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Elemental Web Tales #6
A Whisper of Bone: A Historical Fantasy Romance
Strange, secretive neighbors. Groundhogs run amok. The steep price of resurrecting the past.
After years of avoiding his family, cryptobiologist Ryan Nolan returns to New Haven to investigate rumors of a dragon sighting. Yet instead of a giant mythological lizard, he stumbles upon a dead body. Connecting the murder to missing Mexican artifacts leads him on a path straight back to his long-lost love, Charlotte.
Charlotte Reid has never been one to shy away from a challenge. As a bone hunter in the Wild West and a paleontologist in the East, she has a taste for adventure. But when secretive neighbors move in next door, and strange groundhogs invade her backyard, she finds herself in the middle of a cryptozoological conspiracy.
As their feelings for each other emerge stronger than ever before, the duo must pair Charlotte's knowledge of the past with Ryan's expertise in the present to uncover the truth. Encountering unimaginable dangers in their search for clues, will their bond be strong enough to survive the unknown?
STEP INTO THE ELEMENTAL WEB!
Steampunk adventure wrapped around a romance and threaded with biotechnology. Join USA Today bestselling author, Anne Renwick, as she takes you back into an alternate past.
ELEMENTAL WEB The Golden Spider, The Silver Skull, The Iron Fin, Venomous Secrets
ELEMENTAL WEB A Trace of Copper, In Pursuit of Dragons, A Reflection of Shadows, A Snowflake at Midnight, A Ghost in Amber, A Whisper of Bone, Flight of the Scarab
ELEMENTAL WEB The Tin Rose, Kraken and Canals, Rust and Steam
Charlotte Reid has never been one to shy away from a challenge. As a bone hunter in the Wild West and a paleontologist in the East, she has a taste for adventure. But when secretive neighbors move in next door, and strange groundhogs invade her backyard, she finds herself in the middle of a cryptozoological conspiracy.
As their feelings for each other emerge stronger than ever before, the duo must pair Charlotte's knowledge of the past with Ryan's expertise in the present to uncover the truth. Encountering unimaginable dangers in their search for clues, will their bond be strong enough to survive the unknown?
STEP INTO THE ELEMENTAL WEB!
Steampunk adventure wrapped around a romance and threaded with biotechnology. Join USA Today bestselling author, Anne Renwick, as she takes you back into an alternate past.
ELEMENTAL WEB The Golden Spider, The Silver Skull, The Iron Fin, Venomous Secrets
ELEMENTAL WEB A Trace of Copper, In Pursuit of Dragons, A Reflection of Shadows, A Snowflake at Midnight, A Ghost in Amber, A Whisper of Bone, Flight of the Scarab
ELEMENTAL WEB The Tin Rose, Kraken and Canals, Rust and Steam
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2023
104 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Anne Renwick
19 books729 followersThough Anne Renwick holds a Ph.D. in biology and greatly enjoyed tormenting the overburdened undergraduates who were her students, fiction has always been her first love. Today, she writes steampunk romance, placing a new kind of biotech in the hands of mad scientists, proper young ladies and determined villains.
Books: https://www.annerenwick.com/bookshelf/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anne-Re...
Books: https://www.annerenwick.com/bookshelf/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anne-Re...
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 13, 2023
Posing as a U.S. Customs Agent, but working for the secretive IBIS - Improbable Biologics Investigations Service, cryptobiologist Ryan Nolan must return home to New Haven, CT, for his current assignment taking down a smuggler with ties to illegal trade. There he crosses the path of a former love, and the one that got away, Charlotte Reid.
Working for the prestigious Peabody Museum in New Haven, Charlotte spends a lot of research time at home so that no man can take credit for her find that some dinosaurs may have had feathers. When she recognizes Ryan investigating her strange neighbors’ home, she tells him she wants to help with his investigation.
A Whisper of Bone is an exciting scientific adventure framed by a lovely second-chance romance. Five years ago, Ryan and Charlotte began a passionate love affair on the western planes among the dinosaur bones. However, when he was called away to investigate a potential cryptid sighting, Charlotte sustained a serious injury, causing her to leave immediately. Coming together again is easy and joyous. The pair has no issues between them; they realize it wasn’t anyone’s fault that tore them apart the first time, just circumstance. So they have no issues picking up where they left off. I love that each has found success in their field, allowing them to be in a place where they can finally think about a permanent future together. Their conversations and debates are intelligent and interesting. They clearly are still in love and wholly enjoy working together.
While the love story is wonderful, I completely enjoyed the investigation that brings Ryan back home. With tones of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and his more recent Dragon Teeth, the story brings together modern genetics, paleontology, and well-developed steampunk technology. I found myself fully engaged in the search for ancient cryptids. I loved the effort spent on scientific details, making the story plausible and exciting. Also adding to the mix is a sorted family history which Ryan must confront in order to move ahead.
Narration: The story is primarily shared via the alternating third person POVs of Ryan and Charlotte, with a few from antagonist Maria. Stone performs the sections from Ryan’s POV, while Edwards voices both Charlotte and Maria’s POVs, using two different voices. Both narrators are well-suited for their main characters. Stone is masculine without being too deep. Edwards speaks with a Spanish accent when performing Maria and a well-dictated American accent for Charlotte - each sounding like completely different people. Additionally, both narrators successfully add in accents where appropriate. I really enjoyed Stone’s slight Irish lilt for Rose. Both narrators add just enough emotion to their performance to bring the characters to life.
Overall, I really enjoyed A Whisper of Bone. The story is exciting and romantic, set in a fascinating alternate America.
My Ratings:
Narration: B+
Story: B+
Working for the prestigious Peabody Museum in New Haven, Charlotte spends a lot of research time at home so that no man can take credit for her find that some dinosaurs may have had feathers. When she recognizes Ryan investigating her strange neighbors’ home, she tells him she wants to help with his investigation.
A Whisper of Bone is an exciting scientific adventure framed by a lovely second-chance romance. Five years ago, Ryan and Charlotte began a passionate love affair on the western planes among the dinosaur bones. However, when he was called away to investigate a potential cryptid sighting, Charlotte sustained a serious injury, causing her to leave immediately. Coming together again is easy and joyous. The pair has no issues between them; they realize it wasn’t anyone’s fault that tore them apart the first time, just circumstance. So they have no issues picking up where they left off. I love that each has found success in their field, allowing them to be in a place where they can finally think about a permanent future together. Their conversations and debates are intelligent and interesting. They clearly are still in love and wholly enjoy working together.
While the love story is wonderful, I completely enjoyed the investigation that brings Ryan back home. With tones of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and his more recent Dragon Teeth, the story brings together modern genetics, paleontology, and well-developed steampunk technology. I found myself fully engaged in the search for ancient cryptids. I loved the effort spent on scientific details, making the story plausible and exciting. Also adding to the mix is a sorted family history which Ryan must confront in order to move ahead.
Narration: The story is primarily shared via the alternating third person POVs of Ryan and Charlotte, with a few from antagonist Maria. Stone performs the sections from Ryan’s POV, while Edwards voices both Charlotte and Maria’s POVs, using two different voices. Both narrators are well-suited for their main characters. Stone is masculine without being too deep. Edwards speaks with a Spanish accent when performing Maria and a well-dictated American accent for Charlotte - each sounding like completely different people. Additionally, both narrators successfully add in accents where appropriate. I really enjoyed Stone’s slight Irish lilt for Rose. Both narrators add just enough emotion to their performance to bring the characters to life.
Overall, I really enjoyed A Whisper of Bone. The story is exciting and romantic, set in a fascinating alternate America.
My Ratings:
Narration: B+
Story: B+
February 14, 2024
This is the latest full length novel steampunk from Anne Renwick, part of her Elemental Steampunk Tales series. I’ve been a fan of this author since I started reading her several years ago. She is an auto-buy for me.
I love how Anne’s characters are fully fleshed out with their own personal likes, dislikes, flaws, fears and dreams. Her heroine, Charlotte, is unwilling to give up a career to be a subservient wife and mother. She wants to have it all and why not?! She is smart, sassy and assertive. The hero, Ryan, overcomes his natural protectiveness to allow the love of his life to succeed on her own terms but even better than that, they become equal partners in making scientific discoveries. He is dashing, clever and daring.
It’s a book packed with adventure. Charlotte and Ryan have to overcome misunderstandings, many villains (human and animal!), red tape and danger to have their HEA. Can they do it? Yes but not before some adventure, a few disagreements, a spot of break and enter, a couple of thwarted romantic rendezvous, crashing a dirigible and joining a little tea party.
Yes there is a good deal of science in the book. I’m not a scientist but I often found myself reading the scientific parts anyway since they were interesting. I’d urge you not to avoid the book because of the science, I believe you could get away with not reading many of the science parts and still really enjoy the story.
Anne does an excellent job on making this a distinctly steampunk story. Some steampunk books throw in the odd mechanical watch here and there but Anne makes the steampunk an integral part of the story. I loved the mobile incubators!
I particularly enjoyed the appearance of a couple of side characters; the petite Princess Aileen and Glory, who really stole any scenes they were in!
Aside from the romantic scenes (my favourite part) I enjoyed the showdown on the dirigible the most. Since there are a couple of excellently written, detailed sex scenes, it’s not a PG book.
Finally, a big thank you to Anne for including an epilogue. I love hearing how things turn out.
I received this book as an ARC from the author in return for my honest opinion.
I love how Anne’s characters are fully fleshed out with their own personal likes, dislikes, flaws, fears and dreams. Her heroine, Charlotte, is unwilling to give up a career to be a subservient wife and mother. She wants to have it all and why not?! She is smart, sassy and assertive. The hero, Ryan, overcomes his natural protectiveness to allow the love of his life to succeed on her own terms but even better than that, they become equal partners in making scientific discoveries. He is dashing, clever and daring.
It’s a book packed with adventure. Charlotte and Ryan have to overcome misunderstandings, many villains (human and animal!), red tape and danger to have their HEA. Can they do it? Yes but not before some adventure, a few disagreements, a spot of break and enter, a couple of thwarted romantic rendezvous, crashing a dirigible and joining a little tea party.
Yes there is a good deal of science in the book. I’m not a scientist but I often found myself reading the scientific parts anyway since they were interesting. I’d urge you not to avoid the book because of the science, I believe you could get away with not reading many of the science parts and still really enjoy the story.
Anne does an excellent job on making this a distinctly steampunk story. Some steampunk books throw in the odd mechanical watch here and there but Anne makes the steampunk an integral part of the story. I loved the mobile incubators!
I particularly enjoyed the appearance of a couple of side characters; the petite Princess Aileen and Glory, who really stole any scenes they were in!
Aside from the romantic scenes (my favourite part) I enjoyed the showdown on the dirigible the most. Since there are a couple of excellently written, detailed sex scenes, it’s not a PG book.
Finally, a big thank you to Anne for including an epilogue. I love hearing how things turn out.
I received this book as an ARC from the author in return for my honest opinion.
July 16, 2023
MY RATING GUIDE: 5 Stars. WHISPER OF BONE > creative world building, fascinating science, imaginative and thought provoking ideas. What a fun read!
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED THIS; IT WAS GREAT! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
New Haven, CT, 1885 ~
Agent Ryan Nolan is a cryobiologist (mythological creatures) expert and an agent for the Illegal and Improbable branch of US Customs. He is unexpectedly reacquainted with Charlotte Reid, a dedicated zoologist and paleontologist, who is studying feather evolution over time in the research wings of the Peabody Museum in New Haven.
Ryan first met Charlotte in SD/WY territory while both were fossil/bone hunting 5yrs prior. After weeks of digging, sharing ideologies, conversation (and a bit more), Charlotte and Ryan’s relationship had been interrupted when Nolan was called away on business to attend a new and pressing Customs matter dealing in his specialty of mythical creatures.
Now five years later, in WHISPER OF BONE, the two scientists are again drawn together when Ryan enters Charlotte’s neighborhood on another Customs job. There have been rumors of unnatural cryptid creatures, illegal activities and stolen historical Mexican documents, the first of which Charlotte can confirm. Amidst murder and mayhem, Ryan’s and Charlotte work to unearth the cause of the mad and unnatural occurrences.
Comments ~
1) I love the book covers for this series. They have a retro, vintage appearance with such lovely artwork. Both the eye-catching covers and the blurbs caught my attention in the beginning; the
creative writing keeps me coming back.
2) The characters in Renwick’s novels are heavily science based, (generally involving lesser known sciences such as paleontology, zoology, cryobiology, etc.). Oftentimes, at least one character is an investigator of fraud or illegal activities and pursuing criminals for the Crown (or as in this case, the Customs office). The series take place in a STEAMPUNK Victorian world with dirigibles, clockwork horses, kraken and mechanical wonders of all kinds, and a touch of imagination. (Oftentimes the Wild Wild West Show from the 1960’s, with Robert Conrad comes to mind).
3) WOB is an exciting adventure with the dangerous and unpredictable elements of a quest novel, ending with a HEA. I was captivated from the beginning and raced through to the end. I will most likely be rereading WOB because it is so rich in details, science and imagination. I loved it!
4) I highly recommend WOB to readers who enjoy:
> Steampunk, Action-Adventure, Proximity-Danger and Quest novels.
> Novels with imaginative science, with bold and intelligent characters, with main characters who work together as a team.
> Stories with a touch of romance and a HEA.
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes, but minimal (less than 10?times).
VIOLENCE - PG. The antagonists shoot, poison and stab but nothing is described in a dark or graphic fashion. (Think Princess Bride type).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The MCs have been reacquainted after 5yrs apart. Their first scene occurs into the second half/61% (a 2nd scene is after that). Both scenes could easily be skipped and are a very minor portion of the novel.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED THIS; IT WAS GREAT! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
New Haven, CT, 1885 ~
Agent Ryan Nolan is a cryobiologist (mythological creatures) expert and an agent for the Illegal and Improbable branch of US Customs. He is unexpectedly reacquainted with Charlotte Reid, a dedicated zoologist and paleontologist, who is studying feather evolution over time in the research wings of the Peabody Museum in New Haven.
Ryan first met Charlotte in SD/WY territory while both were fossil/bone hunting 5yrs prior. After weeks of digging, sharing ideologies, conversation (and a bit more), Charlotte and Ryan’s relationship had been interrupted when Nolan was called away on business to attend a new and pressing Customs matter dealing in his specialty of mythical creatures.
Now five years later, in WHISPER OF BONE, the two scientists are again drawn together when Ryan enters Charlotte’s neighborhood on another Customs job. There have been rumors of unnatural cryptid creatures, illegal activities and stolen historical Mexican documents, the first of which Charlotte can confirm. Amidst murder and mayhem, Ryan’s and Charlotte work to unearth the cause of the mad and unnatural occurrences.
Comments ~
1) I love the book covers for this series. They have a retro, vintage appearance with such lovely artwork. Both the eye-catching covers and the blurbs caught my attention in the beginning; the
creative writing keeps me coming back.
2) The characters in Renwick’s novels are heavily science based, (generally involving lesser known sciences such as paleontology, zoology, cryobiology, etc.). Oftentimes, at least one character is an investigator of fraud or illegal activities and pursuing criminals for the Crown (or as in this case, the Customs office). The series take place in a STEAMPUNK Victorian world with dirigibles, clockwork horses, kraken and mechanical wonders of all kinds, and a touch of imagination. (Oftentimes the Wild Wild West Show from the 1960’s, with Robert Conrad comes to mind).
3) WOB is an exciting adventure with the dangerous and unpredictable elements of a quest novel, ending with a HEA. I was captivated from the beginning and raced through to the end. I will most likely be rereading WOB because it is so rich in details, science and imagination. I loved it!
4) I highly recommend WOB to readers who enjoy:
> Steampunk, Action-Adventure, Proximity-Danger and Quest novels.
> Novels with imaginative science, with bold and intelligent characters, with main characters who work together as a team.
> Stories with a touch of romance and a HEA.
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes, but minimal (less than 10?times).
VIOLENCE - PG. The antagonists shoot, poison and stab but nothing is described in a dark or graphic fashion. (Think Princess Bride type).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The MCs have been reacquainted after 5yrs apart. Their first scene occurs into the second half/61% (a 2nd scene is after that). Both scenes could easily be skipped and are a very minor portion of the novel.
May 18, 2023
Series Info/Source: This is the sixth book in the Elemental Steampunk Tales. This series is a set of loosely connected stories that is set in the Elemental Steampunk world but features a couple that hasn't been featured in the series before. I bought this on ebook for my Kindle.
Thoughts: This was a well done continuation of this series. It unites two characters who have a history together in a mystery to find a giant mythological lizard and stop a series of crimes.
This story is told from Ryan and Charlotte's POV. Ryan is a cryptobiologist who is trying to hunt down the elusive Culebre (an ancient winged Mexican dragon) and Charlotte is an archaeologist trying to prove that mammals can have feathers. They both get embroiled in a mystery around strange goings-on and mangled groundhogs. On their way to uncovering the truth they reignite their past relationship as well.
I always enjoy how Renwick incorporates a lot of science into her stories. I love reading about cryptozoology and really enjoyed the heavy themes of that here. I also love that she features strong women who have solid careers. Both the characters in this book were wonderful to follow; they have a strong sense of self. I love that they respect each other for their respective careers even before re-visiting a mutual attraction.
I did have some small issues with this book. I thought the plot felt a bit forced and hard to follow at times. I also thought that some of the scientific explanations got a bit too detailed and bogged down the flow of the story. This wasn't the easiest story for me to stay engaged in and read, although I still had fun reading it.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really enjoyed the themes of this story and the characters. Renwick really differentiates herself as a writer by bringing a lot of scientific aspects into her historical paranormal steampunk books. I did struggle to stay engaged with the plot here, it felt a bit thin and contrived. Part of that may be because it's been quite some time since I read the last book in this series. I would recommend all of the Elemental Steampunk books if you enjoy all things science and steampunk and don't mind some romance. The books vary a bit in writing quality but are always fun reads.
Thoughts: This was a well done continuation of this series. It unites two characters who have a history together in a mystery to find a giant mythological lizard and stop a series of crimes.
This story is told from Ryan and Charlotte's POV. Ryan is a cryptobiologist who is trying to hunt down the elusive Culebre (an ancient winged Mexican dragon) and Charlotte is an archaeologist trying to prove that mammals can have feathers. They both get embroiled in a mystery around strange goings-on and mangled groundhogs. On their way to uncovering the truth they reignite their past relationship as well.
I always enjoy how Renwick incorporates a lot of science into her stories. I love reading about cryptozoology and really enjoyed the heavy themes of that here. I also love that she features strong women who have solid careers. Both the characters in this book were wonderful to follow; they have a strong sense of self. I love that they respect each other for their respective careers even before re-visiting a mutual attraction.
I did have some small issues with this book. I thought the plot felt a bit forced and hard to follow at times. I also thought that some of the scientific explanations got a bit too detailed and bogged down the flow of the story. This wasn't the easiest story for me to stay engaged in and read, although I still had fun reading it.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really enjoyed the themes of this story and the characters. Renwick really differentiates herself as a writer by bringing a lot of scientific aspects into her historical paranormal steampunk books. I did struggle to stay engaged with the plot here, it felt a bit thin and contrived. Part of that may be because it's been quite some time since I read the last book in this series. I would recommend all of the Elemental Steampunk books if you enjoy all things science and steampunk and don't mind some romance. The books vary a bit in writing quality but are always fun reads.
August 8, 2024
Steampunk adventure romance with a Jurassic Park vibe!
5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
This excellent audiobook starts with a bang and doesn’t let up with the thrills, intrigue, and simmering romance. The villains are sneaky and very dangerous. The action scenes are amazing, and the slow burn romance is just right. The setting is late 19th century Connecticut but steam-powered technology is very advanced, such as robots and vehicles. Also, several species of newly encountered fantastical animals (aka, cryptids) exist in this steampunk world. There seems to be a lot less racism but just as much misogyny in this 19th century world versus reality.
I really liked the heroine Charlotte Reid, who is intelligent and spunky. She has made her way as a paleontologist in a male-dominated Victorian world, even leading dangerous fossil expeditions into the Dakotas. Her long lost love, Ryan Nolan, is a cryptozoologist working for the U.S. government who reappears and needs her help on a case. Ryan is such a great guy because he respects and admires Charlotte and supports her career. Ryan is intelligent and sexy too. I love the second chance romance aspect while they are pursuing an exciting criminal case. The Jurassic Park-like aspects were totally fascinating! This book is a real winner for anyone who likes action-packed romance.
Ryan Stone and Janina Edwards gave great performances. They both really brought the story to life with excellent pacing and distinctive character voices. Ryan Stone was marvelous with all the accents. Janina Edwards was great at some accents but made a few Spanish and Scottish people sound Jamaican.
5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
This excellent audiobook starts with a bang and doesn’t let up with the thrills, intrigue, and simmering romance. The villains are sneaky and very dangerous. The action scenes are amazing, and the slow burn romance is just right. The setting is late 19th century Connecticut but steam-powered technology is very advanced, such as robots and vehicles. Also, several species of newly encountered fantastical animals (aka, cryptids) exist in this steampunk world. There seems to be a lot less racism but just as much misogyny in this 19th century world versus reality.
I really liked the heroine Charlotte Reid, who is intelligent and spunky. She has made her way as a paleontologist in a male-dominated Victorian world, even leading dangerous fossil expeditions into the Dakotas. Her long lost love, Ryan Nolan, is a cryptozoologist working for the U.S. government who reappears and needs her help on a case. Ryan is such a great guy because he respects and admires Charlotte and supports her career. Ryan is intelligent and sexy too. I love the second chance romance aspect while they are pursuing an exciting criminal case. The Jurassic Park-like aspects were totally fascinating! This book is a real winner for anyone who likes action-packed romance.
Ryan Stone and Janina Edwards gave great performances. They both really brought the story to life with excellent pacing and distinctive character voices. Ryan Stone was marvelous with all the accents. Janina Edwards was great at some accents but made a few Spanish and Scottish people sound Jamaican.
June 11, 2023
Charlotte is a strong-willed, independent woman who is on the verge of making a name for herself in the field of evolutionary science. Ryan is a cryptobiologist on the hunt for dragons. Charlotte and Ryan have crossed paths in the past as they embarked on their respective career-making journeys, and fate brings them together once again in the present to solve a mystery stemming from mangled groundhogs. The two characters must come together to find ways to utilize their own strengths to solve the mystery, taking them on an adventure that includes a dirigible crash, thwarting human and non-human enemies, and uncovering evolutionary secrets. Along the way, the romantic spark that developed between them in the past is rekindled in the present.
This is a story of scientific discoveries, evolutionary mysteries, and second chances at love. The author creates a situation where science leads to a rekindled relationship between two very intelligent and adventuresome people. I feel like the science in this one was kicked up a notch and boundaries were pushed, almost to the point of being science fiction-like. This isn't a negative comment for me as I love science, but just an observation that reflects how the author is maturing her style and should not dissuade folks from picking this book up. I don't believe that readers need to fully comprehend the science to understand the story.
This is a story of scientific discoveries, evolutionary mysteries, and second chances at love. The author creates a situation where science leads to a rekindled relationship between two very intelligent and adventuresome people. I feel like the science in this one was kicked up a notch and boundaries were pushed, almost to the point of being science fiction-like. This isn't a negative comment for me as I love science, but just an observation that reflects how the author is maturing her style and should not dissuade folks from picking this book up. I don't believe that readers need to fully comprehend the science to understand the story.
July 6, 2024
What do you get when a crypobiologist and a paleontologist/biologist pair up to solve the mystery of a dead smuggler and rumors of dragons set in a steampunk world? You get to read an exciting second chance adventure romance that combines real history (and people) and science with speculative biotechnological possibilities. When you take into consideration the fact that Anne Renwick is a PhD of biology and some recent discoveries, you can almost believe the villain's experiments will succeed. That said, this book is not overly focused on science and technology. It is perfectly balanced with an amazing story, excellent characters (and character development) whose actions are 100% believable.
I love this book! However, there is one problem, I was not ready for it to end! Even with the great epilogue, I want more of Ryan and Charlotte!
I love this book! However, there is one problem, I was not ready for it to end! Even with the great epilogue, I want more of Ryan and Charlotte!
March 7, 2023
I’m a sucker for a second chance, and knowing that that’s what Charlotte and Ryan were (hopefully) getting, made me read this all the faster. I want very badly to say that this is a steampunk twist on a particular movie franchise. But if I name the movie, it will give away all the best secrets about what’s going on. Though I have to admit, I didn’t make the connection until the eleventh hour and an offhand comment about turning this terrible discovery into a park for the tourists to wander through and gape at the unholy marvels. Now, the possibilities that this book has opened are fascinating and I can’t wait to see which of those new roads the author will take us down next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
March 13, 2024
Charlotte Reid is not only intelligent, but she is bright, dedicated, assertive, beautiful and unwilling to give up on her quest to find the unbelievable.
Ryan Nolan is handsome, daring and an extremely talented crypto biologist who also works for the authorities.
Having worked together in the past and now that they have come together again in search of the unthinkable, it is only a matter of time before sparks begin to flare as they remember what they once meant to each other. Not only do they discover scientific secrets but family secrets too.
As usual, Anne Renwick keeps us hooked from the first to the very last page as these twists and turns which include plots, murders, animal monsters, mad scientists and half eaten gophers take hold.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Ryan Nolan is handsome, daring and an extremely talented crypto biologist who also works for the authorities.
Having worked together in the past and now that they have come together again in search of the unthinkable, it is only a matter of time before sparks begin to flare as they remember what they once meant to each other. Not only do they discover scientific secrets but family secrets too.
As usual, Anne Renwick keeps us hooked from the first to the very last page as these twists and turns which include plots, murders, animal monsters, mad scientists and half eaten gophers take hold.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
March 24, 2023
Academia is such a hotbed of crime, intrigue and backstabbing. I thought Indiana Jones was a little extreme. Charlotte and Ryan have him beat. Those steamy sparks in the middle of this very steampunk western remake of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (featuring fossils rather than the Grail) make an otherwise usual thriller downright surreal.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2023
I love all of this series! Renwick is heavily invested in the science of this steampunk series and the plots are great. This time it's Ryan as a cryptobiologist and Charlotte as a paleontologist and bone hunter. There's even real history thrown in with cameos of the real bone hunters of the time. Not only are the two scientists, they're long lost loves. Can they solve the mystery and find a life together? Would Renwick really leave us with anything else???
June 21, 2024
He has to go home when he hears of a dragon sighting but all he finds is a dead body. He will also meet his long lost love. She may be able to help him solve the crime. Is there really a dragon? Who is the killer? Will love return? See how it is all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
March 9, 2023
an excellent adventure
An excellent adventure full of myth, mystery, science and a little hint of magic. Loved the action and adventure, and all the twists and turns made me quite dizzy! Another triumphant instalment in my favourite series. Can’t wait for the next
An excellent adventure full of myth, mystery, science and a little hint of magic. Loved the action and adventure, and all the twists and turns made me quite dizzy! Another triumphant instalment in my favourite series. Can’t wait for the next
June 30, 2024
This was very interesting and a very unique reading experience for me. The storyline is fast paced and intriguing. I was surprised by the intensity, steampunk adventure elements and oddities. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.
March 15, 2023
Love This Series
Wonderful story. Loved the ending. I want more. What else is there to say? Ok, great characters I want to be friends with.
Wonderful story. Loved the ending. I want more. What else is there to say? Ok, great characters I want to be friends with.
March 20, 2023
Another great story
Love this author and the worlds she creates. Always intriguing, full of passion and science. Charlotte and Ryan are perfect for each other and for the story!
Love this author and the worlds she creates. Always intriguing, full of passion and science. Charlotte and Ryan are perfect for each other and for the story!
August 23, 2024
4 Stars:)
June 30, 2025
Exciting
Loved the book! The hero and heroine were fully realized humans who were passionate about their work and each other.
Loved the book! The hero and heroine were fully realized humans who were passionate about their work and each other.
September 28, 2025
DNF 43%
July 14, 2024
2.5 Stars
Part Sci-Fi, part fantasy, some mystery, romance, and adventure. The story was like an extreme slow burn. I didn’t really get interested until it was almost over. The main characters are Charlotte, Ryan, and Glory.
Charlotte works for a museum and Ryan is a customs agent who specializes in mysterious artifacts, and possibly dinosaurs. Glory is Charlotte‘s dog. There is mysterious activity going on next to Charlotte’s.
Part Sci-Fi, part fantasy, some mystery, romance, and adventure. The story was like an extreme slow burn. I didn’t really get interested until it was almost over. The main characters are Charlotte, Ryan, and Glory.
Charlotte works for a museum and Ryan is a customs agent who specializes in mysterious artifacts, and possibly dinosaurs. Glory is Charlotte‘s dog. There is mysterious activity going on next to Charlotte’s.
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