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Monday, November 30, 2009

Review: Boneshaker


Genre: Fiction, Steampunk, Altered History, Science Fiction
Edition: Softcover; Library
Page Count: 416
Pub. Date: September 29, 2009
Series: First installment of The Clockwork Century Universe

My Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.13 (Average)

Recommended For: Fans of steampunk or those looking to delve into the genre, Readers who like an inventive story (that happens to include zombies), Folks with imagination

My Summary & Thoughts:

An alternate-history novel based in the late 1800's with destruction, adventure, dirigibles, sky pirates, a mad inventor, AND zombies? COUNT ME IN. A book just as fascinating as its cover. You guys, Boneshaker was so much more than I expected! Such a brilliantly imaginative tale with flair and grit.

To start it all off, let me just talk about the appearance of the book. The cover is so lovely in person. A beautiful mix of art and design, all while giving a hint to what the story will hold within. And the pages - toned to a light sepia color with brown font, giving it that aged look and feel. The only thing it was missing was the musty smell that can only gather with time. (Though I settled for the new book smell!) From the start you can tell that every detail was doted upon in the process...much like the writing style. Which I absolutely fell in love with. Wonderfully descriptive and engaging; I could envision everything as if I was watching it unfold right before my eyes.

Boneshaker begins with a journalistic piece from a one, Hale Quarter. A young journalist who sets the ground work and describes the events leading up to creation of the terrible Bone-Shaking Drilling Machine at the hand of Dr. Leviticus "Levi" Blue. A single man and machine responsible for a disaster that caused most of downtown Seattle to cave in on itself, while bringing disease and terror in the form of a toxic substance known as The Blight.

While the early days of the Civil War were taking place, the Russians were looking for a way to drill trough the icy Klondike where a fortune of gold supposedly awaited any man who dared. After many had tried and failed, esteemed inventor Leviticus Blue won a contest offering him 100,000 rubles and six months to build a machine strong enough to penetrate the buried vein of gold. But being the smart man that he is, Levi finished well before the deadline. During an unannounced test run on the afternoon of January 2, 1863, the Earth shook under the vast central business district of the Seattle streets. The foundations of four major banks were ground to oblivion, taking with it hundreds of innocent bystanders.

However, no one could predict the kind of destruction that would follow. The streets were in an upheaval sure, but what was worse was the mysterious gas leaking from the tunnels created by the monstrous machine. Slow and sickly, the odorless and colorless gas crept along inch by inch poisoning all those who were nearest. Temporary measurements were taken until a city wide evacuation was the only way to survive. One by one the plans to contain the gas failed. Thousands of people fell ill and thousands more after. Simple barriers were not enough to hold it until, approximately one year later, the entire downtown area of Seattle was surrounded by an incredible 200 foot high brick and stone wall.

The story begins sixteen years later with Briar Wilkes (formerly Briar Blue) and her son Ezekiel "Zeke" Wilkes. The two live in the Outskirts just beyond the wall but not so far from it that they can forget it ever happened. Due to the endless plague the Blight reigns upon the city, the water has been poisoned and must be boiled and treated for 17 hours at the factory in Puget Sound where Briar works. Day after day she works to provide for her and her son, trying ever so hard to leave behind the tarnished legacy of her dead husband. But it's not so easy. Who can forget the man that changed all their lives? Zeke, having never met his father, is forced to rely on the horrid stories passed from one person to the next since his mother refuses to relay the truth or any information to satiate his growing curiosity.

But one day, Zeke decides he's had enough. He determines to make his way inside The Wall, back to a home he never knew and clear his father of the terrible crimes that have plagued their family for 16 years. If only he can get his hands on the papers the Russians sent demanding Dr. Blue do an early test run, if they even existed, then it would all be over. Provisions in hand, Zeke sets off through the underground tunnels that run up through the downtown. But he never expected just how bad the Blight had infected the city...or its undead inhabitants.

After hours spent fretting with worry and guilt, Briar does the only thing a mother could do - she sets off after him. After nearly beating information from Rector, a boy up to no good and a friend of her son, Briar sets off for the same exact tunnels Zeke allegedly took. But as she waits near the entrance, an earthquake shatters all means of hope and escape for her only son. Now that the option of going under is taken away, Briar is left with but one other choice: Over. Seeking the help from the air captains and sky pirates, Briar is led to Andan Cly, captain of the Naamah Darling, who just so happens to be in debt to the Wilkes family.

Flying high and dropping into the city, Briar is led by survival instincts and using all means necessary to find her son. But what surprised her the most was not how much the city has been polluted, but the fact that there were people living there. The dead and undead alike. What kind of trouble lies beyond the wall? Can Briar do it alone? Will she be able to survive the the Blight and the creatures it created? Can she outlast the rotters, the undead who feast on flesh and feel no pain? More importantly, will she find her son alive?

...Those are questions you will have to answer yourself! :)

Seriously, I cannot begin to describe how imaginative and ingenious this tale is. Once you start you won't want to stop until you reach the very end. And then you'll just want more. Boneshaker is totally unique in its vision of combining very real, albeit altered, history and science fiction. Trust me when I say that I am not really a big fan of zombies or anything related, but this story would not have been the same nor quite as exciting without them.

Same goes for each and every character. Without them the story wouldn't have the same warmth and purpose as I felt while reading. Briar is a no nonsense type of woman with admirable qualities, surviving on what little she can afford and wanting what's best for her son. The people she meets only fuel her desire to continue on and provide a shining light in the darkness.

Overall consensus: There's so much more I could tell you about the story but I'll just leave you with the words: Exciting, original, intense, unique, and satisfying. Being that this is my first outing with Cherie Priest, I can conclude that it will not be the last. If books like Boneshaker are what I have to look forward to in the steampunk genre, then count me in because I'm not going anywhere!

(On a sidenote: While I consider this an Adult read, I would also classify it as suitable for Young Adults. And well...everyone!)

- Also reviewed on Amazon and Goodreads

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now this is a blow-me-away review! I'm adding it to the list. :)

Rick said...

This sounds like something I might like. I think I'll check it add it to my list of things to read.

Cecelia said...

I'm about halfway through this one, and waiting for a chunk of time where I can read the rest of it in one sitting. It's very dense and involved, and I need to devote my whole attention to it. :) Glad you loved it so much - there are apparently 3 more books on the way in the same 'world.' Great review!

Tales of Whimsy said...

Hot cover.

Eleni said...

Great review, I'm still not sure if I want to read this book though - bu your review has me leaning toward yes :)

Lisa said...

Great review! Your interview was awesome too. Can't WAIT to read this one!!!

Charlotte said...

Great review, and an enthusiastic one too ! It definitely makes ma want to read it (and enter your giveaway...!). And I love the cover.

ninefly said...

the cover alone makes me want to devour this book right away
sad to say I haven't read that many steampunk novels, but this is as good a place to start as any 8D

Ellz said...

Very detailed review. I am new to steampunk,but I think is sounds fun and I love this cover. Thanks
Elie (Ellz Readz)

Amanda said...

Love the review! Sky pirates and zombies!?!?! Victorian era has always been a favorite period of mine and I LOVE the whole Steampunk idea. :)

Jessy said...

It seems like the whole steampunk thing is gonna be HUGE. I read Leviathan and really liked it.

Annie said...

It looks amazing!!! Great cover!! Definetly going to my wishlist!!

titania86 said...

This looks so great! Great review. I can't wait to read it now. :)

Katy said...

This sounds fantastic! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Vasilly said...

Boneshaker sounds great! I really want this now.I haven't read steampunk before but I think I'll start with Boneshaker instead of Leviathan.

raych said...

I've been dying to read this, as well as Priest's Four and Twenty Blackbirds, but my library has neither. *cries steamy, punky tears*

Marce said...

Great review, nicely detail but not to much.

Melissa (Books R Us) said...

Excellent review. I can not wait to read this.

Simcha said...

This sounds like a really interesting book. I've been wondering what exactly steampunk is and this book looks like a good place to start in order to become familiar with the genre.

Jess Capelle said...

sounds fantastic! I've been wanting to read this for a while. Love steampunk stories and love zombies, so it's win win for me! The cover is gorgeous too.

Esther said...

Wow. This should be a stunning read. I am trying to introduce myself to Steampunk and this would be a good way to proceed.

Bookish in a Box said...

This sounds great! I've been wanting a good book to dive into steampunk with, and this sounds like the one.

cfisher1504 said...

Great review!!! I can't wait to read
Boneshaker!!!

Alyssa Kirk said...

I'm a steampunk fan since Leviathan. Sounds good!

Morgan @ BLT said...

Sounds like an awesome book. Going on my wish-list right now!

Coistycat said...

Brilliant review, you have made this book so amazing that i must have it. Well Done not all reviewers can do that. xx

Unknown said...

Okay now I HAVE to read this book! I hadn't heard of it 'till I came to your blog and Now. I. Must. Read. It!

:)

I LOVE unique stories and this sounds just like something I'd love especially because it includes zombies ;)

Sarah E said...

I can't wait to read this book! I love the idea of reading a book based on history and steampunk themes combined with an imaginitive plot. Great review!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

Your review has enticed me to read this book.
thanks

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