Chasing the Star Garden

A Steampunk Romantic Adventure Novel: The Airship Racing Chronicles, Book 1

De: Melanie Karsak

Narrado por: Libby Clearfield

An opium-addicted beauty. An infamous poet living in self-imposed exile. An ancient treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.

Melanie Karsak's Chasing the Star Garden takes listeners on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a loveable but reckless airship racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges into a centuries-old mystery in a steampunk romantic adventure best described as Dan Brown meets Mary Shelley.

It all begins on one of the worst days of Lily's life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her pants, told her to fly to Venice, then threw himself from her airship tower. What's a girl to do? For Lily, the answer is easy: Drink absinthe and smoke opium.

Lily's lover, Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love and the stars along the way.

©2013 Clockpunk Press (P)2014 Clockpunk Press

Interesting

The book was an interesting read. It didn't push steampunk at you in an over the top manner but was the backdrop. The intrigue was a bit contrived and the love story a little unusual. However I enjoyed the story. Probably won't continue the series unless they are a good price.

Exhilarating!

Would you consider the audio edition of Chasing the Star Garden to be better than the print version?

Not having read the print version, I would still have to say yes. The narration of the book brought the characters and plot to life.

What other book might you compare Chasing the Star Garden to and why?

Not sure about this

Which character – as performed by Libby Clearfield – was your favorite?

I'd have to say Lily as she was the primary focus of the story. I believe the narrator captured her emotions and enhanced the story line.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not possible.

a beautiful listening experience!

Would you consider the audio edition of Chasing the Star Garden to be better than the print version?

I bought Chasing the Star Garden just a couple of months ago in eBook format but have been getting into audio books lately. I've been dying to read this book and so jumped at the chance to review this story in audio book format.

Listening to Chasing the Star Garden is a beautiful experience. I love the narrator, Libby Clearfield! She can speak in a variety of accents, including Italian and French. She brings the story to life and speaks clearly. I'd definitely listen to another audio book narrated by her.

What did you like best about this story?

Chasing the Star Garden is engrossing and action packed with romance sprinkled throughout. The heat level to some of the love scenes definitely makes this a book for adults!

Lily is a character who quickly became a favorite of mine. She has a painful past she escapes from by smoking opium and drinking absinthe, and you see what her past is like through flashbacks. While Lily is strong, independent, and fierce, she also has a vulnerability.

I didn't realize at first how much Lord Byron and Sal meant to her, but it soon became clear they were much more than just her lovers. They both know about the other, and I think it was harder for Sal to accept that she also has Lord Byron. I think Sal loved Lily and didn't want to share her with anyone, but I also think Lily knew that and was scared of that kind of love.

The way Greek mythology ties into the treasure hunt in the story was interesting and well done. As if airship racing wasn't exciting enough, there's more excitement with the danger and adventure that comes with searching for the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands. Lily's very life is on the line.

Have you listened to any of Libby Clearfield’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to Clearfield before but would love to listen to her other performances.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Chasing the Star Garden confirms my love of the steampunk genre, and I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Airship Racing Chronicles, Chasing the Green Fairy! The title alone would make anyone want to dive into the story even if she/he didn't know what it was about, I'm certain of it! I definitely need more Lily!

Any additional comments?

I received an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable steampunk adventure!

What made the experience of listening to Chasing the Star Garden the most enjoyable?

The narrator, Libby Clearfield, was excellent in this audio.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Chasing the Star Garden?

I liked the part where Lily follows the snake in the cave and finds the glowing statue and she is able to come to terms with her past.

What does Libby Clearfield bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Libby Clearfield is an excellent narrator and her accent fits perfectly with this story.

Any additional comments?

There is mature content in this book, so I would not recommend for children.

Beautiful, but difficult story.

Loved this story. The flashbacks are a little hard to read, and I would not read it if you might be triggered by non-consensual sexual acts. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I listened to it, but having read several other books by this author I pushed on and am happy I did so. I might read it again, but I will certainly skip parts. Still it was a beautiful story of survival and love and I’m glad I read it.