Early Review – The Spiritglass Charade (Stocker and Holmes, Book 2) by Colleen Gleason (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Steampunk
Length: 360 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Release Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1452110714
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Stoker and Holmes series
Source: eGalley from Edelweiss.com
Rating: 4/5 stars

I got an eGalley of this book to review through Edelweiss. This is the second book in the Stoker and Holmes series by Gleason. I was not able to find any information on when the third book in the series is going to release. I first read Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles (which is an adult series) and really enjoyed that one. The Stoker and Holmes series has been a fun and light steampunk YA read. This book was even better than the first one.

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes are called by Princess Alix to work on another case together. This case involves seventeen year old Willa Aston who has become obsessed with using mediums to talk to her recently deceased mother. Mina Holmes thinks this will be a quick case of spiritualist fraud, while Evaline suspects something more supernatural. Things turn more dire when Willa’s actions start becoming dangerous to her own safety. Mina and Evaline realize that Willa’s problems are part of a much bigger plot.

This was a light and fun young adult steampunk read, I really enjoy these books. They have lots of steampunk elements, some romance, time travel, and vampires.

Mina and Evaline are two very different girls and have very distinct voices. Mina is all analytical and notices the slightest detail, as the niece of Sherlock Holmes it is expected. Evaline on the other hand is nobility and training as a vampire slayer, she is all fire and brimstone veiled in a beautiful wrapping. Where Mina is cautious, Evaline seeks out danger. They balance each other nicely and provide two very different perspectives throughout the story.

Mina and Evaline each have their own love triangles too. Again, I am usually not a fan of love triangles but it worked well in this book. Mina is drawn to Dylan’s knowledge of devices from the future, but also gets along very well with the Inspector. Evaline has a noble suitor (who we don’t see much/any of in this book) and is also involved with the unsavory Pix (a thief whom I absolutely adore).

As with the first book they have a case that is resolved in the this book (the case of Willa’s obsessiveness and the spiritual questions that surround it). However there is also a broader mystery involved the mysterious Dylan and his arrival into their time.

I enjoyed a lot of the gadgets Mina used throughout, I also enjoyed Eveline’s high action vampire fighting scenes. There is a lot more paranormal element to this book than there was in the last book. We finally meet some vampires and are introduced to some strange spiritual phenomenon.

Overall I really enjoyed this book in the Stoker and Holmes series and thought it was much better than the first book. This is a fun and light steampunk read; with both intriguing steampunk and paranormal elements to the story. For those who have read the Gardella Vampire Chronicles there are some fun little references to that series throughout. I would definitely recommend this series to those who are looking for a fun and light steampunk read that has humor, action, and some excellent mystery.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Ebook Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge