Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Spark of Thought
AUTHOR: Lucie Lukačovičová
PUBLISHER: Less Than Three Press
LENGTH: 25 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 3, 2016
BLURB:
In the midst of the steampunk era, the City of Prague is at the heart of the Holy Inquisition, which is determined to wipe out the witches and heretics endangering the world. A young scientist is accused of witchcraft and ends up coming to the attention of Ignatius, the High Inquisitor.
An unexpected attraction complicates an already dangerous situation—a situation that many are happy to exploit, from other authorities within the church to city leaders. Ignatius will have to choose between the life he’s always led or the warlock he shouldn’t love—if they survive long enough to have any choice at all.
REVIEW:
Nicola just wants to be left in peace to continue his experiments but when he’s reported for being a witch, his life changes. Desperate not to end up like those condemned before him, Nicola is determined to do whatever is necessary to save himself, even if it means giving into the demands of the High Inquisitor. When the unthinkable happens, will Nicola find redemption, or damnation?
I found the setting and concept of this story to be intriguing but it didn’t quite live up to its potential. There were what appeared to be three intersecting plot lines but due to the length of the story, none of them really got the attention they deserved and they all suffered for it. I never felt like I got to know either main character very well and I didn’t believe the connection between them at all. Or, more accurately, I understood the Inquisitor’s little obsession but any reciprocal feelings from Nicola didn’t work at all for me. The book was also supposed to take place in the ‘era of steampunk’ but I never really got to see that; I figure if it was mentioned in the blurb it should’ve featured a little more but it was more like a quick blip, easily missed if you blinked. This would’ve been so much better if it had been flushed out some more but as it was, I came away with an overall feeling of meh.
RATING:
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