Shades: A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure

Aether Chronicles, Book 1

By: Abi Barden

Narrated by: Jennifer Smith

Money, a mansion, and a mysterious death? Far from the inheritance she ever expected.

Amethyst Forester is a scientist, not a lady. Benjamin Maker is a lord, trapped in a loveless marriage.

The only thing they have in common is Professor Richards - a genius Aetheric scientist.

When Richards is found dead, Amethyst and Benjamin are put in an impossible situation. They jointly inherit his house, its contents, and the mystery of his murder.

Could the Professor have been killed for one of his experiments? And if so, what if someone’s still looking for it?

If you like your steampunk with a bit of romance sprinkled in and loads of mystery, this Victorian London-era steampunk adventure is the story for you. It's perfect for fans of Charlie N. Holmberg and Honor Raconteur. Grab your copy today!

©2020 Aethon Books (P)2021 Aethon Audio

Fascinating steampunk story

I do love a good steampunk story, and Amethyst has all the makings of a good heroine. She's on well-trod ground, of the intrepid young lady scientist, but the story finds ways to explore this theme and make it into something new and exciting.

Jennifer Smith does a good job as the narrator. My one concern is that her narrator's voice sounds rather breathy and high-pitched, almost a bit childlike. Depending on the listener, this might end up being a tad grating on the ears after a bit, but I wouldn't call this a make-or-break issue.

I think I'll have to check other books in the series out.

Pretty good

I feel like this book is very well written. Still a really good book but I feel like the build up kind of fell flat. Very interesting concepts and the story worked out in the end.

Mystery, intrigue, and a touch of romance!

Shades: A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure
Aether Chronicles, Book 1
By: Abi Barden
Narrated by: Jennifer Smith

Amethyst is our strong willed gal of the story during a time when women weren't allowed to have a will or a mind. A few men, like Professor Richards, was different and taught her brilliant mind on the side and he gave her a horrible looking broach to wear and made her promise never to take it off.

The Professor is found dead and Amethyst is the only one that believes he is murdered, at first. Then the will is read and she inherits half his house and everything in it. The other half goes to Lord Masters. His wife is a very evil woman but Masters and Amethyst have a silent thing for each other.

Amethyst decides to find out who and why someone killed the Professor. This gets very complicated and dangerous, intriguing and exciting, and deadly for Amethyst! We also find out about the broach!

I really enjoyed the writing style. It did take me a bit to get into the book but once I was into it, I was hooked! I am not a romance reader but this was just right! A forbidden romance, a steampunk tale, murder mystery, suspense and emotions for many reasons, and a strong female lead!

I received this book free from freeaudiblecodes and the opinions are my own.

Well, it’s a steam punk

It goes into gender roles, more than most steam punks too. With only a few characters breaking the normal parameters expected for the time., However, there are things that happened from time to time that don’t make any sense on, aren’t explained at all. Well, some of them I expected to be cleaned up Such as when one guy punched at a girl and she just calmly blocked it without a problem. They never were cleaned up. They just were left in limbo for no reason. The quirky characters were interesting. I’m not quite as far as could be expected.