Two misfits struggling to craft a better future. A deadly cult intent on making them history. Europe, 1871. Iris McTavish teeters on the verge of losing everything. After her father’s sudden passing and archaeology schools refusing to admit her because she’s female, the brilliant young woman fears her only escape from debt is an odious marriage. So when she’s offered the opportunity to replace … she’s offered the opportunity to replace her beloved parent on a mysterious expedition to stabilize aether as an energy source, the desperate lady leaps at the chance.
Teamed with a scientific genius suffering from debilitating anxiety, Iris travels to Paris in search of clues. But when their airship is attacked by clockwork automatons and her nervous partner is injured, the pioneering adventurer finds herself ensnared in a sinister conspiracy from which the only escape may be death…
Can Iris and her clever counterpart contrive a way out of certain doom?
Eros Element is the thrilling first book in the Aether Psychics steampunk fantasy series. If you like spirited female leads, vulnerable heroes, and alternate histories, then you’ll love Cecilia Dominic’s airy escapade.
Buy Eros Element to sail the skies of excitement today!
more
I really enjoyed this book. It was something different and full of excitement. The characters were wonderfully complicated. I would have liked to have had a few more reveals, or a few more answers, but that just makes me want to read book 2 even more. So I’m not complaining.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It took me a couple of times to get into the story. It’s one that you really need to pay attention. it’s partly due to the language. It’s steampunk, set in a Regency type of world where the language, customs, and speech are more formal.
The world building, story, and plot are well done. Once I was able to listen without distractions I became immersed in the story and the various characters. It was well worth my time and I’m so glad I didn’t give up. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
An unusual blend of fantasy, science fiction, 19th Century adventure. Fun. Interesting. Good characters. More? Yes!
Iris McTavish’s father just passed away, leaving her household in chaos and her dreams of following her father’s footsteps in archeology dashed. To prove her worth and save her house she embarks on a dangerous adventure. Edward Bailey is desperate, although heartbroken, he must find a way to turn aether into a power source or his department and professorship will be ruined. He needs help and Iris is it. Together they must solve the problem while dealing with many dangerous situations and people.
This is the first book in a series, Aether Physics, a Victorian era steampunk adventure series. And what a first book it is. The characters are well done, full of personalities that draw you into their tale. The narrative is amazing as it describes the steampunk version of the era and the different places where the story takes place. You feel like you are there. The storyline is complex, filled with action, adventure, danger, suspense and romance, with surprises at every turn and unexpected turns that leave you at the edge of your seat. I have not read much steampunk but this book has definitely made a positive impression on me and I can not wait until I can read more of the author’s work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Interesting steam-punk novel.
loved this story.
This book had so much that appealed to me, but I struggled to be pulled fully into it for the first 75%. I took a short break and returned to it and the last 25% flew by and I was a little sad when it was over. I enjoyed Iris and Edward’s discovery of their feelings for one another as they worked with the other members of the group to discover the Eros Element. I will definitely check out the next book in the series!
I was blown away with this book and could not put it down once I started it. It is filled with action, betrayal, secrets, blackmail, and once you think you figure it out comes another twist. Each character has their own secret and over the pages you see how they fit together, just like the trinkets and mystery gear boxes. I look forward to reading more in this series. Amazing story teller!
A mysterious American has gathered an English aether scientist, a musician, the daughter of an archeologist and a French maid for a quest of sorts in this Steampunk novel set in 1870 and traveling through London, Paris and Rome. Each of the members have his or her motivations, as do the American doctor and tinkerer who join them after an airship crash. All of them have secrets. Add in a secret society and an unscrupulous member of the nobility chasing them and there’should is plenty of excitement in this adventure to find the Eros Element.
Did not finish. Not a conceit I could get behind.
Could not force myself to get past the fourth chapter…
they are both scientists but from very different situations. She has to choose what to do marry or give up her passion. He needs to find a way to get it stable but he cannot do it alone. They join forces to find it but they will be chased by others. What do they want? Will they find it? See if they will
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a great book to read that kept me turning the pages. The characters are well developed and engaging with a storyline that flowed smoothly from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh, my gosh! What a fun book. This was my first foray into steampunk, though I had heard of the subgenre before. This particular author is able to convey her characters’ thoughts and words well, sometimes with gravity (when needed) and deliciously dry humor (most of the time). The characters are well drawn with very clear goals and motivations. There’s no gore or violence, and the plot did have some unexpected twists and turns. I think I especially appreciated the interactions between the characters. I loved the budding Romance. Just a delightful quasi-historical romantic read.
I thoroughly loved this fast paced, charming, steampunk adventure with its amazing cast of wonderful characters and a plot full of creative twists and turns. And I especially enjoyed reading Iris’ internal snark at the injustice of sexism in the 1800’s. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first full-length novel in the Aether Psychics steampunk adventure series by Cecilia Dominic. This book was so much fun! Getting to know both the lead and secondary characters was a pure delight! Don’t miss this treat–grab a bowl of popcorn or your snack of choice and dig in!
I found our heroine, budding archaeologist Iris McTavish, to be a refreshing change in that she was a lovely balance of clever, brave, resourceful, thoughtful, and kind. She was determined to find her own way in a time when women’s choices were normally quite constrained, yet she remained quite feminine and likeable while doing so. Many authors have trouble pulling that off.
I found our main hero, Edward Bailey, sweet and adorable. I understood his quirks, having responded in a somewhat similar way to past trauma myself. But Edward grows a lot over the course of this story, and his actions by the end of the story caught me quite off guard.
I loved watching the romance between Edward and Iris slowly develop. I was going to say that it’s such a sweet story, except in so many ways it’s not, there are some very dark moments, and yet the overall feeling I get is still very warm and sweet. I don’t know how Ms. Dominic pulls that off, but I love it!
I was also quite fond of the steampunk world the story is set in, though despite the lovely details provided in this book, I found myself wanting to know more. I am hoping we’ll learn more about this fascinating world in the subsequent Aether Psychics novels, which I’m looking forward to reading.
The plot was fun, providing plenty of twists and turns. There were elements of science fiction, paranormal fantasy, mystery, suspense, and historical romance, and I think this would probably please fans of many of these genres. The pacing seemed good to me, and the book was well-written. I was quickly drawn into the story and never had trouble suspending disbelief. The ending sufficiently ties up the events of this book to provide a satisfying ending for now (no cliffhangers), while leaving plenty of threads open for the subsequent books in the series.
I didn’t notice any typos or grammatical errors in the ebook I reviewed, and it was cleanly formatted. The language was clean, and there were no sexually explicit scenes, although there was a bit of violence and a couple of deaths described without any gory details. This should be appropriate for a wide audience.
I really enjoyed the narration by Alicia Foreman. Her performance was well paced and appropriately conveyed the story’s mood and the characters’ emotions. I enjoyed her character voices. I think this is a great choice for listening.
I received a free copy of this ebook and audiobook from the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.