Customer Reviews

A Clockwork Fairytale (Fantasy Romance) (Sorcerers of Arco: Book One)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I became a fan of Helen Scott Taylor with her first book, The Magic Knot. Her lyrical writing and amazing imagination give you characters you'll remember for a long time, along with stories that take you away into a land of magic that dazzles with danger and romance. Her new book, A Clockwork Fairytale, is no exception. The fact that it's a young adult book makes it that much more endearing, watching a young love blossom in the face of fear and a hunger never felt before.

Melba is running around the city picking pockets and filching food and whatever else is needed to survive -- all disguised as a boy. She's been in the care of Master Maddox her entire life, never knowing her parents or where she comes from. One night she's in the wrong place at the wrong time, and her life dramatically changes. Opportunity has given her the chance to spy for Master Turk, the best in the business, and she's determined not to waste this moment. Even at 17 she has high aspirations in the spy game, along with a will to get her where she wants to go. This night Turk is her savior, so maybe her luck has already started to change.

Deciding at the last minute to take Mel under his wing, Turk exchanges pledges with the lad and they head toward Mel's new home, one supplied to Turk by the Shining Brotherhood. It's not long, however, before things begin to unravel and Turk discovers he's harboring a girl - who is also the long-lost Princess Melbaline, no longer the abducted child but a young woman now on the cusp of a new life. Knowing his duty is to return Melba to her father, Turk, with the blessing of his master with the Brotherhood, begins to teach her how to be a lady and a princess and also how to bring forth her magic.

Once Melba's gender is no longer an issue and she's no longer a candidate for a spy, she begins to see the world differently - first the luxury of Turk's home and all that comes with it and then Turk himself. Her feelings and emotions are just blossoming and Turk is her knight in shining armor. What she doesn't know yet is who she is. There are those who would still do what it takes to keep her from the palace, so Turk trains her in secrecy. Their attraction grows over the course of the weeks they're together, but Turk knows Melba can never be his. Aside from the fact she's royalty, he's also never told her he's a monk with the Brotherhood.

When she learns what Turk has in store for her, Melba wants none of it, only desiring to stay with Turk. But her father awaits and the day comes when Melba returns home at last. And then the trouble truly begins. While she's known the fear and angst of living from hand to mouth, Melba has never known true fear at the hands of another. Being at the mercy of a man using magic for his own evil gains slowly turns into a nightmare for both Turk and Melba. But love prevails as they work together to right the wrongs that have hung over the royal house for so many years.

In and among this beautiful historical story is Earth magic, the raising of Jinns, a type of earth spirit, that are mostly used for good, but there's also someone who uses them for ill. Turk is thrown into confusion at the attitude of his master toward his need and want of Melba. Melba is just as confused as to why Turk would rather give her away to duty than stay with her. They take to the rooftops and the underments of the city to race against time and danger. There are inter-related characters who all take on very different personas throughout, quirky to crazy, and they're all quite interesting. Dante the Trash King is one I especially like.

If you've yet to read to Helen Scott Taylor's Magic Knot Fairies books, don't bypass the beginning of this new series. Helen Scott Taylor will become a favorite of yours too.

Helen Scott-Taylor weaves suspense, magic, and emotion in a lovely fairytale with endearing characters. Melba is an intrepid down-to-earth urchin, who turns into a lovely young woman, and later into an inexperienced yet noble princess. Turk, the charming spymaster who can't resist her appeal, is trying to discover his past, assess his present and choose his future. The evil Royal Victualler, Vittorio, with his foul magic, the mysterious Gregorio, Shining Brotherhood's Primate, and the plain-spoken Gwinnie, are some of the colorful secondary characters that make the little world of Malvern Isle come alive. Taylor's inimitable style will have you smile, laugh, cry and bite your nails, as you turn the pages to reach the end of this unique story.
By Mona Risk, award-winning author of Osiris' Missing Part

This was a bit different to Helen Scott Taylor's Magic Knot series, but the world building and characters were just as good and I enjoyed it. It is a historical style fantasy world with a Victorian feel with an interesting type of magic connected to the Earth and raising Jinns, sort of Earth spirits that can drive metal devices. It's a bit like steampunk but driven by Jinns. I loved Melba and Turk and really wanted them to get together. This is obviously the start of a series and I can't wait for the next one. I hope Dante the Trash King has a big part in the next book. He was an interesting and quite unusual character. If you like fantasy and magic with romance you'll like this.

Melba was dropped off at the baker's house when she was only three years old. Maddox has raised her best he can, but raises her as one of the boys. So, Melba dressed like a boy, acts like a boy, and is very intelligent and one of the best thieves and pickpockets in the area.

When she is cornered one evening, her savior comes in the form of Turk, a man known as a master spymaster. Melba knows an opportunity when she sees it and asks Turk to pledge her and teach her how to be a master spy. He agrees, but once she takes a bath, he realizes it won't work. First, she is a girl and there are no female spies. Second, she has twelve toes and there is only one family he knows with that deformity, the Royal family. He does some research and is sure she is the missing princess.

Turk is a monk and he discusses Melba with his on master. They decide to teach Melba how to act and dress like a lady before they present her to her father, the king, and reap the rich reward. But there is something about Melba that enchants Turk and he tries really hard to be true to his vows.

Vittorio feels he was robbed of the throne. His father never claimed him as a son, and his father, the older brother of the king, never wanted the throne, so his younger brother, Melba's dad, took it. Now, he will do whatever it takes to acquire his seat at the throne, even if it means finding and marrying the princess.

Turk and Melba fall in love but Turk never tells her that he is a monk. He makes sure not to touch her person at all. When Melba learns she is the princess, she pleads for Turk to marry her. Then, they will never be apart, but Turk rejects her offer. First, he never told her he was a monk and second, her father would never allow it. Turk is not a prince. When she finds out he is a monk and was using her, she never wants to see him again.

However, Vittorio won't leave Melba's side and she isn't feeling well lately. Her father is dying and Vittorio wants Turk dead. Melba secretly meets with Turk and she forgives him but vows she will not marry Vittorio, no matter what. But Vittorio controls very powerful, dark and twisted magic and he will use it to his every advantage, even if it cost lives.

A Clockwork Fairytale is a refreshing romance with a twist of supernatural. Melba is a delightful character, Turk is dark and handsome and will make the girls swoon and Vittorio is dastardly. Helen builds each character carefully and cleverly, with the story spinning at a splendid rate, keeping this reader entranced. A satisfactory ending but alluding to another installment in the adventures of Melba and Turk that I can't wait to read! If you love fairytale romances with a splash of the supernatural, an evil spurned illegitimate child and the blush of first love, you won't want to miss A Clockwork Fairytale!!

I just finished this book and I'm still enjoying the happy buzz of the world Helen Scott Taylor created. It was a wonderful romantic adventure story--the kind you don't often get anymore. She is as rare talent and I'm going to recommend this to everyone I know, young and old.

Helen Scott-Taylor has woven an enchanting tale set in the fascinating world of Malvern Isle where Jinns, Earth spirits, drive metal, mechanical devices. It's Victorian steampunk fantasy, romance and a fairytale all in one.
With the skill that earned her the 2008 American Title IV Contest win, she's created a star cast of characters and a sweet romance. Melba, stolen as a child, raised as a pick-pocket, and told to pretend she's a boy. Smart, feisty, and attractive, she's unaware that she's really, truly a princess. Handsome, dark and charming Turk, who has secrets and misplaced loyalty. He's a monk enticed by the thief he's been assigned to transform into the Royal Princess she is. Raised to be obedient, dare he challenge Vittorio's evil magic to keep Melba safe? The supporting cast brings the story to life -- Dante the Trash King, the Shining Brotherhood, Foul Jinns, and clockwork creatures animated by apple spirits. A fun read for old and young alike.
And, the best part--it appears to be the start of a new series. I can't wait for the next book set in this world.

A Clockwork Fairytale was an amazing read. Helen Taylor Scott creates a wonderful, imaginative world, with memorable characters and a sweet romance. I loved this story! One warning though: This book didn't wrap up the story, so be prepared that it continues in another book or books.

I can't wait for the next book and hope the author writes many more stories set in this world!

This story was a delightful combination of steampunk and fairytale. Melba is an adorably wise urchin, Turk a young man finding his way between the "circles" of society. As their relationship unfolds, their familial histories collide with an uncertain future. There's a bit of mystery, a touch of politics, and a wonderful dash of romance. Oh, and some very interesting mechanical creations. It is a well-written, well-edited story for everyone who loves fairytales.

4 1/2 stars

Raised as a boy, seventeen year old Melba is one of the best pick pockets on Royal Malverne Isle but she yearns to move up in the ranks and become a spy. Her dreams come true when she and spymaster Turk run across each other's paths and he accepts her pledge to join his gang. Not realizing Melba is a girl, Turk takes her to his castle to feed and clean up where he makes more than one startling discovery, not only is she a girl but she just might be royalty. Turk's master insists he turn Melba into a young lady and return her to the home she was taken from long ago. Neither Turk or Melba are who they seem to be and begin a journey of discovery, wonder and even love as Turk teaches Melba earth magic, manners and how to be who she was destined to become, along the way running from bad Jinns, good monks and creating flutterflies.

A Clockwork Fairytale is an enjoyable mixture of steampunk, Victorian romance and fantasy. Melba is a contradiction of streetwise urchin and naïve young lady. She can pick a pocket, find her way through the sewer system and fight with the best of them, yet she loves the smell of flowers and is delighted by butterflies (which she calls flutterflies). Molding this little urchin into a lady is a challenge, one she doesn't want and fights the entire way. I loved her spunk, she sees no problems with who she is, thank you very much, she believes in good yet knows there is truly evil out there. She distrusts Monks, the well to do and baths.

Turk is only nineteen years old but has reached the standing of spymaster and is pledged to the highest monk in the Shining Brotherhood. What a contradiction he is, he is a monk and a spy, he dresses in the best clothes, lives in a castle eats fine food and associates with gentry. Turk began his life on Malverne Isle as one of the trash kids, was taken in by the Primate of the Shining Brotherhood, lived and trained as a monk then set up as a spy for the Shining Brotherhood. With his shining golden hair, tall lithe body and good looks, no one suspects he is not what he seems, which makes him the best spy around. Turk is confused by his feelings for Melba, Melba is sure about her feelings for Turk and everyone else has an agenda of their own.

There are some great secondary characters, Gwinnie, Turk's housekeeper gives us more than one moment of laughter and make the perfect foil for Melba's street smarts. Vittorio, the Royal Victualler is a truly nasty piece of work, we know from the beginning that we aren't going to like him and we don't. Gregorio, the Primate of the Shining Brotherhood is completely dedicated to his calling and can be, at times, difficult to like. I'm still not sure if he is a good guy, a bad guy or just an old fashioned monk.

This is my first foray into steampunk, it's not that I don't or can't read it; it's just that I haven't. I'm not a huge fan of fantasy or sci-fi so I always shy away from any book that might lean that way, I'll admit that might have been a mistake. The steampunk and fantasy aspects of this book were not hard to follow and gave the story twists that made it more fun to read. The story is most definitely geared toward the young adult, no bad language, no explicit love scenes, no needless violence, just a good story. While this is a love story, that is not all there is to it, there are a few action scenes, a few comedy scenes, some light romance and some dark moments. The only thing that kept this from being five stars for me was the Prologue was a bit clunky and the ending sucked. I won't give any spoilers but anyone who has read any of my reviews probably can guess what it was. I would most definitely recommend this to anyone, young or old, who enjoys a good clean love story, a little steampunk, a little fantasy and a few pretty flutterflies floating over head.

Reviewed as a Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Things I like about this book:
1. Relationship: This was essentially a Pygmalion effect, where Melba is the lost princess (kidnapped and placed in a poor man's employ at 3 years of age) when she is 17, then she then is found by Turk (spymaster for a brotherhood religious order) and he trains her to be presented for a reward to the king. This was a romance with fantasy elements... magic handling in the way of jinns or star spirits in things.
2. The POV: It was alternating 1st p POV between Melba and Turk. This was mainly their love story.
3. The world was moderately novel with their magic systems. Essentially they lived on an island with rings, like a medieval city... the outer ring held the poorest people and the inner circle was the king's castle.
4. The pace was good. Never anywhere too long.

Things I didn't like about the book.
1. The evil doer, her cousin, was somewhat boring and predictable.
2. The last forty percent was them getting kidnapped, tortured, and then escaping. Hit repeat three times. Yawn.
3. The gadgets were not very inspiring in their originality.
4. I don't like the Victorian description in the synopsis. This felt more like a ton era or even medieval fantasy. Since the steampunk elements were lacking, read this as a Romance Fantasy.

This book was entertaining at first, but then I felt it fell apart with the introduction of the evil doer cousin.