Review: Valentin & The Widow, Volume One: The Mandrake Machine and The Flowers of Mrs Moore

 

Title: Valentin & The Widow, Volume One: The Mandrake Machine and The Flowers of Mrs Moore

Author: Andrew Wheeler

Published by: Chapterhouse Publishing Inc.

Released: 2017

Source: Review Copy E-Arc from Netgalley and Publisher

Summary: Eleanora Rosewood's husband has just died, a husband that she loved very much. He was an inventor, creating all kinds of machines and gadgets. His death uncovers secrets, secrets that shatter Eleanora's world. Her husband was part of a secret organization that is full of hate. This organization wants to destroy the world, and the inventions her husband made are the tools of horror. Eleanora feels guilty and decides to take it upon herself to undo the organization's plans.

She travels to Shanghai in The Mandrake Machine, tracing her husband's footsteps. Eleanora gets into a spot of danger and is rescued by Sacha Valentin, who becomes her bodyguard and valet.

In The Flowers of Mrs Moore, Eleanora and Sacha travel to an unusual boarding school in Havanna, where girls are being taught more than ladylike skills and deportment.

My Thoughts: These are the first two stories in the Valentin & The Widow Series. I was lucky enough to spy them on Netgalley and get to review them. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and 100% my own. Thanks to Netgalley and Chapterhouse Publishing Inc. for letting me give them a read.

These were both really fun, really fast reads. They started out life as a podcast and I'd be interested in hearing them that way. They work fine as books though, very exciting.

Both Volumes were fast-paced, full of action, and twists and turns. I liked both of the characters. Eleanora is a determined woman. Sacha is that strong, silent type. They make a good team.

I do find Eleanora suffers from unneeded white guilt over her husband's crimes. His actions weren't her fault.

I enjoyed these first two books in the series quite a lot. I'd love to read more and continue with the series. They were quick and fun. I'd definitely recommend them.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Fun Fun Fun!