The Electrical Menagerie, one-of-a-kind robotic roadshow, is bankrupt.Sylvester Carthage, illusionist and engineer, has the eccentric imagination the Menagerie needs to succeed creatively — but none of the people skills. Fast-talking Arbrook Huxley, meanwhile, has all the savvy the Menagerie needs to succeed commercially — but none of the scruples.To save their show, Carthage & Huxley risk … show, Carthage & Huxley risk everything in a royal talent competition, vying for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform for the Future Celestial Queen. In this stardust-and-spark-powered empire of floating islands and flying trains, The Electrical Menagerie’s bid at fame and fortune means weathering the glamorous and cutthroat world of critics, high society, and rival magicians — but with real conspiracy lurking beneath tabloid controversy, there’s more at stake in this contest than the prize.
Behind the glittery haze of flash paper and mirrors, every competitor has something to hide… and it’s the lies Carthage & Huxley tell each other that may cost them everything.
What Fans are Saying:
“Delightful.” Publisher’s Weekly/Booklife Starred Review
”The Greatest Showman meets steampunk […] This book needs to be on every steampunk reader’s list.” Morgan L. Busse, award-winning steampunk author of The Soul Chronicles
“A tale of true imagination, wonder, humor, and heart […] this beautifully written science fantasy is sure to delight.” Lindsay Franklin, author of The Story Peddler
“The stuff that fandoms are built on.” Kyle Robert Shultz, author of Beaumont & Beasley
”Jules Verne for the next generation.” Reader Review
“I have a terrible book hangover. The world, the characters, the snark! How will I ever recover?” Reader Review
”The Greatest Showman X Sherlock Holmes X robots = ��” Reader Review
more
This book was absolutely wonderful! I felt as if I fell into the story when I began reading it! I wasn’t even in a setting that I could devote my whole attention to the story, but I had no trouble falling in love with the story, devoting my attention to it, and wishing I could just sit and read the whole book in one setting. I cannot wait for there to be a sequel.
This story is so unique in that it has two adult main characters and no romance to the story. I found it fascinating. I also loved the setting and storyline, that somewhat reminded me of the tv show The Wild Wild West. I loved the those similarities and the characters so much. It was such a fun read. Carthage and Huxley are such great characters and complement each other so well. I can’t wait to read how their friendship continues and how they will use Endeavor in their act.
I was also impressed at how well the author explained the world in which the book is set. I feel like so many authors get caught up in explaining the world of their book or making it so complicated that it gets confusing or boring. This never happened and I found the world this book was set in to be interesting and charming.
What a wondrous and fantastical read! The Electrical Menagerie is one of the best books I’ve read, not just this year, but, like, ever. It’s definitely got a spot on my favorites shelf and is a book I’m gonna want to reread over and over again.
It was so incredibly good, so imaginative. I’m kinda left speechless, having no idea what I can say that would possibly do it justice. It’s one of those books that I just want to shove at people and yell (in the friendliest way), “READ THIS BOOK NOW!”
There was a part of me that wanted to read it as fast as possible, to devour it. But I made myself slow down and savor it. I loved every single second of it. It’s as close to perfect as a book can get. If I could give it more than five stars, I certainly would.
With an almost lyrical-like writing style and many profoundly poignant moments, I’ll be thinking about it for a long time to come. I highly recommend The Electrical Menagerie to everyone!
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
What a magical, enchanting and charming story!! I could not put it down until the end.
Here, there is a contest with the winner getting to perform for royalty. If Carthage, the creator of the Electrical Menagerie, can win this competition, he believes it will save the menagerie. He must create the most spectacular illusions and use his machines as never before. At his side is Huxley, who works behind the scenes to ensure Carthage’s success. However, as Carthage and Huxley immerse themselves into the competition, the more they learn not only about themselves and what it will take for them to succeed but the other characters in the competition and their will to succeed for perhaps not the same motives.
The characters, from Carthage and Huxley to the other contestants and reporters are so well-drawn and engaging. Even the machines have their own personalities allowing the reader to connect with them and feel empathy with their plight. I enjoyed how Carthage and Huxley weren’t quite friends but depended on each other to make the menagerie work and as the competition progressed, their interactions grew more enjoyable and very humorous. The world that these characters travel in is so well created. The way the shows were written/described made me believe that I was a member of the audience experiencing each magical delight. Highly recommend!
I listened to this book – the narrator, Travis Baldree, really brought this story to life using different accents and mechanical voices. He truly complimented the written word. His enthusiasm for this story was apparent in the narration.
I don’t typically read (or listen to) steampunk or give out 5 star reviews for books, but this book was masterfully written. I listened to the audio book. The narrator’s voices for the characters took some getting used to, but it didn’t take long.
Carthage and Huxley are two unlikely heroes. Carthage is an illusionist/robot engineer hiding a long term illness and Huxley is his manager with questionable scruples. Together they run a failing robotic roadshow–The Electrical Menagerie. In hopes of reviving their show, they join a competition for the chance to perform before the future Queen on her birthday. But, from the moment the competition begins, mishaps occur making it clear someone is attempting to eliminate the competitors to ensure the victory, thus turning this fantasy steampunk into a mystery.
Events twist and turn in unexpected ways throughout this masterfully written tale. The world and characters are so perfectly depicted I can see them with vivid clarity. And these strange men grew on me and became friends.
If you enjoy stories that sweep you away to another reality with twists and turns that keep you guessing, the Electrical Menagerie is for you.
An entertaining steampunk themed circus mystery!
The Electrical Menagerie (The Celestial Isles, Book #1) by Mollie E. Reeder and narrated by Travis Baldree is a fun steampunk mystery! Would recommend if you are a fan of steampunk, illusions/magic, or mysteries.
Some things to expect: competition, MC’s perform for an opportunity to perform at the princess’s birthday, magic, illusion, corruption, robotics, great world building/descriptions and more. It was easy to picture myself front row at the show. Trying to come up with words to describe this book and I keep coming back to: steampunk themed circus mystery. It’s a medium-paced listen/read- action but not too slow where you get bored. The book doesn’t end in a cliffhanger (thank you Mollie!).
The narrator, Travis Baldree, was perfect for this book. His robotic voices were great! He definitely fits the steampunk genre nicely.
Overall, I would recommend and will be checking out book two. I wasn’t bored at any time and enjoyed the listen.
Note: parental advisory/trigger warnings contains minor spoilers. You’ve been warned.**********
*******
***
*
Parental advisory/trigger warnings: death of a man, attempted murder of main characters, one of the MC was sick as a child, house fire, train derailment, death of MC robot, family tensions.
*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!