Book Review: The Lady in the Coppergate Tower

Nancy Campbell Allen's new book, The Lady in the Coppergate Tower is so awesome. I really enjoyed this one.

I never thought I would love steampunk, but Ms. Allen has intertwined Victorian era romance and mystery with wonderful imaginative gadgets and 'tons. This one also has a Dracula-esque feel to it as well with the mysterious Count Petrescu on the scene to reveal some dark secrets to our heroine Hazel. Luckily, Sam is willing to help Hazel unravel her past, though there are a lot of twists and turns on the journey!

I thought Ms. Allen did an amazing job in highlighting intellect and contrasting that with gifts that defy explanation. Her setting is beautifully done (the underwater scenes were incredible!) and the characters have warmth and depth, (even Eugene. Loved him!), but Sam and Hazel will all have you on the edge of your seat to see if they can make it out alive and find their happily-ever-after. We do get glimpses of previous characters from the series, but you can read this as a standalone and not be lost. (Though I highly recommend the other books in the series. It's one of my favorites!)

I can't wait for the next book to come out already! This is definitely one for the keeper shelf.

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Hazel Hughes has spent her life believing she is a Medium—someone who can talk to ghosts. But as of yet, that skill has remained frustratingly elusive. She is also suffering from a reoccurring childhood dream of someone who looks almost exactly like Hazel, but this dream version of herself is slowly going mad.

Sam MacInnes is a talented surgeon who runs in the highest social circles thanks to his family’s position and history. When Sam hires Hazel to assist him with his medical practice, he is immediately drawn to her intelligence, wit, and beauty.

Their potential relationship is derailed one evening when a mysterious count arrives in London and reveals to Hazel the truth about her past: she was abducted at birth and her twin sister has fallen dangerously ill.

Hazel agrees to travel to Romania with Count Petrescu in order to save her sister, and Sam insists on accompanying her. The count has secrets, though, and the journey grows more sinister with every mile that draws Hazel closer to her homeland. Even as her feelings for Sam become deeper and more complicated, she fears she might not survive the quest to save her sister with her heart intact, not to mention her life. She must learn to draw on gifts she doesn’t know she has if they are going to ever return home again.

Hazel and Sam must fight their way past dark magic, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they try to reach her sister in the impenetrable Coppergate Tower before time runs out.