Book Review: The Kaiser Affair

The Kaiser Affair

By:  Joseph Robert Lewis

Publisher:  Copper Crow Books

Publish Date:  March 6, 2013

Format:  ebook, 244pgs

Genre:  Fantasy, steampunk touches

Series:  2st book in The Drifting Isle Chronicles,
Mihir of Fantasy Book Critic reviewed - The Machine God
The Quillery reviewed Black Mercury
I will update with links to reviews.
*Note - each book is by a different author set in this world and can be read in any order.

Recommendation:  Mystery, fighting...and the chase is on in an unexpected and new world.  A blend of fantasy wonder and steampunk, worth a read.

Synopsis:
When a master thief escapes from prison, detective Bettina Rothschild must put him back behind bars before the scandalous fiasco destroys the Ministry of Justice.  Her investigation leads from decaying cemeteries where ravens conspire to warehouses where wondrous machines are built in secret, and even to the fabled Drifting Isle above the city of Eisenstadt where an ancient tomb hides a deadly secret.

The relentless chase proves taxing for a young woman who relies on her cane and her steamcarriage to get about, but that's where a good husband steps in.  While Bettina picks locks and interrogates suspects, her beloved Arjuna defends her from the most brutal and bizarre assassins in Eisenstadt.

But as the clock ticks down, Bettina finds too many questions till remain.  How did the thief escape from prison?  How can he afford to hire so many killers?  And why would he go to the Drifting Isle only to steal a giant beetle?

First Sentence:
Bettina Rothschild stepped down from the steam carriage, carefully balancing her weight with one gloved hand on her gleaming black cane while her other hand held her hat in place against the stiff evening breeze.

Purchase At:

Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

*Note: You can go purchase this book, but Joseph has made his books free on his site. If you enjoy and feel moved, he has a Donate button.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Partners on the job, and in life, Bettina Rothchild and Arjuna Rana race through their home town, Eisenstadt, on a wicked chase.  The Ministry of Justice's Minister, Minister Kaiser, has an urgent and sensitive case for them... her brother, Ranulf Kaiser, has stealthy escaped prison.  He only had twenty-three days until his release.  Why?  They don't know.  Also Gisel Kaiser's appointment as Minister will be under review in two weeks.  To keep her in position things need to stay quiet, or she'll be replaced with a politician with no criminal investigation background.  The duo work the case through their home town, in all areas with dangerous thugs of that aren't Ranulf's usual partners, to the drifting Isle above the city and back again, with the help from a talking raven looking for a crow who attacked him.  And the secret dark magical society, the Shadow's on their tail pushing the stop of visitors to the Isle.

Action, fights, guns, carriage chases, and mystical floating islands.  All part of an amazing world with unexpected turns as to what we will see next in this world.  Even a touch of what feels like magic as well.  So many great elements blended together in one little package.  There is a feel of steampowered as well!

Bettina and Arjuna are exactly what I've been looking for in a couple.  Refreshing.  They have a "proper" banter between them, teasing and flirting...and married!  There are always things that couples need to discuss, and that comes to light here - every marriage is work.  But they are not the couple that falls apart and teases us on whether they will be together or not.  I love their relationship.  They work together, tease each other, and compliment the other both on the job and in comments.

Arry, as Bettina calls Arjuna, seems to be the "muscle" of the pair.  But not only that, hes an amazing shot and quite the speed reader - Bettina calls him her little library.  He's nothing the prejudice of the town have of his race, a Dumastran.  Bettina is tough and has her fair share of fights, however, her ankle slows her down.  She's a strong woman and brilliant as well.

I'm taken with this world.  A mysterious drifting isle floating in the sky, which no one (until now) can get to.  One inventor has created an autogyro that flies and claims to have visited, show this is a time of the steel age and other crafty devices.  This seems to be the focus of another...to get whatever is up there.  We have the Shadow, secret society, that seems to have dark magical abilities.  Birds of most kinds talk!  Yes TALK!  And when we do finally set foot on the mystical drifting isle...well, the way of the world there is different, and magical feeling.

Definitely my kind of world.  Sometimes I felt the descriptions were drawn out, but at the same time they drew me to the world as well.

I felt for the duo as they came so close a few times to getting their man, but it happens especially with all the help he has.

I'm definitely curious to read the additional books set in this world.  The series is written by different authors in their own parts of the world, but I'm curious to continue with them to see what else I can learn and get lost in with this diverse world.




This is the 2nd book in The Drifting Isle Chronicles
The Quillery reviewed 1st book Black Mercury
Mihir of Fantasy Book Critic reviewed 3rd book - The Machine God

*Note - each book is by a different author set in this world and can be read in any order.



*I read this for a group review from a blogger friend.