Shadow Phoenix is volume one of a six-part series by MJ Moores, an author from Ontario, Canada, who writes a range of novels that also includes the White Raven series. Shadow Phoenix is the intriguing story of a young servant girl, Louisa, who is thrown into the steampunk world around her, even though she would like nothing more than to go unnoticed and live a simple life. She quickly becomes embroiled in the high-stakes game of inventing when her employer, a young and upcoming inventor, has an accident in his workshop, and Louisa is the only one able to help.

It is at this moment that her life turns toward becoming a vigilante heroine; fortunately, her shadowy past has prepared her for the challenge.

As the main character develops, the depths of her relationships begin to become more apparent and flourish in unknown directions. Upon completion of the novel I found myself wondering which, if any, of the interesting characters she has encountered could have relationships that would evolve into something more.

But it is in the steam-powered race to invent the next world-altering creation that the imagination of the reader is ignited. It is the what if and the wouldn't that be cool aspect of the leading-edge technology, set in mid-1800s, that is subtly hinted at, that leads the reader into a possible future where zeppelins and steam trollies are a common feature.

Shadow Phoenix features a strong, feminine character, and knowing that it is only the beginning of Louisa's story, I look forward to see where her life will lead her. I find myself wondering what wondrous contraptions will be introduced and how the author will intertwine her characters and her mid-century world of cogs and clockwork creations. I expect that, with each novel in this series, the author will continue to paint this image in my mind, building -- with each sentence, each paragraph and each chapter, like a painter working on a large canvas -- to a fully developed vision of the dark underbelly of Louisa's world. When I finish the final volume, I will stand back from the canvas and better be able to appreciate fully what this artist has wrought.

I would recommend Shadow Phoenix to anyone who enjoys the steampunk genre and who wants to be teleported in both time and space back to an alternate world and alternate future. I also would recommend having all the volumes on hand before you begin this journey.

Check out Tony's interview with author MJ Moores for more insight into her story and characters.

[ visit MJ Moores online ]