ENTWINED by Kristen Callahan Brings Hephaestus to Steampunk
Entwined
(Darkest London #3.5)
by Kristen Callihan
Hachette Group/Forever Yours
E-book 40 Pages
November 5, 2013
E-Galley provided by publisher via NetGalley. No remuneration exchanged and all opinion presented herein are my own except as noted.
Eamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother’s shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame—and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it’s Eamon’s help—and quick wit and romantic heart–that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady…a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man.
Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?
Kristen Callihan Website
With charmingly written correspondence between the two love interests this story is a real winner. A lot is left unexplained; for example the nature of Eamon’s and Aiden’s family. His father grants a boon — a very fae like behavior. Furthermore, the town in Ireland they live in seems rather fearful of them.
It’s interesting and very different in flavor from the earlier Darkest London pieces about sisters with certain abilities. Those are more explained, perhaps due to the longer lengths of the books, and this family seems unrelated to that of the earlier novels. I felt often that Callihan had been heavily influenced here by Leanna Renee Hieber, who writes similarly mysterious stories.
There are amusing twists, amazing turns and a great love comes into play.
The Darkest London series is a great mix of paranormal romance, steampunk and historical fiction. The steampunk is pretty subtle, and not much found in ENTWINED. It’s a hard mix to pull off without a lot of unnatural feeling contrivances but Callihan succeeds!
Eamon is like Zeus and Hera’s son, the God of the Fire and Craft, Hephaestus, as he works in his mysterious forge which no one is supposed to visit. In this way it’s a bit like other myths as well. But I was continuously brought back to Hephaestus.
I really enjoyed this short read, although I fail to see it’s relationship to the Darkest London series it must be related to the novel EVERNIGHT out this coming August. I highly recommend the Darkest London series and ENTWINED.
Kristen Callahan’s Website Hachette/Forever Yours
February 11, 2014 @ 1:12 PM
Maybe it was a pre to the next one *shrug* though I love that cover. Look at that purple.
February 11, 2014 @ 4:43 PM
I like the mist swirling around the umbrella! THanks for the comments!
February 11, 2014 @ 3:58 PM
These are the grandparents of the organizations lead inventor, Holly Evernight. She has a small part in Winterblaze and a larger role in Shadowdance and then Evernight is her book. I loved this novella.
February 11, 2014 @ 4:44 PM
That is so good to know. ARE they fae? Thanks for coming by and setting me straight!
February 12, 2014 @ 8:15 PM
I have yet to read a steampunk book but some sound interesting.
February 12, 2014 @ 8:37 PM
Oh – I am so surprised. There is a lot of “weird science” but some even have shifters and vampires! Thanks for coming by!