Abooktopia
  • Reviews
  • REVIEW REQUEST
  • Contact
Abooktopia@hotmail.com

Books

Reviews and recommendations waiting to be discovered for your next adventure!

Also a member of Goodreads? Shoot me a friend request for updates on upcoming reviews.

Goodreads Profile

ELECTRIC EMPIRE BY VIOLA CARR

30/9/2015

56 Comments

 
Picture
Magic, mystery, and romance mix in this edgy retelling of the classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-in which Dr. Eliza Jekyll is the daughter of the infamous Henry

In an electric-powered Victorian London, Dr. Eliza Jekyll is a crime scene investigator, hunting killers with inventive new technological gadgets. Now, a new killer is splattering London with blood, drugging beautiful women and slicing off their limbs. Catching "the Chopper" could make Eliza's career--or get her burned. Because Eliza has a dark secret. A seductive second self, set free by her father's forbidden magical elixir: wild, impulsive Lizzie Hyde.

When the Royal Society sends their enforcer, the mercurial Captain Lafayette, to prove she's a sorceress, Eliza must resist the elixir with all her power. But as the Chopper case draws her into London's luminous, magical underworld, Eliza will need all the help she can get. Even if it means getting close to Lafayette, who harbors an evil curse of his own.

Even if it means risking everything and setting vengeful Lizzie free . . .

I was fortunate enough to receive a signed copy of this dark and perplexing novel and I’m so glad I did! This novel is a new personal favourite of mine, and I cannot wait until the second novel The Devious Dr. Jekyll as part of the Electric Empire series is released this coming October. The cover is breathtaking and has completely wooed me, as it is the best cover I have seen all year! This novel has definitely compelled me to read a lot more steampunk and mystery novels, so don’t be surprised if I get my hands on some in the near future.

I love how The Diabolical Miss Hyde is not just a retelling of the well-known story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but instead is the extension story of his daughter Dr. Eliza Jekyll and her dark side Miss Lizzie Hyde.

Now an orphaned woman, Dr. Eliza Jekyll takes after her father: the infamous Dr. Jekyll. Eliza is a crime scene investigator and a doctor who works at the insane asylum Bethlam. With two new murder scenes, Elisa must expose the anonymous murderer known as the ‘Chopper’ (who cuts the limbs off his victims) before he kills his next target.  

Things start to get complicated when the Royal’s Captain Lafayette is oddly positioned to work alongside Dr. Eliza with her murder case. Unsure whether to trust him, both Elisa and Lizzie suspect he’s hiding something and could potentially become a danger to them both. But Lafayette is not the only one hiding deep secrets… With a single drop of elixir, there’s no knowing just what Elisa’s impulsive shadow façade Lizzie Hyde might do once she’s freed from her slumber.

I found it extremely intriguing that Viola Carr chose to alternate her writing from 1st person to 3rd person as she wrote from both Eliza and Lizzie’s perspective. She does an incredible job at keeping both their characters separate from one another. Eliza is the smart shortsighted girl with her opticals and resourceful gadgets, whilst Lizzie is the wild and adventurous shadow persona that is uncontrollable. Though Lizzie may be extremely strong willed and brave, she is still afraid that Eliza wishes for nothing more than to get rid of her. I also loved how throughout the novel, they consistently helped one another out, even without the other one’s acknowledgement at times.

This novel was fast past and unpredictable as it had you second-guessing just who this ‘mysterious’ murderer might be. Viola Carr also cleverly weaves other potential murderers artfully. The plot is well built with remarkable new characters that you can’t help but want to grasp just what was going on inside that head of theirs. I hope to one-day see this novel be produced into a film, as I believe it would work wonderfully.
***I received a personalised signed copy of this book in return***
***for an honest and unbiased review***

Picture
Viola Carr was born in a strange and distant land, but wandered into darkest London one foggy October evening and never found her way out. She now devours countless history books and dictates fantastical novels by gaslight, accompanied by classical music and the snoring of her slumbering cat.

Viola also writes urban fantasy adventure and dark paranormal romance under a pseudonym known as
Erica Hayes.


Electric Empire by Viola Carr:
BOOK 1: The Diabolical Miss Hyde

BOOK 2: The Devious Dr. Jekyll
56 Comments
Nicole Safak
12/4/2015 05:49:24 pm

Oh my God!!! Thank you so much for writing a review for this novel!

As I may have a "slight"
*cough*
Obsession
*cough*
With all thing Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

#guiltyascharged

Reply
Abooktopia link
20/4/2015 03:51:35 am

Your welcome! I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did if not more!

Reply
Nicole Safak
3/5/2015 03:45:51 am

I purchase an ebook and I'm almost done. It is soo good. I'm so glad I found your website and reviews otherwise I would have probably never have read this amazing book.

Abooktopia link
5/5/2015 06:01:58 am

I'm so happy that your loving it! I'm glad that you also love my blog.

Nicole Safak
10/5/2015 10:37:20 am

I just finished it and OMG! What just happen??? Todd how do you know that man? and the killer??? SO was not expecting that!! Is it okay if I email you to talk about this AMAZING book?? Because I seriously need to talk to someone about it!!! EEEKKKKKKK please?? *pouts*

Nicole Safak
10/5/2015 10:39:07 am

OH AND THE TRUE DAD???? LIKE WHAAAAAAATTTT???? It was really said about what happen to their mum, but seriously WHAT? Creepy curtain guy *shudders*

Abooktopia link
10/5/2015 04:38:50 pm

Of course! You are most welcome to contact me in the contact form on my blog or you can contact me through my email at:

Abooktopia@hotmail.com

I totally understand the need to fangirl with a fellow reader about this amazing novel.

Nicole Safak
15/5/2015 03:23:05 am

Omg. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I'll be emailing you right now. Thanks again. XD

Jessica
13/4/2015 02:29:21 am

Sounds intriguing

Reply
Itxamara (Goodreads)
13/4/2015 02:33:17 am

I'll look it up! It seems very good to read! Thank you for the recommendation :)

Reply
Abooktopia link
13/4/2015 02:33:38 am

Anytime!

Reply
MissMorgenstern (Goodreads)
13/4/2015 02:34:09 am

Oh my god! This sounds so good! Thanks for recommending it to me:D

Reply
Abooktopia link
13/4/2015 02:35:47 am

Your welcome!

Reply
Sandra Cassiograce
13/4/2015 01:49:50 pm

Sounds legit

Reply
Elisa Tuck
20/4/2015 03:50:45 am

Same reaction. I think I'll give it a try as well.

Reply
Angelina Lee
14/4/2015 02:11:22 am

Do I need any background information about Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde before reading this novel?

Reply
Emma Smith
14/4/2015 07:47:10 am

I wouldn't think you would.

Reply
Abooktopia link
14/4/2015 04:09:37 pm

No you don't.

Reply
Angelina Lee
17/4/2015 04:54:48 pm

That's good.

DarkHunter101
14/4/2015 01:26:50 pm

omg omg omg!!!! Gimme gimme gimme!!!!
*chubby grabby hands*
I've always wanted to read about Dr Jekyll and Hyde ever since I watch that episode of Jibber Jabber.

Reply
Chanda
14/4/2015 04:10:40 pm

I believe my two boys watch the show. It's quite good and encourages imagination

Reply
Ana
17/4/2015 04:55:47 pm

The sad thing is I still watch the show and I don't have any younger siblings, so I am the only one. So awks

DarkHunter101
20/4/2015 03:52:46 am

Dw so do I. Except I have a younger brother who also loves to watch it.

Zyan Raihanah
15/4/2015 10:48:14 am

I just found your blog and might be useful for me if I want to find new books to read, especially with all the book reviews being shared. ♥♥

Reply
Abooktopia link
20/4/2015 03:54:09 am

I'm glad you enjoy it. I always love it when others say things such as that.

Reply
Zyan Raihanah
2/5/2015 03:25:35 am

Your welcome

Victoria
15/4/2015 01:03:42 pm

Sounds amazing. I'll have to check it out

Reply
Chanda
19/4/2015 07:36:04 am

Not really a steampunk kinda person but I do like old tales so I'll have to give this one a try

Reply
Ladymidnight101
19/4/2015 11:46:06 am

Never read a mystery novel that is steampunk. Guess this will be a first for me

Reply
Lisa Crow
19/4/2015 03:40:29 pm

Nor have I. This shall be interesting

Reply
Nolly Kerkswartech
26/4/2015 04:43:44 am

This is really good trust me. I loved this piece of work and is definitely a favorite of mine! I can't wait for the second one.

Ladymidnight101
9/5/2015 04:45:39 am

Guess I'll have to move it up the list then

Emily Brown
23/4/2015 02:03:52 am

The cover is gorgeous. I think I may just purchase it fr that very reason. I'm a sucker for pretty covers

Reply
Carolyn Hembe
24/4/2015 07:46:40 am

Truth be told, who doesn't read a book just for it's great cover?

Reply
Elena Zawilski
29/4/2015 11:23:47 am

That is very true, but never forget to never judge a book by it's cover. Some of the most hideous covers, are the greatest stories.

Lilian Archletch
27/4/2015 01:54:13 pm

Come to mama. I like asylum books for psychopaths.

Reply
Elena Zawilski
29/4/2015 11:25:18 am

Same here 😂😂
Though I usually read fanfiction stories for that

Reply
Lilian Archletch
2/5/2015 03:26:16 am

YES!!! Some of them are really messed up tho. And those always seems to be my favorite

Sonya
28/4/2015 09:51:56 am

I saw someone else get an ARC of this. Sounds good

Reply
Abooktopia link
2/5/2015 03:26:55 am

I personally really enjoyed it, especially as the story start to move along.

Reply
Josh Noah
30/4/2015 01:42:30 pm

Okay first off. Sick plot. Second. I shall conquer this book!!

Reply
Teagan Hall
4/5/2015 03:51:59 am

#Determination

Reply
Delilah
1/5/2015 03:31:57 pm

I have also read this one too. It's a shame it's not as well known as I would like it to be. Once again I'm glad you also wrote a review for this and hope you continue to do so!

Reply
Abooktopia link
2/5/2015 03:27:54 am

It truly is a shame. I will definitely be writing a review for the second novel when it is released this coming October!

Reply
Delilah
4/5/2015 03:51:23 am

I cannot wait to see it!

BooksareLife
2/5/2015 03:04:26 pm

Definitely one of the most gorgeous covers I have seen in the last 3 years!

Reply
Simon Hiddelson
4/5/2015 11:16:25 am

Yes please! About time I have found a continuous novel of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, even if it's about his would be daughter.

Reply
Katy Benson
5/5/2015 06:02:40 am

Would you say it was dark? Like sexual?

Reply
Tatiana May
6/5/2015 10:55:34 am

I received an ARC of this but I still haven't read it....
I feel really guilty....
Guess I should start...
Like NOW!

Reply
Katherine
6/5/2015 01:21:19 pm

So like a spin-off, but by a completely different author?

Reply
Abooktopia link
9/5/2015 04:46:24 am

I guess in a way you could say that. Viola Carr has just adapted the idea.

Reply
Skyler Fairchild
10/5/2015 04:04:09 am

Sounds intriguing

Reply
Ratchetray
10/5/2015 10:39:53 am

Do I need to know anything before hand?

Reply
Carol
10/5/2015 04:40:46 pm

I've actually seen a couple of people post photo's of this novel when they received an ARC, though I did not see anyone write a review for this novel yet. I wish they had written one sooner, as now after reading your review, I fell determined to try to find a copy so I too may reading this interesting new novel.

Reply
Kelly Stephenson
12/5/2015 11:02:00 am

Oooooh......

Reply
Asha Berkery
14/5/2015 02:11:48 pm

Interesting plot. Love the twist of it.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

      SUBSCRIBE

      If you do not wish you share your last name you can simply leave three hyphens in its place. eg. Tessa --- Or type in the first letter of your last name. eg. Tessa G
      Please supply a valid email address so you may receive all the latest updates! Thank you.
    Submit

    AUTHORS

    All
    1 • Requested
    2 • Advocate + Rep
    3 • Merchandise
    4 • Giveaway
    A • B • C
    D • E • F
    G • H • I
    J • K • L
    M • N • O
    P • Q • R
    S • T • U • V
    W • X • Y • Z

    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Instagram

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.