Review: This story has steampunk, unusual animals, and handsome men fighting for the love of one woman.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 29, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: This story has steampunk, unusual animals, and handsome men fighting for the love of one woman. On top of that, someone wants to end said woman's life before she can find her happily-ever-after.Opening Sentence: There was nothing unusual about finding a dead man face down in the London gutter.The Review:I really liked this book. I'm actually reading this series backwards by accident, but I am just in love with Delilah S. Dawson's Blud series. Frannie is an independent woman who has not had to depend on anyone or worry about anyone since she lost her whole family in different tragic ways. All that changes when she finds an almost dead man in the gutters of London. She allows the man, Casper Sterling, known to all as "The Maestro" to stay with her for a fee and help in the pet shop she owns and runs. Not long after she takes in this stranger, weird and dangerous things start happening to her. First someone tries to set her home on fire and when that doesn't work, the culprit tries new and more interesting ways to try and get rid of Frannie, but why? During the first attempt on Frannie's life she meets a fireman named Thom who offers to help her save the animals that she let loose during the fire and to help fix the damage. As they work together to put Frannie's life back to rights, sparks of a different kind start flying between Frannie and Thom. The question is, can they keep Frannie alive long enough to find the culprit and to find happiness together?Frannie is my favorite type of heroine. She can take care of herself and doesn't faint or any of those other weak hearted things some heroines do when things go wrong. Instead she refuses to be bullied or to give up what is hers. She stands her ground and fights to find out who would want to harm her. Also, she is so kind-hearted helping those animals and people in need. She even helps Casper, a complete stranger in his time of need. Unfortunately, Frannie's life has not been easy or the happiest.Thom is a great hero. He is tall, blond, and Scottish. You cannot go wrong there. He is also a firefighter, and a sweetheart who would do anything for the woman he loves. He would even go so far as to protect her with his life. Thom also has a tragic past that troubles him. Together maybe Frannie and Thom can heal each other's wounds.Casper is the last of this love triangle. Unfortunately for him his love is one sided. Casper is tall blond, blue-eyed, and a womanizer. He is the most talented musician in the time period. Everyone loves him and he has been given the nickname "The Maestro" because of his beautiful playing. There is something off about Casper though and he is always drunk. He claims it is a sickness, but could it be something more?I love the steampunk in the book. There is not a lot of it in this one but it is there. Frannie is not a big fan of clockwork pets and she believes people should have real pets instead. You can see the steampunk in the type of clothing that is worn and the surroundings. I also liked this alternate London. It puts a darker twist on the real London. In this London you have to watch out because the rats are out for blud or blood and not everyone you meet is human. At the same time there are similarities such as the rain, the fog, and Hyde Park.I truly love this series and I plan to go back and read the rest of them and if Dawson comes out with more I will read those also. Delilah Dawson is just a wonderful author. I recommend this book to all adults, whether you like steampunk or not. This is a fantastic story. Also, if you do not like books that are too long this book is perfect because it is a shorter story, but still has all the things that a good book needs.FTC Advisory: Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.