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The Twins of Bellesfées #1
Esprit de Corpse
What secrets lie beneath Parisian Streets? And who will kill to keep them?
When a malfunctioning automaton runs full force into their locomotive on the new Paris-Orléans railway, Jacqueline Duval and her bohemian twin sister Angélique Laforge become embroiled in a mystery deeply rooted in their tragic past.
A polytech and famed engineering prodigy, Jacqueline is fascinated by the metal man, even more so when she discovers it is powered not by steam, but by the supernatural. Her investigation puts the sisters on a path both dangerous and mysterious as they must foil a plot to employ the dead to power a mechanical army aimed at international conquest.
Aid comes from unexpected sources as the twins rush to avert this engineered war, but will they be in time?
When a malfunctioning automaton runs full force into their locomotive on the new Paris-Orléans railway, Jacqueline Duval and her bohemian twin sister Angélique Laforge become embroiled in a mystery deeply rooted in their tragic past.
A polytech and famed engineering prodigy, Jacqueline is fascinated by the metal man, even more so when she discovers it is powered not by steam, but by the supernatural. Her investigation puts the sisters on a path both dangerous and mysterious as they must foil a plot to employ the dead to power a mechanical army aimed at international conquest.
Aid comes from unexpected sources as the twins rush to avert this engineered war, but will they be in time?
220 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Ef Deal
17 books16 followersEf Deal is a new voice in the genre of speculative steampunk with her debut novel, Esprit de Corpse, but she is not new to publishing. Her short fiction has appeared in various magazines and ezines over the years. Her short story “Czesko,” published in the March 2006 F&SF, was given honorable mention in Gardner Dozois' Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy, which gave both her and Gardner great delight. They laughed and laughed and sipped Scotch (not cognac, alas) over the last line.
Currently, her works can be found in A Cast of Crows, Soul Scream Antholozine Vol. 1, Conspiracies & Cryptids Vol. 1, Beach Shorts, and Dangerous Waters.
Despite her preoccupation with old-school drum and bugle corps ~ playing, composing, arranging, and teaching ~ Ef Deal can usually be found at the keyboard of her computer rather than her piano. She is Assistant Fiction Editor at Abyss & Apex magazine and edits videos for the YouTube channel Strong Women ~ Strange Worlds Quick Reads.
Esprit de Corpse from eSpec Books is the first of a series featuring the brilliant 19th-century sisters, the Twins of Bellesfées Jacqueline and Angélique. Hard science blends with the paranormal as they challenge the supernatural invasion of France in 1843.
Ef Deal lives in historic Haddonfield, NJ, in a once-haunted Victorian with her husband and chow. She is a member of SFWA and HWA.
Currently, her works can be found in A Cast of Crows, Soul Scream Antholozine Vol. 1, Conspiracies & Cryptids Vol. 1, Beach Shorts, and Dangerous Waters.
Despite her preoccupation with old-school drum and bugle corps ~ playing, composing, arranging, and teaching ~ Ef Deal can usually be found at the keyboard of her computer rather than her piano. She is Assistant Fiction Editor at Abyss & Apex magazine and edits videos for the YouTube channel Strong Women ~ Strange Worlds Quick Reads.
Esprit de Corpse from eSpec Books is the first of a series featuring the brilliant 19th-century sisters, the Twins of Bellesfées Jacqueline and Angélique. Hard science blends with the paranormal as they challenge the supernatural invasion of France in 1843.
Ef Deal lives in historic Haddonfield, NJ, in a once-haunted Victorian with her husband and chow. She is a member of SFWA and HWA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 1, 2022
Author perk - being able to read books before they're released! This was a fun, quick read. See my cover blurb below:
Steampunk, werewolves, spirits, and romance. All the ingredients a reader needs for a fast-paced, action-packed adventure!
Steampunk, werewolves, spirits, and romance. All the ingredients a reader needs for a fast-paced, action-packed adventure!
December 16, 2022
Epub (ARC) early Kickstarter download: ISBN 9781949691825; 213 pages
A rather fine steampunk novel set in nineteenth century France, with added supernatural elements and werewolves together with sly sideways nods to Dracula. A pair of strong female leading characters and an international supporting cast.
Good stuff!
A rather fine steampunk novel set in nineteenth century France, with added supernatural elements and werewolves together with sly sideways nods to Dracula. A pair of strong female leading characters and an international supporting cast.
Good stuff!
January 12, 2023
I was given an advance copy of this novel for review in exchange for an honest review. Here it comes: What a beautifully written, action-packed story! From the very first chapter, novelist Ef Deal hooks the reader with an imaginative work of steampunk set in 19th century France. The cast of characters includes an automaton powered by a most unlikely source, an artistically inclined shapeshifter, and a brilliant young protagonist (literally a genius) who’s unafraid to get her hands dirty. I cannot imagine how much research Ms. Deal did to write this lush, expansive, and finely detailed book—science, geography, history, etc.—but her efforts show on each page. I am more in awe of the author’s imagination in building the world in which her characters live, love, fight, and die. A mysterious skull, necromancy, catacombs—what more could a reader want? While this is the kind of novel I would gladly return to, and I’m sure I will, I am tickled to hear that it is merely the first in a series.
January 12, 2023
Unforgettable characters and an absolute joy to read. Everything about this clever and heart wrenching story pulls your forward on the wild adventures of Jacqueline and her sister Angelique, two powerful characters who hold their own against incredible odds.
March 12, 2023
I'm so used to any book that contains an airship being full of bad punctuation, homonym errors, and unintentional anachronisms that I almost gave this one a high rating just for meeting basic standards of competence. That would be unfair to non-steampunk books, though, so its place in the lowest (Bronze) tier of my Best of the Year list for 2023 reflects a competently crafted book that nevertheless regularly challenged my suspension of disbelief.
The version I got via Netgalley wasn't completely without typos or homonym issues, and there was at least one apparent slip in the author's otherwise strong period research (the main character speculates that the airship might be coated with aluminum, which in the early 1840s was still not produced in industrial quantities and cost more than gold). I noted "dissuade" for "persuade," "twerked" for "quirked" (the image of someone's lips twerking is amusing, I have to say), "thence" for "thither" (a surprisingly common mistake made even by good writers), and "evincing" for "eliciting". The author also writes "endeared her" for "endeared him to her".
These are minor issues and easily corrected. What distracted me a lot more is that characters would often know things that we hadn't seen them be told, or that they had no reasonable way of knowing for sure, such as the contents of an automaton's chest cavity when they hadn't opened it, or that a place had been purchased by the railway company.
The other thing that bothered me most was that the main protagonist had a private self-propelled railway coach, and repeatedly used it without a driver, while focusing on her research or even sleeping; we saw right at the beginning that animals could wander onto the tracks, or trains could break down or be delayed, and she believed that the railway company didn't know about her machine (and hence would not consider it in their traffic plans), so this is ridiculously risky behaviour, just asking for a crash.
We're told early on that she graduated with four doctorates at the age of 15. This is a huge, dramatic "this character is a genius" decal, of the kind that often is not only not backed up by, but actually contradicted by, things we are later shown, especially in the steampunk genre; I immediately expected that she'd prove to be as dumb as toast. Apart from her stupidly reckless use of the railcar, she wasn't obviously an idiot, though. I suppose the claim of unheard-of genius is supposed to make it more plausible that she could create a functioning autonomous automaton (in an existing casing, admittedly) in a few hours, complete with senses, sentience, and the ability to understand spoken language, by means of programming with punch cards, something she hadn't previously attempted, even though she herself previously said that she couldn't figure out how you could fit an adequate power system into the space (let alone a bulky control system). It's still not remotely plausible, but it does count as a genre trope, so I'll reluctantly pass it.
I'm less inclined to pass the apparent conflation of welding and riveting, and less still the fact that the Persian necromancer wears a Sikh turban and writes in the Sanskrit alphabet. I suppose there are ways you could justify both - maybe he studied in India - but presented without such justification, it's jarring.
So much for the mechanics and the setting. In terms of the story, we are on firmer ground. There are a couple of love interests for the two sisters, and those subplots are competently handled with interesting arcs. While the genius character does need several other people (and the occasional mild coincidence) to help her resolve the plot, she isn't passive or lacking in agency. One of the secondary characters is both a flashback antagonist and a present-moment ally, appropriately ashamed of his terrible earlier behaviour, and not given a pass for it. That's a good level of complexity.
The plot moves along well, and overall, I was entertained. If the author is able to create a greater separation between author knowledge and character knowledge and maybe tone down the more implausible tropes, I think future books in the series will be worthy of an even higher rating.
The version I got via Netgalley wasn't completely without typos or homonym issues, and there was at least one apparent slip in the author's otherwise strong period research (the main character speculates that the airship might be coated with aluminum, which in the early 1840s was still not produced in industrial quantities and cost more than gold). I noted "dissuade" for "persuade," "twerked" for "quirked" (the image of someone's lips twerking is amusing, I have to say), "thence" for "thither" (a surprisingly common mistake made even by good writers), and "evincing" for "eliciting". The author also writes "endeared her" for "endeared him to her".
These are minor issues and easily corrected. What distracted me a lot more is that characters would often know things that we hadn't seen them be told, or that they had no reasonable way of knowing for sure, such as the contents of an automaton's chest cavity when they hadn't opened it, or that a place had been purchased by the railway company.
The other thing that bothered me most was that the main protagonist had a private self-propelled railway coach, and repeatedly used it without a driver, while focusing on her research or even sleeping; we saw right at the beginning that animals could wander onto the tracks, or trains could break down or be delayed, and she believed that the railway company didn't know about her machine (and hence would not consider it in their traffic plans), so this is ridiculously risky behaviour, just asking for a crash.
We're told early on that she graduated with four doctorates at the age of 15. This is a huge, dramatic "this character is a genius" decal, of the kind that often is not only not backed up by, but actually contradicted by, things we are later shown, especially in the steampunk genre; I immediately expected that she'd prove to be as dumb as toast. Apart from her stupidly reckless use of the railcar, she wasn't obviously an idiot, though. I suppose the claim of unheard-of genius is supposed to make it more plausible that she could create a functioning autonomous automaton (in an existing casing, admittedly) in a few hours, complete with senses, sentience, and the ability to understand spoken language, by means of programming with punch cards, something she hadn't previously attempted, even though she herself previously said that she couldn't figure out how you could fit an adequate power system into the space (let alone a bulky control system). It's still not remotely plausible, but it does count as a genre trope, so I'll reluctantly pass it.
I'm less inclined to pass the apparent conflation of welding and riveting, and less still the fact that the Persian necromancer wears a Sikh turban and writes in the Sanskrit alphabet. I suppose there are ways you could justify both - maybe he studied in India - but presented without such justification, it's jarring.
So much for the mechanics and the setting. In terms of the story, we are on firmer ground. There are a couple of love interests for the two sisters, and those subplots are competently handled with interesting arcs. While the genius character does need several other people (and the occasional mild coincidence) to help her resolve the plot, she isn't passive or lacking in agency. One of the secondary characters is both a flashback antagonist and a present-moment ally, appropriately ashamed of his terrible earlier behaviour, and not given a pass for it. That's a good level of complexity.
The plot moves along well, and overall, I was entertained. If the author is able to create a greater separation between author knowledge and character knowledge and maybe tone down the more implausible tropes, I think future books in the series will be worthy of an even higher rating.
April 28, 2023
This historical steampunk novel had a fast paced and action packed storyline, which had me hooked from start to finish. There are secrets beneath the Parisian Streets and someone is willing to murder to keep them secret. Jacqueline Duval and her bohemian twin sister Angélique Laforge become involved in a mystery, when a malfunctioning automaton crashes into their locomotive whilst travelling on the new Paris-Orléans railway. Jacqueline who is a polytech and famed engineering prodigy is fascinated by the metal man, who she believes is powered by steam. However, she is shocked to discover that the automaton is actually powered by the supernatural. The sisters investigation leads them on a mysterious and dangerous adventure, where they learn of a plot to employ the dead to power a mechanical army, aimed at international conquest. The sisters receive help from unexpected sources as they try to avert the upcoming engineered war, but they may be too late. The descriptive narrative, along with the authors wonderful world building and the added historical details all ensured that the characters and setting came vividly to life, making me feel immersed in the story.
June 27, 2023
What an entertaining start to a new historical fiction/steampunk series. Jacqueline Duval is a young frenchwoman, and surprisingly for the time, an engineering genius. Her twin sister, Angelique, is a prodigy of a different sort (musical), but after a recent trauma, has mainly been focused on living a life of debauchery. While heading home from Paris, Jacqueline is intrigued by a chance run in with an automaton that seems to be powered by mystical, rather than mechanical means. This sets the sisters off on a journey to discover who created this mechanical man, and what its purpose might be. This knowledge won't come easily, or without dangers. Luckily, both Jacqueline and Angelique have their own strengths, and along the way, they just might find some strapping men to lend a helping hand.
I've not read a lot of fiction in the steampunk genre, but this one definitely piqued my interest. You have to love strong and intelligent female protagonists, like Jacqueline and Angelique. Angelique in particular has to overcome a serious trauma, and it is great to see her succeed. The paranormal elements were perfectly wound in with the more scientific bits that characterize steampunk novels, and the romance added a nice extra touch. I will happily pick up future novels from EF Deal.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I've not read a lot of fiction in the steampunk genre, but this one definitely piqued my interest. You have to love strong and intelligent female protagonists, like Jacqueline and Angelique. Angelique in particular has to overcome a serious trauma, and it is great to see her succeed. The paranormal elements were perfectly wound in with the more scientific bits that characterize steampunk novels, and the romance added a nice extra touch. I will happily pick up future novels from EF Deal.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 11, 2023
Esprit De Corpse
By: Ef Deal
Review by: Susan Ratchford
5 Stars
This book is everything you could ever want! An engrossing steampunk supernatural fantasy with high stakes, high suspense, and more than enough intrigue to keep you glued to Jacky and Angé’s story! The sisters play off each other beautifully with Jacqueline’s determination and need to discover versus Angelique’s recklessness and zest for life’s joys! In truth the heart of this story is in the amazing detail that Ef Deal includes, from the setting to the machinery a fascinating and warm picture emerges. I could not stop reading this book. It's as if each page posed a new mystery. With its unique blend and use of old and new like the diving mask used on the Automaton. As well as the inclusion of the supernatural, like wolf shifters and a mechanical army powered by the dead, this is a book you do not want to miss!
By: Ef Deal
Review by: Susan Ratchford
5 Stars
This book is everything you could ever want! An engrossing steampunk supernatural fantasy with high stakes, high suspense, and more than enough intrigue to keep you glued to Jacky and Angé’s story! The sisters play off each other beautifully with Jacqueline’s determination and need to discover versus Angelique’s recklessness and zest for life’s joys! In truth the heart of this story is in the amazing detail that Ef Deal includes, from the setting to the machinery a fascinating and warm picture emerges. I could not stop reading this book. It's as if each page posed a new mystery. With its unique blend and use of old and new like the diving mask used on the Automaton. As well as the inclusion of the supernatural, like wolf shifters and a mechanical army powered by the dead, this is a book you do not want to miss!
April 7, 2023
4.5 stars
French author Ef Deal gives us her debut novel, Esprit de Corpse. It is an original and quirky historical paranormal steampunk tale. This intriguing tale is set in 1840’s France and is full of Ef Deal’s imagination of many unusual and unique marvels. Having been to France it’s easy to imagine the world in which Ef Deal has created. What is really in the underground of the Parisian world.
Jacky loves tinkering anything mechanical is her thing. But when she comes across a mechanical man everything changes. Suddenly she and her sister Angé find themselves trying to unravel the mystery and stop a war.
With wolf shifters, British agents, French spies, not to mention an occult they soon find themselves in danger when things turn dicey.
The plot and subplots keep you on your toes as we journey along with the characters and their exciting world.
If you like steampunk, something a little different and unusual you will definitely like Esprit de Corpse.
French author Ef Deal gives us her debut novel, Esprit de Corpse. It is an original and quirky historical paranormal steampunk tale. This intriguing tale is set in 1840’s France and is full of Ef Deal’s imagination of many unusual and unique marvels. Having been to France it’s easy to imagine the world in which Ef Deal has created. What is really in the underground of the Parisian world.
Jacky loves tinkering anything mechanical is her thing. But when she comes across a mechanical man everything changes. Suddenly she and her sister Angé find themselves trying to unravel the mystery and stop a war.
With wolf shifters, British agents, French spies, not to mention an occult they soon find themselves in danger when things turn dicey.
The plot and subplots keep you on your toes as we journey along with the characters and their exciting world.
If you like steampunk, something a little different and unusual you will definitely like Esprit de Corpse.
April 20, 2023
This story grabbed my attention right away and kept me hooked till the end. This is a speculative steampunk fantasy with mystery, history, historical fiction, secrets, high stakes, the paranormal, supernatural, action, danger, suspense drama, emotion, and so more. I found it to be quite interesting, with wonderful world-building and details and descriptions that really brought the whole story to life. This a very well-developed and extremely put together story, along with the characters that I really felt like I was right there in the story with them. The characters get into an adventure full of mystery as they scramble to try to stop a war. What ends up happening makes for a fun read, and all the adventure kept me turning the pages to see how everything would play out in the end. This book was a must read, and I was glad I was able to pick it up.
April 22, 2023
Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal is a rich and wonderful paranormal story. I really enjoyed the twins Jacqueline Duval and Angélique Laforge. The twins are strong and brilliant. I also love the historical setting of Nineteenth-century France. There is something for everyone’s paranormal desires. This story is fun and well thought out. I had a lot of fun with this book.
January 25, 2023
A steampunk-paranormal novel that is so well done because it's a) well researched (to get what could be validated, validated), b) beautifully word-crafted, c) well plotted, and d) so clever. Brava to the author.
March 27, 2023
An excellent steampunk, gripping and entertaining. Excellent storytelling, interesting characters and world building.
The plot flows and is highly enjoyable.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
The plot flows and is highly enjoyable.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
April 20, 2023
This is a paranormal fantasy novel with hints of mystery, intrigue, adventure and of course drama thrown in. This author really knows how to create an elaborate world narrative and bring her characters together. If you are looking for your next suspenseful supernatural escapade look no further. I will definitely be back for more when the next book drops!
June 25, 2023
A fun and fantastic journey through steampunk France with exciting female characters and a surprising romantic sub-plot.
November 27, 2023
I was privileged to read this book immediately upon publication and was more than surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with the adventures of the twins! This was my first venture into the steampunk genre and I found it thoroughly intriguing, and cannot wait to read more from this author! A book you cannot put down!
May 6, 2024
I met (and now follow) the author on Twitter and when she mentioned that she has a book called "Esprit de Corpse" and I'm always one for a good pun, I looked up the blurb on Amazon and found:
"What secrets lay beneath Parisian Streets? ... When a malfunctioning automaton runs full force into their locomotive on the new Paris-Orléans railway, Jacqueline Duval and her bohemian twin sister Angélique Laforge become embroiled in a mystery deeply rooted in their tragic past."
I was sold.
I very much enjoyed this book. One twin sister is a polytech and the other a musician (until tragic events in the near past brought that career to an end).
There are equal amounts of science and the occult and blood magic (because something that is controlling an automaton is a ghost and other times "punched cards" ala Ada Lovelace). One of the characters is, in fact, a ghost (explaining its dramatic appearances and disappearances).
The story and the world are strongly "Steampunk" (in the best sense of that word) with mechanical men and airships, the Chappe telegraphic and "smart" railway cars. It is also very detailed. There are lots of French words for things that are common in France in the 1840's.
Both of the sisters encounter "secret agents", one of the British Queen and the other of the French King.
You can tell that the author is a musician because she allows us to visit Adolphe Sax (inventor of the saxophone) who's brass tubing factory at that time was used to create saxhorns, euphoniums, baritones, and flügelhorns as well as prototype saxophones. The polymath sister was using the brass tubing in her automatons.
Oh, and I love the "orangérie".
I cannot tell whether the author has written any other books but she really should.
"What secrets lay beneath Parisian Streets? ... When a malfunctioning automaton runs full force into their locomotive on the new Paris-Orléans railway, Jacqueline Duval and her bohemian twin sister Angélique Laforge become embroiled in a mystery deeply rooted in their tragic past."
I was sold.
I very much enjoyed this book. One twin sister is a polytech and the other a musician (until tragic events in the near past brought that career to an end).
There are equal amounts of science and the occult and blood magic (because something that is controlling an automaton is a ghost and other times "punched cards" ala Ada Lovelace). One of the characters is, in fact, a ghost (explaining its dramatic appearances and disappearances).
The story and the world are strongly "Steampunk" (in the best sense of that word) with mechanical men and airships, the Chappe telegraphic and "smart" railway cars. It is also very detailed. There are lots of French words for things that are common in France in the 1840's.
Both of the sisters encounter "secret agents", one of the British Queen and the other of the French King.
You can tell that the author is a musician because she allows us to visit Adolphe Sax (inventor of the saxophone) who's brass tubing factory at that time was used to create saxhorns, euphoniums, baritones, and flügelhorns as well as prototype saxophones. The polymath sister was using the brass tubing in her automatons.
Oh, and I love the "orangérie".
I cannot tell whether the author has written any other books but she really should.
March 3, 2023
What a dynamic and clever adventure! Deal takes us on a fascinating exploration of a mystical and threatening investigation by a pair of sisters - one clever, competent, and educated, and the other not-just-a-woman. Told with emotion and accurate historical details that enrich the experience. I highly recommend it!
November 17, 2023
A clanking good time.
January 19, 2024
I wouldn’t have believed that anyone could write a good book with werewolves, steampunk, spies, romance, zombies, a female engineer and her twin sister, a Welshman and a necromancer, set it in France with other scenes in Russia, then top it all off with dialog delivered in several different languages.
Which is why I didn’t buy the book the first time I saw it.
Then I had another chance to buy and read Esprit de Corpse (yes, Corpse—you’ll understand when you read it) and decided to give it a try.
Mon Deiu! I’m glad I did.
Author Ef Deal masterfully combines all of the above and more; setting her tale of international intrigue in the 19th century. The amazing part is how well Deal intertwines those elements and makes them work. I also enjoyed the use of the language of the time and the use of foreign words. I might have run to a dictionary to look up a word or term—if I wasn’t so involved in the story (and if I didn’t trust the author would explain it in time).
Esprit de Corpse begins with a train ride, and I enjoyed “the ride” to the very last word. If you like any of the above-named genres, you’ll definitely enjoy Ef Deal’s spirited melange.
Which is why I didn’t buy the book the first time I saw it.
Then I had another chance to buy and read Esprit de Corpse (yes, Corpse—you’ll understand when you read it) and decided to give it a try.
Mon Deiu! I’m glad I did.
Author Ef Deal masterfully combines all of the above and more; setting her tale of international intrigue in the 19th century. The amazing part is how well Deal intertwines those elements and makes them work. I also enjoyed the use of the language of the time and the use of foreign words. I might have run to a dictionary to look up a word or term—if I wasn’t so involved in the story (and if I didn’t trust the author would explain it in time).
Esprit de Corpse begins with a train ride, and I enjoyed “the ride” to the very last word. If you like any of the above-named genres, you’ll definitely enjoy Ef Deal’s spirited melange.
March 16, 2024
I haven’t read a steampunk novel for quite a while so I was excited to read this one and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a mix of mystery, historical fiction and the supernatural – right up my street.
What struck me first, was the world-building. The descriptions give paint a vivid picture which allow you to feel as though you’ve stepped into 1840’s France. It’s clear that a great deal of research went into the time period to make it feel more authentic.
The main characters, two sisters named Jacqueline and Angelique, are also well-written as smart, strong characters powering forward in the face of obstacles to get to the bottom of their discoveries.
I enjoyed how the author managed to meld several genres together, it was fun and enjoyable and kept me reading to the end. The romantic interests for the sisters were interesting and didn’t detract from the mysterious elements which was an added bonus.
I enjoyed this book and am glad I chose this one to step back into the steampunk genre with.
What struck me first, was the world-building. The descriptions give paint a vivid picture which allow you to feel as though you’ve stepped into 1840’s France. It’s clear that a great deal of research went into the time period to make it feel more authentic.
The main characters, two sisters named Jacqueline and Angelique, are also well-written as smart, strong characters powering forward in the face of obstacles to get to the bottom of their discoveries.
I enjoyed how the author managed to meld several genres together, it was fun and enjoyable and kept me reading to the end. The romantic interests for the sisters were interesting and didn’t detract from the mysterious elements which was an added bonus.
I enjoyed this book and am glad I chose this one to step back into the steampunk genre with.
October 24, 2023
Imagine Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes as rich, beautiful twin sisters in 1800s Steampunk Paris
"Esprit de Corpse" by Ef Deal is a really fun, fantastic adventure as you ride along beside Angelique and Jacqueline across a parallel-world Paris in locomotives, dirigibles, and horse-drawn carriages.
The sisters are assisted by robots, spirits, and even werewolves as they race against time to prevent an evil plot that uses the dead and blood magic to animate a powerful mechanized army. There is wonderful humor and tension throughout the book, and we also meet many famous historical characters from the art and science worlds.
Angelique and Jacqueline are interesting and memorable characters, and I can’t wait for their next adventure!
I highly recommend this book!
"Esprit de Corpse" by Ef Deal is a really fun, fantastic adventure as you ride along beside Angelique and Jacqueline across a parallel-world Paris in locomotives, dirigibles, and horse-drawn carriages.
The sisters are assisted by robots, spirits, and even werewolves as they race against time to prevent an evil plot that uses the dead and blood magic to animate a powerful mechanized army. There is wonderful humor and tension throughout the book, and we also meet many famous historical characters from the art and science worlds.
Angelique and Jacqueline are interesting and memorable characters, and I can’t wait for their next adventure!
I highly recommend this book!
February 6, 2024
Glad to have found out about this book!
Just finished reading this... Truly great! An exciting story. Mid 1800s, strong women, touch of supernatural, and a bit steampunk. What more do you need?
Just finished reading this... Truly great! An exciting story. Mid 1800s, strong women, touch of supernatural, and a bit steampunk. What more do you need?
January 28, 2023
by Ef Deal
This is a fun romp of a steampunk tale. Jacqueline Duval is an inveterate tinkerer, an innovator, and holds many mechanical patents in 1840s France. Her twin sister, Angélique, used to be a musical prodigy until disaster struck and she was somehow turned into…not exactly a werewolf, more of a wolf shape shifter. Ever since her transformation Angélique has pushed the envelope and been reckless with her lifestyle, companions, and sexual favors. Jacky despairs of her sister’s almost suicidal streak and the novel starts with her yet again rescuing her twin from some horrid situation of her own making, in Paris. They are taking the train home when a mechanical man is found on the tracks, stopping the train and providing a mechanical mystery for Jacky that proves very strange indeed: the automaton is very hot to the touch, and when its helmet is pried open not only does steam escape, so does a scream.
And there is just a skull and piping inside, with no visible means of propulsion.
And oh, how many players want that skull with its odd writing and odder history! While Jacqueline has the mechanical man set in luggage, bound for her forge and workshop, she keeps the skull separate to take it to Paris and have a translator look at the inscription. A British agent and a French spy get involved, because the skull is pivotal to a plot to wage war. And Jacky becomes separated from Angélique as they both discover clues: one as a wounded wolf, and the other as an engineer following a trail of mechanical bread crumbs. Wound through it all is an occult threat that threatens both of their worlds.
I’m usually not a big fan of steampunk, since I often cannot make the leap to accept many of the miniaturizations that such stories ask of their mechanical marvels. I’m glad I looked past that, though. With the exception of how Jacky re-wires and causes the automaton to become “Monsieur Claque,” everything is well-thought-out scientifically and believable. The story is also true to the time period. I especially love how she gives a “French translated into English” cadence to the book; it enhanced my enjoyment. And it has marvelous romantic subplots as well as an inevitable surprise at the denouement.
This is a fun romp of a steampunk tale. Jacqueline Duval is an inveterate tinkerer, an innovator, and holds many mechanical patents in 1840s France. Her twin sister, Angélique, used to be a musical prodigy until disaster struck and she was somehow turned into…not exactly a werewolf, more of a wolf shape shifter. Ever since her transformation Angélique has pushed the envelope and been reckless with her lifestyle, companions, and sexual favors. Jacky despairs of her sister’s almost suicidal streak and the novel starts with her yet again rescuing her twin from some horrid situation of her own making, in Paris. They are taking the train home when a mechanical man is found on the tracks, stopping the train and providing a mechanical mystery for Jacky that proves very strange indeed: the automaton is very hot to the touch, and when its helmet is pried open not only does steam escape, so does a scream.
And there is just a skull and piping inside, with no visible means of propulsion.
And oh, how many players want that skull with its odd writing and odder history! While Jacqueline has the mechanical man set in luggage, bound for her forge and workshop, she keeps the skull separate to take it to Paris and have a translator look at the inscription. A British agent and a French spy get involved, because the skull is pivotal to a plot to wage war. And Jacky becomes separated from Angélique as they both discover clues: one as a wounded wolf, and the other as an engineer following a trail of mechanical bread crumbs. Wound through it all is an occult threat that threatens both of their worlds.
I’m usually not a big fan of steampunk, since I often cannot make the leap to accept many of the miniaturizations that such stories ask of their mechanical marvels. I’m glad I looked past that, though. With the exception of how Jacky re-wires and causes the automaton to become “Monsieur Claque,” everything is well-thought-out scientifically and believable. The story is also true to the time period. I especially love how she gives a “French translated into English” cadence to the book; it enhanced my enjoyment. And it has marvelous romantic subplots as well as an inevitable surprise at the denouement.
April 29, 2023
First off, the author EF Deal is amazing. This is my first book in this genre and the first book I have read by this author. Esprit de Corpse is the epitome of the mystery driving you to test your reading speed just so you can discover everything faster. Jacqueline and her twin sister Angelique incapsulate both sides of the spectrum of personalities.
Jacqueline is very intelligent with four doctoral degrees by the time she was fifteen, her life revolves around science and her forge. Angelique thrives in the arts and socializing. The book starts off in the mist of Jacky having to save her sister for the fourth time so far that year from her own indiscretions. Ange is also a she-wolf, something that her sister mentions early in the book, but the mystery is that she is that way not of her own doing so why? The first chapter introduces so many mysterious things that continue to flesh out through the rest of the book with twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages. A mechanical man running next to the locomotive they are traveling home on from Paris before he throws himself in front of it. Jacqueline, determined as ever with her intrigue, discovers a soul trapped in the furnace and frees it only the sound and the feeling leaves her with more questions than answers. Taking the intricate machine home with her she begins her investigation into who made it and how it works.
Where did the mysterious machine come from and why did it try to destroy itself? Will Jacqueline be able to protect her sister from her the prince she stole from? Can Jacqueline learn to see the signs of things outside of science to have a more fulfilling life? The world is breathtaking not only the historical aspect but the characters that fill it. They are not just the cliché roles they are meant to follow but they march to their own drums. Jacky is a role model for breaking the norm, following her dreams, and not apologizing for her intelligence or skills. I so hope to read more of this world soon.
Jacqueline is very intelligent with four doctoral degrees by the time she was fifteen, her life revolves around science and her forge. Angelique thrives in the arts and socializing. The book starts off in the mist of Jacky having to save her sister for the fourth time so far that year from her own indiscretions. Ange is also a she-wolf, something that her sister mentions early in the book, but the mystery is that she is that way not of her own doing so why? The first chapter introduces so many mysterious things that continue to flesh out through the rest of the book with twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages. A mechanical man running next to the locomotive they are traveling home on from Paris before he throws himself in front of it. Jacqueline, determined as ever with her intrigue, discovers a soul trapped in the furnace and frees it only the sound and the feeling leaves her with more questions than answers. Taking the intricate machine home with her she begins her investigation into who made it and how it works.
Where did the mysterious machine come from and why did it try to destroy itself? Will Jacqueline be able to protect her sister from her the prince she stole from? Can Jacqueline learn to see the signs of things outside of science to have a more fulfilling life? The world is breathtaking not only the historical aspect but the characters that fill it. They are not just the cliché roles they are meant to follow but they march to their own drums. Jacky is a role model for breaking the norm, following her dreams, and not apologizing for her intelligence or skills. I so hope to read more of this world soon.
April 20, 2023
A very intriguing story !! Carefully thought out, planned and executed. A little pg13 romance, mystery, and magic really served this reader well.
I enjoyed the twists and turns including the ties between the main characters. It all turned into a beautifully thought out plot maintained with a great amount of detail. Linking past to present giving a deeper understanding of each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed the end; experiencing the girls as children in their father’s presence was heartwarming.
In the end I finished the story hoping for a second to see how the love stories all turned out. Maybe it’s the hopeless romantic in me, but that feel. That feeling is how I define a good book.
I enjoyed the twists and turns including the ties between the main characters. It all turned into a beautifully thought out plot maintained with a great amount of detail. Linking past to present giving a deeper understanding of each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed the end; experiencing the girls as children in their father’s presence was heartwarming.
In the end I finished the story hoping for a second to see how the love stories all turned out. Maybe it’s the hopeless romantic in me, but that feel. That feeling is how I define a good book.
April 30, 2023
This is the first book from Ef that I have read. I will say it took me a day to really get into it. It’s full of mystery and intrigue as well as some action and powerful characters (in my opinion). I feel like Angelique and Jacquelyn are going find out things about their past that they maybe they didn’t need to know. It really is an interesting book, using railways as a way to transport the sisters at times. The supernatural essence is really popping in this story. I love it!!! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
April 11, 2023
New genre for me
I completely enjoyed the time I spent in
the world of Esprit de Corpse. You've turned me onto a new genre (for me)
I completely enjoyed the time I spent in
the world of Esprit de Corpse. You've turned me onto a new genre (for me)
Read
May 3, 2023I thank the publisher for a free copy of this book, which I received through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers programme. This is my honest review.
The story is told in third person, past tense, from the points of view of twin sisters Jacqueline/engineer and Angélique/artist/werewolf. The prose was generally tidy, with only a few typos catching my eye. Unfortunately, I tripped up on the first page when Jacqueline (the non-artist twin) seemed to learn the name of a strange artist without an introduction: making me think the twins were telepathic. That first impression took me a while to shake off.
What particularly drew me towards this book was the steampunk setting and hints of a mysterious international plot. I enjoyed the uncertainty over the (non-point of view) characters’ motivations and just whose side they were really on. The technical/logistical stuff was handwavy and convenient, but I was happy not to think hard about plausibility.
The characters didn’t make me feel especially invested in them. Both sisters felt “young” in their behaviour and decision-making. The amount of internal emotional processing was of a level I tend to associate with writing aimed at a Young Adult readership, especially with (minor spoiler) . Those of you who’ve read my other reviews know I’m not interested in romance. So it won’t be a surprise that I found the (sometimes metaphorical) drooling over their love interests a distraction from everything else.
Overall, a fun steampunk mystery/romance with a good dollop of the mystical.
The story is told in third person, past tense, from the points of view of twin sisters Jacqueline/engineer and Angélique/artist/werewolf. The prose was generally tidy, with only a few typos catching my eye. Unfortunately, I tripped up on the first page when Jacqueline (the non-artist twin) seemed to learn the name of a strange artist without an introduction: making me think the twins were telepathic. That first impression took me a while to shake off.
What particularly drew me towards this book was the steampunk setting and hints of a mysterious international plot. I enjoyed the uncertainty over the (non-point of view) characters’ motivations and just whose side they were really on. The technical/logistical stuff was handwavy and convenient, but I was happy not to think hard about plausibility.
The characters didn’t make me feel especially invested in them. Both sisters felt “young” in their behaviour and decision-making. The amount of internal emotional processing was of a level I tend to associate with writing aimed at a Young Adult readership, especially with (minor spoiler) . Those of you who’ve read my other reviews know I’m not interested in romance. So it won’t be a surprise that I found the (sometimes metaphorical) drooling over their love interests a distraction from everything else.
Overall, a fun steampunk mystery/romance with a good dollop of the mystical.
December 16, 2022
A delightful romp suffused in period details with two irresistible lead characters. Great for readers who love steampunk, are Francophiles, strong women with amazing talents, or just who love a ripping yarn of a tale.
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