Audio Book Review: Chasing the Green Fairy

Chasing the Green Fairy

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  March 4, 2014, Audiobook May 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 21 mins
Narrated By:  Danielle Cohen

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  2nd in The Airship Racing Chronicles series; 1st Book ~ Chasing the Star Garden

First Impression:  We are just scratching the top of this world and learning more and more to love!

Synopsis:
A sabotaged airship.

A recovering opium addict.

A messenger with life-shattering news.

With the 1824 British airship qualifying race only weeks away, Lily Stargazer is at the top of her game. She’s racing like a pro, truly in love, and living clean. But on one ill-omened day, everything changes.

Pulled head-long into the ancient secrets of the realm, Lily soon finds herself embroiled in Celtic mysteries and fairy lore. And she’s not quite sure how she got there, or even if she wants to be involved. But Lily soon finds herself chasing the spirit of the realm while putting her own ghosts to rest. And only accepting the truth--about her heart and her country--can save her.

*Due to steamy scenes and depictions of drug use, this novel is intended for mature readers.

First Sentence:
A chartreuse-colored leaf fluttered down onto the wheel of the Stargazer.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The qualifying race is coming soon, and Lily has woken to find the Stargazer has been sabotaged! Someone doesn't want them racing and wants to know what's made them so fast. The league for the qualifying races has changed it's rules. The winners of the qualifier, and racers of the World Grand Prix, will race around the world! And a dangerous race for all. With all the work needed on the Stargazer, Lily is called away to see Lord Byron. Lord Byron once again sends her on an extraordinary and out of this world adventure.

We have a different narrator this time. Danielle. She has the accents for Lily and those around her along with a lulling voice to flow with the words. But she doesn't have as many different tones for the different characters. Her voice works for the heartbreaking parts, and rises us up with the turn of events to bring us out of the haze we fell into with Lily.

Lily is cleaned up. But she still has her contacts in the opium world. Phineas is one she trusts to put the details together and figure out who is behind the destruction on her ship. But at Phin's she also talks to him about other things he's looking into for her. Temenos, her father. The mention of him since the adventure with Celeste had been tickling at her mind. Phin is also making a trip to check out a grave at the debtors prison as well...

The men in Lily's life...

In Chasing the Star Garden we got to know Sal. We even got to know her past and adoptive fathers. Here, we get to know Byron.

Lily's love, Sal. Lily seems to be questioning whether this is what she wants. She gets the feel that Sal sees her as his future wife and mother of his children. Is it nerves or something more? She's even agreed to move in with him above his new factory that will be opening. It seems Lily's actions at the end of Chasing the Star Garden has drawn eyes to Sal's invention. The parachute is something everyone wants now. And Lily has convinced him to produce the push button bodice.

We get detailed visits to Lily's past with Lord Byron and her ship, the Stargazer. Byron has been a huge part of Lily's life since she got the Stargazer, actually, just before she purchased the Stargazer. And unexpectedly he helped her in the purchase of it, and not in the normal fashion. Byron is one that Lily will always hold close to her heart.

This story has it's heartache and what affects Lily deeply. This is a turn of a corner for Lily, once again. But the heartache will take Lily on a new adventure in the air and in her heart. About half way through the story this drastic turn comes to light. This new turn caught my attention and drew me to wonder what would come next and where we would go. It's almost as the second part of the book is a different story. Mysterious and magical. The first half was emotional and the second half brings us to a curious feeling.

Everyone has doubts and regrets. How you live with them and handle them is what works on you, or not. But we can hope and strive to live life to the fullest, with no regrets in the end. Clearing the regrets and doubts is a way to help feel one is living free and life.

Melanie has packed a lot of leads in the first five chapters. Much to come to pass and work it's way out as the story continues. And oh so much more to learn. There is much more to this world in which we are just starting to scratch the top of the barrel of. We get to see more of what the series is named after; The Airship Racing Chronicles. We get to see the league and ride in a race with Lily.