Title: Dark Currents
Author: Lindsay Buroker
First published June 8, 2011
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.24
Overview
In Lindsay Buroker’s thrilling novel Dark Currents, former enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon and assassin Sicarius find themselves in a precarious position. Despite their heroic actions in saving the emperor’s life, they are being blamed for the entire scheme and are being hunted by enforcers and bounty hunters.
With the emperor personally despising Sicarius and their exoneration seeming unlikely, Amaranthe and Sicarius must find a way to clear their names. When a mysterious illness strikes the city’s citizens and mutilated bodies are found in the aqueducts, Amaranthe and Sicarius see an opportunity to solve the mystery and prove their loyalty.
However, they must face dangerous shamans, man-eating predators, and deadly mechanical constructs, all while avoiding imperial soldiers who are out for their blood. Buroker delivers a gripping, action-packed adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
As a full-time author of fantasy and science fiction, my days are consumed with crafting imaginative worlds and compelling characters. However, when I’m not lost in my own writing, I enjoy taking my furry companions to explore hiking trails and experience new adventures in the great outdoors.
Editoral Review
In Lindsay Buroker’s Dark Currents, readers are transported to an alternate world where magic is real and the Industrial Revolution is in full swing. The book, first published in June 2011, is a fast-paced adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Buroker is an accomplished author of science fiction and fantasy novels, and Dark Currents is no exception. She expertly weaves together action, magic, and humor to create a world that is simultaneously familiar and unique.
At the heart of the plot is the tough and capable chi-surgeon, Sicarius, who is recruited by imperial law enforcer, Amaranthe Lockdon, to help solve a string of murders in the city of Turgonia. Along with a ragtag group of misfits, including a metal-eating goblin, an engineer with an eye for explosives, and a seductive assassin, Amaranthe and Sicarius must navigate Turgonia’s treacherous underworld to catch the killer and save the city.
One of the strengths of Dark Currents is its characters. Each member of the team has their own distinct personality and backstory, which makes them feel like real people rather than caricatures.
Amaranthe, for instance, is a plucky heroine who is not afraid to stand up to authority figures in order to do what’s right. Her chemistry with Sicarius is electric, and their banter is full of wit and humor.
The setting of Turgonia is also well-drawn, with Buroker taking care to describe its narrow streets, bustling marketplaces, and elaborate canal system in vivid detail. The world-building is top-notch, with Buroker infusing the story with her own unique blend of Steampunk and Fantasy aesthetics.
However, the book is not without its flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some scenes feeling rushed while others drag on too long.
The plot also occasionally relies too heavily on coincidence to move things forward. Additionally, some readers may find the magic system to be underdeveloped and vague.
Despite these flaws, Dark Currents is a thrilling adventure that is sure to appeal to fans of both Steampunk and Fantasy. Buroker is a talented writer who knows how to keep readers engaged from the first page to the last.
Fans of Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, and Brandon Sanderson will find much to enjoy in this book. Overall, I recommend Dark Currents to anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced read with strong characters and an intriguing world.
While it may not be a perfect book, it is certainly an entertaining one. I give it a solid four out of five stars.
