Shayna Varadeaux Books & Reviews: BLOG TOUR - Iron Pendulum by Megan Curd

Title: Iron Pendulum

Author: Megan Curd

Genre: YA Steampunk

A month ago, Avery thought the world ended outside Dome Four. Thought she was one of the few of her kind. Thought the war that brought the human race to the brink of extinction was over.

But a month can change everything.

After fighting to escape a tyranny she didn't even know existed, Avery has had to come to grips with all the secrets she's uncovered. But more secrets continue to come to light, revealing how little of her world she truly knew. When evidence starts to show that Dome Four might be under siege, Avery knows what she must do.

Returning to the dome she longed to escape is a challenge for Avery, but now she knows there’s corruption lurking in the shadows. A massive steam shortage leaves half the dome without power, and people are falling ill. Dying.

And they’re blaming Avery.

A month can change everything. One more month could kill everyone. The clock is ticking.

Jaxon’s watched beeped, warning us we’d been gone three hours. Sari sighed, took a piece of chalk from her pocket, and put a big X on the cement wall. “Time to get back to headquarters. I’m marking this tunnel as a no-go. The Zeros will be back to hunt us sooner than we want to believe, and I don’t feel like heading into their lair.”

We headed to the labyrinth of tunnels that led to the Alliance Headquarters. After weeks of traversing them, we’d committed the turns to memory.

“I think I need a vacation from running around in crap,” Jaxon said as he took my hand in his. “We should go outside when we get back.”

My heart soared. We hadn’t been allowed outside since the day after I awoke. The UV rays were still dangerous, and we were right on the edge of Dome Four. We couldn’t risk being seen; or worse, being burned by the sun. All the same, the proposition was thrilling.

“Really? We could do that?”

“Why not? I think after being in these subterranean tunnels for a week, we deserve some sunshine. I’m sure Lexie won’t mind, as long as we don’t get turned into crispy critters in the process.”

MIXING FANTASY WITH STEAMPUNK

with Megan Curd

So, I’ll be honest. I mix genres like a mad scientist, and I don’t even mean to. But when there are so many awesome ideas, sometimes it happens. Sometimes those ideas aren’t so hot…like say, man-were-pig-osaurus. Yeah. That might be a bit much.

But fantasy and steampunk? I think it can work. I hope, anyway. Ha!

Iron Pendulum is kind of a mash up of dystopian, with hints of fantasy in there too. Sounds like a lot, huh? I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out. ;)

The big thing to me when I read a book (and write!) is that I understand I’ll have to suspend my disbelief of dragons, wizards, zombies, etc. (because I have to have something otherworldly going on in my books. I can’t do contemporary, no matter how hard I try. I’m just a sucker for the end times, faeries, werewolves, and vampires, what can I say?). I’m willing to do that, but I need the writer to make it easy on me when I do. A skillfully built world, no matter what the genre, makes it easier to swallow the fantastical as though it’s every day matters.

Because seriously, I’d watch Quidditch on the TV any day and be thrilled to death!

I think when I decided to mix fantasy and steampunk, it felt natural to me. Avery controls steam. Steam makes the world go round. Hence, those two could work, if I put the time and effort into the two to make them work. If I want you guys –my readers— to believe it, I have to write it believably!

I’m thankful for beta readers and bloggers who had early drafts of Iron Pendulum and were brutally honest on what worked and what didn’t. It made the book a million times better than it could have been on its own. You guys helped me make it believable, and I appreciate that.

I can’t wait to see what you guys think of the book, and please don’t hesitate to drop me a line! I take your opinions seriously, and they really do help mold the books.

I unfortunately did not get to read Steel Lily so I came into an already going story. There was enough recap to get me up to speed and I was easily sucked into this story. This is only my second steampunk series and I am now pretty convinced that I love me some steampunk!

Avery was really an excellent MC I was definitely glad she wasn't whiny or overly vulnerable or any of that weakness that I think authors put in there because maybe a badass is too hard to be feminine. I think that Avery is the perfect balance of badassedness and femininity.

I like that there are female leaders, it's a very empowering thing to read. I mean I'm no crazy unshaven women's rights extremist or anything but I am a girl who likes to see when a woman is recognized on a mutual level as the opposite sex.

The characters were bright and individualized and there were alot of them in there too. Avery and Jax were definitely my favorites. And umm yes Jax joins the ranks of YA Book Boyfriends indeed. He is a really complex character that I really enjoyed reading. He's invited top my tea party anytime! (I'm just saying) In life there's tons of characters there so I think it's pretty easy to keep track of all that's going on here. Xander was even an amazingly well written character who did evoke chills over my entire body. "It's a brave new world Avery..." that little bit and what followed.. ooh chills lol!

I really like the world the author created, I was totally sucked in and in my sci-fi loving brain's happy place! I laughed and swooned and cried. Yes, cried. It was gut wrenching for me at a point or two. But grit and emotion happen to be some of my favorite things in a book. I kinda got ripped in two at the end and I now am fully invested in this series. I NEED to have the next book as soon as possible LOL! I can't wait!

I really got lost in the story easily and all of it visualized well. All in all there's no complaints from me and now I must go backwards and read Steel Lily! LOL!

I definitely recommend this series for YA Steampunk lovers as well as first timers. It will engage your imagination in deliciously fantastic ways. Dang near cinematic. I can pretty much guarantee that you will enjoy it at much as I did! Definitely a MUST read for YA lovers everywhere!

Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college. When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Photography, traveling and snowboarding are hobbies she loves, and she doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself. Megan currently resides in Ohio with her husband and son, where she is trying to convert them into Buckeye fans.