Title: The Doll Maker (The Viper and the Urchin #4)
Author: Celine Jeanjean
Genre: Steampunk/fantasy
Intended audience: YA
Date Read: 21/04/19 – 24/04/19
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Celine Jeanjean is spoiling us. After a gap of several years, we’ve received two Viper and the Urchin books within a few months of one another. And I have to say I really loved this one. I may have caught myself making silly noises a couple of times.
One thing I enjoyed about this book particularly was that a lot of the stakes were really personal. Friendships were betrayed, loyalties were tested and feelings had to be faced.
We also got to learn more about the history of Damsport, and how the Marchioness and Lady Martha operate. Revolution is in the air and that got quite tense at times. It was interesting to see Rory having to reconcile her loyalties in Damsport with the political situation she sought to dissolve in Azyr in the previous book.
Rafe grows on me more with every book and in this instalment we got to learn a bit more about the family he’s unwilling to talk about. I also really loved the dynamic between him and Rory here. I won’t say anymore. 😉
Longinus once again needs all the hugs for various reasons. He’s still the Longinus we know and love from book one, but he’s learning to overcome some of his issues, though they are certainly still haunting him (and that’s going to be a major part of the next book, I expect).
I pretty much read this book in one sitting, so now I’ve got to wait the maximum amount of time for the next one. But I think it will be worth the wait.
(Thank you to Celine Jeanjean for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. This did not affect my opinions in any way)
You can read my reviews of The Bloodless Assassin (book 1), The Black Orchid (book 2) and The Slave City (book 3) by clicking their titles.
A Keyboard and an Open Mind 
Pretty sure making silly noises is the highest praise a book can receive. 😉
This series sounds so interesting and like so much fun! I’ve added it to my KU list, and I look forward to picking it up, after reading your reviews of it. :3 I confess, though, I can’t read the name Longinus without thinking of the TV show Roar. xD Not a good sort of character association, though this Longinus sounds much more charming.
Great review!
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I think so! I have to be pretty invested to be making silly noises!
I have never heard of Roar but I just read the Wikipedia article and I can see how that association would be tricky! This Longinus may be an assassin but he’s so lovable I tend to forgive him for all the murdering?!?!
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Okay, now I KNOW I need to read this series, because I am all for lovable assassins. I mean, even if they don’t SEEM all that lovable, deep down, we know they just need a hug, right?!
Also, I highly recommend Roar, if you get bored and need something to watch. Can definitely tell it’s old, but … Heath Ledger. I mean, pretty hard to go wrong there.
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