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Cry Havoc #2
Emerald Fire
A book of manners, magic and mayhem
After Edward and Jemima’s honeymoon is cut short by a severed head landing in their marriage bed, they must away to London to devise a way to defeat the ravenous beast, Geneck and Jemima must be the bait.
Newspaper headlines reveal carnage in London streets and the police and the secret brotherhood of magicians are pounding at the door, demanding answers from Edward.
Joined by Fulton, Edward and Jemima begin to scour the dark places of London: sewers and newly-constructed underground railway tunnels. Their only chance is to find Geneck’s lair and end him in daylight, when he is weak. But the monster’s minions protect him and the road to safety is not clear.
When Jemima is taken, Edward is beside himself. Who has taken her and how is he going to get her back? Deeper into magic he must go, and Milly and Aunt Prudence join in the fight to rid the world of Geneck. But will that be enough?
After Edward and Jemima’s honeymoon is cut short by a severed head landing in their marriage bed, they must away to London to devise a way to defeat the ravenous beast, Geneck and Jemima must be the bait.
Newspaper headlines reveal carnage in London streets and the police and the secret brotherhood of magicians are pounding at the door, demanding answers from Edward.
Joined by Fulton, Edward and Jemima begin to scour the dark places of London: sewers and newly-constructed underground railway tunnels. Their only chance is to find Geneck’s lair and end him in daylight, when he is weak. But the monster’s minions protect him and the road to safety is not clear.
When Jemima is taken, Edward is beside himself. Who has taken her and how is he going to get her back? Deeper into magic he must go, and Milly and Aunt Prudence join in the fight to rid the world of Geneck. But will that be enough?
- GenresSteampunk
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2019
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Donna Maree Hanson
50 books45 followersDonna Maree Hanson is a Canberra-based writer of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and under the pseudonym (Dani Kristoff) paranormal romance.
Her dark fantasy series (which some reviewers have called ‘grim dark’), Dragon Wine, is published by Momentum Books (Pan Macmillan digital imprint). Book 1: Shatterwing and Book 2: Skywatcher are out now in digital and print on demand.
In April 2015, she was awarded the A. Bertram Chandler Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Australian Science Fiction’ for her work in running science fiction conventions, publishing and broader SF community contribution.
Donna also writes young adult science fiction, with Rayessa and the Space Pirates and Rae and Essa’s Space Adventures out with Escape Publishing. Look out for Opi Battles the Space Pirates coming soon.
In 2016, Donna commenced her PhD candidature researching Feminism in Popular Romance. Also her first Indie published book, Argenterra, was publishing in late April 2016. Argenterra is the first in an epic fantasy series (the Silverlands) suitable for adult and young adult readers. The final two books are due out in early 2017.
Donna grew up in New South Wales mostly, but was living in Bondi when she gave up school at aged 15 without any qualifications. She did a stint as a hairdressing apprentice and then worked for a stockbroker. After running off to New Zealand for a man, she started studying again, gaining her year 10 school certificate and later University Entrance.
Once back in Australia as a single mum with three kids to support, Donna eventually started studying again, finishing a degree in Economics at the Uni of Sydney, majoring in accounting. She worked in the Australian Public Service as an auditor, leaving that job in 2016. While working she did a certificate in professional writing (editing) and a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Canberra. Looking back over her life, she is proud to be undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing.
Her dark fantasy series (which some reviewers have called ‘grim dark’), Dragon Wine, is published by Momentum Books (Pan Macmillan digital imprint). Book 1: Shatterwing and Book 2: Skywatcher are out now in digital and print on demand.
In April 2015, she was awarded the A. Bertram Chandler Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Australian Science Fiction’ for her work in running science fiction conventions, publishing and broader SF community contribution.
Donna also writes young adult science fiction, with Rayessa and the Space Pirates and Rae and Essa’s Space Adventures out with Escape Publishing. Look out for Opi Battles the Space Pirates coming soon.
In 2016, Donna commenced her PhD candidature researching Feminism in Popular Romance. Also her first Indie published book, Argenterra, was publishing in late April 2016. Argenterra is the first in an epic fantasy series (the Silverlands) suitable for adult and young adult readers. The final two books are due out in early 2017.
Donna grew up in New South Wales mostly, but was living in Bondi when she gave up school at aged 15 without any qualifications. She did a stint as a hairdressing apprentice and then worked for a stockbroker. After running off to New Zealand for a man, she started studying again, gaining her year 10 school certificate and later University Entrance.
Once back in Australia as a single mum with three kids to support, Donna eventually started studying again, finishing a degree in Economics at the Uni of Sydney, majoring in accounting. She worked in the Australian Public Service as an auditor, leaving that job in 2016. While working she did a certificate in professional writing (editing) and a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Canberra. Looking back over her life, she is proud to be undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
dnf
May 3, 2020I'm not sure what happened between the first book and this one. The writing seemed basic and the story just didn't move along at all. DNF for me.
January 24, 2026
Emerald Fire is the second novel in Donna Maree Hanson’s Cry Havoc series and is an action filled follow up to its predecessor once more drawing readers into a steampunk world of magic, mayhem and adventure.
After their honeymoon was cut short by a severed head in their martial bed, Edward and Jemima Huntington have now returned to London and their search for the vampire Geneck. As he continues his violent rampage across London streets, Geneck makes headlines in the newspapers, sparking the interest of not only the police but a secret brotherhood of magicians who are soon knocking on Edward’s door. Joined by associate and friend Fulton, Edward and Jemima venture into the sewer system in search of their quarry but when Jemima disappears, appeared kidnapped Edward and Fulton will have a whole new fight on their hands in order to rescue her before the unspeakable happens.
After enjoying the first novel, Ruby Heart I was looking forward to joining Jemima and Edward again. Newly married, they are now navigating married life whilst also attempting to shop the vampire Geneck whose carnage across London overshadows what should be a time of matrimonial bliss for the newlyweds.
Emerald Fire is once again told through the back and forth perspectives of both Jemima and Edward but features the voice of Brother Ferdinand, a member of the secret brotherhood of magicians whose actions plans a part in the story. I still very much like and enjoy Jemima and Edward. Jemima seems changed since she became a married woman; she is no longer the effortless young woman she appeared in the first novel but still retains her tenacity and spirit. She simply seems to have grown up a lot since she was first introduced.
I like how Donna Maree Hanson is slowly developing this steampunk world and hope she has plans to continue doing so. Edward, Jemima and Fulton are navigating the new world of magic they inhabit quite well with the latter two also attempting to assimilate with the mechanical devices they have powering their bodies. I enjoyed seeing Milly and Aunt Prudence in this novel too, especially as their inner spunk rose to the surface.
As Emerald Fire comes to an end, I couldn’t help wondering if there would be another book. I’ve enjoyed Jemima and Edward’s adventures so far and think there’s room for more development within the series. I would certainly enjoy seeing more of the brotherhood and the magicians that wield power.
Time will tell if there is a third book, however if not, I think Hanson ended the novel wonderfully. Emerald Fire races towards a violent and harrowing final few chapters but ends with Jemima and Edward at a nice happy place—much to this readers delight!
After their honeymoon was cut short by a severed head in their martial bed, Edward and Jemima Huntington have now returned to London and their search for the vampire Geneck. As he continues his violent rampage across London streets, Geneck makes headlines in the newspapers, sparking the interest of not only the police but a secret brotherhood of magicians who are soon knocking on Edward’s door. Joined by associate and friend Fulton, Edward and Jemima venture into the sewer system in search of their quarry but when Jemima disappears, appeared kidnapped Edward and Fulton will have a whole new fight on their hands in order to rescue her before the unspeakable happens.
After enjoying the first novel, Ruby Heart I was looking forward to joining Jemima and Edward again. Newly married, they are now navigating married life whilst also attempting to shop the vampire Geneck whose carnage across London overshadows what should be a time of matrimonial bliss for the newlyweds.
Emerald Fire is once again told through the back and forth perspectives of both Jemima and Edward but features the voice of Brother Ferdinand, a member of the secret brotherhood of magicians whose actions plans a part in the story. I still very much like and enjoy Jemima and Edward. Jemima seems changed since she became a married woman; she is no longer the effortless young woman she appeared in the first novel but still retains her tenacity and spirit. She simply seems to have grown up a lot since she was first introduced.
I like how Donna Maree Hanson is slowly developing this steampunk world and hope she has plans to continue doing so. Edward, Jemima and Fulton are navigating the new world of magic they inhabit quite well with the latter two also attempting to assimilate with the mechanical devices they have powering their bodies. I enjoyed seeing Milly and Aunt Prudence in this novel too, especially as their inner spunk rose to the surface.
As Emerald Fire comes to an end, I couldn’t help wondering if there would be another book. I’ve enjoyed Jemima and Edward’s adventures so far and think there’s room for more development within the series. I would certainly enjoy seeing more of the brotherhood and the magicians that wield power.
Time will tell if there is a third book, however if not, I think Hanson ended the novel wonderfully. Emerald Fire races towards a violent and harrowing final few chapters but ends with Jemima and Edward at a nice happy place—much to this readers delight!
June 23, 2020
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews