Book Tour: Shadows of Asphodel

This tour was organized by CBB Book Promotions. The full tour schedule can be seen at this link.

Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy
Createspace, 2013
350 pages
Adult Dieselpunk Alternative History

Source: Received a copy to review through tour.

When Ardis discovers a man bleeding to death on the battlefield, she knows she has to walk away.

1913. In her work as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary, Ardis has killed many men without hesitation. One more man shouldn’t matter, even if he manages to be a charming bastard while he stands dying in the snow.

But when he raises the dead to fight for him, she realizes she must save his life.

If a necromancer like Wendel dies, he will return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Ardis decides to play it safe and rescues him. What she doesn’t expect is Wendel falling to one knee and swearing fealty. Ardis never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer, but it’s too late now.

Ardis and Wendel forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Can Ardis stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him?

Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

I read approximately half of this book, closed it for the night, and then could not get it open again. So these are just some thoughts based on that promising start. Because I did not finish, I did not provide a rating but I will share that I was enjoying myself. For example I was very caught up in the romance though it moved a bit fast for my taste-I prefer a more drawn out courtship and yet it seems fitting for these passionate decisive characters. They're not going to wait around when they could reach out and touch each other right away.

As for the world-building, we're getting rumbles of the events that are going to lead up to World War I. The part I read didn't really cover these political underpinnings but I suspect that the latter half will fill in those gaps. There are a lot of hints about tension with Germany and multiple competing agendas. I am also wondering about the fantastical side as we see the abilities of Ardis and the necromancy of Wendel. I don't think I've ever read a book with a necromancer in such a prominent position and it's a horrifying albeit fascinating ability. How does he manage to accomplish this? What kind of training did he receive? I'm so curious!

Thank you to Candace and Karen for the chance to sample this book!

About the Author:
Karen Kincy (Redmond, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College. 

Find the author: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

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