I must admit that I’ve been waiting for this day, when I can finally share my review of this upcoming book.

But first, a few words about the author.

Steven Smith is a book reviewer and blogger, who I first met when he reviewed one of my Andorra Pett mysteries.

Anyhow, Steven and I chatted on social media and found that we both shared a love of Steampunk. When he said that, as well as some short stories, he was writing a Steampunk adventure, I had to get on the beta readers list.

And I’m very glad that I did. It means that I get to read his stories before anyone else.

As the Crow Flies is the second of his Steampunk novels.

You can find more about him and the first part of the story of Edison Crow by clicking on these links,

Steven Smith’s author website

Books and Beyond reviews

The first Edison Crow Story, Chasing Shadows

Here’s the full cover of the new book,

and the blurb.

When your past comes back to haunt you, who can you trust to get to the truth?

Edison Crow, captain of the airship Arcos, his partner Selah and his crew have settled into a new life in the Free States. After the explosive events that saw the fall of the despotic United Republic of the High Commission and its corrupt rulers, a quiet life seemed all the more appealing. Setting up as legitimate people of business, making a legal living wasn’t easy but they made it work.

But Crow still finds himself enshrouded by shadows. A mystery that troubled him, handed down from an unhinged adversary plagues his mind. And now, in entirely unrelated circumstances, more riddles are uncovered, too close to home to be coincidence. Crow, Selah and their crew set out to unravel the mystery once and for all. But digging too deep into a past long since forgotten can be dangerous, especially if you trust the wrong people along the way.

The book is released on Feb 3rd, you can pre-order it now.

Here’s a link to do just that.

The important bit. What did I think?

Edison Crow is back for another rip-roaring Steampunk adventure.

What I love about Steampunk, is the way that, by choosing which of today’s technology to include, and how it might be used, you can create a world that is completely logical, yet like nowhere else.

I really enjoyed the story, it flowed with real pace and ramped up the tension throughout. The term swashbuckling entertainment is often used, in this case it barely does it justice, there were some real shocks and twists along the way.

When Edison Crow makes a discovery, one that might explain a lot about his past, he has to see where it leads. The answer is found in a place that he could never have expected. The action is fast and gripping, with constant shocks and revelations as Crow and his crew delve deeper into the mystery that’s been uncovered.

The most impressive thing for me was the world-building. I’m a huge fan of the world as a character and I thought that this setting was one of the best I’ve read. Constantly inventive, it all felt plausible and logical.

I’ve always thought that where some of the science we’re familiar with isn’t a part of a world, other branches that we’ve neglected will come to the fore. This book takes that concept and pushes it to the maximum.

The ending, while satisfying for the tale, leaves everything wide open for the next part of Crow’s story, what will happen next?

I want to know.

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