Sparrow Falling

Gears of Empire #2

by Gaie Sebold

Eveline Sparrow hopes to put her past experiences as a thief and con-artist to more legitimate use; which is why some of the girls at her Sparrow School receive private lessons in burglary, fakery, and other such underhand practices.

But it’s hard to get honest work when few businesses will employ young ladies in the security professions.  The duns are at the doorstep, her friend Liu the half-fox-spirit is in some sort of trouble, and the rivalries of the Folk are in danger of overspilling into the mundane world and forcing the Empire into a bloody and horrifying war. 

Can Eveline pull things out of the mire this time, or will the Sparrow’s wings be clipped once and for all?

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, Science Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Gaie Sebold
Gaie’s debut novel Babylon Steel http://tinyurl.com/bwzcsbu was published by Solaris in January 2012 to enthusiastic reviews…
“…a pacey fantasy romp;” The Guardian
“Ingenious, gripping and full of pleasures on every level. Exceptional.” Mike Carey
“…an absolutely wonderful author who should be warmly welcomed alongside those authors pushing fantasy into new directions,” Fantasy Faction
… and was also shortlisted for the Compton Crook Award.
The sequel, Dangerous Gifts, came out in 2013 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dangerous-Gi... .
Shanghai Sparrow https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shanghai-Spa... - the first in the "Gears of Empire" steampunk series was published in 2014 and Sparrow Falling https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sparrow-Fall... in 2016.

Gaie is an accomplished short story writer and poet; her stories have appeared in a number of anthologies.
Gaie was born in the US, and lives in London. She has worked as a cleaner, secretary, till-monkey, stage-tour-manager, editor, and charity administrator. She now writes full time and runs occasional writing workshops. She is an obsessive reader, enthusiastic gardener, and has been known to run around in woods hitting people with latex swords and to declaim poetry in public, though not usually at the same time. She also has the standard cat apparently issued to most fantasy writers.

Reviews

[Kagama-the Literaturevixen]

I just knew her adventures werent done☺

Decided to add the cover to the GR page for this book. Note to self unless you add authors name you just get a lot of images of poor and confused (and sometimes deceased) sparrows:0

[Neveah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sequel, but I agree with the Brave New Words review that points out that you don't need to have read the first in the series.
Oh Gaie, please write more. I love your style and your characters. I love their vulnerability and the quirks of your landscapes and the different worlds you create. Even though this has a fox spirit in it, I think I prefer Babylon Steel a smigeon, but I will read anything you write. You are just fun and your worlds are such positive places to be in (even if they go to dark places). I saved this for a while because I pick these books when I'm feeling a bit low, and they transport me.
So if you like steampunk urchins and fae spirits (and foxes!) and interesting women and people you genuinely care about and nefarious bad guys - boooo boooo! (virtually always men) and a bit of fun in your reading, read Gaie Sebold, and read both of her series.

[Ry Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in this series, with a bit more focus on the realms of the Folk. Although there is still the core of protest against unfair conditions and prejudice present in all of Sebold's work, this is mostly a light, fast ride through a steampunk world with fae, as Evvie learns her problems are not nearly at an end after the events of book one. There is a growing sense of the greater dangers present in the world, and it looks like there will be more in store for Evvie and her friends in future books.

[Rachael Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel and I love the main character of Eveline. Would love to see what happens next.

[Shannon McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending though!

[Dani]

Although I found the beginning to be a drag, I really do enjoy the characters, especially Liu. But why do we need to end on a (mild) cliffhanger 😭

[5t4n5 Dot Com · Rating 1 out of 5]

While i rather enjoyed Shanghai Sparrow with it's steampunk silliness and, also, the growth of Evvie, this book has immediately become unenjoyable with Evvie just turning into some kind of idiot who doesn't want anyone else's help or advice, even when she's up to her neck in problems.   It's really like the Evvie we left off with at the end of Shanghai Sparrow has been replaced with some utter idiot who learned absolutely nothing from her earlier experiences.

I do believe this is the first book of Gaie's that not only have i not liked, but just couldn't continue reading it was annoying me that much.   I gave it until 27% but it just kept on getting worse and i quit.   I've got too many good books to read to waste my time on stuff like this.

But as i've said about other writers whose works i've totally enjoyed, at some point each is going to write a book that i just don't like.   This is that book for Gaie.

Ho hum!

[Stephen Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Is it as good as the first book, 'Shanghai Sparrow'? Well, no, but it was one of those books that took a while to get into its stride. Once it did though, it was really good and I was disappointed it ended.

After the events of 'Shanghai Sparrow' Evie is now in charge of the Sparrow School, trying to make an honest living. Not easy for someone who has survived on the streets of London by living outside the law, and especially not easy, when cons are your thing and you happen to be very good at them.

Throw in the ongoing problems of the 'Folk', nasty humans stealing children, and problems paying your bills - then it all makes for a great story that builds slowly but is worth the perseverance.

[D. Messing · Rating 4 out of 5]

***** I received this ARC for free from NetGalley in return for an honest review *****

I give this story 4.5 stars, very enjoyable!! Well written, easy to get into, and a nice getaway from day to day life! I enjoyed the steampunk aspect, could have gone farther into detail but what was there was well done. Have already purchased a the previous book, and will buy all future books!

[Pers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent sequel! Fun, adventurous and very hard to put down.