Review: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

Title: Boneshaker Author: Cherie Priest Format: TP Available Formats: TP, Kindle Page Count: 414 Genre: Steampunk/Science Fiction Publisher: Tor Pub. Date: September 29, 2009 ISBN-13: 9780765318411 Series: #1 in the The Clockwork Century universe Rating: 8 of 10

Summary:
Ezekiel "Zeke" Wilkes is the son of Briar Wilkes and Leviticus Blue. Zeke has never known his father, but has heard the angry stories all his life. Even Briar won't say a good word about Leviticus Blue, because Leviticus Blue was the man who made the Boneshaker. And he was the man who's machine tunneled under the city, killing many, and killing even more when the Blight was released from the hole to turn people into shambling zombie-like creatures. Although the section of the town crawling with Blight has been walled off, Zeke is sure that there are answers to his questions about his father there and he sets off to find them.

TL;DR Version:
Zombies and non-Victorian Steampunk--why didn't anyone think of this sooner? Perhaps it's my bias towards the undead or Steampunk, but this book not only entertained, but enthralled my imagination. I loved visualizing the Rotters and ships...

Review:
Boneshaker is not only my first outing with Cherie Priest, but the first time I had even heard of the author. Regardless, once I heard the premise of the book, I was hooked immediately: Steampunk and zombies. Priest definitely delivers on both promises, which I'll get to in time.

Boneshaker takes place during the Civil War, sort of. Priest herself admits that she plunders history for her own devices (although she puts a bit more amusingly than that: "It isn’t inaccurate, it’s alternate.") I rather like the alternative history of a much drawn-out Great Rebellion (or Civil War, as we know it), airships, and Blight. The story revolves around Briar and Zeke Wilkes. Briar is quite poor--and maybe not the best mom--but she doesn't hesitate to rush to risk her own life when rescuing her son. Both Briar and Zeke are interesting characters that only become more interesting as they develop with the plot. In fact, I came to like both characters separately and I appreciated the fact that much of their story lines were apart from each other. Despite the story lines being separate, the two characters compliment each other to create one full story. Boneshaker isn't about Zeke and it isn't about Briar, because it's about both. Priest sets up their family dynamic, relationships, and plots with perfection.

Similarly, I have to say that the alternative history setting is also crafted wonderfully. From the brown font, the names, the tone of the book--it all felt very much like I was immersed in an entirely new and exciting world. Priest's level of detail was just perfect and released in just the right amounts and increments.

Now, to my delight a good portion of the novel is about the Blight and Rotters. The Blight is that ever-hovering danger for anyone within the walled portion of Seattle. The Blight has some unique details that I hope are explored further in later novels, such as how it's used as an incredibly dangerous drug called 'lemon sap'. The constant threat of Blight works well in conjunction with the Rotters. The Rotters, of course, are zombies. Therefore, when Briar or Zeke don't have to worry about the Blight and their flimsy protections from the poison, they must worry about the Rotters. The suspense Priest builds through these two elements is just tasty for any fan of zombies or horror. Meanwhile, there's enough of a quest element and adventure element for everyone else. I rather liked the horror aspect.

The only thing holding Boneshaker back from a 9 is a few areas where the plot felt a bit mechanical. Really, though, the complaint is utterly minor, because this is one of the books of 2009 I recommend without reservation. I'm already planning on tracking down some other Priest books--and I'm getting Clementine (not a direct sequel, but in the same universe) the minute it's released.

Cover/Title/First Line Critique:
This is one of the most beautiful books I've seen in a long time. Maybe one of the best on my shelves. The cover is a great meld of gorgeous art and great design. Jon Foster, the artist, and Jamie Stafford-Hill worked perfectly together to combine the very Steampunk image of goggles and airships all in a portrait with beautiful positioning and details for the author name and title. Additionally--and this an unusual quality--the font used throughout the book is this lovely (and easy on the eyes) shade of brown. From the cover to the very last detail inside, it's obvious that the details were doted upon until this book became the gorgeous thing it is. I have no complaints whatsoever with the incredibly appealing design. Even the intriguing title and fantastic opening quote pale in comparison to the beautiful design.

Rating: 8 of 10 [Learn more about the rating system?]
This one was incredibly close to a 9. Regardless, it's a recommendation without reservation! Boneshaker is enthralling, so check it out.

This book was won in a Book Blogger Appreciation Week Giveaway at Shelf Love.