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Arcane Adventuress #1
Canithrope
London, 1899. The old century turns to make way for the new, and Vivian Harper’s fate is in the cards...
Vivian yearns for freedom—as well as the security to care for those she loves. She is engaged to a drunken, gambling lout but at least he comes from a good name. And yet, she dreams of something more than becoming a man’s property.
Mysterious murders begin happening in the great city of London, murders that most people are ready to turn a blind eye to in support of the new emporium. But these murders aren’t the only mysterious forces at work. A group of civilians have taken it upon themselves to cleanse the city of all things deemed unnatural or archaic in this rapidly changing world, including her parents—an apothecary and a fortune teller.
But none of that compares to the mystical world hiding within London. Vivian’s life is turned upside down and she is thrust into a world she never believed existed. A world of magic, pirates, demons, armies of the dead, and a man who seeks to harness ancient magic capable of remaking men into monsters.
Partnered with the most unlikely of companions, she must find the strength and the power within herself and the magic of the tarot to save everything that she loves. London is filled with secrets, including the most remarkable dog with a power no one would believe…
The first in the Arcane Adventuress series: Canithrope; a better life is waiting for those brave enough to go looking.
Vivian yearns for freedom—as well as the security to care for those she loves. She is engaged to a drunken, gambling lout but at least he comes from a good name. And yet, she dreams of something more than becoming a man’s property.
Mysterious murders begin happening in the great city of London, murders that most people are ready to turn a blind eye to in support of the new emporium. But these murders aren’t the only mysterious forces at work. A group of civilians have taken it upon themselves to cleanse the city of all things deemed unnatural or archaic in this rapidly changing world, including her parents—an apothecary and a fortune teller.
But none of that compares to the mystical world hiding within London. Vivian’s life is turned upside down and she is thrust into a world she never believed existed. A world of magic, pirates, demons, armies of the dead, and a man who seeks to harness ancient magic capable of remaking men into monsters.
Partnered with the most unlikely of companions, she must find the strength and the power within herself and the magic of the tarot to save everything that she loves. London is filled with secrets, including the most remarkable dog with a power no one would believe…
The first in the Arcane Adventuress series: Canithrope; a better life is waiting for those brave enough to go looking.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2018
48 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 18, 2023
This book is full of good, adventurous steampunk fun--and more. It has some seriously thoughtful passages, and Vivian Harper goes through significant life changes.
I suppose that's likely to happen if you break your engagement to "A wealthy cad with a good family name" and find yourself involved with a very perplexing man who's not always a man. And if you then escape a mob with the aid of people who fly an airship and harvest lightning, well then. You are no longer the conventional young woman who's set aside dreams of independence to care for her parents.
Nathaniel Valentine, Vivian's perplexing companion in adventure, is still discovering some of his own nature. Robertson has come up with a new twist on shape changers. I think I'll just leave that there. He's strong and clever, and he needs every bit of both of those.
What a wealth of detail we have here! We start in an alternate London at the turn of the 19th century, with some dangers that our London didn't have. The life on board the air ship is fascinating, and well worked out. There's an island full of secrets, with a resident monster whom they must defeat. I love the way the lamia is both entrancing and brutally dangerous.
One advantage of discovering a series late in the game is that you can read the next book without having to wait for the author to write it. I look forward to doing so.
I suppose that's likely to happen if you break your engagement to "A wealthy cad with a good family name" and find yourself involved with a very perplexing man who's not always a man. And if you then escape a mob with the aid of people who fly an airship and harvest lightning, well then. You are no longer the conventional young woman who's set aside dreams of independence to care for her parents.
Nathaniel Valentine, Vivian's perplexing companion in adventure, is still discovering some of his own nature. Robertson has come up with a new twist on shape changers. I think I'll just leave that there. He's strong and clever, and he needs every bit of both of those.
What a wealth of detail we have here! We start in an alternate London at the turn of the 19th century, with some dangers that our London didn't have. The life on board the air ship is fascinating, and well worked out. There's an island full of secrets, with a resident monster whom they must defeat. I love the way the lamia is both entrancing and brutally dangerous.
One advantage of discovering a series late in the game is that you can read the next book without having to wait for the author to write it. I look forward to doing so.
April 1, 2020
3.5 Rounded up. This was very fun and I loved Vivian and Nate as characters. I would have preferred a little bit more of a slow burn romance for them but its not instalove enough that I was like woah too fast. I found the story very fun but the cover art doesn't really match what you read within. TW for animal death but it's done in a way that isn't brutal but meaningful. I know for some people it's difficult to read but it's handled very well.
The only other thing that took a star away for me was the seemingly out-of-place author self-insert moment. I've met Vennessa at other conventions and she's very fun and obviously a great writer but there is a moment where Vivian sees potentially a future incarnation of herself that is very blatantly the author. I didn't think it was necessary at all and took me out of the book itself when reading that part.
At the conventions the author also mentions the main character has tarot magic but I really didn't see that in this book. I thought it would be a major plot point but it's not, at least not in this first one. Perhaps it will develop more in the next two books.
Overall, this is a great indie read that I would recommend especially for people getting into Steampunk writing as this character lives in high society London before being introduced to the Steampunk life of airships and clockwork creatures. It's a great way for people unfamiliar with the genre to ease their way into it.
The only other thing that took a star away for me was the seemingly out-of-place author self-insert moment. I've met Vennessa at other conventions and she's very fun and obviously a great writer but there is a moment where Vivian sees potentially a future incarnation of herself that is very blatantly the author. I didn't think it was necessary at all and took me out of the book itself when reading that part.
At the conventions the author also mentions the main character has tarot magic but I really didn't see that in this book. I thought it would be a major plot point but it's not, at least not in this first one. Perhaps it will develop more in the next two books.
Overall, this is a great indie read that I would recommend especially for people getting into Steampunk writing as this character lives in high society London before being introduced to the Steampunk life of airships and clockwork creatures. It's a great way for people unfamiliar with the genre to ease their way into it.
December 17, 2022
Had the privilege of meeting this author at MiHiCon this year. They got me to try out this story well outside my normal genres (hardcore military SF and historical fiction), and oh-boy am I glad they did! This story is "genre jambalaya" - bits of SteamPunk, Urban Romance/Fantasy, with a dash of almost Bridgerton?
What an adventure! A woman taking charge of her life instead of settling for what "civil society" (turn of century 19 to 20) expects of her?! What a concept!
First person voice is generally well executed - giving reader insight into heroine's silent "self talk / self doubt" carousel. Male characters are mostly in background and less extensively developed - but that kinda works here. I love main char's Mom! Oh, and Father Henry, too.
The story begins and ends in London (the parts I preferred) - with adrenaline jolting side trips to a mystery island and to France. The pace and theme are appropriate for most YA fans - except those who might be triggered by the Undead getting smacked upside the head with a boat oar (spoiler alert - sorry, too late).
I'd particularly recommend this book for father-daughter book club (that's what we did!) - a refreshing detour from the Twilight/Insurgent/Harry Potter/Hunger Games overkill.
Can't wait to dive into the rest of this trilogy (Asia and American West) from this author (and thank you for nudging me out of my comfort zone).
What an adventure! A woman taking charge of her life instead of settling for what "civil society" (turn of century 19 to 20) expects of her?! What a concept!
First person voice is generally well executed - giving reader insight into heroine's silent "self talk / self doubt" carousel. Male characters are mostly in background and less extensively developed - but that kinda works here. I love main char's Mom! Oh, and Father Henry, too.
The story begins and ends in London (the parts I preferred) - with adrenaline jolting side trips to a mystery island and to France. The pace and theme are appropriate for most YA fans - except those who might be triggered by the Undead getting smacked upside the head with a boat oar (spoiler alert - sorry, too late).
I'd particularly recommend this book for father-daughter book club (that's what we did!) - a refreshing detour from the Twilight/Insurgent/Harry Potter/Hunger Games overkill.
Can't wait to dive into the rest of this trilogy (Asia and American West) from this author (and thank you for nudging me out of my comfort zone).
June 29, 2018
Exciting story with fascinating characters
I loved this book!!
Vivian is all us, the every woman. Until she becomes more! Her journey towards finding her true self while being thrust in to this new world she had no idea could exist is riveting.
Nate, the rugged man tossed in to Vivian's life brings about massive upheaval. It helps that he is sexy but he is a man in a world of cads and false gentelmen. His loss of his closest companion links the two of them. This leads the two of them on a wild ride. With magic, demons, alternate history, and fashion and world building so vivid you can feel Vivian's world. This amazing first book in the series is not to be missed! I am hooked!
I loved this book!!
Vivian is all us, the every woman. Until she becomes more! Her journey towards finding her true self while being thrust in to this new world she had no idea could exist is riveting.
Nate, the rugged man tossed in to Vivian's life brings about massive upheaval. It helps that he is sexy but he is a man in a world of cads and false gentelmen. His loss of his closest companion links the two of them. This leads the two of them on a wild ride. With magic, demons, alternate history, and fashion and world building so vivid you can feel Vivian's world. This amazing first book in the series is not to be missed! I am hooked!
November 27, 2020
Great Adventure
This is a great story, well-paced, good character development, and a just a great adventure. I was looking for something fun and entertaining to read over Thanksgiving and so glad I picked this book. I liked that the world was unique, strong female protagonist, and was just really delightful. I liked the supporting characters as well. I strongly recommend this book and author.
This is a great story, well-paced, good character development, and a just a great adventure. I was looking for something fun and entertaining to read over Thanksgiving and so glad I picked this book. I liked that the world was unique, strong female protagonist, and was just really delightful. I liked the supporting characters as well. I strongly recommend this book and author.
August 1, 2018
Interesting story, the characters are nice and the background is great, but since this is the first book, is still in development. In all, it has room for greatness. I´m waiting for the next installment.
January 6, 2019
There were a few flaws with this book, but overall I found it entertaining and highly imaginative. Fun story with a great cast of characters and nonstop action. Great beginning to Ms. Robertson’s ongoing Arcane Adventure series.
March 17, 2019
An excellent clockwork adventure!
I grabbed this book on a whim, but was quickly hooked by the characters and then the adventures. Excellent storytelling in Victorian London, in an airship and elsewhere. I can’t wait to read the next installment of this enchanting series!
I grabbed this book on a whim, but was quickly hooked by the characters and then the adventures. Excellent storytelling in Victorian London, in an airship and elsewhere. I can’t wait to read the next installment of this enchanting series!
March 2, 2020
Dogs are the best
I very much enjoyed this book. Lots of fun characters and exciting adventures. I liked that the heroine was intelligent and didn’t make stupid choices or jump in bed with the hero the first day. I look forward to reading their future adventures.
I very much enjoyed this book. Lots of fun characters and exciting adventures. I liked that the heroine was intelligent and didn’t make stupid choices or jump in bed with the hero the first day. I look forward to reading their future adventures.
May 13, 2021
I enjoyed the book, but I felt at times that it dragged. There are some flaws and and at times seemed a little disjointed. It is the first book in the series and is still being developed so we will see how the next book goes.
September 20, 2019
Fun adventure
This was a fun little adventure. I loved the spunky protagonist and her unique sidekick. And steampunk! Can't go wrong with that.
This was a fun little adventure. I loved the spunky protagonist and her unique sidekick. And steampunk! Can't go wrong with that.
May 12, 2021
Great adventure
I enjoyed this, a strong woman out on an adventure. At times the writing got a little confusing, but loved the depth of Viviane adventure.
I enjoyed this, a strong woman out on an adventure. At times the writing got a little confusing, but loved the depth of Viviane adventure.
April 10, 2023
Nice romance story, not my typical reading but I love it.
April 11, 2024
Okay, so steampunk isn't my go to, but I gave it a chance and I'm so glad I did. I read this in about 4 days between work and school.
It's a wonderful blend of science, magic, and religion.
It's a wonderful blend of science, magic, and religion.
September 26, 2022
I really enjoyed the steampunk take on London and the descriptions of the airship. Specifically, the airship environment and characters were vivid and came to life in my imagination! A lot of details really made the airship life believable while throwing in fantastical monsters to the scenery was an amazing touch!
Story-wise, it was decent. Well paced and transitioning nicely between action and downtime. Nothing spectacular and fairly standard for a steampunk novel, but again the bits of fantasy and druidic magic were awesome touches to the sciency background.
However, there were two irritating things about this book which led me to give it its 3-star rating. First of all, the main character was pretty obnoxious and I didn't like her for most of the novel. She was too uptight but in some instances, it didn't feel very believable. And she was kind of a pill...if I had been Valentine, I don't think I would have been so enthralled with her.
SPOILER
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Which brings me to my second, and bigger, pet peeve of the story. I can deal with an irritating MC if they grow throughout the story (which she did, but not as much as I'd have liked and not as consistently throughout. It seemed like she did all her growing in the last 1/4). However, one thing that really turns me off is the "love at first sight, we have only known each other a week and now are in love and getting married" trope. And in this case they went from strangers (or even a tad frenemies) to getting married and her allowing him to be 1/2 owner to the property that SHE earned in protecting the French noble woman. But they only knew each other for maybe...3 weeks? That is NOT enough time to fall in love with someone and sign over half your worth to him!!!
Also, this love arc seemed SUUUUPER rushed, though I know there are sequels. This makes me worried about what will happen to their "love" in later books. Will it break up (boo...) or will it just be vanilla and amicable (booooring)? I 100% would have liked the author to stretch their growing attraction and love for each other over two books at least and TIME. Unfortunately, that is the reason why I probably won't pick up the second one.
Story-wise, it was decent. Well paced and transitioning nicely between action and downtime. Nothing spectacular and fairly standard for a steampunk novel, but again the bits of fantasy and druidic magic were awesome touches to the sciency background.
However, there were two irritating things about this book which led me to give it its 3-star rating. First of all, the main character was pretty obnoxious and I didn't like her for most of the novel. She was too uptight but in some instances, it didn't feel very believable. And she was kind of a pill...if I had been Valentine, I don't think I would have been so enthralled with her.
SPOILER
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Which brings me to my second, and bigger, pet peeve of the story. I can deal with an irritating MC if they grow throughout the story (which she did, but not as much as I'd have liked and not as consistently throughout. It seemed like she did all her growing in the last 1/4). However, one thing that really turns me off is the "love at first sight, we have only known each other a week and now are in love and getting married" trope. And in this case they went from strangers (or even a tad frenemies) to getting married and her allowing him to be 1/2 owner to the property that SHE earned in protecting the French noble woman. But they only knew each other for maybe...3 weeks? That is NOT enough time to fall in love with someone and sign over half your worth to him!!!
Also, this love arc seemed SUUUUPER rushed, though I know there are sequels. This makes me worried about what will happen to their "love" in later books. Will it break up (boo...) or will it just be vanilla and amicable (booooring)? I 100% would have liked the author to stretch their growing attraction and love for each other over two books at least and TIME. Unfortunately, that is the reason why I probably won't pick up the second one.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews