Parchment Paths

Overall this book was enjoyable, but while it took me awhile to connect to the characters in this series first book, Boneshaker, I never really felt connected or sympathetic to anyone. The people just weren't as compelling or fleshed out (which may be a terrible pun considering the zombies in the plot). I felt that Mercy was mildly interesting, but seemed far too stoic to be realistic and in some ways she seemed like a vague version of Briar from Boneshaker. It's a good, exciting, fast read however, and it did leave me curious about the others in the Clockwork Century series 

Perhaps the reason fairy tales persist is because in mankind’s heart of hearts we know there really is power, love, and darkness in this world.   We have seen and experienced them all too much to deny them.   In light of this, perhaps Christians should rethink how they react to fairy tales, whether old or modern.   Instead of fighting against of such tales we should be pointing the readers to the only real magic this wretched world has. Magic is real, just not in the form many people perceive it. After all, what is God’s love, forgiveness, and very existence but magic, pure and simple? Yes, the fall had distorted the image of magic into Satanism, Wicca, and others, but a good deal of fairy tales still resonate with their origins of a loving higher being who loves and saves us from His greatest enemy. Fairy tales, modern and ancient, have heroes who risk it all to save the world from evil, from King Arthur, to The Hobbit, to Harry Potter and Narnia. The happily ever after is

It took me awhile to get into the story or to warm up to the characters. I thought the background on the Boneshaker machine which destroyed the city could have been introduced as a flashback rather than as a historical overview, since I feel that is why it took me a bit to feel connected to the story or people. But a few chapters in and I was completely engrossed. The walled up, zombie infested city was well depicted and it's inhabitants were equally so. The ending wrapped up this story enough where I had closure but it left my imagination running over the loose ends. Overall it's a great book for Steampunk fans, alternative history buffs, or anyone wanting a good, fast read.