Reviewed by Lisa

TITLE: The Gilded Scarab

SERIES: Lancaster’s Luck, Book 1

AUTHOR: Anna Butler

NARRATOR: Gary Furlong

PUBLISHER: Decent Fellows Press

LENGTH: 11H 9M

RELEASE DATE: 14 October 2022

BLURB:

Book one in the Lancaster’s Luck M/M steampunk trilogy.

When Captain Rafe Lancaster is invalided out of the Britannic Imperium’s Aero Corps after crashing his aerofighter during the Second Boer War, his eyesight is damaged permanently, and his career as a fighter pilot is over. Returning to London in late November 1899, he’s lost the skies he loved, has no place in a society ruled by an elite oligarchy of powerful Houses, and is hard up, homeless, and in desperate need of a new direction in life. Everything changes when he buys a coffeehouse near the Britannic Imperium Museum in Bloomsbury, the haunt of Aegyptologists. For the first time in years, Rafe is free to be himself.

In a city powered by luminiferous aether and phlogiston, and where powerful men use House assassins to target their rivals, Rafe must navigate dangerous politics, deal with a jealous and possessive ex-lover, learn to make the best coffee in London, and fend off murder and kidnap attempts before he can find happiness with the man he loves.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

REVIEW:

This was my first Anna Butler book but I think that Gary Furlong is one of the best narrators out there and I have a soft spot for steampunk, so I was really looking forward to listening to this book.

The world building is incredibly good. Butler has included so many steampunk friendly, scientific details without overwhelming the reader or detracting from the pace of the plot. As a Londoner, I was so pleased to see how well the alternative version of my city is portrayed.

I am a big fan of found family and the characterisation in this book is excellently done. The charming and funny Rafe and Ned were so believable, although I couldn’t see the appeal of Daniel, the third part of the love triangle.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the remaining characters, especially Pearse.

Gary furlong is fantastic in this book. I’ve listened to so many of his books and I never know that he could do such a fabulous English accent.

The book is in the first person. Furlong makes Rafe sound so beautifully spoken and proper, funny, charming and sexy in turn.

This book does have mystery and pace but is relatively low angst. It’s so romantic and has ray guns – what’s not to love. I’m really excited to read the next book now.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

AUDIBLE

AMAZON

DECENT FELLOWS PRESS