Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Release Day Review: The Shadow Revolution by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

Title: The Shadow Revolution
Author(s): Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Series: Book One in the Crown & Key Trilogy
Published By: Del Ray (June 2, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Steampunk
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Book Description:
A thrilling new Victorian-era urban fantasy for fans of Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles, the Showtime series Penny Dreadful, and the Sherlock Holmes movies featuring Robert Downey, Jr.

They are the realm’s last, best defense against supernatural evil. But they’re going to need a lot more silver.

As fog descends, obscuring the gas lamps of Victorian London, werewolves prowl the shadows of back alleys. But they have infiltrated the inner circles of upper-crust society as well. Only a handful of specially gifted practitioners are equipped to battle the beasts. Among them are the roguish Simon Archer, who conceals his powers as a spell-casting scribe behind the smooth veneer of a dashing playboy; his layabout mentor, Nick Barker, who prefers a good pub to thrilling heroics; and the self-possessed alchemist Kate Anstruther, who is equally at home in a ballroom as she is on a battlefield.

After a lycanthrope targets Kate’s vulnerable younger sister, the three join forces with fierce Scottish monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane—but quickly discover they’re dealing with a threat far greater than anything they ever imagined.









When I saw the premises of this and the fact that this would be told through the male voice as well as the female, I knew I had to try it. Let's face it, male point of views in the urban fantasy genre are truly few and far between. 

Throw in a deliciously dark London Victorian era, a mystery, and supernaturals up the wazoo and you have one hell of a read. 

This was so much fun. In fact, I loved everything about it, from it's darker theme to it almost adult Infernal Devices feel, to the surprise steampunkish atmosphere, simply put, was an excellent start to what I'm pretty sure is going to be a well written, well plotted out, action packed fantasy. 


I adored that not only do we have a whole cast of characters, but two of those, Penny and Kate are also brilliant head strong women, set in a time when women were still suppose to be meek and mild. Fierce determined, smart and sassy, I adored these women.

Action packed with a plot set at a heart pounding pace, and keep you on the edge of your seat adventure, this truly was an outstanding jump right into the very heart of urban fantasy. 

Unforgettable characters and magic around ever bend, this truly was a breath of fresh air. 

I'm so excited about this trilogy and can't wait to dig in and read book two. 





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

43 comments:

  1. I loved Vampire Empire so much I can't wait to delve into their new book & trilogy!!! And how wonderful it is that they're releasing all three books one after another - all this month, I think... No more waiting! I think it's a very inspired idea. I just finished Girl At Midnight and ... really?! Suffice to say cliffhangers and having to wait a year for answers are not on my list of favorite things to do :( The Shadow Revolution, however... Picture me rubbing my hands gleefully :)))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I love that we don't have to wait long for each one, I think the last one releases in July. I so need to try their other series!

      Delete
  2. Darn it! How did I miss this!? This is exactly the sort of book I usually adore, and yet it flew right by me, at least until the last few days when the reviews started popping up. I ordered a copy yesterday and now I'm so SO glad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The same thing happened to me Maja until I saw a review last week so I know exactly how you feel! You are going to love this!

      Delete
  3. My gran was the most stubborn and focused woman I ever met and I know she got it from somewhere. I truly believe that the mild manner woman was just a cover. :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

    ReplyDelete
  4. Woo Hoo! *does happy dance* I'm so glad you had a blast with this new series, Ali!! The ladies in this are so kick-arse too-
    Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I loved that most about this series I think. :) I can't wait for book two and three!

      Delete
  5. I just found out about this book yesterday Ali and I'm so excited to read it! I adored their Vampire Empire books and can't wait to meet these smart and sassy women:) So glad you loved it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so need to read that series too Jenny. I don't know how I have been missing it for this long!

      Delete
  6. You're right, male POVs in UF are very rare!
    I know Kim at Book Swoon adored this one too, so I'm definitely interested in reading it. I love the sound of all the characters.
    Lovely review, Ali!

    ReplyDelete
  7. *dances* I am excited Ali, I just got this for review on audio and thanks to Melissa at Books and Things I knew to say yes..now seeing your review I am bouncing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so excited you will be reading this too Kim!

      Delete
  8. Hey Kindlemom, I just saw this yesterday somewhere and they loved it too. Thanks for the great review!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've been seeing reviews of this everywhere and it sounds fantastic! I love the time period and steampunk aspect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was the best part of it for sure Candace.

      Delete
  10. Wow! The time, setting, mystery, and so much more of this is appealing to me. I am so glad that you reviewed this. I would have never added it to my TBR without it. There is a just above lukewarm rating on GR, but this sounds like so many things that I love in a book.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am seeing lots of reviews for this one this week I don't know how I missed it. I need to read this, I haven't read a good steampunk in awhile,

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another totally new one to me. Thanks for putting it on my radar. I have been on a real magic kick lately and this looks great I am going to add it to my TBR.

    Great Review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are going to love this Michelle! Can't wait to see what you think about it.

      Delete
  13. Ooo yay! I've got their first book on my tbr pile in audio (because Spike narrated it lol) Glad to see you loved this one. They're two of my state authors :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had no idea Anna, that makes me even more excited to try their other books now.

      Delete
  14. I read the first book in the vampire empire series (I think that's what it was called?) and enjoyed it but I haven't gone to finish it. I do love all the aspects that are written in the book's description so I'll definitely pick this one up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you are willing to pick this up. :) Hope you love it!

      Delete
  15. i loved this one too! my fave is Charlotte, i hope we see her again in the nexy books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, she was fun. I hope so too since it didn't say a lot about her after it was all said and done.

      Delete
  16. Huge fan of dual perspectives as well. Dark Victorian London is something I don't really explore too much, so I'm glad this book comes highly recommended! Great review, Ali!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a serious obsession with the Victorian era, truly I do. I've even gone to memorize a lot of their old slang and lingo and have managed to interlace it in my modern-day conversations ha ha! Still though, The Shadow Revolution sounds appealing; needless to say, the cover art is gorgeous! Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cover is gorgeous and I bet you will like this one.

      Delete
  18. OK I so want to read this one, everyone is loving it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You had me at dark London Victorian era! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Okay, yeah, I need this. I was already hooked when it mentioned Iron Druid Chronicles, which is one of my favorite series. But your review just sealed the deal!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I do love a good male POV in urban fantasy, and the setting sounds fantastic! Huge Infernal Devices fan, so I love the sound of this one. Can't wait to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm glad that you loved this one! Male POVs are hard to find in urban fantasy. Hopefully next time there will be more world building.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah they are which is sad because I really do love them!

      Delete