Book Review: His Clockwork Canary

Author: Beth Ciotta

Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Series: The Glorious Victorious Darcy's # 2

History is repeating itself.

For ambitious engineer Simon Darcy, winning Queen Victoria’s competition to recover lost inventions of historical significance is a matter of pride—and redemption. After all, it was Simon’s failed monorail project that left his family destitute, and winning the tournament would surely restore the Darcys’ reputation.

Simon sets his sights high, targeting no less than the infamous time-travel device that forever changed the world by transporting scientists, engineers, and artists from the twentieth century. The Mod technology was banned and supposedly destroyed, but Simon is sure he can re-create it.

His daring plan draws the attention of Willie G., the Clockwork Canary, London’s sensationalist reporter. Simon soon discovers that Willie is a male guise for Wilhemina Goodenough, the love of his youth, who left him jilted and bitter. He questions her motives even as he falls prey to her unique charm. As the attraction between the two reignites, Simon realizes that this vixen from his past has secrets that could be the key to his future…as long as he can put their history behind him.

Simon’s pulse raced as his brother left the room. With every fiber of his being he knew the response would be affirmative. His brain churned and plotted. Only one of them needed to find and deliver the clockwork propulsion engine in order to avenge their father’s name and secure the family’s fortune. But, by God, Simon wanted it to be him.

 

For the past ten years, Willie had been masquerading as a young man. Sometimes she was amazed that she’d gotten away with the ruse for so long. Then again, she was slight of frame as opposed to voluptuous. What womanly curves she did possess were easily concealed beneath binding and baggy clothing. Her typical attire consisted of loose linen shirts with flouncy sleeves, a waistcoat one size too big, and an American-cowboy-style duster as opposed to a tailored frock coat.

 

Once in a great while she yearned for some kind of feminine frippery, but she was far more keen on surviving this intolerant world than on feeling pretty.

Simon Darcy’s father has just passed away and he is facing somewhat of a predicament. He needs to make money and provide for the family that his father left behind. When Queen Victoria broadcasts an announcement for a competition that she is holding, he knows that this could be his chance to win the prize and reclaim some pride for his family who is now in despair. Simon thinks nothing can stand in his way from winning this prize until The Clockwork Canary, better known as Wilhelmina Goodenough the lead journalist for the London Informer, joins him on his new journey. He can’t stand the things that he, really a she, writes about in the London news, but Simon is about to learn that The Clockwork Canary has a few secrets of his, I mean her, own!

 

Another fabulous book from Beth Ciotta. I discovered Beth about this time last year, and I have been following her series of books ever since. She is phenomenal at pulling readers into the Steampunk genre. She even gives readers an “Alternate World Glossary” at the front of this book, and honestly I spent about a half hour just losing myself in this alternate world and its terminology. Truly, I don’t think Beth gets enough credit within the genre. I mean it’s not every day that people just create a new world!

 

Simon and Mina’s search for this time traveling device is one riveting adventure. I never lost sight of the story and I always felt as if I were involved in the mission. They are both somewhat secretive characters, so this is a story that secrets will unravel as you read. In my opinion those are the best kind of stories. I loved finding out the past between Mina and Simon! Mina stayed camouflaged as Willie G. for as long as she could. The chemistry between them was wonderful and I would love see them pop up in future stories as Beth continues this series!

 

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Signet in exchange for my honest review***