A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz

Steampunk/Paranormal

I am on the Round the World Cruise and have limited Internet.   I’m using this time to catch up on my TBR pile on my ereaders.  My posts are short with no links or graphics.  Check my travel blog to see where I have been and where I am going.

There are so many options for Steampunk books and it is fun to see what an author puts into their world.  Liesel Schwarz has created an interesting mix of steampunk and the paranormal in A Conspiracy of Alchemists.

Eleanor is an airship pilot, something out of the ordinary for women.  She is in Paris to pick up cargo set up by Patrice, her agent.  It turns out this is not any ordinary cargo.  Part of it is just a small wooden box and before Eleanor can get it to her airship it is stolen. .  The other part is Marsh.  A man Eleanor clashes with from the very beginning. 

All of this is part of the world building.  The box contains something the Alchemists want and need.  March is part of an opposing group that is trying to stop the alchemists.  Eleanor has special talents that she does not want to acknowledge.  Both groups are trying to get Eleanor and her talent.  You just have to keep reading to find out who is the good guy and who is the bad one. 

There is a very interesting world built in A Conspiracy of Alchemists.  While some elements are common to steampunk many are unique to this book.  The book is also filled with interesting characters.  Marsh and Eleanor carry the bulk of the story but there are side characters that add interest and color to the story.  The plot is well developed.  The dialog keeps the story moving in an active manner.  All in all a very well written book.

This is the first book in a new series.  While this part of the story is complete and has a satisfying ending there is a teaser epilog that sets up the next book. 

Ballantine Books published A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz in 2013.

I received an ARC of A Conspiracy of Alchemists from Edelweiss.