Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Engineer
SERIES: Magic & Steam
AUTHOR: C.S. Poe
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 84 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2020
BLURB:
1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton is a magic caster with the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam. He’s sent to Shallow Grave, Arizona, to arrest a madman engineer known as Tinkerer, who’s responsible for blowing up half of Baltimore. Gillian has handled some of the worst criminals in the Bureau’s history, so this assignment shouldn’t be a problem. But even he’s taken aback by a run-in with the country’s most infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly.
Gunner is also stalking Shallow Grave in search of Tinkerer, who will stop at nothing to take control of the town’s silver mines. Neither Gillian nor Gunner are willing to let Tinkerer hurt more innocent people, so they agree to a very temporary partnership.
If facing illegal magic, Gatling gun contraptions, and a wild engineer in America’s frontier wasn’t enough trouble for a city boy, Gillian must also come to terms with the reality that he’s rather fond of his partner. But even if they live through this adventure, Gillian fears there’s no chance for love between a special agent and outlaw.
Based on the short story, “Gunner the Deadly.” Entirely revised, newly expanded, and Book One in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.
REVIEW:
Special Agent Gillian Hamilton has been sent on a mission. Take out he man known as “Tinkerer” who is an engineer building weapons of destruction – most recently taking out half of Baltimore. He’s in the West for the first time and he’s hot on the trail when he is caught in the crossfire of magical infused weapons. It seems that Tinkerer has another foe – and it turns out to be none other than Gunner the Deadly, notorious outlaw.
Tinkerer has come to Shallow Grave to acquire silver. Neither Gillian nor Gunner know exactly why he’s focused on the silver mines, but they discover where he’s hiding out and attempt to bring him in. We witness another of Tinkerer’s weapons and we learn some other things about Tinkerer and also Gunner. But in the meantime, Gunner and Gillian become closer as they watch each other’s backs and get to know one another during their pursuit. When they escape another deadly encounter, they end up back in town together. But they know they will have to face their adversary at least one more time and make sure he doesn’t escape them.
What an interesting and engaging kick-off to a new series! I hadn’t had the chance to read the original story, but I really liked this version 🙂 I love stories where the “bad guy” is not exactly what we anticipate or assume. We don’t know the reasons yet why Gunner does what he does, but we do know that he’s not a coldhearted killer. He saves Gillian at times and Gillian saves him at times. Gillian’s magic abilities keep him apart from most. But he’s drawn to Gunner and we see the loneliness in his existence. When he and Gunner join forces, it’s interesting to watch their dynamic change and for Gillian to be seen for himself for maybe the first time. I loved the steampunk elements and the magic elements as well and the bad guy was truly evil! It was exciting to see what he would come up with next to try to foil Gunner and Gillian. And the ending had me swooning and looking forward to more! I cannot wait for the coming novel. Highly recommended particularly for fans of historicals, steampunk and magic. 🙂
RATING: 
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