Clocks and Daggers

The Thief's Apprentice Series, Book 2

By: Sara C. Roethle

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Weeks have passed since Liliana and Arhyen first met. The formula that gave Liliana her emotions are still in the hands of the LN, and the threat is ever looming as to how they might be used. Yet the pair of thieves has bigger fish to fry. Bodies are turning up all over the city, victims of surgical experimentation by an unknown assailant. Everything is connected, and Arhyen will have to unravel the mystery of the serial surgeon...before he ends up on the operating table himself.

©2017 Sara C. Roethel (P)2018 Sara C. Roethle

The fight continues

The story picks up weeks after the events in book one. Our trio, Liliana, the automaton, Arhyen, the thief, and Ephraim the detective are trying to find incriminating information about the nefarious organization, London Network (LN). LN is holding the group hostage with the threat to take Liliana if our trio does not work for them. It has not been shown that the agenda of LN is a danger realm. Hawk, the LN henchman/automaton demands the trio investigate the gruesome deaths in the city.
I am still a little confused about what constitutes an automaton. Liliana is “special” because her father/creator treated her with synthetic emotions. From book one, we learned that Liliana has evolved and is able to feel emotions long after being administered the synthetic emotions. Liliana and Hawk have skin that have nerve endings. They can feel pain. Liliana has a “clockwork” heart. The story alludes to her having some human organs. Do all automatons have human organs? Liliana has taste buds and bleeds and she clearly has a defined personality (thanxs to being administered the synthetic emotions). This murkiness surrounding what is an automaton is why I could not give the story a higher star rating.
Of course, our trio is put in many dangerous situations and in many fights in their quest to solve the murders and finding information on LN. Someone please teach Liliana how to fight. Though she did show some ingenuity in a tough situation. Though Arhyen and Ephraim are a product of their times in wanting to protect a woman, being independent is important to Liliana and she is strong.
A subplot is about family reunions, and can people really change? This story provides a little back story about Hawk. I did enjoy the story. This story has the worst cliff hanger ever. It is literally a knock on the door and our trio wondering who knocked.