When I first read the blurb for this book, my curiosity was piqued. I love a good mystery and to add the extra layer of fairies really got me interested. Coffeen’s story did not disappoint.

ACTION: The story starts with a BANG, literally. Though you will not witness the starting action as the reader, the implications reverberate through the rest of the story. There are moments of uncomfortable visuals, shoot outs, and magical explosions. If you would struggle with explosions involving characters, this may not be your cup of lemonade. I thought that the danger added to the overall feeling of the “otherness” of Coffeen’s world.

ADVENTURE: I loved the steampunk-esque world that Coffeen created. She took the genre, shoved it into fantasy, then molded it to her will. The product was a creative mashup that lent a freshness to the exploration of the world she created. Instead of coming right out with descriptions and explanations right away, she lets the main character lead you through a typical day in the dark twilight country she calls home.

ROMANCE: If you were looking for something swoony, this is not the story for you. Though there is a delicately rendered romantic subplot, it is by no means the focus of this book.

RELIGION: There is no real religious focus in this book, but you will also not find anything that a Christian should find repugnant in the fantasy space.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I know I have used the “love” word above and I meant it. I cannot wait to see what Coffeen does with this world next. If I were to try to describe the feeling that this story gives me it would be a cozy mystery wrapped in a steampunk epic with a ladle full of fairy discrimination. All of this with a strong female character at the helm? This book is reread ready!