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corrie's review
5.0
(March 7) I LOVE this! And lucky me, I bought the other books in the series already so I can keep reading about the fabulous Artifice and her partner Jim Dastard. Yes, the story was short(ish) but Elizabeth Watasin did some excellent world building and has left me hungry for more. I like the cut of her jib! :-)
(April 18) Barely a month later but it was even better the second time reading out loud to my book club buddy D. She is totally beguiled by the good Miss Watasin as well now. My job is done *grin*
(April 18) Barely a month later but it was even better the second time reading out loud to my book club buddy D. She is totally beguiled by the good Miss Watasin as well now. My job is done *grin*
spookyjane's review
3.0
Maybe a 3.25?
I received this ebook via Netgalley in exchange for review.
I enjoyed this short story of Art and Jim Dastard. There were a few instances where I felt a little lost with some of the dialogue – specifically when it came to the topic of Art being a Quaker, which I know almost nothing about, as well as the discussions of other characters in passing. It was confusing about whom they were discussing at times, and what they had to do with the story at all. It seemed as though they really didn’t have any bearing on the narrative, but served to give the main characters a richer environment and to address the time period in which the story took place (in that certain things in their society mattered at that time, such as Art’s appearance and dress, as it came up a number of times).
Aside from these, I enjoyed the atmosphere and adventure. Jim, the skull, reminded me a bit of Bob from the Dresden Files, although less raunchy.
I am interested in reading the second installment, Dark Victorian: Bones, which is a full length novel to my understanding. Dark Victorian: Risen was a good, short introduction to the characters, themes, and ideas that Art and Jim are special detectives that have been brought back from the dead to solve crimes. I do want to see what else happens to Art and Jim, and I like them as a team.
I received this ebook via Netgalley in exchange for review.
I enjoyed this short story of Art and Jim Dastard. There were a few instances where I felt a little lost with some of the dialogue – specifically when it came to the topic of Art being a Quaker, which I know almost nothing about, as well as the discussions of other characters in passing. It was confusing about whom they were discussing at times, and what they had to do with the story at all. It seemed as though they really didn’t have any bearing on the narrative, but served to give the main characters a richer environment and to address the time period in which the story took place (in that certain things in their society mattered at that time, such as Art’s appearance and dress, as it came up a number of times).
Aside from these, I enjoyed the atmosphere and adventure. Jim, the skull, reminded me a bit of Bob from the Dresden Files, although less raunchy.
I am interested in reading the second installment, Dark Victorian: Bones, which is a full length novel to my understanding. Dark Victorian: Risen was a good, short introduction to the characters, themes, and ideas that Art and Jim are special detectives that have been brought back from the dead to solve crimes. I do want to see what else happens to Art and Jim, and I like them as a team.
wart's review
4.0
Read this and other reviews at Things I Find While Shelving
I received a free ARC via NetGalley
I suppose that “very cool” is not considered an adequate review, so I will attempt to be articulate.
I found this book absolutely fascinating. This is set in a Victorian London with a twist: ghouls and ghosts and state approved reanimation of the dead fighting unapproved and criminal activities of the supernatural kind. The people who are reanimated for the fighting of crime purposes were criminals, but they reawaken without a full knowledge of who they were in life.
Risen focuses on Artifice - a semi-solid ghost type person - and her partner, the crazy time traveling skull of sassiness, Jim Dastard - who’s gone through more partners already than he likes to count. Art was a Quaker in life, and, oddly, remained so when awakened. Jim is, as I said, a sassy bastard animated skull, and oh so entertaining.
The two of them are seeking a resurrectionist who is using ghosts to commit murder.
The world is intriguing, the characters are fantastic, and I hope to soon read more in this world!
I received a free ARC via NetGalley
I suppose that “very cool” is not considered an adequate review, so I will attempt to be articulate.
I found this book absolutely fascinating. This is set in a Victorian London with a twist: ghouls and ghosts and state approved reanimation of the dead fighting unapproved and criminal activities of the supernatural kind. The people who are reanimated for the fighting of crime purposes were criminals, but they reawaken without a full knowledge of who they were in life.
Risen focuses on Artifice - a semi-solid ghost type person - and her partner, the crazy time traveling skull of sassiness, Jim Dastard - who’s gone through more partners already than he likes to count. Art was a Quaker in life, and, oddly, remained so when awakened. Jim is, as I said, a sassy bastard animated skull, and oh so entertaining.
The two of them are seeking a resurrectionist who is using ghosts to commit murder.
The world is intriguing, the characters are fantastic, and I hope to soon read more in this world!
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