Book Review: The Amazing Adventures of Acacia Carlisle by Cate Morgan

Title: The Amazing Adventures of Acacia Carlisle (Blood & Steam #1)
Author: Cate Morgan
Genre: Steampunk/YA
Date Read: 11/09/2015
Rating: ★★★★

Review:

This a quick, fun read and despite its short length (GoodReads tells me it comes in at 96 pages), it packs in a really tight plot. I read it in an airport; it was just perfect for that type of environment and waiting period.

When Acacia Carlisle’s brother goes missing, and then her father’s airship goes down while searching for him, Acacia sets out to track down the man responsible for it all, Baron Lindsey. She enlists the help of Captain Drew McCallan, offering the patronage of the Carlisle shipping line in return for use of his airship and crew. Together, they end up on an adventure neither of them expected.

Acacia and Drew were both really fun characters. I could hear their voices in my head, both very distinct. Acacia has loads of self-confidence and isn’t afraid to use the resources available to her (such as her family’s name and money) to get what she needs. Drew has been a bit more down on his luck, but he is knowledgeable when it comes to airships and navigation, and together, he and Acacia make a good team.

The book’s descriptions were also very vivid, especially the mountaintop airship port where the climax of the story takes place. I could imagine it all. However, I did expect that the world would be a little bit more steampunk-y. Apart from airships being the main mode of long distance transport, I felt we were basically in the a regular Victorian set-up.

That was my only real quibble, though. I’m definitely going to look up the next book when it comes out.

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