Paperback, 368 pages
Published July 12, 2016 by Berkley.
"London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry--and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker--a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. …
"London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry--and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker--a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth" --
This book was better than average but not really by very much. The novel begins strongly, muddles through the middle and attempts to end with a flourish; but misses hitting the mark. I may read more from this author, although I'm undecided at this point. I have numerous others in my queue including some novels from my 'go to' writers.
I thought it was going to be steampunk. It wasn't. I thought that this would disappoint me. It didn't. Very well written, and a heck of fun ride. And plenty of moments where I said, "Wait, I haven't seen that particular book yet. Is it real?" And made very silly noises indeed.
A Curious Beginning : 4.25
What I liked :
-The main character^^ She was so interesting, her interests, intelligence, her way of talking, chef's kiss to miss Speedwell
-The interactions btw the characters was also fresh and funny at times, deep at others and overall a delight to read
-The setting of 1880s UK
-The little adventure and mysteries
I don't really have any "faults" to point out, it just didn't feel quite a 5 stars but was really good nonetheless^^
