Review: Howling at the Mechanical Moon... (3 1/2 STARS)
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 15, 2013
RATING: 3.5 STARSThere's a lot of intrigue built up in the opening chapters of the HOUR OF THE WOLF. A lot to relate to, actually. Imagine a government that's gone bankrupt and only survives on borrowed money. Their debt continues to grow until, eventually, they make an ill-advised deal for financial security with a private corporation. But at what cost?And then there are intricate designs of secret machines - machines that could change the course of history, perhaps. The designs are limited and held by powerful forces. One copy is exchanged covertly in the night, but the recipient is later left bleeding out in a cemetery. What are these designs and who would kill for them?Naturally, this leads to a murder investigation - one that involves the most brilliant criminologist minds available. And they are coming up with more questions than answers. What is going on here in Vilnius? What motives are at play? Is this something supernatural? Magic?All this in the first quarter of the HOUR OF THE WOLF. A captivating premise to be sure and one that propels the reader through this alternate historical fiction novel marked by steampunk devices, creative scenarios, and fantastical action. In all honesty, this is not the kind of book I would typically pick up, much less read. It's pretty dark and delves into territory I typically avoid, but it was highly regarded by the time it came to my eyes and I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did.It's a compelling tale told well - especially given that it's translated from Lithuanian into English. Definitely recommended for fans of darker murder mysteries, steampunk fantasies, and historical tales of revolution. (Or any combination of the three.)By the way, I received a complimentary digital edition of this book from Story Cartel because I promised to write an honest review. I enjoyed it, honestly. You should see what I wrote about those other books...