Vesta's Clockwork Companions

Gears, Cogs, and Puppy Dogs, Book 1

By: Juli D. Revezzo

Narrated by: Karen Rose Richter

When Vesta Bartlett, a wealthy alchemist and inventor, arrives in England to finalize an arranged marriage and help overhaul a family friend's outdated ironworks, she never expects to find the family so secretive, nor to develop feelings for her fiancé’s younger brother, Henry.

But, the growing attraction between Vesta and Henry is just the beginning of their troubles. Things really heat up when they're drawn into a secret project for Queen Victoria's military, one that requires Vesta's knowledge of clockwork and Henry’s iron.

An epidemic has wiped out all the dogs in Britain, and beyond. If the military fail in their effort to restore the species, a clockwork creation may be all that stands in the way of a world without canine companionship.

Are Vesta and Henry up to the challenge?

©2018 Juli D. Revezzo (P)2021 Juli D. Revezzo

Enchanting

Revezzo has created a rich and vibrant world of steam-powered engines and gear driven mechanical life that will tickle your imagination. The novel starts a bit slowly as Vesta and her father arrive in England from Texas putting some minor scandal behind them as they start a new life. Vesta’s father is a consultant on an effort to save a foundry, but it is she who has the truly interesting skills. She's an alchemist with a touch of magic that helps her in the creation of mechanical creatures which she sees primarily as toys, but which the English government will see as a tool in helping them win a long and costly war.

For me, the book didn't really get started until a subplot involving the government's war-needs was introduced. I found every aspect of it enticing, including a reluctance on the part of one of the men interested in Vesta to participate in something designed to kill people—even if the contracts would save his foundry and the family fortune. Add to that a little true-to-the-time-period (i.e. Victorian England) surprise that almost derails everyone's plans—and the historian in me was overjoyed.

Didn't really capture me much

N.B. I received a free copy of this book via freeaudiobookcodes.com. I almost gave up on this one as it wasn't capturing me or the wife. I'd decided to give it until the end of the day once I hit 20-25%.right around the 30% mark at the end of the evening, it piqued my interest with the steampunk animals. There wasn't much more until much later. I didn't care for the romance itself and the "interesting" parts for me were few and far between, but it was enough for me to finish the book.