Monday, December 9, 2013

Blog Tour and Book Review: Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy




Title: Shadows of Asphodel
Author: Karen Kincy
Series: Book One
Published: September 13, 2013
Genre: Dieselpunk Romance
Tour Run by CBB Book Promotions

Book Description:
When Ardis discovers a man bleeding to death on the battlefield, she knows she has to walk away.

1913. In her work as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary, Ardis has killed many men without hesitation. One more man shouldn’t matter, even if he manages to be a charming bastard while he stands dying in the snow. 

But when he raises the dead to fight for him, she realizes she must save his life.

If a necromancer like Wendel dies, he will return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Ardis decides to play it safe and rescues him. What she doesn’t expect is Wendel falling to one knee and swearing fealty. Ardis never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer, but it’s too late now.

Ardis and Wendel forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Can Ardis stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him?

(Dieselpunk romance. Recommended for ages 17 & up.)

For a full list of all Blog Tour Stops please click HERE






About the Author:




Karen Kincy (Redmond, Washington) lives among countless trees, some of which—her pet kumquats and oranges—have lovingly invaded her apartment. Unlike her characters, she has never been on the run from the law or bitten by a werewolf, though she has been known to howl at the moon. Karen has BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College, and is studying toward a Master’s in Computational Linguistics.







This is my first experiences with dieselpunk. I love steampunk so I just knew this was something that I really needed to try. Throw in the fact that it came highly recommended by trusted blogging friends and you have yourself a sure thing.

And I really did love the imaginative world that the author created, not to mention the action packed non stop fun that was Shadows of Asphodel. Oh, and did I mention the steamy romance?

Ardis and Wendel were kick butt characters in their own right and couldn't have been more perfect for each other in almost every way. Both a little damaged and both left wondering about their family, background and abilities. 

The author did a great job with the chemistry between the two, it was believable and filled with just enough tension and just enough action to back it up.

While this is a world we are not familiar with the author does a good job of not dumping a bunch of information on us all at once about how it works and how it is run. Instead we are told in small parts here and there about the Archmages and the Asphodel. Just enough to whet the appetite but still leave you with lots of questions that will hopefully be more fleshed out and answered in the second installment. 

Instead of looking for all the answers right away we are swept up in the storyline and held captive by the action, romance and truths that are slowly unfolded and revealed. 

This really did a great job of gaining my attention and holding on to it.  I look forward to seeing where the author will take Ardis and Wendel in their next adventure together. 



*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or tour host. I was not compensated for this review.*





13 comments:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! Thank you so much for hosting a tour stop.

    I know I'm really excited for more Ardis and Wendel. Wendel in particular. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wendel was definitely a deal breaker for me. Loved him!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hah! How odd that we can like the same book for entirely different reasons! I disliked Wendel intensely! While I adored Ardis, I couldn't for the life of me understand what she saw in him.
    Ah well, at least there's something there for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't wait to read this book. I have added it to my TBR list! :) Thanks for sharing & Happy Reading! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am finishing this up today. I couldn't quite stay awake last night. I think it is a solid little read!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is too funny Maja!

    @salena, thanks for stopping by, if you try this one I hope you like it too!

    @Heidi, I am glad you are liking it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved Wendel, too! I didn't mind Ardis, she was cool and badass, but Wendel.. gosh, Wendel *dreamy eyes* I loved everything about him! So glad you enjoyed this book as much as I did, I was definitely surprised how much I ended up loving it, and yes, this was a fantastic introduction to dieselpunk! I can't wait to read more of those now! AWESOME review, my dear friend! <3

    ReplyDelete
  8. The book sounds really great. I've had it on my TBR for awhile. I have become fan of diesel punk. It's such a unique genre and I love necromancers, they are so creepy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree Stephanie. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't had an experience with dieselpunk yet. I have read a few steampunk books, and though it isn't my favorite genre, I do enjoy them occasionally. This novel sounds promising. Thanks for the great and informative review.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been seeing so many wonderful reviews of this book lately, and I'm so excited to give it a go. I think I'm going to love Ardis, but I'm not sure how I'll feel about Wendel, he seems to divide everyone's feelings. Glad you enjoyed this!

    ReplyDelete
  12. interesting review heh, it seems like everyone I follow is raving about this one :) i love the setting and the idea behind it! very different.

    ReplyDelete