Corroded: Book Three of The St. Croix Chronicles Karina Cooper

Cherry is back.  She's further in debt to the Veil and hasn't completed any of their missions satisfactorily, but she's still a collector.

Carina Press and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this ebook for review (thank you).  The book will be published September 23rd, so check for it at your local bookstore then.

A collector is a bit like a bounty hunter and while Cherry can't succeed in that field as a girl, she makes herself up like a boy and has developed some fighting skills that will protect her.  That's still not enough with the gangs out and Jack the Ripper around.  And she also has a collector that killed her husband that she intends to take revenge on.  If she can catch him...

In the meantime, her time at the Midnight Menagerie is getting more dangerous and her friends are either being killed or punished for protecting her.

Cherry uses opium and Ms. Cooper writes her stories in a foggy, slow sense that makes you feel like you are too.  I'm always optimistic things will get better for Ms. St. Croix, but they never do.  The end of this story confused me a bit.  I'm sure the next book will give us more details about what exactly happened.  Until then, Cherry's bad luck is holding.  She needs to make a change in her life or it won't be a long one.  I'm sure the author has plans for her; we just have to wait until the next book.

Happy reading.

The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway by Karina Cooper

Cherry St. Croix is young, pretty, intelligent and hard working.  The only reason she's doing bounty hunting is to get herself established in the field and have enough money to live on.  She has skills and she intends to use them.

Carina Press and Net Galley allowed me to download this ebook for review (thank you).  It will be published August 5th.

This is a Victorian London/Steampunk cross story.  Notices are posted on a bulletin board in a bad part of town and you read the jobs listed and choose one.  Cherry chooses to bring in a man wanted for bad debt.  She has no desire to kill someone or beat them badly; she just wants some money to live on.  When she finds a metal man in the same place she's hunting, she realizes this life might be a bit more complicated than she anticipated.

Cherry is an interesting character and she needs someone to watch over her; she's fearless.  Luckily she meets someone who fits that bill and they travel through the dark streets looking for secrets together.

I enjoyed this read.  It's novella length and a good fantasy.  Why not get a coffee or tea and try it yourself?

Happy reading.

Tarnished: The St. Croix Chronicles by Karina Cooper

Cherry St. Croix is an odd mix.  She's a lady during the day and a bounty hunter at night...

Avon and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity read this ebook for review (thank you).  It will be on sale June 26th and, if you love steampunk, this is an excellent read for you.

The author creates of world of "haves" and "have-nots" with an upper and lower England.  It's Victorian times, if ladies are found to act incorrectly they are shunned, and while Cherry knows all this she still does bounty hunting to support her opium habit.  It's not healthy, but it's also not something she's willing to give up and has been depending on for years.  It's power over her is so overwhelming, it makes her put herself in danger time and time again.

Her parents are dead, her guardian gives her a small allowance, her staff is loyal and loves her, and she's coming of age for marrying.  She's also getting close to receiving her inheritance and doesn't think she wants to get married.

The author cleverly throws in a couple of attractive love interests and Cherry finds her heart torn.  She's not sure what to do.

There is a unique twist in this story that makes it much more exciting.  If you like fast action, daring characters and a bit of romance, this is very good read.  I'm also happy that it appears there will be a sequel.  Cherry's confusion about what has happened and what will helps make this story both entertaining and interesting.  You will be intrigued enough to wait for the next story, too, I bet.

Happy reading.