The Native Star - Book Review

The Native Star (Native Star #1)
by M.K. Hobson

What is it about:
The year is 1876. In the small Sierra Nevada settlement of Lost Pine, the town witch, Emily Edwards, is being run out of business by an influx of mail-order patent magics. Attempting to solve her problem with a love spell, Emily only makes things worse. But before she can undo the damage, an enchanted artifact falls into her possession—and suddenly Emily must flee for her life, pursued by evil warlocks who want the object for themselves.

Dreadnought Stanton, a warlock from New York City whose personality is as pompous and abrasive as his name, has been exiled to Lost Pine for mysterious reasons. Now he finds himself involuntarily allied with Emily in a race against time—and across the United States by horse, train, and biomechanical flying machine—in quest of the great Professor Mirabilis, who alone can unlock the secret of the coveted artifact. But along the way, Emily and Stanton will be forced to contend with the most powerful and unpredictable magic of all—the magic of the human heart.

What did I think of it:
I'm in two minds about this book. I really liked Emily and Dreadnought and enjoyed reading about the adventures they have while on their way to Professor Mirabilis. The developing relationship between them is written very well, even though I felt like banging their heads together from time to time. What I didn't like was the plot in general. It felt too complicated and too much 'End of the World' to me. I will confess this is a personal dislike: I do not like it when an author gets out the big guns (so to speak) in a story that in my opinion could have done without them. But all in all this is a pleasant, steampunkish read, full of adventure and a bit of romance.

Why should you read it:
Steampunk and magic!