Review: Wicked Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

WICKED TREASURE

Treasure Chronicles, #3

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills

YA Fantasy

311 pages

An asylum patient has a cryptic vision: Clark will overthrow the presidency. She's just insane...right? 

When a clockwork lion kidnaps their daughter, Clark and Amethyst's calm new life shatters. Hunting down the beast leads the Grishams and Treasures to a conspiracy not just against Clark, but also against the country. 

The conspirators attacked their little girl. An offense like that can’t go ignored. With his old gang at his back, Clark is ready to take on an abandoned circus, dethroned royalty, a corrupt orphanage, and the presidency itself. 

WICKED TREASURE is the third installment of the Treasure Chronicles.

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those books which has so many different aspects that it's hard to shove it into one specific genre drawer. A young woman, who's been locked away in an asylum for years, predicts that Clark will take over the presidency. This sets off a string of events, which leads to the kidnapping of Clark and Amethyst's daughter. These two will stop at nothing to get their daughter back, unleashing a wave of revealed conspiracy and adventure. This is the third book in the series, and I was really looking forward to diving in. Although this book doesn't hang on to the plot from the first two, it's easier to understand the characters and their style after reading the rest of the series. However, it is possible to jump into this one as a stand alone. Unlike the first two books, the steampunk elements back down and government conspiracy fills the left over holes. This gives the entire book a different direction, which leaves Steampunk fans a little unsatisfied. On the other hands, fans of conspiracy and history will be a little more in their element. The characters, Clark and Amethyst, are still as strong-headed and courageous as before. They don't back down and take on anyone and anything to get their daughter back. It's hard not to get caught up in their struggle and cheer them on. The dark style and romantic elements hold strong as they always have for these two characters. The plot runs a little differently than in the rest of the series, but it grabs just as much. With a captivating writing style, the author brings the world to life and keeps the tension high. The characters and their motives are layered with intrigue and shadows, adding twists and turns at unexpected times. Especially the addition of Samantha brings a nice sub-plot and puts a new dimension to the story. There were a few moments when confusion sets in, and some characters' actions fell a bit out of sync, but it wasn't enough to make me want to lay the book down. I still needed to see how things turned out in the end. Summed up, this book takes a different turn to the rest of the series but is just as engaging and holds many surprises. Especially fans of action, paranormal, history and conspiracy will enjoy giving this a read. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and enjoyed it enough to want to freely leave my thoughts.

Review: Born of Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

BORN OF TREASURE

Treasure Chronicles, Book 2

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

YA Steampunk Fantasy

252 pages

Clark used to be a miner, until he drank from a vial he swore was
absinthe but was actually an invention to give him the ability to
raise the dead. Now Clark seeks to fulfill his father's wishes to
keep other inventions away from Senator Horan. 
His beloved Amethyst is along for the ride. 
Deceit, drama, romance, the insidious
underbellies of gangs...How can she not be involved?

Clark can't hide behind the Treasure name forever and the army still
wants him for his secret abilities. If Captain Greenwood can't snare
Clark, then he'll use the Treasures as collateral. Saving his
father's inventions will just have to wait, especially now that the
Treasures have been kicked off their ranch and driven into exile.
Clark knows how to survive on the run, but that’s not the fate the
Treasures deserve. He can surrender to the army or fight for his
freedom, but Amethyst has other plans for fixing their troubles.

She’s come across another one of the vials that gave Clark his
abilities, and it looks mighty tasty.

MY TIDBITS

After reading the first book in this series, I had high expectations of what was to come. Fun characters, tons of action and steam-gear fantasy which leaves one dreaming for days--yep, this is what I hoped for, and I wasn't disappointed.

Clark and Amethyst are a couple to fall in love with. They have a wonderful bond which is, of course, romantic (a little), but mostly fun. Their personalities are like grease and water, so different and not seeming to co-exist. But they do. Marvelously. And it's exactly this opposition of poles which makes them entertaining to follow as they head off into adventure.

And they definitely have adventures.

Clark is still being ruthlessly pursued by the army. . .and the Senator. . .and others too. This time, they back him into a pretty good corner. The chase is thrilling and each time it looks like Clark finds a way out, a new predicament has him in even more trouble than before. I especially appreciated that not all of the heroes plans were flawless, and some lead them to more trouble than before. These mishaps had me cheering for the heroes more than before.

This isn't a deep, emotional story but rather an exciting ride. Still, the characters aren't flat as paper. We see Clark still struggling with his past, and more of him trying to come to terms with who he might be (although not always in the way one might expect). Amethyst is ever true to her lovely, spoiled princess self, but never ceases to surprise with actions which point to more than superficial goals. Although at times frustrating, Amethyst is a true delight.

As to the believability--well, this is steampunk. So fantasy is required, but in general, the logic works well. I never found myself wondering about holes or sudden jumps, and felt fairly planted in the world. The gadgets are fun. Some far fetched, but it all remained in the same sphere and played along with the story nicely, especially when the action is going full swing.

Summed up, this is a fun story. The action is non-stop, the characters are simply enjoyable, and the plot keeps the reader on their toes. I can definitely recommend this to any Steampunk fan and wish them a thrilling ride.




And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes down her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history behind her, she is now diving into the world of author. It happens to be her most favorite one yet. When she’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog. Jordan is the president of the Utica Writers Club. She roams Central New York, but she loves to travel. 

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Review: Treasure Darkly by Jordan Elizabeth

TREASURE DARKLY

Book 1 of Treasure Chronicles

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

YA Steampunk

254 pages

Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead.

A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he.

Sixteen-year-old Amethyst Treasure loathes the idea of spending the summer away from her bustling city life to rot on her father’s ranch, but when a handsome young man shows up claiming to be her secret half-brother, her curiosity is piqued. He’s clever, street smart, and has no qualms jumping into the brawl between the Treasures and Horans. Caught in the middle, Horan kidnaps Amethyst, and all she gets is this lousy bullet through her heart.

When Clark brings her back to life, however, the real action starts, and Amethyst joins him in his fight against the Horan clan—whatever the cost. Defeating the Horans may seem easy at first, but going up against men with the same fighting vengeance as Clark, and a Senator with power he’s obtained by brainwashing the masses?

Well, Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark. 

MY TIDBITS

With the great cover, and an obvious steampunk line, I was excited to get my hands on this book. It starts out with an intriguing setting--a young man in a brothel, helping his mother steal from one of her clients. The scene is dark, and so well described that I could smell the dust and alcohol. But we don't stay there. In the next pages, we're transported to Amethyst's world. . a wealthier one. The switch threw me a bit and it took a couple of chapters until I really understood how all of this ties together. But it does like a careful knot.

The plot is complex, and the action never stops. Clark lands himself in trouble those first pages and by the end of the first few chapters, has an entire army on his tail. There was a bit of a time-skip before he lands at the Treasure's estate (which jaunted), but after that, the story rides like a steam cart roller coaster. As said, there's a lot going on, and the story seems to slide from one lane to the next as Clark's pursuits change as the situation requires. This not only adds a lot of depth and layers, but also leaves several holes that I can't wait to see filled in book 2.

My favorite character was definitely Clark. Although first presented as a thief, he has all the great points a hero needs and is easy to root for. His inventiveness is a delight to read, and his shining ethics make him noble even with all his rough corners. His relationship with Amethyst threw me for a loop for awhile but was generally exciting to follow.

As to the steampunk end of things, this story has the fantastical machines nailed. The world is set in rich fantasy and based in a time frame, which brings out the innovative thrills. And although not every technical wonder made sense, it was still fun to read the great descriptions and see the machines operate in the Wild West world.

Summed up, this is a book Steampunk fans will devour. There's tons of action, great heroics, and wondrous machines which will ignite a reader's fantasy.

And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes down her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history behind her, she is now diving into the world of author. It happens to be her most favorite one yet. When she’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog. Jordan is the president of the Utica Writers Club. She roams Central New York, but she loves to travel.