the first meeting of Katerina and Ben -that has me beyond curious how she wrapped her mind around one of our Founding Father’s suddenly being young again-, and her introduction into the Society, and, of course, her reaction to the rejuvenation powder, as well as first encounters with the strange and unusual that they had spent the first year facing.) I am eagerly looking forward to starting the next novel in this incredibly fun series.
February 16, 2018
This is my first time reading a Steampunk style novel, but I did not choose to read it because it was Steampunk. I chose it because the boxed set of the first four books was on sale and it seemed like a great match-up of mystery/thriller/historical fiction/Lovecraft horror/alien portal, etc. Now, being my first read in the genre, maybe all Steampunk novel has those elements but for me they definitely sounded fresh and interesting. I was satisfied on every level: the story is a good mystery/thriller/historical fiction/Lovecraft horror with alien portal, the writing is easy-to-read with perfect pacing, the characters are fun and endearing and all of this is handled by a talented author. I even got a sweet vibe of the old Doc Savage novels while reading the adventures of Yekaterina Dashkova and "the" Ben Franklin! The author made me chuckle more than once with some of the banters between the characters and I can't wait to start the second book. Highly recommended.
April 9, 2019
Well, that was different.
February 17, 2017
Really nice read, fun, engaging, great storyline, fun characters, good story.
September 17, 2020
I wrote this review originally for my blog: www.lisaharbin.net
This was a fantastic work of fiction. I enjoyed the writing so much and was so intrigued by Kat as a main character that I ended up buying the second book immediately after the first one. And when I finished with that (all in the same day), I bought the third. This review will only discuss the first book though, but know that I enjoyed the second just as much!
Katarina Dashkova is a Russian immigrant to America. She is best friends with Benjamin Franklin, and he has created an alchemical powder that will allow them to live forever. When the two of them are called to solve the mystery of a man that has lost his memories, Kat learns that humans aren’t the only things that lurk in the dark.
The book is fast-paced and while the writing style reminds me of a young adult novel, several of the themes and things the characters talk about are something I’d find in a novel more aimed at adults. This was something I enjoyed a lot, because while I enjoy young adult fiction, I also really like it when authors are not afraid to mention things a bit more risqué.
I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series this week, and I plan on spending more quality time with Kat and Ben in the future!
This was a fantastic work of fiction. I enjoyed the writing so much and was so intrigued by Kat as a main character that I ended up buying the second book immediately after the first one. And when I finished with that (all in the same day), I bought the third. This review will only discuss the first book though, but know that I enjoyed the second just as much!
Katarina Dashkova is a Russian immigrant to America. She is best friends with Benjamin Franklin, and he has created an alchemical powder that will allow them to live forever. When the two of them are called to solve the mystery of a man that has lost his memories, Kat learns that humans aren’t the only things that lurk in the dark.
The book is fast-paced and while the writing style reminds me of a young adult novel, several of the themes and things the characters talk about are something I’d find in a novel more aimed at adults. This was something I enjoyed a lot, because while I enjoy young adult fiction, I also really like it when authors are not afraid to mention things a bit more risqué.
I am looking forward to reading the third book in the series this week, and I plan on spending more quality time with Kat and Ben in the future!
January 6, 2016
Steampunk, urban fantasy and alternative history combine to form an intriguing book with good writing and a promising story but with one glaring problem. This is the first book in the series but it felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story that had already covered a significant amount of ground.
Both Katerina and the Society she seeks to help both have an extensive history that does honestly sound very interesting. Unfortunately it feels like I started in the middle of a series with no way to go back and clearly understand what happened before. That is my biggest and only significant problem with this book.
The characters were good. Katerina was a fine main character and the support cast was strong as well. The urban fantasy elements were well done and the writing was good. However I can't help but feel like I'm missing a good portion of the backstory. A backstory that I would have loved to start with.
This is a good book and I quite enjoyed it, but the way it feels as if it has dropped you into the middle of a plot that has already been underway for some time could end up turning some readers away.
Despite this however I would still recommend it to those who are intrigued by the promise of a good steampunk fantasy adventure.
Both Katerina and the Society she seeks to help both have an extensive history that does honestly sound very interesting. Unfortunately it feels like I started in the middle of a series with no way to go back and clearly understand what happened before. That is my biggest and only significant problem with this book.
The characters were good. Katerina was a fine main character and the support cast was strong as well. The urban fantasy elements were well done and the writing was good. However I can't help but feel like I'm missing a good portion of the backstory. A backstory that I would have loved to start with.
This is a good book and I quite enjoyed it, but the way it feels as if it has dropped you into the middle of a plot that has already been underway for some time could end up turning some readers away.
Despite this however I would still recommend it to those who are intrigued by the promise of a good steampunk fantasy adventure.
December 3, 2015
I got this book for free through an offer from the author I saw on facebook. I admit, I was a bit leery - hadn't heard of the author or his books, not really into books of history or steampunk.
Was I surperised! Aside from an interesting story description, I dove into the story and really enjoyed it. Thwre is a great mix of characters involved in a type of parallel/alternate history, working on a scifi-fantasy "mystery" with many common places that I would think most Americans (and others) would recognize. Thoroughly enjoyed this first in this series, and am looking forward to getting/reading the others, as well as other books by Thomas K. Carpenter.
Was I surperised! Aside from an interesting story description, I dove into the story and really enjoyed it. Thwre is a great mix of characters involved in a type of parallel/alternate history, working on a scifi-fantasy "mystery" with many common places that I would think most Americans (and others) would recognize. Thoroughly enjoyed this first in this series, and am looking forward to getting/reading the others, as well as other books by Thomas K. Carpenter.
June 3, 2016
An interesting plot combining Revolutionary times in Philadelphia with beings from an Otherworld along with a Steampunk setting. Love the cover as well. The story involves a relative of Ben Franklin and a deposed Princess from Russia, Katerina. Katerina is well skilled with a rapier and fights her way out of trouble only to lose her memory at the hands of the Otherbeings. We still have a team of spies from Russia trying to get Kat to go back and oh there's the matter of a War about to start. This was a great read, fairly short but kept my attention all the way through. Moving on to Book 2.
July 14, 2017
A very enjoyable story. It pretty much had to be with Ben Franklin and a mysterious exiled Russian, Kat Dashkova, on the loose in Philadelphia using magic and their wits to battle some pretty bizarre otherworldly creatures.
Filled with action, great characters and very strange goings-on. Very intriguing beginning to the series in this strange and delightful alternate history tale.
Pleased I have the next three in the series so that I can continue the adventure alongside Ben Franklin and the lock-picking, rapier wielding Katerina Dashkova.
Filled with action, great characters and very strange goings-on. Very intriguing beginning to the series in this strange and delightful alternate history tale.
Pleased I have the next three in the series so that I can continue the adventure alongside Ben Franklin and the lock-picking, rapier wielding Katerina Dashkova.
September 18, 2016
3.5 Stars. I chose to mark 4-stars above instead of 3-stars because I felt the book deserved better than three, but not quite four. The plot and characters are adequate, but a little flat ... uninteresting. It's almost as if you were fast forwarded into the middle of the story. However, there is enough to interest me to read more of the series. Not sure how I feel about the ending of book 1 (won't say more ... don't want any spoilers). Will have to see how book 2 picks up the story. Hopefully the next book(s) will flesh out the plot and characters ... make me care about them.
May 24, 2016
I was most disappointed. The book has next to no credibility which, for me, is critical in sci-fi/fantasy. Ben Franklin with air ships buzzing everywhere, a powder for immortality, creatures crossing planes of existence without a single attempt to explain how any of it could happen.
The writing style had so much pretentious phraseology as to kill the pace and dull the action.
Sorry, but I can't recommend this book.
The writing style had so much pretentious phraseology as to kill the pace and dull the action.
Sorry, but I can't recommend this book.
May 8, 2015
Hmmmm sorry.
I read the first seventy five pages of this one and just could not get drawn into the story and I can not really tell you why. But usually if i can get into a sorry by then it's not happening. I really wanted to be interested it sounded like it would be a good one.
I read the first seventy five pages of this one and just could not get drawn into the story and I can not really tell you why. But usually if i can get into a sorry by then it's not happening. I really wanted to be interested it sounded like it would be a good one.
September 6, 2016
This book is the equivalent to a pilot episode for a new TV show. If you're looking for accurate history, this is not the book for you, it's magic meets Steampunk.
Overall a good (and quick) tale with some interesting twists and turns.
I would recommend this book to Steampunk fans and people who enjoy series.
Overall a good (and quick) tale with some interesting twists and turns.
I would recommend this book to Steampunk fans and people who enjoy series.
September 19, 2016
Took me a few chapters to finally get into the story,it certainly peaked my interest to read on to the next book. Although it was a tad confusing at first ,the story does get better,keep reading.im very curious to find out what happened to Ben,hope he's okay
July 11, 2015
Interesting alternate history premise. Fun read.
May 30, 2016
Strange book ... seems to start in the middle of a story and then just stops. I might be missing something!
August 14, 2016
It was a really cool twist on historical fiction with Princess Dashkova and Benjamin Franklin set in the steak punk Victorian era with magic! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
July 12, 2016
Found this book very slow and quite uninteresting.
September 22, 2016
Not sure what I think about this steam punk series, but, I think I will have another look at it!
April 21, 2017
2.5 stars
January 11, 2019
A bit confusing since there are continuous references to previous events that are never explained or expanded upon.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews