I'm going to file this under "life is too short to waste on reading this book in its entirety" - skimmed the last two hundred pages and have no desire to read book three. Evelina is a combination of naive-stupid that I can't tolerate. And not just in her personal life, but in politics, professional, etc. The author writes with no subtlety, everything is explained as it happens, there are no lingering suspicions, and there is not a single character I feel the need to know more about. The steampunk world is one I often find tiresome - there have only been a couple that appeal to me.Disappointing run on unimpressive books - think I'll have to look at my library pile and find one that I'm confident I'll enjoy, otherwise I'm going to get even grouchier! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this trilogy. The first book wrapped up enough that it felt like a good end to a segment, but left enough unsolved to pique the reader's interest in the next book.Book two begins four months after the end of the first book, and for those who read the excerpt of book two at the end of book one, that is NOT the beginning of book two. Book two is far more action-packed. The action scenes are written really well, and it keeps you turning pages like none other, but it almost took some getting used to compared to the style of the first book. If book one of the trilogy could have been titled Ball Gowns and Beaus, this one is more like Pirates and Prostitutes - AND it includes a really interesting twist on Jack the Ripper...The beginning of A Study in Darkness was very jarring for me - it opens with a full out sky-battle between Captain Niccolo's air ship and another ship. With no lead-in, we go straight from the mystery and romance with a side of murder of the first book, to full-on, action-packed, bodies-piling-up-battle, with talking birds. There are Ash Rooks who fight in battle and earn shiny armor pieces for the valor. I liked the idea of the Ash Rooks, and they fit well with Captain Niccolo's part of the story, but I did not like the addition of talking animals to the overall world-building since that was not even mentioned in the first book. The first book had devas (magic creatures kind of like fairies) who certain people could communicate with, but the Ash Rooks are kind of a thing all their own - they aren't like an extension of the devas, and it's not like there are any other talking animals. (Later the reader learns they aren't "talking" per se, but Nick can communicate with them, but it's still a little out of place.)That aside - once I reconciled the characters with a new level of action, the story is great. The love triangle from the first book continues, and begins to resolve some over the course of the story. Nick has become Captain Niccolo, notorious pirate and a wanted man. The over-arching conspiracy of the Baskerville Affair continues to unravel, with Evelina serving as a spy in the slums of Whitechapel. Evelina realizes just how far she has come from her humble beginnings in the circus when she finds herself surviving alone under the guise of being just another penniless young woman trying to make her way in the world by her trade. Unlike most ladies in London's darkest slums, Evie is plying her skills in mechanics, on a mission to uncover evidence of an impending eruption among the members of the Steam Council. But although she doesn't fit the profile of prostitute like the rest of the Ripper's victims, it may not be enough to keep her safe... Ready to read the next!
What do You think about Study In Darkness (2013)?
An exciting sequel to A Study in Silks. Evelina Cooper's adventures continue. Very enjoyable read.
—holli_johnson1
Good lord, this book was too long and so boring. Page after endless page where nothing happened.
—nelygirl
Loved it, considering this started as an e-book, it's very well put together.
—maru_230
A little slower than book #1 but satisfying nonetheless.
—Ace
