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Aether Psychics #1
Eros Element
If love is the ivy, secrets are the poison.
After enduring heartbreak at the hands of a dishonest woman, Edward Bailey lives according to scientific principles of structure and predictability. Just the thought of stepping outside his strict routine raises his anxiety.
Adding to his discomfort is Iris McTavish, who appears at his school’s faculty meeting in place of her world-famous archeologist father. Worse, the two of them are to pose as Grand Tourists while they search for an element that will help harness the power of aether.
Iris jumps at the opportunity to prove her worth as a scholar—and avoid an unwanted marriage proposal—while hiding the truth of her father’s whereabouts. If her secret gets out, the house of McTavish will fall into ruin.
Quite unexpectedly, Edward and Iris discover a growing attraction as their journey takes them to Paris and Rome, where betrayal, blackmail and outright theft threaten to destroy what could be a revolutionary discovery—and break their hearts.
Product Warnings
Allergen alert! This book was produced in a facility that handles copious amounts of wine, tea and baked goods. May contain one or more of the following: a spirited heroine, a quirky hero, clever banter, interesting facts both made-up and historical, and lots of secrets. It is, however, gluten free.
After enduring heartbreak at the hands of a dishonest woman, Edward Bailey lives according to scientific principles of structure and predictability. Just the thought of stepping outside his strict routine raises his anxiety.
Adding to his discomfort is Iris McTavish, who appears at his school’s faculty meeting in place of her world-famous archeologist father. Worse, the two of them are to pose as Grand Tourists while they search for an element that will help harness the power of aether.
Iris jumps at the opportunity to prove her worth as a scholar—and avoid an unwanted marriage proposal—while hiding the truth of her father’s whereabouts. If her secret gets out, the house of McTavish will fall into ruin.
Quite unexpectedly, Edward and Iris discover a growing attraction as their journey takes them to Paris and Rome, where betrayal, blackmail and outright theft threaten to destroy what could be a revolutionary discovery—and break their hearts.
Product Warnings
Allergen alert! This book was produced in a facility that handles copious amounts of wine, tea and baked goods. May contain one or more of the following: a spirited heroine, a quirky hero, clever banter, interesting facts both made-up and historical, and lots of secrets. It is, however, gluten free.
Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2015
306 people are currently reading
836 people want to read
About the author
Cecilia Dominic
34 books392 followersCecilia Dominic became a clinical psychologist because she's fascinated by people and their stories, but she couldn't stop making stuff up. By day, she helps people cure their insomnia. By night, she writes fiction that keeps her readers turning pages past bedtime. Yes, she recognizes the conflict of interest between her two careers, but she prefers to be called versatile, not conflicted. Cecilia has been published in short and novel-length fiction and currently writes urban fantasy and steampunk. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and the world’s cutest cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
June 15, 2021
Eros Element by Cecilia Dominic
Aether Physics book 1. Historical steampunk mystery with a bit of romance.
Iris McTavish is hired in place of her father for an archaeological trip. After her maid deserts her and she arrives at the train rather unfinished, she must conduct herself with professionalism so she doesn’t lose her last chance to save her household. Otherwise she may be forced to accept an odious marriage proposal. Her partner on the trip is Edward Bailey. He’s not happy about his routine being interrupted but he is intrigued by the mysterious Miss McTavish. What’s with her never removing her gloves?
Steam powered transportation, clockwork spies, and statues that wave are integral to this steampunk adventure.
Weird science, evil plans and amusing characters make this story fly quickly as the mystery is unraveled.
I listened to this book via audiobook. I enjoyed the accents and language and thought the narration was well done.
Aether Physics book 1. Historical steampunk mystery with a bit of romance.
Iris McTavish is hired in place of her father for an archaeological trip. After her maid deserts her and she arrives at the train rather unfinished, she must conduct herself with professionalism so she doesn’t lose her last chance to save her household. Otherwise she may be forced to accept an odious marriage proposal. Her partner on the trip is Edward Bailey. He’s not happy about his routine being interrupted but he is intrigued by the mysterious Miss McTavish. What’s with her never removing her gloves?
Steam powered transportation, clockwork spies, and statues that wave are integral to this steampunk adventure.
Weird science, evil plans and amusing characters make this story fly quickly as the mystery is unraveled.
I listened to this book via audiobook. I enjoyed the accents and language and thought the narration was well done.
August 23, 2015
Yes. Steampunk, baby. Set in an 1870 that never was but should have been.
I loved this book (I was lucky, and had access to an ARC). I swear I could hear steam hissing and gears clacking the whole time I read it. The 'aether' of the title was my favorite of Dominic's inventions. She obviously knows her discredited Victorian physics, and she brought them to life brilliantly in a laboratory demonstration early in the book.
PROTIP: Show Frank a copper sphere and then cool it to draw down a vacuum, and you've won him over instantly.
In fact, her handling of the more fantastic elements of the book is a great strength. Without giving too much away, there's the aether, which is being sought as a power source. There are also some subtle and well-handled psychic talents, which I won't name, that also add flavor to the tale. But nothing is overdone, and there is a refreshing lack of deux ex machinas throughout.
Her version of 1870 is perfectly executed. She did one thing I haven't seen a lot of lately, in that she showed the downside to steam-powered society. Early in the book, the party's train makes a stop on the outskirts of London, and though brief, the scene is particularly illuminating -- the sickly poor, the railroad workers passing mirrors on poles beneath the train to detect the presence of Victorian spy-bots that might be crawling on the undercarriage, waiting to creep inside and spy on businessmen. It's deft touches like that which really transport the reader into the world of the book.
But I've read plenty of books with stunning technical settings that fell flat because I just didn't care about any of the characters.
Not so here. Edward Bailey and Iris McTavish step right out of the book from Page One, big as life and lots of fun.
This isn't a love-at-first-sight book. Oh no. Not at first sight or second or even well up into the twenties. I loved the way she handled the romantic aspects of the book, because -- well, you read it, I can't say too much, save to say I was well entertained.
There are a lot of characters to love here. Again, no spoilers, but Iris's female traveling companion is also thoroughly entertaining.
I think there's something for everyone here. You've got intrigue, suspense, and a globe-trotting party of adventurers. You've got aether and airships, romance and derring-do.
Best of all, Miss Dominic can turn a phrase.
If you enjoy steampunk, you'll love this. Even if you've never read a steampunk adventure in your life, you'll love this.
I loved this book (I was lucky, and had access to an ARC). I swear I could hear steam hissing and gears clacking the whole time I read it. The 'aether' of the title was my favorite of Dominic's inventions. She obviously knows her discredited Victorian physics, and she brought them to life brilliantly in a laboratory demonstration early in the book.
PROTIP: Show Frank a copper sphere and then cool it to draw down a vacuum, and you've won him over instantly.
In fact, her handling of the more fantastic elements of the book is a great strength. Without giving too much away, there's the aether, which is being sought as a power source. There are also some subtle and well-handled psychic talents, which I won't name, that also add flavor to the tale. But nothing is overdone, and there is a refreshing lack of deux ex machinas throughout.
Her version of 1870 is perfectly executed. She did one thing I haven't seen a lot of lately, in that she showed the downside to steam-powered society. Early in the book, the party's train makes a stop on the outskirts of London, and though brief, the scene is particularly illuminating -- the sickly poor, the railroad workers passing mirrors on poles beneath the train to detect the presence of Victorian spy-bots that might be crawling on the undercarriage, waiting to creep inside and spy on businessmen. It's deft touches like that which really transport the reader into the world of the book.
But I've read plenty of books with stunning technical settings that fell flat because I just didn't care about any of the characters.
Not so here. Edward Bailey and Iris McTavish step right out of the book from Page One, big as life and lots of fun.
This isn't a love-at-first-sight book. Oh no. Not at first sight or second or even well up into the twenties. I loved the way she handled the romantic aspects of the book, because -- well, you read it, I can't say too much, save to say I was well entertained.
There are a lot of characters to love here. Again, no spoilers, but Iris's female traveling companion is also thoroughly entertaining.
I think there's something for everyone here. You've got intrigue, suspense, and a globe-trotting party of adventurers. You've got aether and airships, romance and derring-do.
Best of all, Miss Dominic can turn a phrase.
If you enjoy steampunk, you'll love this. Even if you've never read a steampunk adventure in your life, you'll love this.
August 18, 2015
3.5 Stars – 1 Flame
I did it! I made it through my first Steampunk novel!!! I can actually say I’ve read one now, but not entirely sure I’ll read another. Although the style is interesting, I’m not sure if “for me”.
Let me start with a small disclaimer. Since I’ve never read a Steampunk before, I’ll admit that this took me quite some time to get in to. Like, almost half way through it. I think I was thrown off my game a little when the “paranormal” wasn’t futuristic in the sense of the future, but more historically speaking.
Iris McTavish is the daughter of a very famous archeologist who, unknown to anyone else, has recently died; leaving her close to broke with people she’s responsible to care for. Although she’s studied with her father, she doesn’t have the “credentials”, especially being a female and all.
Edward Bailey is a professor/scientist at the university with some serious quarks, thanks to an ex who shamed him publically, throws himself into his experiments and “schedules” to stay sane. But I digress. His most prized experiment involves figuring out Aether and how it works.
When the two are thrown together, along with other side characters with just right amount of “huh” (yep, I said it), to embark on a crazy journey paid for by an American, things start getting really interesting. Between crash landings, espionage, and trickery and down right cleverness, the journey becomes quite the adventure.
I’d like to think that some of the things I read that were made up, were actually real. So that’s what I’m going with. It was cool and innovative. Did I see that there may be another….? (wink wink)
*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from The JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
I did it! I made it through my first Steampunk novel!!! I can actually say I’ve read one now, but not entirely sure I’ll read another. Although the style is interesting, I’m not sure if “for me”.
Let me start with a small disclaimer. Since I’ve never read a Steampunk before, I’ll admit that this took me quite some time to get in to. Like, almost half way through it. I think I was thrown off my game a little when the “paranormal” wasn’t futuristic in the sense of the future, but more historically speaking.
Iris McTavish is the daughter of a very famous archeologist who, unknown to anyone else, has recently died; leaving her close to broke with people she’s responsible to care for. Although she’s studied with her father, she doesn’t have the “credentials”, especially being a female and all.
Edward Bailey is a professor/scientist at the university with some serious quarks, thanks to an ex who shamed him publically, throws himself into his experiments and “schedules” to stay sane. But I digress. His most prized experiment involves figuring out Aether and how it works.
When the two are thrown together, along with other side characters with just right amount of “huh” (yep, I said it), to embark on a crazy journey paid for by an American, things start getting really interesting. Between crash landings, espionage, and trickery and down right cleverness, the journey becomes quite the adventure.
I’d like to think that some of the things I read that were made up, were actually real. So that’s what I’m going with. It was cool and innovative. Did I see that there may be another….? (wink wink)
*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from The JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2015
Iris McTavish is a woman in a pickle: she’s intelligent and independent in an era where neither is considered a desirable trait in a woman. She’s also in the embarrassing and stressful position of being nearly destitute after receiving the news that her famous father, archaeologist Professor McTavish, has died abroad and hence no more income will arrive to keep the household running.
So what should a girl do? Well, as no one else knows of the professor’s demise, and there is a well paid job awaiting his return, Iris makes the bold move of accepting the position, masquerading as his assistant. This also allows her to flee abroad to escape the unwanted advances of the odious Lord Jeremy Scott, who is intent of marrying her as a means of getting at her father’s as-yet unpublished work.
And then there is Edward. Professor of Aetherics, Edward Bailey is a martyr to his routines. Nothing upsets his stomach more than a meal at the wrong time, or thought of anything that might drag him away from his precise daily schedule of experimentation. Naturally, when he receives the summons to take part in this insane foreign adventure, he abhors the very notion. Unfortunately for him, the only way he can keep his University department afloat is to join the expedition.
This first novel in the Aether Psychics series is a rollicking good read, with twists and turns, blackmail and espionage, murder and romance, with a set of fully developed characters with surprises up almost everyone’s sleeves. There is advanced steam and clockwork technology, psychic abilities, and the mysterious element of Aether, which has the potential to become a source of clean energy – if only they can isolate and stabilise it.
Ms Dominic employs perfect language choices throughout, both in terms of sentence construction and vocabulary, to evoke the Victorianesque setting of this exceptional steampunk tale. My only small hiccup with the novel was in the viewpoint shifts which, although fairly clear from the writing, would have benefitted from some sort of physical separation within the text – a blank line or an asterisk would be sufficient.
The ending seemed a little rushed, but the results were eminently satisfying, and I very much look forward to seeing how the remaining mysteries pan out in the second book.
So what should a girl do? Well, as no one else knows of the professor’s demise, and there is a well paid job awaiting his return, Iris makes the bold move of accepting the position, masquerading as his assistant. This also allows her to flee abroad to escape the unwanted advances of the odious Lord Jeremy Scott, who is intent of marrying her as a means of getting at her father’s as-yet unpublished work.
And then there is Edward. Professor of Aetherics, Edward Bailey is a martyr to his routines. Nothing upsets his stomach more than a meal at the wrong time, or thought of anything that might drag him away from his precise daily schedule of experimentation. Naturally, when he receives the summons to take part in this insane foreign adventure, he abhors the very notion. Unfortunately for him, the only way he can keep his University department afloat is to join the expedition.
This first novel in the Aether Psychics series is a rollicking good read, with twists and turns, blackmail and espionage, murder and romance, with a set of fully developed characters with surprises up almost everyone’s sleeves. There is advanced steam and clockwork technology, psychic abilities, and the mysterious element of Aether, which has the potential to become a source of clean energy – if only they can isolate and stabilise it.
Ms Dominic employs perfect language choices throughout, both in terms of sentence construction and vocabulary, to evoke the Victorianesque setting of this exceptional steampunk tale. My only small hiccup with the novel was in the viewpoint shifts which, although fairly clear from the writing, would have benefitted from some sort of physical separation within the text – a blank line or an asterisk would be sufficient.
The ending seemed a little rushed, but the results were eminently satisfying, and I very much look forward to seeing how the remaining mysteries pan out in the second book.
January 3, 2023
Meh. I sure wish I'd liked this better. I bought this at a local bookstore because it's featured in their upcoming sci-fi discussion group. It has a professional, appealing cover. The subtitle shown on the title page had appeal ("A Steampunk Thriller with a Hint of Romance"), and the author has a dozen or more books to her credit, it would seem. There was even a quote from a decent Library Journal review. But I found it slow going and CLUNKY. Lots of awkward phrasing throughout (p. 270: "She gazed out of the window to quell the desire to slap him, especially not with her possibly poisoned with her left glove.") which made me wonder who edited it. The plotting was equally disjointed. I wouldn't call it a thriller. It wasn't a romance. If this is someone's favorite author I don't want to rain on their parade but I wasn't impressed. Oh dear.
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November 21, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/21/2019)! 🎁
December 1, 2019
This book started out so, so promising. The first third absolutely sucked me in, the premise was good, the characters were excellent, and I was looking forward to the concept of aether being explored further. I wanted to see this mismatched band of characters go on an adventure and keep secrets and have delicious tension.
Alas, as soon as the story moves from London to Paris, the entire plot entirely loses steam and characters are shunted blindly from one contrived plot point to another with almost no agency. The character secrets that should have driven interesting tension, conflict, and growth just drag everything down for no good reason. Characters act irrationally and change their minds on a dime because ~intrigue~ I guess. Relevant information is only doled out when the plot needs a kickstart, long after the tension has turned to exhaustion. I stopped being able to follow the story because events just seemed to happen out of nowhere with no explanation except that it was time for the plot to move on. It wasn't that the plot seemed particularly convoluted or anything, I was just so detached from the events taking place because there was no narrative rhyme or reason to it all. Every new beat felt like 'well I guess this might as well happen.'
I'll get into my more specific gripes but they all mostly fall under something I mention above:
-Edward was a really good character when he was introduced! He felt different than the usual standoffish genius hero. He had complex emotions and genuine flaws to work through. Except all of that went entirely out of the window after the dirigible crashes in France. He has absolutely nothing to do and spends almost 30% of the book in his room, literally. All the other characters treat him like an idiot child and he just accepts it and does what he's told. It makes his "growth" by the end of the story really hard to buy.
-Iris and Edward's relationship, again, this would have been really good, except since Edward is stuck in a room alone for a third of the book, him and Iris are barely ever in the same place. When your romantic lead heroine spends more time with her love interest's best friend than the actual love interest, you have a problem. In fact, I can only think of one single instance where these two have a positive interaction. Before the finale, of course, when they've somehow decided they're in love somehow.
-There are too many side characters that take up too much time doing things that don't connect back to the plot. We spend a ton of time with Marie and her mother and their whole story and it's entirely unnecessary. I like her and I'm not saying it all needed to be cut, but so much of it goes nowhere and adds nothing. The same thing with Johann, so many of his story beats just distract from the actual main characters and story. It's obvious the author was trying to set up the second book which is focused on Marie and Johann, but this isn't their story! Similarly, Doctor Radcliffe and O'Connell get story time that feels shoehorned in and really doesn't contribute to the main story. And then there's a whole mystery with the crew's benefactor Cobb and something going on with the high society cast in France and a sideplot involving Marie's mother and people with special gifts and...gah too much. I get the sense that it's supposed to feel like there's a whole world of people and events that's happening outside of the main character's sphere, but it feels messy and unfocused.
-That leads into my last major complaint, that the plot feels entirely driven by people and forces we don't get to see and not the actual characters in the story. It's supposed to feel ~secretive~ and ~mysterious~ when surprising things keep happening but it's really just frustrating. The concept of aether, which I thought might have been important to the story since, you know, it's in the damn title, turned out to have no bearing on the plot and is just used at the last moment to defeat the villain within a page. Iris's psychometric abilities are interesting but chronically underutilized. The villain is unconvincing because he feels almost like an after thought. The setup that leads him to become the main antagonist (abruptly in the last third of the book after being a toothless nuisance with no bearing on the plot until then) is unconvincing.
Overall, poor execution made all the more disappointing by the really great premise and beginning.
Alas, as soon as the story moves from London to Paris, the entire plot entirely loses steam and characters are shunted blindly from one contrived plot point to another with almost no agency. The character secrets that should have driven interesting tension, conflict, and growth just drag everything down for no good reason. Characters act irrationally and change their minds on a dime because ~intrigue~ I guess. Relevant information is only doled out when the plot needs a kickstart, long after the tension has turned to exhaustion. I stopped being able to follow the story because events just seemed to happen out of nowhere with no explanation except that it was time for the plot to move on. It wasn't that the plot seemed particularly convoluted or anything, I was just so detached from the events taking place because there was no narrative rhyme or reason to it all. Every new beat felt like 'well I guess this might as well happen.'
I'll get into my more specific gripes but they all mostly fall under something I mention above:
-Edward was a really good character when he was introduced! He felt different than the usual standoffish genius hero. He had complex emotions and genuine flaws to work through. Except all of that went entirely out of the window after the dirigible crashes in France. He has absolutely nothing to do and spends almost 30% of the book in his room, literally. All the other characters treat him like an idiot child and he just accepts it and does what he's told. It makes his "growth" by the end of the story really hard to buy.
-Iris and Edward's relationship, again, this would have been really good, except since Edward is stuck in a room alone for a third of the book, him and Iris are barely ever in the same place. When your romantic lead heroine spends more time with her love interest's best friend than the actual love interest, you have a problem. In fact, I can only think of one single instance where these two have a positive interaction. Before the finale, of course, when they've somehow decided they're in love somehow.
-There are too many side characters that take up too much time doing things that don't connect back to the plot. We spend a ton of time with Marie and her mother and their whole story and it's entirely unnecessary. I like her and I'm not saying it all needed to be cut, but so much of it goes nowhere and adds nothing. The same thing with Johann, so many of his story beats just distract from the actual main characters and story. It's obvious the author was trying to set up the second book which is focused on Marie and Johann, but this isn't their story! Similarly, Doctor Radcliffe and O'Connell get story time that feels shoehorned in and really doesn't contribute to the main story. And then there's a whole mystery with the crew's benefactor Cobb and something going on with the high society cast in France and a sideplot involving Marie's mother and people with special gifts and...gah too much. I get the sense that it's supposed to feel like there's a whole world of people and events that's happening outside of the main character's sphere, but it feels messy and unfocused.
-That leads into my last major complaint, that the plot feels entirely driven by people and forces we don't get to see and not the actual characters in the story. It's supposed to feel ~secretive~ and ~mysterious~ when surprising things keep happening but it's really just frustrating. The concept of aether, which I thought might have been important to the story since, you know, it's in the damn title, turned out to have no bearing on the plot and is just used at the last moment to defeat the villain within a page. Iris's psychometric abilities are interesting but chronically underutilized. The villain is unconvincing because he feels almost like an after thought. The setup that leads him to become the main antagonist (abruptly in the last third of the book after being a toothless nuisance with no bearing on the plot until then) is unconvincing.
Overall, poor execution made all the more disappointing by the really great premise and beginning.
March 24, 2021
The book started off strong, but got lost a little with a muddled middle. Some of the steampunk elements were vague as well. Still, the story kept me engaged enough to finish the read. The H/h could have been a tad more interesting.
Note that there are no steamy escapades, which is a bummer. As I have the second book, I'll read it next, as it may be more interesting, character-wise. At least the guy in it is a hard-drinking, gambling hot-ass mess of a musician...
Note that there are no steamy escapades, which is a bummer. As I have the second book, I'll read it next, as it may be more interesting, character-wise. At least the guy in it is a hard-drinking, gambling hot-ass mess of a musician...
July 6, 2016
I read and very much enjoyed this book in my critique group. The author has done her research and, although Steampunk is not my usual cup of tea, I really loved this one!
November 23, 2015
review to come. loved this!
January 10, 2016
The Skinny
Professor Edward Bailey has dedicated his life to science, and after a heartbreaking ordeal he decides to live by the structure and predictability of science. Everything about his life is strictly routine, right down to the half cubes of sugar he puts in tea. He works alone in the aether department at the university.
Johann Bledsoe is Edward’s closest friend and works at the university with Edward. He is a talented musician and also a notorious skirt-chaser, but is extremely protective of Edward.
Iris McTavish takes up in her esteemed archaeologist father’s stead when called to the university. A rich American has requested Professor Bailey and archaeologist McTavish tour Europe as Grand Tourists in search of an element that will harness the power of the aether, which will in turn save Edward’s job and department from being cut.
Iris has studied all of her father’s work and wants to follow in his footsteps. They share a special connection with objects that allows them further insight than strictly the historical. Iris snatches this opportunity to save Grange House, make her mark as a scholar and avoid an unwanted marriage proposal. All the while hiding the truth about where her father is and what he is doing.
Despite their magnanimous personality differences, Edward is drawn to Iris’s love of learning, the scholar in her as they set out for Paris and Rome. Bledsoe wants nothing but to keep them apart and protect Edward, even at the extent of lording a hurtful piece of blackmail over Iris.
As they make their maiden voyage via airship to Paris, the expedition is met with unexpected betrayal, blackmail and theft.
The Players
Edward Bailey – a neuoritic professor who is obsessed with the world of aether and will do anything to protect his department, which allows him to work alone; he has an interesting friendship with Bledsoe and has an instant animosity to Iris
Edward is like a child in a lot of ways. He seems insensitive but is easily hurt.
Johann Bledsoe – a womanizing, gambling musician who is very loyal to Edward but is also very secretive; uses his wily ways to blackmail Iris
Iris McTavish – an orphaned young woman who wants to pursue work or study at university as a scholar; she possesses an uncanny power of reading objects; she sets out on the expedition under the guise of working with her father from afar to be able to keep her home
Marie St. Jean – a maid supplied to Iris for her journey by Cobb; she seems to have many secrets of her own and knows much more about the expedition from Cobb himself
Parnabay Cobb – a wealthy American contracting and funding the expedition; at odds with the spying Clockwork Guild
Doctor Chadwick Radcliffe – an African American doctor who is very interested in Edward’s condition in Paris
Patrick O’Connell – an Irishman who works with Doctor Radcliffe; he becomes very protective of Iris and Marie
The Quotes
“Sometimes the universe drops things into your lap that you don’t recognize as gifts at first.”
From her childhood, her father had told Iris how objects all told stories, and the ancient ones had the best stories of all.
The Highs and Lows
+ Edward. I was thoroughly impressed with Edward’s character, who is nothing but a pretentious ball of nerves. His character reminds me of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, and I couldn’t help but giggle at his dialogue.
– Bledsoe. Bledsoe also has the propensity to be an ass. His behavior and mannerisms in the beginning, and even about halfway through to Edward, are horrendous. For a gentleman whose reputation and livelihood are somewhat dependent upon other people, he doesn’t act like it. I didn’t like Bledsoe’s character in the beginning. I hoped something bad would happen to him just so he would be gone.
– Parnabay Cobb. The filthy rich American is some kind of powerful in London and in Paris. His connections are not clear, but he has a definite hold over many. It is like he is a puppet-master and has orchestrated many things in the book, and after the convoy’s arrival in Paris he suspiciously disappears. There are such peculiar things that happen you almost have to wonder if everything that happens wasn’t orchestrated just right and a set-up from the very beginning. His character is still an enigma to me, especially after the way the book ended. I have a feeling he will suddenly reappear in the second book under less than desirable circumstances.
+ Marie. Marie is an interesting character. Like Parnabay Cobb, she also has a suspicious air, and even up until the end I wasn’t quite certain of her loyalties. She acts in such strange ways, but she is very helpful to Iris, so her position was very confusing. Regardless, she is a positive influence and much-needed friend to Iris.
+ Bledsoe. Bledsoe grows as a character and as he and Iris must work together it is like the layers have been peeled back and there is compassion and concern that become evident on his end – and not just for Edward, but for Iris. Although he still has the item to hold over Iris for blackmail, he becomes a more understanding and sympathetic character. I wasn’t sure if Bledsoe had it in him, so each time a little glimmer of his growth happened, it was heartwarming, because if anyone deserves it, it’s Iris.
+ Suspicion and Intrigue. As Iris continues on with the expedition, she begins unraveling some oddities from the time period they are researching. It seems the Pythagoreans had a very clear-cut organization and Edward and Iris’s research is making a centuries-old underground elitist group come out of the woodwork. Most of the characters have their own issues to deal with (Paranaby Cobb, Bledsoe’s “friends,” The Clockwork Guild, Jeremy Scott to name a few), so it is unclear which occurrences are one of their opposition or something unknown.
– Lord Jeremy Scott. The man is a pompous waste of body. He clearly has no real brains, and uses his nobility to force Iris into an engagement. He is a filthy snake who won’t give up and makes Iris’s life miserable.
– Setting. The book begins in 1870 England and as the expedition proceeds, the convoy travels to Paris and then Rome. There were a few times the era and year was referenced in narration, but not as time relative to the expedition. I found the negative commentary about the American “Civil” War unnecessary, especially the reference that it was “a proxy war between England and France.”
The Take-Away
I liked the character interaction the most. Each character had their own purposes and motives for accepting their roles in the expedition (or tagging along with it), and they are each focused on different components. Despite the individual’s gains, they all begin to work together to achieve the expedition’s goal.
Recommendation – Buy, Borrow or Skip?
A book full of life and death, blackmail and betrayal, suspicion and secrets? I recommend buying this one.
Professor Edward Bailey has dedicated his life to science, and after a heartbreaking ordeal he decides to live by the structure and predictability of science. Everything about his life is strictly routine, right down to the half cubes of sugar he puts in tea. He works alone in the aether department at the university.
Johann Bledsoe is Edward’s closest friend and works at the university with Edward. He is a talented musician and also a notorious skirt-chaser, but is extremely protective of Edward.
Iris McTavish takes up in her esteemed archaeologist father’s stead when called to the university. A rich American has requested Professor Bailey and archaeologist McTavish tour Europe as Grand Tourists in search of an element that will harness the power of the aether, which will in turn save Edward’s job and department from being cut.
Iris has studied all of her father’s work and wants to follow in his footsteps. They share a special connection with objects that allows them further insight than strictly the historical. Iris snatches this opportunity to save Grange House, make her mark as a scholar and avoid an unwanted marriage proposal. All the while hiding the truth about where her father is and what he is doing.
Despite their magnanimous personality differences, Edward is drawn to Iris’s love of learning, the scholar in her as they set out for Paris and Rome. Bledsoe wants nothing but to keep them apart and protect Edward, even at the extent of lording a hurtful piece of blackmail over Iris.
As they make their maiden voyage via airship to Paris, the expedition is met with unexpected betrayal, blackmail and theft.
The Players
Edward Bailey – a neuoritic professor who is obsessed with the world of aether and will do anything to protect his department, which allows him to work alone; he has an interesting friendship with Bledsoe and has an instant animosity to Iris
Edward is like a child in a lot of ways. He seems insensitive but is easily hurt.
Johann Bledsoe – a womanizing, gambling musician who is very loyal to Edward but is also very secretive; uses his wily ways to blackmail Iris
Iris McTavish – an orphaned young woman who wants to pursue work or study at university as a scholar; she possesses an uncanny power of reading objects; she sets out on the expedition under the guise of working with her father from afar to be able to keep her home
Marie St. Jean – a maid supplied to Iris for her journey by Cobb; she seems to have many secrets of her own and knows much more about the expedition from Cobb himself
Parnabay Cobb – a wealthy American contracting and funding the expedition; at odds with the spying Clockwork Guild
Doctor Chadwick Radcliffe – an African American doctor who is very interested in Edward’s condition in Paris
Patrick O’Connell – an Irishman who works with Doctor Radcliffe; he becomes very protective of Iris and Marie
The Quotes
“Sometimes the universe drops things into your lap that you don’t recognize as gifts at first.”
From her childhood, her father had told Iris how objects all told stories, and the ancient ones had the best stories of all.
The Highs and Lows
+ Edward. I was thoroughly impressed with Edward’s character, who is nothing but a pretentious ball of nerves. His character reminds me of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, and I couldn’t help but giggle at his dialogue.
– Bledsoe. Bledsoe also has the propensity to be an ass. His behavior and mannerisms in the beginning, and even about halfway through to Edward, are horrendous. For a gentleman whose reputation and livelihood are somewhat dependent upon other people, he doesn’t act like it. I didn’t like Bledsoe’s character in the beginning. I hoped something bad would happen to him just so he would be gone.
– Parnabay Cobb. The filthy rich American is some kind of powerful in London and in Paris. His connections are not clear, but he has a definite hold over many. It is like he is a puppet-master and has orchestrated many things in the book, and after the convoy’s arrival in Paris he suspiciously disappears. There are such peculiar things that happen you almost have to wonder if everything that happens wasn’t orchestrated just right and a set-up from the very beginning. His character is still an enigma to me, especially after the way the book ended. I have a feeling he will suddenly reappear in the second book under less than desirable circumstances.
+ Marie. Marie is an interesting character. Like Parnabay Cobb, she also has a suspicious air, and even up until the end I wasn’t quite certain of her loyalties. She acts in such strange ways, but she is very helpful to Iris, so her position was very confusing. Regardless, she is a positive influence and much-needed friend to Iris.
+ Bledsoe. Bledsoe grows as a character and as he and Iris must work together it is like the layers have been peeled back and there is compassion and concern that become evident on his end – and not just for Edward, but for Iris. Although he still has the item to hold over Iris for blackmail, he becomes a more understanding and sympathetic character. I wasn’t sure if Bledsoe had it in him, so each time a little glimmer of his growth happened, it was heartwarming, because if anyone deserves it, it’s Iris.
+ Suspicion and Intrigue. As Iris continues on with the expedition, she begins unraveling some oddities from the time period they are researching. It seems the Pythagoreans had a very clear-cut organization and Edward and Iris’s research is making a centuries-old underground elitist group come out of the woodwork. Most of the characters have their own issues to deal with (Paranaby Cobb, Bledsoe’s “friends,” The Clockwork Guild, Jeremy Scott to name a few), so it is unclear which occurrences are one of their opposition or something unknown.
– Lord Jeremy Scott. The man is a pompous waste of body. He clearly has no real brains, and uses his nobility to force Iris into an engagement. He is a filthy snake who won’t give up and makes Iris’s life miserable.
– Setting. The book begins in 1870 England and as the expedition proceeds, the convoy travels to Paris and then Rome. There were a few times the era and year was referenced in narration, but not as time relative to the expedition. I found the negative commentary about the American “Civil” War unnecessary, especially the reference that it was “a proxy war between England and France.”
The Take-Away
I liked the character interaction the most. Each character had their own purposes and motives for accepting their roles in the expedition (or tagging along with it), and they are each focused on different components. Despite the individual’s gains, they all begin to work together to achieve the expedition’s goal.
Recommendation – Buy, Borrow or Skip?
A book full of life and death, blackmail and betrayal, suspicion and secrets? I recommend buying this one.
April 10, 2020
4.5 Stars
Basic premise: Iris has to go on a quest with a band of men in order to secure her father’s home after his death left them on the brink of ruin.
This took a bit to get into since it is a steampunk Victorian universe with a bunch of new characters to get to know. I could easily resonate with Iris McTavish and her uncanny ability to touch objects and glean their inner truths.
The story started off with a bang when one of her father’s colleagues tries to force her to marry him in order for him to secure her father’s papers and notebooks. This felt like the Mummy meets Steampunk France but instead of Egyptian mythology it was Greek.
Edward Bailey was a bit of a dunderhead at times. But he grew on me as the story unfolded. You really do have to get used to all the customs of the late 1800’s. For example, Iris wasn’t allowed to be in the room with a man without a chaperone. Iris was rather forward thinking for a woman of that time.
I have to say I am intrigued to know what will happen next. I think the next book will feature another couple. I guess I would categorize this as a Steampunk Action Adventure Romance. I am definitely intrigued enough to buy book two in the series.
If you love a good historical romance, definitely check this one out.
Basic premise: Iris has to go on a quest with a band of men in order to secure her father’s home after his death left them on the brink of ruin.
This took a bit to get into since it is a steampunk Victorian universe with a bunch of new characters to get to know. I could easily resonate with Iris McTavish and her uncanny ability to touch objects and glean their inner truths.
The story started off with a bang when one of her father’s colleagues tries to force her to marry him in order for him to secure her father’s papers and notebooks. This felt like the Mummy meets Steampunk France but instead of Egyptian mythology it was Greek.
Edward Bailey was a bit of a dunderhead at times. But he grew on me as the story unfolded. You really do have to get used to all the customs of the late 1800’s. For example, Iris wasn’t allowed to be in the room with a man without a chaperone. Iris was rather forward thinking for a woman of that time.
I have to say I am intrigued to know what will happen next. I think the next book will feature another couple. I guess I would categorize this as a Steampunk Action Adventure Romance. I am definitely intrigued enough to buy book two in the series.
If you love a good historical romance, definitely check this one out.
October 5, 2022
Loved the adventure in this one. I'm not entirely sure about the science yet, but it seems like the discoveries will be revealed as the series progresses. The psychic elements were awesome and I'm so looking forward to how everyone's gift makes this unlikely group stronger. The romance between Iris and Edward is both subtle and obvious. We know from the beginning that they are perfect for each other, but it's not like they have a lot of time to court while being chased across Europe. I appreciated seeing their feelings grow while tackling everything thrown in their way.
March 23, 2016
Question: What do you get if you combine a 19th century setting, forward thinking scientific ideas, and advanced steam and clockwork technology. Answer: Historical Science Fiction. Some people call it Steampunk, which is just one word and therefore easier to say.
I love reading Steampunk and finding a new talent in this genre is always fun. Cecilia Dominic’s Eros Element, which releases on August 25th, is the first book in her promising Steampunk series Aether Psychics.
Eros Element is about an eclectic group of people who take the Grand Tour in Europe as cover for their real mission: discover a way to stabilize aether in order to make it a usable source of power.
I made that sound simple, didn’t I. Of course it is a little more complicated than that. There are organizations that are in competition with our little group. There are other people that do not want them to succeed. And within the group, there are secrets. Many, many secrets.
There, that sounds more interesting. Especially the secrets part. I’d say more about the secrets, but then they would not be – secret.
So I’ll talk about the characters. Physicist Edward Bailey and archeologist Iris McTavish are the main characters. Iris is not an archeologist by schooling. But training at the side of her famous archeologist father Irvin McTavish has given her all the skills she needs to succeed in the mission. And she desperately needs to succeed. Although she has kept it a secret, her father recently passed away and left her with very little money. Edward is a renowned aetherist that has been working to harness the potential energy in aether. With no success so far. But, as Edward says “Science takes time.” Edward is not at all keen to leave his safe university lab and teatime schedule to venture out into the world, but the threat of an Aether department budget cut gets him motivated.
I loved watching both of these characters adapt to circumstances wildly different from the life they had previously known. Edward’s adaptation was rather awkward while Iris faced it head on. Both had eschewed involvement with the opposite sex for personal reasons. But when they find they have something in common, a lovely friendship emerges with the potential for more. A favorite scene in the book: Edward grabs Iris’ hand and races with her to the dirigible they will be taking to France. Both were so swept up in the excitement of flying that they temporarily forgot that what they did was terribly out of character.
There are several other great secondary characters in Eros Element. Johann Bledsoe, musician and Edward’s best friend. He has secrets. Marie, who takes on the role of maid to Iris, although she is much more than a maid. She has secrets. American Doctor Chadwick Radcliffe and Irishman Patrick O’Connell who joined the group when an accident resulted in the need for a doctor. You’ve probably guessed it. They have secrets too. Along with Iris and Edward, these four characters are all instrumental to the story of Eros Element. I did like that there was such a variety of characters to root for. Even if, at times, I wasn’t sure if I should be rooting for them.
Bad guys – every good book has them. One or more. In Eros Element, the most obvious bad guy is the cheating, sniveling, conniving Lord Jeremy Scott who wants to get his hands on everything that belongs to Irvin McTavish. Research, papers and his daughter. Scott’s badguyness emerges early in the story and is not subtle so I don’t think I am giving much away here. Someone needs to run him over with a steam coach – or something.
Parnaby Cobb is the American who financed the expedition. His motives do not appear to be black and white. So it is hard to tell how good or bad he is. And that makes him a little more interesting. There are others. The Clockmaker’s guild and the Pthagorians. Again, these group’s motives are unclear but they do tend to get in the way of our main group of heroines and heroes. Complications from the non-protagonist crowd added plenty of obstacles and adventures for our intrepid travelers.
There are so many things I liked about Eros Element both in the overall feel and in the small details. Here are a few details:
There is one problem with Eros Element. That is, although it does not end in a cliffhanger, I know there is more to the story. But I am going to have to wait to get it. If you can’t tell by now, I will put it plainly. Eros Element is highly recommended!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for my review. This recommendation was originally posted on Smart Girls Love Sci Fi Romance
I love reading Steampunk and finding a new talent in this genre is always fun. Cecilia Dominic’s Eros Element, which releases on August 25th, is the first book in her promising Steampunk series Aether Psychics.
Eros Element is about an eclectic group of people who take the Grand Tour in Europe as cover for their real mission: discover a way to stabilize aether in order to make it a usable source of power.
I made that sound simple, didn’t I. Of course it is a little more complicated than that. There are organizations that are in competition with our little group. There are other people that do not want them to succeed. And within the group, there are secrets. Many, many secrets.
There, that sounds more interesting. Especially the secrets part. I’d say more about the secrets, but then they would not be – secret.
So I’ll talk about the characters. Physicist Edward Bailey and archeologist Iris McTavish are the main characters. Iris is not an archeologist by schooling. But training at the side of her famous archeologist father Irvin McTavish has given her all the skills she needs to succeed in the mission. And she desperately needs to succeed. Although she has kept it a secret, her father recently passed away and left her with very little money. Edward is a renowned aetherist that has been working to harness the potential energy in aether. With no success so far. But, as Edward says “Science takes time.” Edward is not at all keen to leave his safe university lab and teatime schedule to venture out into the world, but the threat of an Aether department budget cut gets him motivated.
I loved watching both of these characters adapt to circumstances wildly different from the life they had previously known. Edward’s adaptation was rather awkward while Iris faced it head on. Both had eschewed involvement with the opposite sex for personal reasons. But when they find they have something in common, a lovely friendship emerges with the potential for more. A favorite scene in the book: Edward grabs Iris’ hand and races with her to the dirigible they will be taking to France. Both were so swept up in the excitement of flying that they temporarily forgot that what they did was terribly out of character.
There are several other great secondary characters in Eros Element. Johann Bledsoe, musician and Edward’s best friend. He has secrets. Marie, who takes on the role of maid to Iris, although she is much more than a maid. She has secrets. American Doctor Chadwick Radcliffe and Irishman Patrick O’Connell who joined the group when an accident resulted in the need for a doctor. You’ve probably guessed it. They have secrets too. Along with Iris and Edward, these four characters are all instrumental to the story of Eros Element. I did like that there was such a variety of characters to root for. Even if, at times, I wasn’t sure if I should be rooting for them.
Bad guys – every good book has them. One or more. In Eros Element, the most obvious bad guy is the cheating, sniveling, conniving Lord Jeremy Scott who wants to get his hands on everything that belongs to Irvin McTavish. Research, papers and his daughter. Scott’s badguyness emerges early in the story and is not subtle so I don’t think I am giving much away here. Someone needs to run him over with a steam coach – or something.
Parnaby Cobb is the American who financed the expedition. His motives do not appear to be black and white. So it is hard to tell how good or bad he is. And that makes him a little more interesting. There are others. The Clockmaker’s guild and the Pthagorians. Again, these group’s motives are unclear but they do tend to get in the way of our main group of heroines and heroes. Complications from the non-protagonist crowd added plenty of obstacles and adventures for our intrepid travelers.
There are so many things I liked about Eros Element both in the overall feel and in the small details. Here are a few details:
1.Edward Bailey prefers his cream warmed, then put into the teacup, followed by the tea and a half cube of sugar.If you read the book, you will find many more small and large details that add interest and structure to the overall story. The attention to detail gives Eros Element a sense of richness.
2.Johann Bledsoe saved Iris from a bad hair day because he just happened to have women’s hairpins in his pocket from the night before.
3.Tuning forks.
4.Clockwork spies.
5.Steam coach and its name: Prancer 457.
6.A young girl’s journal about earthworms.
7.The unusual friendship between Iris and Marie.
There is one problem with Eros Element. That is, although it does not end in a cliffhanger, I know there is more to the story. But I am going to have to wait to get it. If you can’t tell by now, I will put it plainly. Eros Element is highly recommended!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for my review. This recommendation was originally posted on Smart Girls Love Sci Fi Romance
June 20, 2021
This book had so much that appealed to me, but I struggled to be pulled fully into it for the first 75%. I took a short break and returned to it and the last 25% flew by and I was a little sad when it was over. I enjoyed Iris and Edward’s discovery of their feelings for one another as they worked with the other members of the group to discover the Eros Element.
June 3, 2021
An enjoyable steampunk romp. None of the people or other things are what they seem in this wacky adventure.
July 12, 2020
This is the first Steampunk novel I have read. I didn’t know what to expect but I liked it. All the character seemed to have things they were hiding and I wanted to find out what. There were a few gaps that were hard to fill in. I will try another book by this author.
February 3, 2024
Edward gets roped in to an expedition that takes them to Paris and Italy looking for special items to help get Aether working. Iris takes her father's place in order to make enough money to take of her home. This is filled with revenge and murder and trying to figure out who wants what and why. Very good book.
December 7, 2023
"Eros Element" by Cecilia Dominic is book one in the Aether Psychics series. It is a great start to a series. This is the first book I have read by Cecilia, and I absolutely loved it. Iris' father is a professor who went on many expeditions, but he fell ill, and Iris took it upon herself to go on the most recent archeological expedition to try to get the money to pay for things at home. She isn't telling anyone about her father. My favorite part is when she is trying to make it to the train before it leaves, and she barely makes it. When she gets on the train, her hair is a mess, and you find out that she is outrunning someone. The way that Cecilia writes the scenes keeps you interested in wanting to continue reading. I will be continuing in this series and reading other books by this author.
October 3, 2015
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:
While I’m a bit of a stickler for accuracy in my historical romance, I’ll generally give more leeway to alternative history stories, including steampunk – so long as there’s a consistent in-story or in-series logic to all the deviations. What irks me, on the other hand, is stories in which details jar for no discernible reason. Queen Victoria as a dragon, a vampire slayer, or secretly switched with a commoner – fine. All or any of the above with London on the Clyde rather than the Thames – you’d better have a damned good explanation for why. There are starting to be days when I’m suspicious of picking up alternative histories books by new-to-me non-British authors as well as having that response to historical stories by the same. Sometimes I find a story I love, and sometimes I have to restrain myself from throwing my e-reader at the wall.
This book invoked the latter reaction. Edward is a professor at Huntington University, as was Iris’ father before his unfortunate death – a death which Iris tries to keep secret for much of the book. So far, so good; however, the university, which is somewhere in the north of England – I’m assuming close to the Huntington which is in Yorkshire, rather than having anything to do with Huntingdon near Cambridge – seems to be run along the lines of a US institution rather than any British university I’ve ever encountered. And really, a British university in the 19th Century that’s close to an English village, rather than being associated with a city? I can accept that as the location for a Cambridge college, but not for an entire academic establishment.
That rant out of the way, Edward is faced with upheavals at work and the possible closure of his department if he can’t make progress in his research over the summer. And so he’s sent abroad with Iris (in the absence of her father) as one of his fellow travellers in order to unravel an ancient puzzle. About halfway through the book we’re told that the McGuffin they’re all searching for is called the Eros Element, but checking back there’s no explanation of what that is or why they’ve been given that name for the allusive clue they need to track down.
I’m not sure why I was so surprised by this leap of logic, as previously the characters had travelled south via London to Winchester, which was suddenly on the coast – as opposed to 10 to 20 miles away depending on how you define coast vs estuary. All these issues could have been avoided, of course, if I’d been swept up in the romance between Edward and Iris, but I wasn’t. Personally I feel Iris has more chemistry with the mysterious woman who agrees to pose as her maid than she has with any of the men – and the two women become linked by a psychic bond of some sort too. Sadly, Edward seems to have chemistry with no one.
I’m not rating this book as a total failure, since I like some of the technological details, particularly the clockwork recording butterflies used by our protagonists’ rivals, and I like the idea of a feud between the Clockwork Guild and those who are either seeking to further develop steam technology or who are investigating other sources of power. On the other hand, this really isn’t a series I’ll be revisiting.
While I’m a bit of a stickler for accuracy in my historical romance, I’ll generally give more leeway to alternative history stories, including steampunk – so long as there’s a consistent in-story or in-series logic to all the deviations. What irks me, on the other hand, is stories in which details jar for no discernible reason. Queen Victoria as a dragon, a vampire slayer, or secretly switched with a commoner – fine. All or any of the above with London on the Clyde rather than the Thames – you’d better have a damned good explanation for why. There are starting to be days when I’m suspicious of picking up alternative histories books by new-to-me non-British authors as well as having that response to historical stories by the same. Sometimes I find a story I love, and sometimes I have to restrain myself from throwing my e-reader at the wall.
This book invoked the latter reaction. Edward is a professor at Huntington University, as was Iris’ father before his unfortunate death – a death which Iris tries to keep secret for much of the book. So far, so good; however, the university, which is somewhere in the north of England – I’m assuming close to the Huntington which is in Yorkshire, rather than having anything to do with Huntingdon near Cambridge – seems to be run along the lines of a US institution rather than any British university I’ve ever encountered. And really, a British university in the 19th Century that’s close to an English village, rather than being associated with a city? I can accept that as the location for a Cambridge college, but not for an entire academic establishment.
That rant out of the way, Edward is faced with upheavals at work and the possible closure of his department if he can’t make progress in his research over the summer. And so he’s sent abroad with Iris (in the absence of her father) as one of his fellow travellers in order to unravel an ancient puzzle. About halfway through the book we’re told that the McGuffin they’re all searching for is called the Eros Element, but checking back there’s no explanation of what that is or why they’ve been given that name for the allusive clue they need to track down.
I’m not sure why I was so surprised by this leap of logic, as previously the characters had travelled south via London to Winchester, which was suddenly on the coast – as opposed to 10 to 20 miles away depending on how you define coast vs estuary. All these issues could have been avoided, of course, if I’d been swept up in the romance between Edward and Iris, but I wasn’t. Personally I feel Iris has more chemistry with the mysterious woman who agrees to pose as her maid than she has with any of the men – and the two women become linked by a psychic bond of some sort too. Sadly, Edward seems to have chemistry with no one.
I’m not rating this book as a total failure, since I like some of the technological details, particularly the clockwork recording butterflies used by our protagonists’ rivals, and I like the idea of a feud between the Clockwork Guild and those who are either seeking to further develop steam technology or who are investigating other sources of power. On the other hand, this really isn’t a series I’ll be revisiting.
January 30, 2024
I am a big fan of Iris. She lost her father. She's trying to save her home and avoiding a man who won't take no for an answer. Iris and Edward are on an adventure. They are following clues to find a new energy, but they have to deal with spies and enemies.
I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
Read
August 5, 2022This was a very well thought out book. I liked how everything all came together even if i'm still not sure what aether is and how it's supposed to be a force to powerful for humans to wield. But i'm ok with that because no one in the book seems to know that either. I like how we, as readers, are along for the ride like everyone else. Edward is a bit prim and fussy, having a disposition similar what i imagine was attributed to females back in the day. Iris is very sturdy, doing what must be done, which is probably more accurate to how females were, lol. The supporting characters are also very well written and multi dementional, even if i did want to smack Johann for most of the book. I am excited to read the next book in the series!
Read
October 19, 2016Iris McTavish, an archaeological expert, stands in for her father on a scientific expedition to find ways to use aether as a power source. She needs the money the project backer promises to retain her independence from an unwanted and unscrupulous suitor. While on the expedition, she finds herself drawn to Edward Bailey, the aether scientist. But nobody on the expedition is what they seem to be. With enemies determined to disrupt the trip at every turn, can Edward and Iris unlock the potential of the Eros Element?
Not everyone would like the hero, Professor Bailey, but he makes me go squee. He's querulous and neurotic and sweet and tenderhearted. The high-maintenance professor type. His admiration for Iris is a complex thing: they share a passion of discovery while constantly challenging each other.
Our heroine, meanwhile, is plenty paranoid. If she touches significant objects with her bare hands, she has uncontrollable visions of the people and places the object has been associated with, and this has made her see ugly things. She chafes at the restrictions her gender and economic consequences have placed upon her. At one point, someone calls her on her detachment, thinking it's unnatural for a woman to be so composed when she's witnessed something so horrible. That's her way to cope, though, she's smart and means well. The secrets she keeps are understandable and she has good reason to not confide in people.
The baddies are convincing. There's a visceral immediate threat, and also a more mysterious far-ranging one.
Despite the title, this book is PG. I don't mind that when I expect it, but I did wonder if there would be more of the sensual in dealings with the Eros Element.
I felt that the cast’s traveling around was a whirlwind, and I didn't get the feel of all the cities as differentiated from each other (except the culinary details).
There was also lots of setup done in this book that fleshed out the secondary characters, not because of their importance now, but because they might be the foci of later books in the series. The book raises a lot of questions it doesn't answer.
Not everyone would like the hero, Professor Bailey, but he makes me go squee. He's querulous and neurotic and sweet and tenderhearted. The high-maintenance professor type. His admiration for Iris is a complex thing: they share a passion of discovery while constantly challenging each other.
Our heroine, meanwhile, is plenty paranoid. If she touches significant objects with her bare hands, she has uncontrollable visions of the people and places the object has been associated with, and this has made her see ugly things. She chafes at the restrictions her gender and economic consequences have placed upon her. At one point, someone calls her on her detachment, thinking it's unnatural for a woman to be so composed when she's witnessed something so horrible. That's her way to cope, though, she's smart and means well. The secrets she keeps are understandable and she has good reason to not confide in people.
The baddies are convincing. There's a visceral immediate threat, and also a more mysterious far-ranging one.
Despite the title, this book is PG. I don't mind that when I expect it, but I did wonder if there would be more of the sensual in dealings with the Eros Element.
I felt that the cast’s traveling around was a whirlwind, and I didn't get the feel of all the cities as differentiated from each other (except the culinary details).
There was also lots of setup done in this book that fleshed out the secondary characters, not because of their importance now, but because they might be the foci of later books in the series. The book raises a lot of questions it doesn't answer.
February 8, 2016
The thing that immediately grabs your eye about the Aether Psychics series, is the awesome looking blue covers. If I would have seen this book lying in the bookstore, I definitely would have grabbed a copy. So when I saw the sign up for the Review Tour of the Aether Psychics series I signed up as fast as I could.
‘Eros Element’ was from the very first page a really nice read. I didn’t realize when I read the book description that this book would take place in 1870 , so that was definitely a nice surprise since I love reading historical novels. The author has a very interesting way of writing that definitely hooked me to the pages of this book. The scenery and the travel devices are really well described, which makes you feel like you’re a part of the story instead of a reader.
The main characters are especially very interesting. There’s the main female character Iris McTavish, who definitely is a fun female character. Iris wants more than what she is supposed to have as a female in the 1800’s, and I really loved her for that. She also has this interesting gift that makes you want to read more about her.
The main male character Edward Bailey is definitely not your average male character. He is a little weird, definitely a little insecure and has this huge passion for his job. I really loved Edward.
The romance is very light in this book. But that definitely wasn’t a bad thing, since it fitted the characters personality perfectly. It was really sweet.
Although I did feel like this book could have been a little more fast-paced in the beginning, the writing style, the fun and interesting characters really made up for that. The Aether talk was a little difficult at times, but I just kept on reading and I really enjoyed this book.
Not only does this book have some great main characters, the secondary characters were also really fun to read about. Especially Marie. I loved that character.
This book was a really great read and I loved it. If you love fantasy and adventures reads, this book is perfect for you.
‘Eros Element’ was from the very first page a really nice read. I didn’t realize when I read the book description that this book would take place in 1870 , so that was definitely a nice surprise since I love reading historical novels. The author has a very interesting way of writing that definitely hooked me to the pages of this book. The scenery and the travel devices are really well described, which makes you feel like you’re a part of the story instead of a reader.
The main characters are especially very interesting. There’s the main female character Iris McTavish, who definitely is a fun female character. Iris wants more than what she is supposed to have as a female in the 1800’s, and I really loved her for that. She also has this interesting gift that makes you want to read more about her.
The main male character Edward Bailey is definitely not your average male character. He is a little weird, definitely a little insecure and has this huge passion for his job. I really loved Edward.
The romance is very light in this book. But that definitely wasn’t a bad thing, since it fitted the characters personality perfectly. It was really sweet.
Although I did feel like this book could have been a little more fast-paced in the beginning, the writing style, the fun and interesting characters really made up for that. The Aether talk was a little difficult at times, but I just kept on reading and I really enjoyed this book.
Not only does this book have some great main characters, the secondary characters were also really fun to read about. Especially Marie. I loved that character.
This book was a really great read and I loved it. If you love fantasy and adventures reads, this book is perfect for you.
January 6, 2016
Eros Element is a fantastic start to a new series. And while it’s the beginning of something bigger it still has a great conclusion and doesn’t leave us with a cliffhanger.
Eros Element has a different feel to it. First of all the male character, Edward, is very different. He’s a bit OCD and is very much about things being a routine. He doesn’t like surprises at all. But this somewhat forced trip truly pushes him outside his comfort zone and he slowly begins to realize the things that were missing in his life.
Iris is actually the bolder, stronger character. Stronger in the sense that she’s not afraid (or at least doesn’t let fear get the best of her) and will fight for what she wants. She’s definitely the more lively of the two.
The romance is actually pretty light in this book because of the nature of the characters. The romance has time to slowly develop as the characters discover they do care about each other. The troubles and trials they encounter draw them together more and more.
The secondary characters, which I believe will be the main characters in the next book, are Marie and Johann. Marie is still a bit of an enigma. We don’t know a lot about her but we’ve had a lot of things dropped into our lap so she’s definitely a character I’m very, very curious about. Johann is a bit of a horses a$$. Well, that’s the side we see the most of. While it’s easy to dislike him, the good things he does do makes us wonder if he’s just hiding the good side of him. It makes me wonder what he’s really like I’m anxious to learn more about him and hopefully see him grow even more as a character.
The scientific aspects seemed a bit over my head, but I enjoyed the steampunk bits quite a lot. I went with the flow and enjoyed the story, not getting hung up on things. Overall it was a super fast read that I got through in no time at all.
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
Eros Element has a different feel to it. First of all the male character, Edward, is very different. He’s a bit OCD and is very much about things being a routine. He doesn’t like surprises at all. But this somewhat forced trip truly pushes him outside his comfort zone and he slowly begins to realize the things that were missing in his life.
Iris is actually the bolder, stronger character. Stronger in the sense that she’s not afraid (or at least doesn’t let fear get the best of her) and will fight for what she wants. She’s definitely the more lively of the two.
The romance is actually pretty light in this book because of the nature of the characters. The romance has time to slowly develop as the characters discover they do care about each other. The troubles and trials they encounter draw them together more and more.
The secondary characters, which I believe will be the main characters in the next book, are Marie and Johann. Marie is still a bit of an enigma. We don’t know a lot about her but we’ve had a lot of things dropped into our lap so she’s definitely a character I’m very, very curious about. Johann is a bit of a horses a$$. Well, that’s the side we see the most of. While it’s easy to dislike him, the good things he does do makes us wonder if he’s just hiding the good side of him. It makes me wonder what he’s really like I’m anxious to learn more about him and hopefully see him grow even more as a character.
The scientific aspects seemed a bit over my head, but I enjoyed the steampunk bits quite a lot. I went with the flow and enjoyed the story, not getting hung up on things. Overall it was a super fast read that I got through in no time at all.
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
July 14, 2018
I am completely fascinated by the world in the Aether Physics universe. It is completely known yet there are elements of the unknown that have drawn me in.
I recently read Noble Secrets (read my review) which was a great introduction to the smart, intelligent characters and Dominic’s writing style. It lead me to binge read the three novels that currently make up the Aether Physics series.
What I love most about Dominic’s style is that all of her characters are smart and intelligent. They are not cardboard cutouts of tropes. There are no over dramatic women or hunky dumb men. Each of the characters has their own foibles and hurdles to overcome, but their humanity and intelligence isn’t compromised or made less because of their shortcomings. I found myself rooting for the romances and biting my nails at the end as good confronts evil.
The minor sticking point in Eros Element that had me scratching my head was Iris and her journeys to the past. Overall, I love Iris’s skill and it reminds me of the Reincarnationist series by M.J. Rose. The transitions to the past were jarring at times and I was often confused by what was going on. Hopefully this improves a bit as a)Iris becomes more familiar with her skill and b) the series develops.
I would recommend Eros Element to fans who enjoy fantasy mixed with a dash of science. Since the book takes place in the Victorian era with tiny elements of steam punk, the romance is reserved to coy glances and stolen kisses. It was an enjoyable novel and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
I recently read Noble Secrets (read my review) which was a great introduction to the smart, intelligent characters and Dominic’s writing style. It lead me to binge read the three novels that currently make up the Aether Physics series.
What I love most about Dominic’s style is that all of her characters are smart and intelligent. They are not cardboard cutouts of tropes. There are no over dramatic women or hunky dumb men. Each of the characters has their own foibles and hurdles to overcome, but their humanity and intelligence isn’t compromised or made less because of their shortcomings. I found myself rooting for the romances and biting my nails at the end as good confronts evil.
The minor sticking point in Eros Element that had me scratching my head was Iris and her journeys to the past. Overall, I love Iris’s skill and it reminds me of the Reincarnationist series by M.J. Rose. The transitions to the past were jarring at times and I was often confused by what was going on. Hopefully this improves a bit as a)Iris becomes more familiar with her skill and b) the series develops.
I would recommend Eros Element to fans who enjoy fantasy mixed with a dash of science. Since the book takes place in the Victorian era with tiny elements of steam punk, the romance is reserved to coy glances and stolen kisses. It was an enjoyable novel and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
August 30, 2015
Iris is a woman ahead of her time and must use all her resources to survive at the unexpected death of her father.
I do hope the author will have a spin off novel with Edward's brother and also his former secretary - the Duke and Duchess.
A fun romp through historical Europe with sparkling dialogue, plenty of action and an likeable cast of characters.
I received a review copy of this novel from the author.
I do hope the author will have a spin off novel with Edward's brother and also his former secretary - the Duke and Duchess.
A fun romp through historical Europe with sparkling dialogue, plenty of action and an likeable cast of characters.
I received a review copy of this novel from the author.
September 8, 2015
I received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's really nice. I loved the steampunk elements. At the start it's a bit slow paced but then it's ok. The romance isn't so overwhelming and it didn't really clicked for me, but this notwithstanding I liked this book.
My vote: 3.5 stars
It's really nice. I loved the steampunk elements. At the start it's a bit slow paced but then it's ok. The romance isn't so overwhelming and it didn't really clicked for me, but this notwithstanding I liked this book.
My vote: 3.5 stars
January 6, 2016
Cecelia Dominic's 'Eros Element' is a fun steampunk romp. The first in her Aether Psychics series, readers are plunged into a world of eccentric personalities and dangerous perils in search of the fabled Eros element. Dominic creates a fully fleshed out world peopled with dynamic characters. This is a very enjoyable read.
I received a copy of the book for review.
I received a copy of the book for review.
September 7, 2015
Well done!
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