Spark of Thought

Spark #1

by Lucie Lukačovičová

In the midst of the steampunk era, the City of Prague is at the heart of the Holy Inquisition, which is determined to wipe out the witches and heretics endangering the world. A young scientist is accused of witchcraft and ends up coming to the attention of Ignatius, the High Inquisitor.

An unexpected attraction complicates an already dangerous situation—a situation that many are happy to exploit, from other authorities within the church to city leaders. Ignatius will have to choose between the life he's always led or the warlock he shouldn't love—if they survive long enough to have any choice at all.

Genres: M M Romance

35 pages, ebook

Published February 3, 2016

About the author

Narodila se v roce 1980 v Praze, kde vystudovala antropologii a knihovnictví na FF UK. Je patronkou soutěže O loutnu barda Marigolda a editorkou sborníků, sestavovaných každoročně z hodnocených prací. Rovněž už několik let vede kurzy tvůrčího psaní v rámci Dětské mensy. Její povídky vycházejí v časopisech Pevnost, Dech draka a Fantázia, stejně tak v jednotlivých sbornících (Klášter slasti, Kostky jsou vrženy, Tváře budoucnosti, Písně temných věků etc.). Stala se vítězkou Ceny Karla Čapka 2001 v kategorii krátká povídka, mnohokrát se umístila mezi publikovanými díly v soutěži O rukavici lorda Trollslayera (sborníky Drakobijci). Často experimentálně tvoří se spoluautory, zejména se svou sestrou Petrou.

Mezi její zájmy patří kromě psaní také kresba a kaligrafie, ať už evropská nebo asijská. S japonskou kulturou se poprvé setkala přes staré mýty a legendy a začala se jí intenzivněji věnovat, včetně cestování a studia jazyka. (zdroj: Daemon.cz)

Reviews

[Jyanx · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this story. The concept is interesting, and the cover is really pretty, but I found myself unable to buy into the story. I found Nikola to be too weak willed, and too whiny. I didn't buy Ignatius's obsession with Nikola, and why he decides to do what he does. The romance felt too forced, and I never could understand why these characters fell for each other at all. I actually was rooting for the people trying to break Nikola out, and I never developed any sort of warm feelings for Ignatius, and his situation. Sorry, you torture, and have people burned alive for having magic you're not exactly making my Christmas card list. The ending twist was the final nail in the coffin for me, and was truly a head desk moment for me.

[Sarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.


Nicola just wants to be left in peace to continue his experiments but when he’s reported for being a witch, his life changes. Desperate not to end up like those condemned before him, Nicola is determined to do whatever is necessary to save himself, even if it means giving into the demands of the High Inquisitor. When the unthinkable happens, will Nicola find redemption, or damnation?

I found the setting and concept of this story to be intriguing but it didn’t quite live up to its potential. There were what appeared to be three intersecting plot lines but due to the length of the story, none of them really got the attention they deserved and they all suffered for it. I never felt like I got to know either main character very well and I didn’t believe the connection between them at all. Or, more accurately, I understood the Inquisitor’s little obsession but any reciprocal feelings from Nicola didn’t work at all for me. The book was also supposed to take place in the ‘era of steampunk’ but I never really got to see that; I figure if it was mentioned in the blurb it should’ve featured a little more but it was more like a quick blip, easily missed if you blinked. This would’ve been so much better if it had been flushed out some more but as it was, I came away with an overall feeling of meh.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I will admit while I did like this world this author created in this book.. Parts of this book I was really confused on what was going on and some of this story felt a little rushed to me to be honest.

But I did really like where this author was going with this story. There was really no steam between these two men in this book but you did feel the attraction one of these MC's had for the other man.

With this Novella you will get Ignatius who is a high Inquisitor that has been watching a man who he is attracted to but at the same time thinks he is a witch which means he must lock him up.

So all together I really liked this story but for me this felt so rushed and I was really confused by some of this story.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.

[Seregil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story, with interesting premise and world, but with pretty unlikable characters, in my opinion. I don't think it's a good idea to make your characters commit despicable acts and then hope that the reader still roots for their love. It could work in a longer book where you build your character and circumstances in layers, but not in this case.
I was expecting something else and was disappointed.

[Julie Nováková · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would have happened if Joan of Arc won her struggle? The European political and religious landscape might be very different from ours, and the depiction of this alternative history is easily the strongest element of this story. The usage of historical characters in a different context is a cherry on the top.

[Rowena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got Spark of Thought based only on the description of "steampunk set in Prague" and found a story of two men who had more in common than anyone would expect, about faith, love and life. I enjoyed reading it and only regret there wasn't more.

From the little we learn about Nikola and Ignatius from the rather stort novella, they are both completely consumed by their work and isolated from any human connection. Nikola has no friends and no fiancée, had no social life as a student and admits to himself that the Inquisitor is probably the only person who knows anything about him. Ignatius' room is as simple as a prison cell and all his life seems to be dedicated to keeping a position he never actually wanted in the first place.
As for the attraction between them, I found it believable. Ignatius fell in love and didn't really know what to do (not very surprising for someone supposed to be celibate, probably from a young age), Nikola is shocked, afraid and surprised at the pleasant feelings human touch can give (has he ever experinced physical intimacy before?) And still Nikola resists the Inquisitor until he learns his reasons and intentions.
When they explored feelings completely new to both of them, I found their confusion and inexperience very sweet. (Reading this close to Valentine's day probably helped.) The fact that Ignatius needed Nikola's consent and Nikola needed to be sure of the other man's intentions was very important for me.
The Inquisitor's final decision also seemed to me one to change his life, leave what his parents chose for him and pursue his own passions (can this be what fascinated him in Nikola?), affirmation of life as well as of love.

Spark of thought, spark of life, spark of love. The question is, however, who saved whom in this story?

I also really liked the play with dualities that went through the whole book. Jan Hus and Joan of Arc, brought together in Jana, witches and saints, Valis, the mayor of Prague, who wants to protect George just like Ignatius tries to protect Nikola...

I would have liked the story to be longer, to learn more about all the characters (Who was Jana really and was she actually mad? What were Valis and George like when they weren't fighting the Church? I wish I could have seen more of their relationship.) I kind of feel I was given a glimpse into something bigger and wish I could have read the whole novel. I didn't really miss any steampunk, but I wish I could have seen more of this version of Prague, with the statue of Joan of Arc on the Old Town Square, where Jan Hus stands in our reality.
But maybe the future will bring more stories set here?

[Ivana Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The environment of the book is extremely interesting and fascinating - Prague and its dungeon under Vysehrad, Apostle Clock, Castle, Tyn Church - and its legends. Historical personalities which influenced the characters - Johannes Hus and Joan d´Arc fighting for truth and justice... Secretive atmosphere of Prague in the last days of inquisition - horribly unlawful, but still keeping some basic human rules (you cannot have the insane to be burnt....). Or will these be really their last days? Or will it be only the last day of the Inquisitor Ignatius? Nicola, the inventor, can evoke sparks, but can he also dominate them? Jana, a woman who was tortured and got crazy - but is she being really crazy? And the main motive of love between the two main male characters - will they make it in the end? I felt a suspense and excitement and also admired the style by which it was brought to an unexpected final revelation... It is truth what was mentioned in some reviews, the story would need more space to be developed and let us see the characters in more depth - but it was meant to be a short story - maybe one day it will become a novel...

[Norbertd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What have I liked most is the underlying alternate history setting. Not that the romance between main characters is bad, far from it, but this particular shift from our reality caught my attention. The true identities of Nikola and Ignatius, in context of our history, is very nice easter egg.

[Helen Kord · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forced myself to finish the whole thing and the ending 'twist' made me want to stab myself in the face tbh