by Karissa Laurel
November 8, 2023
Genre: Gaslamp fantasy, fantasy romance
Steampunk, Zombies, and Romance…
Serendipity Blite inherited her father’s crackerjack shooting skills, while her sister, Bloom, got his knack for mechanical engineering. The siblings’ talents make them a formidable pair capable of surviving the apocalyptic aftermath of the Dead Disease. Their skills also attract the unwanted attention of Moll Grimes, a ruthless woman intent on building a new empire in a city infested with undead.
When Bloom goes missing, Sera suspects Moll has something to do with it, but attempting a rescue mission on her own would be suicidal. Sera seeks help from a band of unlikely allies, including Erik LaRoux, an enticing young man with a curious scar, and a collection of alchemists obsessed with developing a cure for the Dead Disease.
Sera’s alliance with Erik challenges her old ways of coping, and so do his kisses. Her fierce independence won’t be enough to save her sister. But as she opens herself to new possibilities, an unfortunate accident sets Sera teetering on the edge of a deadly abyss. Surrendering to it would bring an end to her grief, pain, and fear, but surviving could mean finding family, love, and maybe even a cure.
Sisters Sera and Bloom take refuge in an abandoned bank amidst the post-apocalyptic wild west-scape that was once their hometown. They are seemingly content, if not resigned, to scrounge for food and safety while dodging scores of undead. But when Bloom is missing, Sera fears the worst. Using savvy detection skills, Sera discovers Bloom has attracted unwanted attention from local kingpin, Moll Grimes. Moll seeks to use Bloom’s talent for mechanical engineering to help further her territorial monopoly. Sera joins forces with the dark and mysterious Erik LaRoux. Erik’s connections with a neutral faction of alchemists living a life of luxury in a time of impoverished scarcity.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, despite my objections to post-apocalypse tropes, zombies, and the Young Adult genre altogether. The characters, storyline, and action simply won me over. I found the book difficult to put down and would sneak in quick reading sessions before work. I’ve been a long-time Karissa Laurel fan and her writing is always a win for me. She is imaginative and creative in her storytelling. I found the book exciting, romantic, and touching.
I would love a sequel to this book. There’s lots of road ahead for these characters and this world.
Five Sheep
Bianca Greenwood
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