Synopsis

A steampunk Sleeping Beauty story from the author of Beauty and the Clockwork Beast.

Doctor Isla Cooper is cursed. Literally. Each night, at the stroke of midnight she falls into a death-like sleep from which she cannot be awakened for six hours. To make it worse, the curse has an expiration date—after a year, it becomes permanent. And the year is almost up.

In a desperate attempt to find Malette—the witch who cursed her—Isla blackmails her way onto Daniel Pickett’s private airship bound for the Caribbean, only to discover she’s traveling with three illegal shapeshifters and the despicable Nigel Crowe, a government official determined to hunt down and exterminate every shapeshifter in England. Isla and Daniel must work together to keep the identities of the shapeshifters hidden while coming to terms with their own hidden secrets, and their blossoming attraction to each other.

Filled with suspense, intrigue, and plenty of romance, Kiss of the Spindle is steampunk Sleeping Beauty story. It is a race against the clock as Isla and Daniel try to hunt down the elusive Malette before Isla’s death-like sleep becomes permanent.

Review

I’ve not read a lot of steampunk, but what I have read I have really enjoyed. This is a twist on Sleeping Beauty but with a paranormal twist with witches (well there are some in the original fairy tale) and shifters. There is also the historical aspect of how people act and dress but there is a slightly modern feel with some of the technology they utilize.

Dr. Cooper is a tough woman and not one to be trifled with if you are smart. She is an empath and her ability to calm shifters was remarkable. But despite being tough, I felt like she really wanted to be cherished and loved. She had a tough life growing up and this curse she is now under is not helping matters. I did appreciate knowing how to say her name from the beginning since I would have pronounced it wrong in my head through the whole book.

Following Isla on her quest to undo her curse, making new friends, discovering deception from others around her, to saving herself despite all odds. This book is action packed with some touching, romantic moments to round out the story. There are some things that will be obvious (who will break the curse) but other aspects were quite the surprise. It made for an interesting read and I felt differently about certain characters once more was revealed.

Truly enjoyed this story and will have to check out some other steampunk whenever possible.

We give this 4 paws up.