The Eidolon

by Tiffany Dominguez

In darkness, she found light.Raised by a merciless father who believes that all children should be contributing members of society, Lady Veronica Richmond never measured up. Tortured and beaten down in her cruel etiquette and academic lessons, she refused to cave. She instead became a pimpernel; a defunct debutant by day, but at night, her secret alter-ego known only as the Eidolon does what she can never do as Lady Veronica-rescue those very children her father believes to be worthless from lives of savage slavery.Tired of her societal failures, her father gives her a choice-either marry a rich, foreign prince to prove she can do something for the Richmond name, or he'll withdraw funding from the children's shelter Veronica founded. She must agree or lose the orphans who've filled her heart and life with a purpose.Wooed by the prince she's betrothed to marry, threatened by her father, on the verge of discovery by the steamtech barons, and finding herself falling for the prince's bodyguard, the dangers of her secret identity may be too great. But when her beloved orphans are exposed, Veronica must decide if she is willing to risk her love and her life to play the role of the Eidolon one last time.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2020

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This does not follow the scarlet pimpernel story closely. It is very loosely based. It is steampunk, the pimpernel is a woman who is a member of the ton of England and the children she rescues are working for evil men keeping them in factories. The story was so compelling! I loved these two, very deeply marred main characters. I did miss more emotion from these people. I really wanted to sink into their brains and feel what they were feeling, but this was more action/adventure. My daughters would love it. The way the characters grew up and what they dealt with every day would leave anyone hollow and you can feel it. The romance is barely there until the end but I didn't mind too much. There were moments but it was not enough! There was so much going on! Pretty excited about the second book. Alex's story should be a good one!
Sex; Couple of kisses;]
Violence: this is a story that deals with a lot of child abuse. The factories these kids are in have very little care if the children live or die. Her father is very abusive. She is hurt several times. There are murders and sword fights. All of this is told but not in too great detail. 16 and up

[Tiffany Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steam-powered carriages, flying pirate ships, a strong MC with an alter-ego, an automaton named Clank...It's fun, fellow readers, give it a try!

[Our Book Confessions · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was fantastic! I was completely sucked in from page one. It was beautifully written with fascinating characters. The story took turns I didn't expect; and some I did, but loved. It pulled at my heartstrings, and it made me gasp a time or two. There was a moment that got a little violent. The moment was important to the plot and handled well, but was graphic enough to make me squeamish.  (Admittedly that's not awfully hard, but just a heads up.) 

The chapter transitions were sometimes unclear, it occasionally took me a few sentences to figure whose point of view I was reading from. However, the spell the story cast was such that the transition confusion never noticeably pulled me out.

I'm going to be impatiently waiting for the next installment. I loved Alec's character. I knew from the beginning there was more to him that meets the eye, can't wait for his story!

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not really into Steampunk, but I read this book based on a recommendation. I’m so glad I did. It’s great! Full of action and adventure; wonderful, engaging storytelling. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Sheila Nielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the main character! I loved the amazingly imaginative world she lives in. This one is for all the Steampunk fans out there!

[D'anah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good

What a great start! I love steampunk stuff, so this story with all it's evils pitted against the heroes who battle with great heart and ingenuity is a win. Love it when the good guys win! Looking forward to the next book.

[Candi Olsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because of a recommendation...
I’m not a steampunk fan, that being said, I liked the general storyline. The author writes in away that pulls you into the story. Her writing reveals sadness and harshness without being depressing; a clear win there. I also liked the happy- ish ending. For the story idea I’d give it 4 stars. I struggled with the story only because it is steampunk so that lowers the rating. Overall, I give 2.5 stars.
For those that enjoy steampunk adventures this book is a win.